The Fountain Eats and Sweets — Restaurant in Bay Lake

Skip the next three paragraphs if you don’t want to read my little rant. 😂

Let me tell you a little story… Years and years (20 years) ago, WDW used to have “off seasons” where you could go to the resorts and ask if you could park and have lunch/dinner or just enjoy the resort’s shopping and atmosphere. Now, you need a hotel or dining reservation to be able to park there or it’s too bad, so sad. I get it because it’s a way to get into the parks easier without paying for parking, but as someone who absolutely loves and enjoys the resorts, it’s frustrating! (Not all resorts.)

Well, during that lovely era, we’d often go to the Beach Club and walk into Beaches and Cream (without a reservation), sit at the counter, eat some of the best grilled chicken sandwiches, share a sundae, walk around the boardwalk and call it a lovely time.

The menu changed and the chicken sandwiches were no longer great and I don’t think they sell Edy’s ice cream anymore and it tastes different. So we stopped going (and it was harder to get reservations).

Imagine my surprise when I found myself at the Dolphin Resort and I saw this restaurant just plunked down in the middle of a hallway, and it looked like a little diner/soda shop. You could even sit at the counter! I decided to give it a chance.

I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich (which comes with fries). It was delicious. I might have done a little dance while I ate it. And! They sell ice cream, sundaes, and shakes. I didn’t try any of the ice cream this trip but I will try it again, this time with my family. This was lunch, I was seated quickly, I didn’t need a reservation, the staff was very nice. If you can’t get into Beaches and Cream, go here. It’s better.

Also, they played good music. 😆 it was 90’s-00’s pop and some grunge. When I was first seated, Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun was playing. It was like I went back in time. There’s something liminal about the Swan...

A Hidden Gem for Americana Classics. If you're looking for a delightful alternative to the bustling Beaches & Cream at Disney's Beach Club Resort, look no further than The Fountain at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. This charming eatery offers a superb and more relaxed experience, serving up classic Americana fare with a focus on great food and friendly service. The menu at The Fountain is a testament to timeless favorites. Their burgers and hot dogs are perfectly prepared, offering a satisfying taste of classic comfort food. But the true star of the show for many is the ice cream. The selection is fantastic, and the quality is exceptional. A unique standout is their pretzel-flavored ice cream, which is a surprisingly delicious blend of sweet and salty. What truly sets The Fountain apart, however, is the pace. Unlike its more famous counterpart, this restaurant often has little to no wait, allowing for a more leisurely and enjoyable meal. This is a significant advantage for those who want a great meal without the stress of a long queue. Our experience was elevated by our exceptional server, Alex. His attentiveness and genuine warmth made our meal even more pleasant. It's clear that the staff at The Fountain takes pride in providing top-notch service. In conclusion, The Fountain at the Dolphin Hotel is a wonderful find. It delivers on all fronts: delicious food, excellent ice cream (especially that pretzel flavor!), a relaxed atmosphere, and outstanding service. It's a fantastic, unhurried alternative to Beaches & Cream and a must-visit for anyone craving quality Americana food in a...

This is the second time that I've visited the Dolphin and I returned here because I knew that I could get a reasonable (if a tad on the expensive side) gluten-free burger.

The burger was excellent, even if they failed to give my the requested cheddar cheese rather than American "plastic" cheese ("American cheese" / Kraft slices) but I guess this can be forgiven in some regards because it is a smash burger.

It's always a treat to be able to have fries when you go out for a burger, and not having to down-sell to a lettuce wrap and to have a gluten free bun is welcome. The burger itself was excellent and, in true form, you need to be able to unhinge your jaw like a snake to be able to eat it.

One thing that they do need to learn is that Udi-style buns (which this seems to be similar to) are not very good at sticking together unless you toast them. I realise that this might be a challenge, but it's the difference between having a bun to eat your burger and having to use your fingers to eat your burger when the bull has fallen apart.

(If you're eating here, cut the bun in half. It just about survives the eating if you do this.)

With that said, the servers are excellent and, as you would expect from Disney, very friendly. There was nothing bad about the atmosphere, but perhaps that was because I didn't really walk away feeling that it had its own vibe.

I would certainly eat there again and would revise my valuation if they could figure out a safe way of toasting the buns (I realise that it might not be...