Which Is Better? AKL or Swan/Dolphin

[pjsmice]

Okay.I am a new member of this forum and I have never posted anything yet so here goes. We will be going to WDW in June of 2004. I know this is early but we are trying to decide which deluxe hotel to go to. We have narrowed it down to AKL or Swan/Dolphin. We are going with another family who has never stayed on the grounds before. My family has always stayed in the moderate resorts so this will be a real treat for us this time around. We can however only afford a standard room no matter which resort we choose. Therefore I would like to choose the one that we think will be the most special. We like AKL becuase of it being so different and the fact that we think our kids (2 girls age 17 and 2 boys age 12) would really enjoy the animals. They are all involved in art and in animals. This is a really special occasion ( my girlfriend and I are celebrating 40 yrs. of friendship) and so any help would be greatly appreciated. Our husbands are letting us make the choice. I guess if we make the wrong choice they can blame us!!
Oh I almost forgot. Two questions-- Which hotel gives the best discoounts (codes, Allears, Entertainment book,etc.) and if we should choose the Swan how far is it to walk to the Grotto pool? Remember we're going in June so to us anything over 90 degrees and is more then a 15 min. walk is out for us. Thats what happens when you come from the north (Ohio) and go South. Ha!
Ha! Thanks for all your help. Sharon

 

[spicedparrot]

I've got the same question. Planning a honeymoon for the first week of May 2004...

Just can't decide. I'm not worried about cost so much as to which one will be the most romantic for my future spouse.

 

[floridafam]

AKL

 

[dahess]

Hi & Welcome to the Dis Boards! We have stayed at the Dolphin 1 time & are giong back to the Dolphin in 4 DAYS, count them 1,2,3,4 Kinda excited! We love the Dolphin! We have 3 kids ages 12, 7 & 5. We have never stayed at AK, but I just told my dh that for our next trip, I might light to split our stay between AK & Beach Club. The #1 thing we love about the Dolphin is that you are so close to MGM & Epcot. My kids love to take the boats to the parks. We love the grotto pool, it is not a real long walk, can't remember how long. We love the atmosphere of the Dolphin and we love the restaurants. When we originally booked this trip, we started off at the Beach Club for $329.00 a night, we then switched to POR for $179 a night, then discounts for Swan/Dolphin came out & we switched to Dolphin for $129.00 a night & then decided to upgrade to Club Level (breakfast & evening snacks included) for another $60-70.00 a night, can't remember how much exactly. That in my book is a great deal. I would say that our #1 reason is that you are so close to MGM & Epcot.

 

[Demosthenes]

I'd say that, if you are booking standard rooms, then the best is Swan, followed by the Dolphin, then the AKL. If you can swing a savannah room, I'd say AKL, the Swan, the Dolphin. AKL is great, but without a view of the animals, you give up a lot of deluxe amenities for a small, dark room, with a parking lot view and highway noise. Both the Swan and Dolphin have either good views, or great views. They have a better pool by far than AKL, they have many more restaurant options, they have much better nightlife, larger, brighter rooms, the Swan has Heavenly Beds, both are substantially cheaper, and both offer better transportation. Even with all of those advantages, I still prefer an AKL savannah view to the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[spicedparrot]

thanks for the info...that was useful information.

I would definately go with the savannah at AKL...this is what I'm looking at:

AKL Savannah w/ Gold Package

or

Swan Club/Conceirge w/ Silver...

Then again...there are those heavenly beds!

 

[pjsmice]

Thanks for the information. Its appreciated.

 

[Lewisc]

Swan/Dolphin is a better location than AKL. A lot to do on the boardwalk. Walk or boat ride to Studios and EPCOT. There are not a lot of lower cost meal options at Swan/Dolphin.

 

[Demosthenes]

Originally posted by Lewisc
There are not a lot of lower cost meal options at Swan/Dolphin.

Well, there is Tubby's, and the Dolphin Fountain @ the Dolphin, and only Mara at AKL. Also, within walking distance is the bakery, the counter service & Pizza on the BW. Also, there is beaches and Cream and Hurricane Hannah's at the BC.

 

[Lewisc]

Everything is relative. OP has never stayed onsite before. The dining options you listed are (significantly) more expensive than off-site dining (particularly with discount coupons).

You get what you're paying for but people who are going from off site to deluxe must plan on spending more $$$ for food.

