Opinions Needed for the WDW Dolphin Versus AKL & WL

[FairyDust2008]

My family and I are taking our first family trip to WDW this summer and are trying to find which resort will suit us. After researching, I LUV the AKL because of the theming but am very concerned about the construction going on there. We will be going June/July 2008. We also LUV the Dolphin as when hubby and I were newly married living in Orlando, I remember me driving by that and the Swan thinking-WOW, I would love to stay there someday. I noticed some information about new refurbishing with rooms/decor, etc beginning in 2008. Does anyone have any information on this? WL is nice too but is the last on our list but we still like the look of this resort. Any feedback you can give would be very helpful. Thanks for all your help

 

[FINFAN]

Hi,
we have stayed at the Dolphin several times, one visit was a split stay with the WL over Christmas ( 12/18-12/28) We have only visited AKL.
I would pick the Dolphin due to the location, hands down. However, I am a HUGE Epcot fan and my kids love the Rock n' roller coaster and Tower of Terror at MGM...so....the location is tops for us. I like the size of the rooms at the Dolphin, while not quite as big as a deluxe, there is certainly dresser /counter space and floor space. The bathroom layout is small, but doable. The one concern I would have is if it is your first visit, the dolphin does not offer things like the Mickey wake up calls, and I think the official WDW resorts offer more affordable in resort food courts...but we loved the cabana food by the Grotto pool at the Dolphin, and lets not fprget of you join SPG ( Sheratons preffered guest program) you can earn points from Sheraton stays toward the Swan/Dolphin...you can join and recieves complimentary upgrades when available...nice perks like that.
Even tho we stayed at the W/L during Christmas...checked out Christmas eve actually and into the Dolphin...we were not overly happy there. The resort grounds were beautiful and the lobby, but the boat/bus situation was not our cup of tea, and the rooms seemed a little small for us. We did not care for Roaring forks cafe...seemed like everything was greasy, overly fried. We were able to see part of the castle from our woods view room, and that was nice.
I like AKL, but have an aversion to bugs, and would sort of be cautious of this in July...I know WDW is awesome at controlling these types of issues, it is just me, so again, I would choose the Dolphin. You do have a parking fee each day at the dolphin which is a bummer, and they do not participate in the dining plan or Magical Express from the airport, 2 more negatives. We have also done a trip where we started at a value using ME, switched to the Dolphin a few days later, then back to Pop for 1 night and we were eligible for ME...or yo ca use ME for one direction..does not have to be a round trip.
I just think being able to walk to 2 of the 4 parks is huge, the transportation options for either AKL and WL are not any better to me than a moderate, but others have have great luck with them, so....roll the diec and enjoy your trip...how exciting to be going for the first time...beware, you will be addicted!


Pam

 

[Macysmom32]

Hi Fairydust2008. I think the last post was pretty correct with the Dolphin. I stayed at the Dolphin in Dec 2005 because I think the location is AWESOME!! We walked to MGM and back, EPCOT and back, and the Boardwalk. You can also take a boat to all of these locations, making you feel not such a slave to the bus. I love the sound of the horns on the boats at night as they are docking. I LOVE the Boardwalk at night, all lit up and plenty going on. You can stand on the bridge leading to Boardwalk and see the fireworks from EPCOT at night......and the Yacht and Beach club are right there also, with great ice cream, clam bakes, etc. Not to mention, you are within a stones throw of what I think are some of the best restaurants on Disney property with the Boardwalk (flying fish cafe) and the World Showcase at EPCOT.

Now, with that being said, I DO believe that the Dolphin lacked that "Disney feeling". No Mickey wake up call, no refillable mug, no special little "things" that remind you 24/7 you are at the WORLD!! I found it difficult to get park info without getting my little "Disney packet" upon check-in, sure people would answer your questions if asked, but nothing was just lavished upon you. The quick dining options were greatly lacking IMHO, and expensive. The rooms were fine, but again, no Mickey soap, etc. The heavenly bed is the BOMB, though.
I wouldn't stay at the Dolphin again. Just my preference. Some people may like the "Disney saturation" break, but not me, my friend!! I don't know about AKL, except that it looks AWESOME, and as for WL, I leave in 30 days!!!!!! So I'll let you know!! YAY FOR ME!!!

Shelley

 

[airhead]

BUt,so is the hotel. I feel more "Disney" at the Dolphin than some of the other resorts. When you can actually see other parks from your room and the grounds of the S/D that's totally "Disney" for me!

 

[nurse.darcy]

This is my dilemma. . .I want to stay at the Swan or Dolphin because I get a great rate as a nurse, HOWEVER, I want to be saturated with "Disney". Still not sure what I will do yet. . .lol. By the way, as much as I enjoy free transportation to WDW, I still prefer to hire private transportation for the journey. Much more convenient and I get to the world so much sooner.