Disney World Hotel Stay Turns Into “Disgusting” Nightmare for Frustrated Guest
Walt Disney World Resort is a magical place where visitors from around the world come to create unforgettable memories. For many, the experience extends beyond the theme parks to the resorts that cater to every need, ensuring that guests have a comfortable and seamless stay. However, as many visitors know, even the most renowned hotels can sometimes fall short of expectations.
While some guests have nothing but praise for their stays, others, unfortunately, experience incidents that mar their time at Disney World.
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One such incident recently made waves, as a guest shared their frustrating and seemingly disastrous experience at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, one of the most popular resorts located in Disney World. The guest, known by their Reddit username ragingseaturtle, took to the platform to express their dissatisfaction and describe their stay as a “horror show.”
The Swan and Dolphin Hotels, which are operated by Marriott and not owned by Disney, are known for their prime location along the BoardWalk, offering easy access to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Many visitors love the hotels for their proximity to the parks and their luxurious amenities. But for one guest, their experience was far from magical.
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Reddit Post That Sparked the Conversation
In their Reddit post, the guest, ragingseaturtle, shared a detailed account of their stay, which was marred by issues from the moment they arrived. While the family had previously enjoyed stays at the Dolphin Hotel, this time was different—and not in a good way.
According to the Reddit post, the issues started right at check-in when the front desk staff claimed there was no reservation in the system, despite the guest providing confirmation emails. After some back-and-forth, the issue was eventually resolved.
However, the problems didn’t end there.
Here is the original Reddit post from ragingseaturtle:
“At about 11am we got a text that our room was ready and headed over at 1 to check it out and so my kids could rest. The bellhop couldn’t find our bags despite us having a ticket. Thirty minutes of back and forth, and suddenly they’re located and we make our way to our room in the East Tower (had the West Tower last year).
The moment I got off the elevator I knew this wasn’t going to be good. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone compared to last year; this floor felt like a Motel 6. The carpet was worn, it was hot, and incredibly muggy. I opened the door and was slammed in the face by a mildew smell. It was so horrible. We left the room and came back a few hours later, hoping it worked out, and tried to tough it out. But between the smell and the doors not closing properly (assuming they were swollen from the humidity), we called the front desk.”
“About 2 hours and 30 minutes later (this is now 9:30 at night), a worker from housekeeping came. This poor guy speaks no English and starts spraying some sort of cleaner or liquid all over the room. With what little Spanish I speak, I explain it’s not going to work. He stands by the vent, smells it, and leaves. Another hour goes by and he knocks on the door, and on a piece of paper is written ‘Your room will be changed.’”
2nd time at the dolphin will be my last. Absolute horror show
byu/ragingseaturtle inWaltDisneyWorld
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The guest went on to describe further frustrations involving their room switch, luggage transfer errors, and subpar room conditions at the new room in the West Tower. “Our new room smelled better but was beat to hell. The bathroom door got stuck closed and I had to essentially rip it open to get my wife out. The carpet again was worn and dirty, and the door itself didn’t properly close.”
In the end, the family’s stay at the Dolphin Hotel didn’t get any better. After transferring to Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside resort for a few days, they encountered further issues with the transfer of their luggage, which was sent to the wrong hotel multiple times.
Other Guests Share Similar Complaints
What’s interesting about this post is that ragingseaturtle is not alone in their complaints. Many Reddit users responded, sharing their own negative experiences at the Swan and Dolphin. Comments ranged from dissatisfaction with the musty-smelling rooms to reports of broken light fixtures and issues with room cleanliness.
One comment even mentioned mold problems that required room changes, further compounding the guest’s frustrations.
It should be noted that the Swan and Dolphin Hotels are set to undergo a significant $275 million expansion and refurbishment, which will include upgrading the convention spaces and guest rooms.
While these upgrades will likely improve the overall quality of the hotel, it’s clear that some guests believe the resort’s current state is far from acceptable, especially considering the premium price tag.
For many Disney World guests, the Swan and Dolphin represent an opportunity to experience luxury accommodations that aren’t directly owned by Disney. These hotels offer convenience and amenities, including walking distance to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, making them a popular choice for guests who want to stay close to the parks without paying the higher rates at Disney-owned resorts.
However, the complaints shared by ragingseaturtle and other guests reveal that the level of service and quality guests expect may not always align with what they actually receive. For a hotel that markets itself as a high-end destination, issues like moldy rooms, malfunctioning doors, and dirty carpets can leave guests feeling disappointed, especially when their expectations are set by previous experiences or promotional materials.
Have you ever experienced a stay at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels or another Disney World hotel that didn’t live up to your expectations? We’d love to hear about your experiences! Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s discuss what can be done to improve the overall quality of accommodations at Disney World.
This was actually my post. Id also like to emphasize the dolphin did not help us find our bags. My brother in law was the one who located them thanks to his air pods and we were actually at one point going to retrieve them. They refused to let us talk to the bell service driver at all and when he showed up he was not helpful
It’s why we only stay at Disney owned properties. That being said, mold is a horrible problem all over Florida. I am extremely allergic to it, and I would not be able to stay in a room with mold.
My family and I have stayed at the Dolphin 7 or 8 times and I have never been disappointed about anything. The front staff would go out of their way to make sure our stays were pleasant and enjoyable. But I can understand the frustration when you are on the trip of your dreams and things go wrong. There’s no joy in that!