The Walt Disney World Swan Resort is part of a group of hotels (WDW Swan, WDW Dolphin, and The Swan Reserve) owned and operated by Marriott. All three are located on Disney property, and are in close proximity to two of Disney’s theme parks, but none are owned by Disney. Here is a list of the pros and cons of staying at the Swan Resort.
PROS
Special Disney Benefits
Staying at the Swan Resort allows you to access the same benefits as guests staying at Disney owned resorts. You are given early theme park entry, which allows guests with tickets to enter the Disney parks 30 minutes before other park visitors.
Price
Pricing for Swan Resort rooms could be substantially less than Disney resorts of the same class (Deluxe) but depends on booking dates. Especially if you have flexible dates, you could save significantly more than if you booked any of the Deluxe level Disney owned Resorts.
Location
The swan resort and its subsidiary resorts are located right on Disney property. You are walking distance to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Boardwalk, giving you access to not only the theme parks but many restaurants and activities.
Transportation
Free bus service is offered to Swan guests to all of the theme parks and attractions including Disney Springs. Buses depart every 20-30 minutes. You also have access to a complementary water taxi, which will transport you right to the resort from the International Gateway by the Epcot rear entrance, and back. Boats depart every 15-20 minutes. This is a lifesaver at the end of the day when you feel too tired to walk back to your resort.
Nice rooms
This resort is comparable to a Disney Deluxe resort, and offers the typical Marriott hotel experience. We found the rooms were clean and sufficient for our family of four (including two teenagers).
Restaurant Selection
The swan resort offers plenty of restaurants to choose from, and because the Swan and Dolphin are across from each other, a short walk means even more dining choices to choose from. These dining spots are within walking distance to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as Disney’s BoardWalk.
Swan Restaurants:
Garden Grove -American fare for breakfast and lunch in an indoor, park-like setting centered around a 25-foot Oak tree.
Il Mulino New York Trattoria – Highly acclaimed Italian restaurant
Kimonos Sushi Bar – Japanese sushi bar with nightly karaoke.
Java Bar– Morning coffee grab-and-go in the Swan’s lobby.
Splash Pool Bar and Grill – Sandwiches and salads with poolside dining.
Dolphin Restaurants:
Bluezoo – Seafood restaurant by celebrity chef Todd English.
Cabana Bar and Beach Club – Light fare near the pool.
The Fountain – Diner-like restaurant.
Fuel – A grab-and-go market with specialty coffee, espresso bar and a frozen yogurt station.
Picabu– A quick-service restaurant with a variety of food stations serving cafeteria type food.
Phins – Lobby bar with craft beer, wine, cocktails and appetizers.
Rosa Mexicano – Contemporary Mexican cuisine and over 100 varieties of tequila and agave-based spirits.
Shula’s Steak House- Steak house with memorabilia of the 1972 Miami Dolphins and Coach Don Shula on display.
Swan Reserve Restaurants
Amare -Mediterranean fare that is the signature restaurant of the Swan Reserve.
Grounds – Offers specialty coffee beverages and grab-and-go bites.
Stir– Lounge in the lobby of the Swan Reserve.
Tangerine – Serves up poolside sips and eats.
Beautiful grounds
We spent a whole day enjoying the pools and grounds of the Swan, which includes:
- Grotto pool with tropical waterfalls and a water slide
- Two lap pools
- Spring pool
- Relaxation pool
- Four whirlpools
- Kiddie pool
- Three poolside restaurants
- Basketball
- Water volleyball
- Watercraft rentals
- Poolside entertainment and activities
- White sand beach
- Sand volleyball courts
- Beachside playground
- Outdoor ping pong & pool tables
- Giant checkers game
Marriott perks
You can use your Marriott rewards points to book your room! This could be a huge benefit for those who have accumulated many rewards from staying at other Marriotts.
CONS
Not a Disney resort
So if you are looking for “the total Disney experience,” you won’t find it here. There is no theming, no hidden Mickeys, no surprise character sightings or character meals. If you are looking to immerse yourself in all things Disney, you need to stick with a true Disney resort.
Difficult to access MK
While the resort does offer free bus service to all of the theme parks, you should be aware that the bus service to Magic Kingdom can only bring you to the Ticket and Transportation Center, so you would still need to take Disney transportation to access the actual park. This shouldn’t be a problem if you are leisurely planning your day to arrive any time. But if you are planning to rope drop (arrive before park opening), you may find it difficult to arrive in a timely manner. Between the wait for the bus and for other passengers, and the possible wait times at the Ticket and Transportation Center, you may end up being quite a bit behind those early morning crowds.
Research Required
I found you have to really research which resort you want to book. In addition to traditional king bed rooms, The Swan Resort offers 2 queens (can not accommodate 5 people in a room) , Dolphin only offers 2 doubles but can accommodate 5 people to a room ( rollaway bed permitted for extra $25). And the Swan Reserve offers rooms with doubles and queens and kings.
Resort Fees
Unfortunately the resort charges fees. The resort fees at this time are $40 per room per night and cover items such as internet, complimentary swan boat rentals and fitness classes.
Inconsistent Pricing
You could conceivably pay in the $200s per night, or less if you find a special offer, but other dates we found were $1300per night for the same room. So it depends on your booking dates. Which is why I always recommend using a Disney Travel Agent. Services are free, and include comparing prices, finding the best deal, tips, and more!
My overall opinion is that WDW Swan Resort is an excellent choice if you are looking for a Resort comparable to a Disney Deluxe Resort, in a prime location….as long as you are not looking for the “whole Disney experience.”
For more information about the Swan Resort, as well as the Dolphin Resort and Swan Reserve Click Here.