Our annual trip to Disney World was starting to become bi-annual. In 2003 we purchased a new timeshare in Maui so it looks like the trend is going to be every other year in Disney World but we still make it to Disneyland here in California in the off years. This time we are taking along a friend who has never been to Disney World and that is always fun to get someone who has no idea what to expect. We also met our very good friends the Robb’s this trip. This was also the trip Tara was about 2 months pregnant.
July 23, 2004
We got to Orlando late and checked into the Dolphin for 4 nights paid for with our Starwood points we got from cashing in our condo in Maui. So far just about every place we have stayed in the Starwood system has been great and being Starwood Preferred Platinum members usually gets us upgraded. The themeing of the resort was great and I was excited about trying it because I loved the location from when we stayed at the Yacht Club.
The staff was very friendly and the guy who took us to the room was great to talk to and gave us good information. The hallway carpet leading to the room seemed extremely dirty and had huge stains every couple of feet. In some areas the carpet was so loose it left a role sticking up about 1-2 inches. It was so big I almost took a photo because I figured no one would believe me. So far not a great impression. The room was nice but small and the beds were great. The bathroom had a sink outside the bathroom but it was a little cramped and the plug did not work over near the sink. The room hairdryer was mounted across from there over the food area where the coffee pot and refrigerator was. I thought that was an odd place to put it. There was paint all over the toilet area dripped on the tile and the top of the toilet that had never been wiped up and the bathroom could have used a better cleaning. Tara called up to the front desk about any Starwood benefits at this resort because every other one we stayed at had some kind of special. The front desk transferred her a few times and they transferred her back and no one had a clue. They also told us the gold member late checkout would not be honored. Well that is ok we are in WDW so lets head out.
We headed over to one of our favorites…the Flying Fish. Dinner was great as usual and it seemed extremely hot out for that late at night. We always come at the end of June into the beginning of July but the weather this trip was much warmer than I have felt even when I went in August in 1996. We walked back over to the Dolphin which would not be a long walk but you have to walk around all the water areas and once you get inside we got lost 3 times the first night. I guess we are not use to a big resort like this. The Yacht Club could be a little confusing also but this was worse.
July 24
I coughed all night so I did not sleep well. Not sure why. My asthma has been much better the last few years and I don’t have severe allergies. There did not appear to be any excessive dust in the room. So we got up and headed into Epcot. We went on Space first thing. Got a fast pass and got on in 5 minutes. It was a great ride and if it had lasted another 10 seconds I would have been using the bag. A few getting off had to sit down but I was fine in about 2 minutes. We headed into Mexico to eat at the restaurant. It was lunch hour and we had no reservations but we only had to wait about 15 minutes. We went on the boat ride with the pager and we were seated shortly after we got off the ride.
We went back to the Dolphin and got the car to drive over to the Animal Kingdom. Well as I approached the gate I forgot we did not get free parking like at a Disney Resort. Between that and not being able to charge back to the room from the park and have our packages taken to our room I am starting to feel like I am staying off property. After a few things at the Animal Kingdom we drove from there to Downtown Disney and went to Fulton’s. The crab and lobster special was out of this world. The lobster was an Australian spiny lobster like what you usually get in Hawaii and it was so good and the service was beyond great.
We headed back to the Dolphin and I dropped off Tara and Darby at the door and I went to park. After I found the self parking it was all coned off with signs that it was full even if I could see spots. So I had to valet at $14 a night and this was the case most nights we were there. The place was full because of a convention and because of the convention they had small bars set up all over the lobby, or I am assuming they don’t do this on a regular basis. The place felt like a huge lounge with everyone drinking. You could hardly walk through the lobby and not get bumped into or a drink spilled on you. I would not have wanted to be there with young kids.
July 25
We headed over to Blizzard Beach and did all the slides and the lazy river. About noon or so we went and played Winter Summerland (both sides) which is always great. When we got back to the Dolphin we went to the pool since we were already in our suits and there were all sorts of games going on for the kids, which was great. There was plenty of room in the pool and it was very nice. We asked where we could get a drink and we were directed in two directions, both of which were far enough that we had to put back on shoes and go on a walk. We then headed to the boat to MGM. We walked around and did a few things and than went to Sci Fi for dinner with no reservations. We got in with a 10 minute wait. The food was good as usual and the service was a little slow but it was still fun. We left and walked over to Fantazmic and it was standing room only so we skipped it and headed back to the Dolphin.
July 26
We went back into MGM and ate at Prime Time Café for the first time with no reservations. The food was great and the whole atmosphere was terrific and had you laughing the whole time. We would go back there on the next trip. Later we called and made a reservation for L’Originale Alfredo Di Roma and it was great but we had our first rain and it was a big one on the way over to Epcot. The rain lasted a few hours and when we left it was stopping just in time to go to our Illuminations Cruise. Well just as they were getting the boats ready lightning struck and they canceled the cruise but put us on a call back list for the rest of our stay if someone canceled. We walked into Epcot and watched Illuminations from the same bridge we would have been under.
