Adorned with two 47 foot tall Swans on top of the hotel, this modern day Florida Resort is a sister Resort to the Dolphin. Owned by the Westin, the Resort still handles Disney reservations due to its location on Disney property. With a coral and peach exterior, this Resort has been described as art deco gone hay wire. The theme of this hotel may be a bit different and the service less ‘sugar coated’ than other Disney World Resorts, but it still gives guests something to talk about.
Resort Layout
Guest Rooms
Services & Amenities
Check-In & Check-Out
Dining
Recreation
Transportation
Things to Know
Resort Layout:
The Swan has a twelve storey main building with two seven-storey towers which makes it visible from inside Epcot. The Swan theme is carried out into the interior of the building. A Swan fountain is on display in the lobby with vibrant, tropical colors and pineapple print carpet throughout. Even the furniture has carvings of swans in some form or another. Murals have been painted on the walls to the guest rooms as well.
The Swan has very impressive convention facilities. Between the Swan and Dolphin there is 254,000 square feet of meeting space, a 56,000 square foot exhibit hall, 72 meeting rooms, 3 ballrooms, and 3 boardrooms. Business services are available to all Swan Resort guests.
Being close to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and other Resorts makes the Swan a great choice for staying in Disney World. The dining options seem almost endless with great choices from both the Swan and Dolphin, but also those at the BoardWalk, Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Epcot’s restaurants are just a short walk away as well. Entertainment from the Boardwalk as well as Fantasia Gardens mini golf complex is nearby.
Guest Rooms:
There are 758 guest rooms at the Swan which are decorated with earth-tone pastels and custom designed carpet and draperies by Michael Graves. The headboards of the beds are accented by original Graves artwork and the maple wood dresser is accented with frosted glass. The rooms feature either one king size bed or two double plush beds, a room safe, two phones, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, mini bar for an additional charge, a small sitting area with two chairs and a table, and lots of closet and drawer space. The bathroom is large with a separate vanity area. In-room movies and Nintendo games are available for an additional fee.
There are three different types of views offered at the Swan. The Standard view overlooks the hotel grounds which may include the parking lot. The Standard Water View includes a view of the lake or a view of the waterway to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, gardens and parts of the BoardWalk Villas. The Resort View offers a view of the courtyard, Dolphin Resort, gardens and the swimming area. Not all rooms have balconies.
Concierge accommodations are available at the Resort. The concierge service is referred as the Royal Beach Club. Extra services and amenities that are included besides the standard room features are nightly turndown service and plush bathrobes. Concierge staff is always available to help guests with dining reservations, tee times, transportation or any other special arrangements.
The Royal Beach Club service also includes full use of the private Royal Beach Club Lounge which offers a deluxe continental breakfast featuring freshly baked pastries, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, juice and coffee. Hors d’oeuvres are offered and include fruit, cheeses and fresh baked cookies. An Honor bar is offered from 5pm to 8 pm where wine and champagne are available.
Services & Amenities:
- Room Service
- 17 restaurants and lounges
- Concierge desk
- Health Club
- Babysitting and child services
- Pak-n-play crib available
- Room and facilities for guest with disabilities
- Self parking
- Valet parking available for a nominal fee
- Laundry facilities and services
- Meeting and banquet facilities
- Business Center
Check-In & Check-Out:
Check-in is at 3 pm. It is possible your room may be available prior to that time, but it is not guaranteed. Express Check-in is available at the hotel. To use this service you will need to provide your credit card number and your arrival time to the reservation agent. Once at the hotel just let the bellman know you are using the Express Check-in and you will be guided to the Express Check-in desk to pick up your room keys. Check-out is at 11 am however for an additional fee, departure time can be changed to a later time. Late check-out times are dependant on availability of the rooms.
Dining:
Since the Swan and Dolphin are located facing one another there are many restaurants to choose from. It is just a short walk away, across the inlet of Crescent Bay to have meals at either the Swan or Dolphin Resorts.
