My comments about recent Dolphin stay....

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi guys! We had a great stay at the Dolphin. This was our second stay...we took out 8 year old DD with us this time. Our last Dolphin stay was in May, for our 10 year wedding anniversary, just DH and I.

When we checked in we were upgraded to a balcony room, which I was THRILLED with! I LOVE a balcony, but always have a hard time paying $100 extra for one. We are SPG members, so I think you get an automatic upgrade whenever available. We were in 6077, east wing, overlooking the Boardwalk area. It was a beautiful location. It was NOT a refurbished room. In May, we stayed in a refurbished room, and I gotta say, it was awfully nice. This room showed a little wear and tear, but overall was great.

Two disappointments were in the pool area. One was the cabana bar rehab. It really did not matter this trip, as we were with DD, but we had a lot of good memories there from our anniversary trip and were thankful that it was up and operating at that time, or we would have been devastated! LOL. The biggest disappointment was the non working waterfall at the pool. We had talked up this waterfall to DD in the weeks prior to the trip...showed her pictures of DH and I in the waterfall, told her how fun it was, etc. Well, apparently it was struck by lightening a few weeks ago? This is what I was told by the lifeguard. They don't know when it will be fixed. We still had a fun day at the pool on Saturday.

Satuday night DH and I went to PftS (I will post about this on the restaurants board, but this is the first year we thought it was not worth the money.) and DD stayed at the wonderful "Camp Dolphin." She LOVES that place, and Miss Thelma has worked there for 10 years and is so special. I am planning on writing a letter to management to let them know what a gem they have in her!

We dined at Picabu for breakfast 2 mornings, using our AAA card to get 20% off. This is the second time we noticed their "starbucks" coffee was just not so great. It tasted burnt, and we noticed that in May, also. In May, I told the Picabu employees that the coffee tasted burnt and they were so nice about it...I watched them change the coffee but even the second batch tasted burnt! I didn't have the heart to tell them the second batch was also burnt. After this trip, I am guessing this is the normal taste. We liked the coffee at the lobby bar much better, and ended up always purchasing our coffee there, then walking into Picabu.

A lot of convention folk showed up on Monday. I know a lot of people don't like the convention "feel" of the Dolphin, especially when it is full of people attending the conventions, but I never mind them because it makes me feel even more grateful to be on vacation! Although I will admit that I wish DH had a job that had conventions on WDW property! I am jealous of that!

We had a great FL resident rate of $159 a night. After taxes and parking ($9 a day) it was $188 a night.

Ok, that's about it. If there are any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

 

[simonkodousek]

Thanks for the review! Welcome back!

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Glad to hear you had a nice stay. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[dmwang9]

This is the second time we noticed their "starbucks" coffee was just not so great. It tasted burnt, and we noticed that in May, also.

The "burnt" taste is normal for Starbucks coffee. Starbucks intentionally roasts their coffee beans a long time (personally, I think it's OVERroasted). Cynics have suggested that this is to encourage customers to buy lattes, cappucinos, etc. which are more expensive but contain milk which cuts the "burned" flavor.

 

[Atotty]

What a timely post. I decided yesterday to try and go to WDW for Tgiving and Dolphin is the most cost-effective hotel I can find that has the Disney perks for a family of five.

I've seen the daily parking rates quoted anywhere from $8 to $16 a night. I noticed your post says $8. Is that the self-park rate or the valet rate per night?

How about grab and go kind of food? I know they have fancy restaurants, but do they have counter service kind of food, too, like burgers, macc and cheese, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

HEY!!!

Glad to hear you had ANOTHER great time at the Dolphin!!!! We loved YC and the EPCOT area btw!!!!
SO..why can I not figure out what PftS is??? lol I thought I knew all the acronyms!
The balcony must have been great!!!

 

[danjoan14]

Thanks for the great review. We're staying at the Dolphin for the first time in November (11/10 - 11/18). We're using our SPG points for 8 nights (FREE). We even have a deluxe room with a balcony and a view. I opted to add the better room on for 1,000 points a night. I didn't want to take a chance of not getting a free upgrade if available.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

HEY!!!

Glad to hear you had ANOTHER great time at the Dolphin!!!! We loved YC and the EPCOT area btw!!!!
SO..why can I not figure out what PftS is??? lol I thought I knew all the acronyms!
The balcony must have been great!!!

