AKL vs. Swan/Dolphin

[pcotten]

Which one would you prefer the AKL or Swan/Dolphin.

I understand they are located in different areas. Seems like Transportation from AKL has less number of stops at other resorts compared to Swan/Dolphin.

I checked out pricing for both. 3-night stay at AKL and Swn/Dolphin comes out the same if taking Standard View room. And we get a free upgrade at Swan/Dolphin.

How easy/difficult is it to get to the 4 theme parks from Swan/Dolphin, compared to AKL?

I recall seeing a map on a website that clearly marked where each resort on Disney are and also marked the monorail, etc. I can't seem to find it.

How is the food at Swan/Dolphin?

Which is better between Swn & Dolphin?

Thanks.

 

[mouseRD]

We stayed at the Swan in May & loved it - can't beat the heavenly beds! That being said, we would also love to stay at AKL (Savannah view; actually concierge would be even better so we could do the Sunrise and/or Sunset Safari - LOL!).

We also had a great rate & being two adults (DH & I) enjoyed the Swan for its quiet atmosphere. Understand the Dolphin is great too but a larger resort (? not as quiet - I don't really know). Believe it or not, we didn't eat at any of the restaurants there because we had PS elsewhere. We did get continental b'fast foods from the lobby of the Swan ($$$ but convenient). The Dolphin has the benefit of having a cafeteria style restaurant (Tubbi's) & a hamburger/ice-cream place (I forget the name), similar to Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club. Staying at the Swan, you not only have access to the restaurants at Swan & Dolphin but also, the BW, YC, BC, & Epcot!


The location of the Swan/Dolphin is great! A 10 minute walk or boatride to Epcot, a 10 minute boatride or 15 minute walk to MGM. Bus service to MK & AK was excellent (shares a bus with Dolphin, YC/BC/BWI but Swan is picked up first & dropped off first). The only bus that was a very long ride was the bus to Downtown Disney.

I've read that bus service at AKL is good & that they don't share any buses with other resorts but it does take a bit longer to get to most of the parks with the exception of AK (5 minutes) & Blizzard Beach (10 minutes). Have fun wherever you choose!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by pcotten
Which one would you prefer the AKL or Swan/Dolphin.

I understand they are located in different areas. Seems like Transportation from AKL has less number of stops at other resorts compared to Swan/Dolphin.

I checked out pricing for both. 3-night stay at AKL and Swn/Dolphin comes out the same if taking Standard View room. And we get a free upgrade at Swan/Dolphin.

How easy/difficult is it to get to the 4 theme parks from Swan/Dolphin, compared to AKL?

I recall seeing a map on a website that clearly marked where each resort on Disney are and also marked the monorail, etc. I can't seem to find it.

How is the food at Swan/Dolphin?

Which is better between Swn & Dolphin?

Thanks.

As someone who has stayed at both I will give you my opinion.

We find the transportation to be great from the AKL and from the Dolphin you can walk to take a boat to both MGM and EC. These are the two parks we spend the most time in so dealing with a bus to MK or AK is not that big of a deal for us. The AKL does not share its buses with any other resort. Depending on the time of day and which park you are going to after getting on the bus at the Dolphin you might have to stop at the YC, BC and BW before heading on to your park.

We love both resorts and choose which one based on what we want to do on a given trip. Our winter trips are to relax and get away from the MA winter so we stay concierge at the AKL and do the tours and enjoy the lounge and relax.

We we come down in Sept we are going to be in the parks and at the pool more so we go for the Dolphin. We would go with the YC if their prices come down some but $147.50 for a Lake View room is a great rate. We do not feel that a standard view room at the YC is worth almost a $100 a night more.

Food. We like Mara over Tubbi's but I would not base a decison on that unless you plan on eating a lot at your resort.

I would look at it this way. If you are looking to relax then the AKL is the way to go. If you are looking to be on the go and in the parks and MGM and EC you are going to spend some time at then the Dolphin is the way to go.

If you are going to be on the go and in the parks and the MK is where you are going to be spending most of your time then I would suggest checking out the WL.

No matter where you end up staying I am sure you will have a great trip.

 

[swilphil]

I would definitely vote Swan/Dolphin. We were just at the Swan, and we found the transportation to the parks to be wonderful. I think on our bus trips to MK, the bus went directly to the park after picking up at the Dolphin 3 out of the four times. The bus was full, so they didn't go to the other resorts. The boat was great to MGM, and we liked walking to Epcot, though the boat is available.

While at the Swan, we didn't mind the short walk to the Dolphin to go to Tubbi's and Dolphin Fountain. It's not any further than what you have to walk at many other resorts, depending on where your room is. We've stayed at the Dolphin also and loved the impressive lobby there.

I loved Tubbi's Starbucks coffee and the Dolphin Fountain's burgers and ice cream. Fresh and Blue Zoo are also very good, but we ate at Epcot or the Boardwalk more often than in the hotels.