Possible last-minute change: Dolphin to AKL?

[Fargoman2]

We leave July 21 for WDW. We have booked a room at the Dolphin for the 21-30. This would be our 4th straight year there--so we know the drill. We have an "amended" teacher's rate: 149 for 1/2 the stay, 199 for the other half. We normally also convert Starpoints to CL privileges--a considerable daily savings on food.

All that said, I am pondering a last-minute switch to AKL--using an AP rate to get $129/night.

We (family of 5: 16,13 and 6) think we might like the change of scenery this year and perhaps save a few $$$.

Good idea or bad idea? Tell me about the AKL--is it really "deluxe" or a "glorified moderate?" How is the transportation? What else should I know before making a hasty switch?

Thanks!

 

[swilphil]

Since you are there for 9 nights could you split your stay and remain at the Dolphin when its $149/night? You could do MK and AK the days you are at AKL and MGM/Epcot when you are at the Dolphin. I think the thing you will miss at AKL is being so far from the parks.

 

[msnina0417]

Dolphin rooms are bigger and beds are softer. The AK is a fabulous resort but the rooms are ok at best, the rooms that are deluxe are bigger 384 sq ft and have queen bed and bunk beds.The Dolphin is 394 sq ft approx and very nice. You can get a regular room at AKL for $199, but a bigger room with a view will cost you unless you get lucky and get upgraded for free. Personally, I like the Contemporary because the rooms are 437 sq ft and also have mircowaves even in the regular rooms and I always get upgraded to a nicer room, but the decor is blinding if you are not use to a colorful room.
By the way, either way, have a great vacation, I am going for the 17th time and leaving on August 7th for 5 nights, I am getting Disney fever!!!!

 

[elf]

We were in your boat. We have been going to the Dolphin for 5 years 2 to 3 times a year. But now we are down to 1 vacation a year and were scared to switch. We had a special occassion coming up, and got a good price for AKL Savanah view. All 4 of us loved it, but there were things we all missed.

We loved the food, the kids programs, and the Savanah view from our room. I actually cancelled all breakfasts (except princess) so we could have breakfast on our balcony.

What we didn't like were dark rooms (the lighting fixtures, were dim), and the distant location. We've always liked the Dolphin's accessability to Boardwalk, Epcot, MGM and restaurants and missed it.
So our next trip will be divided between AKL and Dolphin because my kids and I love animals.
I'd say for the half of your stay that's $199 at the dolphin switch it over to AKL so you'll save money also.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I split my last summer trip between both resorts and really loved that option! We leave in two weeks for this years vacation, also featuring split resort stay between both of them! My dream resort would be a combination of these two resorts! Good luck with your decision!

Debbie

 

[Fargoman2]

I think we've decided to stay with the Dolphin for the full stay. You've all convinced me that the AKL offers some neat appeal, but in the end we've decided to stay for the following reasons:

1. Even with a pretty full house at the Dolphin, I'm confident we'll be able to convert Starpoints to get CL privileges. This is a tremendous food budget savings for us as we take advantage of both breakfast and evening snacks.

2. Convenience, convenience, convenience...otherwise known as location, location, location. We just love the proximity to the parks and we often spend our post-park evenings strolling about the Boardwalk and grabbing a late dinner at ESPN. Call us predictable, but we really look forward to it.

3. AKL sounds enticing, but mostly so if you get savannah view--we'd have to
pay extra for that and that would nullify any cost savings.

4. We're not sure we want to pull the trigger on an AP to get the AKL rate. We'd have to use our 2nd trip before July 20, 2006 and with all the kids' camp
commitments that could be tough. We'll probably return in early August of 2006 as the last hurrah before school starts.

In any event, I think we'll make it a point to visit AKL to scout it out for future opportunities.

Thanks again for your thoughtful input. Warm regards from the land of oppressive humidity and mosquitos. OK Ok we don't own humidity, but I think we've got everyone beat on the mosquito count.

See you later!

 

[#1hockeymom]

*laughing* I'll match your mosquitoes and raise you by another ten! LOL I guess we should both be glad we don't have anything called PALMETTO BUGS, eh?

Have a wonderful trip! Be sure to stop by AKL for a dinner at Jiko! You'll have a fantastic dinner, plus be able to wander around and take in all of the surroundings along with the animals! We'll be checking into AKL the 26th, then the Dolphin on the 29th. Say hello if you see a giant group of mothers with their children! The old lizard lounge is having a meet!

Debbie

 

[CarolB]

All that said, I am pondering a last-minute switch to AKL--using an AP rate to get $129/night.

We (family of 5: 16,13 and 6) think we might like the change of scenery this year and perhaps save a few $$$.

Good idea or bad idea? Tell me about the AKL--is it really "deluxe" or a "glorified moderate?" How is the transportation? What else should I know before making a hasty switch?

Thanks!

I know that you have already decided not to switch...but I don't think AKL will accommodate 5 anyway...not in a regular room anyway. We have stayed twice, but our rooms never had a day bed, so I believe 4 is maximum, unless you squeeze in a roll away or bring an aero-bed..and then it would be really tight. BTW - Love the AKL, even though it is far away!