Originally posted by Demosthenes
Well, there is Tubby's, and the Dolphin Fountain @ the Dolphin, and only Mara at AKL. Also, within walking distance is the bakery, the counter service & Pizza on the BW. Also, there is beaches and Cream and Hurricane Hannah's at the BC.

 

[Disney Cape Codder]

We stayed at the Swan in February 2002 and AKL in February 2003. For us, AKL was superior to the Swan. The Grotto pool at the Swan, ability to walk or boat to Epcot and MGM and the Boardwalk were great. However, there was a convention when we were there and there were not many families. The personnel at the desk were not accommodating. Our room had mold and they would not move us since they were overbooked with the convention. By comparison, AKL had the whole package! Most of all, the CM's were very accommodating. The Swan did not feel "Disney" enough to us. We loved all the family activities at AKL, the "to die for food" at prices which were far better than the Swan, the superior bus transportation, the pool, everything...We booked a standard view but were upgraded to a great pool view. I understand AKL upgrades whenever possible. We still felt we saw a lot of the animals. There were many quiet viewing areas. For us, we highly preferred the overall atmosphere and experience at AKL. We did not get the same "Disney" feeling at the Swan.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by spicedparrot

Then again...there are those heavenly beds!

...and the wonderful FRIENDSHIP boat transportation to the parks...and the beautiful walkways to the parks...and the highspeed internet access...and the LATE CHECK-OUT...and the Starwood preferred guest program....and the POINTS...and the NUMEROUS Top restaurants...and the Boardwalk a stones-throw away...and the VIEW of MGM or EPCOT and the SPACESHIP EARTH...and the nightly fireworks shows..and the GREAT CLUB LEVEL...and the 24 hour access to the GROTTO POOL....and the evening walk to Fantasia Golf...and the Expedient bus service...and the POINTS (oops...did I mention this already?)... and the LOCATION...LOCATION...LOCATION...LOL. I could go ON...and ON...and ON!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Everything is relative. OP has never stayed onsite before. The dining options you listed are (significantly) more expensive than off-site dining (particularly with discount coupons).

You get what you're paying for but people who are going from off site to deluxe must plan on spending more $$$ for food.

Surely. And the OP is well-aware of this feature. She stated she has always stayed at MODS...it was her DF whom has NEVER stayed on property.

Staying on prop..offers the convenience and safety of being able to walk down a nicely carpeted and enclosed A/C corridor in your own resort and obtain a large pepperoni pizza (piping hot and very cheesy!) from Tubbi's for $10.00 ($8.16 w/20% Disney club discount). I do not consider this to be significantly MORE expensive than off-site dining. Also...there is fresh bread and deli meat at the General store on the BW, for less extravagent lunches..etc. (LOL)

Once you factor in the gasoline, time, etc. (off-site obtaining dinner)...it's probably LESS money to dine on Property.

The only resort which accepts the entertainment card is the Swan/Dolphin. Disney-owned resorts do not accept Discounts such as the ones you mentioned. You would be elated with the Swan/Dolphin. They are GRAND in every sense of the word.

Whichever resort you select...I wish you and your DF of 40 years a WONDERFUL & MAGICAL experience.

 

[chrissyk]

I vote for the Swan! We've stayed at the Swan (great Priceline rate of $59/night!!) and the AKL (twice, with rates of $119 and $109/night). Both times we were upgraded to Savannah views at the AKL. It seems to me that if you go when it's not crowded, you stand a good chance of getting a Savannah view even if you're booked into a standard. Anyways, the AKL is such a cool hotel, but it has NO soundproofing. We spent 2 nights listening to the flushing of turbo-toilets in other rooms and that was enough for us

The Swan, on the other hand, has a fantastic location, great rooms, and decent soundproofing Also, we LOVED the Grotto pool! It never felt crowded to us! I'd love to stay at the Swan again

 

[Jomrog]

Definitely AKL. We had a similar experience as Disney Cape Codder when we stayed at Dolphin. We used a teacher rate & were not at all happy with our first room, the view was horrible. They put us in another room & still we had an ugly view of a merky pond They claimed it was a "resort view" room. I didn't notice any resort from our very small unaccomadating balcony There were suits everywhere for conventions. My niece who came with us ended up with the stomach flu & when I asked the front desk if there was anywhere that I could get ginger ale, they were not helpful. My DH ended up driving to a convenience store for it. Luckily we had our car. I'm not saying that they had to give me ginger ale but she didn't at all seem sympathetic. They were also not particularly friendly at check-in. The room was outdated & worn looking, the corridors were freezing cold as was the grotto pool (we went in late May & the weather was pretty hot). The lap pool was not available at times because of convention parties. Unless we win a free trip, I doubt that we will go back to Dolphin.

