A Comprehensive Guide to the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort

Sep 2

7 min read

Located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Swan and Dolphin Resort offers a unique blend of luxury, convenience, and magic. With its stunning architecture, world-class amenities, and proximity to Disney's theme parks, it's a top choice for both families and couples looking to immerse themselves in the enchantment of Disney while enjoying upscale accommodations. Here's everything you need to know about staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort and how it compared to Disney-owned resorts.

1. Rooms and Room Options

The Swan and Dolphin now consists of three distinct hotels: the Swan, the Dolphin, and the newest addition, the Swan Reserve. Each offers a variety of room types to cater to different needs and preferences, from standard rooms to luxurious suites.

Standard Rooms - All three hotels -Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve - offer comfortable, well-appointed standard rooms with either two queen beds or one king bed. These rooms come equipped with modern amenities, including flat screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, and high-speed internet. Many rooms also offer stunning views of the resort's pools, gardens, or the surrounding Disney parks.
Deluxe Room - For those seeking a bit more space, deluxe rooms provide additional square footage and often feature balconies with picturesque views. These rooms are ideal for families who need a bit more room to spread out.
Suites - The resort also offers a variety of suites, ranging from Junior Suites to Grand Suites. These spacious accommodations include separate living areas, making them perfect for larger families or groups. The Presidential Suites offer the ultimate in luxury, with expansive living spaces, dining areas, and breathtaking views of the resort.
Swan Reserve - The Swan Reserve is a boutique-style hotel that offers a more intimate and contemporary experience. The Reserve features upscale rooms and suites, many of which provide floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the surrounding Disney parks and resorts. This stylish addition to the Swan and Dolphin complex is perfect for those seeking a modern and sophisticated stay.
Specialty Rooms - For a truly unique experience, consider staying in one of the resort's themed rooms, which offer immersive décor inspired by Disney characters and stories.

2. Dining Options

The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve is a culinary destination in its own right, boasting over a dozen dining options that cater to every taste and occasion.

Signature Dining

Shula's Steak House - A classic American steakhouse offering premium cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list in an upscale setting.
Todd English's bluezoo - This award-winning restaurant serves contemporary coastal cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood and innovative dishes.
II Mulino New York Trattoria - Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, including handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and an impressive selection of wines.

Casual Dining

The Fountain - A casual eatery offering burgers, sandwiches, and hand-spun milkshakes. It's a great spot for a quick, satisfying meal.
Garden Grove - Located in the Swan, this restaurant offers buffet-style dining with a rotating menu of American favorites. Character dining is also available here, making it a hit with families.

Quick Service and Grab & Go

Java - Start your day with a cup of Starbucks coffee, fresh pastries, and grab-and-go options for breakfast or a quick snack.
Fuel - Located in the Dolphin, Fuel offers a selection of gourmet sandwiches, salads, snacks, and beverages, perfect for a quick meal on the go.

Bars and Lounges

Kimonos - A sushi bar and lounge offering fresh sushi, sashimi, and Japanese-inspired cocktails. In the evenings, guests can enjoy karaoke.
Phins - A sophisticated lobby bar located in the Dolphin, serving craft cocktails, beer, and small bites in a chic atmosphere.

Pools Areas

Grotto Pool - The centerpiece of the resort's pool areas, the Grotto Pool is a sprawling, tropical-themed pool complete with waterfalls, a waterslide, and a sandy beach. It's perfect for both relaxation and fun, with plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas, and poolside service.
Lap Pool - For those looking to get in some exercise, the Lap Pool at the Swan offers a quiet, serene environment for swimming laps or enjoying a peaceful dip.
Kiddie Pool - Little ones will love the dedicated kiddie pool, where they can splash around in a shallow, safe environment.
Whirlpools - Several whirlpools are scattered throughout the pool areas, providing a perfect spot to unwind after a day at the parks.

4. Entertainment

Camp Dolphin - This supervised kids' club offers fun activities for children aged 4-12, including arts and crafts, games, and Disney movies. It's a great option for parents who want to enjoy a night out while their kids have a blast.
Swan Paddleboats - Guests can rent swan-shaped paddleboats and explore the resort's picturesque waterways. It's a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather.
Movies Under the Stars - On select evenings, the resort offers complimentary outdoor movie screenings, allowing guests to relax and watch a Disney classic under the night sky.
Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf - Just a short walk from Swan and Dolphin Resort, Fantasia Gardens offers two fun-filled miniature golf courses inspired by Disney's classic film Fantasia. It's a great way to add a bit of whimsical fun to your stay. The Gardens Course is perfect for families, with its whimsical obstacles and playful design, while the Fairways Course offers a more challenging experience for mini-golf enthusiasts.

