Hey there, Tammy! Welcome to planDisney!
I think you'll find staying at the
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel wonderfully convenient! You will be just a short stroll or boat ride away from both Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Let's get to it and chat about your dining options!
While you won't be able to dine at a restaurant within the theme parks without a ticket, you will still have dozens of options all across Walt Disney World Resort for your arrival day. You'll find some wonderful
dining locations right at your hotel and its sister hotel, the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. You will also be just steps away from
Disney's BoardWalk, with both
casual and signature dining locations, including one of my personal favorites,
Flying Fish. After your meal, take a spin around Crescent Lake on a
surrey bike and then stick around to enjoy some of the entertainment along the BoardWalk. A stroll in the other direction will take you to Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, where you'll find more great dining options such as
Ale & Compass Restaurant,
Cape May Cafe, and
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. If you'd like to venture a little further, hop aboard the
Disney Skyliner (no ticket required) at the station just outside the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT and head to
Disney's Riviera Resort. There you can enjoy cocktails and light bites at Bar Riva, or head upstairs for signature dining at
Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
Looking for more options?
Disney Springs is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with everything from food trucks and stands to fast-casual to signature table-service dining. Dining locations at additional
Disney Resorts Collection hotels give you even more options. If you'll have a car, you are welcome to park at a hotel with a confirmed dining reservation.
You can search for available
dining reservations using the
My Disney Experience mobile app by using the plus button at the bottom of the home screen to "Check Dining Availability". I've seen some great options pop up even the day of. Or for more flexibility, try the walk-up waitlist option at select dining locations. To find this feature, when using the app to look for dining availability select the current date and then choose "Now".
I guarantee you will not go hungry during your Walt Disney World Resort vacation! If you have any additional questions or would like more specific dining recommendations, please stop by plan Disney again. We are always happy to help. Enjoy your visit!
Anne Marie