Just back from Dolphin any?

[Samsma]

Hi! I just got back from a Pres. Day weekend trip - 3 nights at the Dolphin. Long 15 hr. drive home. Any questions I can answer about resort- or parks? Didn't do AK.

 

[gildis]

How were the beds? I just spent the weekend at a Raddison, and the beds were FANTASTIC!

Did you feel the "Disney Magic?" I am a teacher, so the rates at the S & D are sooooo much better than "Disney" hotels.

 

[happycat]

Please tell us about your room. Did you get an upgrade? Did you like the room location? et...

 

[Samsma]

My room was 6031. It was facing EPCOT - no balcony- but it was what I had asked for EPCOT view- renovated room. We could have seen Spaceship Earth- if not for a huge palm tree in the way, but no problem seeing Illuminations. Very nice to be able to look out and see all the comings and goings on the Boardwalk.

The Dolphin is probably the nicest hotel I've ever stayed at, but no Magic for me. A lot a people in suits, a lot of adults with drinks walking around- not really a family oriented hotel like the Disney resorts. We visited the BW and BC- and I have to say, I wished I was staying at one of these instead. I stayed at the Dolphin on points, which was nice, and the room was beautiful, just not that Magical. I do miss my bed though.

 

[happycat]

Thanks for the info.

One more question. Did you find the distance from you room to the lobby and pool and eats reasonalble? Were you West/East wing?

 

[callahanjulie10]

Hello Samsma- I have some ?'s for you...

1- how was the walk or boat situation to Epcot/MGM? Waits and actual times to get to the parks? I assume that when you get to Epcot- you are at the entrance of the countries- is that correct? Is there a place to get passes at this entrance?
2- where did you eat ? Anywhere Sadie and Sam just loved? We are arriving on Friday afternoon and I am looking for somewhere fun/nice to eat without using one of my days on my Play 4.
3- did you see theDisneymom on this trip?

Take care and glad that you are back safe and sound!

 

[allicat1214]

Hello!

We arrive at the Dolphin this Sunday and I do have lots of questions! Here goes:

How was the grotto pool? Was the water warm enough to actually enjoy swimming?

Is it a long walk to Epcot/MGM? How long did it take?

Did you use the kids desk at check-in? (Their website says they
have a separate kids check-in desk!) What did your kids get?

Did you use early entry? Were the parks crowded?

How is the bus situation to MK? Long waits, etc.?

Thanks so much for the info in advance!!

 

[Trekker]

Did you go to Tubbie's at all - there is another thread that is asking if Tubbie's sold bread by the loaf in the little convenience store? Do you recall?

 

[Mainebound]

Thanks for the info samsma! I would also love to hear more about your trip -- we head to the Swan in about 2 weeks!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Trekker
Did you go to Tubbie's at all - there is another thread that is asking if Tubbie's sold bread by the loaf in the little convenience store? Do you recall?

They did not last summer, but I merely walked over the the YC or the BW, where both shops sold FRESH Sliced bread (loaf-size)! It was not much of an inconvenience. I think Tubbies refrains from this to promote the sales of their DELI-SANDWICHES, etc. Probably the same reason sliced meat is not available for sale here, but is in both of the above locations mentioned. Hope this helps.

DF99

 

[Mouseteacher]

I believe I saw bread at the BW convenience store located in Threads n Thimbles shop. DS and I walked over there to get some goodies for our room and found it a shorter walk from the Swan than to go to the YC.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

You are right there are loaves of bread for sale at the General store at the Boardwalk.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I was also wondering about the buses to the mk, do they share with the resorts and what is the route, stops etc. We are staying at the swan april 6. I alkso saw that the swan is the last boat stop to MGM. Did you go on an early entry day and did you get a seat, or have to wait for another boat etc. Thanks.

