Disney World resort comparison

Disney World Resort Comparison

There’s certainly no shortage of places to stay at Disney World. In total, there are thirty-four resort hotels on Walt Disney World property, ranging from inexpensive budget accommodations to luxurious, no-expense-spared resorts. You are sure to find a resort that fits your budget and vacation goals. But how do you narrow down the choices with so many options? Keep reading our Disney World Resort Comparison page to find the answer.

Explanation of the table:

Click the green button (+) to see each resort’s cost, location, transportation, dining, number of pools, maximum occupancy, and our rating. Click “next” to see more resorts.

Here we compare each of Disney World’s resorts to help you determine which hotel is best for your next vacation. We highlight key features of the resorts, such as the category, location, and some of the resort’s noteworthy advantages.

Keep in mind that all guests staying at a Walt Disney World on-site property can typically make their reservations – including Dining reservations and Lightning Lane passes – before non-Disney resort guests.

Watch The Vacationeer on YouTube for more Disney Resort information. We rank it #1 on our Best Disney World YouTube Channels list so we definitely recommend checking it out!

A Guide to Disney World Resorts

compare disney world resorts

With so many choices, we thought it would be helpful to do a comparison of Disney World resorts. Hopefully, this Disney resort guide will help you choose the best in-park hotel for your family vacation.

To start with, Disney classifies its resorts into three basic categories—Value, Moderate, and Deluxe.

There are also a number of Disney Vacation Club Villas and even campsites.

Disney World’s resort hotels are found in five specific regions of the park – the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, the Epcot Resort Area, the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, the Wide World of Sports Resort Area, or the Disney Springs Resort area.

All of Disney’s Deluxe resorts have earned a AAA Four-Diamond rating, but the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is considered by Disney as their highest-tier, luxury flagship resort.

As you may have guessed, Disney’s Value Resorts are geared towards families on a budget and offer fun and fully-adequate in-park accommodations.

Disney’s Moderate Resorts fall somewhere between Value and Deluxe in terms of cost, room size, transportation options, and other amenities.

With that background information out of the way, then let’s now review the hotel properties in greater detail with this Disney World Resort Comparison guide.

disney world hotels

Disney Value Resorts

best disney world resorts

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort Area

All-Star Movies pays homage to all of Disney’s film legends from Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, and more.

  • World Premiere Food Court
  • Pool themed after Fantasia
  • Movies Under the Stars
  • Perks like Early Theme Park Entry, earlier reservations for dining and pay-per-ride Lightning Lane selections, convenient (and free) transportation around the park, etc.

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

All-Star Music is a fun resort that pays tribute to the music industry.  The hotel offers 1,600 rooms w/ 214 large family suites.

  • Intermission Food Court
  • Pool shaped like a guitar
  • Family Suites

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

All-Star Sports is a Disney resort that celebrates the world of competitive sports, including tennis, baseball, football, basketball, and surfing.

  • End Zone Food Court
  • Surfboard Motif Pool

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Wide World of Sports Resort Area

Art of Animation is an enchanting Walt Disney World resort themed after Pixar classics like The Little Mermaid , Cars , Finding Nemo , and The Lion King .

  • Dog-Friendly Rooms
  • Family Suites Available
  • Disney Skyliner Transportation
  • Disney World’s largest pool
  • Landscape of Flavors

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Pop Century Resort pays homage to the decades of fashions, fads, dances, and toys of American pop culture.

  • Everything Pop Shopping and Dining
  • Pool w. Water Jets

Disney Moderate Resorts

compare disney resorts

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

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Magic Kingdom Resort Area

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness have an American Frontier theme. They are secluded on 700-plus acres of Disney wilderness but have all the creature comforts you desire.

  • A good way to “rough it” without sacrificing comfort
  • Bus service throughout, plus golf carts for rent
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Kitchenettes to cook at home
  • Pool w/ water slide
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue show

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Epcot Resort Area

Caribbean Beach Resort is a tropical beachside oasis situated along the 45-acre Barefoot Bay.

  • Old Port Royale

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

This American Southwest-themed hotel, set on a 22-acre lake, invokes the spirit and romance of Spanish-colonial Mexico.

  • A “Reimagined” Resort
  • Fitness Centers
  • Club-Access Benefits
  • Award-winning dining at Toledo (Tapas, Seafood & Steak)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

disney yacht club vs swan

Disney Springs Resort Area

Discover this New Orleans-inspired Resort, set along a winding river road and picturesque waterways.

  • Nightlight at Scat Cat’s Club
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

disney yacht club vs swan

Port Orleans Riverside is a delightful waterfront hotel that makes you feel as though you are on a Mississippi River cruise.

  • Royal Guest Rooms
  • Award-winning Boatwright’s Dining Hall
  • Dog-Friendly accommodations

Our favorite Disney World YouTube channel, The Vacationeer , has a great overview video comparing the two sides of Port Orleans.

Disney Deluxe Resorts

disney world hotels

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Guests of this African-lodge-style resort hotel can watch exotic animals roam free around the 43 acres of tropical grassland.

  • Exotic animals
  • Award-winning dining options

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Beach Club is a fun and relaxing lakeside hotel that is themed after a beachside Eastern Seaboard of yesteryear. It shares its pool complex, Stormalong Bay, with Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and was voted #1 in our Best Pools at Disney World article.

  • Massive outdoor water recreational area
  • Cape May Café
  • Ship Shape Health Club
  • Minnie’s Mother’s Day Chocolate Party

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

BoardWalk takes its inspiration from the beachfront grand resorts of 1940s Atlantic City. This elegant lakeside hotel is situated at the center of Disney’s BoardWalk, a shopping, dining, and entertainment district.

  • Lively nightlife
  • Signature Dining at Flying Fish

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The monorail runs right through the lobby of this lakeside Resort. Contemporary Resort is located in close proximity and against the backdrop of Magic Kingdom.

  • Resort monorail
  • On the Seven Seas Lagoon
  • Award-winning California Grill
  • Disney Countdown to Midnight: A New Year’s Eve Celebration

Disney’s Dolphin Hotel

Disney’s Dolphin (and Swan) is an elegant water-themed hotel designed by noted architect Michael Graves.

  • Shula’s Steak House
  • Mandara Spa
  • Supervised Children’s Activity Center

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a Victorian-style hotel celebrating the Sunshine State’s golden era. This hotel is considered Disney World’s flagship resort.

  • World-class health club, spa, and salon
  • Award-winning dining
  • Next to Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom
  • A monorail stop
  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
  • Pool W/ water slide

We rank the Grand Floridian #1 on our Best Hotels at Disney World list.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Polynesian Village is a relaxing resort that captures the culture and atmosphere of the South Pacific.

  • On the Resort Monorail
  • On the banks of the Seven Seas Lagoon
  • Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

Disney’s Swan Hotel

Disney’s Swan (and Dolphin) is an elegant water-themed hotel designed by noted architect Michael Graves.

  • Il Mulino New York Trattoria

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Wilderness Lodge is a lakeside log-cabin-style resort that takes its inspiration from the grandeur of National Park lodges.

  • Exquisite pools
  • Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney Yacht Club Resort is themed after a Martha’s Vineyard-style grand hotel. Located on Crescent Lake, Yacht Club is designed with authentic nautical details and upscale, classy charm. It shares its pool complex, Stormalong Bay, with Disney’s Beach Club Resort and was voted #1 in our Best Pools at Disney World article.

  • Outdoor Water Recreation Area
  • Dog-Friendly Accommodations
  • Award-winning dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse

Here’s an in-depth look at the Deluxe Resorts on the monorail loop!

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

disney resorts

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House

Jambo House is an African lodge-style villa situated amidst a 38-acre wildlife preserve where 30 species of animals roam free.

  • Extra space
  • Award-Winning restaurants
  • Exotic Animals

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Set near a vast animal reserve, this African lodge-style hotel offers kitchenettes/kitchens and multi-bedroom units.

  • Home of Sanaa,  Indian-influenced African dishes with views of the wildlife

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower is a modern and luxurious experience with dramatic views of the park.

  • Award-winning dining at California Grill

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Boulder Ridge Villas harnesses the majesty of the Pacific Northwest and its outdoorsy elements.

  • Storybook Dining at Artist Point w/ Snow White

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins is a lakeside log-cabin-style resort that takes its inspiration from the grandeur of National Park lodges.

  • A Disney Vacation Club Resort
  • Quietly situated among the pines yet close to the action of Magic Kingdom
  • Access to 2 beautiful pools

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Beach Club Villas is an elegant lakefront New England-inspired resort hotel.

  • A large water recreation area

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

BoardWalk Villas is inspired by a 1940s Atlantic City seaside resort.  Experience the charm and romance of this lakeside BoardWalk hotel.

  • Disney Skyliner
  • Signature dining at Flying Fish

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Disney Spring Resort Area

With gingerbread accents and pastel colors, Old Key West Resort is a Victorian-themed resort that conveys a sense of relaxation.

  • R.E.S.T Beach fitness center
  • Olivia’s Café

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

  • Disney’s Original Island Escape
  • Savor the Succulent Tastes of the Islands

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Disney’s Riviera Resort celebrates the grandeur of Europe and offers a full range of accommodations – from cozy Tower Studios to spacious 1Br, 2Br, and 3Br Villas.

  • Stylish and artistic touches
  • Full range of accommodations
  • Dining at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

This relaxing lakeside hotel brings the spirit of Saratoga, New York horse racing into the Disney Springs section of Walt Disney World Resort.

  • Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Campgrounds at disney’s fort wilderness.

The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

disney yacht club vs swan

The Campsites at Fort Wilderness offer plenty of activities on the 700+ acre, American Frontier-themed resort.

  • Campsites are rustic but fully-equipped
  • Bus transportation throughout w/ golf cart rentals available
  • Pet-friendly accommodations
  • A unique way to stay on Disney property

Enjoy your Disney World vacation!

We hope our Disney World Resorts Comparison page has helped you narrow down your hotel choices.

For more useful Disney World information, please review some additional pages on MagicGuides  like our How to Plan a Disney Vacation , Club Level at Disney World , Disney World History , Walt Disney Quotes , Disney World Strollers , and  RunDisney Marathon articles.

If you need help planning and booking your magical Walt Disney World vacation, then please contact the Disney travel agents at   The Vacationeer . Their services are always helpful and totally free of charge!   Click  HERE  for a free, no-obligation price quote .

Thanks for reading and we hope you have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!

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Who is the fairest of them all? Comparing Marriott’s Dolphin, Swan and Swan Reserve Disney resorts

Summer Hull

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

If you've decided to go to Disney World — congratulations! Deciding to take a trip to the "Most Magical Place on Earth" is the easy part, but picking among the hundreds of hotels in the Orlando area to figure out where to stay can be a bit tricky.

There are trade-offs involved with each choice. Do you stay on Disney property and likely spend more money to enjoy all the Disney-specific perks, access and theming that come with that convenience? Or, do you conserve cash and stay off-property but trade away some of the "magic" and logistical benefits?

Fortunately, there is a great middle-of-the-road solution for those who like to redeem or earn Marriott Bonvoy points on their Disney vacation.

The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and new Swan Reserve hotels are located on Disney property, have access to many of the same perks as full Disney resorts and provide the added option of using (or earning) Marriott hotel points instead of cash to cover the stay.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

disney yacht club vs swan

Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve basics

The Disney Swan and Dolphin resorts adjacent to Disney's BoardWalk are massive juggernauts, offering a combined 2,270 hotel rooms on 87 acres of lakefront property in Disney's Epcot and Hollywood Studios area.

Meanwhile, the new Swan Reserve resort sits about one-fifth of a mile away from its sister properties across Epcot Resorts Boulevard. It is a smaller property with 349 rooms, 151 of which are suites.

The three hotels share most amenities — for example, you can stay at Swan Reserve but charge meals from Swan's restaurants to your room — but operate as separate properties.

disney yacht club vs swan

The Swan and Dolphin both opened in 1990 but have undergone hefty renovations in recent years, though some parts of the properties feel fresher than others. The Swan Reserve is by the far the newest of the three, having just opened in late 2021.

In Disney circles, you will often hear these resorts referred to as Disney deluxe resorts but at moderate resort prices.

As long as you are OK with the lack of Disney theming and the absence of a few Disney resort perks, you'll likely enjoy staying at one of these properties, as the rooms are at least on par with most Disney deluxe rooms.

Of the three, which hotel should you choose? We're here to help.

Related: Guide to visiting Walt Disney World

disney yacht club vs swan

When it comes to a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, nothing is close to everything. After all, Disney World is the size of San Francisco. That said, you can't get a more central location than the Swan and Dolphin. Epcot and Hollywood Studios are within a 15-minute walk or 20-minute boat ride from both properties.

You are also just a bridge away from Disney's BoardWalk , where you'll find everything from shops and restaurants to live music, surrey bike rentals and an arcade.

Just across the street from the Swan sits Disney's Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf Course, which can be a fun, affordable activity on a day when you need a break from the theme parks.

The Swan Reserve is a little farther from Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the boardwalk, making it slightly less convenient.

disney yacht club vs swan

To reach other parts of Disney, including the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs, from these resorts, you'll need to take the complimentary bus to stops by the entrances.

For the Magic Kingdom, you'll be dropped off at the Ticketing and Transportation Center, where you'll then need to hop on the monorail to get to the park. This is in contrast to Disney's own bus system that goes straight to the Magic Kingdom.

disney yacht club vs swan

These three properties cost the same number of points per night in the Marriott system as Category 6 properties, which range from 40,000-60,000 Marriott points per night.

However, the cash rates of the three are often a bit different, with the pricing hierarchy usually going from:

  • Walt Disney World Dolphin (Sheraton)
  • Walt Disney World Swan (Westin)
  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve (Autograph Collection)

However, the Swan and Swan Reserve sometimes trade places for the priciest position. Room rates during the offseason start around $170 per night at the Dolphin, $220 per night at the Swan and $250 per night at the Swan Reserve.

disney yacht club vs swan

Prices for standard rooms typically fall between $250 and $400 per night during the peak season, though rates may fluctuate depending on demand and event schedules. It's not uncommon to see peak season rates exceed $600 per night at times.

There are special rates available for teachers, nurses and military personnel, as well as annual pass holders and Florida residents. When you book, you'll also be eligible for 25% off of a second connecting room.

The annual free night award certificate (worth up to 85,000 Marriott points) that comes with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card can also be used to cover the cost of a night at any of these resorts on standard and off-peak dates. If you need more Marriott points, you can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio thanks to cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the American Express® Gold Card.

Of course, the Marriott family of credit cards is also a great way to earn Marriott points.

Related: Which Marriott credit card is best?

Disney Dolphin basics

By far the largest of the three properties, the Dolphin is technically part of Marriott's Sheraton brand, though it does feature some Westin elements like Westin Heavenly Beds. The Dolphin is also home to many of the complex's amenities, such as laundry facilities, a spa, a kids club and Picabu (a cafeteria and convenience store).

disney yacht club vs swan

The Dolphin rooms with two beds have double beds rather than the queen-size options found at the Swan and the Swan Reserve.

disney yacht club vs swan

Those who need more space can reserve one of the Dolphin's suites, which offer a true living room and a connected bedroom with two double beds — and yes, Marriott Platinum Elite members do sometimes luck into these upgrades when using Suite Night Awards .

disney yacht club vs swan

Although official Disney resorts have largely done away with their kids club-style amenities, Camp Dolphin is available to kids ages 5-12 from 4-11 p.m. There are a few different packages that vary in length, and some include dinner for the kiddos.

disney yacht club vs swan

The Dolphin's full-service breakfast is served in the Fresh Mediterranean Market. The space actually feels fresher and livelier than the Swan's breakfast outpost, in part because it offers a carving station and, at least in our experience, slightly better food.

disney yacht club vs swan

A new addition to the full-service options at the Dolphin is a grab-and-go restaurant in the lobby. Open daily from 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Fuel serves coffee, eggs and sandwiches. Many items cost less than $10.

disney yacht club vs swan

Should you wish to work off all that food (beyond all the walking you'll do in the parks), you'll find a fitness center with plenty of new equipment.

disney yacht club vs swan

Overall, the property is a solid option for budget-conscious travelers.

Disney Swan basics

The Swan is a Westin-branded hotel, with traditional Westin amenities such as Heavenly Beds. It has about half the number of rooms as the Dolphin, though it is still a very large hotel.

disney yacht club vs swan

The rooms at the Swan have been renovated in recent years and are relatively spacious for accommodation options at Disney.

