HELP! Swan Club or AKL reg savannah

[jmcross]

I'm begging anyone out there who has stayed at both and could give my their views. I just can't decide and go back and forth and back and forth and (you get the picture)

Believe me I have read EVERYTHING possible on these resorts. I understand that AKL gets general rave reviews while the Swan has its location as its plus. I can also stay at Club Level at the Swan using the teacher discount and get breakfast everyday. (Yes, I've read that it's not as great as other concierge offerings but I like the idea of being able to grab a quick breakfast.) I can stay at either one for basically the same price. I love the idea of the animals but I also like the idea of being able to walk to MGM and Epcot. I'm driving EVERYONE in my family nuts!! Please help!!
Joanne

 

[#1hockeymom]

Wish I could help you, Joanne..... but I can't! How about a split stay? If I told you how many ways our Easter just got split you'd fall on the floor laughing! I am still holding our Dolphin CL reservations, and will decide through my son *I am holding him as an impartial witness AND judge since I can't make decisions* and he's going to see AKL first hand and we'll check out WL for a lunch or dinner. I do know that in some way I will not be giving up my Dolphin room for the entire trip. I might end up just staying with the entire reservation.

I feel your pain, I really do! I love the Swan/Dolphin resorts so much.... but there are no giraffes outside my window there! *then again.. no heavenly beds at AKL.. no Thabo and MommaT...Can't see EPCOT from my room...

Let me know what you decide, and for what reasons. It might help me!

Debbie

 

[jmcross]

Debbie,
Thanks for your reply! My DH doesn't want to do a split stay. He thinks it's too much of a hassle to pack and unpack. I have to decide between the two and I can't!

Anyone else out there have an opinion on this subject?
HELP!!!!!

Joanne

 

[sherry8253]

Hi Joanne - I am going through the same thing right now.. My DH and I stayed at the Swan in 12/03 and the AKL in 12/02. We are planning for 12/04 and we can't decide if we should go back to the AKL or go with the Swan or Dolphin again. I hate the thought of a split stay so need to choose soon because we think we are going to arrive 12/31 instead of mid Dec as earlier planned. Here are our thoughts on both for your consideration -
AKL +'s - Quiet, watching animals from your balcony, beautiful resort, immersed in that Disney feeling, decent bus service, valet parking good for all of the other Disney resorts, balcony.
AKL -'s It poured several of the days that we were there in 12/02 and we ate at the resort several nights instead of Epcot as we planned. We quickly grew tired of the limited food selections. Once for Boma's or Jiko's for dinner was enough and wished we had other food selections, fairly far away from all of the parks except AK, next to impossible to get a king size bed.
Swan +'s - boat to MGM, Epcot & Boardwalk can't be beat. Wide dining choices that are very convenient both in the S & D as well as Epcot & Boardwalk. HEAVENLY beds (we have a water bed at home & my back has hurt every trip to Disney until I stayed at the Swan). Wonderful, pleasant, helpful, nice (and any other good adjective you can think of) are the only words that I have to describe the staff at the Swan - everyone in valet, bell services, check in, concierge desk & housekeeping were extra nice, king size bed guaranteed, nice view of Epcot (paid for a standard view).
Swan -'s - No Mickey wake up call, no Disney park channel telling you what is going on while you are there (I assume they still have that at Disney owned resorts), can't use your room key to charge in parks, hotel is nice (room beautiful, etc) but not themed in any way whatsoever), no Mickey soaps, no balcony in majority of the rooms, valet much more expensive ($14 a night I think vs 6 for Disney resorts & valet good only at Swan & Dolphin).

This has helped us make our decision - You cannot beat the Swan & Dolphin for the price. If I didn't mind spending an extra $150 a night, we would probably go with the Yacht Club because we like those little Disney touches such as waking up to Mickey's voice. But the 'missing Disney magic' is not worth a $150 a night to me. Although I LOVE the AKL, we decided that we prefer the convenience of location of the Swan & Dolphin. We are probably going to stay at the Swan or Dolphin again this year. That being said. If you have never stayed at the AKL and you love the thought of seeing animals from your balcony and you are going to take the down time to hang out at the resort and just relax, you can not go wrong the the AKL. If I had not spent a week there, the AKL would by my choice. When we visited the AKL in 12/03, a little part of me wished that we were back there instead of at the Swan. GEE..... now that I remember the smells & beauty of the AKL, my DH and I will have to continue to discuss AKL vs Swan/Dolphin for 12/04 Hope this helped a little bit. Seriously, if you have any specific questions about either resort just ask me. Since we stayed at both places, I would be glad to answer any questions you have about either.

