Our cast of characters includes: Me (Jen) 31, planner of all things Disney; Bill (DH) 32, the yin to my yang; BJ (DS) almost 14, the reason for this trip
his graduation from middle school; Nico (DF) 14
BJs compadre; Bob (35) DB, Gina (35) DSIL, Steven (DN) 8, Brianna (DN) 2-1/2.
June 21st. As you probably know from our Preamble, we arrived at the Dolphin early on June 21st. If youd like to refresh your memory, click here to go back to the preamble.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227144
After getting unpacked and marveling at the turret balconies (these are the rooms on the ends of the fingers.) They have the greenish wrought iron on the exterior. If you are trying for one, you want rooms that end in 015 or 016. The odd numbered floors have the turret balcony and the smaller balcony on the other window. The even numbered floors have only the turret. If York ever sends me my pictures, Ill share the view with you on my website of photos, which you can see by clicking here:
http://members2.photofun.com/Jen80370/Florida2002
Anyhow, we realized that I would not be such a happy camper if I do not stock up on Diet Dr. Pepper, which is nowhere to be found on site. It also looked as if the skies were ready to open up (they were) so we decided to take a quick drive downtown to explore. I cannot stress enough how convenient it was to have a car. The buses are great I know, but for us, the opportunity to just go was even better.
So off we went to Crossroads the shopping center just offsite of Downtown Disney. There is Goodings, the expensive, gourmet grocery store (great cookies and wine selection!); Pizzeria Uno, Bath & Body Works, and other stores for just in case. Theres also a Red Lobster, and a TGIFridays as well.
After getting goodies at Goodings, we headed to Pizzeria Uno for lunch, since my DB is enamored with their Pizza Skins (potato skins with mozzerella yum!) and cannot get them at the Jersey Shore. We watched the rain pour down and wondered, will it do this often? YES! We enjoyed a lunch of Chicago style pizzas and various appetizers, that were unnecessary based on the size and depth of the pizzas.
By the time our lunch was over (not cheap by the way) we decided to split up. My DB and family were heading over to MGM to check out Star Tours and Tower of Terror. My DH, DS, DF and I headed back to the hotel to unload our snacks and ponder our next move.
We decided to explore the Dolphin instead. We visited the game room and health club while the rain finished its business. There is a well-hidden hot tub in the back of the health club if youre interested. The staff there was great and the equipment is fantastic.
By then the rain had subsided and we decided to check out the grotto pool. Wow folks! I understand some people think it is cold. It was chillier then the Olympic pool but only at one end. The right end of it was fine. The waterfall is gorgeous and the slide a riot! I had my first creamsicle from the hotel bar and settled in for a relaxing evening poolside. This was Friday and they did have signs already posted that the pool would close early Sunday (5pm). I thought two days was plenty of notice and went about my evening.
My DS and his friend quickly bonded with other kids at the hotel. We got up a great game of water volleyball before my DH and I made a graceful exit to give the teens some time on their own. I did some laps in the Olympic pool before we went upstairs to change out of wet suits. We agreed to meet the boys at the pool tables on the Lobby level at 11p.m.
This gave my DH and I time to take a walk. We checked out the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club and the Swan. I had heard on the boards just how close the Dolphin is to all of the action but I underestimated. It truly is in a fabulous location. We agreed that our lobby was nicer then Swans and that the Yacht Clubs was a little too stuffy for us. However we really wanted to try the restaurants there. Beaches & Crème especially looked delicious. We people watched and soaked up the atmosphere.
We grabbed a quick bite at Kimonos. Awesome sushi! Especially the yellowtail. It was the best we ever had. The Japanese Karaoke was hysterical as well. The also have this bottled iced tea called Republic Of Tea. WOW! If you are an iced tea afficianado, give it a try! We hoped the boys were enjoying their independence as much as we did.
We strolled all around the Dolphin marveling at the architecture and found our way to the Lobby bar. We grabbed a few coffees with frangelica and headed to the pool tables. The boys were (gasp) on time and we finished the evening with a few games of pool. They reveled us with stories of the Dolphin Fountain (burgers great-hot dogs NOT!) and how great it was to be able to charge to the room (they had a $10 a day budget). The pool tables take the same tokens are the arcade and laundry rooms. It may be easier to grab token there and use them at the pool table. The small token machine in the pool table room is moody.
