EVERYTHING we need to know about the Dolphin....

[Kapp]

but don't know to ask!!!???

We will be arriving for our first stay at the Dolphin on Sunday for a week. We used the Teacher's rate but upgraded to the Club Level using our Starwood points. Not only have we never stayed at the Dolphin, we don't personally know anyone that has!

Would love and greatly appreciate any advice/suggestions on what to do, not do and what not to miss.

Thanks for everything!

Kapp

 

[CookieGVB]

Fun thing for the kiddies (and I happen to think it's pretty cool, too): When you walk into the main entrance, on your way to the lobby, look up at the ceiling. It's blue, with "stars"...every so often (a minute or two, tops), a "shooting star" will go across.

Point of confusion for some: The Lobby is actually the 3rd floor, not the first floor. It's a great place to hang out and chat with friends - the fountain is a great photo op. There's usually someone playing the piano in the evening.

There are 3 sets of elevators - East, West and Central - take note of which one to take to your room.

Tubbi's (relatively inexpensive place to eat, with a pretty decent whole cheese pizza for 9.99), the Dolphin Fountain (ice cream and such), the laundromat, game room, babysitting club, health spa are all located on the 1st floor, which is also the way to go for the boats to Epcot & Disney MGM. The grotto pool is a MUST SEE - it's bee-yoo-ti-ful, and the kids love the slide and the waterfall.

Buses are also shared with Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club.

Club Level - great for grabbing breakfast in the club room - bagels, pastries, fruits, cereals and such. Make sure to get some bottled water for the parks! There's also an evening snack time, which has cheese and crackers, fruit, sodas, and some other type of hors doeuvre.

If you're into refillable mugs, you can get one at Tubbi's for $10 - unlimited refills for your stay, but you can only get refills at Tubbi's, and I think it's only for soda, and not for coffee (I may be wrong about this...anyone else know?)

Any other questions - just ask!

Enjoy your stay!

 

[Sammy]

We just stayed at the Dolphin for the first time this September.... it was AWESOME!! The kids were just in awe of everything there. Loved being able to walk to and from Epcot and even if we didn't actually go in Epcot at night, we could watch the fireworks from the bridge closest to the International Gateway turnstyles.

Make sure you eat at the Dolphin Fountain restaurant. We had the best meal there and if you have children who order a kid's meal, it is served in a very cute way (I won't ruin the surprise!). they have terrific homemade ice cream too!

Also, even though I did mega research on the Dolphin before we actually got there, somehow I missed the fact that there is NO transportation from the Swan/Dolphin to the front of Epcot You can only get to Epcot via walking or the Friendship Launches, and then it's to the International Gateway in the World Showcase. We were supposed to meet friends at the front turnstyles of Epcot on our first full day at Disney, and it was a looooooong walk from the WS....especially since we were already late to begin with!

Have a wonderful time....I miss it already!

Sammy

 

[mjks]

HeyKapp-have a great time at the Dolphin!!Please write a review on your return,we have some of the same concerns that you do i.e. Conceige Level Questions,etc. Thanks!

 

[Kapp]

Would appreciate anymore advice anyone may have on the Dolphin!

 

[Trekker]

An additional comment on the refillable mugs - we have always used ours for coffee - no problem there - it is included.

In the evening checkout Kimono's lounge at theDolphin - it is a karioke bar!

Walking the boardwalk in the evening/night is great - lots to see and do!

Have fun!

 

[tennismom]

Loved our stay, great location. We nibbled in the club lounge our first evening--don't miss the oatmeal cookies! It was very convenient to grab some water and sodas for the kids to have in the evening.

It was nice for DH to take the kids to breakfast while I got ready in the morning. They would bring back coffee and those yummy miniature chocolate croissants, plus a banana or some other fruit for me. Can you tell I'm into sweets?

Club concierge made reservations for dinner at the Beach Club our first night there. The staff was very friendly.

The boat to Epcot and MGM were fast and efficient. We tried walking a couple of times but it seemed like the boat beat us both times.

This was our first stay and we didn't utilize many of the resort's ammenities--too busy going to the parks between rain showers. We're looking forward to staying there again, soon I hope!

 

[erikthewise]

Kimonos is actually at the Swan.
You can walk not only to Epcot but also to MGM! Head across the bridge toward the Boardwalk but take the path along the left side of the canal that goes behind Boardwalk Villas. Follow it along the canal and before you know it (well, maybe 3/4 mile) you'll be at MGM.