Benefits of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort offers prime location on Crescent Lake but also offers an affordable price tag. The benefits of staying at the Swan and Dolphin is the location and price. Disney owned Boardwalk Inn and Yacht/Beach Club are also on Crescent Lake but have a more expensive price tag.
Photo: Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
Location is one of the most important factors to consider when booking a hotel for Walt Disney World. Due to Walt Disney World being double the size of Manhattan, it can take a long time to get from point A to B.
Photo: Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
The Swan and Dolphin is also a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel offering many of the same perks as staying at a Disney owned property. The Swan and Dolphin can both be booked as a Disney Vacation Package through an authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
Location
The Swan and Dolphin Resort is separated into two buildings, The Swan and Dolphin. Both resorts are owned by Marriott and similar in price. The resorts share amenities and are connected via a covered walkway. Marriott is expanding the resort adding the Swan Reserve that will be slated to open September 1st.
The resorts are located on Crescent Lake between Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
Swan Reserve
Image Credit: Marriott
Transportation
The Swan and Dolphin resort use Disney boat transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. You can also walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios from the resort. Guests can take a short walk to Disney’s Boardwalk to enjoy nightlife and restaurants.
Photo: swananddolphin.com
The Swan and Dolphin resort use bus transportation to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The buses are operated by Mears. The bus schedule runs every 20-30 minutes.
Unfortunately the buses are not operated by Disney and therefore for Magic Kingdom you are dropped off at the Ticket and Transportation Center. If you want to avoid this you could walk to Boardwalk or Yacht Club and use their bus for Magic Kingdom.
As a guest of the Swan and Dolphin resort you will also receive free theme park parking at the four theme parks.
Dining
The Swan and Dolphin Resort have 17 bars, lounges, quick service, and table service restaurants. The Swan and Dolphin are also home to some signature restaurants, Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino, Kimonos, and Todd English’s Bluezoo.
The resort has 5 casual restaurants including the popular Garden Grove which offers a character breakfast on weekends. Unfortunately the character dining is currently suspended. 4 Quick Service restaurants and 5 lounges are shared between the two resorts. In room dining is also available.
Recreation
The Swan and Dolphin share one main feature pool featuring a waterfall, water slide, and kiddie pool. The resorts also share two lap pools.
Photo: swandolphin.com
The resorts have boat rentals, a beachside playground, volleyball, and ping pong tables. Included in the resort fee is rental of the Swan paddle boats. Cabanas are also available for rent. The resort also has a game located in the Dolphin resort.
Also located in the Dolphin Resort is Mandara Spa. Although the Disney owned spas have not reopened, Mandara Spa is open. Mandara Spa offers massages, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, and other healing treatments.
Source: Marriott
The Swan and Dolphin resort both have a fitness club within the resort. Both are open 24 hours a day.
Accommodations
The Swan and Dolphin resorts offer standard hotel rooms and suites. The Swan is a Westin hotel and the Dolphin is a Sheraton hotel. The rooms are similar than other Westin and Sheraton hotels.
Swan Standard Room
Source: Marriott
The Swan and Dolphin and soon to be Swan Reserve are all part of the Marriott brand. If you have Marriott elite status you can take advantage of elite benefits at both resorts.
We were able to use two Marriott Free Night Certificates on our two night stay but still were charged the resort and parking fee. Both the Swan and Dolphin charge a resort fee ($35) and parking fee ($29 self parking and $39 valet).
Oftentimes you can find AAA, first responders, and teacher discounts at the Swan and Dolphin. Keep in mind that although the nightly rate is lower than comparable Disney resorts the daily resort fee does add up.
Dolphin Standard Room
Source: Marriott
The benefits of staying at the Swan and Dolphin resorts are location and price. The Swan and Dolphin is perfectly located for both Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
The drawback of these resorts are the lack of curb appeal and theming that Disney resorts are known for. The daily resort and parking fee can also add to the cost of both resorts.
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