Liz
Make a miracle!
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 4,909
Cast:
ME - 43, Author of this report, grew up in Florida, too many WDW trips to really count
PAUL - 50, my dear husband, several WDW trips under his belt
JEFF - 14, our dear son, this is about his 6th trip to WDW
LAURA - 13, our dear daughter, her 6th trip also. Will be participating in the U.S. Transplant Games in Orlando.
MY MOM - late 60's, been to WDW many times, last time 5 years ago
JUNE 22- SATURDAY
Got up at 6:00 AM and did one small load of laundry. Now we were ready to go to Orlando with 100% of our clothes clean. Paul went to gas up the car while we finished getting ready.
We left home about 9:00 AM and drove in and out of rain to Orlando (more in than out). One quick bathroom stop on the road and we were at the Dolphin around noon! We stayed at the Dolphin last August and it was like coming home! We love it here!
Paul dropped off mom and the kids by the front entrance then the two of us went to self-park and bring up some of the luggage.
Check in was quick and easy. No one else in line. We had the rooms paid for in full before we arrived. I had requested the west wing, although I know most people prefer east wing to get a view of Epcot. We had the east wing last time and had a great view of the boat launch and MGM. This time I knew my mom would possibly be spending a lot of time at the resort alone, and I wanted things to be simple and do anything to lessen the likelihood of her getting lost because it is such a big place.
We were given connecting rooms on the 5th floor, 5175 and 5177. The view was AWESOME! Last year I didn't think anything could be better, but this view was every bit as good as the east wing! The view looked out on the whole Grotto area, the lap pool, the lake and swan boats. We could see Tower of Terror and Mickey's sorcerer's hat at MGM. Room 5175 had a balcony and 5177 had a big floor to ceiling window. We let my mom choose which room she wanted. Initially we thought she should have the balcony since she'd most likely be in the room more than us, but she liked the room with the big window instead. Everything in two rooms were the same except for the balcony. She said the balcony room you had to actually be out on the balcony to enjoy the view. In her room with the big window she could enjoy the view laying on the bed or from anywhere in the room and still be inside where it was cool.
The rooms at the Dolphin are big and wonderful! There's a desk and two straight back chairs, and an upholstered chair by a table with a lamp. The room has two phones. The T.V. is in a big cabinet that has 4 large drawers on the bottom. The other side opposite the T.V. is the mini-bar. When we checked in we refused the mini-bar key. We found the beds to be in good shape. One bed in my mom's room was a little saggy in the middle but no one ever slept there. The bathroom has a single sink and lots of counter space. The bathroom door has a full length mirror on it! The actual bathroom area has the usual toilet & tub. The towels at the Dolphin are luxurious and thick! The daily bars of oatmeal soap and a facial soap are great and I kept putting them in our suitcase so we could get more each day! The closet is big with lots of hangers. It also has an iron, ironing board, hair dryer and wall safe.
I don't know who we had as neighbors on the other side of us, but never heard a peep from anyone. It was very quiet and nice. One thing I noticed different from last year is the air conditioning. Last year the halls were always cold and they felt so good coming in from the hot outdoors. This year the halls weren't hot but they weren't cold like they were before. Also I read something on the boards about some resorts having a system where it can tell if no one is in the room and it shuts the air conditioning off. I don't know if the Dolphin got that system just since last year or what, but every now and then the room would get too warm and we'd have to go turn the air up. Not a problem, just noticed it was different.
As we walked through the convention area from the self-parking to our room, we saw an insurance convention would be taking place during our stay. I know this is a reason some people give for not liking the Dolphin, because of the large conventions it sometimes has. This has never been a problem for us and wasn't this time either. We're here to have FUN and some business people around us sure wasn't going to detract from that goal!
After all the luggage was up in the room we went to lunch at Beaches & Cream. We've eaten there two years prior and think the place is fun and the food is good. This year we had another reason to eat there - Connections vouchers! We were anxious to give it a try.
We went down to the boat launch to catch the boat to Epcot since it would stop at the Yacht & Beach Club. Paul & Jeff decided to just walk over. Mom didn't think she could walk that far so Laura and I waited with her for the boat. We must have just missed the boat because it was a long wait, at least 20 minutes.
Then when we got to the Yacht & Beach Club we went the wrong way because I couldn't remember exactly where Beaches & Cream was. Its kind of hidden! We finally found the place and just in time because when we got to the podium it started to pour hard, followed immediately by a ton of thunder & lightning. We were told we had a wait of about 25 minutes for a table. To get out of the weather we waited in the arcade right next door. Jeff was finally able to part with some of his money so he was a happy camper!
