Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort Review
Disney’s Swan and Dolphin is part of the Epcot Resorts Area at Walt Disney World. It’s unique in the fact that the resort is owned and operated by Marriott instead of Disney. It’s the only on-property hotel that’s technically not Disney-owned. This review will share an overview of what to expect when staying at the resort, updates on recent changes, and other considerations for planning a stay.
For reference, the Swan and Dolphin are comprised of two hotels. Hence the name, the Swan and the Dolphin. The Swan is the more boutique side of the resort while the Dolphin has an attached convention center. The resorts are currently undergoing a significant renovation and expansion. As of this update, all rooms on the Swan side of the resort have been completely renovated. The $275 million expansion is expected to be completed in the late summer of 2026.
An additional resort, the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve sits nearby. It’s a much newer resort that opened in 2021. We have a separate review of the Swan Reserve if you would like to know more. Guests of all three resorts share amenities, including the popular Grotto Pool area.
This article was updated on April 6, 2025.
We were surprised on this visit to receive a text that our room was ready well before our arrival. While that’s not a guarantee, it was nice to know we could head straight to the room as soon as we got there. I would imagine that most guests like to crash when they first get to the room after a long day of travel. That, however, is when our real work begins. You and I both know the hotel room will never look the same after unpacking. We received a standard room with a king-size bed. Note the floor plan of the room remains the same but the furnishings have been updated since this stay. See the article below for a preview of the room’s new color scheme.
The room features a mini-sofa near the window, which I always enjoy.
The guest bath is sizeable, featuring two separate vanities.
Our room had a walk-in shower instead of a tub with shower combination.
By the time I finished taking photos, it was after 10:30 p.m. I was unsure whether I would find anything open at the hotel, but I decided to venture out anyway. At the very least, I could enjoy the nighttime dancing light show on the breezeway between the two hotels. When I got to the Dolphin, I noticed a good deal of guests at Phins, a bar in the Dolphin’s lobby. Since the Dolphin has a large convention center attached, it’s not uncommon to find more of an adult crowd at the hotel.
Thankfully, Fuel was still open. But as I walked to the entrance, the manager was locking things up. So I quickly grabbed a soda and a salad to take back to the room. In the past, Picabu, the primary quick service at the Swan and Dolphin, was our late-night dining spot when we stayed here. They were often open 24 hours. However, since this stay, Picabu closed. A new combined dining and recreation location called Lagoon Games, Lanes, and Eats opened in its place.
By this time, it was late, and I needed a good night’s sleep. I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow. To my surprise, I woke up to the most beautiful view the following day.
When I arrived, everything was so dark that I could not see much other than the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For the record, this is a standard view. Over the years, I have found that many of the rooms at the Swan and Dolphin have pleasant views. However, we have had a few views that faced the rooftop of surrounding buildings that were not so pleasant.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not always in a position where I can afford to upgrade to a room with a view. So I don’t typically recommend paying the extra expense. But looking back, I remember some of my trips here more fondly than others. That’s likely due to receiving complimentary room view upgrades or standard rooms that offer decent views like this one. Therefore, if you plan to spend a decent amount of time relaxing at the resort, you might benefit from an upgraded room view. But if not, you could still luck up and receive a room with a beautiful view.
You’ll find a variety of room options between the hotels. First, you’ll likely want to decide which building you prefer and then look at the room choices. The price is typically the deciding factor for our travel party. That often translates to picking the least expensive room available on our travel dates.
The following room types are available between the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:
- Traditional Room
- Deluxe Room
- Family Room
Additionally, there are several suites available:
- Junior Suite
- Executive Suite
- Grand Suite
- Signature Suite
- Governor’s Suite
- Chairman’s Suite
- Presidential Suite
If you compare the standard rooms at the Dolphin and Swan, there is one significant factor you’ll want to consider. Standard rooms at the Swan have two queen-size beds, while the Dolphin’s rooms have two double beds (full-size). If you’re a party who will share beds, you’ll have a little more mattress square footage at the Swan. We’ve stayed at both resorts multiple times, and I don’t feel that you’ll notice many significant differences if you look at them a whole. Again, the Dolphin is larger and will be somewhat busier. I tend to lean toward the Swan but the Dolphin is probably a little more convenient to the pool and most dining options.
Guests of both the Swan and Dolphin will receive many of the same benefits as neighboring Disney Resort Hotels like the Beach and Yacht Club or the BoardWalk. For starters, guests can take advantage of the early theme park entry benefit. This benefit gives you a 30-minute head start in the parks over guests visiting from off-property. While an extra thirty minutes might not sound like much, you’ll be able to head straight to one of the more popular rides and get it out of the way before long lines begin to form. You’ll also be able to participate in extended theme park hours on select evenings at select theme parks. Typically, these nights are held twice weekly and last for two hours after the park closes.