The Garden Grove Cafe offers a morning character breakfast buffet. Lunch include fresh seafood and other grilled meats. During the dinner hours the restaurant changes into Gulliver’s Grill and features steak and seafood. Watch the chefs make desserts in the open kitchen setting. (Swan)
Splash Grill is a casual restaurant for hamburgers, hot dogs and such. Located near the pool, Splash Grill also offers a full bar, ice creams and snacks. Splash Grill is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. (Swan)
At Kimonos watch the sushi chefs prepare the oriental specials and sushi and relax by having a drink while you wait for your meal. Kimonos is only open during the dinner hours. Karaoke is also offered nightly after 9 pm. (Swan)
il Mulino New York Trattoria has a very extensive menu that features Italian cuisine from the Abruzzi region of Italy. Dishes are based on original Italian recipes that showcase seafood from the coast and meats from the mountains. The sophisticated décor will allow guests to lose themselves in the sights, sounds and aromas of this lively bistro.(Swan)
Dolphin Fountain and Snack Shop has a 50's style diner atmosphere. Ice cream, shakes and burgers make up the menu. Wait staff may begin dancing and singing to 50's tunes during the meal. The Dolphin Fountain is open for lunch and dinner and is located on the lower level. (Dolphin)
Tubbi's Buffeteria offers cafeteria service and a 24 hour convenience store offers a wide selection of food as well. Tubbi's is open for all meals. (Dolphin)
The Cabana Bar and Grill is located near the pool and is casual meal service. Burgers and salads and beverages are available. The Cabana is open daily. (Dolphin)
Shula's Steakhouse is a steakhouse decorated in heavy dark woods which is located on the lobby level, reservations are accepted. Shula's serves dinner only. (Dolphin)
Picabu’s is a self service dining area that is open 24 hours a day. Here guests will find many of the American favorite foods. (Dolphin)
Fresh Mediterranean Market is open for a breakfast and lunch buffet. (Dolphin)
BlueZoo is a restaurant by Todd English and open for late lunch and dinner. (Dolphin)
Room Service is available 24 hours a day. Breakfast, all-day dining and late night menus are available.
Recreation:
Pool
There is two lap pools and the tropical "Grotto" to take a swim in. One lap pool is located near the Dolphin, and the other is located near the Swan. The Grotto is a 3-acre water playground complete with waterfalls, slides, water volleyball, and hot tubs and white sand beach. A kiddie pool is near the Grotto for the little ones. Pool toys are available for renting. The Cabana Beach Hut has complimentary towels, life vests, basketballs and volleyballs.
Health Club
Both the Swan and Dolphin have Health Clubs. Guests can work out a weight-lifting machines, free weights and aerobic machines. Massage therapy, Body Treatments, saunas, whirlpools, and aerobics are also offered at each health club.
Game Room
The Swan has a game room located next to the Splash Grill. The Dolphin has on next to the Health Club.
Miniature Golf
Fantasia Gardens is a five minute walk away and two 18 hole courses. A more challenging game can be played on Fantasia Fairways.
Resort Tours
Resort tours are available daily by request. Call the Concierge for details.
Billiards
Billiards are available (coin operated) at the Dolphin's East Wing, lobby level.
Shopping
Disney’s Cabana is the spot to shop at the Swan. The store features Disney merchandise, sundries and basic necessities. Men’s and women’s clothing can also be found here. There are also four shops at the Dolphin that are available.
Transportation:
To get to any Disney Resort or theme park you can drive yourself, take a taxi or use the wonderful Disney Transportation System. Disney Transportation includes buses, boats, the monorail and the Magical Express Service.
By Bus:
Theme Parks, Water Parks, Disney Resorts and the Downtown Disney area are accessible by the bus system. Buses travel on routes throughout the Resorts but do not provide direct service between all destinations and require transfer from one bus to another.
Bus service to the Theme Parks begins approximately two hours before opening. Generally buses will run every 20 minutes throughout the day and continue to operate until two hours after park closing. During peak times, buses can get a little crowded, but there is usually another bus that arrives quickly after so guests are not waiting long periods of time. Magic Kingdom is not accessible by bus from the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Polynesian Resort. These Resorts provide monorail transportation to the park.
By Boat:
The Disney ferryboats connect the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center, which is adjacent to the parking lot. Entering the park by ferryboat gives guests a chance to float by some of the Deluxe Resorts. This is also the best way to get the first glimpse of Cinderella Castle. If guests are staying at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Resort, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground or Wilderness Lodge, the Magic Kingdom is accessible byboat at their own water launches.
Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are accessible by boat from BoardWalk Inn and Villas Resort, the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
Downtown Disney is accessible by ferryboat from Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Old Key West Resort.
By Monorail:
There are three loops to the monorail system. Loop A runs counterclockwise connecting Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop B runs clockwise along side Loop A and stops at the Ticket and Transportation Center, Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort and back to the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop C runs from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot including a quick tour inside the park around Spaceship Earth. Service generally starts an hour and a half before opening and ends two hours after closing.
If you bring or rent a car, there is plenty of free parking at the Resorts and parks. Depending on your room location, you may or may not be able to park close to your room. Ask when room selection is made.
Things to Know:
Fireworks can be seen from the IllumiNations display at Epcot. Of course, upper floor rooms offer the best view of the fireworks. Or sit down at the beach that adjoins the Swan and Dolphin themed pool for a great view of IllumiNations' fireworks.
If you miss the Friendship launch that takes you to Epcot, you can easily walk to the Yacht Club or the Boardwalk and catch it there. If you miss the Friendship launch for the Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Swan and Dolphin are the last stops so you will be waiting for the next launch.