It was a pretty long wait for a table. I don't blame the people inside for not wanting to hurry out into that awful storm! I would have done the same thing!
After being seated I showed the waiter the Connections vouchers. Paul and Jeff shared one voucher. Laura and I shared another. My mom just ordered separately. She eats different food than the rest of us so no one was anxious to share her meal! Paul & Jeff shared the prime rib sandwich & fries, onion rings for a side dish, mango smoothie for the drink and fudge mudslide for dessert. Laura and I shared a double bacon cheeseburger and fries, onion rings, mango smoothie, and No Way Jose for dessert. Paul and I also ordered a couple of diet cokes separate from the vouchers.
The food was brought out already separated onto four plates, which was very nice. Everything was as delicious as we remembered. Even sharing food the four of us could not finish everything. We decided later we should have coordinated our orders better so we didn't overdose on fries & onion rings! Had we not used the vouchers our bill would have been $54.62 (not counting my mom's or the diet cokes). Instead we just gave them two vouchers (value $22 total) and paid $5 for the diet Cokes. GREAT DEAL!!! My mom paid $11 cash for her meal, including tip (veggie burger with fruit & diet Coke). She had been skeptical to use a voucher so I explained to her that she could have had dessert & a salad too at no additional cost. She said next time she'd give it a try.
After eating it was still raining. We decided we'd visit MGM for the afternoon & evening. Mom wanted to go back to the room, unpack and get to bed early. We decided that Paul would see mom back to her room and I'd go ahead to MGM with Jeff & Laura. Then I could arrange for Laura's GAC (Guest Assistance Card). We decided to meet Paul in front of Beauty & The Beast.
At MGM we went to Guest Services (I guess that's what its called - its just to the left after entering MGM). I have always shown them a letter from Laura's cardiologist explaining that she is a heart transplant patient and that while she is doing well, she has a weakened immune system and should be kept from waiting in large crowds as much as possible. I have always in the past let the letter do the talking for me, not so much that I couldn't explain the situation myself, but since she looks totally healthy I don't want them to think I'm trying to pull something over on them.
This time the CM wouldn't take the letter and said they aren't allowed to even read it. He was VERY nice about it and said for me to just tell him what we needed and he would take care of it. I explained it and he got the GAC for Laura. He said on future visits to just bring the card back and ask for it to be renewed.
It was still raining, and we headed over to B&B to wait for Paul. Jeff & Laura rode Tower of Terror while I got FP's so they could ride it again with Paul after he arrived. I had Paul's Mickey poncho (we brought them with us from our last visit to WDW) in my backpack. He hadn't wanted to wear it before because when he left to take my mom back to the Dolphin the rain had lessened a bit. Well now it was raining harder than ever. Jeff and I got the bright idea to meet him at the entrance to MGM rather than B&B. That way we could give him his poncho sooner and he wouldn't get drenched. This proved to be a baaaad idea (but our intentions were good)! Somehow we missed each other. We were waiting at the front for quite awhile wondering what was taking him so long. Jeff went back to B&B once to look for him and didn't see him. Then we all went back again and he apparently had been there waiting for quite awhile. He wasn't real happy with us and said if we arrange a meeting place we should stick with that same place. Okay, but like I said before our intentions were good.
Paul said he already rode ToT twice while he was waiting for us (so he wasn't in front of B&B the whole time either!!!) Jeff & Paul rode RnR while Laura and I waited for B&B to start. The boys got back before the show started so we all watched B&B together. Four for a Dollar opened the show again! We LOVE them! We recognized two of the guys from last year and two different ones. The really cute one from last time wasn't there! LOL!
Beauty & the Beast seemed different to me too. I don't know if I just remembered it differently or if it truly was different. It was still wonderful! I could go to MGM and do nothing else but sit through shows of Four for a Dollar and B&B all day and I'd be happy! My family doesn't love it as much as I do but I think they like it.
We went back to go to WWTBAM but just missed the last show for the day. Why does it close so early? This was only around 7:00 PM and MGM didn't close till 10:30. We went on the Backlot Tour and then sat down for a minute so Laura could take her medicine. It had finally quit raining, which was a really good thing because I had pointed out to Jeff that his poncho (which was purchased a year ago) had a small rip in the top. Before long he had played with it so much the rip was now a huge gash and we had to throw the poncho away!