Some rooms have balconies, while others may have small couches.

disney yacht club vs swan

Outside of the main bathroom, you'll typically find an extra sink, allowing one guest to brush their teeth, for example, while another family member showers.

disney yacht club vs swan

Like the accommodations, the hallways are also updated, though some corners of the property still speak to a slightly different era.

disney yacht club vs swan

The lobby area of the Swan has been redone in recent years, too, so it now houses Java, a grab-and-go dining venue.

disney yacht club vs swan

In contrast to the lobby, breakfast at the Swan's Garden Grove restaurant still feels like a flashback to the 1990s thanks to dated colors and architectural features.

disney yacht club vs swan

A weekend character breakfast used to take place here, but it disappeared just before the pandemic in early 2020.

disney yacht club vs swan

The Swan also houses a few other eateries, including Italian-inspired Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Japanese-influenced Kimonos.

disney yacht club vs swan

Disney buses typically stop at the Swan before its sister properties, so if having a seat during the trip to the parks is important to you, you may want to stay at the Swan.

Disney Swan Reserve basics

The newest addition to this complex has all the perks of being brand-new, including modern furnishings, plenty of outlets and lots of natural light — something the other two properties lack.

disney yacht club vs swan

TPG has a full separate review of the Swan Reserve , but suffice to say it's a tough act to follow if you want to use Marriott points at Disney and don't mind being a little bit farther from Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the BoardWalk.

Aside from being new, shiny and more compact, the Swan Reserve boasts more suites, giving you more upgrade options. During the three stays of TPG staffers that took place in the first few months of operation, all three resulted in upgrades to suites — two via Suite Night Awards and one via a Platinum space-available upgrade upon request.

disney yacht club vs swan

Since all of our stays have been in suites, we can speak to those better than the property's standard rooms.

Each suite features a true living room with a couch and small table. There's also a bathroom that's split into two sections, with the toilet and a sink in one area and the tub/shower and an additional sink in the other room. This makes it possible for two people to access the space at the same time while maintaining some privacy.

disney yacht club vs swan

Marriott Platinum Elite perks don't just help with the room type here — they can also get you free continental breakfast each morning that you can order electronically and schedule to be delivered at the time that works best for you. It's not a particularly impressive menu of included options, but the fact that it comes to your room is much appreciated.

disney yacht club vs swan

If you don't want that breakfast benefit, you can instead choose 2,500 Marriott points or a complimentary amenity.

The amenity choices were sweet treats for the kids, such as cookies or cupcakes and milk, sodas or waters; adult options like six local beers with beef jerky and pretzel crisps; and minifridge essentials like sodas, waters, cereal boxes, candy bars and nutrition bars.

An additional option, which was the one we chose, came with a bottle of wine, salami, cheese and crackers.

disney yacht club vs swan

There are really no bad options from that lineup.

disney yacht club vs swan

The welcome amenity selection comes from Grounds, which serves coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, salads and more all day. The ham and jam sandwich with smoked ham, bacon onion jam and mustard on a pretzel bun I tried was delicious.

disney yacht club vs swan

Additionally, the Swan Reserve houses a full-service Mediterranean restaurant called Amare and a lively lobby bar with attentive service. With so many suite options and a more elevated atmosphere, it's no wonder we chose the Swan Reserve as our top pick.

Unless you are attending a convention (and that's common during normal times), you are probably considering the Dolphin, the Swan and the Swan Reserve because you want Disney access and perks without the high Disney price tag. The Disney-related perks you get for staying at these hotels include:

  • Transportation to the Disney parks via bus and/or boat.
  • Access to parks 30 minutes early each morning, along with Disney resort guests.
  • Extra evening access to the parks for two hours on select nights and at select resorts — reserved just for Disney deluxe resort guests and those at these properties.
  • Free parking at the Disney World theme parks when showing a keycard.

Now that Disney has retired the free Magical Express bus, cut FastPasses and stopped providing free Magic Bands to its resort guests, the benefits that the true Disney resorts once offered have shrunk significantly. With these changes, the Dolphin, the Swan and the Swan Reserve essentially offer the same perks, including the ability to purchase individual Lightning Lane rides beginning at 7 a.m., a perk reserved just for Disney resort guests and those at the Swan/Dolphin complex. Other guests have to wait until the park opens.

Outside of the Disney-specific perks, there are several noteworthy amenities available at these properties.

Guests can swim in the five heated pools at the Dolphin and the Swan and the pool at the Swan Reserve, borrow swan paddleboats to explore Crescent Lake, run around on a playground and lounge on a white sand beach.

disney yacht club vs swan

There are cabana rentals available by the pools, if you need a dedicated space to unwind when you're not in the water.

disney yacht club vs swan

Plus, you'll find a waterslide and an arcade on-site. There are even fun daily activities (pre-pandemic) like dive-in movies, evening s'mores, live Peloton cycling classes and live entertainment, should you crave more things to do.

disney yacht club vs swan

However, know that there is a fee for all of this fun. All three hotels charge a $35 daily resort fee . If you bring a car with you, an additional $29 self-parking fee applies per day, too.

Bottom line

The Disney Dolphin, Swan and Swan Reserve are all great options for staying right on the Disney World grounds while earning or redeeming Marriott points and elite status.

While prices vary depending on the time of year and what's going on in the area, the Dolphin is sometimes a bit cheaper per night if you pay with cash and offers easy access to the complex's Camp Dolphin kids club. The Swan can cost a little more (again, in cash) but is a little quieter and features a slightly more upscale vibe. Meanwhile, the Swan Reserve — the newest of the three — offers a swankier atmosphere but sits farther from the parks and other shared amenities.

disney yacht club vs swan

The bathroom setups are slightly different at each property, and those looking for two beds will need to choose between the doubles at the Dolphin and the queens at the Swan or Swan Reserve.

The renovations have greatly improved the lobbies of both the Dolphin and the Swan now that they feature the extensive grab-and-go options Fuel and Java. And, of course, the Swan Reserve's array of all-new options, including Grounds, the poolside bar and Amare, are welcome additions.

When combined with Picabu, the 24-hour cafeteria and convenience store, these new food choices improve an area that was sorely lacking dining options. With the casual eateries and the breakfast benefit for Marriott Platinum Elite members, it's easy for a family to eat a few meals affordably outside of the Disney parks without resorting to peanut butter-covered crackers and tap water.

disney yacht club vs swan

You really can't go wrong with any of these three resorts, though we're loving the newest property in the group: the Swan Reserve.

Regardless of which option you choose, though, be sure to add your reservation to My Disney Experience on Disney's website or within Disney's app in order to get your early and/or late park access. Remember to list each guest's name correctly so that you minimize the chance for problems to arise when you link your reservation to your Disney account.

Book your stay:

  • Walt Disney World Dolphin
  • Walt Disney World Swan
  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

Additional reporting by Cindy Gossett.

Review: Swan Reserve Resort at Disney World

disney yacht club vs swan

Swan Reserve is a Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World, located within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios on Crescent Lake, with boat and bus transportation to the parks. This hotel review features family suite room photos, pool & restaurant info, pros & cons, and much more.

In terms of basics, the Swan Reserve is a new addition to Walt Disney World that opened last fall. It’s located across the street from the regular Swan & Dolphin hotels, right by Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course. More notably, the hotel is between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Although it’s not technically on the water, Swan Reserve is still part of the Crescent Lake Resort Area. This district also includes Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, as well as the aforementioned Swan & Dolphin Resorts. All of these hotels are within walking distance of Epcot’s International Gateway entrance/exit in World Showcase between the United Kingdom and France. There’s also a Skyliner gondola station over there if you want to get to one of the hotels connected to that.

While it’s a standalone property, the Swan Reserve shares a lot of amenities with the ‘legacy’ Swan & Dolphin hotels that have existed for several decades. Those massive hotels are home to whole host of other offerings, from the pools to health club, tennis courts, jogging trails, spa, game room, watercraft rentals, art gallery, and more.

All of those amenities are available to guests of the Swan Reserve; you can read about all of that in our comprehensive Swan & Dolphin Resort Review . This post will focus exclusively on what’s at the Swan Reserve, which is a much smaller property–both the hotel itself and the grounds it occupies.

disney yacht club vs swan

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Swan Reserve, starting with the approach. I’ve poked fun at its exterior for looking like an office building in Scranton and its name for evoking all the “grandeur” of a rehabilitation center for waterfowl. There’s really no getting past either of those things–the hotel looks dull on the outside and the name matches that.

On the plus side, the Swan Reserve is only a couple minutes from the much more interesting Swan & Dolphin grounds. In fact, it’s a shorter walk to the Grotto Pool from many rooms at the Swan Reserve than from those at the Swan & Dolphin. It’ll take less than 5 minutes to get there from the Swan Reserve, and about 10 minutes or less to get to the restaurants in those buildings.

disney yacht club vs swan

This is significant, as the pool at the Swan Reserve is fairly underwhelming. It’s a decent-enough option for adults to sunbathe, read, or have some poolside drinks.

For practical purposes, it doesn’t hold a candle to the Grotto Pool. That’s one of the nicest pool areas in all of Walt Disney World, and it has a footprint about the size of the entire Swan Reserve.

disney yacht club vs swan

There’s also a small fitness center in the Swan Reserve with a view of the road. Or you can do a virtual view of a running path, or whatever people watch on these exercise equipment screens.

Although it’s not pictured, this gym also has a Peloton, so that’s a plus. It doesn’t have a front row spot at the window, so you can’t watch cars pass, a colossal minus.

disney yacht club vs swan

There’s a grab and go spot for breakfasts, snacks, coffee, or a light lunch.

This is perfectly satisfactory in a pinch, but with so many good alternatives around Crescent Lake (including in the Swan & Dolphin) and in World Showcase, you hopefully won’t need it.

disney yacht club vs swan

My favorite area of the Swan Reserve is the lobby lounge. To put this into perspective, the pool is behind the bar, the main restaurant is to the left, and the check-in desk is the opposite direction.

This lounge has lots of cool colors, nice uses of texture, and an upscale yet relaxed vibe. One particular detail I really like is the planters above the bar area. There are also a number of booths off to the sides with some vibrant art in each. It’s a relaxed spot during the day, and has a moody atmosphere at night.

disney yacht club vs swan

Also on the second floor is Amare Mediterranean Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch or dinner. We found that Amare almost always has last minute ADRs, and it is fantastic. (The pizzas, in particular, offer great bang for buck.)

These are the only dining options in the Swan Reserve, but there are something like two-dozen between the Swan & Dolphin, so no shortage nearby.

disney yacht club vs swan

Despite the dull exterior of the building, the interiors of the Swan Reserve are well done. Lots of high-quality finishes, furniture, lighting, etc. Definitely not the bland tower hotel you might expect if all you’ve seen is the exterior photos.

It’s a small hotel with far fewer dining options, pools, and other amenities than the Swan & Dolphin next door, but it makes the most of its space. Pretty much everything here fills an important role, and is worthwhile. Even the grab and go spot is good for a morning coffee.

Now let’s turn to the guest rooms, starting with a video room tour to provide context and a better understanding of the layout. This is the Signature Suite at the Swan Reserve.

While the rest of the new tower pales in comparison to the formidable slate of amenities at the legacy Swan & Dolphin resorts, the rooms are where the Swan Reserve blows its predecessors out of the water (figuratively–no waterfowl or fish were harmed in the making of this resort…we assume).

disney yacht club vs swan

Marriott’s website touts the “residential-style comfort and boutique décor” of the hotel’s 349 rooms and suites. Of that total, 151 rooms at the Swan Reserve are suites.

While the majority of the Swan Reserve is still standard rooms, that’s far more suites than I would’ve guessed. In perusing browsing availability, it also seems like the suites are more popular. That’s not a huge surprise given that this is a less common room category at Walt Disney World.

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In fact, there’s really no direct “competition” for the Signature Suites at the Swan Reserve.

Family suites at Walt Disney World seem to exist largely at the extreme ends of the spectrum: Value Resorts or Deluxe Villa Resorts. Either you get something at the Value Resorts that’s priced about the same as the Swan Reserve but skews much more towards kids, or you spend a ton more for something lavish at a Deluxe Villa (or Disney Vacation Club) Resort. There’s almost no middle ground. Unless you count the Fort Wilderness Cabins, I guess?

disney yacht club vs swan

Anyway, these Signature Suites are 610 square feet, versus 425 to 590 square feet for the Junior (I realize that’s a huge range, but it’s what the Marriott site indicates) and 330 square feet for the traditional room.

The Signature Suite is essentially the traditional room plus a living room. Assuming my math is correct (never a safe assumption), that living area is about 290 square feet.

disney yacht club vs swan

The big selling point of the Signature Suites is that it has two spaces separated by a wall and door. Fair warning: once you stay in this type of room, it’s tough to go back. Having a bit of space to spread out is fantastic, as is being able to watch television or work while others in your room rest.

This is an increasingly popular style of room among real world hotels (pretty much all of the new ones in Anaheim are this style), but is incredibly difficult to find on-site at Walt Disney World. Aside from the aforementioned family suites at Walt Disney World, there are some hotels at Flamingo Crossings and Bonnet Creek that also offer this style of room.

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Prices for the Swan Reserve are all over the place, varying much more than other Walt Disney World hotels. From what we’ve seen, rooms at the Swan Reserve start at around $250 per night and can exceed $500 on busy dates. With that said, discounts are also more common for non-peak dates.

Oddly enough, there’s often not a huge difference between a standard room and the suites. The Signature Suite was only around ~$50 to ~$75 per night more for several dates we checked. Given that it’s essentially two of the standard rooms, this was somewhat surprising. It’s much more surprising when you compare this to other large on-site rooms and suites at Walt Disney World, which usually have premium pricing beyond just what two rooms would cost.

disney yacht club vs swan

Unfortunately, like the Swolphin, the Swan Reserve charges a non-optional resort fee of $35 per night. This is something I’ve bemoaned in previous hotel reviews, so I won’t rehash the topic here. Suffice to say, if you want to know more about why this practice should be abolished, see our Fight Back Against Hotel Resort Fees post.

On top of that, there’s another nightly charge for parking, which is $32 for self-parking or $42 for valet. Those rates are higher than their counterparts charge at the Crescent Lake Disney-owned Deluxe Resorts. Even when you account for these fees, the Swan Reserve is still much lower than BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, etc., but it’s still annoying–and something to be mindful of when looking at the ‘sticker price,’ which is not the total nightly rate.

disney yacht club vs swan

The huge windows definitely make for a brighter room than you’ll find at Walt Disney World’s Value and Moderate Resorts. These allow in abundant amounts of natural light, and that plus a blue and white color scheme really pops.

The headboards, bedside tables, lamps, carpet, and even the dresser drawers also give the rooms plenty of personality. Even the otherwise all-white bedding has a bit of texture to it. Everything about the rooms has heft, texture, and a substantial feeling. There’s a tremendous amount of attention to detail and quality in the rooms at the Swan Reserve.

disney yacht club vs swan

I’m not sure why, but the Swan Reserve’s primary visual motifs are pool art (above left) and crowds (above right). I like the paintings. Although they’re a bit odd at first, they grow on you. There’s something to be said for style that’s unique and not simply the type of nondescript modern art that’s ubiquitous in chained-brand hotels.

The crow statues, on the other hand, do absolutely nothing for me. Hardly a dealbreaker, but I’m not sure anyone has ever said, “you know what would enhance this relaxed aquatic setting? SOME CROWS! ” Maybe there’s some fun backstory about the crows being the guardians of their waterfowl friends at this particular avian sanctuary.

disney yacht club vs swan

As someone who loves balconies, the lack of that is pretty significant for me, but so many rooms at the Swan & Dolphin don’t have balconies. Ditto all Value and Moderate Resorts at Walt Disney World.

Even Gran Destino lacks balconies. I guess for this price, floor to ceiling windows is pretty much the best case scenario from an on-site Walt Disney World hotel.

disney yacht club vs swan

To that point, the Swan Reserve is actually surprisingly similar to Gran Destino Tower. Both were decades-later additions to well-established resorts with far larger footprints. To varying degrees, each bring something unique to the table and surpass the standard rooms at their respective resorts. Both are ugly on the outside and add visual blight to the skyline, but are pretty nice once inside.

The main differences are that the Swan Reserve has even more windows so it’s even lighter and airier, more suites, and instead of being reminiscent of a Las Vegas hotel, this is like one along the California coast.

disney yacht club vs swan

Finally, let’s discuss some practical details about the Swan Reserve. Technically, all three of the “Swolphin” hotels are considered Deluxe Resorts but are managed by Marriott. Due to an agreement way back in the Eisner days, these are the only third party hotels that are treated like actual Deluxe Resorts and bookable by the public. (Shades of Green is similar, minus the last part.)