July 27
I was told that the night before I was talking in my sleep and I was saying “ We get to start our vacation tomorrow” over and over. I just did not quite feel I was in WDW till I get to the Polynesian or at least a Disney resort. We went to Typhoon Lagoon till just before we needed to check out. At check out when they asked us how our stay was we told them it was not great and told them how we had to valet so they refunded the valet money. I may not love the Dolphin but the staff was good and the resort has a lot of things to offer. I don’t believe it was lacking anything but it was just not in a good of condition as I would have expected and it was much too big. I would like to try the Swan someday and the Dolphin beats staying outside the property.
We arrived at the Polynesian at the gentleman who greeted us said he had good news and he had good news. He said our room was ready and our room was 1505. Tara has so far never been in any room other than 1505 but I have been in a few. They took us on an extra long tour in the cart around the Polynesian and than brought us to the Hawaii longhouse where Tara and Marilyn were there to greet us. That was perfect to be greeted by them and a surprise because Marilyn works in the Island Planning Office. There was no one else in the concierge desk area so we sat and talked a while. After a while Melissa and the new manager Rich Matthews came in the door to greet us which was another great surprise. It had been too long since I had seen everyone so I felt I was home. I was sorry I was unable to meet the other manager but I believe Tara ran into her at the concierge desk and said she was very nice. So I had to let them all get back to work and off to our room we went. When I walked in I noticed not only was the carpet and things new but the wall paper was down (as I knew they were doing) and the walls were this great tan with a texture added to it. I later found out it was one of 3 rooms in Hawaii they used to test out the wall texture for the new room design. I want them to come and do a room at my home. I took photos but I don’t know if it will show up on the picture.
In the room was a big flower arrangement I ordered for Tara from the WDW Florist and it came with this great pot we had shipped home. There was also a baby Mickey and Minnie from Melissa and Marilyn that was so nice of them and they got both since we don’t know what the baby is yet. There was also a great big gift basket from Mike and Eileen who had emailed me before their trip. They were still there and I wanted to meet them or at the least thank them but Melissa is not able to give out other guest information which I would not expect her to do otherwise even if she does know me. I had her call and tell them thank you.
We also got a Hawaiian style gift basket full of Hawaiian goodies from the Polynesian. A thank you note tied to a couple of balloons was floating around from Michele (Tinkerbella22). It was not only nice to finally be at the Polynesian but we felt surrounded by friends. That night we got a call to go on the Illuminations Cruise but I was hoping we could get one when the Robb’s (from California) got there so we could all go so we declined the invitation. We headed over to the MK for a few rides and it started to rain hard again so after Pirates we headed back to the Polynesian. The lounge was crowded and it was the first time I had seen a line like that but everyone was on their best behavior. The food the night before (Monday) was Sushi but this night (Tuesday) was fried rice, teriyaki chicken skewers and beef skewers which were great. Every night the warm items are along with vegetables with ranch dipping sauce, cheese and crackers and fresh cut up fruit with caramel sauce. There is still the kids area with the uncrustable PB&J sandwiches which even the adults love and other kid treats as well as the coffee, sodas and the dispensers with the ice tea, tropical juice and lemonade. The water is now in big glass bottles which you can ask to take one to your room but the small plastic ones are gone because of guest abuse. The management found out from the housekeeping staff that they were finding on average 6-8 unused bottles of water in the rooms after the guests check out and the lounge was going through 30 cases a day so they pulled the plug on the water which the Polynesian was one of the last concierge lounges to have the water out. This type of abuse and bad judgment on the part of guests will only reduce the amount of offerings and perks given to the concierge guests. It was even mentioned as a rumor that the hot items would be limited if people keep on hording the food the way we would see some nights. We would see people bring the ice bucket trays from the room and load up more than once a night. Some would even clean out a selection keeping the staff on their toes to refill and make more. That was besides the families that felt it was ok to show up in nothing but a bath robe or dripping from the pool. Don’t get me wrong, most of the time the lounge was a peaceful and relaxing place to hang out and get some great offerings and many were on their best behavior but a few need to learn how to act. Also it only takes a few to ruin a good thing for everyone like the water. I don’t blame the Polynesian management for one second. I would bet that many of the guests I have heard complaints about the water being gone are the same ones taking all the bottles. We always took some to the room but only a few at a time and only what we would use. Well now that I got that off my chest I will move on.
We ate at ‘Ohana making reservations that day and it was great as usual. Terri was our server and she has been there for 7 years.
