Odd question about the Dolphin

[travelbug]

This may have been asked before, but I'm not on the Resorts board too often. This is strange, but here goes.

Does anyone know the story behind why the Dolphin has gigantic sculptures on top that are obviously fish, not dolphins? Did the Dolphin used to be called something else? Did the sculptor just make a huge error? Am I not supposed to notice that they are not dolphins?

Certainly not one of life's vital questions, but I've been curious every time I pass by the Dolphin. My sister asked me this question, and I said that I didn't know but I knew the perfect place to ask.

Any answers out there?

 

[Cris]

it is a dolphin fish. Not the Dolphin you see at Sea World lol.

 

[ducklite]

No, the hotel has always been the Dolphin. It was designed by the reknowned architect Michael Graves, a resident of Princeton, NJ. Mr. Graves also designed the Team Disney building--the one you see across the street from Pleasure Island that has the weird funnel shaped object coming out of the top. The dolphins are the tallest free standing statues in the world, and if memory serves, they are 188 feet high each.

Sorry I didn't answer your entire question, but thought that this bit of trivia might be entertaining to some.

Anne

 

[lilboo]

The Team Disney building-a nice building- was designed by Arata Isozaki.

 

[Trekker]

The Dolphin Fish Not a porpoise that's for sure!

 

[Pugsley]

Speaking of mistakes, have you noticed that the Swan building is accessorized with sea shells and the Dolphin with flowers. Shouldn't it have been vice versa???

 

[madcoco]

Mr. Graves also designed the Team Disney building--the one you see across the street from Pleasure Island

It was Arata Isozaki Team Disney Building You may be thinking of the Team Disney Building in Burbank. Graves designed it. The "Dolphins' are around 5stories tall. Have actually saw 3 figures 55,56,63ft tall.

Maybe they should have called it the MahiMahi. That would have went over real well.

 

[travelbug]

Thanks, everyone, for the interesting answers! I didn't even know there was such a thing as a dolphinfish, but now I know!

We did have fun trying to think of "fishy" names that they could have called the Dolphin instead, but we didn't come up with anything good. Somehow "The Flounder" didn't sound like it would attract hordes of people.

 

[Eloise@the Plaza]

The statues are the mythological symbol for water. Water is the main "them" through out the resort, from symbols on the door number signs, blue tile waves throughout the floor, and the waterfalls when you first walk in the entry foyer and the large fountain in the lobby.

 

[ducklite]

Oops! I stand corrected, yes, Graves designed the Team Disney Building in Burbank. I believe he also designed something in Celebration...IM Pei designed the post office I think, and Robert AM Stern designed something there as well.

Speaking of Team Disney, did you know that the Team Disney building in WDW houses the worlds largest sundial? It is open to the public, just be aware that you will be asked to show ID if you decide to visit.

Anne

 

[JetMom]

My family also questioned the statues at the Dolphin. WWhen we stayed there on our last trip we referred to the hotel as "The Carp"

 

[BuzzMe]

The statues (especially the dolphin) give me the creeps!

 

[SwanDolphin]

SwanDolphin would have to differ on this one...

The "Dolphins" are "mythological dolphins", similar to those found in fountains throughout Europe, and especially in Italy.

Below is a link to the first known "molds" for dolphins, as well as other uses of these "dolphins" that are not either mahi-mahi, nor your normal "dolphin", as they are depicted with scales. I was up there inside one of those rascals once, a good while back. The interior is like being inside a whale, as a big skeleton inside. Also was cool, as some of the original workers had left a plaque inside with their names on it. Also, the small ladder that you take to get up there is a bit harrowing...

Er, um... hope that helps a bit.... just have to take them with a grain of salt. Or, I suppose that you could eat them that way...

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/1745/data2.html

 

[ahutton]

Hi SwanDolphin! Thanks for the info. It would be interesting the see the inside, we just saw them under construction!

 

[NHAnn]

Originally posted by SwanDolphin
I was up there inside one of those rascals once, a good while back. The interior is like being inside a whale, as a big skeleton inside. Also was cool, as some of the original workers had left a plaque inside with their names on it. Also, the small ladder that you take to get up there is a bit harrowing...

And there you have it folks, from the horse's mouth...so to speak.. hehehe

Aah, yes, I remember that tale, when I first came to the DIS!There was a link to it in Glo's FAQ that I tried to link to here, but it's gone into cyber-space I guess!

Nice to see you posting SwanDolphin!!

 

[DancingBear]

I concur with Swan/Dolphin's account that they are classical dolphins.

Michael Graves designed the Post Office in Celebration. A neat building with light coming in from above and P.O. Boxes accessed from outside.

He also designed my teapot from Target.

 

[Kitty 34]

I like those dolphins or whatever they are.......fish..... dolphinfish or mythological fish!! They could be guppies as far as I'm concerned.....I like 'em!!!

 

[Mitla96]

This is the way dolphins are depicted in ancient Greek art.

However, my son thought they were creepy because they have eyebrows!

 

[Blondie]

Personally, I think the Dolphins look a little like:

 

[Mitla96]

Blondie-LOL, that was one of my favorite movies when I was little. And, notice the.......EYEBROWS!