My mom and I took a weekend getaway to Walt Disney World for the Springtime Race Series! We stayed at the Swan Hotel, part of the Swan and Dolphin, Swan Reserve Hotels on Disney Property.
While these aren’t “Disney Resorts”, they still get several of same the amenities offered to guests staying at Disney Resorts. First being it is RIGHT on property, right on the Boardwalk. You can easily walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, as well as the Boardwalk, Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts. They also offer Disney shuttles to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs, as well as a Water Taxi to and from Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Other Disney amenities you get while staying here are early access to the parks and linked reservations through My Disney Experience. If you have a car to park at the hotel, you also get complimentary parking at the Disney Parks! Just show your room key and hotel confirmation through My Disney Experience at the parking booth.
For the RunDisney race we ran this particular weekend, the Swan and Dolphin hotels were included in the race shuttle to take us to and from the start lines, and the Expo. (Other “Good Neighbor” or non-Disney Resort hotels are not on the route). This is significant because if the RunDisney races are your thing, you want to make sure you stay on property, not off. Getting up at 3 am for a race then having to figure out how to get there with road closures and where to park sounds like a nightmare to me. Easier just to wake up and head downstairs to a bus that knows where it’s going. And have a Disney Planner who does the races that can help you book the right place to stay! 😉
The hotels themselves were really nice, with the Swan Reserve being the newest (opened November 2021). Between the Swan and Dolphin specifically, the vibe at the Dolphin was more family focused and the Swan was a little quieter. They are both, of course family friendly, but the vibes were clearly different. In the Dolphin Hotel were the Kids’ Club, buffet restaurant, brighter colors, and an arcade, to name a few. The Swan Hotel lobby and general areas felt a little smaller and quieter. Between all 3 hotels are 5 pools, recreation areas, restaurants and bars, fitness centers and more that you can access as a guest.
The rooms at the Swan were also really nice and had just been updated. My mom was in a King room with a shower and a sofa bed, and my Double room had a bath/shower combo. They also have several rooms that are adjoining, if that is something you prefer.
If I had to give a con to these hotels it would be in regards to the shuttle to the Magic Kingdom only. It is in no way a big deal, but it is a reason I would dock them slightly, as a parent with small children. The shuttle picks you up right outside the hotel, and frequently. Great. But it doesn’t take you directly to the Magic Kingdom. It takes you to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), then from there you either need to ferry or take the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom. The TTC in peak months can get quite congested because it is also where people can park to catch a ferry or the Monorail over, as well. It is also the transfer point for Monorail Resort guests (Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian) to get to Epcot. The drop off and pick up point at the TTC for the Swan/Dolphin shuttle was not covered either. We waited in the rain, but just as easily could have waited in the bald sun. Again, it is in no way a deal breaker for staying at these hotels for me, but it is something to think about, especially if you have small children and think you will spend a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom.
Overall, I would highly recommend these hotels! Each one has a different vibe which can easily cater to everyone. They are smack in the middle of Disney property and very accessible to all the parks, especially Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
All 3 of these hotels can booked directly with me, your 407 Vacations Disney Planner to include tickets and other vacation package items!
