GF and Dolphin

[mark smith]

Just back from 9 great nights at WDW. We stayed our first 2 nights at the Dolphin, as a Starwood Gold member I requested an EPCOT view and received a great room w/ balcony on 5th floor of east wing overlooking the lake, Boardwalk and EPCOT. We saw illuminations both nights from our room-fantastic. Service and ameneties were fine, but perfunctuairy. We loved Blue Zoo(review to follow on dining boards) and enjoyed boat transport to MGM and EPCOT. Had we not known better, we would've been very content-but we did know better and returned home to the GF for our final 7 nights.

We have stayed at the Gf several times and have never been disapointed. We were again thrilled with our stay at the GF. The staff, grounds everyhing was great. We love The dining at GF and the monorail and boat transportation. We stay at many high end resorts when we travel(perhaps some nicer), but we always love our stays at the GF.

We always pay for garden view and request conch building. Upon arrival we were assigned a Marina view in conch(not my favorite). I asked the cast member if a room on the other side od Conch was available or possibly an upgrade(I mentioned I was willing to pay for an upgrade). She went back to see the manager I quess, and came back with a free upgrade to 4th floor castle view-direct lagoon view in our favorite conch buliding-awesome. We watched fireworks and electric pageany from our room 5 of 7 nights.

I have never asked for an upgraded before in our many trips, but have been fortunate in the past a couple of times. The only thing I can quess, is that they knew I was arepeat visitor, I was polite and We got really lucky.

I would be happy to respond to any questions. Thanks

 

[gonemousin']

We're staying at the GF for the first time in December (garden view). We're unsure of a specific builiding to request, since we've never been. What are the benefits of the different buildings? For example, you mentioned you prefer the Conch building - is it a distance thing from the main building, or just a personal preference? Are there any that you would absolutley avoid, or beg to be changed from? Thanks for your help and glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!

Lori

 

[ufgator]

Thanks for your review. I want to stay at GF b/c it's one of the few we haven't stayed at yet. How does staying at the Dolphin compare to other Disney hotels. Do you still have the Disney magic there? I'm also a Starwood gold member but haven't used it since I got the card.

 

[Sammie]

We really like Conch Key and Sago Cay. Both face the marina on opposite sides. The locations are close to everything and the garden views are some of the best on property in my opinion. Even though the OP did not prefer the marina view we really like it. Both buildings are close to everything and really close to the boat dock. We like using the boat to MK as much or more than the monorail.

 

[gonemousin']

We really like Conch Key and Sago Cay. Both face the marina on opposite sides. The locations are close to everything and the garden views are some of the best on property in my opinion. Even though the OP did not prefer the marina view we really like it. Both buildings are close to everything and really close to the boat dock. We like using the boat to MK as much or more than the monorail.

Thanks Sammie! That's exactly what would be important to me and my family. I think I will put in a request for one of those two.

 

[mark smith]

We like conch building because it is somewhat away from the pools and main building(yet everything at GF is I think really convienent) and we love the boat transportation to MK and Poly. Also, Narcoosee is one of our favorite restaurants and within seconds of conch. If you pay for lagoon view and get conch building I think you would almost in all cases have a MK castle view.

We have also stayed in Boca chica lagoon view and liked it. Have not stayed in other buildings, but are considering concierge and/or suite for our next visit. Any tips?

We stay at Starwood resorts often and generally find them very nice, the luxury collection(ST. Regis, etc. are great). While we loved our room as noted in op, we found the resort too business like and very large to negotiate. While the GF is large it seems much more intimate and easy to navigate. Nothing wrong with the Dolphin and the price it seems is often right.

However, we did not really feel like we were actually at WDW until we arrived at the GF. We love the grounds and the proximity of actually stayinf "in" Disney. It is always exciting to look out at the 7 Seas lagoon and see the castle, monorails, boats,etc(and often hear the souns from MK across the water).Ok, I'll stop we obviously love the GF.

 

[Sammie]

We like conch building because it is somewhat away from the pools and main building(yet everything at GF is I think really convienent) and we love the boat transportation to MK and Poly. Also, Narcoosee is one of our favorite restaurants and within seconds of conch. If you pay for lagoon view and get conch building I think you would almost in all cases have a MK castle view.

We have also stayed in Boca chica lagoon view and liked it. Have not stayed in other buildings, but are considering concierge and/or suite for our next visit. Any tips?

We stay at Starwood resorts often and generally find them very nice, the luxury collection(ST. Regis, etc. are great). While we loved our room as noted in op, we found the resort too business like and very large to negotiate. While the GF is large it seems much more intimate and easy to navigate. Nothing wrong with the Dolphin and the price it seems is often right.

However, we did not really feel like we were actually at WDW until we arrived at the GF. We love the grounds and the proximity of actually stayinf "in" Disney. It is always exciting to look out at the 7 Seas lagoon and see the castle, monorails, boats,etc(and often hear the souns from MK across the water).Ok, I'll stop we obviously love the GF.

