Resort Thread Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE Resorts

[Dave006]

I hope others check out the link you posted, some great photos and does appear to confirm that all rooms have been completed not just the standard rooms.

I would not suggest the MSN link with all their added non-features. Their source was WDW News Today and here is their direct link: https://wdwnt.com/2025/03/renovation-complete-on-walt-disney-world-swan-hotel-guest-rooms/

Also Tom Bricker's Disneytourist Blog has the updated information and a summary of all the Swan & Dolphin resort Convention space plans: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/walt-disney-world-swan-dolphin-announce-275-million-transformation-expansion/

All Swan guests rooms were confirmed to have been completed about 8+ weeks ago.

ETA: add Tom Brickers Disneytourist link...

Dave

 

[hedberg1661]

I just got back from 4 nights at the Dolphin and here is my take:

1. I had a great room at the dolphin. Great setup and had no show of age which was surprising.

2. The lap pool by Cabanas was down our entire trip. Very disappointing as this is our usual hangout but when a pump goes it goes. We adjusted to the grotto pool and the lap pool at Swan.

3. Splash (the bar at lap pool at the Swan) was open every day of our stay which was nice.

4. Had excellent meals at Shulas (multiple nights) and one decent meal at Il Mulino. I was in a rush there and needed pizza and it was overdone. I would have normally ordered something else. Not that big of a deal at the end of the day.

5. Staff were (and generally are) tremendous. Anything that came up or I needed it was addressed.

All in all a great stay!

 

[Cfabar1]

Staff here are easily the best in Marriott. They truly get it.

I haven’t seen the rooms in person yet but am not that impressed by the renovation photos. Looks like a pretty soft refurbishment. Did they enhance the bathrooms? Didn’t see photos there.

I agree that these properties show their age. Honestly I would prefer they would do a restoration of the properties. Take it back to the original vision. They would be really cool to see in that way.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I haven’t seen the rooms in person yet but am not that impressed by the renovation photos. Looks like a pretty soft refurbishment....

Are you talking Swan? They literally changed everything in the room. Even if it isn't to your taste this was definitely a hard refurb.

 

[Cfabar1]

I feel like the tv stand and the desk were always that way? Maybe I am getting my previous hotel stays confused.

 

[SteveH]

Comparing pictures I have from 2015 to the new ones, the standing lamp and desk look exactly the same. The dresser/fridge and nightstand looks like finish is lighter, so maybe sanded down or its been replaced with something similar. The desk chair looks different, while extra chair looks about the same. The table lamp are new as well as the headboard

 

[loves to dive]

@gottalovepluto . Thanks for the review. I'll be at the Dolphin in April, do you remember what kind of coffee maker they have now. They seem to change it every time I'm there, I think I've come prepared with my own coffee and it's a different set up. Last time I was there it was one of the single serve ones that have the little basket that is disposable and a small pad of coffee. They use Starbucks coffee (or have in the past) and I'm not a fan. I have the little pods which I can bring, I just have to remember to tuck the little disposable basket somewhere the cleaning crew won't throw it away.

 

[gottalovepluto]

@gottalovepluto . Thanks for the review. I'll be at the Dolphin in April, do you remember what kind of coffee maker they have now. They seem to change it every time I'm there, I think I've come prepared with my own coffee and it's a different set up. Last time I was there it was one of the single serve ones that have the little basket that is disposable and a small pad of coffee. They use Starbucks coffee (or have in the past) and I'm not a fan. I have the little pods which I can bring, I just have to remember to tuck the little disposable basket somewhere the cleaning crew won't throw it away.

Sorry, I didn't notice

 

[Dave006]

I'll be at the Dolphin in April, do you remember what kind of coffee maker they have now.

At the Dolphin they are all still the Mr Coffee1 cup with a basket and Starbucks coffee in packets of al-in-one filters. One per sealed package. They have Regular and Decaff filter packets.

ETA: add the Mr Coffee name...

Dave

 

[hawkeyesparks]

Stayed at the swan on Sunday night for a quick Epcot trip. It’s just a nice place.

