Behind the Magic #5: Final Prep for Our Long Weekend at the Dolphin + Why We Chose to Rent a Car
It’s almost go time for our Disney long weekend couple’s getaway to the Dolphin, and this post is all about tying up the final planning details.
This trip is short and sweet (3 nights, 4 days), but we’re making it feel luxurious, stress-free, and customized to our travel style. From a relaxing resort day to our Fireworks Dessert Party and couples massage, this weekend is all about intentional magic.
Let’s walk through our final checks, updated plans, and why we ultimately decided to rent a vehicle for this trip instead of relying on traditional airport transportation.
Final Checklist
Here’s what’s done and ready:
- ✅ Flights booked (arriving at SFB for a calmer experience)
- ✅ Fireworks view room at the Dolphin Hotel confirmed
- ✅ ADRs locked in: Bourbon Steak, Geo 82, MK Fireworks Dessert Party
- ✅ Couples massage at Mandara Spa
- ✅ Park Hopper ticket secured
- ✅ MagicBand+ packed and linked
- ✅ Weather checked + outfits planned
Why We Chose to Rent a Car for This Trip
After weighing all our transportation options, we ultimately went with a rental vehicle for this trip. Here’s why:
✅ 1. Flying into Sanford (SFB) Instead of MCO
SFB is a more relaxed, less crowded airport, but it doesn’t have the same volume of shuttles and rideshare availability as MCO. A rental car gave us guaranteed convenience.
✅ 2. Flexibility + Control
Having a car means:
- No waiting on bus schedules, if we choose not to
- Quick access to off-property restaurants or stores
- Full control over timing which will be especially helpful for a short trip
✅ 3. Parking at the Dolphin Is Straightforward
As Dolphin guests, parking is convenient and self-park is available (though with a nightly fee). We budgeted this in as part of the trip total.
Tip: Compare rental car deals using Kayak, Costco Travel, or AutoSlash to find the best price. Booking early = better availability!
Mobile Must-Haves for the Weekend
Make sure these are downloaded and updated:
- My Disney Experience app
- OpenTable (for managing Dolphin restaurant reservations)
- Airline app
- Spotify or Audible playlists for the drive from SFB
What We’re Most Excited For
- Watching fireworks from our room balcony with a cocktail in hand
- Trying out new menus at Bourbon Steak and Geo 82
- Cooling off with afternoon pool time at the Dolphin
- Stress-free park hopping
Stay Tuned for the Post-Trip Recap!
When we return, I’ll be sharing:
- What we loved
- What we skipped
- What we learned
- Final budget tally (with real receipts!)
Until then, I’m off to finish packing and soak up a little pre-trip magic!
- Behind the Magic #5: Final Prep for Our Long Weekend at the Dolphin + Why We Chose to Rent a Car
- Behind the Magic Trip Diary #4: Planning Our Holiday Trip Park Days, Resort Hopping & Must-Dos!
- Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom: The Sweetest Seat in the House for 2025
- The Disney World Resorts So Incredible You’ll Want to Stay All Day
- You’re Missing Out If You’re Skipping These Disney Attractions
