Behind the Magic: New Series “Inside My Disney Trip Plans”
New Series! Post #1: Inside My Disney Trip Plans – Why We Chose the Dolphin for a Deluxe Long Weekend + What ADRs We Scored (and What We Missed!)
Welcome to my very first “Trip Planning Diary” post—where I give you a front-row seat to how I plan my Walt Disney World vacations! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by Disney planning, this series is your new best friend. I’ll be sharing all the nitty-gritty details—real decisions, real dilemmas, and my best tips—so you can plan your own magical trip with less stress.
Let’s kick things off with our upcoming long weekend trip for two, staying at the Dolphin Resort and planning some seriously strategic Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs).
Trip Snapshot
- Trip Season/Length: Fall 3 nights / 4 days
- Resort: Dolphin Hotel (not Disney-owned but full of Deluxe-level perks)
- Guests: Me and my husband (child-free adult getaway!)
- Planning Focus: Advanced Dining reservations (ADRs), resort offerings, fireworks views
Why We Chose the Dolphin Resort
Staying at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel means we get Deluxe benefits like Extended Evening Hours without the deluxe price tag. Plus, we will earn Marriott Bonvoy points on our stay!
The location is unbeatable: walk or boat to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, with Disney BoardWalk vibes and tons of dining options.
Savings Tip: You can often find great Dolphin Resort deals through Marriott.com or book using credit card rewards points.
Planning tip: Have a plan outlined for each day of your trip before your Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) Booking window opens
Our Trip Plans:
Friday: A Relaxing Start + OpenTable ADR Hack
Morning + Afternoon Plans:
- Resort quick service breakfast
- Leisure time at the Dolphin pool
- Couples massage at Mandara Spa (a hidden gem located at our resort!)
- Pool/hot tub relaxation pre-dinner
Friday Dinner ADR: Bourbon Steak at the Dolphin resort
This is one of those sleeper hit strategies: because the restaurants at Swan and Dolphin aren’t Disney-owned, you can book them early via OpenTable, even before your 60-day Disney ADR window opens!
Insider Tip: Grab Bourbon Steak on OpenTable for an edge. It’s a luxe, romantic pick that’s perfect for couples.
Evening:
- Trivia, movies, and evening activities at the Dolphin
- Fireworks viewed from our balcony (yes, we booked a fireworks view room—magical!)
Saturday: EPCOT Eats & Magic Kingdom Magic
Morning:
- Resort quick service breakfast
- Lightning Lane strategy: aiming for Test Track first
Lunch ADR: Geo 82 (EPCOT)
This is a stylish, modern dining choice that hits the sweet spot for adult-friendly cuisine and air-conditioned chill.
ADR Miss: Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package
We tried for this exclusive EPCOT fireworks dining package but struck out. No luck on any of the other EPCOT fireworks packages either (This is why back up plans are a must. You don’t want to be stressing, trying to decide on an alternate, when a few moments delay can mean you lose out)
That’s when we pivoted to…
Backup (and Brilliant!) Move: Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party
We scored a spot at the Sweets & Seats Dessert Party at MK. It’s pricey, but we’ve done it before and it’s 100% worth it—great food + a guaranteed seat for the fireworks.
To make it work, we upgraded to Park Hopper tickets, which is something we wouldn’t always do—but for a quick trip and guaranteed view, it was worth it.
Savings Tip: You can buy discounted Park tickets from Undercover Tourist
Afternoon/Evening Plan:
- Return to the resort for swimming and rest
- Park hop to Magic Kingdom
- Maybe a couple of spontaneous attractions
- Fireworks Dessert Party to end the night with pixie dust
What This Trip Shows You
This post is just a taste of how flexible, strategic planning makes all the difference—especially for short trips. It’s okay to miss an ADR or change plans. The magic is in the mix of must-dos and go-with-the-flow.
Magic Must-Haves for This Trip
Have questions about planning a short Disney trip? Drop them below or DM me on Instagram! And don’t forget to pin this post if you’re dreaming of a Dolphin weekend of your own.
- Behind the Magic: New Series “Inside My Disney Trip Plans”
- 5 Magical Reasons You Can’t Miss Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2025
- Living with the Land at EPCOT: Disney’s Greenhouse Ride You Can’t Miss
- The Ultimate Guide to Viewing Fireworks at Disney World
- Should You Stay Offsite at Disney? Comparing 4 Top Resorts Near Walt Disney World
Sounds like an awesome trip! You’ve found that sweet spot—deluxe perks without the deluxe price—and the Dolphin is a smart pick, especially for a more relaxed, adult-focused getaway. Being so close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is a huge plus, and the access to Extended Evening Hours really stretches your park time. This sounds like a great resort to stop by on my next visit. Thanks for the info!
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Here’s something to think about:
With all the great dining and resort options around the BoardWalk area, how are you narrowing down your must-do ADRs?
Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the conversation—it’s always exciting to connect with someone who appreciates a smart resort strategy! Narrowing down ADRs in the EPCOT resort area definitely requires a bit of strategy (and maybe a touch of restraint!). For this trip, we were especially curious to try Bourbon Steak, since it just reopened in the former Shula’s space. We are excited to check it out! If we were not already attending the dessert party at Magic Kingdom, we would have looked at Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club Resort or the Cake Bake Shop at the Boardwalk to satisfy our sweet tooth. We may still pop in to AbracadaBar for some music and a cocktail. That’s the beauty of a relaxed, adults only weekend. And the Dolphin is definitely a place to put one your list to consider for your next trip!