Just got Dolphin teacher rate for Memorial Day weekend !

[pooh2001]

My DH loves the Dolphin. Yes, he's the teacher (college professor)

We stayed there last year. Looking to go back again.
I thought we'd have to stay at a moderate (thanks to everyone's advice on the POFQ).
We did get a DC rate at the POFQ ($136 before taxes).

I called today to check on the Dolphin availabilty one more time.
I got John at Dolphin ressies. Very nice person.
He said yes, the teacher rates for Memorial Day weekend came out yesterday
I was able to get a lake view (no balcony) for $154 (before taxes). I think that is a
room which goes for $349-$410 depending on season. What a deal ! I saved at least
$195 per night or $1560 for our trip (if we are value season). If we are regular
season, I guess we saved $2048 !

THANK YOU DOLPHIN (and Starwood).

If you are a teacher, I highly (and so does my DH) recommend the Dolphin -
or Swan if you do not have kids.

I hope this message helps others on this board.
I would like to pay back for all your advice I have read.

Now we CAN go back to WDW

 

[Bill From PA]

pooh2001,

Good for you! A question about the resort fee, I hear it's gone up to $10 a day and cannot be waived, true?


Bill From PA

 

[pewing]

My DH is attending a conference. We are going 'solo' and leaving the 2 boys with grandma. I've gotten mixed reviews from these boards. I am going for some R&R. Planning on relaxing by the pool some and probaby hitting Epcot for a day.
At any rate...you would reccomend the Dolphin? I booked with the Nurse Rate. Too good to pass up : ) Actually my husband's conference is at the Dolphin...so I would have a hard time convincing him to stay anywhere else b/c of that!

 

[Bill From PA]

Book the Dolphin, you'll never regret it. It's a pleasant walk to Epcot, MGM and the Boardwalk, and it's a self-contained vacation resort in it's own right. We're 'park commandos', but back to back 88 degree days in Nov. 'forced' us to the beach/Grotto pool. We had a great recovery afternoon and have put this activity down as a 'must do' for our next trip.


Bill From PA

 

[pooh2001]

pewing - yes - stay at the Dolphin - or SWAN if kidless. More kids are at the Dolphin because that is where Tubbies and the Dolphin Fountain restaurants are. Also at the Dolphin is the laundry and video arcade.

The Dolphin is closer to the Grotto pool than the Swan.
The pool is WONDERFUL . If you want it quiet go to either end away from the waterfalls and pool slide. The pool is VERY long and large. The depth ranges from 4 feet to about 6 feet. No diving allowed - but kids do jump into the pool.
There are MANY lounge chairs to sit in and relax. Towels are free (hotel guests only) in a small building next to the main section of the pool. Do not bring your towels from your room.

There is a health club also to use at the Dolphin (need to pay daily resort fee)
The walk on the beach and the BOARDWALK is wonderful.

You can walk to EPCOT - or boat the EPCOT or MGM.
Going solo around the WORLD is fine at EPCOT. You can browse the counties,
talk to the CM's at each country, enjoy the shows. The WORLD is made mostly for the
older chid (adults included in that catagory - we are all kids at heart).
You do not feel odd being a ONE.
The WORLD does not open up till 11 AM.
So let hubby go to his conference. Hang out at the pool for a hour - shower and
go the WORLD in EPCOT. Bring hubby back a snack from France or Canada.
He'll want to go back to the WORLD with you after dinner - or have a late dinner
with him in the WORLD. (Unless he's too tired from the day)
ENJOY

BILL from PA - we have cousins scattered around the suburbs of Philly. Near the
red ? blue ? road. Not suer what they call it.
We never tried to get rid of the resort fee. It did not bother us. We stashed the coffee and tea away -got new ones in the AM and at the end of the trip, brought them home. My DH LOVES coffee. He liked the coffee bar next to the escalators off the main lobby.
He never used his mug. He hated the coffee at Tubbies. But the mug is a nice sovenier.
My DH also reads the new paper everyday. So he appreciated a news paper each morning. We did not use the health club. So I guess the resort fee is steep. But I figure it's part of the price of the room. Besides we get a discounted teacher rate.
I would hate to pay $300 a night for a room. I wonder how many people really do pay rack rate ?

But my DH will ONLY stay at the Dolphin. He loves it there.
That's how I convinced him to back to WDW a second time within a year.
Besides our Park tickets are paid for - we have AP's.

AND - the DC gives you 20% off meals at the Dolphoin and Swan (except Shula's).
But my kids would not eat anything at Shula's anyway.
We can eat at the Dolphin Fountain for $25 (DH, me, DS & DD) for dinner with
the DC discount.

I say YEA for the Dolphin if you can get a discount and have a DC card.
I really don't fret about the resort fee.


SO - WHO does pay rack rate for thr Dolphin or Swan ? I bet it's only 40% of all
the customers who stay there, such as corporations. But coporations could write it
off as a training expense if they hold at least a 1 hour meeting a day.

Oh yea - one caveat - sometimes the pool is closed to a corporation for a day.
Other guests at the Dolphin and Swan can not use it.
I don't think this happens often. Check with the resort 4 weeks before your arrival date
as to pool closures. Then just spend the day in a park - or if you need water - do a water park day

 

[pewing]

Thanks for your response. I also learned about the discount with DC at the restaurants...thanks! I am trying to keep this trip down to minimum (just spent a week at AKL in December!) My husband's company is picking up the bill for the room, but I booked all three rooms with the Nurse Rate. It's a small company (10 guys...and my hubby is co-owner)...so we cut corners where we can. Maybe we can do a big dinner at Shula's now

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

How would I 'do Disney' without these boards