ART or walk from Dolphin's Cove

[MomofSandT]

Staying at Dolphin's Cove in May with 2 kids (one in a wheelchair, one in a stroller), and 4 adults. I think DC is walking distance to the parks? I've never stayed there before! But is it better to just take ART instead? Just looking for some opinions. In the event that we decide to take afternoon nap breaks (the little one will be 20 months), we don't want to pay to park.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[Imdboss]

It's 1.3 miles to the park, everyone is different as to whether or not they'd consider that walkable. When we've stayed about a mile from the park we would walk in the morning then take ART back for our afternoon nap. Sometimes at night we'd just walk back because waiting on the shuttle was almost more tiring than just walking and getting to our beds.

 

[Howry]

We stayed at Dolphins Cove in October and there is no way I would walk that. I would take ART for sure. One of the things I liked about ART is during lunch instead of eating at the parks we would hop on ART and one of its stops is right in front of Red Robin. We could eat lunch there where things are a little quieter and less hectic and then either go back to the hotel for a rest or back to the park. This saved us money, we got better food IMO and it allowed our family a break.

ART pickup is right around the corner from Dolphins Cove, just past the Dennys. 5 Minute walk at most.

I really like Dolphins Cove also. We have stayed there 4 times now and its easily my first choice, they are starting to put in split systems in the units which will make the air conditioning much much better if needed, plus the gates community is really nice and safe feeling as well. Nice pool and a fun little mini golf course on site that is free as well.

The park has been super packed for awhile now and the break is really nice.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[Disney Dider]

It's also in walking distance to the toy story shuttle lot.

 

[nikkislaght]

we did both,, walked there and ART back. or vice versa .. depending on how tired we were

 

[cruisehopeful]

Walk to the Toy Story lot and take the bus from there. The walk back to Dolphin's Cove after a long day is a very long and tiring walk.

 

[llump41]

We stayed at Dolphin's last Aug and like others have said just walked into the Toy Story lot. A couple of times we were the only ones on the shuttle. Don't expect that at opening though.

 

[wongck]

I would vote for ART.
Unless you have not enough of walking in the parks.

 

[tarheelalum]

Beware the ART has a habit of not showing up sometimes and/or being so crowded you cannot get on it depending on where you are along their route. Incase you run into anything like that, the free shuttle at Disney's Toy story parking lot is pretty close and much better than walking.

 

[MomofSandT]

Awesome, thanks everyone!! I'm not a DLR newbie, but it's certainly been a while (15 years!). We used to stay at the cheapest main gate hotels, but my parents are coming with us, and they managed a timeshare exchange for a 3 bedroom!! I'll certainly mention making the walk to the Toy Story lot - that sounds like a good compromise to me!

 

[Jperiod]

We love dolphin's cove as well. We didn't like walking into the TS lot, but on busy days, it's much better than the ART (which is often full fast in the mornings). So I'd decide based on the crowd levels when you go.

 

[Jajone]

We stayed at Dolphins Cove in October and there is no way I would walk that. I would take ART for sure. One of the things I liked about ART is during lunch instead of eating at the parks we would hop on ART and one of its stops is right in front of Red Robin. We could eat lunch there where things are a little quieter and less hectic and then either go back to the hotel for a rest or back to the park. This saved us money, we got better food IMO and it allowed our family a break.

ART pickup is right around the corner from Dolphins Cove, just past the Dennys. 5 Minute walk at most.

I really like Dolphins Cove also. We have stayed there 4 times now and its easily my first choice, they are starting to put in split systems in the units which will make the air conditioning much much better if needed, plus the gates community is really nice and safe feeling as well. Nice pool and a fun little mini golf course on site that is free as well.

The park has been super packed for awhile now and the break is really nice.

Hope you have a great time!

We love dolphin's cove as well. We didn't like walking into the TS lot, but on busy days, it's much better than the ART (which is often full fast in the mornings). So I'd decide based on the crowd levels when you go.

How do I go about booking Dolphin's Cove. Their website shows no 2018 dates avail.

 

[Firepath]

I'm pretty sure you have to book through a Worldmark or Wyndham owner to get into Dolphin Cove. Check the T.U.G. (Timeshare Users Group) website to find a rental. Also, I have heard that the Toy Story lot shuttle doesn't start running early for MM, just for the regular opening time. I won't be there until next week so I can't confirm that. It sounds like we may have to walk for our early entry day.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Beware that Dolphin Cove does not have elevators and all 3 bedroom units are on the 2nd floor. We enjoyed our stay there. Sometimes we walked and other times we took the Toy Story shuttle.