Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Review

We recently visited Walt Disney World on vacation for the first time since before the pandemic and decided to choose a different resort. We booked the Walt Disney World Swan for five nights beginning on March 20th, and it was our first time staying in the EPCOT resort area. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this resort, which is operated by Marriott and sits near the Dolphin and Swan Reserve. We ended up loving our stay, and I suspect we’ll stay in this area again in the near future. In particular, the location and price made the Swan an easy choice for this return to the parks.

Our room rate was $379 per night, which was pricey but well below similar options at nearby Disney resorts. For example, the Boardwalk Inn was $600 per night for the same time period even with a significant discount. The Swan does charge a resort fee of $35 per night, so you should consider that as part of the hotel price when comparing it to other hotels. They also charge $29 for self parking ($39 for valet), which is just slightly higher than the $25 that Disney charges for its Deluxe Resorts. The resort fee seems unnecessary, but I know it’s standard practice for many resorts in larger cities.

Disney has reduced the incentives to stay on site at Walt Disney World, and that makes the Swan more attractive. Since Disney’s Magical Express is gone and parking is no longer complementary at Disney’s resorts, there are fewer differences. The Swan is eligible for the Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, which are a great perk in peak times like Spring Break. Along with the Dolphin and Swan Reserve, it is also eligible for Early Theme Park Entry and for 7 a.m. booking of Individual Lightning Lanes. When you consider the remaining on-site perks, these Marriott hotels are comparable now. Let’s dig further into the specifics from our recent stay at the Swan!

Location, Location, Location!

The biggest draw of the Swan is the perfect location in the EPCOT resort area. I expected more convenience but underestimated the ease with reaching all four parks. We walked to the International Gateway in 15 minutes, and it’s more pleasant than a hot parking lot. The entrance in World Showcase was also pleasant and nearly empty, though we did arrive a few hours after opening. The walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios was just a few minutes longer than EPCOT, and we enjoyed strolling along the quiet waterway after a busy day at the park. It changes the whole vibe of your trip.

Another highlight of the location is the close proximity to the Boardwalk, which has a more relaxed atmosphere than Disney Springs. The mix of sit-down restaurants, bars, and quick-service options is easy to access and should please a wide range of palettes. We enjoyed strolling through the Boardwalk at night and enjoying the space. You can walk there in just a few minutes and take food back to your room. On our first night, we grabbed a large cheese pizza from the Pizza Window. There was a 45-minute wait, but we quickly passed the time shopping and checking out the entertainment.

The EPCOT resort area is charming at night, and the lights on the Swan and Dolphin build that mood. We appreciated just walking along the wide pathways away from the crowds in the parks. This picture gives a view from the far end of the Boardwalk looking towards the resorts. You can also take Friendship Boats to EPCOT and the Studios from the resorts and to this area. It’s less hectic than the buses and doesn’t take much longer. The Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk Inn resorts are also fun destinations that provide even more dining options in walking distance.

The Room

We stayed in Room 773, which was a resort-view traditional room with two queen beds. The size is 340 square feet, which is very similar to standard rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. These rooms were updated a few years ago, but you can definitely tell this hotel was opened in 1990. This is especially true in the bathroom, which could have used a little more space. When you look past the newer TV and furniture, you can see the structure from an earlier era. With that said, the room worked out well for us. It was clean, and the Heavenly Beds lived up to their billing. The Swan was originally a Westin property and maintains those beds from that time. We spent very little time in the room, so it served our purpose well.

Our room offered a cool view of Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a good perspective on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. We could even glimpse the spires of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the distance. We paid about $30 more per night for the resort view, and I think it was worth it. To the left of this picture, we could also see the Skyliner, the Boardwalk, and a little bit of the France pavilion in World Showcase. There is a less-attractive view of the Swan’s roof in the foreground, but it did not distract from the rest. We could even see a bit of the nighttime show at the Studios from the window.

Here’s a shot of the hallway near our room and the circular window at the far end. That opening also gave a cool glimpse of the Studios from a different vantage point. The Swan isn’t as large as the Dolphin or many other Disney resorts, so we weren’t navigating long hallways to access our room. We enjoyed the easy walk to the elevator for a quick ride to the lobby each day. With the exception of a crying baby one morning, we barely heard the other guests in our area. It’s unclear how much staffing has impacted the number of guests staying at the Swan, so lower capacity may have played a role in the quiet atmosphere.