LOL, sorry! It is "Party For The Senses!" It is held during F&W Fest, every Saturday night. It is a separate ticketed event.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Sorry...I don't know how to do multiple quotes, so I'll just address everyone on this post!

danjoan-WOW! That's a LOT of SPG points you have saved up! Enjoy! I am jealous!

atotty-The self parking is $9 a day. You just swipe your room key when you leave the parking lot to get out (although sometimes it did not work and the attendant had to manually open the gate.) You don't get charged everytime you come and go, you just get charged $9 a night. The valet parking is $16 a night, I believe.

We ate at Picabu for breakfast and also a lunch. It is set up like a cafeteria, where you can pick what you want and they can pack it to go or you can take your tray and dine inside their dining area. They make some of the items to order. There are also things already packed in to go boxes that are ready if you truly want to "grab and go!" Don't forget your AAA card if you have one, that 20% off really adds up!

The lobby bar has grab and go breakfast items and BETTER COFFEE THAN PICABU! LOL...I do recommend getting your coffee there!

dmwang9-That is very interesting info! I gotta say, I have had starbucks here at home and have not noticed it...but then again, I NEVER get a normal cup of coffee there...always a latte or frappaccino (*when* I go to starbucks...I rarely do!) My DH will be intrigued by that theory...he is quite the "conspiracy theorist" on everything.

Thanks Simonk and Mickey's Friend!

 

[Robert P]

Hi guys! We had a great stay at the Dolphin.........................................

Satuday night DH and I went to PftS (I will post about this on the restaurants board, but this is the first year we thought it was not worth the money.)

Thanks for posting.

Glad to hear you had a great stay!! We're going there in a few weeks, and I can't wait. I used the lobby bar in July as well, and found it very convenient.

Now, about this PFTS thing.....any idea when that will be posted on the restaurant board?? We're still on the fence for this year, (due to yet another price increase and the non-refundable ticket change), so we're waiting for some feedback from someone who has attended a PFTS before. Just wondering when that post may be coming??

Thanks again for posting.
Robert P

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks for posting.

Glad to hear you had a great stay!! We're going there in a few weeks, and I can't wait. I used the lobby bar in July as well, and found it very convenient.

Now, about this PFTS thing.....any idea when that will be posted on the restaurant board?? We're still on the fence for this year, (due to yet another price increase and the non-refundable ticket change), so we're waiting for some feedback from someone who has attended a PFTS before. Just wondering when that post may be coming??

Thanks again for posting.
Robert P

LOL, I just PMed a fellow foodie that frequents this board, and told her I probably won't post my negative review of PftS after all. I hate to sound like a "Negative Nelly" and I just recently posted a bad review of Blue Zoo (I used to LOVE that place, but our visit last May was "eh") that many people did not agree with. I just know how I feel when I read reviews from the same person over and over that are negative. In my defense, I posted rave reviews for Flying Fish, Jiko, Boma, V&A's etc!

I copied and pasted from my PM that I just sent her this morning...here it is...the sentences in the asterisks are comments that I am inserting for this post, were not sent in the original PM.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but DH and I both remarked how there was no food item that we just *had* to go get a second serving of. *the past two years there were!* There was a LOT of red meat and game (which I LOVE, don't get me wrong) and also, the wine selections were different...some booths only had red, others only had white. My DH only drinks reds, so going to a booth to get a white for me and a red for him was difficult. *last two years each booth had selection of red and white, usually multiple selections of each* Cirque Du Soleil seems to perform less and less each year...I dunno... just did not seem worth the $287 for the two of us. The next day, DH even said to me, "You notice how we aren't even talking about last night?" Meaning it was just not memorable. *also, just an aside...there were no "tv chefs" there. I recognized many names, because I am a subscriber to many food magazines,but my DH did not. Last year we met Cat Cora and the year before we had a great, lengthy conversation with Ming Tsai. Again, this is not what made the evening "not so great" I am just adding that to my review.*

