Are Swan/Dolphin Really Disney Properties?

[DCDISNEYDC]

I remember once hearing that Swan/Dolphin are not owned/operated by Disney. Can anyone elaborate on the arrangement these properties have with Disney. If true, I guess my next question is, do you get the same "Disney service?"

 

[Mickey Rules]

The Swan and Dolphin are official Disney Hotels, but they are operated and managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide under the Westin Hotels brand. So yes, you get the same Disney service, but technically Disney does not own them. That is the reason that they are referred to as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, but they are managed by Starwood Hotels.

here are the links to the wikipedia articles about them...

Swan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World_Swan

Dolphin:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World_Dolphin

 

[seashoreCM]

I was told that the buildings were owned by someone else and situated on land leased from Disney.

It had something to do with an arrangement whereby another company put money into the building of a park (not sure whether it was Magic Kingdom or Epcot) in exchange for the convenient location for a resort.

I believe that annual fees are paid to Disney for the Disney perks, such as bus service, that are found at those resorts. I also believe that any nearby non-Disney resort, Swan and Dolphin included, could in the future subscribe to (and pay fees for) other perks such as Magical Express.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

No they are not "Disney owned" resorts. As mentioned Westin Hotels owns the Swan and the Sheraton (Starwood) owns the Dolphin. Although they are run as one merged hotel, they are still under seperate companies.

Basically they have an agreement/contract with Disney for the property that the hotels sit on. They pay Disney to be able to be on the property and offer the services to their guests.

As a guest of the hotel you will still get some of the same amenities, just not all. You will still have Disney transportation as the Disney buses and boats do service the hotels. I beleive youare still able to send your packages back to your hotel room from the parks and other merchandise locations. You can buy Disney tickets and merchandise on the premises. You will be able to utilize the Magic Mornings (EMH) and Late Evening at the parks. There is a Character Dining experience at the hotel. You will not however be able to charge back to your room from the parks and DTD.

Because of the partnership that they have with Disney you will still get a lot of the same amenities as the Disney hotels offer.

 

[bab31]

It is too bad that you cant charge from the parks and such to your room. That was such a nice perk! it really did not occur to me until just now how much we used that option while we stayed at CSR.

 

[paras4ri]

I was told that the buildings were owned by someone else and situated on land leased from Disney.

That's true, the buildings themselves are not owned by Starwood. One of the owners (I believe there are 2) is a US insurance company.

 

[Poly Pal]

No they are not "Disney owned" resorts. As mentioned Westin Hotels owns the Swan and the Sheraton (Starwood) owns the Dolphin. Although they are run as one merged hotel, they are still under seperate companies.

Actually, Westin and Sheraton are both Starwood properties and the staff at the Swan and Dolphin do move between both buildings as one.

I have found the concierge desk staff to be superior to that at the Disney owned properties I've stayed at (Polynesian, GF, WL)

 

[Geoff_M]

Agreed, the Wiki articles are misleading. Technically, the DTD hotels are also "official" under the definition used there. If it were a full fledged WDW resorts, you'd be able to book them via Disney.

The S&D were build during a brief period when Disney thought they wanted to "out-source" new resorts. Needless to say, they soon reversed course in a big way and when on a major hotel building spree.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

That's true, the buildings themselves are not owned by Starwood. One of the owners (I believe there are 2) is a US insurance company.

So you got me curious and I did a little searching and this is what I found out...

Metlife and Tishman Reality & Construction Corporation own the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide manages the resorts.

 

[webray]

I remember once hearing that Swan/Dolphin are not owned/operated by Disney. Can anyone elaborate on the arrangement these properties have with Disney. If true, I guess my next question is, do you get the same "Disney service?"

You get better service than at Disney resorts, with much nicer rooms and ammenities. Better rates also!

 

[CarolA]

You get better service than at Disney resorts, with much nicer rooms and ammenities. Better rates also!

These hotels are more in line with reality based on value and service then the Disney "deluxe".

The two things you give up are Magical Express and charging to the room..

 

[MSC]

You can't charge to the room, but you can have your purchases at the parks delivered to the S/D.

And, btw, you can book S/D through Disney, but never at a discounted rate (at least not that I've ever noticed). And not with a dining package.