Dolphin Fish

[delaneyc52]

DD and her coworkers are telling me they are not "convinced" that the fish on top of the Dolphin Hotel is a mahi mahi dolphin fish. Assuming I'm right (?) can anyone help me prove that point?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

In the many discussions on this topic, the consensus has been that the dolphins on top of the Dolphin Resort are meant to be a stylized representation of dolphins. For instance, what you might see on old maps - not a true depiction of the mammal, nor of a fish.

Similar to Mickey being a representation of a mouse.

 

[delaneyc52]

I think I found a reference....hopefully it will put this question to rest!!

http://www.simonhampel.com/dolphin-on-the-menu/

 

[delaneyc52]

In the many discussions on this topic, the consensus has been that the dolphins on top of the Dolphin Resort are meant to be a stylized representation of dolphins. For instance, what you might see on old maps - not a true depiction of the mammal, nor of a fish.

Similar to Mickey being a representation of a mouse.

A p.s. I do agree with you that when you actually look at a mahi mahi dolphin fish that Disney did (happily) choose to develop a stylized representation!!!

 

[POOHsie]

Heres a good reference for the dolphin design idea from Michael Graves, Architect of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/8152/Understanding_the_Swan_and_Dolphin

"... The dolphin image was inspired by the work of Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini [7 December 1598 – 28 November 1680]. An example of Bernini's dolphins can be seen in the King Neptune fountain in the Italian pavilion at Epcot. However, there is a major difference that [Architect Michael] Graves pointed out to us. Bernini's dolphins had mouths that curved downward, and [Disney CEO Michael] Eisner insisted that wasn't going to happen on Walt Disney World property—so Graves' dolphins have their mouths curved upwards as if smiling... "

 

[delaneyc52]

Heres a good reference for the dolphin design idea from Michael Graves, Architect of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/8152/Understanding_the_Swan_and_Dolphin

"... The dolphin image was inspired by the work of Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini [7 December 1598 – 28 November 1680]. An example of Bernini's dolphins can be seen in the King Neptune fountain in the Italian pavilion at Epcot. However, there is a major difference that [Architect Michael] Graves pointed out to us. Bernini's dolphins had mouths that curved downward, and [Disney CEO Michael] Eisner insisted that wasn't going to happen on Walt Disney World property—so Graves' dolphins have their mouths curved upwards as if smiling... "

Thanks so much! It's funny because I said to my DD that I agree the mahi mahi dolphin fish does not look like the one on top of the hotel...but it is Disney and they need to make a ... well.... ugly fish look cute. Thanks!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

In our family it is referred to as The Swan and Goldfish

 

[delaneyc52]

In our family it is referred to as The Swan and Goldfish

Love it!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Here is an image of Bernini's Triton Fountain, in Rome. It is described as, "The fountain has a base of four dolphins that entwine the papal tiara with crossed keys and the heraldic Barberini bees in their scaly tails." This notation is at the bottom: The dolphins are represented in their heraldic conventionalization, not as they appear in nature.

 

[delaneyc52]

Here is an image of Bernini's Triton Fountain, in Rome. It is described as, "The fountain has a base of four dolphins that entwine the papal tiara with crossed keys and the heraldic Barberini bees in their scaly tails." This notation is at the bottom: The dolphins are represented in their heraldic conventionalization, not as they appear in nature.

Thank you all!!!! Your input and this picture have been soo very cool!

 

[Miaka]

We call it the Swan and the Carp because it makes me think of the Koi on all my japanese stuff at home.

 

[Polydweller]

Thanks so much! It's funny because I said to my DD that I agree the mahi mahi dolphin fish does not look like the one on top of the hotel...but it is Disney and they need to make a ... well.... ugly fish look cute. Thanks!

Except it isn't Disney, it's a Sheraton hotel with a private ownership. The design is what they wanted, not Disney.

And a little more on the dolphins, they are Italianate style and were commonly portrayed in early Roman art, especially with Neptune. Bernini used these as his model. They are definitely not carp.

 

[wcpamotm]

Except it isn't Disney, it's a Sheraton hotel with a private ownership. The design is what they wanted, not Disney.

Although at the very least, it was Eisner who insisted that the dolphins be depicted smiling.

 

[cbg1027]

Except it isn't Disney, it's a Sheraton hotel with a private ownership. The design is what they wanted, not Disney.

I'm pretty sure Disney had some architectural control put in to the lease contract with Sheraton.

 

[madalex]

Except it isn't Disney, it's a Sheraton hotel with a private ownership. The design is what they wanted, not Disney.

Not so much. If you read the mouseplanet article quoted earlier in the thread, you will discover that the architect (Michael Graves) was hired by Disney, not the owner of the properties. There is no way the Swan and Dolphin were going to get built where they were without significant (if not complete) Disney input into the design.

 

[MelissathePooh]

They are referred to as the Turkey & the Trout in my family.

 

[Polydweller]

Not so much. If you read the mouseplanet article quoted earlier in the thread, you will discover that the architect (Michael Graves) was hired by Disney, not the owner of the properties. There is no way the Swan and Dolphin were going to get built where they were without significant (if not complete) Disney input into the design.

Yeah, I read it. Being in the hotel business not surprised. But i also know how these deals work and therebs no way the owners would not have had final approval on design. It's like, sure Disney hire the architect and present designs (saves the owners time and resources) and then we'll make the design choice with modifications we the owners want. Probably lots of meetings and design changes but ultimately the owners would have had final say. Their hotel, their money, and their ongoing expense of operating and maintaining the buildings.

 

[ready123go]

Okay - This isn't terribly scientific, but aren't fish tails directionally vertical (like a keel), making their propulsion movement side to side, while mammal tails are directionally horizontal (like an airplane wing), making their propulsion movement up and down? http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/swan-Dolphin/

 

[Missytara]

Heres a good reference for the dolphin design idea from Michael Graves, Architect of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/8152/Understanding_the_Swan_and_Dolphin

"... The dolphin image was inspired by the work of Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini [7 December 1598 – 28 November 1680]. An example of Bernini's dolphins can be seen in the King Neptune fountain in the Italian pavilion at Epcot. However, there is a major difference that [Architect Michael] Graves pointed out to us. Bernini's dolphins had mouths that curved downward, and [Disney CEO Michael] Eisner insisted that wasn't going to happen on Walt Disney World property—so Graves' dolphins have their mouths curved upwards as if smiling... "

That is correct.

I was lucky enough to be in a lecture at my school when I received my degree in architecture. He was quite taken with Bernini's work and stated he was looking for that special building to use some of his works.

A few years later, he designed the Dolphin hotel.

 

[pooh2001]

We love the Dolphin - we once has a room about 40 feet away from the 'Dolphin fish' statue on the roof.

To us it just looked like a fish with a long curved tail and a mushed in face. Like a scavenger fish getting food off the sandy ocean floor.

It does not look like a real Dolphin.
So when my kids were little they called the statue a mush-face fish. But they still referred to the resort as the Dolphin.

We have stayed in a hotel with a fountian with fish squirting water by the entrance. The hotel kept it's name, the fountain was just decoration.