I grew up only some hours from Orlando and visited Walt Disney World usually as a child. I used to be all the time curious concerning the coral and turquoise resort with the five-story-high swans sitting atop the roof. It wasn’t till nicely into maturity that I lastly stayed on the Walt Disney World Swan Resort, and it’s now one in every of my favourite inns on Disney property.
Regardless that the Walt Disney World Swan and its sister properties, the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan Reserve inns, should not technically official Disney World inns, they’re close to Disney’s BoardWalk resort space between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Not solely is the Swan conveniently positioned close to two of Disney’s theme parks, however it additionally affords a number of perks for each Disney friends and Marriott Bonvoy members.
In case you, too, have been questioning what lies inside that swan-topped resort, here is all the things it’s good to find out about this Marriott resort at Disney World.
Getting there
The Walt Disney World Swan is positioned roughly 20 minutes from Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO). The second closest airport is Orlando Sanford Worldwide Airport (SFB), which is a few 45-minute drive, although most vacationers are available via MCO. Assuming you might be, as nicely, there are just a few choices for getting between MCO and the Walt Disney World Swan.
Rental automobile counters and ride-hailing providers are plentiful, however you would additionally take the Mears Join shuttle, which providers inns at and round Disney World. The round-trip worth is $32 for adults and $26 for youths ages 3 to 9. Youngsters below 3 journey totally free.
The resort additionally affords a non-public airport switch service, which you’ll be able to request right here.
Reserving particulars
Like its sister properties, the Walt Disney World Swan is managed by Marriott Worldwide. Meaning you possibly can earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors on your keep along with paying money charges. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy elite member, you may obtain the identical advantages right here as you’ll at another Marriott property.
Customary room charges vary from $256 to $340 per evening. The resort usually has particular affords obtainable for Disney World annual move holders, Florida residents, senior residents, educators, first responders and navy personnel. I used to be capable of reap the benefits of a company price of $224 per evening throughout my keep.
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Factors pricing ranges between about 45,000 and 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
In case you have an eligible Marriott Bonvoy cobranded bank card, you may additionally be capable of use your free evening certificates on the Walt Disney World Swan resort. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Categorical® Card comes with an annual free evening certificates that you should utilize for properties that cost as much as 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening. That might work for an evening that falls on the larger finish of the vary, however you would use a 50,000-point free evening certificates on a inexpensive evening or a 35,000-point free evening certificates should you fork over the as much as 15,000 further factors allowed to “prime up” your certificates.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member (a standing I earned by preserving The Platinum Card® from American Categorical in my pockets and enrolling within the profit), I acquired a complimentary improve to a balcony room and in addition acquired a factors bonus of 500 Marriott Bonvoy factors upon check-in. In complete, I earned 5,675 factors for this two-night keep due to my Gold standing.
When reserving the Walt Disney World Swan, you may wish to use one of many bank cards that earn probably the most factors for Marriott stays, in addition to one which probably affords computerized Marriott Bonvoy elite standing for value-added advantages. These embody:
- Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Platinum Elite standing; and 25 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Silver Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card: Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Silver Elite standing; and 5 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
The knowledge for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Issues we beloved
- The Walt Disney World Swan is inside strolling distance to each Epcot (about 10 minutes) and Hollywood Studios (about quarter-hour), however it’s also possible to make the most of the resort’s water taxi to get to each parks or take the complimentary shuttle to get to Disney’s different theme parks and Disney Springs.
- Although the pricing is just like what you’d pay at one in every of Disney’s average resorts, the visitor rooms and facilities (just like the swimming pools, eating places and spa) are nearer to what you’d discover at one in every of Disney’s pricier Deluxe resorts.
- Between all three properties, there are 23 eating places and lounges to select from. You possibly can even get Mickey waffles with breakfast.
- It is not all the time simple to earn or use resort factors at Disney World, however it’s simple on the Swan Resort. For my two-night keep, I earned 5,675 factors, which incorporates my Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite 25% factors bonus and my welcome reward of 500 factors.
- Regardless of not being an “official” Disney World property, the Swan resort affords Disney perks like complimentary theme park transportation (or free theme park parking should you select to drive), a Disney reward store, 30-minute entry into the parks previous to the official opening time and prolonged night theme park hours on choose nights, prearrival Lightning Lane choices seven days previous to check-in, a Disney trip planning desk and extra.
Issues to contemplate earlier than staying right here
- I used to be pleasantly shocked to seek out that the $45 every day amenity payment included issues I’d truly use, like every day swan paddle boat leases and entry to the relief areas of the on-site spa. However, should you aren’t planning on spending a lot time on the resort, you could not have the possibility to make use of those facilities.
- Though there’s a Disney reward store and a few hints of Disney, you do not have that very same feeling of being immersed within the Disney bubble as you’ll at an official Disney resort. In case you aren’t actually into the in-your-face Disney theming, you could contemplate {that a} good factor.
