Which Resort? WL,AKL or Dolphin

[buzz&Jesse]

My family and I are going to WDW in early August. There will be 6 in our party, 3 Adults and 3 kids ages 13, 9 and 6. I currently have reservations are the Dolphin with the teachers rate. I just found through the DC that I can stay at the WL or AKL for virtually the same rate. Which resort would you veterans recommend? We have always stayed at a moderate before. Two of the kids love animals but to keep the rate close to the teacher rate we would get a standard view room mainly because I need two rooms. Thanks for the input!

 

[CarolA]

I love the AKL. If your kids like animals they would probably like this resort. However, if you plan to spend the majority of your time at the Magic Kingdom, I would go with WL.

 

[Bstanley]

I love giving free advice...

I haven't stayed at the Dolphin so I'll skip right past it...

The WL and AKL are very similar in terms of their standard rooms. The size, layout, beds, etc are virtually identical. Both have modest sized rooms (by deluxe standards) and are quiet, comfortable and have what you need (or just ask for it !).

They are both wonderfully themed and beautiful. The CMs at either one are great - friendly, attentive and helpful.

The WL is very convenient to the MK, AKL is very convenient to AK. The other parks are basically the same time/distance away for either of them and you will have to take buses to get to them (EPCOT, Studios, DTD). AK is closer to the waterparks.

My personal opinion is that the 'fast food' place (The Mara) at the AKL is just a touch better than the one at WL (Roaring Forks), but there are dissenting opinions. I don't think anyone disagrees that 'The Boma' at the AKL is way ahead of Whispering Canyons at WL (the 'mid-priced' restaurants). My personal opinion is that 'The Boma' is one of the 5 best restaurants I've EVER eaten at, period (and that covers territory from Paris to Tokyo). The two 'high-end' restaurants are both excellent.

At the AKL you will be able view fantastic animals from lots of locations around the resort and talk to a lot of folks from Africa that really have kewl stories to tell, but there is the possiblity that your 'standard' rooms will have a yucky view. Many people, myself included, have been upgraded to Savannah view, but it obviously isn't a sure thing. Some of the standard view rooms are OK, some look out toward US192, etc.

The good news is that either place is really great, if I where going in December I would stay at the WL, if I were going in August I would stay at the AKL.

 

[caskar]

May I ask how much is WL or AKL compared to the Dolphin. I have a reservation at the Dolphin July using the teacher rate but would like to check out AKL or WL if possible. I assume you are using the new code for the rate that just came out. I asked my TA to find out this information but has not emailed me in over two days. Thanks

 

[buzz&Jesse]

The rate for WL was $143 and AKL $154 including tax. The dolphin rate is $144 including tax with the teacher discount. I used the codes for DC. Also, anyone want to comment CSR in comparison to these resorts. The DC rate for CSR is $104 including tax. I know any of the resorts will be great but just trying to make the most out of the vacation.

 

[NancyIL]

I've only stayed at the Dolphin, and I really like it. But those are fantastic rates for AKL and WL, so I'd pick one of those. There will still be a teacher discount at the Swan/Dolphin for a future trip, but you may never see such low rates at the other two resorts again.