Reviews of Walt Disney World Swan (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 12/11/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
The Swan staff were all incredibly kind and so helpful! They made our honeymoon so special! We came back to rose petals all over our bed one day, wine and glasses another day. The bell hop were all so helpful and quick. The pools and hot tubs were so nice. We stayed for 7 days and enjoyed every minute.
Pros:
The Disney buses are chartered! Really nice buses. The boats to Epcot and Hollywood studios were great!Cons:
The food on property was very over priced and not good-at all.Reviewed by GrammaMagicto5 Review Date: 05/17/2022
Rating: (8) Recommended
We stayed at the Swan at the end of April. The rooms were very comfortable, standard hotel rooms. The location to Epcot and Hollywood Studios was perfect.They are both within walking distance or boat taxi. We loved the beautiful pool area. Our family enjoyed unwinding in the pool after we dined at one of the Dolphin restaurants. It was very refreshing.
Pros:
The Swan is beautiful inside with friendly and helpful staff. We were glad to take advantage of the beverage/snack center inside the Swan and there is a fun gift shop to browse as well.Cons:
We had some issues with getting our room cleaned as often as we wanted. The buses are very comfortable coaches for rides to the parks. We didn't like the bus to Magic Kingdom because of where the drop off points are and the need to change buses at the transportation center. This is probably not Swan's fault. We ended up going to the Boardwalk and riding their buses to Magic Kingdom.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/11/2022
Rating: (7) Recommended
I stayed at the Swan last trip. The Swan and Dolphin do charge a resort fee, but even with the resort fee they are at least $300 cheaper a night than the cheapest standard rooms at Yacht, Beach, and Boardwalk. You are still eligible for early morning and deluxe evening hours as well as booking your restaurants 60 days in advance. The location is great being able to walk to Epcot and HS, or take the boat. I personally walked to avoid crowds. Some complain about the buses for AK and MK because they don't drop you off at the entrance like the rest of the Disney resorts. I didn't have an issue with this. I found the Swan and Dolphin buses to be minimally crowded. I never had to worry about standing-room only like I have in past years with the Disney buses. I didn't mind being dropped off at TTC for MK and having to take the boat over if it meant a less-crowded bus.
The staff I didn't find to be as nice as at an actual Disney resort. We had an issue with our bathroom fan not working the entire week of our stay. I texted the resort twice and was told engineering would like at it, and they obviously never did. I complained upon check-out and they refused to do anything for me. I wrote a letter to management and it took 3 months to get a response back from a manager finally who is offering me a $150 credit to use towards our next stay (we are staying at the Dolphin 1/2 the week and Yacht Club the other 1/2 of the week next trip because Swan & Dolphin was already fully booked for the week we're going).
I do hear online of others saying that the management and staff aren't the greatest at the Swan and Dolphin, which is a shame because the location is fantastic and it's so much cheaper than Yacht, Beach, and Boardwalk.
Magic-bands do not work at the Swan and Dolphin. They will give you a room key. And for some reason if you book a package MDE will not let you add your park ticket #'s until you check-in. Both years my travel agent had to call Disney for me to add a temporary generic park pass to my account on MDE so I'm able to book restaurants ahead of time 60 days out.
I do wish when the Dining plan returns that Swan and Dolphin resort guests were eligible, but they are not.
Pros:
Cheaper than Yacht, Beach, and Boardwalk ; walking distance to Epcot and HSCons:
Not dining plan eligible ; magic-bands do not work to open rooms - you'll get a room key ; you cannot link your Disney tickets to MDE until check-in ; staff and management are not as accommodating as at an actual Disney hotelReviewed by tgrandolph Review Date: 03/14/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
I stayed here for 4 nights in December 2021 in a suite: 1 queen/queen room and what the Swan calls a "parlor," which was a large living room area with a sleeper sofa, large dining room table, balcony, and a full bathroom.
Pros:
The rooms were a good size, especially the parlor. We needed a 3rd bed (aka the sleeper sofa), and having the 2nd bathroom was an added perk. I love the Swan/Dolphin property and all that comes with it. Plus, location!Cons:
It wasn't cheap, but what at WDW is?!?Reviewed by UrsulasRevenge Review Date: 09/01/2021
Rating: (10) Recommended
Best Location and Great Deal!
Swan and Dolphin resort should not be overlooked if you are visiting Disney. This is especially true if you are wanting to spend a lot of time at Hollywood Studios or Epcot, since both are easily with in walking distance.
We got a great deal from Costco and honestly was cheaper than staying at all the moderate resorts and even some of the Value. This is especially amazing when the amenities of the resort are on par with a deluxe resort given the amazing and wide selection of restaurants, location, truly one of the best pools on Disney property, free Swan paddle boat rides!, and more. Plus if you are a Marriott Rewards Member you earn points.
