Home from the Dolphin-a perfect 10!

[LBYC-19]

xx

 

[Tiffany]

Thanks for the great info LBYC-19. My husband and I will be staying at the Dolphin for the first time in Aug and I was starting to worry about the Dolphin not having that "Disney Magic". Well, I am glad you had great trip and thanks agian for the info.

 

[Shelly]

Great trip report! I have a couple questions. First the extra bed fee can be waived? how old must the child be? I was told $25 a day, and not told about it being waived.

Also how much was the fridge if we chose to get this? If we bring our own would we have to pay for them to remove the mini bar fridge?

You didnt mention the game room, i was assuming with teens you would be able to tell me how it was. If you've been in Contempo's game room how would Dolphin's compare?

And last on my interrigation, did you get refillable mugs?

We go in June first stay there, although we have stayed YC and Poly. 3 children 11,8,6. One room, we were considering sleeping bags, just thought it would be simpler and kids don't care, but if they waive the fee we may change our minds. Thankyou for the info.

 

[Blondie]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the Dolphin!!

It really has become one of our favorite places to stay!

 

[pixiechick]

Thanks for the great report. We'll be at the Dolphin in 2 weeks and are getting excited! It sounds like you had a wonderful vacation! And never apologize about the length of a report--we LOVE to hear all about it!!

 

[LBYC-19]

l.) Daybed: When we called (midway through stay) we were told defiantly there would be a charge, we said "this is for a child" . I don't know the age cut-off (I assume l8 as that is considered an adult in Disney). They said there would still be a fee, and we agreed as we were desperate. When we checked out, I asked about it stating it stating this was for a child and that I had read on the website that it is waived in this circumstance; she apologized and said "oh, they wrote down it was for an adult" and they removed the charges-$25 per day.

2.) Minibar question-Just decline the key when asked at check-in, and there will be no charges incurred. The minibar is hidden behind cabinet doors. I think fridge is 25 per day, but you'd have to check this on Glo's FAQ.

3.) Game room-the kids LOVED this and went frequently (ages l4 and l7). However, can't compare it with CR (we were here only for a long weekend and we were so busy, they never even went to it).

4.) Refillable mugs-don't know what we would have done without them, the kids were constantly refilling them. We got three for the four of us, this was plenty. I'm drinking out of mine now wishing I were back!

 

[Shelly]

Thaks for the info. I guess I need to call the dolphin and ask what we might be charged if bringing our own fride in.

 

[Debi]

It sounds like you had an excellent stay at the Dolphin! Thanks for posting.

 

[karyn]

We have always enjoyed our stays the Dolphin. I wish I would have known about the cot for a child because it would have saved many nights of my two sons fighting about not wanting to sleep together. Yes, Tubbi's is very expensive and last time around i spent $5.00 for a litre of water! I was desperate. Bring water from the store or home if you can.

 

[Blanca Nieves]

What a wonderful review! I know a LOT about the Dolphin, we've been staying there for years but never with teens and never near the pool so you've resolved some big issues for me. Can you elaborate some more on the room location? Is it a sliding glass door with a patio? Can you see the pool from the door? (like is it handy to run out and alert people it's time to get ready for dinner ) I can see Tubbys, the health studio, laundry, child care and salon in my mind so tell me how you get to the room??? I don't remember ever seeing a room door anywhere near Tubby's. Thanks so much, your post was GREAT. We're thinking of including some family with teens next year.

 

[LBYC-19]

Specifically, it was rooms #1175 and room #1177. Keeping the health club on your right, we were directly to your left. Yes, you can absolutely see the pool from your room. My specific request was "ground level, poolside".

When the kids refilled their mugs or went to the arcade, they were back immediately. One day I timed walking from the pool, and it was literally less than one minute. Yes, we had a slider directly to the outside, and a little table/chairs which we spent a lot of time on! Looking directly out from our room, I saw the swan boats/hammocks, beach and the lap pool was directly to our right (with the grotto pool directly behind it). If you really want to call your kids, call them on the two-way radios, but you shouldn't need to, that is how close this room location is. Most of the time somebody was hanging near the room, so we didn't need to lock up and we just left the slider open, but the door (the one near the gym was right there); there are only about 10 rooms in this little area (five different floors, I think).

-----------
Joanne

 

[ktbugsmom]

Loved your post! Now I am completely excited about my ressie at the Dolphin for December. Here are a couple questions for you - with the ground floor room - is that considered a "standard room"? I will be travelling with a 2 year old (then 2.5)- and would love to be able to put her to bed - then the hubby and I could sit outside and have a "beverage" before bed. I don't want to pay for a "balcony room" - since it will up my cost. But if the ground floor is "standard" - maybe I should request that.

also - i took some other advice and got a Starwood Preferred Guest membership - however, I won't have ANY points accumulated by then. Even without points - can I make "special" requests because I am a SPG member?

And one more question (sorry - but you seem like such an expert!) - I have reserved 2 rooms - b/c mom plans to join us. IF we decide to cut costs and just keep one room - is there an extra charge if she stays in our room? Won't need the roll away because I have requested a crib for the 2yo.

thanks in advance! I am sooooo excited for this trip. My hubby may never be able to vacation any where else ever again!

 

[LBYC-19]

xx

 

[Bill From PA]

LBYC-19,

Great post. We're going in Nov. and I've got a question or two. When you say that Starwood waived the resort fee, do you mean they took the $8 per day off and you still got the newspaper, coffee and helath club? I thought anyone could waive it and do without those things. We're new to the Starwood program and I'm hoping to get a 'room with a view' this fall. Did Starwood get you a better room than you expected? From my readings here it sounds like if Dolphin has better rooms available, they just hand them out to Starwood members whether or not you have any points (I don't).


Thanks,
Bill From PA

 

[LBYC-19]

xx

 

[Barbruka]

Joanne-
Glad to hear you had a great trip! I haven't been on the boards much because of our future bed and breakfast plans. We just got back from a week in Chicago at a convention for inn owners. Life is absolutely crazy here. Again, I'm glad everything went good. How did your sister enjoy her stay at her resort?!? I know she was originally aprehensive. I have been thinking about you. I was wondering when you were coming back. I knew your trip was about this time. These darn trips just come and go way too fast, don't they???!!!

Barb

 

[disnurse]

Too bad I didn't bump into you lounging at the grotto. Sounds like your trip was similar to mine, a perfect 10!!! Only thing I would do differently is waive the resort fee. We never made coffee, used the refillables from tubbies every morning and the coffee there is awesome.

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the great trip report, Joanne!

It's hard to meet up with DISers at WDW unless you make plans ahead of time or know someone's full name so you can phone them at the hotel.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

thanks for the great trip report!
I was there too and sorry we couldn't have met especially since I had 2 teens the same age as yours with me. I had a DIS pin but didn't always remember to wear it. Just think we could have been sitting side by side at the pool and didn't even know it.
I love these resorts very much myself and always like to just spend days hanging out there!

 

[LBYC-19]

Welcome Home Nancy, Disnurse and Debbie:

Maybe next April vacation we can meet at the Dolphin! I've already figured out the first day I can call the airlines to book the flights!

P.s. Did I mention in my trip report how lovely the Grotto pool was?