Dolphin or AKL

[ljsmom]

I will be taking a trip to the World in May with DH, DS-3 & DS-6. We have stayed at the following on site hotels - ASMo, DxL & Poly. We would like to try a different resort this time, however we are tied into a timeshare presentation promo. for three nights with Hilton Grand Vacation Club. As a result we are unable to split our stay between two Disney resorts. We are torn between the Dolphin (got the $129 gov't employee rate) and the AKL ($149 promotional rate).

We have heard rave reviews about the AKL, but we also love the idea of being close to Epcot.

What would you do?

Thanks for the advise.

 

[zulaya]

If you are set on being close to Epcot, then take the Dolphin.

BUT, I love AKL. You can't beat this theme. It also has dedicated bussing - no sharing with other resorts like the Dolphin does - so you are always going directly to the park with no stops. In theory, you could make it to Epcot on the bus in the same time if it's a busy day on the Dolphin/BWV/BC/YC bus route.

You have to decide what's best for you. I'd choose AKL in a heartbeat.

 

[lopey]

We just came back from the Dolphin a few weeks ago. This was our first time staying at the Dolphin and I would definitely stay there again. You can walk to the Boardwalk and minature golfing. You can take a covered boat to Epcot and MGM. It is a very quiet place. It has a 24 hour place called Tubbies that has counter service. It also has three pools (lap pool, kids pool and a bigger pool with a slide and waterfall)

I hope this helped!

 

[Disney Cape Codder]

We stayed at the Swan last year and AKL this year. We felt there was no comparison. AKL was superior by far. The staff bent over backwards at AKL to accomodate any request. We loved the zero depth entry pool, yummy food, animals, extensive activties and overall ambience. The Swan did not feel Disney enough to us. The staff was not accomodating. That said, we enjoyed the proximity to Epcot and the pool at the Swan. However, we had great bus transportaion at AKL. Overall, AKL beat the Swan for us hands down.

 

[crusoemom]

Plus, the AKL has (drum roll please, for your 6yo) BUNK BEDS!

I also have a 6yo and a 3yo, and we split our last visit between a 2BR BWV (we're in DVC) and AKL. My 2 kids much prefer AKL, while we parents prefer the full kitchen, great location, and much larger space of the BWV condos.

But the kids absolutely love the AKL. And since we didn't have a car with us, the dedicated bus service of the AKL was a necessity. It was such a drag at the end of the day to get on the bus from the Magic Kingdom and have to stop first at the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht and Beach Clubs before finally getting to the BWV.

If you're going for you and DH, go for the Swan. If it's for the kids, go for the AKL. And put in a request for those bunk beds!

Good luck with your decision - it's a good problem to have!

 

[kdibattista]

Well...I have never stayed at the Dolphin but AKL is AWESOME!!!!! It's our new favorite resort and I don't think we will ever stay anywhere else

 

[Swan]

I would pick the Dolphin because it is closer to things and offers more than one form of transportation.

 

[Disney Cape Codder]

Crusoemom has a good point. I forgot to mention in my post that my DS (age4) and DD (age 7) loved the bunkbeds. They told me several times that they preferred AKL to the Swan. They especially liked participating in the slide opening ceremony, cookie decorating, animal tracking and animal trivia games at AKl. There were numerous activities for children at AKL. I can't recall any at the Swan but I may have missed them.

 

[Muffy]

We just came back from two week spilt stay at the Dolphin and AKL on 1/13. We prefered the Dolphin. It was our second stay at AKL and even though the themeing is very nice we prefered an Epcot resort. We loved the beach theme at the Dophin, the grotto pool, the piano player in the lobby and access to Epcot, MGM and Boardwalk. We are going back to the Dolphin next Jan. for 2 weeks and this time we are not splitting our stay! We LOVE the Dolphin! Happy planning!