Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Review
There are so many great Disney World resorts to stay at while in Orlando, Florida. But also on Disney property is the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.
While I love the Disney resorts, my family stays at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin most often because of the great price, the location, and the amazing amenities.
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Overview
The Disney Swan and Dolphin is one of the few non-Disney owned resorts on Disney property. The Swan and Dolphin was built in 1990 as a joint venture between Disney and Starwood Hotels but the Swan and Dolphin are now owned by Marriott.
Unknown to most, Disney’s Swan and Dolphin has almost all the perks and amenities offered to Walt Disney World guests but with more flexible prices.
Unlike Disney World resorts, the Swan and Dolphin have very little Disney theming but the resorts have a modern, contemporary feel.
If your looking for an alternative to a Walt Disney World resort, considering staying at Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin during your next Disney vacation!
Location and Transportation
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is located between Epcot and Hollywood Studios on Disney’s Boardwalk. Since the Swan and Dolphin is located on Disney’s Boardwalk, it is situated between Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort.
Disney’s Swan and Dolphin’s location is super convenient if you like to visit Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Since the Swan and Dolphin is so close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you can actually walk.
If you want to save your feet, Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin has boat transportation to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Boardwalk, and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club.
If going to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs, you’ll need to take bus transportation.
In the past, Disney’s Swan and Dolphin had Disney bus transportation but this may have changed recently. When I stayed at the Swan in January 2021, third party buses transported guests to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs.
Hopefully Disney bus service will continue to service the Swan and Dolphin Resorts once the COVID pandemic is over.
In terms of transportation to the Orlando airport, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin doesn’t offer complimentary transportation to or from the airport. I would recommend Uber or Lyft, it typically only costs between $30-$50 depending on the time of day.
Disney World Privileges
Disney’s Swan and Dolphin is one of the only resorts on Disney’s property that isn’t a Disney resort. Even though the Swan and Dolphin isn’t a Disney World resort, you still get almost all the amenities of a Disney resort.
Many Disney resort perks have changed in recent months in response to the COVID pandemic. As of today, Disney is not offering Fastpasses. In normal times, Swan and Dolphin guests get access to reserve their Fastpasses 60 days in advance, the same as Disney World resort guests.
Additionally, Disney guests can reserve Disney dining reservations 30 days in advance. In normal times, Disney World resort guests can reserve Disney dining reservations 180 days in advance. The same goes for Swan and Dolphin guests.
Another Disney guest perk is extra magic hours. Like the other Disney perks, extra magic hours have changed due to the pandemic.
In the past, Disney had scheduled morning and evening extra magic hours at one Disney park each day. In January 2021, Disney extra magic hours changed so now Disney resort guests can access any Disney park 30 minutes before official park opening. This perk is extended to Disney Swan and Dolphin guests too!
A Disney amenity that I mentioned above, is Disney bus transportation. Disney resorts offer guests complimentary bus transportation to all four Disney theme parks and Disney Springs. Disney Swan and Dolphin also offers free bus transportation to the Disney parks and Disney Springs.
One of the greatest parts of Disney’s Swan and Dolphin is all the amazing Disney amenities that are available to you. Make sure to take advantages of the Disney resort perks while not being a Disney resort guest.
Rooms
The rooms at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin resorts are typical resort rooms. The Swan and Dolphin rooms are contemporary, modern and welcoming for your stay at Walt Disney World.
Personally, I think the rooms at the Swan and Dolphin are super comfy and the beds are amazing! I sleep better at Disney World than at home haha!
A little known tip is that the Swan rooms have queen beds and the Dolphin rooms have full beds. Dolphin rooms are a little bigger and can accommodate a roll away if you have a family of 5.
Depending on what size bed you prefer or the size of your family, you can choose the Swan or Dolphin, whichever is better for your family vacation!
The Swan and Dolphin sheets are also amazing too, check out these great hotel luxury sheets on Amazon to sleep like your at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin!
Food Options
The Swan and Dolphin have more dining options than almost all Disney World resorts on property. If your a foodie, this is definitely the place for you!
Shula’s Steak House
If you like premium, aged steaks, than Shula’s Steak House is for you. Shula’s offers some of the best steaks at Disney World. To make a dining reservation at Shula’s, check out the My Disney Experience app.
II Mulino New York Trattoria
II Mulino is one of the best Italian restaurants in New York City and it came to Disney World. If you want excellent Italian food at Disney, make sure to try II Mulino at the Swan.
Kimonos
Voted one of the best sushi restaurants in Orlando, Kimonos has great food, an inviting atmosphere, and even entertainment. Kimonos sometimes has karaoke, lively music, and a late night crowd.
Todd English’s Bluezoo
On vacation many people want dinner from a celebrity chef like Todd English. At Todd English’s Bluezoo, try fresh seafood and a vibrant atmosphere. Check out the delicious dining at Disney’s Dolphin!
Garden Grove
One of the most unique restaurants at Disney World is the Garden Grove at Disney’s Swan. The Garden Grove has an incredible 25 foot oak tree as the centerpiece to the restaurant.
If you like American food and Disney park atmosphere outside the parks, Garden Grove is a great dining option for you!
The Fountain
Who doesn’t love ice cream and American food like burgers and fries, this is the place for you. The Fountain is great option for late night snacks, a quick bite, or a sweet treat!
Besides these quick service and table service dining locations, there are several other bars, snack locations, and even pool bars.
When staying at Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin, you certainly won’t go hungry. There are so many great dining options to choose from!
To prepare for all the walking and eating you’ll do at Disney, make sure to bring some Liquid IV. One packet of Liquid IV is like drinking 3 bottles of water so it will help keep you hydrated!
Amenities
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin has more amenities than most resorts on Disney property. If you love the pool or even the beach, the Swan and Dolphin have these!
The Swan and Dolphin have two large pools and one even features a waterslide. Besides the pools, Disney’s Swan and Dolphin has there own small pond and beach.
For those with families, the Swan and Dolphin has a kiddie pool. During non-COVID times, the pool often has entertainment too like contests and fun activities to do with your family.
Make sure to bring a dry bag to keep your stuff dry while by the pool, beach, or even in the park if it rains!
Like Disney, the Swan and Dolphin has their own spa too! The Mandara Spa at the Swan and Dolphin has all the spa treatments you could ask for!
If your looking to make working out part of your Disney vacation, there is a state of the art fitness center at your fingertips.
The Disney Swan and Dolphin has all the amenities you could want on your Disney trip!
Before your book your next Disney World vacation, consider checking out the Swan and Dolphin. The Swan and Dolphin have everything you could want in a Disney resort but with a cheaper price tag.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is our favorite place to stay when we visit Disney World and I recommend you try it out on your next Disney trip!
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This resort is also one of the most popular landmarks that represent Post-modern architecture. It’s a famous design by Michael Graves. I remembered he said that the initial idea of using the image of the swan and dolphin is because they are two characters that haven’t been used by Disney at that moment. Very interesting and I really love this resort!