The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is a Category 6 property. Using Marriott points, you’ll need 40,000 points for an off-peak stay, 50,000 points for a standard stay, or 60,000 points per night for peak season. This is on par with the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort or regular Swan & Dolphin.

disney yacht club vs swan

In addition to enjoying standard on-site Walt Disney World benefits and guest perks, Marriott Bonvoy Rewards members can take advantage of program benefits, including earning Marriott Bonvoy points with each stay. We are Marriott Bonvoy Members, have stayed at many of the chain’s other hotels, and have found it to be a solid brand with quality service.

We are big fans of Disney, but don’t think hotel management is one of the company’s strong suits. Marriott definitely has the edge there. To be sure, not everything about the Swan & Dolphin is perfect (the Magic Kingdom bus to TTC is the biggest strike against it) or even great. With that said, our experiences here have generally surpassed those at Disney-owned properties.

disney yacht club vs swan

Although the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort hotels are not owned by Disney, they are very much on-site hotels. Located on Crescent Lake alongside BoardWalk Inn and Yacht & Beach Club, the Swan & Dolphin are within walking distance of both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

With this prime piece of real estate, the Swan & Dolphin actually have a better location (in my estimation) than most Disney-owned hotels. To each their own, but I’d put Crescent Lake right up there with the Magic Kingdom monorail loop.

disney yacht club vs swan

The Swan & Dolphin also have better on-site perks than most Disney-owned hotels now that Disney’s Magical Express has been retired and so long as the Disney Dining Plan remains suspended. That’s because, in addition to Early Entry, Swan & Dolphin guests are eligible for Extended Evening Hours, whereas Value and Moderate Resort guests are not. In other words, Beach Club-caliber perks at Caribbean Beach level pricing!

Unlike other third party hotels that are technically on-site, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin truly offer the best of both worlds. All of the benefits (for now, at least) of staying in a Disney-owned hotel, plus a rewards program, better management, and more competitive prices. About the only thing you’re compromising is Disney IP infused into the hotel.

disney yacht club vs swan

Ultimately, whether the Swan Reserve is right for you depends upon what you’re after. Location-wise, it’s slightly farther from Epcot and Hollywood Studios than the Swan & Dolphin. The in-building amenities are also more scaled back, so if you want a wealth of dining options under the same roof, the regular Swolphin will likely be your better bet. However, the main pool is about the same distance from the other buildings, and even those lobbies aren’t much of a walk. I expected location and in-building amenities to be a much bigger downside, but they were really non-factors for us. Of course, your mileage may vary.

If what you’re looking for is a larger and nicer room with an excellent on-site location, the Swan Reserve is going to be tough to beat. As compared to rooms at the Swolphin or even Deluxe Villas in the Crescent Lake area, the rooms at the Swan Reserve are nicer across the board. While the Swan & Dolphin did undergo a room overhauls not long ago, these are still newer and more modernized. Not to mention the variety of room layouts, which will be huge for families or anyone wanting more space. For us, the superior rooms far outweighed the inferior in-building amenities and slightly longer walk.

disney yacht club vs swan

Those Signature Suites, in particular, should be appealing to a lot of families. That’s a room layout that Sarah and I have really come to appreciate in our non-Walt Disney World travels, as it’s very useful even for just the two of us. Hopefully this type of room becomes more prevalent at and around Walt Disney World, as the extra space (and privacy for adults with kids!) is fantastic.

The Signature Suites are popular for good reason, and are certainly worth the higher price points–especially once you start comparing them to other large rooms at Walt Disney World, both in cost and quality. The Signature Suites at the Swan Reserve offer an unrivaled combination of selling points that are elusive at other on-site resorts, making this a highly recommended room category for those wanting or needing more space to spread out.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Have you stayed at the Swan Reserve? What about the regular ‘ole Swan & Dolphin Resorts? What did you think of those hotels? Which did you prefer? If you haven’t stayed here yet, are you looking forward to checking out the Swan Reserve? Do these accommodations look appealing to you, or is this not to your tastes, preferences, or needs? Do you agree or disagree with our early assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

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Written by Tom Bricker

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I appreciate you extensive insight and would love your recommendations! Starting planning for a 7-days trip in Spring 2024 with 3 families (2 adults and 2 teens each) so we’re looking for suites in the same resort together. Lower to moderate cost with quick, easy access to MK, HS, and Epcot, full benefits (early reservations, earliest park access, early Genie+/Lighting Lanes – I’ve stayed at some of the auxiliary hotels that had early entry but did not get the early Lightening Lane perk and only hotel transportation). Disney theming is great but a more high-end hotel feel like what I am seeing from these Swan posts would be better since we don’t have young kids anyway. I would personally like to use the Skyliner to get to a park or two but not a must – I’m sure we can always take it too another resort location for a meal or drinks just for the experience.

I’ve been looking at Art of Animation but wondering if you had other recommendations that might be better.

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Stayed at the SR in August for 8 days. Husband is titanium, and we used points for our entire stay. Our suite night awards weren’t taken due to our length of stay, but we were upgraded. For a points stay, it was absolutely amazing for us and our toddlers. We would walk to Boardwalk and take their busses to get around the TTC issue, and loved the Boardwalk area. Having only stayed in Deluxe before, I was pleasantly surprised. The staff went above and beyond for my 4 year olds birthday, bringing balloons and cupcakes to our room and having trinkets upon check in. You can’t beat the value, especially if using points. We had a great view of both Epcot and MK fireworks each night, and couldn’t ask for more.

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Is it a sofa-sleeper in the LR? If not, it’s really not all that suitable for families.

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My husband and I stayed at the SR last December and were upgraded to a signature suite. It was amazing and the views were WOW! We loved it here. If you are one who likes the Epcot area hotels this one is really good. We also love the Beach Club and Boardwalk properties but for the money the SR just cannot be beat, AND as you pointed out you are on the deluxe level with the extra evening magic hours!

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What’s on the top floor? Looked like restaurant or event space? Maybe suites?

It’s their special event venue which is absolutely amazing! Very modern with floor to ceiling windows and amazing views of the fireworks!

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I was so excited for this place to open, hearing the word “suite” and seeing that the Signature rooms have two queens and a sofa bed. That is what my family of six gets at Disney suites. NOPE! Just like the regular Swan and Dolphin, we will never stay at Swan Reserve because their maximum occupancy is less than in Disney suites at everything from Art of Animation to the Ft Wilderness Cabins to Boardwalk, Beach Club, or Wilderness Lodge Deluxe suites. They only let you book five people, despite having the same three beds. We could book two tradtional rooms, but that adds up to the same as staying Club Level in a room for six at Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge! So disappointing, just when I thought a Swolphin option for larger families had finally become available. All that space and they only allow one more person than a traditional room. IDGI

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2 rooms at swan/dolphin can often times be significantly cheaper than one room at a deluxe resort.

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Do the buses drop you off at the parks or the TTC?

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TTC for MK. Parks for the other 3.

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There is currently only boat transportation to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, no bus.

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I like the Swolphin when I’m at WDW for a short trip without the family, so would likely try the Reserve suites if we do a last minute trip where we can’t get a DVC 1 bdr. They really should change the bus service to go directly to MK (is there not a single stall they can use there, c’mon!) but in the meantime taking the Boardwalk or Yacht Club bus home and walking back late at night is a solid workaround. Even super late after parties that walk is well lit and busy enough that I felt fine doing it as a solo female. Buses to AK and the boat service to DHS/Epcot are just the same as WDW resorts.

One correction to your Marriott Bonvoy data – they eliminated “categories” this year and point values are now dynamic. No more Peak/Non-Peak by category, point values vary by date. Reserve/Swan/Dolphin seem to all fall into about the same range for the same dates IME.

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Yes, I was going to mention this. I took a look at all dates for the next year & the cheapest date is 47,000 points for a night in May/23. Otherwise the range seems to go only as high at 63,000. Not crazy far off the old “limits” but also not consistent. It certainly does look nice though, and those views… wow!

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My only gripe is the big $$ add on for resort fees and also parking, which usually elevates the cost above

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The resort fees are annoying, but even including them (and I guarantee if they got rid of resort fees they would just raise room rates by an equivalent amount) the Swolphin are still much cheaper for what you get than staying at a Disney owned hotel.

Disney may not have resort fees, but you can almost think of the huge price premium they charge over similar hotels as it’s own kind of resort fee.

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Agreed. And here’s the thing, if u have handicap parking Disney waves the parking fee whereas Swolphins does not. It’s a savings of $35. PS we found the insides of the Swolphins boring We’re not at WDW for what can be had everywhere else in the Americas.

@Nancy The Dolphin was cheaper than the cheapest Deluxes for last month, fees and taxes included, by about $100 a night. On the other hand, if available the Swan would have narroweed the gap to a smaller $70 less a night. (The Reserve was definitely more expensive than a Lodge or two.)

@Mickey1928 I’d agree with you on the rooms, go farther on the Swan lobby and say it’s downright duller than most, but I’ll have to disagree with you at least with the Dolphin lobby atrium. (If only WDW could figure out some way to maintain a large water fixture in one of their Deluxes, sigh.)

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Thanks for the great post, Tom! The rooms look fantastic and so appealing for families. The big downside for me would be access to the boat transportation. I’m all for saving steps outside the parks, and we usually ride the boats when we’ve stayed at Swan or Dolphin. Location is what’s kept me from booking a room at the Reserve, but reading your post certainly makes me reconsider!

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Wow, that exterior is pretty awful. In the grand scheme of things I don’t think it matters much because you will mostly be inside the building, and that all looks lovely. But what a bad first impression.

We’ve stayed at the Swan and Dolphin a couple times – once before the transportation switch and once after. Bussing to TTC was a pretty big negative, tough countered by walking to the two other parks. I suppose a decision could be based on where you plan to spend the most time.

Otherwise, those hotels were “fine” as and this one looks pretty nice as well. For Disney trips, I’m looking mostly for a shower and bed and don’t need hotel amenities. And I actually like the spread-out , outside-door hotels vs. a compact tower. The towers feel like any other hotel I’ve stayed in any number of cities. The spread-out resorts feel unique to Disney.

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Thanks very much for this review. I wanted to book the Reserve for our upcoming spring break trip, but it is already sold out for any 5-night block from mid-March through the end of April!

The original Swan & Dolphin have really been getting panned in recent guest reviews online. Do you have any recent experience staying in either? I always take guest comments with a grain of salt, since people can be so picky, but it’s starting to seem like those hotels really have management and maintenance problems.

We stayed in the Dolphin a month ago, and it was very good. While the buildings are what they are on the outside, both the grounds and the common spaces inside the hotel are well maintained, and arguably themed to “TV Miami of the 1990s.” (Fuel might be a stretch, but it’s a good combo grab n go/counter location, so I’ll let it slide.) The rooms themselves were more “beachy” than anything; unlike the Swan, the Dolphin has one sink and two double sized beds. Everywhere we ate was good to amazing; of the 2 out of dozens of restaurants at both hotels said to be bad, one was already closed to change. (Not sure whether the ice cream counter attached to WDW’s best diner was new or whether they were finished remodeling our arrival day,)

I could see complaining about the work being done on the hotel; besides the (new?) ice cream counter, there was apparently cleaning being done on the outside of the building and a big worksite set up behind the convention center. Just because they weren’t noisy when I was there doesn’t mean that they couldn’t have been before and after. It could also be that the convention center brings a lot of guests, and many WDW visitors simply prefer to be surrounded by families. (IMO, there were more families at the pool and more childless adults at the bars.) Finally, they may have an issue with bus transportation, which as noted is no longer lumped in with Disney buses at the MK, AK, or DS. While AK is probably better, DS is off by Cirque du Soleil and MK currently drops off at the middle of the TTC bus stop (much farther than the Shades of Green stop at the front). I definitely recommend going to MK via Yacht Club (or BoardWalk Inn for Swan guests).

Service and management was great; they walked me through all of the possibilities for a late check out for our stay and were polite despite various times, levels of business, and the rudeness of other guests. Everyone from concierge through the Disney ticket desks and The Fountain diner waiters to the people working the Swan boat system were all wonderful. I’ve given a lot of thought to trying out non-Disney hotels around WDW, and I think the Dolphin and Swan properties provide the right upscale level of service for the Moderate level of price. Only the Buena Vista Palace comes close to getting you the bang for your buck around that price, but it depends on how much you value the extra benefits of location and Evening access.

It sounds like the Reserve takes it to the next level, but I have reservations about repeatedly crossing that street unless a traffic signal and a crosswalk has been added. I think I saw the former but at night I couldn’t tell if the latter was there as well. Crossing over to Fantasia Gardens for mini golf used to be an adventure in it’s own right.

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Liz C – I can’t speak to any issues with maintenance or management, but the regular rooms and hallways haven’t aged well (IMO) even though they were redone not that long ago. Moreover, they are huge hotels with a ton of rooms and probably have experienced the same staffing shortages as WDW. (They definitely did mass layoffs in 2020.) So none of those complaints are particularly surprising–we’re hearing them more about WDW-owned hotels, too.

Aaron – There’s a crosswalk and traffic light now (you can see it in the second photo). It’s entirely safe. I would have 0 hesitations walking across that with kids.

I stayed at Swan in May and found the service to be good. No issues with my room. In fact I was Marriott Platinum at the time and was upgraded to a large suite (free, not using a certificate or points). I prefer the Swan to the Dolphin in terms of size, more balconies, room layout and decor, but I didn’t see anything at either related to maintenance or management beyond the staffing challenges that were prevalent everywhere for the last year.

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I stayed at the Dolphin three times this year – February (end of President’s Week), late March/early April, and Labor Day week. I did not experience any management or maintenance problems for any of these stays. We walked over to the Reserve and went to dinner at Amare one night in September and wow, what a great place. Can’t wait to return there.

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for grins, are swan and dolphin guests eligible for the dining plan, if one existed?

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No they are not eligible for dining plan. In the past, only Disney owned properties were eligible.

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Looks like a decent hotel. We have already decided to try Polynesian next year. But maybe the following trip we can try.

On second thought, my kids already mad that we aren’t going to wilderness lodge next month and trying contemporary- lol. So this may be a gew years out

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Disney World Swan and Dolphin

It seems obvious to me why there are so many questions about the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve Hotels. I mean … they have Disney World in the name, but they’re not Disney World resorts? What’s up with that?! Well, if you have a question, maybe we have an answer … and if not, let us know in the comments and we’ll get one!

One thing to note: if I write Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve every single time, my fingers will stumble and so will your brain. Unless I single out the Swan Reserve, you can assume that anywhere I’ve written Swan & Dolphin below it’s shorthand for all three hotels.

Are the Swan and Dolphin part of the official Walt Disney World Resort?

No. The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels are often considered Good Neighbor Hotels. These are hotels that have Disney World’s stamp of approval for comfort, value, and quality. Good Neighbor Hotels are not owned or operated by Disney, but you can book them on Disney’s website. Many are able to offer some Disney World extras that are normally reserved for “on-site” guests. All offer a Guest Services desk to help with your Disney vacation planning, and transportation to the theme parks.

What makes the Swan and Dolphin special?

I wrote above that they are often considered Good Neighbor Hotels; in fact, they have their own category on Disney’s website: “Other Select Deluxe Hotels”. The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve offer many more of Disney World’s on-site hotel perks than any other Good Neighbor hotel. Another thing that makes the Swan & Dolphin stand out is their location – smack in the middle of the Crescent Lake resort area. You can easily walk to two of the theme parks, something no other non-Disney Hotel can boast of.

Are the Swan and Dolphin themed like Disney resort hotels?

Nope. Well, maybe. The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve rooms are not themed; they’ll be similar to Westins and Sheratons everywhere. But the public areas of the hotels are lovely, with nods to the swans and dolphins they’re named for. Does that count as “theming”? You decide. This is one area where the Swan Reserve is noticeably different, as it was built decades later and with a different architectural vision.

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What are the differences between the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve?

That’s way more than we could pack in this one article. I’ll refer you to  Why You Should Consider the Swolphin Rather Than A Disney Hotel .

“On-Site” Disney World Perks for Swan and Dolphin Guests

When can swan and dolphin guests make individual lightning lane reservations.

Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve guests can make Individual Lightning Lane reservations at 7 a.m., the same time as guests of Disney resort hotels. This is one of the perks that is available to those staying at the Swan & Dolphin but not other Good Neighbor Hotels.

Are guests of the Swan and Dolphin eligible for Early Theme Park Entry?

Yes, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve get Early Theme Park Entry. This benefit allows guests of the hotel to enter the parks at least half an hour before they open to regular visitors. Our experience is that most guests will be able to do between 1 and 3 attractions during Early Entry with much shorter lines than they’ll find later in the day.

