We are Gold status as well. We booked a balcony room because we WANTED a balcony room. At first they "upgraded" us to club level - but the better deal is to have a balcony room and just get club level privileges. We were in room 8029. It has a perfect view of boardwalk to the right - yacht and beachclub to the left, the big Epcot ball straight ahead and Illuminations at night is perfect. I couldn't have been happier with my room. Note: none of the club level rooms have balconies - and we just loved the sunlight and breeze so I suggest the balcony room. It costs less than club level - and if you're gold status you will get that club level privilege upgrade upon checkin. It's just a little more food to provide for them and not a big deal. You will want to make sure you aren't upgraded out of that balcony room though.
It was very quiet at 8029 - above any palm trees that might obstruct your view. I suppose any rooms on that wing facing the same direction would be good. Now, every other room is NOT a balcony room - but I just wouldn't want to be one of those people pressing their face against the window at night to see the fireworks. My husband and I loved sitting out on the balcony every morning with our cup of coffee - and sitting out there every night at 9 p.m.watching Illuminations. I would beg beg beg for room 8029 if we were going back. The view couldn't be better.
With club level privs you can go up each morning for free breakfast. With Disney prices in mind and tips, this saves you a good deal of money. Furthermore, we would just eat our lunches out at the parks for our big meal of the day - and then get back to the hotel club level lounge at 6 or 6:30 (closes at 7 and they really do clear stuff away at 7 so don't think about being late!) to eat cheese and crackers, breads, nibble on hordevour, eat some fresh fruit, cookies, drinks, husband plying me with cheap booze (alot cheaper than the bar!!!) if you have kids just ask for milk because they only have pop out there - so all in all we were paying for one big meal a day. I'd say it saved us $8 a day for breakfast per person and what, at LEAST $10 a day per person for dinner. We were there 11 days so it added up. It was so convenient to just stroll up there to breakfast and not have to fiddle with some dippy waitress and wait for your food - nice to walk in all exhausted and just pick around - even taking a plate to your room was fine to sit on the balcony to relax....
Oh, they also told me that they remove the resort fee if you are club level....so that saved us $10 a day in that resort fee...you may have to call down and ask if they forget but it is not a problem. So...you keep the balcony room and have club privs...
Again, make sure they don't "upgrade" you out of your balcony room.....and beg for 8029 or nearby. Our March trip was my most relaxing vacation ever. I really enjoyed staying at the Dolphin.
FINAL NOTE: Don't know if you're into pin trading, but buy a bundle of cheapie pins for your kids from a Disney outlet prior to arriving at the parks. I bought a ton for $1.99 each and my daughter just had the most wonderful time trading her pins. In the parks the pins are at least $6.50 each - and she'll probably want the $8.50 ones or worse - and I just can't swing that kind of hobby for a 6 year old.....
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Have a great time...I will let you know how my adventures turn out!