We then went in One Man's Dream and walked through there. I thought it was really neat! I got choked up and teary eyed when I read the part about Walt passing away and seeing the picture of Mickey crying. We didn't stay to see the movie because we thought we'd do that when mom was with us because we knew that would be something she'd like. (Little did we know this one afternoon & evening would be our only time to visit MGM this vacation so we never saw the movie.) We weren't sure how to exit the place without seeing the movie so we just went back out the front. Jeff was worried the CM at the entrance would think we didn't like it and that's why we were leaving early! He's really considerate of other people's feelings (except when he's tormenting his sister)!
We rode the Great Movie Ride next and had the gangster. Its always really good.
We got some dinner at a little place over by ToT, can't remember what its called. Laura and I each had a foot long hotdog (very good), Jeff got a turkey leg and we got one large drink to share. Paul didn't feel like eating and said his stomach was a bit upset.
Of course the best thing for an upset stomach is to ride ToT one more time, which Paul & Jeff did! Laura and I waited for them. She was tired and wanted to go back to the room. We told the boys if we weren't there when they got back then they'd know we'd gone back to the hotel. I wanted to stay for the 10:30 show of Fantasmic, although I was tired too. I pursuaded Laura to stay and when the boys got back we found a seat in the stadium. The show was as great as we remembered!
Back at the Dolphin we went to Tubbis and bought 4 of the refillable mugs. I asked if I could use the Disney Club discount for the mugs and was told no. I didn't think I could but it never hurts to ask! They were kind of hard to find. They are up right by the cashiers.
Once up in our room Jeff crashed and was asleep in no time. Laura got a sudden burst of energy! It was after midnight and she decided to video tape everything in the room! We have great documentation of EVERYTHING - every mirror, chair, the Tip for the Day on the TV, and several fascinating moments of the hook on the back of the bathroom door!
It was a great first day!
Budget for the day:
$17 Gas
$22 Two vouchers used at Beaches & Cream
$5 Two diet Cokes at Beaches & Cream
$3 Lg drink at Backlot Express
$15 Dinner at MGM
$42 Four refillable mugs at Tubbis
ME - 43, Author of this report, grew up in Florida, too many WDW trips to really count
PAUL - 50, my dear husband, several WDW trips under his belt
JEFF - 14, our dear son, this is about his 6th trip to WDW
LAURA - 13, our dear daughter, her 6th trip also. Will be participating in the U.S. Transplant Games in Orlando.
MY MOM - late 60's, been to WDW many times, last time 5 years ago
JUNE 22- SATURDAY
Got up at 6:00 AM and did one small load of laundry. Now we were ready to go to Orlando with 100% of our clothes clean. Paul went to gas up the car while we finished getting ready.
We left home about 9:00 AM and drove in and out of rain to Orlando (more in than out). One quick bathroom stop on the road and we were at the Dolphin around noon! We stayed at the Dolphin last August and it was like coming home! We love it here!
Paul dropped off mom and the kids by the front entrance then the two of us went to self-park and bring up some of the luggage.
Check in was quick and easy. No one else in line. We had the rooms paid for in full before we arrived. I had requested the west wing, although I know most people prefer east wing to get a view of Epcot. We had the east wing last time and had a great view of the boat launch and MGM. This time I knew my mom would possibly be spending a lot of time at the resort alone, and I wanted things to be simple and do anything to lessen the likelihood of her getting lost because it is such a big place.
We were given connecting rooms on the 5th floor, 5175 and 5177. The view was AWESOME! Last year I didn't think anything could be better, but this view was every bit as good as the east wing! The view looked out on the whole Grotto area, the lap pool, the lake and swan boats. We could see Tower of Terror and Mickey's sorcerer's hat at MGM. Room 5175 had a balcony and 5177 had a big floor to ceiling window. We let my mom choose which room she wanted. Initially we thought she should have the balcony since she'd most likely be in the room more than us, but she liked the room with the big window instead. Everything in two rooms were the same except for the balcony. She said the balcony room you had to actually be out on the balcony to enjoy the view. In her room with the big window she could enjoy the view laying on the bed or from anywhere in the room and still be inside where it was cool.
