Hi All,
Its been a long time since I posted to this forum. We just got back from a stay at the Dolphin. We arrived Monday, April 1 and departed Friday, April 5. This isnt' a trip report, just a few observations and tips. As background, we used Starpoints to pay for our entire stay (transferred numerous AMEX membership rewards points into Starwood points). WDW was extremely crowded during our stay (but expected, given that it was Spring Break). Participants included my wife, myself, and our 5 yr old daughter. We had made one previous visit with our daughter (age 4) and stayed at the Polynesian. We attempted to make this a more relaxing trip, just hitting the highlights at MK, MGM, and Epcot. OK, now for the observations and tips:
1. Checking in was no problem. If you drive, do not pay for valet parking. The self park lot is actually quite close. We drove up, unloaded at the front, and then I parked the car while my wife checked in.
2. The Starwood PG desk is not always staffed. There was nobody there when we arrived, but the Disney Cruise Line staffer agreed to check us in without having to wait in the regular line. She told us that there are periods when they do not staff the SPG desk.
3. The resort is beautiful, even though it isn't fully "Disney" themed. We thought it actually seemed cleaner and brighter than the Polynesian.
4. We requested a view of Epcot and the fireworks. The Dolphin delivered!! We had room 7017 in the East Wing - a perfect view of Epcot, Boardwalk, and the fireworks. I couldn't have picked a better room which fit our requirements.
5. As suggested on this board, we asked them to waive the resort fee - no problem. The Bell Stand has free USA Today's for people who still want the paper.
6. There was only one convention going on during our stay, and we did not notice a huge number of conventioneers. Most of the people we encountered were families.
7. We found the Dolphin to have better transportation than the Polynesian, unless you are only visiting the MK. Getting to Epcot and MGM was very easy and pleasant.
8. Access to restaurants is also much easier at the Dolphin.
9. The wait for MK busses can be frustrating. One morning, we had to wait for 2 busses before we were able to get on (they filled up). But here's a tip - if you are at the Dolphin, walk over and catch the MK bus at Swan - it picks up first and there are less people getting on at Swan.
10. The grotto pool was the best pool we have enjoyed at Disney (we've used the Polynesian, WL, and Dolphin pools).
11. For Disney related requests, the Concierge is very helpful. I found that they floundered a bit with any requests that weren't theme park/restaurant related. But they were very pleasant.
12. The Coral Cafe was only open for breakfast during our stay - you might check this if you plan on lunch or dinner here.
13. The Soda Fountain was swamped during our stay - and they did not have enough servers. Both guests and servers seemed at the limit of frustration during the one meal we had here - I think one server came very close to crying! You are better off finding quick food on the Boardwalk or at Tubbi's.
14. Contrary to some comments on this board, we did not find the size of the dolphin to cause confusion or excessive walking (as compared to our stay at the Polynesian, we probably walked less).
15. Check your bill carefully - we had several small charges that were erroneous (charged $6.50 for a bottle of water we never used, and charged for 4 sodas instead of the 2 we took from the mini-bar), but the front desk had no problem removing the charges.
16. Since we booked this trip at the last minute, we made no PS reservations. It wasn't so bad, however, given that we didn't want to be bound by rigid timeframes - however we have two votes for best alternatives: (A) Lunch at the Concourse SteakHouse in the Contemporary was wonderful. We didn't have a PS, they seated us promptly, and the portions are huge! Don't bother getting a kid's meal - the kids can share from your plates.; (B) Dinner at the food court in The Land at Epcot - lots of different choices, and the best tuna sandwich (on fresh baked bread) in the area.
17. A good break in Epcot is Mexico - ride the Rio del Tiempo (there never seems to be a line), enjoy the great A/C, and just relax!
All in all, we had a great trip given that we booked the trip only 4 days in advance! I would definitely stay at the Dolphin again - although we might try the Swan next time. Good luck to all!
Its been a long time since I posted to this forum. We just got back from a stay at the Dolphin. We arrived Monday, April 1 and departed Friday, April 5. This isnt' a trip report, just a few observations and tips. As background, we used Starpoints to pay for our entire stay (transferred numerous AMEX membership rewards points into Starwood points). WDW was extremely crowded during our stay (but expected, given that it was Spring Break). Participants included my wife, myself, and our 5 yr old daughter. We had made one previous visit with our daughter (age 4) and stayed at the Polynesian. We attempted to make this a more relaxing trip, just hitting the highlights at MK, MGM, and Epcot. OK, now for the observations and tips:
1. Checking in was no problem. If you drive, do not pay for valet parking. The self park lot is actually quite close. We drove up, unloaded at the front, and then I parked the car while my wife checked in.
2. The Starwood PG desk is not always staffed. There was nobody there when we arrived, but the Disney Cruise Line staffer agreed to check us in without having to wait in the regular line. She told us that there are periods when they do not staff the SPG desk.
3. The resort is beautiful, even though it isn't fully "Disney" themed. We thought it actually seemed cleaner and brighter than the Polynesian.
4. We requested a view of Epcot and the fireworks. The Dolphin delivered!! We had room 7017 in the East Wing - a perfect view of Epcot, Boardwalk, and the fireworks. I couldn't have picked a better room which fit our requirements.
5. As suggested on this board, we asked them to waive the resort fee - no problem. The Bell Stand has free USA Today's for people who still want the paper.
6. There was only one convention going on during our stay, and we did not notice a huge number of conventioneers. Most of the people we encountered were families.
7. We found the Dolphin to have better transportation than the Polynesian, unless you are only visiting the MK. Getting to Epcot and MGM was very easy and pleasant.
8. Access to restaurants is also much easier at the Dolphin.
9. The wait for MK busses can be frustrating. One morning, we had to wait for 2 busses before we were able to get on (they filled up). But here's a tip - if you are at the Dolphin, walk over and catch the MK bus at Swan - it picks up first and there are less people getting on at Swan.
10. The grotto pool was the best pool we have enjoyed at Disney (we've used the Polynesian, WL, and Dolphin pools).
11. For Disney related requests, the Concierge is very helpful. I found that they floundered a bit with any requests that weren't theme park/restaurant related. But they were very pleasant.
12. The Coral Cafe was only open for breakfast during our stay - you might check this if you plan on lunch or dinner here.
13. The Soda Fountain was swamped during our stay - and they did not have enough servers. Both guests and servers seemed at the limit of frustration during the one meal we had here - I think one server came very close to crying! You are better off finding quick food on the Boardwalk or at Tubbi's.
14. Contrary to some comments on this board, we did not find the size of the dolphin to cause confusion or excessive walking (as compared to our stay at the Polynesian, we probably walked less).
15. Check your bill carefully - we had several small charges that were erroneous (charged $6.50 for a bottle of water we never used, and charged for 4 sodas instead of the 2 we took from the mini-bar), but the front desk had no problem removing the charges.
16. Since we booked this trip at the last minute, we made no PS reservations. It wasn't so bad, however, given that we didn't want to be bound by rigid timeframes - however we have two votes for best alternatives: (A) Lunch at the Concourse SteakHouse in the Contemporary was wonderful. We didn't have a PS, they seated us promptly, and the portions are huge! Don't bother getting a kid's meal - the kids can share from your plates.; (B) Dinner at the food court in The Land at Epcot - lots of different choices, and the best tuna sandwich (on fresh baked bread) in the area.
17. A good break in Epcot is Mexico - ride the Rio del Tiempo (there never seems to be a line), enjoy the great A/C, and just relax!
All in all, we had a great trip given that we booked the trip only 4 days in advance! I would definitely stay at the Dolphin again - although we might try the Swan next time. Good luck to all!
