Review: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort #swandolphin

by Carrie with Children with 26 comments

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, located between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot is a fantastic retreat for families.  Besides being in a fantastic location, the resort also offers some great amenities and perks for guests too!  If you’re a Starwood Preffered Guest, you can even earn and redeem points here too!

Swan and Dolphin Resort Walt Disney World

While the Swan and Dolphin properties are two separate buildings, with two separate check-in desks – in the eyes of the guest, it’s one in the same – convenient, tons of amenities and fantastic!

We loved the proximity to the Disney Parks – EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are accessible via ferry boat or walking – so convenient!

Resort Accommodations

Our spacious room was located in the Swan building (with a balcony!) facing EPCOT giving us a great view each night for the fireworks.  We could even see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom off in the distance – perfect spot!  The room had two queen beds and I was so thankful that they had bedrails – that’s a lifesaver for a mama with toddlers!

The Swan also gets bonus points for having a bathroom in two separate areas – with two sinks!  Plenty of room for everyone to get ready at the same time.

Swan and Dolphin Resort Room

Dining and Recreation

With 17 restaurants – you can truly find almost anything you want to eat.  Whether it’s a burrito from Picabu, the 24 hour restaurant or fresh seafood in a modern setting at Todd English’s bluezoo, there’s no way you’ll go hungry when staying at the Swan and Dolphin Resort. (Dine in a signature resort and receive two complimnetary hours for your kids at Camp Dolphin – instant date night!)

We loved the breakfast buffet at the Garden Grove – complete with Mickey waffles and made-to-order omelets.  On Saturday and Sunday mornings and weeknights, you can dine with your favorite Disney characters at the Garden Grove.  Another great perk!  Also, check out The Fountain at the Dolphin – soft serve, homemade and even sundaes!  I recommend the chocolate shake – delicious!

The resort is also home to the Mandara Spa, the Westin WORKOUT health club, tennis courts and two lap pools, grotto pool with a slide and great kiddie pool too.  We fell in love with the enormous playground right next to the resort’s beach.

Swan and Dolphin Resort Amenities

Disney Amenities

The Swan and Dolphin isn’t an official Disney property, but it certainly feels like it with their great customer service, close proximity and access to some great Walt Disney Wold benefits.

  • Complimentary Transportation – Enjoy bus transportation to each of the Walt Disney World theme parks and water taxis to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • Package Delivery – There’s no need to carry your souvenirs all over the parks – have them delivered right to your room. Go ahead and get that oversized, stuffed Mickey!
  • Extra Magic Hours – With a valid theme park ticket, enjoy bonus hours at select parks each day.

Swan and Dolphin Resort Disney

Plan Your Visit to the Swan and Dolphin Resort

Be sure and “Like” the Swan and Dolphin Resort on Facebook and visit www.SwanDolphin.com

Also, be sure and check out my photo album on the Carrie with Children Facebook page.

 

**We were provided with a two-night stay at the Swan and Dolphin Resort.  Thoughts and opinions here are 100% my own. **

    Comments

  • Kerri O


    This resort looks AMAZING. My family so needs a vacation too!

    • Carrie with Children


      We really enjoyed our stay, I’m already hoping we can return again soon! Thanks for reading, Kerri!

  • Hanan


    The bed rails, genius!!!!

    • Carrie with Children


      Those bed rails were a lifesaver! Always a great perk for mamas

  • Jackie


    We’ll be down there in Florida at the end of the week! We’re not staying there at the Swan but we are staying at a Starwood location!

    • Carrie with Children


      Yay! Hope you all have a great visit, Jackie!

  • Emily @FamilyNLifeLV


    Can I go now please! Looks so accommodating and comfortable.

    • Carrie with Children


      Yes – come visit us! We can go together! 🙂

  • Melissa


    I’ve heard nothing but great things about these resorts! I had no idea there were 17 restaurants though! We will definitely have to stay here sometime!

    • Carrie with Children


      There were so many restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin – tons of great food to choose from. I want to go back and eat at bluezoo!

  • Tesa @ 2 Wired 2 Tired


    Loved this review! I’ve always wanted to stay here and last year when we were in Disney I walked the path around it and thought it looked like a beautiful resort. I’m glad to hear and see that the rooms are lovely and the resort is just as neat on the inside as it is on the out.

    • Carrie with Children


      Thanks so much for reading, Tesa! We really enjoyed our visit there – Maggie is already asking if we can go back!

  • Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell


    I’ve only ever stayed in monorail properties but I think I’d really like this one!!!! Beautiful!

    • Carrie with Children


      You should give the Swan and Dolphin a try on your next visit, Liz!

  • Lolo


    I so hope one day we can make it there! I would love to stay at that resort!

    • Carrie with Children


      I hope you can make it to ‘my coast’ sometime soon! 🙂

  • Bridget A


    Looks like a wonderful place to stay as a family!

    • Carrie with Children


      Thanks Bridget – it’s really a fantastic spot for families with great amenities and activities. Thanks for reading!

  • cori


    Okay those bedrails are awesome!! It looks like a beautiful hotel and a wonderful place to stay at Disney!

    • Carrie with Children


      Thanks Cori! I love when hotels/resorts have bed rails – such a huge help for those of us with toddlers!

  • Kristi {at} Live & Love Out Loud


    What a great location! I love that they offer bed rails. Such a little thing, but so important to moms like us.

    • Carrie with Children


      Yes – bed rails are a necessity when you travel with two toddlers like I do! It’s the little things that mean the most sometimes!

  • Jessica


    We love the Swan & Dolphin! They are in the Starwood Resorts portfolio and since hubby works there, massive discounts!!! 🙂

    • Carrie with Children


      Woohoo for massive discounts! 🙂 That is awesome!

  • Trackbacks

  • Trackback from A Mom's Perspective: The One Item Every Hotel Needs #traveltuesday | Carrie with Children
    Tuesday, 11 June, 2013

    […] The Swan and Dolphin Resort, adjacent to Disney World wins my love and affection.  When I inquired about bed rails prior to our stay, then went above and beyond and had them installed before we even got in our room.  And even more kudos to them because they had  a rail for each side of the bed.  Heaven sent! […]

  • Trackback from The One Valuable Item Every Hotel Needs for Families | Carrie on Travel
    Saturday, 11 July, 2015

    […] The Swan and Dolphin Resort, adjacent to Walt Disney World wins my love and affection. When I inquired about bed rails prior to our stay, then went above and beyond and had them installed before we even got in our room. And even more kudos to them because they had a rail for each side of the bed. Heaven sent! […]