Are guests of the Swan and Dolphin eligible for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours?

Yes, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are eligible for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. EETPH was announced as part of the Disney World 50th Anniversary and has continued since. These Extended Evening Hours give qualifying guests two extra hours in the parks after they close to day guests.

If you are staying at the Swan and Dolphin, do you get free parking at the theme parks?

Yes, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve get free parking at the Disney World theme parks.

disney yacht club vs swan

When can you make Disney World dining reservations if you’re staying at the Swan and Dolphin?

Guests at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can make reservations starting 60 days from the beginning of their stay. Even better, they qualify for the 60+10 rule . That means they can usually reserve for their entire stay as soon as their dining window opens.

Can you use MagicBands to charge to your room at the Swan & Dolphin?

No. Guests staying at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve do not have resort-wide charging privileges at Disney World. Thus, neither MagicBands nor MagicMobile can be used to charge to your room. However, you can charge to your room from the restaurants and shops at the Swolphin complex itself, like any other hotel.

If you’re doing a Disney World split stay with the Swan & Dolphin as one of the resorts, will Disney transfer your luggage?

No. Disney will only transfer your luggage between hotels that Disney owns and operates. That doesn’t include the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve.

Questions About Transportation

Do the disney buses go to the swan and dolphin.

No. For many years the Swan & Dolphin used the same buses as the Disney-owned hotels, but that changed in 2020. This matters most at the Magic Kingdom, where Swan & Dolphin buses go to the Transportation & Ticket Center instead of directly to the front of the theme park. The TTC is the main parking lot for the Magic Kingdom; from there, you’ll need to take the monorail or a ferry boat to reach the park entrance.

However, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. They also have access to the Disney-operated Friendship Boats that serve EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and the other Crescent Lake area resorts.

Finally, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve who drive to Disney World will have to pay for parking at their hotel. But they get complimentary parking at the theme parks.

disney yacht club vs swan

Does the Sunshine Flyer or Mears Connect go to the Swan and Dolphin?

Yes. These two services have now merged to a single service, Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine , and it does offer service  to and from the airport to the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve.

Can you use Minnie Van service at the Swan and Dolphin?

Yes, Minnie Vans will both pick up and drop off at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels.

Questions About Reservations and Fees

How can you make a reservation at the swan and dolphin.

Reservations at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can be made in any of the following ways:

  • on the Disney World website
  • on the Swan and Dolphin website
  • through a travel agent
  • by calling Disney World resort reservations at (407) 939-1936
  • by calling the Swan & Dolphin hotel reservations department at (888) 828-8850.

Can you link your Swan and Dolphin reservation to My Disney Experience?

Making a reservation on the Disney World website will automatically link the reservation to your My Disney Experience account. If you make the reservation through the Swan & Dolphin website, you’ll need to link it yourself using your confirmation number. However, Disney has made that process very easy: your Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve reservation confirmation number can be entered directly into MDE to link your reservation. There’s no real advantage to booking on Disney’s website.

Can you stay at the Swan and Dolphin using reward points?

Yes. You can use Marriott Bonvoy rewards to reserve a stay at any of the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve. Stays at these resorts that are reserved with cash also earn Marriott Bonvoy points.

disney yacht club vs swan

Is there a resort fee at the Swan and Dolphin?

Yes, the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve all charge a resort fee. This fee doesn’t include parking, which is an extra charge if you drive. You need to pay the resort fee even if you reserve your room using Marriott Bonvoy reward points.

Do you have to pay for parking at the Swan and Dolphin?

Yes. Guests staying at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve need to pay for parking. Guests who are just visiting also need to pay for parking, although some of the restaurants will validate parking. The restaurants that validate parking are Il Mulino, Kimonos, Shula’s Steak House, and bluezoo.

How do prices at the Swan and Dolphin compare to official Disney resorts?

Prices at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are often much lower than comparable Deluxe resorts, as much as 50% lower. However, those rates are highly dependent on the season and at more popular times of the year the gap can narrow considerably. Don’t forget to factor in the resort and parking fees when comparing prices.

Can you get the Disney Dining Plan if you’re staying at the Swan and Dolphin?

No. This is one of the few ways in which these hotels are truly different from an official Disney Resort hotel. You cannot add the Dining Plan to a reservation at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve.

disney yacht club vs swan

Do Disney World discount offers include the Swan and Dolphin?

No. When Disney World releases offers and promotions, they don’t include these hotels since they are not Disney-operated. But the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve run their own promotions and they may coincide with discounts on Disney World resorts. It never hurts to check.

Questions About Paying at the Swan & Dolphin

Can you use disney gift cards at the swan & dolphin.

Mostly no. The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are not Disney-owned properties and don’t have agreements with Disney that commit them to accept Disney Gift Cards. Although there may be a few random exceptions, you generally can’t use Disney Gift cards at the restaurants or shops in these hotels, nor can you use them to pay your bill.

Can you use MagicBands to pay at the Swan & Dolphin?

No. The stores and restaurants at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve aren’t on Disney’s payment system. If you’re staying at another Disney World resort, you can’t pay for things at the Swan and Dolphin hotels using either MagicBand or MagicMobile.

Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at the Swan and Dolphin restaurants?

No. The Swan, Dolphin, & Swan Reserve restaurants don’t participate in the Disney Dining Plan. You can’t use Table Service, Quick Service, or Snack credits in the eateries at these hotels.

Miscellaneous Questions

Is there pool hopping at the swan and dolphin.

Kinda. Guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are all able to use the pools at the complex no matter which hotel they are staying in. But they are not eligible to use the pools at other Disney World resort hotels. If it’s any consolation, that perk doesn’t come standard with a Disney resort hotel stay either. And even Disney Vacation Club members who do qualify for pool hopping can’t use the pools at the Swolphin.

disney yacht club vs swan

Can you see fireworks from the Swan and Dolphin?

Yes. The hotels are located about midway between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. All three hotels offer at least a few rooms with views of fireworks. Several public spaces such as restaurants or lounges also have excellent fireworks viewing.

Can you buy theme park tickets at the Swan and Dolphin?

Yes. The vacation planning desk at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can help you with tickets and other aspects of your Disney World vacation.

I’m sure we missed something. Was it your question? Let us know in the comments!

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2 thoughts on “ Frequently Asked Questions About the Disney World Swan and Dolphin ”

Thank you for this insightful post. One question about transportation: you mentioned about the third party bus service now at these resorts and the impact on a trip to the Magic Kingdom. Do they offer service to other Disney properties: Animal Kingdom, water parks, or Disney Springs? Or for those do we need to go to Boardwalk, Yacht, Beach?

Hi Michael, I’m happy to let you know that the Swan & Dolphin does also offer bus service to the Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. As for the water parks, Blizzard Beach is currently closed and even from Disney Resorts you must go to Disney Springs and then from Disney Springs to Typhoon Lagoon, so your process would be similar except that you’d be on the Swolphin bus to Disney Springs and the Disney bus from the Springs to the waterpark.

Have a great trip!

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Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, all reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, i stayed at the walt disney world swan & dolphin resort…and here’s why you should, too.

disney yacht club vs swan

Okay, I’m about to tell you something that might be controversial, but here goes: When you visit Disney World , you should consider NOT staying at a Disney-owned hotel.

disney yacht club vs swan

Yes, I know that’s a hot take. But there is a non-Disney resort ON PROPERTY that may just offer a better experience for you than a Disney-owned hotel. That’s the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort .

So you might be thinking, “But if I stay off-property, I won’t get those perks like Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours .” Well, I’ve got some good news for you. You’ll get both of those perks at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, just like you would at any Disney-owned deluxe hotel.

You’ll also get other Disney World hotel perks like free theme park parking and package delivery .

disney yacht club vs swan

Location, Location, Location

The biggest draw to these hotels might be their location, though. They are just steps away from several EPCOT-area hotels , which  means you’re super close to Disney’s Yacht Club , Beach Club , and Boardwalk Resorts. That means you have a WIDE variety of dining and shopping options in the area.  Plus you can walk to EPCOT (and Hollywood Studios , although it’s a little farther away).

disney yacht club vs swan

Transportation

You’ll also get access to transportation to and from the parks and Disney Springs , including a water shuttle to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios . You’re also pretty close to the EPCOT Skyliner station. However, you can also just walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Seriously, as I said above, the location just can’t be beat.

disney yacht club vs swan

Marriott-Owned Hotel

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, as well as the Swan Reserve, are all owned by Marriott. That means if you’re a member of the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, you can earn points for stays at these hotels . You can also use your rewards points to book rooms.

disney yacht club vs swan

Okay, so one thing you need to know about these hotels is there is no Disney theme . Instead, at the Swan, there are, well, swans, EVERYWHERE. And at the Dolphin? There are tons of dolphin fish sculptures and lots of water. These hotels are still gorgeous! Honestly, I think this makes these some of the more unique hotels at Disney World and the experience here is worth giving up strictly Disney theming.

disney yacht club vs swan

The rooms are well-appointed, and if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, THIS is where you want to stay. The beds in the room are those Westin heavenly beds , and if you have never slept on one of those, well, you are missing out. I’ve never had a bad night’s rest in one of these hotels because it almost feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud. Also, you get double-stuffed feather pillows. This could be one of the most comfortable rooms in Disney World.

disney yacht club vs swan

Here’s where the Swan and Dolphin Hotels really beat out Disney World’s deluxe hotels. Rooms start at around $280 per night (although that depends on when you’re staying and type of room), which means these rooms are a bit more affordable than the rooms at Disney’s deluxe hotels. Also, as I said above, if you can use Marriott Bonvoy rewards to book a room, you could potentially save even more money on a stay here.

disney yacht club vs swan

Do you want to eat? Trust me, I’m always hungry, and you’ll have 23 restaurants and lounges to check out between the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. You’re also REALLY close to all the restaurants at the other EPCOT-area hotels . Take your pick, you have a LOT of food options. The only problem is that there are so many options you might have trouble deciding where you want to eat. You can also order food to be delivered to your room with In-Room Mobile Dining. Several of the restaurants here also offer Mobile Order pick-up options.

disney yacht club vs swan

Pro tip: if you’re staying here during an EPCOT festival, just make sure you have a park hopping ticket and walk to EPCOT every night to check out a wide array of festival foods.

There are six pools to choose from if you’re looking for a little fun in the sun or just want to curl up with a good book by a white sand beach. When I stayed at the Swan, I noticed that the pool doesn’t get nearly as crowded as the pools at Disney-owned hotels, which is nice.

disney yacht club vs swan

Also, if you get hungry or thirsty, you can Mobile Order food from your lounge chair . You’ll find a QR code attached to each chair by the pool which you just scan with your phone and then order. Then…get this…the food comes RIGHT to you. Disney needs to take notes.

disney yacht club vs swan

So if you think you can break yourself away from the Disney bubble (and I know that can be hard), consider a stay at the Walt Disney World Swan or Dolphin. You might just like it so much that you won’t ever stay at a Disney hotel again.

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Have you ever stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan or Dolphin? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments!

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2 Replies to “I Stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort…and Here’s Why You Should, Too!”

Just don’t forget about the additional resort fee. 😞

This is all pretty much true, and we have enjoyed our stays here in the past for the most part. But our last stay in the Swan was abysmal, and we will not be back. We told them in advance that it was our anniversary vacation, and we paid to a premium view, but were assigned a room overlooking a roof, and worse, one that was under repair! Then the air conditioning (or some other mechanical item in the wall) leaked all over the floor. Management were not very responsive. They promised to change our room and we pack all our things again to allow them to move our luggage while we were in the park, only to return and find that we had not been moved and the leak had not been repaired. In the end, all they did was credit us $100 for our 5 night stay (a whopping $20 dollars per night). We were, at the time, Marriott Gold club members and have NEVER had treatment like this at any other Marriott property. The Swan, at least, has definitely slipped FAR from its previous status in our estimation.

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Disney Dolphin and Swan vs Beach and Yacht Club Resort - Orlando Forum

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Disney Dolphin and Swan vs Beach and Yacht Club Resort

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We are going to Disney for 7 nights from 27th December 2013 with our two girls who will be aged 5 & 3. We have booked into the Dolphin but after reading some pretty rubbish reviews on here, I'm worried we've made the wrong decision. Just wondering if anyone has stayed there with young children and whether it is as bad as the reviews make out.

Would we be better paying the extra and staying in the Beach & Yacht Club? Or is there another hotel that we should be considering that would be better suited to a 5 & 3 year old.

Probably going too have lots more Disney related questions soon but want to make sure we get the right accommodation sorted first.

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The Beach for the kids.

We stay at the Dolphin, Swan or GF most times but have been to all 4 as well as several others.

Thanks for all your help.

Getting excited now and will definitely be back with more questions for all you Disney experts.

Thanks again

You are going in December – the week between Christmas and New Years – this is the busiest week of the year for WDW. So crowds need to be considered in your plans – really big crowds. Also, weather needs to be considered – I’ve been in December many times and it can get very cold, or be rather warm. If it’s cold, it doesn’t matter what the pool is like. If it’s warm, the pool is a real deal maker.

I’ve stayed at the Dolphin four times for a total of 17 nights – mostly with conferences. My kids loved the Dolphin – the Grotto pool was a big hit with them. The beds are supper comfortable and there are great dining options (though expensive). For the time you’re going, there will most likely not be a conference so that should not be consideration is staying at the Dolphin. Call and ask to make sure.

I would try to stay as close as possible to whichever park your family is most interested in. This will help with crowds and time management as you’ll not spend as much time traveling between the park and your hotel. For peek week, you really need to be at each park when they first open because by 11am or noon it will be packed with 1-2 hour wait times for rides. Avoid parks with early extra magic hours as everyone goes there in the morning. Late evening extra magic hours are better as most people are too tired to stay up that late – so plan on a midday nap!!

Remember WDW is crowded, especially peek week, so be patient and have fun.

Just to make a note the OP certainly should use the benifit of staying and go into the parks with exctra magic hours thats one of the benifits that she gets by staying at the Dolphin hotel and thats where when the people that is staying onsite going in so yes, go into the park when they open

The Dolphin is an okay hotel, but the Yacht & Beach Clubs are much, much nicer and Storm-a-long Bay is great for the kids.

disney yacht club vs swan

The hotel is the least of your worries. I would be more worried over the week you have chosen to go. If you can change anything, I would change that

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disney yacht club vs swan

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Panoramic view of Crescent Lake at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, lit up at night

View Gallery  View an image gallery of Disney's Yacht Club Resort- Opens Dialog

What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique

Disney Skyliner gondolas zip along a cable above Disney Resort hotel buildings

Disney Skyliner Transportation

This gondola system offers a bird's eye view as it whisks you and your family away to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Lakeside marina and watercraft rentals at Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Outdoor Water Recreation Area

Discover a life-size shipwreck, pools, lagoons and more at Stormalong Bay—a 3-acre water wonderland. Read More

Discover a life-size shipwreck, pools, lagoons and more at Stormalong Bay—a 3-acre water wonderland.

Climb the mast and zip down one of the highest hotel waterslides at Walt Disney World Resort. Catch currents on an inner tube in the lazy river, unwind in one of 3 whirlpool spas and relax on the elevated tanning deck. Children can wade into the main pool from a gentle slope and splash about in 2 kiddie pools—including one with a miniature waterslide.

Prefer a more tranquil experience? Explore 3 all-ages quiet pools—each with a whirlpool spa—located throughout Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Learn more about recreation at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Yachtsman Steakhouse dining area in Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Savor mouthwatering steaks, seafood and more at this sophisticated, family-friendly restaurant.

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Ship Shape Health Club

Enjoy a workout or indulge in a massage at this full-service fitness center.

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Dog-Friendly Accommodations

Bring your pampered pooch to stay with you at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Read More

Bring your pampered pooch to stay with you at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Here at Walt Disney World Resort, we know that dogs aren’t simply pets—they’re members of your family. And since family is at the heart of everything we do, for a limited time, your furry friends are welcome to join you at select Disney Resort hotels. Let the tail wagging commence!

Note: Limit 2 dogs per room. Restrictions and fees apply.

How to Book Bring your dog along on your upcoming visit by calling (407) 939-5277. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Services for Guests with Dogs During your stay, Best Friends Pet Care can provide assistance with day care and other pet services (fees apply). For details, please call (877) 4-WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit bestfriendspetcare.com . Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Some restrictions on certain pets may apply. Before you arrive, be sure to download the official dog policy PDF .

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Need More Room?