We turned in excited to start our true adventures at WDW. Animal Kingdom would be tomorrow. I would advise a slow first day if your kids are old enough to stand it. It was a lovely way to ease in before the commando style park hopping would begin.
More soon!
June 21st. As you probably know from our Preamble, we arrived at the Dolphin early on June 21st. If youd like to refresh your memory, click here to go back to the preamble.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227144
After getting unpacked and marveling at the turret balconies (these are the rooms on the ends of the fingers.) They have the greenish wrought iron on the exterior. If you are trying for one, you want rooms that end in 015 or 016. The odd numbered floors have the turret balcony and the smaller balcony on the other window. The even numbered floors have only the turret. If York ever sends me my pictures, Ill share the view with you on my website of photos, which you can see by clicking here:
http://members2.photofun.com/Jen80370/Florida2002
Anyhow, we realized that I would not be such a happy camper if I do not stock up on Diet Dr. Pepper, which is nowhere to be found on site. It also looked as if the skies were ready to open up (they were) so we decided to take a quick drive downtown to explore. I cannot stress enough how convenient it was to have a car. The buses are great I know, but for us, the opportunity to just go was even better.
So off we went to Crossroads the shopping center just offsite of Downtown Disney. There is Goodings, the expensive, gourmet grocery store (great cookies and wine selection!); Pizzeria Uno, Bath & Body Works, and other stores for just in case. Theres also a Red Lobster, and a TGIFridays as well.
After getting goodies at Goodings, we headed to Pizzeria Uno for lunch, since my DB is enamored with their Pizza Skins (potato skins with mozzerella yum!) and cannot get them at the Jersey Shore. We watched the rain pour down and wondered, will it do this often? YES! We enjoyed a lunch of Chicago style pizzas and various appetizers, that were unnecessary based on the size and depth of the pizzas.
By the time our lunch was over (not cheap by the way) we decided to split up. My DB and family were heading over to MGM to check out Star Tours and Tower of Terror. My DH, DS, DF and I headed back to the hotel to unload our snacks and ponder our next move.
We decided to explore the Dolphin instead. We visited the game room and health club while the rain finished its business. There is a well-hidden hot tub in the back of the health club if youre interested. The staff there was great and the equipment is fantastic.
By then the rain had subsided and we decided to check out the grotto pool. Wow folks! I understand some people think it is cold. It was chillier then the Olympic pool but only at one end. The right end of it was fine. The waterfall is gorgeous and the slide a riot! I had my first creamsicle from the hotel bar and settled in for a relaxing evening poolside. This was Friday and they did have signs already posted that the pool would close early Sunday (5pm). I thought two days was plenty of notice and went about my evening.
My DS and his friend quickly bonded with other kids at the hotel. We got up a great game of water volleyball before my DH and I made a graceful exit to give the teens some time on their own. I did some laps in the Olympic pool before we went upstairs to change out of wet suits. We agreed to meet the boys at the pool tables on the Lobby level at 11p.m.
This gave my DH and I time to take a walk. We checked out the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club and the Swan. I had heard on the boards just how close the Dolphin is to all of the action but I underestimated. It truly is in a fabulous location. We agreed that our lobby was nicer then Swans and that the Yacht Clubs was a little too stuffy for us. However we really wanted to try the restaurants there. Beaches & Crème especially looked delicious. We people watched and soaked up the atmosphere.
We grabbed a quick bite at Kimonos. Awesome sushi! Especially the yellowtail. It was the best we ever had. The Japanese Karaoke was hysterical as well. The also have this bottled iced tea called Republic Of Tea. WOW! If you are an iced tea afficianado, give it a try! We hoped the boys were enjoying their independence as much as we did.
We strolled all around the Dolphin marveling at the architecture and found our way to the Lobby bar. We grabbed a few coffees with frangelica and headed to the pool tables. The boys were (gasp) on time and we finished the evening with a few games of pool. They reveled us with stories of the Dolphin Fountain (burgers great-hot dogs NOT!) and how great it was to be able to charge to the room (they had a $10 a day budget). The pool tables take the same tokens are the arcade and laundry rooms. It may be easier to grab token there and use them at the pool table. The small token machine in the pool table room is moody.
We turned in excited to start our true adventures at WDW. Animal Kingdom would be tomorrow. I would advise a slow first day if your kids are old enough to stand it. It was a lovely way to ease in before the commando style park hopping would begin.
More soon!
