which resort?

[tiffanym5375]

My husband and i have no kids. We are going to disney on 4/23/05-4/27or28/04. We are looking at staying at wilderness lodge, animal kingdom(not sure if we want to pay for the savannah view), or swan/dolphin. Our only concern with the dolphin/swan, we lke the perk that disney offers your room key works as your park ticket and charges. Any ideas or suggetion? Thanks tiffany

 

[bubba's mom]

Sorry I can't be more help......but you could always split your stay between AKL and WL.......maybe someone else will have more insight. We stay at the values.......

 

[leighe]

DH and I stayed at AKL last April (we don't have any kiddos yet) and LOVED it! It was romantic, exotic, relaxing. I would highly recommend it!

 

[tiffanym5375]

Did you have savannah view,if so was it worth it? How was the transportation to the parks? Also did you go to the Animal Kingdom park? We are trying to park hop 2 parks on the same day, so that we may check universal for a a couple of days. We will arrive on sat, do a dinner & a show. Enjoy the parks sun-tues/Wedseday. We'd like to be at universal park wedseday mid morning and thurseday. drive back Friday. Sorry this is proably to much info

 

[rcraw45425]

WL is really cool and I think a little more centrally located if your main parks are EPCOT and MK. We loved our stay there this month and are already planning our next trip back in April. We had a courtyard view room, lovely theming to the lobby and the boat ride to MK was not bad at all. I understand that the same architect designed both hotels though so I don't think you could go wrong with either. Stayed at Swan years back, it's nice but you are right about it not having the disney privilages. I just saw that you're i n ATL, howdy neighbor!

 

[40-Something Kid]

Have stayed at WL and AKL. They are great--designs are amazing. Stayed at the Swan in August 2001. We all thought it was terrible--decor, condition of the room, dinginess, and lack of the Disney touches that are far more abundant in the design, lobbies, and shops of the other 2 you are considering. I know there are Swan/Dolphin fans, and sometimes rates are good, but my sister's family and my family did not like the Swan at all.

 

[F1Julie]

I stayed at AKL in August in a standard room and loved it. As much as I'd like to have a savanna view room, I just can't justify the price. I don't spend enough time in my room for that. There are many public viewing areas at AKL. I just had to walk out of my room and a few feet down the hallway to see the animals. The transportation at AKL is great. The buses are plentiful and very efficient. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

 

[cdpa4d]

I recently stayed at both. IMHO the WL felt more cozy and like home. Both are great hotels, but I preferred the WL a bit more because of the warmness, seclusion, and proximaty to the MK.
ADP

 

[DizBelle]

We also are child-free. We have stayed at both WL and AKL and I like WL better. AKL just seemed so far away from everything.

 

[swilphil]

We love the Swan. The location can't be beat and it is a deluxe (in every sense of the word) Westin hotel with their signature Heavenly beds). It is not as "themed" as other resorts, but it is a great place for grown ups, and the rooms seem much newer to me than the Disney resort rooms. The service is great too. I carry my room key in the same holder as my credit card and it's not at all any more difficult to whip the Credit Card out instead. You might consider splitting your stay between the Swan and AKL. That way you could enjoy MGM, Epcot, and Boardwalk activities the days you are at the Swan. I know the Swan will transfer your luggage to AKL for you.

 

[mega13]

We're jumping for joy because I originally booked the AKL savannah room at around $270 a night. I kept reading about the discount codes, and figured I'd book our reservation and see what happens. And if I don't get the code, then I'll move to another hotel.

Well, I got it for our entire stay! The room rate dropped to $168 with taxes. We were thrilled! We had the money, but I didn't want to spend it on the room. I'd rather spend it on dinner, shows, souveniers, etc.

Try it... it's worth a shot. I keep hearing the AKL is superb and I can't wait to see it in person!!

Good luck!

 

[swilphil]

Tiffany,

I PM'ed you with the info. you asked in your e-mail, but in case you don't check those messages here is the info you wanted:


We did go to the parks. That's one of the best reasons for staying at the Swan/Dolphin. The location is awesome, and so is the price compared to neighboring Boardwalk Inn and Beach Club/Yacht Club. You can walk to Epcot in 10 minutes, to MGM in 15 minutes, and take a boat to either. The bus service to MK is excellent too! I don't particularly care for the decor at the WL. It's too woodsy for me at those prices (though it is woodsy done very well), and AKL is too far from everything.

As far as the paper ticket goes, we have used them in the past and had no problems getting fast passes. My sister in law had an old paper ticket get wet and exchanged it for a new paper ticket at the Swan's Ticket Counter. Though you have to get it really wet to ruin it. (I think she was storing it in her basement that got flooded.) On our most recent trip, we bought our Park Hoppers from the Disney Store. They are plastic, never expire, and I did like them a little more than the paper ticket.

 

[tiffanym5375]

GREAT Sherri! I think we think the same in alot ways. Thats what bothered my husband and I about WL to woodys. Also AKL seemed like it may be more what we like, but distance. The heavnely beds at the swan/dolphin looks great. And your right great prices in comparison to the boardwalk. My main concern paper tickets, has now been elimatied by your suggestion. This helps out alot Thanks to all!!!!!