Eating at Dolphin

[disneygirl 17]

I am leaving for the world on 10/21 I can't wait...anyways this will be the first time I have stayed at the Dolphin resort.

I have a few questions - does taking the boat to Epcot really take almost a half an hour? I heard this but that seems rather long.

Also is there a toaster at Picabu that maybe I could use to toast a bagel?

Also I read that they Swan has a mini frig in the room and that the Dolphin has beverage centers. No mini frig at the dolphin? is that correct?

Thanks - I am nervous, I have never stayed "offsite" before so I don't really know what to expect.

thanks

 

[WaltD4Me]

Swan and Dolphin is the least off site that you can get. Don't worry, it's going to be fine!

I can't help you with the toaster, I just don't remember if they had one or not. I would guess that they do though.

Not sure about the fridge. When I stayed at the Dolphin the room did not have a fridge, but I thought I heard they were going to get them, don't know if this happened or not.

The boats do take a little while, but I didn't think any longer than the buses. I usually walked over to the Boardwalk and got the boat from there rather than the dock at Swan & Dolphin. It's a very nice walk over to the Boardwalk.

When I stayed at the Dolphin I had a Backstage Magic Tour booked, for that tour you meet at the front of Epcot. I didn't have a park ticket for the day of the tour and discovered from the Dolphin I had no way to get to the front of Epcot. I couldn't take the boat because I would have had to use a day off my park ticket and there is no bus to Epcot. The people at the Dolphin were very, very helpful. Their customer service is really great. Turned out that I had to take a cab over to Epcot, but guest services at the Dolphin went out of their way to figure something out for me.

 

[snowwhitenyc]

Hi Disneygirl,

You're going to love the Dolphin! It is a great hotel, and believe me, you won't feel like you are "off" property...all you can see around you are Epcot, the boardwalk, and the Studios...you're in the middle of it all!

I don't remember Picabu having a toaster either, but it doesn't mean they don't. They do serve bagels, but I think the toaster might be behind the counter (meaning the staff does the toasting for you). I think you're looking for a do-it-yourself option, yes?

There are mini-fridges in the rooms at the Dolphin now...very handy.

I believe the boat ride to Epcot may take 1/2 an hour, but I think that is because the Swan/Dolphin is the first stop FROM Epcot, so you have to go all the way around (to Beach Club, Boardwalk, Studios) before you head back to Epcot (it has been a while, I might have that wrong....) I always walked to Epcot, it is really SO close. One of the best things about staying at the Swolphin!

One piece of advice I would give you is when you arrive, take about 30-45 minutes to walk around and familiarize yourself with the hotel. It is quite big, and different than other Disney hotels (hard to explain, but I liken it more to a Vegas type hotel -- lots of different corridors, escalators, things down hallways, etc.). Check out where the bus stop is, the different restaurants, the pool, game room (if that interests you), etc. My first visit there was a solo trip and I was there for just a few days...I just tried to jump right in, and I felt like I spent a lot of time feeling lost because I was walking around blindly. Once I did find my way around (and look at a map!), it was a piece of cake! Also, I would also try to make a point of sitting in the lobby and enjoying the atmosphere...I sat for about an hour one day while I was waiting for a cab to the airport and I loved it -- great people watching! There is a giant fountain in the center, and for kids it it is like honey to bees. So cute to watch them playing around it/on it.

I am arriving at the Dolphin on 10/22 -- fingers crossed for great weather for both of us!

 

[Joshua_me]

Relax. You're going to have a *wonderful* time !

As others have said, you are not "off site" at all ! In fact, you are MUCH more "in the heart of things" then you would be at any of the moderates or value resorts.

Remember, EPCOT and DHS are both in walking distance. DHS is a bit of a long walk for some, but it's very "do-able" if you so choose. It's a lovely and protected walkway the entire journey.

I've never timed how long the "friendship" takes to get to EPCOT. If I had to guess, it's probably about 20 minutes, but it's the fastest 20 min you'll ever spend. There's scenery aplenty to look at, and it's a very relaxing ride.

It's a good suggestion to take some time to explore The Dolphin. It's a very unique building in it's design, and it can be a little confusing at first. We always request a room on the "pool side" of the building, (East, I think ?) for two reasons. One, you don't have to walk across the lobby to get to the pool area, and two: the opposite side of the pool side is where the convention area of the hotel is, and that's something we like to avoid on vacation.

The staff at The Dolphin is one of the friendliest we've ever encountered. They are always happy to help you with any questions you might have, and seem genuinely dedicated to making your stay a happy and magical one.

Have fun !

P.S. Be sure to try the burgers and the chicken soup at "The Fountain" !

 

[wdwscout]

I believe the boat ride to Epcot may take 1/2 an hour, but I think that is because the Swan/Dolphin is the first stop FROM Epcot, so you have to go all the way around (to Beach Club, Boardwalk, Studios) before you head back to Epcot (it has been a while, I might have that wrong....) I always walked to Epcot, it is really SO close. One of the best things about staying at the Swolphin!

Actually, you can choose to board a boat either to Epcot OR to the Studios- you do not have to do the whole loop to get somewhere. Which line to get in is clearly marked.
The routes go like this:
Studios > Swolphin > Beach/Yacht > Boardwalk > Epcot
Epcot > Boardwalk > Beach/Yacht > Swolphin > Studios

So, if it's Epcot you want- you can see that using the Boardwalk stop will eliminate the extra trip to the Yacht & Beach- and it's such a nice short walk too!

 

[disneygirl 17]

This is all so helpful - thank you! I am very excited for a stay at a new place...new to me that is.

 

[Cherinva]

Have a wonderful time....I'm going to WDW on the 26th...staying at POP...can't wait !!!

 

[NancyIL]

The boat takes 30 minutes (at most) from the Studios to Epcot. You can WALK to Epcot from the Dolphin in about 10 minutes, which is faster than the boat at 15-20 minutes.

As mentioned, you can also walk to the Studios, but the walkway isn't "protected" - if that means covered.

 

[ELKHUNTER]

They used to have a tram to epcot with boat to studios when we stayed, but that was eighteen years ago this month on our honeymoon. The Dolphin was a fantastic resort and had better food than most resorts at Disney.

 

[Joshua_me]

As mentioned, you can also walk to the Studios, but the walkway isn't "protected" - if that means covered.

Oh.

By "protected" I meant that there aren't cars whizzing by you or anything... It's not like you're walking alongside an Interstate.

And yes, it IS faster to walk to Epcot than taking the friendship.

 

[disneygirl 17]

I think we will be walking most of the time to and from Epcot at least. I have a feeling at the end of hte day we will be so tired I will not care if it takes an hour to take the boat back...I won't want to walk.

I am really excited to stay here since they are right in the middle of the magic!