The rooms at the Dolphin are big and wonderful! There's a desk and two straight back chairs, and an upholstered chair by a table with a lamp. The room has two phones. The T.V. is in a big cabinet that has 4 large drawers on the bottom. The other side opposite the T.V. is the mini-bar. When we checked in we refused the mini-bar key. We found the beds to be in good shape. One bed in my mom's room was a little saggy in the middle but no one ever slept there. The bathroom has a single sink and lots of counter space. The bathroom door has a full length mirror on it! The actual bathroom area has the usual toilet & tub. The towels at the Dolphin are luxurious and thick! The daily bars of oatmeal soap and a facial soap are great and I kept putting them in our suitcase so we could get more each day! The closet is big with lots of hangers. It also has an iron, ironing board, hair dryer and wall safe.
I don't know who we had as neighbors on the other side of us, but never heard a peep from anyone. It was very quiet and nice. One thing I noticed different from last year is the air conditioning. Last year the halls were always cold and they felt so good coming in from the hot outdoors. This year the halls weren't hot but they weren't cold like they were before. Also I read something on the boards about some resorts having a system where it can tell if no one is in the room and it shuts the air conditioning off. I don't know if the Dolphin got that system just since last year or what, but every now and then the room would get too warm and we'd have to go turn the air up. Not a problem, just noticed it was different.
As we walked through the convention area from the self-parking to our room, we saw an insurance convention would be taking place during our stay. I know this is a reason some people give for not liking the Dolphin, because of the large conventions it sometimes has. This has never been a problem for us and wasn't this time either. We're here to have FUN and some business people around us sure wasn't going to detract from that goal!
After all the luggage was up in the room we went to lunch at Beaches & Cream. We've eaten there two years prior and think the place is fun and the food is good. This year we had another reason to eat there - Connections vouchers! We were anxious to give it a try.
We went down to the boat launch to catch the boat to Epcot since it would stop at the Yacht & Beach Club. Paul & Jeff decided to just walk over. Mom didn't think she could walk that far so Laura and I waited with her for the boat. We must have just missed the boat because it was a long wait, at least 20 minutes.
Then when we got to the Yacht & Beach Club we went the wrong way because I couldn't remember exactly where Beaches & Cream was. Its kind of hidden! We finally found the place and just in time because when we got to the podium it started to pour hard, followed immediately by a ton of thunder & lightning. We were told we had a wait of about 25 minutes for a table. To get out of the weather we waited in the arcade right next door. Jeff was finally able to part with some of his money so he was a happy camper!
It was a pretty long wait for a table. I don't blame the people inside for not wanting to hurry out into that awful storm! I would have done the same thing!
After being seated I showed the waiter the Connections vouchers. Paul and Jeff shared one voucher. Laura and I shared another. My mom just ordered separately. She eats different food than the rest of us so no one was anxious to share her meal! Paul & Jeff shared the prime rib sandwich & fries, onion rings for a side dish, mango smoothie for the drink and fudge mudslide for dessert. Laura and I shared a double bacon cheeseburger and fries, onion rings, mango smoothie, and No Way Jose for dessert. Paul and I also ordered a couple of diet cokes separate from the vouchers.
The food was brought out already separated onto four plates, which was very nice. Everything was as delicious as we remembered. Even sharing food the four of us could not finish everything. We decided later we should have coordinated our orders better so we didn't overdose on fries & onion rings! Had we not used the vouchers our bill would have been $54.62 (not counting my mom's or the diet cokes). Instead we just gave them two vouchers (value $22 total) and paid $5 for the diet Cokes. GREAT DEAL!!! My mom paid $11 cash for her meal, including tip (veggie burger with fruit & diet Coke). She had been skeptical to use a voucher so I explained to her that she could have had dessert & a salad too at no additional cost. She said next time she'd give it a try.
After eating it was still raining. We decided we'd visit MGM for the afternoon & evening. Mom wanted to go back to the room, unpack and get to bed early. We decided that Paul would see mom back to her room and I'd go ahead to MGM with Jeff & Laura. Then I could arrange for Laura's GAC (Guest Assistance Card). We decided to meet Paul in front of Beauty & The Beast.
At MGM we went to Guest Services (I guess that's what its called - its just to the left after entering MGM). I have always shown them a letter from Laura's cardiologist explaining that she is a heart transplant patient and that while she is doing well, she has a weakened immune system and should be kept from waiting in large crowds as much as possible. I have always in the past let the letter do the talking for me, not so much that I couldn't explain the situation myself, but since she looks totally healthy I don't want them to think I'm trying to pull something over on them.