Note this may not be for families or those that want nonstop Disney themeing on their trip. But for adults and those that are good leaving Disney at the parks you can't pick a better spot. We loved the atmosphere and choice of great entertainment at the resort or walking next door to the Boardwalk or Epcot in the evening was perfect! Would definitely stay here again!
Pros:
Location!!! Price, food, Amenities, Marriott Points. Deluxe property at moderate price.Cons:
Room was dirty upon arrival, could use with a bit of a refresh on bathrooms, and lack of Disney theme.Reviewed by BrandonS Review Date: 04/26/2021
Rating: (9) Recommended
The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel is one of the best hotels I have stayed at when coming to visit the parks. The location simply cannot be beat. You can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If you’re not a fan of walking, you also have the option of taking a complimentary boat to those parks. Their bus service will take you to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. You also are able to walk to the Boardwalk as well as Beach & Yacht Club.
The hotel itself is beautiful. There are courtyard areas to sit out by and relax. The rooms are standard, but I do wish they had more accessible outlets. Plan on bringing power strips if you have things to charge or use during your stay.
You have a few restaurant choices also and are a couple minutes away from the Dolphin which has even more food options. We really liked everything we eat, but was really happy with the Java cafe. We were able to order breakfast sandwiches and coffee and were out of there in under ten minutes.
Pros:
Unbeatable Location Great restaurants Beautiful hotelCons:
Needs more outlets in the roomsReviewed by annat856 Review Date: 12/25/2020
Rating: (8) Recommended
We transferred from the Villas at GF to a last night here at the Swan. We had 2 rooms an alcove room which I really liked and a double Q room which was okay. Our luggage was brought by bell services to the room that was ready and then we headed out to Epcot. The walk is pretty easy but some people in our party thought it was too long and took the friendship boat. It's nice to be able to enter from the International Gateway. Unfortunately we didn't use the pool or the restaurants but the lobby was decorated and the bed comfy after a long day at EP.
Pros:
Walk or boat to EP and HSCons:
Our windows that faced the waterway/boat dock had a screen that doesn't really keep it very dark in the morning so no sleeping late.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 12/09/2020
Rating: (9) Recommended
Maising hotel also just because it was by the boardwalk who is very very clean it has very contemporary look to ITIT wasn't on site it was pretty cheap resort these are pretty expensive I have to say though the parking was a bit much
Pros:
Very cleanCons:
Resort pizza priceyReviewed by MagicPreppy Review Date: 11/12/2020
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed from Aug.31-July 2 - so fairly soon after reopening. As two adults traveling without kids we had a great experience. We felt safe, and we really appreciated the atmosphere.
Pros:
great rooms good price walk to two parks earn Marriott pointsCons:
entrance may be a bit stuffy for kids needs a better way to get an easy meal or snacks at nightReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 02/15/2020
Rating: (10) Recommended
We love Swan. As my son was growing up we went to pops and Coronado a lot and it was awesome. As he got older we decided to try Swan.. in 2016 I believe. We are booking our third trip there for May. I know there is a parking fee - but that is true of all DW properties now and at Swan, they dont charge after 5 days which is nice because we stay 8 to 9 days. Pops charged us last year for the full 9 days (we regretted not going to Swan as soon as that trip started) The resort fee does blow but again - thats almost anywhere these days and honestly I wont be surprised if DW starts adding one, they have increased the price of everything year after year.
The proximity is the star - You can take a boat or walk to Epcot and HS... after a lifetime of doing the late night bus crunch at park closing, this is what sold us. Its just awesome. And, the buses to AK and MK are rarely packed like other resorts. One word of caution - the buses run slower so if you want to be at MK for an 8am breakfast - plan of being at the stop early or take an Uber. It doesnt bother us - we are never really in a rush and again - that can happen anywhere - at least in their case I know the timing is about every 45 mins so I can plan accordingly.
Price - they are $$ but if you go through Cotsco travel - you can stay here for close to the same price as a DW moderate and they include the resort fee in the pricing, no surprises. You also have 60 days in advance fast passes just as with any DW resort.
So - If you have little ones and it is really important to have all of the DW theming which I understand - my son loved Pops and Sports when he was little - Go to the DW official resorts because Swan does not have it - they are more like being in a nice downtown hotel that happens to be in the middle of DW - If those things are not as important - to be in the bubble as they say - Swan may be for you. And to me - its in the middle of the bubble! The view out the window is all the theming I need - you see Epcot and you are next to Boardwalk resort - Love it!
Food (as all the DW areas) is pricey. We drive so I take some breakfast items and drinks - we eat mostly in the parks anyway. We have had some reasonable meals at the Fountain (adjacent to Swan in the Dolphin) great burger big enough for husband and I to share!
