Just back- First time at Dolphin

[gschmerl]

Just back from my first stay at the Dolphin. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel four nights and then the Dolphin five nights.
There was a BIG Fed Ex convention (3000 people) going on. I think this might have actually been a blessing. They were very busy with all their meetings, so the busses and boats were pretty empty. There were also VERY FEW children around. Dont' get me wrong, I like children (I'm an elementary school counselor), but at the Hard Rock they were running up and down the halls all day and night.
I asked to have the resort fee waived and it was waived without any problem.
I know they are in the process of renovating the rooms, but our bed linens were in pretty bad shape. Both bed spreads were torn and one was stained. The blankets were all frayed too. That certainly didn't detract from our stay, but I was surprised to see it.
Everyone at the hotel was very helpful.
The location can't be beat. It is SOOOOO easy to get to all the parks.
It rained just about every afternoon, so we only got to enjoy the Grotto pool one day. It was so relaxing with the water falls.
I hope to write a full trip report once I get fully unpacked and settled in here.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I just got back from the GF - there was a FedEx convention there, too (not sure if it was the same one, but FedEx was at the Grand Floridian Convention Center, we had lot's of FedEx'ers in our building, too).

We also had linen problems at the GF (you can read my post, we had quite a few problems). But, just like you, it really didn't bother me too much. I was just happy to be at WDW!

Welcome home!

 

[JulesMom]

Glad you had a nice stay.

How did you like the Hard Rock Hotel?

 

[Tinkbell]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay.

 

[gschmerl]

JulesMom,
This was our second stay at the Hard Rock Hotel. It's VERY different from the Dolphin. Very modern, music playing wherever you go- new and shiney. GREAT beds with a cuddly comforter. The rooms are a little nicer than the Dolphin in that they have a sink both in and outside the bathroom. I preferred the pool area at the Dolphin. The staff at both hotels are helpful and friendly. The Hard Rock really can't be beat for location. It's a five minute walk to Universal Studios and maybe another couple minutes to Islands of Adventure. Then you have the magic room key. Just show your room key, and get immediate access to the express entrance for the rides and attractions. This is a pricelss perk. Waits for some rides were 90 minutes--we just showed our key and walked in and were on in about 8 minutes.

 

[gschmerl]

I forgot to mention earlier-- we had the teacher's rate for two of our nights at the Dolphin. They asked to see verification that I was a teacher. I showed my school ID and my state education assoc. membership card. They really looked it over carefully.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by gschmerl
The rooms are a little nicer than the Dolphin in that they have a sink both in and outside the bathroom.

That's the way the sinks are set up at the Swan! I prefer that kind of set-up, but not enough to leave the Dolphin for it!

 

[Tiffany]

Glad to hear you had a good trip. My husband and I will be staying at the Dolphin for the first time in 29days . Any trays in the hallways? How was the wait times on the buses?

 

[gschmerl]

Tiffany,
There were trays in the hall when we'd come back in the evening, but they were all gone when the staff came through the next morning. NOTHING remained in the hallways. Housekeeping was fine.
When we went to the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom (parks for which you use the bus), we always went early and got the first bus in the morning. One time we were the only people on it. Others times there were just a few other people. The bus stops at the Swan first, then the Dolphin, then the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk. The info provided says the buses start running an hour before park opening. Park openings were 9:00 and we got the bus at the Dolphin at 7:45.
The boats were great for getting to MGM and Epcot. Swan/Dolphin in the stop right before MGM, so you get there quickly. Epcot can take about 20-30 minutes depending on the captain. We had a couple "captains in training" and it took them a LONG time to dock. Coming back from Epcot on the boat, I would recommend getting off at the Boardwalk and walking back to the Dolphin. It's about a four minute walk and is faster than the boat.

 

[Tiffany]

Thanks for the response and the info gschmerl. We will be walking from the Dolphin to EC and MGM so the "slow" boats should not be an issue. Glad you had a great trip.