This time the CM wouldn't take the letter and said they aren't allowed to even read it. He was VERY nice about it and said for me to just tell him what we needed and he would take care of it. I explained it and he got the GAC for Laura. He said on future visits to just bring the card back and ask for it to be renewed.
It was still raining, and we headed over to B&B to wait for Paul. Jeff & Laura rode Tower of Terror while I got FP's so they could ride it again with Paul after he arrived. I had Paul's Mickey poncho (we brought them with us from our last visit to WDW) in my backpack. He hadn't wanted to wear it before because when he left to take my mom back to the Dolphin the rain had lessened a bit. Well now it was raining harder than ever. Jeff and I got the bright idea to meet him at the entrance to MGM rather than B&B. That way we could give him his poncho sooner and he wouldn't get drenched. This proved to be a baaaad idea (but our intentions were good)! Somehow we missed each other. We were waiting at the front for quite awhile wondering what was taking him so long. Jeff went back to B&B once to look for him and didn't see him. Then we all went back again and he apparently had been there waiting for quite awhile. He wasn't real happy with us and said if we arrange a meeting place we should stick with that same place. Okay, but like I said before our intentions were good.
Paul said he already rode ToT twice while he was waiting for us (so he wasn't in front of B&B the whole time either!!!) Jeff & Paul rode RnR while Laura and I waited for B&B to start. The boys got back before the show started so we all watched B&B together. Four for a Dollar opened the show again! We LOVE them! We recognized two of the guys from last year and two different ones. The really cute one from last time wasn't there! LOL!
Beauty & the Beast seemed different to me too. I don't know if I just remembered it differently or if it truly was different. It was still wonderful! I could go to MGM and do nothing else but sit through shows of Four for a Dollar and B&B all day and I'd be happy! My family doesn't love it as much as I do but I think they like it.
We went back to go to WWTBAM but just missed the last show for the day. Why does it close so early? This was only around 7:00 PM and MGM didn't close till 10:30. We went on the Backlot Tour and then sat down for a minute so Laura could take her medicine. It had finally quit raining, which was a really good thing because I had pointed out to Jeff that his poncho (which was purchased a year ago) had a small rip in the top. Before long he had played with it so much the rip was now a huge gash and we had to throw the poncho away!
We then went in One Man's Dream and walked through there. I thought it was really neat! I got choked up and teary eyed when I read the part about Walt passing away and seeing the picture of Mickey crying. We didn't stay to see the movie because we thought we'd do that when mom was with us because we knew that would be something she'd like. (Little did we know this one afternoon & evening would be our only time to visit MGM this vacation so we never saw the movie.) We weren't sure how to exit the place without seeing the movie so we just went back out the front. Jeff was worried the CM at the entrance would think we didn't like it and that's why we were leaving early! He's really considerate of other people's feelings (except when he's tormenting his sister)!
We rode the Great Movie Ride next and had the gangster. Its always really good.
We got some dinner at a little place over by ToT, can't remember what its called. Laura and I each had a foot long hotdog (very good), Jeff got a turkey leg and we got one large drink to share. Paul didn't feel like eating and said his stomach was a bit upset.
Of course the best thing for an upset stomach is to ride ToT one more time, which Paul & Jeff did! Laura and I waited for them. She was tired and wanted to go back to the room. We told the boys if we weren't there when they got back then they'd know we'd gone back to the hotel. I wanted to stay for the 10:30 show of Fantasmic, although I was tired too. I pursuaded Laura to stay and when the boys got back we found a seat in the stadium. The show was as great as we remembered!
Back at the Dolphin we went to Tubbis and bought 4 of the refillable mugs. I asked if I could use the Disney Club discount for the mugs and was told no. I didn't think I could but it never hurts to ask! They were kind of hard to find. They are up right by the cashiers.
Once up in our room Jeff crashed and was asleep in no time. Laura got a sudden burst of energy! It was after midnight and she decided to video tape everything in the room! We have great documentation of EVERYTHING - every mirror, chair, the Tip for the Day on the TV, and several fascinating moments of the hook on the back of the bathroom door!
It was a great first day!
Budget for the day:
$17 Gas
$22 Two vouchers used at Beaches & Cream
$5 Two diet Cokes at Beaches & Cream
$3 Lg drink at Backlot Express
$15 Dinner at MGM
$42 Four refillable mugs at Tubbis
What a great start! I'm glad you got to catch Fantasmic since you never made it back to MGM. Can't wait to read more 
