AKL or DOLPHIN??? PLEASE HELP!

[cicero]

I'd be very appreciative of pros and cons of AKL vs. DOLPHIN. I have a rate of $149 at each for February 2004 (DOLPHIN = $139 + $10 resort fee).

We've (wife + 6 and 4 year old children) stayed at the DOLPHIN before, and have enjoyed the proximity to the Boardwalk, the ability to walk to Epcot at night, and the great view of the lake and fireworks from our room (which has always been given to us as a complimentary upgrade, hence we've no idea whether we'd get it now).

We know nothing about AKL. Pictures of it remind us somewhat of WL, which we love (although can't get a discount at for february). We've heard people rant and rave about AKL, as well as those who feel its major limitation is its location.

PLEASE HELP BY GIVING YOUR OPINIONS!!! Thanks!

 

[Grumpy92]

The convenience of the Dolphin in its location is definitely a pro.

AKL is very similar to WL but with an african and animal theme. The lobby is very much like WL large with a huge window that looks out on the savannah at one end. The restaurants are wonderful and many enjoy the little niches that can be found around the hotel that allow you to watch the animals. I hear most guest say that they like looking out their balcony and seeing the animals.

This site will give you some great pictures:
http://www.bruceandkris.com/

 

[flynnmnstr]

We love the area and convienience of the Dolphin but were thinking about trying something new. Though I have heard amazing reviews about the AKL we decided on the Dolphin again. I just feel that the ammenities at the hotel (Tubbies, late check out, and the ability to walk to so many other locations) outweighed the benefits of staying somewhere new. When we made this decision our rate at the AKL was actually less than the Dolphin; but then we got some pixie dust sprinkled our way...........

Instead we plan on spend some time at the AKL one day. We will probably go to AK later in the day and stay to closing then take the bus to AKL. We have a PS at Boma at 5:30pm. After dinner we will probably explore the hotel and then take a bus over to Epcot watch Illuminations then walk back to the hotel (WE LOVE NOT HAVING TO TAKE A BUS HOME AT NIGHT!!!!)

 

[CarolA]

I would vote for AKL. It has that Disney feel and is unlike any other hotel I have ever stayed in. Dolphin is a hotel with a nice location but not a lot of magic and you won't see giraffes outside your hotel at the Dolphin. I adore the AKL.

 

[Kapp]

go with AKL if you have never stayed there before. The Dolphin and the AKL are our two favorites resorts. Both are great but very different. Dolphin=location, location, location! (Plus have great renovated rooms, view, etc.)
AKL= ANIMALS! Great themeing throughout, BOMA!!!!, etc.

You really can't go wrong with either one but try AKL!!!!! You won't be disappointed!!!!

Kapp

 

[daannzzz]

I agree with many others. The Dolphin is great for the location and was a wonderful hotel but the AKL takes you very far away on your vacation. The decore of the rooms and public areas is more appealing. It is a more restful place to stay. The location makes for a short ride to the AK and will be about 15 minutes than walking over to Epcot or taking the boat to Epcot or the Studios.
The drawback for some (and pro for others) is that the AKL is not located near anything else like the Dolphin is. At the Dolphin you have 4 other resorts and miniature golf and such all nearby. At the AKL that is all there is. It is quiet and feels a world away. to go anywhere else you have to take a bus or drive. There is no place to walk to. I loved it and we sometimes left the parks earlier than we would normally have done just to go back and sit on the balcony to watch animals.
I will say I liked my stay at the Dolphin more than I expected to but I was upgraded to a great room!

 

[swilphil]

If you plan on spending a significant amount of time at the resort, go AKL. If you are going to be on the go to the parks all the time, go Dolphin. In Feb. you might not have any transportation problems from AKL that would exist during busier times. On the other hand, with a 4 yo and a 6 yo you might want to really limit the amount of time on the bus.

 

[Muffy]

My vote goes to the DOLPHIN! I say that because last Jan we split out stay between the Dolphin and AKL. We missed the Dolphin when we moved to AKL! Everytime we would drive to a park from AKL we would see the S/D looming in the distance. It seemed to be calling us back. When we asked ourselves what made us prefer the Dolphin over AKL it always came back to location. AKL is a wonderful resort with great atmosphere but we prefer the Dolphin and will be staying there for 15 nights very soon. Can't wait!

 

[#1hockeymom]

How about splitting your stay? Right now we are booked for CBR/AKL, but I am really trying/hoping that AP rates come back for the S/D and we can start our vacation where we'd really like to be, the Swan or the Dolphin!
Location, heavenly beds, atmosphere, we just love the Swan and Dolphin and don't feel like it lacks in Disney atmosphere at all. Why am I not staying there now? AP rates, and a ten year old boy who is dying to stay at AKL and see animals from the balcony! This wasn't a planned trip, but boy are we doing planning on it now!

Good luck in your decision!
Debbie

 

[polkadotminnie]

I have 3 girls: 7,4,and 1. We loved both resorts for different reasons. If you have a car stay at AKL, or split the stay. If you do not have a car, stay at the Dolphin. You will enjoy both. Our favorite things about each:
AKL- Animals, the smell of the food in the lobby, decor, activities, bunk beds

Dolphin- location, pool, beds, boats

Have a great trip! If you split your stay, you could do MK, Epcot, and MGM while at the Dolphin and AK while at AKL. AKL does have great kids activities if you just hang out at the resort. When we were at AKL, we loved it so much, we spent our first day ever just at the resort.