Walt Disney World Swan Resort
My sister Shealy and I recently stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort. It is part of the Marriott portfolio of hotels and resorts located in Orlando, Florida. Specifically within the Marriott brand, it is a Westin, which brings many perks to staying at this stunning resort. One of my favorites, which we will get to later, is the Westin Heavenly Beds! Divine! This resort is nestled comfortably in the Epcot Resort Area of Walt Disney World’s expansive property. With stunning views, amenities, and perks, this resort is not to be missed! The Swan and Dolphin Resorts are and have been visual landmarks since 1990 when both the Swan and Dolphin Resort opened to the public. You can see the infamous Swans and Dolphins on top of the resorts from most of Walt Disney World.
Location! Location! Location! Some of the perks of staying at this stunning resort are the proximity to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the Epcot area Resorts, including the Boardwalk Resort and Yacht & Beach Club. You are within walking distance from these other resorts as well as Epcot and Hollywood Studios. There are numerous ways to get around while staying at the Swan and Dolphin Properties. The fan favorite is the Friendship Boats, which take you to Hollywood Studios and Epcot’s International Gateway. A bus service also drops you off at the TTC (Transportation and Ticket Center) for the Magic Kingdom, directly to Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. Also, the cutest mode of transportation is Disney’s Minnie Van Services, connected through Lyft.
A huge perk is that you are a 15-minute walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios! I recommend making a breakfast reservation at one of the Monorail Resorts and Uber or Lyft on your Magic Kingdom day. After breakfast, you can take The Walt Disney World transportation to the park. Fan favorites are Steakhouse 71, Chef Mickey’s, ‘Ohana, Kona Cafe, and the Grand Floridian Cafe! The Resort Monorail will take you directly to Magic Kingdom. These are just a few tips and tricks that I share with my clients. Ready to become one? Contact me now to get started!
Let’s move on to my favorite subject! The food! The Swan and Dolphin, the sister property of the Swan Resorts, has much to offer. Starting with the Swan Resort, Kimonos, Garden Grove, and Il Mulino are going to be options to most certainly look into. Not to mention the multiple grab-and-go and quick service options around the resort. Steps away from the Swan is the sister resort, the Dolphin, which has a few more Signature offerings to consider. Shula’s Steakhouse, for all of you Steak lovers and football fans. The French Onion Soup was amazing! There’s also Rosa’s Mexicano, which opened recently. Todd English’s Blue Zoo and the Fountain are all fun spots to check out. Finally, let’s not forget the Swan Reserve, the newest addition to the Swan and Dolphin Resort Family. Amare and Tangerine are absolute contenders as well. The Mahi Salad at Tangerine was my favorite salad that I had on the property on my last trip.
Westin’s Heavenly Bed®️ was one of the top reasons I wanted to try this resort. I had heard the Westin Beds were incredible. If we had not been getting up for early morning hours at the parks, yet another perk of staying at the Swan and Dolphin, we more than likely would have been sleeping each morning. The bathrooms were standard size in our Traditional Room. With an additional private vanity outside of the bathroom with a mirror, which is convenient when you have two people wanting to get ready in the morning and/or getting “gussied up” for an evening out. There was plenty of storage space under the sink as well as in the full-size closet. Our traditional room had a shower/tub combo, which is great for traveling with little ones. There’s a desk, chair, and something you won’t find in any other Walt Disney World rooms…a clock radio on your bedside table! There were plenty of outlets and USB options. I recommend bringing a multi-use plug extension if you are traveling for work or filming Disney content. You can find the link here and my videos on Resort Room Essentials.
Two Queen-size beds feature a pillow-top mattress, a white goose-down comforter, and four overstuffed pillows. The room itself is spacious. There’s a full-size dresser along with an in-room miniature refrigerator and safe. Single-brew coffee makers and coffee are a nice touch. However, I would head downstairs to Java and get some of the property's best coffee and tea options. The decor at the Swan Resort was relaxing and luxurious. Relaxing blue and gray hues set the tone for what will be an absolutely amazing stay.
Some of the incredible recreational options at the Swan and Dolphin Resort would be their 5 amazing pools, including the 3-acre grotto. With pool bars and restaurants, you are sure to be completely content with staying all day in your lounge chair and umbrella. The Mandara Spa at the Dolphin Resort is a full-service spa and aesthetics center, including Skin and nail care, massages, hair and make-up, as well as fitness. There’s Disney golf with day guest golf tee times available for you to book up to 90 days before your stay. Fantasia Gardens and Fairway Miniature Golf are steps away from the resort. Camp Dolphin for kids and the famous Swan Boats are also part of the extras at your resort.
There’s so much to do, and we haven’t even entered the Disney Parks! With meeting and event space, your entire team could come down for a long weekend. How else can you pamper your staff? I’d say by showing them how seen and heard they are by booking your next team meeting, off-site, or convention at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts.
The last thing I want to mention is the Disney Perks. The Swan and Dolphin Resorts and the Swan Reserve are part of the WDW family and are considered Disney Deluxe Resorts. That’s right! You are paying moderate prices for Disney Deluxe perks. Early morning entry, extended evening hours (For Deluxe Resorts Only), and Walt Disney World transportation to the 4 theme parks and Disney Springs are included when you are staying at their properties. This is a big deal! You also can purchase ticket packages that link with your resort to your My Disney Experience App. I had no issues at all booking my Genie + and Lightning Lane while staying at The Swan. You can’t open your room with your Magic Band or Magic Band +. However, if that’s the one thing you can’t do, I’m not disappointed. You can still wear your Magic Bands and charge anything to your card that’s linked to your My Disney Experience Account while at the parks. There’s even a Swan and Dolphin App. This convenient app helps make reservations, order in-room dining, and communicate with their help desk.
If this sounds like something you’d like to book for your family, please contact me. This is just the beginning of where I come in.
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All the Best,
Caroline Christiansen, Professional Advisor for Glass Slipper Concierge