We only received housekeeping once during our stay, and the front desk did mention that set-up when we checked in at the start. The Swan provides housekeeping after the third night of your stay, though they will provide more amenities sooner upon request. I know this is an issue at all hotels right now, so I wouldn’t put too much blame on Marriott here. Even so, it did create extra steps with removing trash and keeping towels clean. The room has single-use Starbucks coffee, which is a nice perk, but they only provided two servings. It seems like an easy fix would be providing extras so you don’t need to request more. This is a very small issue but does make the stay a bit less convenient given the room cost.

Exploring the Resort

The grounds of the Swan and Dolphin were a lot bigger than I expected; you never feel crowded next to other guests. The pathway between the resort and to the pools is huge, and it’s an attractive setting. The hotels are massive, but it’s still an inviting area because there’s so much space. We didn’t eat at the table service restaurants, but there are plenty of options for all types of eaters. You can enjoy a fancier meal at Il Mulino or Shula’s Steak House or just enjoy a quick bite at the Cabana Bar and Beach Club near the pool. The prices are on the high side but won’t seem too different from comparable Disney resorts.

There’s a sizeable beach area near the water, though we didn’t see many guests enjoying it. The resort fee includes the chance to drive a swan paddle boat, though I’m unsure if it was operating due to staffing shortages. We walked over there and couldn’t find anyone offering them at that time. The main benefit here is the space to move around and just relax when you aren’t visiting the parks.

There are several large pools at the Swan and Dolphin, with the highlight being the grotto pool. We spent one evening relaxing and swimming around the massive area, which includes a water slide and waterfall. There are also several lap pools that aren’t your typical hotel pools. I didn’t take advantage of this option but appreciated having such a large (and nearly empty) fitness pool there. You can also order food from the pool bars at both hotels and enjoy them at your chair right on the deck. There’s also a beer from Brew Hub made specifically for this hotel, the Phins & Feathers pale ale.

Here’s a shot from the lobby of a swan fountain near the elevators. The Swan has a pretty basic lobby and is quite different from the massive area in the Dolphin, but that fits with the quieter vibe there. Even with Spring Break crowds, I never experienced the sensory overload that I’ve encountered at other resorts. I should mention that a convention wasn’t happening during our stay, so you might have a different experience if a large event is occurring at either resort.

Disney operates the small gift shop near the lobby entrance, and it doubles as a planning center. We briefly visited the shop, and the merchandise fits with what you’d expect. I suspect that Disney would offer the typical assistance from their planning team, but we didn’t use them on our trip.

We also enjoyed spaces like this area that offered a quiet break early in the day. I picked up a coffee a few times at Java and sat outside near this fountain. Very few other guests used this area, which made it the perfect spot to record clips for my trip report podcast. It’s also a cool spot to pick up some food and relax, especially if you prefer to eat outside due to safety concerns.

Here’s a shot of the Swan Reserve, which is the most recent addition to this resort area. We considered staying there, and the room rates weren’t that much higher than the Swan. We ultimately didn’t book there due to the extra walk to the parks. However, I realized after being on site that the difference was very minor. The Swan Reserve offers fewer dining options, but it’s surprisingly close to the other resorts. We may consider staying there in the future since the rooms are a lot newer.

Should You Stay at the Swan?

If you’re looking for the location and perks of a Deluxe Resort without paying such exorbitant prices, the Walt Disney World Swan might be the right choice. If you don’t mind double beds, the Dolphin offers even more reasonable rates. Rooms started at $270 per night for our nights and are often cheaper. The key determination is what you’re looking for in a Disney resort. I’ve yet to mention theming, and that’s because the Swan doesn’t match resorts like the Polynesian or the Animal Kingdom Lodge on that front. It also doesn’t have large Disney characters like you might see at Art of Animation or Pop Century.

The lobby and grounds of the Swan are similar to a nice resort in a major city. They’re comfortable and inviting but differ from typical Disney resorts. We didn’t mind the change because we experienced plenty of the magic at the parks. We enjoyed the relaxed vibe as a way to take a break and recharge for the next day. I did miss the Disney Resort Channel; it’s not the same to learn about the offerings from Marriott Bonvoy. Even so, it’s a small issue when compared to the benefits at the Swan.

There are great off-site options close to Walt Disney World, but I know there’s still the allure of staying on property. The Swan combines the location you want from a Disney resort with a price that’s closer to a Moderate. The service was professional, and it’s hard to beat the dining options. If you have any questions about the Swan and if it’s right for you, leave them in the comments section. It worked out well for us, especially with Disney’s prices rising. You might be surprised by some of the perks at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve if you take a closer look.

Related Articles: Walt Disney World Swan

Learn more about our recent Walt Disney World vacation on Part 1 of my trip report podcast.

Check out even more details at the official website for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.

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