just back from Dolphin

[Pan's Dad]

we stayed at the Dolphin for the first time last week and overall, it was an enjoyable stay...

i had taken a chance for the first time ever (we hve visited WDW four previous times staying at the GF and Beach Club - 5 adults and 4 children), and faxed in a room request a few days prior to arrival...based on posts i had read on this site, i requested a fifth floor room with an unobstructed view of the Epcot fireworks...we had a std room booked at the Teacher Rate for 8 nites for 3 rooms...well when checking in I asked if we had a view of the fireworks and was told no but that we did have fifth floor overlooking a lake..when we got to our room the bellboy said yes we did have a view of the fireworks and we when we looked out the window it was awesome!

the location and boat and bus transportation from the Dolphin was excellent.

Negatives: the bed mattresses were awful...i had a sore back from sleeping every morning.

the pancakes in the Coral Cafe buffet were awful - they were very hard and would have served better as frisbees...ask my kids!

I didnt' do my homework and thought if I charged the rooms to American Express, I would get the "White Glove Treatment"...i guess that includes some sort of small gift package and more importanly discounts for food and shopping and minigolf at WDW - the frontdesk said no such program existed with their hotel...so I guess it is only avail for Disney OWNED Hotels...you would think AE would also provide this with the Dolphin.

the kids enjoyed the pool and the wives enjoyed the hot tubs...

rooms were nice size ---

were charged a room tax and resort tax each nite - i guess that is per Florida tax mandate...i think that amounted to another $13 or so dollars a nite.

it was a very nice hotel---but I must say, that ain't no Dolphin...that's a Fish!

 

[LBYC-19]

xx

 

[Super Mom]

My DH referred to the hotel as "The Carp" during our stay last fall. It just doesn't look like a Dolphin. LOL

 

[Jen80370]

If it is any cancellation, I have heard that the Dolphin is upgrading all of the beds in late 2002-2003 to the Heavenly Beds...doesn't do you any good now, but at least you know the problem will be addressed.

I'd call Amex and ask why it isn't available at the Dolphin...

 

[Trekker]

Just an FYI - that is not a Dolphin as in Flipper the mammal

It is a Dolphin Fish

LOL I always thought it was a weird name for the hotel!!

 

[NancyIL]

American Express apparently has an agreement with the Walt Disney Company ("official" card of WDW) that does not extend to the Swan and Dolphin - which are Westin and Sheraton hotels.

 

[disnurse]

Yes its a dolphin fish not the mammal. The are pretty weird looking fish. Regarding american express: white glove treatment consists of 1 cheap fanny pack and that it. You can still get the am. express discounts when you purchase things like mouseboats or golf by using that card to pay with. I got a list of what discunts were offered either from debs site or unoficial guide book

 

[Shannon G]

I'm so glad I finally about the "Dolphin Fish". DH and I kept saying the same thing when we woudl go by there when we were at WDW - "That's no dolphin!" We actually kept referring to the two hotels as "The Swan and Guppy"!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Welcome back! I have a few questions for you. Is there a reason for the 5th floor over any other floor? How far is it too the boat and bus transportation from the room? Was the pool cold? How was the food court? If you do not pay the resort fee, do they leave the coffee pot? Did the kids like the resort, did they "fit in"? This one might sound strange but is it confusing? My grandfather 84 will be with us and he gets confused sometimes. He does not like to go to the parks everyday with us but likes to sit outside by the pool and I worry that he will not be able to find the room again. For example he does well at the *** because he can tell the buildings apart and we decorate the window so he can tell the room. I could put a decoration on the room door, but are there many halls that look alike? He would remember the floor I think. Sorry this is long, and thanks!

 

[Pan's Dad]

LBYC-19 - i will try and post our dining experiences over the next few nites....i cannot get the KoKo Puff Dessert at Kona Cafe out of my mind tho!!

WDWTrekker - you have solved a very old mystery - thanks! Sea World probably has the rights to all Mammal Dolphins in the vicinity anyway....

Shannon G - The Swan and Guppy cracked me up!