We really like Sugar Loaf concierge, due to the convenience of where the building is located. As someone else described it as a Bed and Breakfast feel to it, and I think that is very accurate.

As to suites my favorite location would be the ones on the first floor of Conch Key and Sago Cay. Huge patio and wonderful views of the MK.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We did a Dolphin/ GF split in August. I know what you mean about not feeling the magic until the GF. That was our first Dolphin stay. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the same as a Disney resort. Don't know exactly what it is, but there is something. There are a lot of great things about it, but I felt like I wasn't at WDW until I moved to the GF. Maybe it has to do with proximity to the MK.

I have only stayed Sugar Loaf and Main building. I am with you, I just love the GF. We were going to do a Dolphin/CR (for my kids) split over Thanksgiving, but I went and changed it to BWI/GF yesterday! I just couldn't see myself standing on my balcony at the CR looking out over the lake at the beautiful GF. I would be missing it. Glad you had another nice stay at the GF.

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

We did a Dolphin/ GF split in August. I know what you mean about not feeling the magic until the GF. That was our first Dolphin stay. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the same as a Disney resort. Don't know exactly what it is, but there is something. There are a lot of great things about it, but I felt like I wasn't at WDW until I moved to the GF. Maybe it has to do with proximity to the MK.

I have only stayed Sugar Loaf and Main building. I am with you, I just love the GF. We were going to do a Dolphin/CR (for my kids) split over Thanksgiving, but I went and changed it to BWI/GF yesterday! I just couldn't see myself standing on my balcony at the CR looking out over the lake at the beautiful GF. I would be missing it. Glad you had another nice stay at the GF.

Lives4Disney

You skunk! Knew you couldn't stay away from the GF! Are you still leaving before I get there? we arrive on the 29. And are you doing SL or RPC?

 

[Lives4Disney]

You skunk! Knew you couldn't stay away from the GF! Are you still leaving before I get there? we arrive on the 29. And are you doing SL or RPC?

Oh!!! You found me!!

I am doing RPC!!! I was just feeling so unsure of the CR and just felt like I had to change it. I have an itchy phone dialing finger....I keep changing things including our ADRs!!! This silly trip can't come soon enough! It was supposed to be a budget quickie trip and it has turned into a full blown expensive getaway!!!

We were going to do a Dolphin/CR split, then it was BWI/CR now it is BWI/GF!!

Instead of the 2 nights at CR, my husband agreed we could do 4 nights at the Poly or 2 GF, so I chose the 2 GF and the girls and I will fly home with our guys on November 28 in the evening. Otherwise, I would be at the Poly until Nov. 30 with my girls. I just couldn't pass up a GF stay, though. I LOVE THAT PLACE!!! Two nights at the GF are better than 4 any place else!

Hope you guys have a FAB U LOUS time there and love it as much as I do!

I wish I could have met up with ya! NEXT TIME! And there will be a next time.....

Happy planning!!!

Lives4Disney

PS. I saw your adorable shirt design! (your newest one) I need some info on that - love them!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Sounds like you got great rooms at both resorts!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Mark, what a wonderful upgrade! It sounds like you had a magicial time. Are any of the Christmas decorations going up? We'll be in WDW three weeks from today. We're doing a CR/cruise/GF split. Call me crazy!

Lori

 

[PamNC]

Sounds like you had a blast and kudos to you for the pixie dust on the room upgrade. You know I've never asked...I should try that someday. Well, I'll be at the Dolphin soon. 13 days!!! We stayed at the GF once, it's a lovely resort. Not really our style, but lovely nonetheless. Great CM's. And, I told my DH I might want to stay there again. He doesn't want to, but we women usually get what we want.

PamNC

 

[mark smith]

xMAS DECORATIONS WERE GOING UP IN mk AND Ak within a day after Halloween, music and all in some spots. We left on 11/6 and did not see any devorations up in the resorts yet.

 

[3lilprincesses]

lucky you to get that great upgrade. we were upgraded to castle view at GF also, on our only trip to disney. we are staying at GF again this january, and i noticed you said you like the dining at GF. where did you dine and what did you have? we only ate at 1900 Parke Fair.

TIA. glad you had such a great time.

 

[mark smith]

I'm going to post reviews later today on dining board, but heres my quick opinions: V&A-Awesome,very expensive;we did once but too formak for me when I"m at WDW
Narcoosee-On the water, last 2 visits great meals-our facorite at GF
Citricos-really nice, used to be our favorite, but has been a little flat he last 2 visits
Garden View cafe-have never tried,but I think the same food as room service, which we always find very good at Gf.
1900 Park Faire-the characters are great, the food is a buffett,nothing special
Gasparilla Grill-open 24 hours and we think really good for what it is-quick breakfasts, soups and sandwiches
Have a great trip