Just back--Swan 2 nights/AKL 7 nights--ask away!

[Miffy]

My dh and I are just back from WDW. I still haven't quite adjusted to the non-WDW world--I guess that explains why I'm right back here on the DIS.

If you have any questions about either the Swan or AKL or whatever, ask away and I'll answer to the best of my ability. It'll make it feel a little less like the vacation's over.

First, a brief review of the Swan. Everyone talks about its great location. The Swan was not our kind of place and even its location didn't make up for that. As many other posters have noted, the Swan lacks the Disney magic. I completely concur. I posted a review in the Reviews section here if you want to read a more lengthy report on our impressions of the Swan--which is a perfectly nice hotel that could be anywhere...but when we're at WDW, we like to have the entire Disney experience. The only other thing I'd like to mention here is that if you like a firm mattress (which my dh and I both do), the heavenly bed is not so heavenly.

Now, for AKL: WOW! We stayed here in January too and I think it's the only place we'll stay at WDW. [See another post I left about how we got our room at AKL--the day before we checked in, I called Disney reservations and got an AP rate!]

There's nothing like sitting out on the balcony watching the animals. It's beautiful and wonderfully soothing. The lodge itself is an aesthetic dream--everything, from the aromas and textures of the lush fabrics, to the decor, the architecture, the landscaping, the terrific African music, the lovely rooms, the great CMs, the animals, the animals, the animals ... did I mention the animals? ... even the Mara (the fast-food place) is great. We do not have a car at WDW and we find that the bus service from AKL is excellent. As you can tell, we love it there!

Happy to be home and petting my own kitties, but missing AKL and WDW ... --miffy--

 

[leopardspot]

Where is the "REVIEWS" section? I would like to read what you wrote about the Swan.

 

[Miffy]

Hi leopardspot.

I think this link will take you to the main page for all the resort reviews: http://reviews.wdwinfo.com/

If it doesn't work, go to the home page here on the DIS, then scroll down a bit...on the right-hand side under "DIS daily fix" are the links for the ratings section.

HTH --miffy--

 

[leopardspot]

Thanks. The link worked. I am going to read it now...
Thanks Again!!!

 

[Tigger Woods]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Having stayed at both AKL and Swan/Dolphin, I found the Dolphin to possess much more 'magic' than than AKL. The animals at AKL are pretty entertaining for a couple of days, but after a while, we began to feel like we were stranded in the middle of the Cincinnati Zoo instead of vacationing at Disney World. The Swan/Dolphin, on the other hand, is right in the middle of all the action. The Friendship Boats, the Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM right next door .. it doesn't get any better than that. By the way, I believe you are the first person on these boards to complain about those wonderful Heavenly Beds being too 'soft'. Perhaps you should have asked the staff to bring up some sleeping bags and you could have slept on the floor.

 

[paladin]

Well then here is a second person to complain about those Heavenly Beds - not at all Heavenly in my opinion - way too soft

 

[JonnyRocker]

I think the Swan beds are awesome. If you're looking for a hard mattress to sleep on, try the Days Inn in Kissimmee. It's like sleeping on cement.

 

[swilphil]

Tigger--I agree with you. We loved the location of the S/D. You're surrounded by Disney, and it's so nice not to have to take a bus every time you want to go somewhere. The Dolphin lobby also has a very magical feel to it. I love the Heavenly Beds, and I've read several posts from people who like firm mattresses, and have been quite satisfied with the Heavenly Beds. I have lots of sleep problems, and staying in a Westin is the only way I can get a good night's sleep in a hotel.