Disneycrazymom -
1. 5th floor - I just wanted to be as low as possible and still have a nice view of the fireworks...no other reason...very quick elevator ride, but a bit of a walk to our rooms (5019 E section)

2. To get to the bus, you go out the front lobby and to the left is a bus depot - very short walk from front of lobby. To get to the boat, we went to the first floor (beneath Lobby area -this is also where all the Coral Cafe and Tubbi's are, as well as Laundry, a game room, I think the Child Care Center is down there, the "gym" area, and the way to the pool/hot tubs) - we generally ate bkfst at the Coral Cafe and within a very short walk to the left was some doors that led to a walkway to the Swan Hotel - midway between the Swan and Dolphin was where the boat would be. I guess it depends on where your room is on how long it takes to get to either the bus or boat...

3. We did not pay the resort fee; however the coffee pot was still in the room - I am not a coffee drinker and we did not attempt to use it...not sure of the rules on that. I do know that the extra fee was not worth it as we would never use the gym (way too exhausted and no time), and the newspapers can be had for free if you go to the BellBoy station - so I guess you would be paying around $8.50/day just for free coffee....

4. The kids loved the pool area and my son liked shooting hoops - they had a portable hoop out near the pools...the kids loved the slide and even went in the hot tubs...the wives loved the hot tubs at nite....they have a gameroom; however, i would caution you as it swallowed a chunk of our change - i would look elsewhere if your kids want to use a gameroom. the air hockey table was fine though --- The lobby is very nice also -- but I would not be so concerned about the resort for the kids as you will be out and about most the time...it is mainly a convention center from my understanding and we did see a lot of conventioneers around the hotel----they did allow smoking in the middle of the lobby area but as i mentioned, we did not hang out in the hotel much. they also have a disney store inside the hotel and a disney information center with brochures and ticket purchase availability. If your kids got straight A's on their report card, bring it and they will give your child a free Straight A Cap and a card for free icecream.

5. Confusing - It is a large hotel and I tend to think it could get a bit confusing...if you stay there, I would request a room near the elevator for your grandfather - they are very friendly and I am sure he could always ask for assistance if he cannot find his room. Of course the walls have signs on with room number locations - but I would put in a room request to be near an elevator to avoid a lot of walking and confusion. I think all halls are the same - but i am unsure it is any different at other disney hotels - how about this...before you go to your room, step in some pink paint! a little humor... i'm not sure what else i can offer on this subject -

6. Pool is heated - I did not go in but our kids swam at nite and it was chilly outside - i thought they were crazy but the pool was warm so they enjoyed it

7. Tubbi's - a cafeteria line - not impressed... Coral Cafe we ate bkfst at - i found the french toast and omelettes very good at the bkfst buffet - the sausage and bacon was fine and they had a large selection of pastries and fruits; they also have a Character Breakfast at the Coral Cafe on Sundays...they also have Shulas Steakhouse which is supposed to be very good but it is very pricey - we did not go there.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Oh thank you so much for answering all my questions. I just love the pink paint idea. They won't mind, I'm sure!

 

[disnurse]

pan's dad did you happen to try the refillable mugs? was wondering where they can be filled besides tubbies and also which drinks are included. Did you ask in person foto waive the resort fee or put that on your request as well.

 

[Pan's Dad]

disnurse - we did get a refillable mug which can be purchased at Tubbi's for $10....it is probably worth it considering if you just want to purchase a can of soda at Tubbi's, it till cost you $2! I ended up taking a quck trip to Goodings Supermarket outside WDW and purchasing 12 packs of soda...I must say though, we were on the 5th floor and if you aren't alert to filling your mug, it is a good trip to go down to Tubbi's at nite just to fill the mug...esp when you are so exhausted...my wife and kids went swimming at nite and I would tell her she should bring the mug down with her and fill it and let the kids drink up and then when they were done, she could fill it up for herself and bring it up to the room; thus, gettting three drinks at once. It is just hard for me to swallow paying $2 for a can of soda that is worth about 35 cents!! It can only be refilled at Tubbi's. I am diabetic and do not drink caffeine so I was disappointed in their selection - mostly sugar sodas - I believe they did have unsweetened iced tea and diet coke also.


Resort Fee - this needs to be denied at checkin - as prepared as I was, I forgot about this until I got up to the room...since we had three rooms for our family, that would have added up to another $192 if I had not declined - I am sure a lot of people get hit with this unexpectedly..really not worth it at all. Do not forget to decline this ---

 

[disnurse]

hi, thanks. Now to remember to ask to waive that once i get there. With all the excitement and anticipating which room we'll get!!! the refillables sound good, we to are planning on soda cans and chips and stuff in the room