Also, as everyone congregated in the area outside, waiting for the doors to open, black rain clouds were rolling in and thunder was sounding. We were told by the people giving the wristbands the doors would open at 6 pm. At 5:55, it started to rain...HARD...at about 6:10, everyone was getting mad. I was not too dressed up, but many women had their hair done nicely, were wearing heels, cocktail dresses, etc. An image that is still in my mind is of an older couple...the woman was in a wheelchair...and they just sat there in the rain as it poured down. Then, as they opened those big brown gates FINALLY, everyone just RAN, trying to get cover. The woman in the wheelchair and her husband didn't have a chance. There really should have been a separate area for handicapped. *again, this is not my complaint about it being not worth the money" but wanted to add they seemed to have some glitches, as it was the first night. They could SEE that it was getting ready to pour, and not only did they not open the doors early, they did not open them on time, either!*

*plus, you checked in and got a wristband, but after they opened the big brown gates, and people were trampling each other to get in, you then had to show your wristband to get a ticket, in order to get your plate and glass. It was mass confusion. Last year, I don't remember that...or why didn't they give you the ticket when they gave you the wristband?*

*On a positive note, I will say that it seemed less crowded this year.*

Robert P...have you ever attended a PftS before? I am just saying....even if the price stayed the same, I think it was lesser quality. BUT, to have the price increase so drastically (it was $95 in 2005) and have the quality decline (whether it truly declined or it was just or perception, I cannot say...but isn't the saying "perception is reality? LOL) I can say that we will most likely not attend next year.

Hope this helps somewhat!

 

[Robert P]

Thank you for your candid take on this year's event.

For what its worth: I must say that I have enjoyed reading your reviews, and whether good or bad, you seem to give a fair and accurate description. I don't perceive your reviews as being all negative, or all positive. They are just your take on your experience on that particular meal. I would not hesitate to post a bad review, if it was accurate. I caught some flack over my bad review of B&C last visit, but hey, it was warranted. I, speaking for myself, enjoy reading a detailed and accurate review, positive or negative or neutral, more than a gushing review that gives no real information about the experience, beyond 'we loved everything'.

Back to PFTS: We went in 2005 and 2006. In 2005 it was a steal at $95, but last year they cut out the traveling musicians and gave us a price increase up to $125. Last year, we were approaching our decision making price point on the event. Thanks to the change WDW made in making F&WF events non-refundable this year, we haven't had to decide yet if $135 is worth it to us. (I have a running wager with a fellow WDW fan that next year the price will be up to $150 for sure.)

Disappointing to hear about the wine selections. We are a split couple as well (I like red, wife likes white), and it was nice to be able to get both at a station.
I can't disagree about the admission/gate area seeming out of sorts. That is the part we dreaded most each year, the semi-line and utter disorganization of the admission CM's, then the mad rush when the gates opened. Luckily, we were spared the rain.

Thanks for the PFTS information you have provided so far. It is appreciated.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I hope it helps you make a decision. Actually, I am hoping you *do* go to PftS so I can get your input as well. I would like to hear from someone else who has gone in past years.

BTW, no traveling musicians, but in between cirque performances, there is an electronic band that plays on the stage.

Enjoy your Dolphin stay! I am looking forward to hearing about it!

 

[NJFabFour]

Thanks so much for all the great info on the Dolphin! Okay, I have 10 months to go . . . sure hope that waterfall is working by then!! My twins (age 10) would be bummed too if it wasn't!) P.S. Good thing I'm not a coffee drinker!

 

[LoriZH]

Hi guys! We had a great stay at the Dolphin. This was our second stay...we took out 8 year old DD with us this time. Our last Dolphin stay was in May, for our 10 year wedding anniversary, just DH and I.

When we checked in we were upgraded to a balcony room, which I was THRILLED with! I LOVE a balcony, but always have a hard time paying $100 extra for one. We are SPG members, so I think you get an automatic upgrade whenever available. We were in 6077, east wing, overlooking the Boardwalk area. It was a beautiful location. It was NOT a refurbished room. In May, we stayed in a refurbished room, and I gotta say, it was awfully nice. This room showed a little wear and tear, but overall was great.

Two disappointments were in the pool area. One was the cabana bar rehab. It really did not matter this trip, as we were with DD, but we had a lot of good memories there from our anniversary trip and were thankful that it was up and operating at that time, or we would have been devastated! LOL. The biggest disappointment was the non working waterfall at the pool. We had talked up this waterfall to DD in the weeks prior to the trip...showed her pictures of DH and I in the waterfall, told her how fun it was, etc. Well, apparently it was struck by lightening a few weeks ago? This is what I was told by the lifeguard. They don't know when it will be fixed. We still had a fun day at the pool on Saturday.

