Swan vs. AKL?? PLEASE HELP!

[ahill004]

Which resort for us? We are flying into Orlando two nights before our timeshare condo is available (the flights are MUCH more expensive to fly in on the planned date so we are using the $$ we save on the earlier flight to stay two more days)!
We are thinking of staying at the AKL because my parents will be staying there the second night. We will arrive late in the afternoon on the first evening so we won't be able to enjoy too much of the resort that evening (Since it will likely be dark)! Then we will have the second day to relax at the pool and hang out at the resort. We plan to hit our first park (AK) the morning we check out of our resort.
So...should we stick with AKL or should be stay at the Swan instead? It would save us about $300 to stay at the Swan but it wouldn't be AKL.... Is the Swan nice? How are the pools? Is it in walking distance to Bdwalk? Should we stick wtih AKL?

 

[LindaDe]

I am very partial to AKL and if you've never been there and you enjoy animals you will love it. It was such a thrill to go to bed each night and get up each morning with animals right outside your balcony. One of our Eland's bed was right outside our balcony and every evening we watched him shuffle in and bed down for the night, the next morning there he was still nestled in his spot under his favorite tree. If my memory serves me right cause that was three years ago, we were able to watch the animals throughout the night. I know I was on our balcony every minute we were in the room except for sleeping and then I even slept very little just to be able to watch more. It was an absolutely thrilling stay.

 

[ElizabethB]

The Swan Hotel is great. Very easy access by walking or boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Also, the Swan and Dolphin share the second best pool area on Disney property (second only to Stormalong Bay). We've also stayed at AKL and it wins hands down for sheer uniqueness -- but only if you have a Savannah view room.

 

[maciemouse]

I agree with the above thread. I have never stayed at AKL. I have visited and I do want to stay there. I have stayed at the Swan. It is nice and had a great pool. It is super clean and had excellent access to the Boardwalk. It is a short walk or you could get on the boat. You can also see the fireworks from Epcot at night. Our room overlooked MGM and I believe we payed $179 a night. I would stay there again in a heartbeat. I also want to stay at AKL too!