Consider booking a Disney Deluxe Villa with just-like-home amenities like a kitchen, washer, dryer and private bedrooms. Read More

Consider booking a Disney Deluxe Villa with just-like-home amenities like a kitchen, washer, dryer and private bedrooms.

When you stay at Disney’s Beach Club Villas , you’ll enjoy the same benefits offered at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort—along with spacious Disney Deluxe Villa accommodations. It’s an outstanding home base for your Walt Disney World vacation.

Discover the Villa Difference Disney’s Beach Club Villas and other Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts offer accommodations with just-like-home touches that go beyond the traditional hotel room.

Choose from 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas—as well as Cabins and Bungalows at select Resort hotels—with the following features:

  • A full kitchen , so you can prepare meals and snacks from the comfort of your villa
  • Spacious living and dining areas where your family can share even more quality time together after you return from the parks
  • Separate bedrooms that offer space, privacy and tranquility – so it’s easy to rest, relax and recharge your spirit after each exhilarating vacation day
  • A washer and dryer , so you can pack lightly and avoid airline baggage fees

A little more than you need? Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts also feature Deluxe Studios, which feature a kitchenette and sleeper sofa—a great option for smaller travel parties and shorter stays.

Reservations and Rates Check availability and nightly rates at Disney’s Beach Club Villas.

More Magic for Your Stay

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A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

The "Hey Disney!" voice assistant experience features tons of character fun plus a helpful host, who can order you extra towels and answer lots of your park questions.

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The Wonderful World of Wine

Wine-lovers, rejoice! Read More

Wine-lovers, rejoice! Sip and swirl your way through some of the world’s most renowned wine-growing regions—no passport required.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse invites Guests to explore the wonderful world of wine every second Wednesday of the month. Sample the liquid legacies of some of the finest appellations and vineyards throughout California, Italy, France, Chile, Australia and more—and learn about their flavor profiles, winemaking techniques, and soil and climate conditions. This engaging class also includes a small tasting plate paired to go with the selected wine offerings.

The cost is $45 per person and the wine tasting begins at 3 PM on the second Wednesday of each month. Guests interested in attending can call Disney Dining at (407) WDW-DINE.

All Attendees must be 21 or over with valid ID; no discounts accepted.

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Disney Signature Services

Guests staying in Club-level rooms and suites are eligible for personalized vacation-planning support.

disney yacht club vs swan

Enhance Your Stay with the My Disney Experience App

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app. Read More

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app.

Be sure you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app to enjoy these handy features during your stay.

Check In and Check Out with Ease

Enjoy a simplified arrival at your Disney Resort hotel! Use the app to begin the check-in process , view your room number and even unlock your door .

At the end of your stay, there’s no need to stop by the Front Desk if you have a valid payment card on file or a zero-dollar balance on your account. Instead, check out of your room via the app by visiting My Reservations or your Hotel Account.

Plan, Play, Dine and Unwind

There are many more ways to enhance your stay! With the app, you can:

  • Make vacation plans during your stay—and review existing plans
  • Enter the theme parks (with a valid park reservation and valid admission) using Disney MagicMobile service
  • Order food and beverages with mobile order service
  • Check park schedules
  • Get directions
  • Explore transportation options
  • View your Disney PhotoPass photos

And that’s only the beginning!

Learn more about the My Disney Experience app .

Available for iPhone®, iPad® and smartphones for Android™. Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc .

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Easier Trip Planning – Like Magic!

Once you’ve settled in, let Disney Genie service summon the attractions, entertainment and dining experiences you love the most. Plus, as a Disney Resort hotel guest get early access to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for up to two different attractions each day.

View Rooms and Prices

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Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

Resort Rating 4.5 Out Of 5

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disney yacht club vs swan

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disney yacht club vs swan

Complete Guide to the Walt Disney World Swan vs Dolphin Resorts 2023

disney yacht club vs swan

This article is your complete guide to the 2023 Swan vs Dolphin Resorts in Walt Disney World. Choosing the right hotel for your Disney vacation can be tough, especially when deciding between offsite and onsite locations. The Swan and Dolphin resorts are always at the top of the list for resorts that we love staying at, along with many other Disney guests. That leaves many people wondering is the Dolphin or Swan hotel better ?

This is where we come in! We are experts at staying at the Swan and Dolphin resorts and have the ultimate comparison of the two. We’ve even seen the new Swan Reserve hotel, which is an incredible choice too! There are many differences between the two hotels, but they are also very similar. So in this article we will comparing everything Disney Swan and Dolphin like restaurants, rooms and more!

So if you’re wondering which is better, Disney Swan or Dolphin resorts? – read on!

SPECIAL NOTE:  If you are still in the process of planning your Disney vacation need help picking the best time to visit Disney World be sure to check out our Disney crowd calendar below!

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

2023 Dolphin vs Swan Hotel Overview

disney yacht club vs swan

When wondering which hotel should I choose the Swan or Dolphin – which is better , it is important to know that both choices are great! Some  of our favorite Disney resort choices are the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts. These two luxury hotels owned by Marriott are centrally located in Walt Disney World Resort and within minutes of any of the WDW theme park. Many people don’t know the difference between Swan and Dolphin resort , and actually think they are the same resort! 

But, since we’ve stayed at the Swan, Dolphin and even the brand new Swan Reserve, we like to think that we’re experts. So, if you’re looking as to all of the details on Disney Swan vs Dolphin , we’ve got you covered.

What are the factors to consider when deciding if the Dolphin or Swan is better?

  • Swan and Dolphin Location
  • Transportation
  • Hotel Rooms
  • Dining Locations

And you’ll be happy to hear that although not owned by Walt Disney World, the Swan and Dolphin Marriott’s have the same perks as Disney resorts like access to the free Disney resort transportation. While these resorts are two separate sister resorts, they share a lot of similarities and differences. So next, let’s talk about some of the differences between the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotel next!

Related post : Disney Deals and Universal Vacation Specials

Walt Disney Swan vs Dolphin Location

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The Swan and Dolphin resorts are situated in the same location – Both nestled between Hollywood Studios and Epcot theme parks. The Swan resort is only a few hundred feet from the Dolphin; therefore, you can expect the same kind of travel times and distances from the theme parks. Both are either a boat ride or short walk away from Either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios parks. So if you’re wondering WDW Swan or Dolphin for location, it is truly splitting hairs on which is better.

If you’re heading to EPCOT, the Dolphin is maybe a few minutes closer and if you’re heading to Hollywood Studios, the Swan might be a step or two closer. Either way, its a wash when it comes to Swan vs Dolphin for location.

Can you walk to EPCOT from the Swan and Dolphin?

Another popular question we receive is, can you walk to EPCOT from the Swan and Dolphin? And, yes guests will be happy to hear that you can absolutely walk to EPCOT from either of the Swan or Dolphin hotels. In fact, guests can also walk over to Hollywood Studios using the walking path next to the Disney Boardwalk resort if they are up for it. We would say the walk to EPCOT from the Dolphin or Swan is about a 10 minute walk with the walk to Hollywood Studios being a 15-20 minute walk.

Related Page: Guide to the Disney World Boardwalk  

2023 Swan vs Dolphin Map

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As you can see on the 2023 Dolphin vs Swan map the hotels are almost identically located. They are also located directly in the middle of Walt Disney World which we love as you have easy transportation to all four Walt Disney World theme parks and not just EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. We also feel like because the hotels are so close to each other you can really take advantage of all of the amazing restaurants and amenities at either Swan or Dolphin resort. 

The Swan Reserve is located right on the left of the Swan, across the way from Disney’s Fantasia Gardens & Fairways golf courses. You can see the Swan Reserve from Buena Vista Drive if you are driving between the theme parks.

Related Page: Guide to the Cheapest Disney World hotels 

Dolphin vs Swan Hotel Rooms 2023

disney yacht club vs swan

While there are very little differences between the Walt Disney World Dolphin vs Swan in terms of location, there are some differences when it comes to the hotel rooms. The Swan and Dolphin hotel rooms are very similar in terms of size and amenities, but the Swan hotel rooms have been recently renovated. The Swan hotel rooms have a more modern feel to them, while the Dolphin hotel rooms have a more traditional feel.

The Swan and Dolphin hotel rooms are both spacious and comfortable, with the Swan hotel rooms being slightly larger. The Swan hotel rooms also have a larger bathroom area, which can be a big plus for families. The Dolphin hotel rooms , on the other hand, have a larger living area, which can be a plus for families who need more space to spread out.

The Disney Swan hotel vs Dolphin rooms hold a slightly different theme. The Dolphin color palette is beautiful shades of blue, silver and white while the Swan has more of a relaxing blue and gray vibe. Both resorts offer 4 types of rooms – traditional, resort view, grand deluxe and grand family deluxe. There are also several suites available for guests to book, such as junior, executive and presidential suites.

How many rooms are in the Swan and Dolphin resorts?

A minor difference between the two resorts is the number of rooms which a guest can book. The Swan Resort offers 758 rooms, where the Dolphin resort has 1509 rooms, which is double! The guest room themes are similar, with a contemporary nautical palate of colors.

Comparison of Disney World Swan vs Dolphin traditional rooms

Swan vs Dolphin beds

  • Swan – 2 Queen Beds or 1 King (2 adults/2 children)
  • Swan – 1 King Bed + 1 Sofa Bed
  • Dolphin – 2 Double Beds or 1 King (2 adults, 3 children)

Disney Swan vs Dolphin traditional room sizes

  • Swan – 340 Square Feet / 32 Square Meters
  • Dolphin – 360 Square Feet / 33 Square Meters

Disney Dolphin vs Swan bathrooms

  • Swan – Heavenly Shower Curtain and Wand
  • Dolphin – Overhead Rain Shower Head
  • Glass Enclosed Shower
  • Shower / Tub Combination Available Upon Request

Disney Swan vs Dolphin room features

Both Swan and Dolphin rooms have all of these features for guests to use.

  • All Rooms are Non-Smoking
  • Iron / Ironing Board
  • Single Serve Brew Coffee Makers
  • In-Room Mini Refrigerators
  • Clock Radio with Dual USB Charging Stations
  • Individual Climate Control

The Swan and Dolphin hotel rooms both have a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and a safe. The Swan hotel rooms also have a microwave, which can be a big plus for families who want to save money by eating in their room.

If you want to see a Swan vs Dolphin review of the rooms, we have a short YouTube video here of the Dolphin rooms.

Disney Swan vs Swan Reserve traditional rooms

  • Swan: Two queen or king with sofa bed, 340 square feet (32 square meters)
  • Swan Reserve: Two queen or king with sofa bed, 330 square feet (30 square meters).

Related post:  The Complete List of Disney World Resorts

Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Restaurants

disney yacht club vs swan

One of the largest differences between the Swan or Dolphin hotels are the dining options available for guests. Both offer an array of cuisines, from Italian to Japanese to traditional steakhouse. So does the D isney Dolphin or Swan better for restaurants? It is hard to compare because both resorts have amazing options and exclusive, world class dining! 

Disney Swan Restaurants

The Swan Hotel offers 5 different kinds of restaurants to guests. Our favorite option is the only character breakfast between these two resorts called Garden Grove.  During this breakfast at Disney you can meet Pluto and goofy and dine on an a la carte menu or enjoy from the breakfast buffet.

Other restaurants include:

  • Il Mulino New York Trattoria – traditional Italian cuisine.
  • Kimonos – Japanese sushi bar
  • Java Bar – pastries and coffee
  • Splash Grill and Deli – American fare

Disney Dolphin Resort Restaurants

While the Swan has the character breakfast, the Dolphin has more choices to eat from, offering 7 different restaurants. The most important, award-winning Todd English bluezoo.

You can also find:

  • Shula’s Steak House
  • Picabu – buffet service and cafeteria
  • The Fountain – 50’s diner American food
  • Fresh Mediterranean Market
  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club
  • Lobby Lounge

So for WDW Swan vs Dolphin restaurants , it is completely up to you what you think will be better! Guests can book dining reservations at either resort, so this may not be something to be concerned about. 

What are the Disney Swan Reserve restaurants?

The Swan Reserve restaurants are Amare Mediterranean cuisine, Tangerine poolside snacks, food and refreshments, Grounds grab-and-go coffee, sandwiches, and more, Stir lobby lounge with cocktails and light bites. We tend to think that since the Swan Reserve is so small, if you’re looking for more options and aren’t a fan, the Swan has many more options to choose from, with some of the best dining of all three hotels.

Related post:  Ranking All of The Boardwalk Disney Restaurants

Walt Disney Swan vs Dolphin Price 2023

swan-dolphin-hotel

When it comes to which is better Swan or Dolphin for price, b oth resorts tend to start at $250 a night. Recently, the Swan has been a bit more expensive that the Dolphin, which could be due to the lesser amount of rooms available.

When booking through the Swan or Dolphin, there is a mandatory Resort Service package, which is $35 per day. That covers many of the amenities that we will talk about below.

Swan and Dolphin parking fee

When parking at the Swan and Dolphin, there is a daily parking fee for your vehicle.

  • Preferred parking: car or motorcycle – $45-$50 per day*
  • Standard parking: car or motorcycle – $25 per day (included for registered guests of the resort)
  • Oversized Vehicle Parking: Shuttle, Limo, Camper Trailer, RV, Bus or Tractor Trailer – $30 per day

Related Article: Complete Guide to the Disney Boardwalk 

Swan Versus Dolphin Hotel A menities

disney yacht club vs swan

When wondering is Disney Swan or Dolphin better , both resorts offer luxurious amenities, making that a hard question to answer. When visiting the Swan and Dolphin Marriott resorts , you can enjoy five different outdoor swimming pools, a white sand beach, and even swan boat rentals to paddle around in the water. You can even book a relaxing service at the Mandara Spa, which is located at the Walt Disney World Swan. Any Swan or Dolphin guest can book services at the Mandara Spa, you will just have to take a short walk from the Dolphin to get there!

Services at the Mandara Spa include

  • Mandara Customized & Deep Tissue Massage
  • Elemis Urban Cleanse For Men Facial
  • Coconut Poultice Massage
  • Elemis Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap
  • Elemis Visible Brilliance Facial
  • Mandara Coffee Body Polish and Coconut Milk Wrap

These are just some of the services offered by the Mandara Spa at the Swan Hotel.

What are the Swan and Dolphin amenities for all guests?

  • in-room high-speed wireless Internet access
  • unlimited access to the health club facilities, including 24 hour access to Dolphin Health Club
  • complimentary Swan Paddle Boat rentals
  • complimentary daily scheduled fitness classes
  • daily scheduled recreational resort and pool activities

These amenities are also offered for the brand-new Swan Reserve, which is the third Swan and Dolphin hotel that was finished in 2021.

Related post:  Complete Guide to the Best Disney Resort Pools

Disney Swan vs Dolphin Transportation

disney yacht club vs swan

Walt Disney World Dolphin or Swan transportation will be the same for either resort. 

Water taxis take our guests to  Disney’s BoardWalk , the  Disney’s Hollywood Studios and  Epcot approximately every 20 – 25 minutes, starting 1 hour before the parks open*. You will be able to board the water taxi from the boat dock located by the covered walkway between the Swan and Dolphin wings. Buses depart from the front entrance of the Swan wing and the Dolphin wing to the  Magic Kingdom Park,  Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and all other venues approximately every 20 – 25 minutes. There are even options to take guests between Disney World and Universal Orlando.  

You can also walk to either Disney’s Hollywood Studios or EPCOT park from either resort. There are walking paths running along the waterway next to the Walt Disney World Swan Resort and EPCOT is accessible from the BoardWalk Inn.

Disney Swan vs Dolphin transportation options

  • Watercraft Taxi
  • Walt Disney World busses
  • Skyliner (Near Disney’s BoardWalk)

Related post:  The Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner Route

Disney World Swan Vs Swan Reserve

swan-reserve-disney-hotel-near-epcot

One of the newest hotels on Disney property also just opened up across the street from the Disney World Swan and Dolphin and that is the Swan Reserve. The newest addition to the Marriott hotels on Disney World property is more sleek and modern compared to the Disney Swan or Dolphin resort. But is the Disney World Swan reserve nicer than the Dolphin or Swan? 

Very simply, it’s a different type of hotel boasting more suites for families looking to upgrade to larger rooms with more space. All in all we do feel like the rooms are nicer but with that they will cost you a bit more per night. And with only 349 rooms at the Swan Reserve and 150 of those rooms being considered suites you can understand why. And many of those suites also provide amazing theme park views of EPCOT which can be a great way to experience the fireworks.

Our favorite part of the Swan Reserve vs Swan is that all of the amenities are shared between the three hotels. So while the Swan Reserve may be smaller than the other two hotels, the ability to walk between the three hotels and use the pools, gyms, spas and more is a huge perk.