Another benefit is being able to purchase Lightning Lane selections up to seven days before your stay. See our Lightning Lane Guide for details on how the system works. Guests will also have access to complimentary transportation, special offers, on-site planning concierge, and complimentary parking at the theme parks. We’ll further examine how transportation works at the resorts below. On the flip side, you will have parking and resort fees. Resort fees are not included in upfront pricing, so you will be aware of them. If you have a car, the daily fee to use the parking lot is outrageous, though comparable to other hotels that charge parking fees. It’s one of our few complaints about the resort.
It’s no secret that Disney’s Swan and Dolphin offers a serene outdoor setting. Between the luscious green landscaping and surrounding views, the entire atmosphere is relaxing. Outdoor amenities include swimming pools, sports courts, and a white sand beach.
The Swan and Dolphin’s Grotto Pool area continues the hotel’s calm retreat feel. This sizable pool area is near the top of our list of the best resort pools at Disney World. Like its name, the pool has a large grotto area underneath a waterfall. The article below covers everything you need to know about the pool and contains numerous photos.
Related: The Swan and Dolphin Hotel Pools
The Grotto Pool is expansive, with a waterslide and several water features.
A separate lap pool is available at the Dolphin.
On the Swan side of the resort, you’ll find an additional lap pool.
Four whirlpool spas are spread out between the two resorts.
A kiddie pool sits toward the back of the Grotto Pool area.
A significant white sand beach sits between the pools and the lake. This area has two volleyball courts, loungers, a beachside playground, and rentals.
Here is a photo of the large sports court area behind the pool.
Below, we see the outdoor playground.
The trail around Crescent Lake is a wonderful place to run at Disney World.
Related: The Best Places to Jog at Disney World
A few other activities at the Swan and Dolphin include:
- Camp Dolphin
- Health Club
- Arcade
- Mandara Spa
Camp Dolphin is a kids’ club for children ages 5-12. It’s open in the evenings from 4:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. You can read more about the club here on the hotel’s site.
Disney’s Swan and Dolphin each have a fitness center. Both gyms are located near the pool area.
One of the best features of the resort is the numerous dining option. There are so many that we have a separate restaurant guide for the resort. For this review, we’ll briefly preview the restaurants. But I recommend checking out the complete guide for dining specifics.
For those interested in signature dining at Disney World, you’ll likely want to plan at least one meal during your stay. Disney’s Swan and Dolphin are home to several signature dining locations. The first of those signature restaurants is Shula’s Steak House. This restaurant is located on the Dolphin side of the resort. Shula’s Orlando location has a lengthy list of awards and is well worth securing a reservation. Since our stay, we dined at Shula’s with a pretty large group, and it was one of the best meals I’ve had at Walt Disney World. The service was exceptional.
Related: Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Restaurants Guide
Todd English’s Bluezoo, another fine dining location, is located on the Dolphin portion of the resort. Bluezoo is predominantly a seafood restaurant with a long list of accolades.
On the Swan side, there’s Il Mulino, which offers Italian cuisine. While I don’t have a current review, we’ve dined at Il Mulino in the past and look forward to returning.
Lastly, as far as fine dining goes, there’s Kimonos, also located on the Swan side of the resort. Kimonos serves a menu predominantly composed of high-end sushi and other Asian cuisines.
Disney’s Swan is home to Garden Grove. This location is only open select days of the week (Thursday through Monday) and serves breakfast. Years ago, it was a popular character dining location.
The Fountain is a casual table service restaurant on the Dolphin’s ground level. It is one of our favorite hidden gems at Disney World. Expect casual, diner-style food along with a few healthy options. We enjoy dining here and appreciate that they are often open until 11:00 p.m.
Rosa Mexicano is located on the lower level of the Dolphin. This location offers a daily breakfast buffet and a regular menu for lunch and dinner. We recently had lunch there and thought it was reasonably priced with a nice variety of food. If you’re looking to enjoy a leisurely meal without leaving the hotel, check it out.
Related: Rosa Mexicano Review
Those looking to spend a day or evening at the pool will want to have a meal at the Cabana Bar and Beach Club. This location is perfect for enjoying an alfresco meal, and the menu has several unique items. Additionally, toward the Swan side, the Splash pool bar serves up cocktails and snacks.
Lastly, you’ll find three quick-service options between the Swan and Dolphin. Each location is set up similarly to a convenience store, offering deli-style options. They are Java, Chill, and Fuel. We have two photo posts that share what was available during our stay.
If these choices aren’t enough, you can walk to the Disney Boardwalk or Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club to enjoy their dining choices. You can also dine at Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios as long as you have valid park admission. Both parks are within a short boat ride or walk of the Swan and Dolphin. We recommend having a park-hopper ticket to take advantage of being so close to both parks.
Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts offer multiple transportation options to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. You can walk, boat, or bus from either resort to specific locations. Walking is the biggest perk. You can walk from Disney’s Swan and Dolphin to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The walk to either park averages 15 minutes at a steady pace.
Related: Disney Resorts Within Walking Distance of the Theme Parks
Disney’s FriendShip’s service the Swan and Dolphin Resorts. If you prefer not to walk, you can take a boat. The Friendship Boats travel back and forth in this order to the following locations:
- Epcot
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin
- Hollywood Studios
Check out our complete guide to Disney’s FriendShip Boat Service to learn more about timing and other details for the boats.
When traveling to other parks and Disney Springs, you’ll likely want to take advantage of the resort’s bus service. Disney’s Swan and Dolphin provide Mears bus service to and from the following locations:
- Magic Kingdom (Drops off at the Transportation and Ticket Center)
- Animal Kingdom
- Disney Springs
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Blizzard Beach
The Swan and the Dolphin have separate bus stops but share a bus service. Resort guests are welcome to use whichever bus stop is convenient. I mention this because I nearly always exit the bus at the Swan and walk back to the Dolphin.
However, it is important to note that the bus stops at the theme parks are in different locations from Disney Resort buses. For instance, when you visit Magic Kingdom, you are dropped off at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Therefore, you’ll have to take the monorail to Magic Kingdom, or you can take the ferry. Unfortunately, this route will add 15-30 minutes to your travel time to the Magic Kingdom. It will also add an extra hassle when leaving the park.
While it’s frowned upon by some, there are a few ways you can circumvent this issue. For instance, you can take a bus from Magic Kingdom back to the Beach Club, Yacht Club, BoardWalk, or vice-versa. Then, you’ll have to walk back to the Swan and Dolphin. Disney’s transportation is accessible to all who visit. It’s one of the few extras available to anyone staying on or off-property. I wouldn’t hesitate to take a Disney bus to a theme park to shop, dine, or explore a resort where I’m not staying.
Anyway, keep that tip in mind and use it at your discretion. When visiting Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or the water parks, I don’t see a convenience issue with the bus. The bus stop at Animal Kingdom is closer to the park entrance than Disney’s bus stop.
Related: Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Transportation Options
In addition to what we’ve already discussed, there are a few other extra amenities available at the Swan and Dolphin. For starters, the surrounding resort area offers plenty to do and explore. You might enjoy our list of things to do at Disney’s BoardWalk, which is only a short walk away. The resorts also each have a hotel gift shop. Cabanas is located off the lobby on the Swan side of the resort. The Cabanas gift shop is a great place to pick up anything from a pair of Minnie Mouse Ears to sunglasses.
On the Dolphin side of the resort, you’ll find the Disney Gift Shop, which is comparable to Cabanas at the Swan. Of all the shops, I enjoy browsing Accents the most. Accents is a boutique store offering higher-end merchandise.
If you’re looking for a place to do laundry during your stay a large laundry facility is available on the ground-level floor of the Dolphin.
Related: Laundry Facilities at the Swan and Dolphin
Next door to the Swan Reserve, you’ll find Fantasia Gardens, a mini-golf course. Mini-golf is an extra cost experience, but it might be worth a visit on a more laid-back vacation.
As mentioned earlier, a nightly light show is available on the causeway between the Swan and Dolphin. Each evening, the walkway between the row of palm trees lights up in pretty colors while inviting music plays in the background. Those kinds of little things make me love this resort so dearly.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Disney’s Swan and Dolphin has many pros and a few cons. Unfortunately, those cons include a daily resort fee, which we already discussed. You’ll also want to consider and compare the parking charges if you’ll have a car. Remember, you can take advantage of complimentary parking at the theme parks, but the resort’s parking charge cancels that out. Valet parking is also an option at the Swan and Dolphin. For a minimal per-day difference, I will almost always choose valet over self-parking.
Hopefully, this Swan and Dolphin review provided you with enough information to decide whether a stay here is suitable for your group. Like every other resort at Disney, it has many positives and a few negatives. I have always enjoyed our stays here with only minor complaints. I’ve also been fortunate to stay here many times since the resort first opened.
Whatever you decide, you can hardly beat staying at any resort in the area. For other nearby hotel reviews, you might enjoy the following:
Or you might also enjoy our Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort Guide. If you prefer Marriott Hotels, we have a complete guide to the best Marriotts near Disney World. It includes budget-friendly to high-end accommodations near Disney World.
In the Comments
Did you find this Swan and Dolphin review helpful? What are your thoughts on planning a stay here? Do you have any questions about the Swan or Dolphin? Let us know in the comments.
