Just back from the Dolphin and I'm upset ...

[fargas]

that my trip is over !!! (Gotcha there, didn't I?)

This was our first time at the Dolphin and the Epcot resort area. We absolutely loved it !! I cant believe this location. Awesome!

The Dolphin is beautiful. Service was wonderful. We were booked for a standard view room at the $129 rate and were upgraded to the East wing with a great view of Illuminations (the high fireworks anyway) and the Boardwalk at check-in (and I didnt even ask for an upgrade). Although it was very nice, I just didn't feel we spent enough time in the room to warrant staying in the East wing. If I had to do it over again, I would probably choose someting closer to the west wing simply because the Grotto pool and Tubbies are over there and we've got three young boys. They also love Tower of Terror which can be seen better over there. But if I was going for a room with a view of Epcot, then the East wing is the way to go. The walk to the East wing gets to be a little tiresome to parents trying to keep up with their kids all week, but the kids loved trying to get back to the room without touching the "sand" on the carpet, only beach towels and balls allowed for hopping.

The transportation is wonderful. To hop on a boat to MGM or walk over to the Boardwalk or Epcot is so easy and relaxing. We had such a nice time. Even though it rained some every day, it was scattered so we could still enjoy the day. The grotto pool is awesome. Our three boys loved it and we took a pool break every day, and we swam late (till midnight) after Illuminations one night and got to see the fireworks from the 10:30 Fantasmic while we swam.

The boardwalk was beautiful at night and we ate a late dinner over there one night and rode the Surrey bikes around the loop. Very fun. The parks were crowded but with fastpass we never waited in any long lines. If you get a chance, see Blast at Epcot. They are great.

The busses were great also. We never waited longer than 10 minutes for a bus to MK or AK. We parked our car after check-in and didn't use it again all week. The self-park is good hike though, so if you did want to use your car everyday you may want to valet-park.

And to think I was worried about a few negative posts I saw in May. I'm glad I listened to the majority of the positive posts and stayed there. We loved it !!

 

[RLevy29]

We stayed at the Dolphin 12/26/00 -1/1/01 . We also loved it. We were able to get the techer discount which was at that time $119 a night. We were on the 3rd floor which was great because we never had to use the elevator. We loved the Grotto pool too.
Glad that you had a great vacation there even though it is over!

 

[Zoo Keeper]

Welcome Back Fargas! We stayed at the Swan last year and loved it! My DD is a big Tubbie's fan. Thanks for helping me bring back some great memories.

 

[poohbear2]

You got me!

I finally decided to go with the Dolphin and then saw your thread!! I thought, "OH NO...'

I am glad you had an awesome time and I am looking forward to my trip. Did they just offer you the upgrade or did you have a Starwood card?

 

[dreamflight99]

Thanks for the Laugh & Welcome Back! I'm so glad to read you enjoyed your stay at the Dolphin. I also loved reading about the walks back to the East Wing (we prefer the EW), as we use the SAME METHOD! I must agree w/you about the West Wing w/three young children. They must have been sad the day you left...and will keep asking "when" you are planning to return!

Your Grotto Pool-fantasmic fireworks adventure sounded purely MAGICAL! We loved BLAST too...and are so glad they are BACK! I bought the DVD. TONS of energy...and Endless SMILES!

I'm sure you now have infinite "memories" to hold you over through the fall, winter and spring. I LIVE off the past memories of our times/life shared at WDW, and also anticipate all the future trips to come.

Try making a family vacation "Memory" box. Your boys should love this, as they will all be able to secretly contribute to the special box. Buy or make a small box with a lid (I bought one at the Disney Store with Tigger on it!). Ask the boys to write memories on little slips of paper you provide (Slim strips which are then folded to conceal the secret memory). Suggest they write down their own favorite memories of this trip to the Dolphin & WDW, such as "Riding the tower of terror" or "Watching Fantasmic Fireworks from the Grotto Pool", (swimming at midnight together, walking to Epcot, riding the surrey bike together around the loop...or any number of funny..private moments you shared which define your time spent together...and connect you as a family). In the years to come, it will be extra-special to review and read the different memories recorded and saved in this special family vacation memory box.

Enjoy your week...Glad to have you back.

 

[gschmerl]

dreamflight99,
I LOVE the idea of the memory box. I don't have any children, but I am a counselor for young children and am always emphasizing to parents how important the "family connection" is.
You must be a GREAT mom.

 

[jwfla422]

Yes, you got me too

So glad to hear you had a great time! Isn't the Dolphin great! We also had our first stay there last month (after 4 previous Swan stays) and the Dolphin really won us over

We stayed in the furthest west wing and faced EPCOT, the lake and the Swan & the BW. We watched the fireworks everynight. Great view from our 7th floor balcony. The first morning 3 1/2 yr old dd and I watched the sun rise, that was really neat!

I would definitely stick with this location if I could again. It was a walk to the elevator but once off Tubbi's was right around the corner and the door to the pool was just down the hall.

My aunt & uncle stayed in the same wing but were on the first floor and faced the west, they had a lovely view of the waterfall at the grotto pool and the beach, like they were on the islands! (I had to go with the WDW view)

 

[threeboysmom]

I fell for it too, Fargas!! Oh well..... You gave me a big laugh though. I also have 3 young boys and the thought of how your boys would make it down the hallway to your room (avoiding the "sand") just made me smile. That's definately something my boys would think of doing......hopping & jumping from beach ball to another all the way down Where in the world do they come up with these things??!

Glad you enjoyed your trip. It's time to plan another