- The resort does present complimentary transportation to Disney theme parks and Disney Springs, however it is not on as frequent a schedule because the official Disney shuttles. The water taxis and shuttles arrive each 20-25 minutes, so you could wait a bit longer than you’ll at an official Disney resort.
The vibe
As a result of it’s on Disney property, the 765-room (together with 169 suites) Walt Disney World Swan is occupied largely by households and has a classy but pleasant really feel. The resort was designed by internationally acclaimed architect Michael Graves, who additionally contributed to the visitor room redesign.
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Walt Disney World Swan. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The resort’s muted shade palette provides it a peaceable atmosphere, which is a welcome reprieve earlier than or after a protracted day at Disney’s theme parks. The espresso store is positioned close to the entrance desk, and the eating places are grouped collectively in a central location, making discovering your subsequent drink or chunk to eat easy.
With six swimming pools to select from, households can simply benefit from the vigorous waterslides and waterfall on the grotto pool, whereas these searching for a peaceful spot to catch some rays can head for the quiet pool nearer to the resort.
The room
Much like the resort’s public areas, the rooms felt calm and serene, with hues of blue and white set towards blonde wooden furnishings.
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Walt Disney World Swan. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The room was spacious, with loads of closet area for storage, in addition to excessive beds that you would slide a suitcase below. The beds featured picket headboards with white cushioning, a bedside lamp between the 2 beds and loads of customary USB and USB-C shops.
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Walt Disney World Swan. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The in-room facilities enriched the resort’s upscale setting, with two comfy robes and two pairs of slippers within the closet, water bottles by the mattress and a full lineup of toiletries within the lavatory, together with a loofah, bathe cap, shoeshine mitt, stitching package, lotion and extra.
I used to be too busy on the parks to benefit from the nighttime view from my balcony, however a number of of the balcony rooms present a view of Epcot’s nightly fireworks present.
Foods and drinks
With 23 eating shops to select from between the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve, you possibly can simply fulfill just about any craving you will have. I picked up iced espresso every morning from Java, together with premade in a single day oats to retailer in my room for a fast breakfast within the morning.
If I had been there longer, I might have made time for a heartier breakfast from Backyard Grove and a dinner of genuine Mexican delicacies from Rosa Mexicano. This journey was fast and busy, however I’ve additionally been recognized to cease for a nightcap at Phins lounge on the next-door Dolphin resort.
The resort additionally has two celebrity-helmed eating places, Shula’s Steak Home and Todd English’s bluezoo.
Facilities and repair
This resort’s facilities have been the place I used to be actually kicking myself for not reserving an extended keep. The Grotto pool advanced is one in every of my favorites at Disney due to its massive measurement, the poolside eating and drinks (they are going to even ship your order to your seat) and number of leisure areas and actions.
Along with this and the property’s 5 different swimming pools, you possibly can go to the full-service Mandara Spa. Earlier than or after your therapy, you possibly can calm down within the spa’s tea backyard or meditation backyard.
The Swan additionally has a number of sandy waterfront seashore areas the place you possibly can hang around, play volleyball or hire a Swan pedal boat.
Youngsters can go to the on-site youngsters membership, Camp Dolphin, for an extra payment, or the entire household can take pleasure in campfire s’mores, motion pictures below the celebrities and every day crafts and actions by the pool.
Out and about
Along with proximity to Disney World’s 4 theme parks and two water parks, the Walt Disney World Swan Resort is inside strolling distance of Disney’s BoardWalk space. Disney’s BoardWalk is house to a number of eating shops, outlets and leisure. Through the daytime hours, you possibly can hire customary or surrey bikes and within the night, you possibly can imbibe on the magic-themed Abracadabar or watch proficient musicians face off at Jellyrolls dueling piano bar.
If you’re visiting Disney’s theme parks, keep in mind that friends of the Walt Disney World Swan are eligible for 30-minute early theme park entry to any Disney park and prolonged theme park hours on choose evenings. This profit is invaluable if you end up making an attempt to maximise your time (and journey depend) within the park.
Visitors of the Walt Disney World Swan are additionally eligible to buy and start reserving their Lightning Lane choices (Disney’s skip-the-line service) seven days previous to check-in. Although it carries an extra payment, that is one other perk that may allow you to get on extra rides with shorter waits throughout your trip.
Accessibility
The Walt Disney World Swan has accessible visitor rooms with options like roll-in showers, spacious ground plans that permit for simple navigation by way of wheelchair and hearing-accessible options like visible alarms and notification units for the door and telephone.
Public areas of the resort are additionally wheelchair accessible, and the swimming pools have accessible lifts.
As all the time, we suggest calling the resort previous to reserving to make sure the property meets any accessibility wants.
Testing
In case you have an upcoming Disney journey however do not wish to forgo your Marriott Bonvoy perks, the Walt Disney World Swan is a transparent selection. The advantages you get are just like these at one in every of Disney World’s top-tier Deluxe resorts, however at a a lot lower cost level and with the added worth of incomes or burning Marriott Bonvoy factors.
Even should you aren’t a Marriott loyalist, this resort stands by itsel
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