Satuday night DH and I went to PftS (I will post about this on the restaurants board, but this is the first year we thought it was not worth the money.) and DD stayed at the wonderful "Camp Dolphin." She LOVES that place, and Miss Thelma has worked there for 10 years and is so special. I am planning on writing a letter to management to let them know what a gem they have in her!

We dined at Picabu for breakfast 2 mornings, using our AAA card to get 20% off. This is the second time we noticed their "starbucks" coffee was just not so great. It tasted burnt, and we noticed that in May, also. In May, I told the Picabu employees that the coffee tasted burnt and they were so nice about it...I watched them change the coffee but even the second batch tasted burnt! I didn't have the heart to tell them the second batch was also burnt. After this trip, I am guessing this is the normal taste. We liked the coffee at the lobby bar much better, and ended up always purchasing our coffee there, then walking into Picabu.

A lot of convention folk showed up on Monday. I know a lot of people don't like the convention "feel" of the Dolphin, especially when it is full of people attending the conventions, but I never mind them because it makes me feel even more grateful to be on vacation! Although I will admit that I wish DH had a job that had conventions on WDW property! I am jealous of that!

We had a great FL resident rate of $159 a night. After taxes and parking ($9 a day) it was $188 a night.

Ok, that's about it. If there are any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Great review, too bad about the waterfall, that is a beautiful pool and the waterfall is one of the best parts of it. I love the Dolphin and would love to go back someday!

PS: ALL Starbucks coffee tastes burnt

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

NJFab-It BETTER be working! I am hoping someone on the Swan/Dolphion thread will post about it when it is up and running again.

Lori-I am amazed to find this out about Starbucks coffee! It seems to be a well known fact, the more I talk to people about it. Who knew?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I found this...I found a LOT of links and comments about Starbucks coffee tasting burnt. It is all very interesting. This particular article ( I think it was someone's blog) was in favor of Starbucks, but I found many more that were against the taste...

BURNT COFFEE
Starbucks does tend to roast their beans darker than most, more closely resembling a an Italian/French style roast, which is darker than a Vienna roast which is again darker than the average 'City Roast'. Is this burnt coffee? No, burnt coffee is coffee that's been left on a heating element for over 30 minutes. You know, the coffee that's in the urn on the 'warming' pad at most deli's or at the 7-eleven. That's burnt. All you taste is the harsh bitterness left because all the rich coffee oils have been evaporated away (which is what gives fresh coffee it's richer flavor).

Is darker roasting better? Yes and no. I love espresso roast as a rule, but some beans such as those grown in Java or Sumatra have a rich buttery flavor that can be lost if roasted too dark, so in those cases I would go with a medium roast. And to the coffee purist, the best flavor comes from the freshest roasted coffee (ie. you roast them just before you brew it). Super coffee snobs buy green beans and roast their coffee at home. I can't be bothered, my mornings are busy enough.

If you think Starbucks tastes burnt, well than that's your fair opinion. I don't think it's burnt but do find it's a bit too acidic/dry, I prefer slightly mellower blends like medium-dark roasted Kona that I get from Hawaii. If you prefer the woody taste of mass market Robusta beans and love truck stop coffee, then more power to you. Just please, don't pass on that stupid rumor about Starubucks burning their coffee

 

[Atotty]

Sorry...I don't know how to do multiple quotes, so I'll just address everyone on this post!


Thanks Simonk and Mickey's Friend!

Thanks for the info!

 

[rie'smom]

The lobby bar coffee is very good. I'm so glad that you liked the Dolphin. The Swan is great too. I'm waiting for the 2008 discount rates(TEACHER). We always book a few nights at either of these 2 hotels before we move on to BWV. It's just not a trip to WDW unless we stay at either the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

You're welcome, aotty!

rie'smom-I remember seeing the discount rates for 2008 somewhere and being very disappointed. I *think* I remember seeing $199 a night for FL resident. I know the teacher rates a a little bit less than FL resident, but $40 a night increase had me bummed out!