 

[robinb]

The Swan shares a bus with all the other Epcot resorts (the Dolphin, the Yacht Club, the Beach Club and Boardwalk). When you leave in the morning you may stop at no other resorts or any combination of resorts before going to the park. For instance when we stayed at the Dolphin in December we stopped at Boardwalk on the way to the MK once and once we went right to the MK. Both trips were for early entry.

If you come back from the parks in the mid-afternoon you are more likely to share a bus with all the Epcot resorts. The good news is the Swan is the first stop . When things a little busier, the resorts are split up a bit, I think YC, BC & Boardwalk on one bus and Swan & Dolphin on another bus.

Hope that helps!

 

[Lewisc]

This past weekend Swan Dolphin had their own bus with another bus being used for Boardwalk and BC/YC.

I think they are trying out different routes.

 

[Samsma]

Hi Everybody!!!

We were in the"far East Wing" with a view of Boardwalk to the right, and BC to the front of us- couldn't really see the Yacht Club since it was to the far right and the other wing of the Dolphin was in the way. Very nice view. We had quite a walk to the elevators, then down through the lobby- down the escalators to Tubbies, pool, health club, etc. I'd say took about 5 to 7 minutes to get to Tubbies.

We didn't get to swim- no time- plus it rained most of the day on Saturday. The Grotto pool looked wonderful- and judging by the amount of people in either pool- was not very warm- about 10 total. (no kidding). My kids did play in the squirting sea lion- and also played BB at the Swans BB court. Also spent a little time at the playground.

The walk to EPCOT was very nice- you could either go on the Boardwalk- or a little longer way around YC and BC if you wanted to get a look at Stormalong Bay. The sidewalk actually walks rights thru the pool areas. Then just up over the bridge, and into International Gateway. No reason to take a boat from the Dolphin unless you just wanted to- or had a hard time with walking anyway. I'd say about 10 minutes - very pretty and nice walk.

Julie - we didn't see the Disneymom- didn't know she'd be there! We are first night at Cape May- then took an Illuminations Cruise. That was last minute, someone cancelled the day before we left- and I had been calling every day. I couldn't believe I got one. Very nice and relaxing riding around on the pontoon boat, We met our captain at 8:15- then she took us to MGM, turned around then on a tour of the Boardwalk area, then under the bridge from France to Great Britain. Cape May was very good, mostly seafood- but Sadie loves shrimp- and now clams!
Sammy said the pizza was pretty good too. We also ate at Sci-Fi Dine-in, and Liberty Tree Tavern. But both of those would require admission. We had ice cream at Beaches and Cream on Friday night after Fantasmic. Very good - much better than ice cream on the Boardwalk.

I'd say the Friendship from Dolphin to MGM was about 10 minutes. We were the last ones to be picked up to go to MGM.
They told us that the last boat left at 8:00 p.m. from MGM after Fantasmic, and it was more than a mile back- we had to wait for the 3rd boat after Fantasmic, but they were in line to get us- about a 10 minute wait in all. We were the last ones to be picked up to go to MGM. Didn't ride the boat to EPCOT at all.

Didn't ride to EPCOT at all. Much better than the busses. The only time we rode the bus was from MK on Sat. night. Not a bad ride, probably 15 minutes. Ours only went to first the Swan- then the Dolphin.

I don't think that you can buy your passes at the International Gateway. Don't remember seeing anywhere.

We didn't do any early entry - our days didn't work out right- too short a trip!!! Nice to be in the "World" again, even on a short trip. I need to go about once a month.

Sorry, I don't know anything about the bread situation.

 

[KatieLovesMickey]

Hello Samsma!

My DD has a dolphin-themed bedroom. Is there a lot of dolphin paraphernalia(sp?) to be found in the Dolphin gift shops? We're staying at the Poly in April, and I'd definitely make time to hop over to get her some gifts for her June birthday.Thanks for your help!

Katie

 

[Samsma]

KatieLovesMickey- Actually, the Dolphin is a dolphin fish, so it doesn't look like a dolphin at all, just a big fish. Probably not what you're looking for. Notice at the top of this page, or go to their website to see what their "dolphin" looks like.