On the same trip, we split the stay w/AKL. We had a std room & I asked for an upgrade at check-in, he said nothing was available but he pounded the keys so he could find the best std room he could for us. It wasn't bad, pool view & sometimes you could see the giraffes. The balcony was much nicer. Boma is an awesome restaraunt, delicious food. The staff was wonderful, an off-duty lifeguard was playing games with the kids in the pool. The exchange students were extremely friendly & we loved talking to them about S. Africa & the animals. AKL was overall a much more pleasant experience. JMO.

 

[treehouser]

We just got back from 6 nites at WDW and we loved the theme and the over all feel of AKL . It was sooo nice to get up early in the mornoing and take in the view from the savannah with a cup of coffee- so relaxing and quiet= not hussleing off to the parks. The bus system was very good from the AKL - just make sure to get on the bus back that says AKL not just AK( we did it once). The rest. and cafes were very nice - somewhat pricy but worth the buck. We will go back again. We have staryed all over the park and this was the most comfortable one yet. 4th floor w/savannah view/ king size bed- for 2.
ask for a coffee maker and see the animals in the early morn.

 

[Lewisc]

About a year ago I was (properly) corrected for comparing the food courts in the moderates with the more limited snack areas in the deluxe hotels.

I agree there are many advantages to a deluxe. Sorry but the fact is Disney moderate hotels tend to have more extensive menu choices in the food court than the snack bars in the deluxe. I checked the menus and admitted I was wrong.

Although I don't normally eat in these type of restuarants most offsite hotels have fast food restuarants, Dennys, IHOP etc .within a short walk. There are no shortage of pizza places that will deliver to your offsite room. There are coupons all over the place.

People staying in a deluxe hotel for the first time have to understand the food choices tend to be more expensive. Nothing wrong with that but budgets should reflect that.

This is even more dramatic at the Universal hotels.

Nothing against Swan/Dolphin or AKL. These are both GREAT choices for someone who wants a deluxe hotel at a reasonable price. Face it lunch at Beaches and Cream is going to more expensive (and better) than going to Burger King.

Don't know wht kind of car you rent but driving 1/2 a mile to get to a restaurant should cost less than .50.

Originally posted by dreamflight99

Once you factor in the gasoline, time, etc. (off-site obtaining dinner)...it's probably LESS money to dine on Property.

 

[csmommy]

We just did a split stay between AKL & Swan, & AKL wins hands down!

AKL's theming is wonderful, CM's very helpful & nice, food delicious, pool & animal viewing amazing. I truly felt like I was in a deluxe resort & could have spent several days there without wanting to go to the parks, & so could my kids. It was like staying in the zoo! I liked that we did not share the buses with any other resort. We booked a standard view room, & were bumped up to Savannah view. Even if you have standard view there are plenty of places to see the animals.

Swan's room was nice. The "heavenly beds" did not make up for the poor customer service, room service plates left out over night, the very long walk to the pool that my kids wanted to go to. The boats to Epcot & MGM are shared with other resorts & at night the wait was long & the boat crowded. The boardwalk was fun. The food choices were better because you had both the Swan & Dolphin to choose from. Over all I truly felt like the staff, with the exception of CL level who were wonderful, were Disney rejects, & the hotel had too much of a convention feel for my family.

 

[pjsmice]

Thank you everyone for all the wonderfulinformation. After everything I have read I think we are leaning towards the AKL. Mostly because this will probably be the last trip my 17 yr. old daughter will go with us and she was really excited about seeing the animals. Its just that the Swan has Location! Location! Location! If I can get past that I think that AKL would be the best bet.

 

[spicedparrot]

FWIW, I've obviously been looking into this issue quite a bit. It sounds to me from friends I know who have stayed at AKL and many, many, many, many other statements made online that transportaiton is really not an issue at AKL. And in fact, some say its better since all AKL buses are exclusive to that resort.

Also, I've read other comments that sometimes entering Epcot at the International Gateway causes some awfully long walks through Future World.

Anyway, I've pretty much decided on AKL. I'm sure your family would enjoy it as well.