5. Spa Offerings

Mandara Spa - The Mandara Spa offers a full range of treatments, including massages, facials, body treatments, and salon services. Guests can indulge in a Balinese-inspired massage, a revitalizing facial, or a luxurious body wrap. The spa also features steam rooms, saunas, and a relaxation lounge, making it a peaceful retreat where guests can unwind and rejuvenate.
Salon Services - The spa's salon offers a variety of beauty services, including haircuts, styling, manicures, and pedicures. Whether you're preparing for a special evening out or just want to pamper yourself, the salon has you covered.

6. Transportation to the Disney Parks

One of the biggest perks of staying at the Swan and Dolphin Resort is its convenient transportation options to Disney parks.

Walking Distance - The resort is within walking distance of Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Fantasia Gardens, The Boardwalk, and the other Epcot area resorts that are owned by Disney. The scenic walk to Epcot's International Gateway entrance is especially popular.
Water Taxi - Guests can take a leisurely water taxi ride from the resort to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The boats also make stops at Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach Club, so keep that in mind for timing (or you can also get off at those stops!). The boats depart regularly and offer a scenic and relaxing journey to the parks.
Bus Transportation - Complimentary bus service is available to take guests to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. The buses run frequently, ensuring that you're never far from the magic. One thing to note is these aren't the typical Disney buses. This resort uses an outside company for their buses. This means that the bus to the Magic Kingdom will typically drop you off at the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can then take a monorail or boat to the park.

7. Differences Between Swan and Dolphin vs. Disney-Owned Resorts

While the Swan and Dolphin Resort offers a fantastic Disney experience, there are a few key differences between this resort and those that are Disney-owned.

Ownership and Management - The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are owned and operated by Marriott, not Disney. This means that while you're on Disney property and enjoy many Disney perks, the resort itself is not part of the official Disney hotel collection. As a result, some Disney-specific benefits are not available such as:
- You can't use your MagicBand or My Disney Experience to open your door (although Marriott may have their own system for this in their app)
- You can't charge purchases from the Disney parks, store, restaurants, etc. to your room.
- You can't add the Disney dining plan.
Theming - Disney-owned resorts are heavily themed, often immersing guests in a specific Disney story or environment. The Swan and Dolphin, while beautifully designed with a whimsical, postmodern aesthetic, have a more understated Disney theme. This can be a plus for those who prefer a more sophisticated atmosphere.
Booking and Rewards - As part of the Marriott family, the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve Resort allows guests to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points. This can be a significant advantage for Marriott loyalty members who want to use, or accumulate, points for their stay.
Price Point - The Swan and Dolphin often offer a more competitive price point compared to Disney-owned deluxe resorts. This is especially true when compared to the other resorts on the Epcot strip (Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk). If you have always wanted to stay in that area, but you thought you could never afford to, the Swan and Dolphin may be worth looking into.

8. Fun Facts

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort was designed by the renowned architect Michael Graves, who was awarded the prestigious American Institute of Architects Gold Medal. The resort's distinctive swan and dolphin statues on the roof are iconic, each weighing over 60,000 pounds and standing 56 feet tall!

Why does the dolphin look like a fish?

The design choice stems from the fact that architect Michael Graves envisioned a dolphin as a "dolphinfish" (also known as a mahi-mahi), rather than the marine mammal. The stylized statue represents this fish, making it a distinctive and memorable feature of the resort. This creative interpretation adds an extra layer of intrigue to the resort's already unique architecture.

Final Thoughts

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, along with the Swan Reserve, combines the best of both worlds: the magic of Disney and the luxury of a world-class resort. With its wide range of room options, exceptional dining, expansive pool areas, relaxing spa offerings, and convenient transportation to the Disney parks, it's an ideal choice for families, couples, and anyone looking to experience the magic of Disney in style. Whether you're planning a relaxing getaway or a fun-filled adventure, the Swan and Dolphin Resort offers everything you need for an unforgettable stay - all with the added benefit of Marriott's renowned hospitality and rewards program. Plus, with fun and quirky design elements like the fish inspired Dolphin statue, this resort is sure to leave a lasting impression.