First stay at Dolphin - anything I should know?

[kbkids]

DH and I are staying at the Dolphin next weekend (no kids - yeah!) for the first time. Are there any tips, hints, suggestions that I should know about it? I've noticed there is valet parking, but can you self-park as well? Also, I just signed up with Starwood and have a member number but nothing in the mail yet (will I even get anything?) Will this give me any advantages - since this is my first stay, I have no points.

We will be arriving Thursday evening and plan to have dinner at 'Ohana's. Friday will be spent in Epcot and MGM with the Boardwalk afterwards. We're planning to walk, take a boat, whichever is easiest. What's the best way to get around?

DH is looking forward to the hot tub. I know there is an outdoor hot tub, but is the jacuzzi in the health club an extra charge, or is that covered under the $10 resort fee?

Anything else I should know? We're clueless on this resort.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[GoofItUp]

I've stayed in the Dolphin once, but I'll answer what I can.....

(1) Request a renovated room. I think that a majority of the rooms are renovated now, but go ahead and request one just to be sure.....those beds/pillows are GREAT!

(2) Boats vs. walking....we took the boat to MGM and back, but if it's crowded I think a walk would be just as fast. We walked some to Epcot and rode the boats some. In the mornings it was nice to walk over there and stop and get something to eat at the Boardwalk Bakery on the way.

(3) For dinner at O'hanas, I would recommend taking your own car. We took the monorail from Epcot to go over there, but it was a long walk to the Epcot station and then we had to switch monorail trains also. On the way back we just called a cab to come get us!

Hope you enjoy your first stay as much as we did!

 

[Muffy]

Call the Dolphin directly and get your SPG member number on your reservation. 1 407 934 4000 Yes, you will earn points for your stay! Have a great time!

 

[#1hockeymom]

If you use your room card to charge at the Swan or Dolphin restaurants, you will also earn points! Enjoy your vacation! You picked a wonderful hotel!

Debbie

 

[Kaycee]

I think you'll love the Dolphin. We're getting ready for our second Dolphin visit in June, and we can't wait!

We walked to Epcot and took the boat to MGM when we stayed at the Dolphin. But on our last visit, while staying at another resort, we decided to walk to the Dolphin from MGM and the walk was very pleasant. It's longer than the walk to Epcot, but if the weather is nice it's not bad at all. Plus, we beat the boat that left at the same time we did even though we took our time walking.

We also plan to eat at 'Ohana during our next Dolphin stay, and I think the best way to get there will be to take the MK bus from the Dolphin then walk up the ramp to catch the resort monorail to the Poly. We did that last trip and it worked very well.