Swan vs Swan Reserve – What are the Swan Reserve Restaurants?

The Swan Reserve restaurants are:

  • Amare – Mediterranean cuisine
  • Tangerine – Poolside snacks, food and refreshments
  • Grounds – Grab and go coffee, sandwiches and more
  • Stir – Lobby lounge with cocktails and light bites

We tend to think that since the Swan Reserve is so small, if you’re looking for more options are aren’t a fan, the Swan has many more options to choose from, with some of the best dining of all three hotels.

What are the Swan Reserve transportation options?

When it comes to the Disney Swan vs the Dolphin, and comparing that to the Swan Reserve, all of the transportation will be the same. The three hotels are in the same area and share all of the same transportation options, which, at the Swan Reserve are busses, boats and the Disney Skyliner.

Disney Swan vs Swan Reserve Traditional Rooms

  • Swan – Two Queen or King with Sofa Bed) – 340 Square Feet / 32 Square Meters
  • Swan Reserve – (Two Queen or King with Sofa Bed) 330 Square Feet/ 30 Square Meters

Related Page: Disney World Vacation Package Deals and Promotions

Dolphin and Swan Hotel – Which is Better?

disney yacht club vs swan

So you’ve read this article and are wondering still what is the difference between the Swan and Dolphin hotel?  As you can see, there isn’t much of one! We think that a stay at either Swan or Dolphin hotels will be a great stay. The closeness of the two sister resorts make a lot of the amenities and restaurants easy to access within minutes. Both resorts are beautifully designed with many different recreation options to enjoy while you’re on vacation.

So, Walt Disney swan or Dolphin – which is better ? We can’t decide. We suggest that you look for the best deal between the two and book that way. 

Related post:  What are the Best Disney World Hotels for Families ?

Disney Swan vs Dolphin FAQ

f-a-q

Q: Is Swan and Dolphin owned by Disney?

A: While you do get almost all of the same perks as staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, the Swan, Swan Reserve and Dolphin are not owned by Disney. The Swan is owned and operated by Westin, the Dolphin is owned and operated by Sheraton and the Swan Reserve is owned and operated by Marriott.

Q: Is Swan cheaper than Dolphin?

A: While the pricing of the Swan and Dolphin are relatively the same, you will actually, on average, pay more for the Swan. The Dolphin is typically a bit busier, as it is perfectly set up for conventions and events, therefore, you might save a couple of bucks staying there.

Q: Are Disney Swan and Dolphin the same?

A: No, while they are both owned and managed by Marriott Bonvoy, they are two different hotels! Guests are allowed to share and use amenities between both, but the you will have to book a room in one or the other, and treat them as separate hotels. There are slight differences throughout like the theme and dining options, but they are very similar.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our   Disney  World Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down   the best time to visit Disney World   based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a  Disney World Travel Agent   for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a  Free Quote  for all  Disney World Vacation Packages .  The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your  Walt Disney World Tickets ,   and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets  and  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets .   If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning we recommend our  Walt Disney World Planning Page!   Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our  Walt Disney World Hotels Review page .

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today , as well!

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disney yacht club vs swan

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Coronado Springs vs Swan and Dolphin: Best Disney Resort?

disney yacht club vs swan

If you’re planning on visiting Disney World soon, then you might just be considering a stay at either the Coronado Springs resort, the Swan or even Dolphin.  But which resort is best and why? Well, in our ultimate comparison between Coronado Springs vs Swan vs Dolphin, we compare each hotel based on theming, pricing, dining, and room amenities to best help you determine which resort is worth your time and money.

Swan and Dolphin vs Coronado Springs Resort

Let’s begin this comparison by looking at the differences of these restaurants based solely on hotel theming.

Hotel Theming

The Swan and Dolphin resort offers a clean, modern feel in both buildings. The rooms of the Dolphin are decorated in hues of blue and white, while the Swan’s rooms sport more of a blue and gray tone. The room designs are reminiscent of cool water, enhancing the vibe inspired by its two namesakes! 

Coronado Springs offers two different aesthetics. Part of the resort transports you to Colonial Southwestern Mexico, with replicas of Mayan temples and artistic designs throughout the rooms. The Gran Destino tower offers a Spanish excursion, with architecture inspired by Gaudi and Moorish mosaic tiling, the Gran Destino Tower has more of a Spanish influence with the architecture inspired by Gaudi and Moorish tiling and mosaic designs around the property and in the rooms. 

Coronado Springs, specifically the Gran Destino Tower, is one of my favorite buildings on Disney property. The rooms, lobby, lounges and restaurants are simply stunning.  I love the blending of romantic gem tones and vibrant yellows and oranges. Not to mention the opportunity to hunt for a plethora of hidden Mickeys!

Average Nightly Rate

Situated just a quick 5-minute walk to Disney’s Boardwalk , the Swan and Dolphin will typically average $250-$400 per night for a standard queen or king sized room. As a Marriott Bonvoy property, you also have the option to use points for a stay in either building, which is a big pro if you are a Bonvoy loyalist! 

Coronado Springs is tiered as one of Disney’s moderate resorts. The average cost ranges from $240-$498 for standard queen and king rooms. Like the Swan and Dolphin, you’ll have a choice of two areas here: the Casitas, Ranchos and Cabanas resort area, or the Gran Destino Tower. 

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Swan and Dolphin Layout

disney yacht club vs swan

Both the Swan and Dolphin and Coronado Springs are sprawling properties and are often used as convention centers for large corporate events. Don’t let this deter you though, they each offer plenty of space to feel comfortable and relax after a long day at the parks. 

Swan and Dolphin have two main buildings, easily identifiable by, you guessed it, the Swan or Dolphin sculptures that sit atop each building. There is a walkway between the two resorts, so it’s quick and convenient to walk between the two and enjoy the amenities of both. The Swan and Dolphin features:

  • A 3-acre grotto pool 
  • 2 lap pools (one on the Dolphin side and the other on the Swan side) 
  • 4 whirlpools 
  • 1 kiddie pool 
  • Kids’ playground
  • White sand beach 
  • Sand and pool volleyball 
  • Basketball court 
  • Paddle boat (rental fee applies)
  • Tube and crafts for the pool (rental fee applies) 
  • Lifejackets (complimentary) 
  • Jogging trails through Disney’s Boardwalk 
  • Mandara Spa (offering services such as massages and facials to be booked in advance) 
  • Laundry service 
  • Swan Fitness Center 
  • Fitness Classes 
  • Family programming (outdoor movies, activities etc.) 

Coronado Springs Layout

Coronado Springs is a beautifully laid out resort, described by Disney as a blend of “Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American Cultures”- the theming is one of my favorite aspects! It features two main sections, one being the Ranchos, Casitas and Cabanas and the other featuring the Gran Destino Tower, which was a new addition to the resort in 2019. 

Coronado Springs also offers a ton of great amenities and activities:

  • The Lost City of Cibola pool 
  • The largest whirlpool on Disney property 
  • 3 leisure pools at each of the resort sections (Casitas, Ranchos & Cabanas) 
  • White sand volleyball court 
  • Jogging trails 
  • La Vida Health Club Fitness Center 
  • Fitness Center at Gran Destino 
  • La Vida Salon 
  • Spa Services 
  • Campfire Events (Smore’s kits available for purchase) 
  • Family programming (outdoor movies, activities etc.)

The accommodations at both resorts are fabulous! Both resorts are inviting, clean and offer plenty of options for outdoor relaxation. I enjoyed the style of the Grotto at the Swan and Dolphin and found that the lap pools offered a quieter escape. Kids are sure to love the water slides at each resort, the family activities offered in the evening are such a nice way to end the day! 

I will say that since the amenities at each resort are equally great, I don’t think that the $40 daily resort fee at the Swan and Dolphin provides you with a better experience over Coronado Springs. So I’m likely to save money on that and enjoy all that Coronado has to offer. 

Room Options

There’s no shortage of room options at either of these resorts, so you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for after those long days of adventuring through the parks! 

Both the Swan and Dolphin offer traditional, deluxe and family sized rooms. Here’s what you’ll find in each: 

Disney’s Swan Rooms

  • Traditional Rooms : Two double beds or king. 
  • Deluxe : Two double beds or king with a balcony 
  • Family : One king or two full sized with a pull-out sofa in addition to a separate alcove with a table and chairs 
  • Bathroom : There is a vanity sink outside of the bathroom, in its own separate space. The bathrooms feature toilets and glass door enclosed showers (though you can request a full shower/tub combination if you choose) 

Disney’s Dolphin Rooms

  • Traditional Rooms : Two queen beds or one king
  • Deluxe : Two queen beds or king with a balcony
  • Family : One king or two queens with a pull-out sofa in addition to a separate alcove with a table and chairs
  • Bathroom : The sink is enclosed in the bathroom; bathrooms feature glass door enclosed showers (though you can request a full shower/tub combination if you choose). All rooms at both locations feature a small writing desk/chair, roomy closets, mini fridges, coffee makers and USB plugs. 

You can request “firework view” rooms at both the Swan and Dolphin, but doing so will result in an increased nightly rate, which may vary depending on the season. 

Speaking from experience, I found the rooms at both the Swan and Dolphin to be clean, comfortable and updated. The beds at each are extremely comfortable with pillow top mattresses and plenty of pillows. 

When it comes to the room layouts, I’m partial to the Swan. I loved the vanity sink outside the bathroom; this made it super easy when getting ready for the day, since there were two of us sharing the room. I didn’t stay in a Deluxe room, but truthfully, I didn’t feel like I was missing out by not having a balcony. The location on the boardwalk made it easy to catch Epcot fireworks from outside, and there weren’t any “bad views” in any one of my experiences. 

Additionally, the Swan offers the option to have queen beds instead of full when booking a room with two beds so for me, I’d choose the Swan for its larger beds if needing more than a king. 

Coronado Springs Rooms

Coronado Springs is also going to offer you several options for room stays. Like the Swan & Dolphin you’ll be able to choose the building location of your room by opting for either a stay in the Casitas or in the Gran Destino Tower. 

Rooms at Coronado Casitas, Ranchos & Cabanas

  • Standard and preferred options: Two queens or one king bed. 
  • Standard rooms will have views of the courtyard or parking area. 

Preferred rooms will have views of the courtyard, lake, parking areas and be closely located to resort amenities, including transportation. Suites offer one king or one queen plus a queen-sized sleeper sofa. 

  • Bathrooms in the Casitas have a vanity with two sinks, with a door that separates them from the shower and toilet.

In each room you’ll find a mini fridge, plenty of under-the-bed storage for your luggage, a safe, iron with ironing board, coffee marker, desk, chair and plenty of standard and USB outlets, flat panel tv and included Wi-Fi. There are no balcony options in this part of the Coronado Springs Resort. 

Rooms in the Gran Destino Tower

All rooms in the Gran Destino section of Coronado Springs are in the main tower building and like the rest of the resort, available options are standard and preferred rooms. 

  • Choice between two queen sized beds or one king bed, with plenty of luggage storage underneath the beds. 
  • Bathrooms have a glass door shower, and double sink vanity. There is a barn style door that separates the shower/sinks from the room, and within the bathroom another pocket door that separates the toilet into its own space. 

In each room you’ll find a baby or mini fridge, a bunch of room under the bed to store various items, a safe, ironing board (and of course an iron), a coffee marker, desk, chair and plenty of standard and USB outlets, flat panel tv and included WIFI. There are no balcony options in the Gran Destino Tower. 

I had an opportunity to stay at the Gran Destino Tower and really enjoyed it. The layout of the room felt very spacious, and it was clear a lot of thought had been put into the utilization of space. For example, the desk was built into the wall, eliminating the need for an additional piece of furniture in the room. 

We did have a preferred view room and happened to arrive the first night with fireworks in clear view, which was such a lovely way to kick off our stay.

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Customer Service & Mobile Check In

I’ve had wonderful Customer Service experiences at both resorts. Coincidentally, I was celebrating an event when I had a stay at each of these resorts. Both the Swan and Dolphin and Coronado Springs took great care in ensuring that in room celebrations were delivered to us on time and laid out beautifully. Both resorts also offer mobile check-in. 

For Swan and Dolphin, you’ll do this through the Marriott Bonvoy app, and for Coronado Springs, you’ll use the myDisney experience app. I’ve been able to check in at each resort without having to visit the front desk- very easy and convenient, especially when you want to drop your things off and get to the parks! 

If you will be using Magic Bands, you’ll be able to open your hotel room door at Coronado Springs. This won’t be the case at the Swan and Dolphin, so you’ll need to be sure to carry your key card on you. 

A Note for Larger Groups

Each of these hotels have options for adjoining rooms or large family style, deluxe suits! If you need specific accommodations for a large travel party, I recommend calling your chosen resort directly so that they can help you select the best option! 

Fees & Parking

Coronado Springs does not charge a resort fee. For daily self-parking the cost is $20 per day. Valet parking is also available for $33 per night.  

The Swan and Dolphin has a resort fee of $40 per day. Additionally, the cost for self-parking is $45-$50 per day for preferred parking and $25 per day for standard parking. 

Guests who self-park at either resort will receive complimentary parking at each of the Disney parks by showing your hotel key card/proof of reservation. 

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Transportation Options

The Swan and Dolphin sits right next to Disney’s Boardwalk and is situated between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It offers multiple options for transportation to and from the parks. 

Friendship Boats : Departing every 20-25 minutes you’ll be able to hop the ferry direct to Hollywood Studios, as well as a route to Epcot. If you’re taking the ferry to Epcot, you’ll also make stops to the Boardwalk, and Yacht Club Resort before arriving at the drop off by the International Gateway entrance at Epcot. 

Buses : Departing every 20-25 minutes, are buses with routes to the Magic Kingdom (Ticket and Transportation Center), Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. The buses will also return from these locations back to the Swan and Dolphin and will run up to 45 minutes after park close and up to 90 minutes after Disney Springs closes. 

Walking : The Swan and Dolphin is a quick 10–15-minute walk to the World Showcase entrance at Epcot and about a 15–20-minute walk to the entrance of Hollywood Studios. I think the walks are beautiful, and I loved doing this when I was heading to one of these parks early morning or wrapping up the day in the evening. It’s always nice to stop for a sweet treat on the Boardwalk! 

Coronado Springs is in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area. The only free transportation option from this resort to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs is by bus, which depart from Coronado Springs every 20 minutes. Coronado Springs has a main bus stop, in front of the El Centro building, and makes three additional stops between the Casitas, Ranchos and Cabanas.

At each of these resorts you also have the option to request ride share services such as Uber and Lyft to take you to your destination. You can also use Disney’s Minnie Van service which just returned to Walt Disney World in June 2022.  

During my stay at Coronado Springs, I did have a car (I’m a big fan of renting cars on Disney trips, especially when the rates are good!) and traveling from the resort was simple. I really liked the location of the resort in proximity to the parks and self-parking was a breeze. 

Having used Disney bus transportation on other occasions, I absolutely wouldn’t hesitate to utilize it. I did not use a rental car for either of my stays at the Swan or Dolphin. I loved the ability to walk to the Epcot and Hollywood Studios and did so a few times. 

The ferry option was also great and I used that as well (for you early risers, it’s a great option – the lines are really short first thing in the morning!) Bus transportation here was also on time and easy, for Magic Kingdom, we arrived at the Ticket and Transportation Center and from there it’s just a quick monorail or ferry ride to the entrance of the park.  

I’ll also note that I have also used my fair share of Uber, Lyft and the Minnie Van service and never ran into a single issue transporting to or from either resort! 

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Restaurants

Ok, I’ll be honest—eating is one of my top three reasons to visit Walt Disney World, and the culinary experiences offered through restaurants and festivals on each trip always keeps me going back! Like most places on Disney property, both resorts offer everything from fast casual to fine dining.

Swan and Dolphin Dining Options

There are some awesome quick, convenient options you can stop in at inside of the Swan and Dolphin and grab anything from a cup of coffee or a frappe to pastries and sandwiches.  Your best bets are the following:

All of these locations are essentially “grab and go.”  Fuel and Java are great for a quick cup of coffee or breakfast sandwich on your way to the parks. 

Then there’s places like the Garden Grove, Fountain, Fresh Mediterranean Market and Tangerine, which all offer casual sit-down dining options. 

I did have a chance to eat at Fountain and I found it just okay. If I wanted something similar (sandwiches, ice cream, shakes – I would opt to go to Beaches and Cream on the Boardwalk, especially since it’s a short walk from the resort). I also ate breakfast at Garden Grove and felt that the price wasn’t worth the time sitting down and eating, I usually like to get going in the mornings so the grab and go were great options. 

Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino, Kimonos, Todd English’s Bluezoo and Amare are all considered to be signature dining options, and each have a dedicated lounge. Kimonos is well known for its sushi, and rightfully so! If you’re a sushi connoisseur, I cannot recommend this place enough. The restaurant is beautiful, the sushi is fresh and delicious, and the Wagyu Beef Satay was also memorable!  

There are two additional lounges on this property. Phins and Stir. Cabana Bar & Beach Club, Splash Pool Bar & Grill are going to be your casual pool side options. 

Coronado Springs Dining Options

El Mercado de Coronado & Café Rix offers quick service and grab and go options for breakfast lunch and dinner. You’ll find more menu choices here than the grab and go options at Swan and Dolphin. I also think the portions are a better value. 

Rix Sports Bar and Grill offers a casual sit-down spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner 

Siesta’s Cantina and Laguna Bar are casual poolside options. 

Three Bridges Bar & Grill will also offer a casual dining option for lunch and dinner. The location is truly unique, located on the Villa del Lago, three bridges connect different parts of the resort to this lovely spot surrounded by water. Truly a unique and enjoyable atmosphere. 

Toledo is the signature dining option located on the top floor of Coronado Springs. This is truly one of my favorite spots to eat on Disney property. It is a beautifully designed and decorated restaurant. If you like Tapas style dining, do not pass on this one! Next-door to Toledo you can find the Dahlia Lounge – which offers breathtaking views of the property and is a great spot to view fireworks! 

The Barcelona Lounge also offers a few breakfast options (the coffee here is delicious) and in the evening is a great place to grab a cocktail or glass of wine. 

Both the Swan and Dolphin offer in room dining service as well. 

There are so many dining options that you could easily stay at your hotel the entire trip and still not try them all! I love the variety at each resort, as well. You can grab something on a go or enjoy a nice celebratory dinner at a signature location. 

As far as food options go – Coronado Springs edges out the Swan and Dolphin for me. I think there is better value in the breakfast options and the uniqueness of the lounge and restaurant spaces at Coronado make me want to go back again and again. 

The wonderful thing about staying on Disney property, is that you don’t have to eat all your meals at your resort. Part of the fun of a Disney vacation is resort hopping and getting to try new places to eat and relax. So no matter which resort you choose – you have all these great options! 

Resort Perks

Guests staying at either one of these resorts can book their dining reservations 60 days in advance for the entire duration of their stay. This differs from guests staying offsite who may also book in advance but only one day at a time. 

In addition to the free transportation options to Disney Parks, resort guests will also be able to take advantage of early theme park entry which allows for entry into Disney parks 30 minutes prior to the official park opening. 

Guests of the Swan and Dolphin are to participate in Extended Evening Magic Hours (a perk to guests of Disney Deluxe Hotels and participating hotels) 

Resort guests can also purchase Genie+ Lightning Lane selections beginning at 7:00am daily, from their resorts, for the duration of their stay.  

Conclusio n

So, at the end of the day, should you stay at Coronado Springs or Swan or Dolphin?  Let's give our final choice for the best Disney World resort.

It’s time to book your trip, so what do you choose when it comes down to Coronado Springs vs. Swan and Dolphin? 

The short answer: it depends! I know, I know, but the truth is, there are compelling reasons why you might choose one over the other. So, let me leave you with these final thoughts.

Are you a Marriott Bonvoy Loyalist with points to cash in? If so, go with the Swan and Dolphin. The location is great, and it’s a huge benefit to be able to utilize points at a hotel on Walt Disney World property. While Marriott doesn’t waive resort fees, you could still come out with a huge savings. If you had enough points to cover a 5-night day, you’d still be paying $200 in resort fees + applicable taxes…that could be less than the cost of one night depending on the season – no brainer! 

Between the actual Swan or Dolphin building. I’d go with the Swan here. It’s a bit smaller and quieter. The lobby is much smaller and not as bustling as the Dolphin. Also, much shorter lines for grab and go! I also think the bathroom layout here is an advantage, as are the queen size beds. 

If you’re traveling with kids, or you just want to have more than just the option to take the bus to resorts, this might also be a good pick for you. And if you’re dying to have those 30 extra minutes of evening hours – you’ll also get that, since it’s technically tiered in with Disney’s deluxe resorts. For me, the extra $40 per day wouldn’t be worth the extra 30 minutes in a park…but that’s me. 

I truthfully don’t know how Coronado Springs (or at least the Gran Destino Tower) is a moderate resort. Quite honestly, for as low as the rates can go, I think it’s an absolute steal! I consider it a deluxe resort at a moderate price. It’s just a quick 5 minutes over to Epcot and the Boardwalk, and about 7 minutes to Hollywood studios. So, while you can’t walk – they aren’t much further to the resorts than Swan and Dolphin are. 

I think the theming here is spectacular, so if you want to feel like you’re truly immersed in Disney resort, hidden Mickeys and all, this is a great pick! Plus, if you’re choosing to travel with a car, you’ll save not only on those resort fees, but the parking here will be less expensive overall. 

I’ve enjoyed my stay immensely at both resorts, but if I could only choose one to stay at again, for me – it’s an easy choice, Coronado Springs every time. Of course, that’s just me…no matter what though, you’re in the Disney “bubble” and there are few things more magical than that! 

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disney yacht club vs swan

Michael has been visiting Disney World since he was a kid. He's also been to Disneyland and sailed on the Disney Dream. Michael is the owner and editor of Countdown to Magic.

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disney yacht club vs swan

Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose?

posted by James Brockbank on September 3, 2022 // last updated on September 19, 2022

One of the best parts of planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida , is choosing where to stay.

Disney owns and operates more than 20 resorts and other accommodations on their central Florida property, in addition to the dozens of others nearby.

If Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort are among your options, you might be wondering which is better. After all, they’re located directly next door to each other, and the theming is similar. 

Despite having much in common, these two hotels have some key differences that make them distinct. Below, we’ll talk about the perks of staying in one of Disney’s hotels and what the Yacht and Beach Clubs have in common. Then, we’ll dive into what makes them distinct. That way, you can make the best choice for your family vacation.

Early Genie+ Access

Transportation, on-site guest relations, deluxe resorts, the skyliner, the boardwalk, room accommodations, entertainment and recreation, disney vacation club villas, recreation and entertainment, convention center, which should you choose: disney’s beach club or yacht club, perks of staying in a walt disney world hotel.

Experienced Disney vacationers will tell you that staying “on-property” has many advantages that can help you get the most out of your time in the most magical place on earth.

Each day, the four theme parks in Walt Disney World– Magic Kingdom , EPCOT , Hollywood Studios , and Animal Kingdom –open 30 minutes early for resort guests. That means you can get to the park in the morning and head to a couple of your favorite attractions without worrying about crowds.

At times in the past, Disney had offered “Extra Magic Hours” when parks opened even earlier or stayed open late in the evening for resort guests. While Disney isn’t offering them now, it certainly could return in the future.

Genie+ is the paid reservation system that allows guests to reserve times to visit top attractions. Time slots become available to park guests when the park opens for the day. 

However, guests with resort reservations linked to their accounts can make their first selections at 7 AM. That’s a distinct advantage over everyone else. What’s more, reservations for some of the most popular rides sometimes go quick.

Disney provides regular, reliable transportation from all of its hotels to its four theme parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs shopping and entertainment district. Buses run to each destination from every hotel about every 30 minutes.

In addition, there are boats and water taxis, the Skyliner gondola system, the monorail, and walking trails from several resorts. Below, we’ll talk about what’s available at the Yacht and Beach Clubs.

disney yacht club vs swan

An often-overlooked advantage of staying at a Disney hotel is on-site guest relations. You can visit this desk to take care of a range of questions and issues before visiting the parks. You can purchase or verify tickets, make and confirm park and dining reservations, and schedule tours and special events.

Of course, guest relations is available at the entrance to all theme parks and water parks. However, there can be long lines, especially at the beginning of the day. What’s more, visiting the desk in the park takes away from your time enjoying attractions.  

What Do the Yacht and Beach Clubs Have in Common?

If you’ve done your research, you may already know that the Yacht and Beach Clubs are next to each other. They’re also often discussed together since they share so many amenities and features. 

Before we discuss what makes them unique so you can choose between them, it’s helpful to look at what they share. That way, you can get a total picture of what it would be like to spend your family vacation there.

disney yacht club vs swan

Both the Beach Club and Yacht Club are Disney Deluxe Resorts . This is the top tier of hotels on Disney property, ahead of value resorts like Art of Animation and All-Star Sports and moderate resorts such as Coronado Springs and Port Orleans Riverside.

As you might expect, deluxe resorts have the best of everything. The rooms tend to be larger, the hotel lobbies and fixtures more opulent, and the theming is more detailed. There are better pools (with slides), more amenities (such as spas and shops), and more dining options.

Deluxe resorts have several unique features and perks. Sometimes, Disney parks stay open late for guests of deluxe resorts. They tend to have great locations with better access to the parks and transportation options. Of course, it all comes at a price. Deluxe resorts start at around $450 and increase sharply from there. 

disney yacht club vs swan

The location is one of the best things about staying at the Yacht or Beach Club. They are two of the three resorts located directly near EPCOT. 

If you enjoy the thrilling attractions in Future World or a leisurely stroll through the World Showcase, you might like the Yacht and Beach Clubs even more than the Magic Kingdom monorail hotels–The Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and the Contemporary.

Let’s zoom in on the three things that make this location spectacular.

The Yacht and Beach Clubs are about a ten or 15-minute walk from EPCOT . One of four theme parks in Walt Disney World, EPCOT has so much to offer. It’s split into two major worlds, and they almost feel like two separate worlds.

Future World has some of the most thrilling attractions in any of the parks, including Soarin’ , Test Track , and the brand new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, Cosmic Rewind . 

Then, there’s the World Showcase, with pavilions from 11 countries around the world. Sample food, drink, merchandise, and culture without leaving central Florida.

The new Skyliner transportation system is just before you reach the World Gateway entrance to EPCOT. The Skyliner is a gondola system that connects several popular spots around the “world,” including Hollywood Studios, Riviera Resort, and several other hotels.

The Skyliner has revolutionized how people get around Walt Disney World. Many guests hated waiting for and riding buses to and from the parks, but the Skyliner has turned that experience into a ride in itself.

Guests at the Yacht and Beach Club can easily walk to the Skyliner. The Beach Club is a bit closer, but it only takes about ten minutes from the Yacht Club lobby.

The Boardwalk Hotel is on the same walking trail as the Yacht and Beach Club. In addition to the hotel is the Boardwalk entertainment area. While it’s much smaller than Disney Springs, you can find shops, restaurants, and entertainment. 

One of the Boardwalk’s favorites is Jelly Rolls, a dueling piano bar. The Atlantic Dance Hall opens nightly for drinks and dancing.

Most room accommodations at the Yacht and Beach Club are the same. Standard rooms include one king or two queen beds, and some have a pull-down bed under the television. 

Daily housekeeping is included, and guests can choose from water, pool, and garden views. In addition, both hotels have suites and a club or concierge level.

The best part of staying at the Yacht or Beach Club is arguably the main pool. The most popular on Disney property, Stormalong Bay encompasses three acres of space. There’s a lazy river, three whirlpool spas, and a life-size replica of a shipwreck with a 230-foot waterslide. It’s partially sand-bottom, and there’s a sandy beach to play on.

If you prefer a quieter poolside experience, there are three more leisure pools for use by guests at the Beach and Yacht Clubs: the Admiral Pool, Dunes Cove, and the Tidal Pool. All three have whirlpool spas and other amenities.

disney yacht club vs swan

The Yacht and Beach Club share transportation, and the great news is how easy it is to get around Walt Disney World from both of these hotels.

The bus stop is located outside the main lobby of the Yacht Club. Buses run about every 30 minutes to the parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. The bus is the best way to get to Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the Magic Kingdom.

There is also a boat launch behind the lobby of the Yacht Club on Crescent Lake. The boats take guests to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and are a leisurely way to get to both parks.

As mentioned above, the Skyliner is about a ten-minute walk from the Yacht and Beach Clubs. The Skyliner takes guests to Hollywood Studios and is the fastest way to get there. 

We mentioned walking into EPCOT from these resorts, but you can also walk to Hollywood Studios. The path winds for about one mile around the water.

Finally, while the Yacht and Beach Clubs aren’t located on the monorail, you can access the monorail through EPCOT. You will need a theme park reservation at EPCOT or a park hopper ticket (useable after 2 PM) to access the monorail. However, it can take you to the Magic Kingdom.

The two resorts also share much of the same entertainment and recreation options. Moreover, guests at either hotel are almost always welcome to use amenities at the other one.

The resorts jointly host nightly campfires (weather permitting) and movies under the stars (indoors in inclement weather). There are tennis courts, volleyball courts, jogging trails, arcades, boat rentals, and fishing. There’s also a full fitness center and salon at Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness. 

What Makes Disney’s Beach Club Different?

Now that you know all the things that Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs share, we can look at meaningful ways that they differ. 

One of them is written right into their names. Even though the themes at the resorts are similar, they are distinct from each other. The Beach Club is reminiscent of classic Atlantic and New Jersey seaside resorts around the turn of the 20th century. 

It’s bright and cheerful, with light pastel colors throughout. You’ll notice elements of gingerbread-style and Victorian architecture, almost like an upscale beach cottage. The atmosphere is designed to be more relaxed and calming.

There are several other important ways that the two hotels differ. Here’s what’s unique to the Beach Club.

disney yacht club vs swan

One thing that makes the Beach Club distinct is the presence of Disney Vacation Club villas. Disney Vacation Club is a vacation ownership company that sells timeshares in select Disney resorts worldwide. It also offers exceptional experiences, excursions, and reciprocity with RCI for members in good standing to use their annual allotment of points.

There are only 282 villas at the Beach Club, making it among the smallest in the collection. There are studios with kitchenettes and one, two, and three-bedroom villas with full kitchens.

You don’t need to be a DVC member to book the villas. In fact, many non-members love the villas for family reunions and space to spread out. They typically cost more than standard rooms per night.

You don’t have to be a guest at the Beach Club to dine in any of its restaurants. Anyone can make a reservation or drop in for table availability, but guests of this resort will be closer and find it easier to eat at these.

Cape May Cafe is a popular buffet spot for breakfast and dinner. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop has diner offerings for lunch and dinner and is known for its incredible ice cream. Martha’s Vineyard serves lunch but is best known for its bar service and wine selection. Finally, the Beach Club Marketplace offers counter-service and grab-and-go dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Some guests prefer the Beach Club’s location because it is closer to EPCOT and the Skyliner. It takes about five or ten more minutes to get there from the Yacht Club, depending on where your room is situated. However, most of the rooms at the Yacht Club are closer to Stormalong Bay than at the Beach Club.

Even though guests of either resort can use all the amenities, it’s worth mentioning the ones that are located at the Beach Club:

  • Dunes Cove Pool
  • Volleyball courts

disney yacht club vs swan

What Makes the Yacht Club Different?

Several elements distinguish the Yacht Club from the Beach Club, and the first is the theme. While the Beach Club is designed to look and feel like a relaxed yet refined seaside resort, the Yacht Club is more stately.

The Yacht Club is reminiscent of a grand, exclusive New England yachting or boating resort, visited by titans of industry, politicians, and some of the oldest families in America. It is elegant, plush, and nautical. In contrast to the whimsical pastels at the Beach Club, you’ll see dark blues and wood tones against white finishes. 

Perhaps because of the prestige, the Yacht Club’s prices tend to be slightly higher than the Beach Club’s, though not substantially. The rooms at both resorts follow their themes but are around the same size.

While the Beach Club has Disney Vacation Club villas, the Yacht Club has a convention center, which frequently contributes to the more formal atmosphere at the Yacht Club. In fact, the resort itself was designed to host conventions, and its setup is conducive to that.

The convention center has more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. The hotel has almost 2,000 guest rooms, most of which are standard. Nearly 140 are located on the club level, perfect for executives. Couples also often hold weddings at the Yacht Club, and the nearby wedding gazebo is a convenient ceremony space. 

There are several dining options at the Yacht Club, and true to its theme, most of them are more formal than the ones you’ll find at the Beach Club. The main restaurant is the Yachtsman’s Steakhouse , a traditional New England steakhouse. It is one of the more formal restaurants in Walt Disney World and is only open for dinner. 

In addition, the less-formal Ale and Compass restaurant is a gastropub serving Yankee comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Marketplace at Ale and Compass offers counter-service and grab-and-go dining options.

Finally, two bars offer drinks and light snacks: the Ale and Compass Lounge and the Crew’s Cup Lounge. 

