What do we do next?

[bsbrady]

The Kitchen sink is a dessert at Beaches & cream that is so big you need 4 people to eat it.

 

[Hopefully]

As another poster stated, you should plan at least 90 minutes from landing to make it to the Dolphin.
You did not say who and the ages of those in your party. It would make a huge difference in my recommendations.
If you have young children, I would check in, unpack and settle in and then get something to eat at or near the Dolphin. I would walk around the Boardwalk a bit and take int he wonderful atmosphere and free entertainment there. I would plan an early bedtime so that you can be up nice and early to hit the parks at rope drop the next morning. IMO that is not "wasting" a night but being reasonable and planning ahead for a great week.
Have a Great Trip

 

[TJA]

Just about anything works when you stay in the Epcot resort area. You will find plenty to do and see. There is entertainment on the boardwalk ~ such as magicians ~ and crowds gather and enjoy. There are surrey bikes to rent and it's a beautiful ride around the lake. There is shopping and a bakery, carnival-type games, Espn Club, etc. We just got back from a stay at the Beach Club (located in same general area as Dolphin) and we arrived around the same time as you will be. What I did was make a dining reservation at Spoodles on the boardwalk that night. Then we watched a movie being shown on the beach. It was an awesome night. In prior trips when we've arrived around dinner time, we have gone swimming and then had a light meal later on, watched Illuminations fireworks without entering Epcot, then headed to some unpacking and bedtime.

 

[GranddadTom]

Do you have kids with you? If so, how old? I was just over in your neck of the woods on the Delmarva peninsula and I suspect will will start your day pretty early (flying out of BWI?) and you may be tired by the time you check into your room. That having been said, I will say that you are staying in a area that has more than enough to excite you without leaving the shadow of your hotel. People come to the Boardwalk area just to spend an evening there. I personally wouldn't overplan this evening because there are so many factors that can delay your arrival and the last thing you need to be doing is constantly checking your watch to see if you will make it on time. Just relax and enjoy everything Disney. If you can make it to Illuminations, that's great. It's only a 15 minute walk along the Boardwalk from your hotel.

 

[RobinJ]

As another poster stated, you should plan at least 90 minutes from landing to make it to the Dolphin.
You did not say who and the ages of those in your party. It would make a huge difference in my recommendations.
If you have young children, I would check in, unpack and settle in and then get something to eat at or near the Dolphin. I would walk around the Boardwalk a bit and take int he wonderful atmosphere and free entertainment there. I would plan an early bedtime so that you can be up nice and early to hit the parks at rope drop the next morning. IMO that is not "wasting" a night but being reasonable and planning ahead for a great week.
Have a Great Trip

Believe it or not, my 20 yr old daughter is going with my husband and I because she has never been before!!!

 

[RobinJ]

Do you have kids with you? If so, how old? I was just over in your neck of the woods on the Delmarva peninsula and I suspect will will start your day pretty early (flying out of BWI?) and you may be tired by the time you check into your room. That having been said, I will say that you are staying in a area that has more than enough to excite you without leaving the shadow of your hotel. People come to the Boardwalk area just to spend an evening there. I personally wouldn't overplan this evening because there are so many factors that can delay your arrival and the last thing you need to be doing is constantly checking your watch to see if you will make it on time. Just relax and enjoy everything Disney. If you can make it to Illuminations, that's great. It's only a 15 minute walk along the Boardwalk from your hotel.

We are flying out of BWI. My 20 year old daughter is going with just my hubby and I. It's sort of funny, my daughter said she missed out going to Disney as a child! We must be such bad parents! lol oh well we are going to make up for it now!