Pros/cons of staying at Swan Hotel

[jessiebern32]

My family and I (husband and 1 daughter) are planning our first trip to Disney. I'm considering the Swan hotel but see its not officially affiliated with Disney. What are the pros and cons of staying at the Swan? Do you receive less Disney perks? Is there easy transportation to the Magic Kingdom? I like that the hotel is close to Epcot and Hollywood Studies but I'm not sure if we'll get the full Disney experience staying there. Thank you!

 

[Ross Kratter]

It is not owned by Disney, but it is on Disney property. It's technically a Westin, owned by Marriott. There is no Magical Express to/from the airport. Magic Kingdom buses go to the Transportation & Ticket Center, from which you have to take the monorail or ferry, rather than straight to the park like the Disney resort buses.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I love the Swan and also the Dolphin. You can't use your magic band to charge things or as a room key, and there's no refillable mug program, but to me those are the only drawbacks and those don't matter to me.

With the Disney resorts in general being remodeled with a much more subtle Disney vibe, I definitely feel like I'm in the Disney bubble at the Swan/Dolphin. They're decorated beautifully at Christmas.

I don't remember being dropped off at the Transportation Center; I though we were always dropped off right in front of the MK with the other buses, but I may be remembering incorrectly.

 

[Ross Kratter]

I don't remember being dropped off at the Transportation Center; I though we were always dropped off right in front of the MK with the other buses, but I may be remembering incorrectly.

That's new as of this year, as the Swan & Dolphin have switched to Mears for their buses rather than Disney buses. Only Disney buses are allowed in the MK bus loop, so they have to drop off with all of the charter and off-property hotel buses at the TTC.

 

[1GoldenSun]

That's new as of this year, as the Swan & Dolphin have switched to Mears for their buses rather than Disney buses. Only Disney buses are allowed in the MK bus loop, so they have to drop off with all of the charter and off-property hotel buses at the TTC.

Oh wow; in my opinion that's a pretty big drawback.

 

[HiStitch626]

They have the best beds on property and a really nice pool area. Lots of great restaurant options in that whole Epcot resort area. Easy transportation to both Studios and Epcot. The only transportation difference you’ll see is Magic Kingdom.

 

[Ross Kratter]

Oh wow; in my opinion that's a pretty big drawback.

Agreed.

 

[SarahC97]

Personally, I would stay at a Disney resort for your first trip. As mentioned, Swan no longer gets Disney transportation and that's a big drawback. Also, the hotel just doesn't have that magic that Disney resorts do. The rooms could be anywhere in the world, I don't think the pools are as nice, and the interactions/service from staff aren't as good. Yes, it's a great location but I don't think you'd be getting the full Disney experience from your trip.

 

[robinb]

The Swolphin is a wonderful resort. The perks of staying at a Disney Resort have been reduced since Covid. The location is great and the price is right. I would stay there over most Disney resorts.

 

[Ross Kratter]

The Swolphin is a wonderful resort. The perks of staying at a Disney Resort have been reduced since Covid. The location is great and the price is right. I would stay there over most Disney resorts.

The value for the price is pretty incredible.

 

[soniam]

What about ADRs? I know everyone can book 60 days out, but does Swan give you 60 days + length of stay?

 

[Julie Amber]

We stayed at the Swan in Dec after exclusively staying on property. We don't have little kids, so theming wasn't a big deal to us. Rooms are much bigger, beds are great, location is FANTASTIC! However, their customer service is not great. We had several issues while we were there and they were just rude about it. It's a shame because we loved everything about the location and our suite was gorgeous, but the way they treat people was terrible.

 

[Timandalicia]

My family and I (husband and 1 daughter) are planning our first trip to Disney. I'm considering the Swan hotel but see its not officially affiliated with Disney. What are the pros and cons of staying at the Swan? Do you receive less Disney perks? Is there easy transportation to the Magic Kingdom? I like that the hotel is close to Epcot and Hollywood Studies but I'm not sure if we'll get the full Disney experience staying there. Thank you!

I say the one and only draw back is the consciousness of it not being a “Disney hotel”. But I think that that is easily remedied by its nostalgia. It has been part of Disney for much longer than many of the Disney resorts.

Otherwise, it is a great resort. Right there in the middle of the magic. Westin hotels are known for their comfort and cleanliness. It has good food, and it smells like white tea and aloe (right now you are saying what an odd thing to say, and then when you check-in you’re going to say that person was right, it does smell amazing in here). Go for it!

 

[sophy1996]

What about ADRs? I know everyone can book 60 days out, but does Swan give you 60 days + length of stay?

Yes, it does. Just took advantage of that a couple of weeks ago.

 

[CynBeth]

Marriott has horrible CS. We had an issue with a non Disney vacation and they have been terrible to deal with. For your first trip I would definitely stay at a Disney hotel. If you want to be near those 2 parks I would do Beach Club or Yacht Club. A suggestion would be to stay at a MK hotel. They have the electrical water pageant at night and hopefully depending on when you go fireworks will be back, Plus at Contemporary you can walk to MK.

 

[MomOTwins]

We’re a big fan of onsite. Magic bands are so convenient. Agree with others MK transportation is a big deal. We also really like that a lot of Disney hotels has a pull down or sofa bed in addition to two queens which is nice to have with kid. If you are going in 2021 you have the magical express from the airport (really sad that is going away in 2022).

 

[Dug720]

Marriott has horrible CS.

This. I have had too many issues with Marriott CS to ever consider any property they own.

 

[Carol_]

I love staying anywhere on Disney property, and LOVE the Swolphin. Customer service was great last time we stayed. The pool is great. The campfire s’mores were great. (Not sure if they’re doing that post-Covid.) The proximity to Epcot and Boardwalk was great. Mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens was great, too.
Oh - and the Mandarin Spa was also great. Get a massage, nails, haircut.

 

[loves to dive]

I stay almost all the time at Swan/Dolphin. I'm a big fan of the WDW resorts and YC is my favorite since we love Epcot and HS but you can't beat the price of Swan/Dolphin. Yes they have switched to Mears buses so the drop off at MK is at TTC but it is what it is. Do they feel less Disney? The don't to me but I've never needed the over the top Disney theming. I've also never had that much worse customer support than at WDW resorts lately. I have not been since Covid but do have a trip booked for this April so we will see. Disney used to have customer service over and beyond anywhere else but the last few years that isn't always the case. I will be honest and say I have had to wait at the front desk at Dolphin longer than I should have and have had the occasional long wait at the new bar in the lobby when I shouldn't have but otherwise, I've never really had any issues with their staff.

 

[nkereina]

FWIW, we hated using the buses at park opening in the current environment, so we used Uber. Uber dropped us off at TTC and it was really no issue to monorail, ferry, or bus over to MK. Just allow extra time in the morning or plan for two mornings/days at MK in case you get stuck in a crowd.

The location of the Swan is difficult to beat. Unless you plan to have a good mix of resort time, the location and ease of getting to and from two of the four parks makes a big difference.