Dolphin newbie ?'s

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Since my DH is a gov't employee, we qualify for the discount at the Dolphin. We are a family of five. It is my understanding that there is a $25 per night fee for a rollaway for the 5th. Does this apply even if the 5th is a child? Has anyone been able to have the resort fee waived recently? I need these answers in order to decide between the Dolphin or a Disney deluxe for our Dec 2003 trip. Frankly, if there are decent AP discounts for a deluxe there won't be much savings at the Dolphin if I have to add $35 (rollaway & resort fee) per night. Thanks for all your help!

 

[webray]

Don't rule out the Dolphin over a disney deluxe...the dolphins rooms are better, and you overall resort service is much better.

 

[webray]

I meant rooms are bigger...unless you choose the contemporary resort...large rooms there also.

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

HELP...PLEASE

I really would appreciate some Dolphin expertise here. Does the $25 charge apply if the 5th is a child? Any recent experiences with resort fees being waived?

 

[madge]

kids are free

no charge for kids rollaway--hope this helps!

 

[dahess]

There is 5 in my family & we chose not to get the roll away, because my kids take turns sleeping on the floor (it is a treat for them). We did not request it because I think the roll away would take up so much room. We will however ask for more blankets & pillows. I will ask at check-in when we arrive & let you all know for sure if there is a cost.

 

[Muffy]

Call the Dolphin to be sure about the rollaway. 1 407 934 4000

They are saying the rosort fee cannot be dropped. Prior to this everyone was getting it dropped. I just don't hold out much hope of getting it dropped unless you are Platinum SPG. It seems like a small price for such a great resort though. The Dolphin is our new favorite! Good luck!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Madge,
Thanks for the info. Without the $25 added it just may be the Dolphin for us this December! We've been planning to go 2nd week of Dec this year and first week next year with one set of annual passes. If the FTP gets extended and we don't see decent codes or AP rates we'll happily give the Dolphin a try.

One more question...if my sister's family decides to join us will my husband be able to reserve 2 rooms with a gov't discount?

 

[#1hockeymom]

I am almost positive that you can reserve up to 4 rooms, in your name, with the government/nurse/teacher discount. Hope this helps!

Debbie

 

[stringercapecod]

We got two rooms in Feb 2003 using the Teacher Discount. The person with the teacher certificate had to be present at desk when the other party checked in for the second room. We had 4 in our room but DS and DD will not share a bed with anyone so we bring an airbed and inflate it with the hairdryer in the room. We brought a fitted sheet and asked for extra blanket and pillow from housekeeping. Save the need for rollaway which I was told you still pay for even for a child.

We were also able to waive the resort fee. We requested to waive it at checkin saying we would not be using the coffeemaker, exercise room,etc. and we were told "no problem". When we received our bill on checkout day it was added in. A quick trip to the desk with the explanation of what we were told at checkin and it was deleted with no arguement at all.

Hope this helps and have a wonderful trip.

 

[love my kids]

My 2 kids also don't like to be in the same bed when we go away. The airbed is a great idea--as opposed to sleeping on the floor. Do the resorts frown on them in their rooms? Did you leave the airbed out for housekeeping to see, or did you have to hide it until you returned to your room at night? I think an extra $25 per night for a child is a bit much!

 

[stringercapecod]

I just pulled the blankets up over the top and stood the airbed up on end against the wall. There's a chair that we put in front of it so it wouldn't fall. No one ever mentioned it at all and it was out of everyone's way. Works out great and the kids don't seem to mind sleeping on it so it must be comfy...

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Madge was correct. No charge for children. I called and tested with the online Dreams reservation request. When I entered a party of 5 with 3 kids (& gov't disc.) it is $129 per night; party of 5 with 3 adults it is $154. Hey, for 8 nights that is a difference of $200 plus tax! Good news. Now if I could just get advice on how to get the resort fee dropped...

I do know what a great deal this is, but I really hate to pay for things/services I will definately not use. It is like the whole 7 day hoppers plus VS. UPH's argument.

 

[laurieny]

We were there this past April and was told there is a charge for the roll away. We went to Walmart and bought an air mattress. we just asked housekeeping for extra pillows, sheets and blankets. We stood it against a wall during the day.I could not believe how much room we had. We are usually very crowded in hotel rooms but never felt that way in the Dolphin.