 

[jmcross]

Sherry,

Thanks for your reply. If I were to list out the pro's and con's of both resorts as you did, then I think the Swan would win hands down. But as Debbie said in her earlier post, there wouldn't be giraffes outside of my window.

I think my problem is that I am trying to compare apples to oranges. These resorts are both so different and I have never been to either so I can only base my decision on what I have read here on the boards.

I think the Swan right now has the slight edge for me because it is slightly cheaper even at Club Level which will have breakfast and snacks and all. Also, my DH likes the idea of the Internet connection and I like the health club access included in the room rates. I'll probably only use the health club a couple of times but it will be nice knowing it's available for my use.

Anyone else want to sway my vote back to AKL? Have I mentioned that I am continuing to drive my family members crazy with my indecisiveness!!

Thanks,

Joanne

 

["thegirls"]

jmcross ~

I'd love to sway your vote!!!! I've done both and AKL wins hands down!!!! Besides the pluses listed above by other posters I'll just add a few more....


...Music, music music...sweet soft gentle rythmetic massage background music EVERYWHERE...(even in the bathrooms-public)

....everywhere you turn is a PLACE WITH A VIEW!! hallways staircases (not bathrooms this time!)

.....Activities GALORE!!! A days worth of educational, arts-n-crafts, tours, and night time story telling and not to be missed...night vision goggles.


.....A health club with a view ( of many young attractive well built muscular life guards) They can use the facility before and after their shift for free.

.....a spa to melt away your troubles...with a woman named Debbie who does the BEST deep tissue massage in this world!


As you can tell I LOVE this place!! I feel like I'm getting two vacations in one. A theme park vacation and a resoet vacation!


Happy decsion making and thanks for my own personal trip down memory lane...I can smell the smell and see the animals and hear the music RIGHT NOW! Meditation at its finest!!!

~Debbie

 

[scanmom]

This may not be a really fair vote, because I have never stayed at AKL...the themeing doesn't really appeal to me. But, that being said...if you are going to arrive on NYE, I think having the convienience of being at the Swan is important! It will be the absolute busiest time of the year, and I would try to make everything as easy as possible because of that alone. Plus, the Swan is a beautiful resort, and the quick breakfast will save some $$ and add to the convienience! Also, consider this....how much time will you actually spend in the room to look at the giraffes? You could always have a lunch at AKL to see the animals, plus you can see giraffes at just about any zoo in the country. And if you are able to get an epcot view at the Swan, you can see fireworks EVERY NITE! Well, have fun deciding...and have a great trip!

 

[mep319]

It is interesting to read these post... AKL is by far our favorite resort but unless codes come out it will be Dolphin on a government rate....I also would like to try something in the Epcot area...BUT WE LOVE AKL. You see I keep coming back to that. I'm really worried I'm going to be disappointed but it is nice to see you are torn...especially those who have stayed at both. Let me know how it goes!

 

[Harambe]

See, this is just Disney's way of making us crazy! We can't decide between resorts - so we plan more vacations!

Bless them! LOL!

 

[Tigger Woods]

I have stayed at both properties and here's my 2 cents. If you wany to stay at a resort that is beautiful, tranquil and somewhat isolated, stay at AKL. If you want to stay at a resort that is in the middle of all the action, choose the Swan. Obviously, the main attractions at AKL are the animals and the architecture. The biggest pluses at the Swan are it's location, restaurant choices, and park transportation options. I don't buy into the opinion that AKL is more 'magical' than the Swan. Hearing the Friendship Boats toot their horns first thing in the morning and watching Illuminations at night is pretty special at the Swan. If you want to see giraffes, definitely choose AKL.

 

[jmcross]

Thanks to everyone for your responses! You have all given me more to think about. The Swan is about $35 a night less than AKL using that new spring code. If the reservation wasn't club level, it would be considerably less. Like I said earlier, I am willing to pay extra for the club level for the convenience of a quick breakfast. You can't beat the teacher rates at the Swan!

My two DS's, ages 6 and 10 both surprisingly want to stay at the Swan. They both love animals but think it would be better being on the boardwalk. My youngest loves miniature golf so it really swayed him when I said that there was a course right next to the Swan. My oldest wants to try the kitchen sink at Beaches & Cream. I thought that the two of them would beg me to stay at AKL. I'm really the only one in my family still on the fence on this issue.

These boards are terrific for information. Thanks again to everyone who replied!

Joanne

 

[#1hockeymom]

I just came up with a huge plus for your S/D stay. Chocolate croissants for breakfast in the club level lounge! They are to die for!

Both of my kids 18 and 10 now, loved the Swan last year and proclaimed it their best ever Disney hotel.

Good luck!
Debbie