These are the recreation and amenities offered at the Yacht Club:

  • Admiral Pool
  • Tennis courts
  • Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness

disney yacht club vs swan

If you plan to spend the bulk of your Florida vacation in Walt Disney World, we strongly recommend staying at a Disney hotel for all the reasons discussed above. But which is better–the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

As you can see, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort have a lot in common and share many of the same amenities and perks. However, they have distinct themes that create different atmospheres. The Beach Club is more relaxed and refined, while the Yacht Club is more stately and elegant.

Regardless of where you and your family decide to stay, the most important thing is that you enjoy your time together at Walt Disney World. And don’t forget to check out Stormalong Bay–it’s the best part of either hotel!

More about our TFVG Author

disney yacht club vs swan

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

disney yacht club vs swan

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Swan/Dolphin vs Yacht Club

  • Thread starter aammtt20
  • Start date Nov 9, 2023

Trip planner

Trip planner

Mouseketeer.

  • Nov 12, 2023

I have stayed at both the Swan and YC this year, I prefer YC because you get more Disney vibe. But, I find it too cold to swim in January So I wouldn’t base the decision on SAB. Beds were comfy at Swan and would stay there again based on budget.  

disney yacht club vs swan

focusondisney

Dis veteran.

aammtt20 said: I can get a resort view room at yacht for 508/night and a deluxe resort view w/balcony at Swolphin for 385 (including the resort fee). Click to expand...

HyperspaceMountainPilot

HyperspaceMountainPilot

  • Jan 6, 2024

We recently stayed at the Swan (adding on to a trip, where we had spent several nights at the Beach Club) and I actually though the service at the Swan was much better than at BCV and our room had a much nicer view. It probably helps that I am a high level Marriott elite member, but I love being able to request towels, rollaway bed, etc. all from the app. As others have mentioned, it was far too cold for us to go in the pools on either leg of the trip (though we did see others using them, brrrr).  

gottalovepluto

gottalovepluto

😝

  • Jan 7, 2024

These threads never change, lol. I’ll chime in, why not. We’ve stayed at both and we way prefer Dolphin. It’s actually one of DH’s top favorite resorts. YC, not so much, for any of us. In fact, even if we got a super discount at YC, we’d probably still prefer Dolphin. (And we’re from New England, so go figure.) We find the decor at the YC sort of dowdy. And we did not like our room location there at all, way in the back. We’ve always liked our Dolphin room locations, and we’ve stayed there many times. Last time they went out of their way to accommodate our group without us even asking. We prefer the decor of the Dolphin, and think there are way more amenities there, as well. Location, same. Boats, same. Restaurant options/room service, better. Pools, really nice. Cabana Bar, nice, especially at night. AAA discount at some restaurants, nice. QS breakfast, better. We have not stayed there since the bus change (can someone explain why that happened?) but we’d probably just go to the TTC and take the boat or monorail over to MK, doesn’t sound much more inconvenient than walking over to another resort in the morning and boarding someone else’s bus. The Heavenly beds really are heavenly. One trip I kept falling asleep every time I layed down and I don’t always sleep too well on vacation. For the resort fee you get two large waters per day (we just paid $20 for two of the same size last month at an off-site resort), use of the health club (including borrowing sports equipment to use such as soccer balls and footballs to toss around on the beach; there used to be a basketball court, not sure if it’s still there), free Wi-Fi, and a news paper (unless that’s changed). Fun swan boats to use. There is a nice Spa there and to this day, DD got one of the nicest haircuts there she’s ever had. Last time we stayed there, friends who own DVC came over for a visit and were highly impressed. The parking fee does annoy me. OP I know prices have gone up but I’d bet you could do better on that price, especially for January, and especially at the Dolphin. Keep searching. Have you gone on their website and plugged in one of the discounts? As a pp mentioned, you can sometimes find a good deal on Priceline. You also get a free room upgrade if you are a Starwood Preferred Guest, so you can book a lower category.  

tinabina919

tinabina919

If you can swing it, I’d say Yacht. We arrive at the Swan next week and are taking my parents back for the first time since I was a kid. I keep thinking of things they will miss out on by staying at the Swan like Magic Bands as the room Key and being able to charge back to the room, refillable mugs, Disney buses etc. I just think you will feel more in the bubble at Yacht but if you’d rather save the money Swan/Dolphin are really great. also agree that the pool shouldn’t factor in too much since it will most likely be too cold to use. Maybe a hot tub.  

Pea-n-Me said: We have not stayed there since the bus change (can someone explain why that happened?) but we’d probably just go to the TTC and take the boat or monorail over to MK, doesn’t sound much more inconvenient than walking over to another resort in the morning and boarding someone else’s bus. Click to expand...
Dave006 said: The change to using Mears buses was during Oct. 2020. There have been 2 main rumors as to the reasoning. 1st story is Marriott wanted to save money when their contract was up for renewal since it only impacted 2 Parks (MK, AK). The 2nd story is that Disney was short on Disney bus drivers and was having trouble managing the extra buses due to COVID 19 spacing recommendations on a per bus basis. Dave Click to expand...

roydavid7771

roydavid7771

Big fan of the Swan, and we own DVC at the BC, so YC is pretty high on our list too. If you're worried about budget, you can't go wrong at the Swan. I prefer that hotel over the Dolphin simply because it's a bit more intimate.  

Pea-n-Me said: For the resort fee you get two large waters per day (we just paid $20 for two of the same size last month at an off-site resort), use of the health club (including borrowing sports equipment to use such as soccer balls and footballs to toss around on the beach; there used to be a basketball court, not sure if it’s still there), free Wi-Fi, and a news paper (unless that’s changed). Click to expand...

🤷🏻‍♀️

Earning My Ears

tinabina919 said: Are the busses from Swan/Dolphin to MK/AK no good? We’ve stayed at both but only at dolphin for a short Epcot festival too. Yacht Club is great for feeling totally in the bubble and the pool is very nice but it does get pretty cold in January. I booked Swan for January after trying to decide the same, and we just stayed at the YC in July. Click to expand...
aammtt20 said: Since this thread popped up again, I'll let y'all know what we ended up booking - they had a room (the most basic one - no view) at the Swan Reserve for $300/night with the AAA discount, so ended up going with that. Excited to check out the reserve and feeling good about what we chose! Thanks for the advice everyone; we'll be there in a week and a half Click to expand...

BlovesC

home is where the Yeti is

I've honestly never had a bad stay at Swan, Dolphin, BC or YC. They each have their own charm and perks, but its their shared proximity to EP/DHS that most excites us!  

tgropp

I second the Swolphin. It’s just an extra 5 minute walk and a $100 plus savings is dinner out  

glocon

  • Jan 8, 2024

We’ve stayed at the Swan and at BC, so similar. Most recently at the Swan for F&W in September. We really liked being able to walk to EP even tho it was a bit farther of a walk than BC, still doable and convenient. Our room there was very nice, and we were left 4 bottles of water every day so that was quite a savings. Since the room didn’t have any Disney decor it seemed slightly less “in the bubble” but if that really matters to someone you can always bring window clings for the windows and mirrors and other decor if you wanted to. The lobby had the convenience store with all the Disney merch so that helped the lobby feel more Disney. We didn’t ever go look at the pool but I hear it’s a really nice area, just not SAB. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at the Swan again for the price, convenience and “deluxe resort status” for eeh. We loved our stay at BC as well, but that was for a 2 night stay where we spent all day at SAB before a MNSSHP night, then we had the entire next day as well to enjoy the resort before heading off to UO and HHN. We also stayed CL so really took the time to enjoy the resort and its amenities so it was worth the extra $$$. I think if you are going to really spend time at the resort and pool, YC would be nice, but if you are spending more time at the parks and not enjoying the perks of the expensive YC maybe just stay at the Swan. I know OP said they are staying at the SR and I don’t think you’ll regret the bit of a extra walk for the price savings. Also, some of the buses we took to the parks from the Swan were very fancy and super comfortable. Very plush and roomy seats.  

glocon said: We’ve stayed at the Swan and at BC, so similar. Most recently at the Swan for F&W in September. We really liked being able to walk to EP even tho it was a bit farther of a walk than BC, still doable and convenient. Our room there was very nice, and we were left 4 bottles of water every day so that was quite a savings. Since the room didn’t have any Disney decor it seemed slightly less “in the bubble” but if that really matters to someone you can always bring window clings for the windows and mirrors and other decor if you wanted to. The lobby had the convenience store with all the Disney merch so that helped the lobby feel more Disney. We didn’t ever go look at the pool but I hear it’s a really nice area, just not SAB. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at the Swan again for the price, convenience and “deluxe resort status” for eeh. We loved our stay at BC as well, but that was for a 2 night stay where we spent all day at SAB before a MNSSHP night, then we had the entire next day as well to enjoy the resort before heading off to UO and HHN. We also stayed CL so really took the time to enjoy the resort and its amenities so it was worth the extra $$$. I think if you are going to really spend time at the resort and pool, YC would be nice, but if you are spending more time at the parks and not enjoying the perks of the expensive YC maybe just stay at the Swan. I know OP said they are staying at the SR and I don’t think you’ll regret the bit of a extra walk for the price savings. Also, some of the buses we took to the parks from the Swan were very fancy and super comfortable. Very plush and roomy seats. Click to expand...

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IMAGES

  1. Swan & Dolphin v. Beach Club

    disney yacht club vs swan

  2. Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose?

    disney yacht club vs swan

  3. Swan & Dolphin v. Beach Club

    disney yacht club vs swan

  4. Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose?

    disney yacht club vs swan

  5. Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose?

    disney yacht club vs swan

  6. Guide to Disney Yacht Club Vs Beach Club 2023

    disney yacht club vs swan

COMMENTS

  1. Six Walt Disney World Resorts The Experts Choose (And WHY!)

    AND Disney's Swan and Dolphin hotels — yet ANOTHER reason the pros choose Yacht and Beach Club — you're literally just steps away from tons of great restaurants that these neighboring resorts have to choose from! Disney's Yacht Club. Oh, and can we take a sec to rave about Beaches & Cream? It's conveniently located right near ...

  2. Disney World Resort Comparison

    Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Epcot Resort Area. Disney Yacht Club Resort is themed after a Martha's Vineyard-style grand hotel. Located on Crescent Lake, Yacht Club is designed with authentic nautical details and upscale, classy charm. It shares its pool complex, Stormalong Bay, with Disney's Beach Club Resort and was voted #1 in our Best ...

  3. Comparing Marriott's Dolphin, Swan and Swan Reserve Walt Disney World

    Walt Disney World Swan (Westin) Walt Disney World Swan Reserve (Autograph Collection) However, the Swan and Swan Reserve sometimes trade places for the priciest position. Room rates during the offseason start around $170 per night at the Dolphin, $220 per night at the Swan and $250 per night at the Swan Reserve. The Swan Reserve.

  4. Disney Dolphin and Swan vs Beach and Yacht Club Resort

    2. Re: Disney Dolphin and Swan vs Beach and Yacht Club Resort. Well, the Dolphin and the Swan are nice enough but they are just hotels, they are not Disney Resorts, therefore you don't get all the Disney Perks. The Beach and Yacht Clubs are very nice but not our first choice with young children for several reasons.

  5. Swan/Dolphin vs. Yacht/Beach Club

    irish dancer. DIS Veteran. Joined. Jul 25, 2004. Apr 19, 2010. #1. A friend has come to me for advice on which resort. Her daughter is in a dance competition at the Swan/Dolphin in July and their choice of resorts is the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht or Beach Club. It's been ages since we've stayed at the Beach Club and we've never stayed at the others ...

  6. Swan & Dolphin v. Beach Club

    Theme: Beach Club - For a lot of Disney fans, this is the threshold issue that's difficult to get past.Beach Club has "Disney" theming, whereas the Swan & Dolphin do not. Or so the argument goes. We've already covered how Beach Club has a theme resulting from former Disney CEO Michael Eisner's obsession with his childhood vacations in the seaside communities of the Northeast, with ...

  7. Review of Disney's Yacht Club Resort

    Location & Transportation at Yacht Club. Yacht Club has one of the best locations on property. Along with Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, and the Swan & Dolphin, this is one of the few hotels you can actually walk to two parks—Epcot and Hollywood Studios—from. Epcot's World Showcase is about an eight-minute walk from the Yacht Club lobby.

  8. Swan & Dolphin Hotel Review

    Located on Crescent Lake alongside BoardWalk Inn and Yacht & Beach Club, the Swan & Dolphin are within walking distance of both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. With this prime piece of real estate, the Swan & Dolphin actually have a better location (in my estimation) than half of the Disney-owned hotels at Walt Disney World.

  9. Review: Swan Reserve Resort at Disney World

    The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is a Category 6 property. Using Marriott points, you'll need 40,000 points for an off-peak stay, 50,000 points for a standard stay, or 60,000 points per night for peak season. ... Located on Crescent Lake alongside BoardWalk Inn and Yacht & Beach Club, the Swan & Dolphin are within walking distance of both ...

  10. Frequently Asked Questions About the Disney World Swan and Dolphin

    Reservations at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can be made in any of the following ways: on the Disney World website. on the Swan and Dolphin website. through a travel agent. by calling Disney World resort reservations at (407) 939-1936. by calling the Swan & Dolphin hotel reservations department at (888) 828-8850.

  11. I Stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort...and Here's

    Yacht Club. Fact Sheet - Photos - Videos - Reviews; DISNEY VACATION CLUB RESORTS. Disney Vacation Club: A Primer. Rent Disney Vacation Club Points; Studio Villa Kitchen List; 1+2 Bedroom Supply List; Purchase a DVC Resale; Rent Disney Vacation Club Points; Animal Kingdom Villas. Fact Sheet - Photos - Videos - Reviews; Bay Lake Tower. Fact Sheet ...

  12. Disney's Yacht Club Resort Review (Is it worth it?)

    By Shari Updated on February 7, 2024. Disney's Yacht Club Resort is one of the most beautiful and convenient hotels in all of Walt Disney World. With its classy design, enormous pool, and prime location, it's easy to see why the Yacht Club at Disney World is such a highly sought after place to stay. My family and I have visited numerous ...

  13. Disney Dolphin and Swan vs Beach and Yacht Club Resort

    Would we be better paying the extra and staying in the Beach & Yacht Club? Or is there another hotel that we should be considering that would be better suited to a 5 & 3 year old. Probably going too have lots more Disney related questions soon but want to make sure we get the right accommodation sorted first.

  14. Yacht Club v. Beach Club v. BoardWalk Inn

    Here's a look at some 2024 pricing (you can always find this information at MouseSavers ): Early Feb — Yacht/Beach $569 vs. BoardWalk $641. Mid April — Yacht/Beach $721 vs. BoardWalk $738. Christmas — Yacht/Beach $1043 vs. BoardWalk $1118. This price differential has been around for years and never made sense to me.

  15. Disney's Yacht Club Resort

    For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

  16. Complete Guide to the Disney Swan vs Dolphin Resort 2023

    The Disney Swan hotel vs Dolphin rooms hold a slightly different theme. The Dolphin color palette is beautiful shades of blue, silver and white while the Swan has more of a relaxing blue and gray vibe. Both resorts offer 4 types of rooms - traditional, resort view, grand deluxe and grand family deluxe.

  17. Coronado Springs vs Swan and Dolphin: Best Disney Resort?

    Coronado Springs is tiered as one of Disney's moderate resorts. The average cost ranges from $240-$498 for standard queen and king rooms. Like the Swan and Dolphin, you'll have a choice of two areas here: the Casitas, Ranchos and Cabanas resort area, or the Gran Destino Tower. You Might Like: Disney's Boardwalk Inn vs Yacht Club.

  18. yacht club vs swan

    Walt Disney World News and Updates Tickets Maps Parks Hours Parades / Fireworks Theme Parks Resorts Dining / Menus Events / Holidays Discounts Disney Cruise Line

  19. Disney's Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose?

    The Beach Club is more relaxed and refined, while the Yacht Club is more stately and elegant. Regardless of where you and your family decide to stay, the most important thing is that you enjoy your time together at Walt Disney World. And don't forget to check out Stormalong Bay-it's the best part of either hotel!

  20. Swan/Dolphin vs Yacht Club

    Swan/Dolphin vs Yacht Club. Thread starter aammtt20; Start date Nov 9, 2023; Prev. 1; 2; First Prev 2 of 2 Go to page. Go. Trip planner Mouseketeer. Joined Jul 31, 2013. ... The 2nd story is that Disney was short on Disney bus drivers and was having trouble managing the extra buses due to COVID 19 spacing recommendations on a per bus basis. Dave .