 

[Dakota731]

We have never stayed at Swan or Dolphin. Are their Disney perks that you don’t get staying there?

 

[Dan Murphy]

You can not charge Disney items or Disney meals back to your room account. You can charge meals at the S/D resort to your room however.

 

[SteveH]

I'll add a couple other things along with what Dan shared.

SwanDolphin doesn't use the Disney bus system, they have their own coach that goes direct to AK and TTC for access to MK. Some opt to walk to YC or BW for a Disney bus. You can use the boats to from HS & Epcot.

Magic Bands don't do anything at S/D.

On the plus side you get Extended Theme Park Evening Hours that only Deluxe properties get.

 

[elvispursley]

We have never stayed at Swan or Dolphin. Are their Disney perks that you don’t get staying there?

There’s also my favorite added perk at Swan/Dolphin that the Disney resorts don’t get…free bottled water!! Seriously, this is such a big perk for me that it somewhat offsets the fact that there aren’t any towel racks or good ways to hang towels/bathing suits up! But the bus thing, MB and room charging wasn’t really missed by us.

 

[emilyann704]

There’s also my favorite added perk at Swan/Dolphin that the Disney resorts don’t get…free bottled water!! Seriously, this is such a big perk for me that it somewhat offsets the fact that there aren’t any towel racks or good ways to hang towels/bathing suits up! But the bus thing, MB and room charging wasn’t really missed by us.

Yes! Free water bottles is a HUGE perk for us. Plus Extended Evening Hours and facilities that are right on par with a lot of the Disney Deluxe properties (except room balconies -- that's something I miss).

I stayed at the Swan Reserve for the first time in January. I've previously stayed a few times at Coronado and Port Orleans French Quarter so I'm really used to buses and don't mind them at all. I will say - dealing with the TTC SUCKED. What a treat it is to just be able to walk or boat over to HS and Epcot.

tl:dr: location is incredible (for HS and Epcot), value is better than the Disney properties especially when you factor in the EEH perk, and other things like free bottled water.

 

[Dan Murphy]

And essentially unlimited coffee in the rooms, just ask housekeeping, regular and decaf Starbucks.

 

[Cfabar1]

Only disadvantage about staying at S&D in my mind is the lack of Disney buses - most especially to the MK.

A lot of people are known to walk to BC or BW and take the bus from there. Seems really silly on the part of Marriott and Disney to have not been able to work out the Disney busing.

 

[kylenne]

I stayed at the Swan Reserve for the first time in January. I've previously stayed a few times at Coronado and Port Orleans French Quarter so I'm really used to buses and don't mind them at all. I will say - dealing with the TTC SUCKED. What a treat it is to just be able to walk or boat over to HS and Epcot.

Only disadvantage about staying at S&D in my mind is the lack of Disney buses - most especially to the MK.

A lot of people are known to walk to BC or BW and take the bus from there. Seems really silly on the part of Marriott and Disney to have not been able to work out the Disney busing.

Yeah, tbh as a Swolphin o.g. the transportation situation for MK bothered me way more in practice than I assumed it would on paper on my first post-covid stay without the Disney buses. Walking to BWI to get buses got really old and their own janky MK shuttle coupled with TTC delays cost me a decent wait for Jack & Sally at the Halloween party. I ended up just skipping out on them.

We are at BWI in May for the Crescent Lake start to our split stay mostly because we are bringing a first timer and want her to have the full bubble experience. If not for that we would probably be at Swolphin for that portion of the trip, before moving to Poly. But for my solo Labor Day trip this year I'm seriously considering tacking on a night at Pop or something just for MK.

 

[StarTunnelVibes]

I just got back from a 4 night stay at the Swan. I stayed there exactly 1 year ago and in 2010. One thing that I really love is the pool complex. It is visually beautiful and clean. It never felt overly crowded to me. The grotto pool can get a little busy, but nothing crazy. The 2 quiet pools are very nice as well.

I think the pool area is much nicer than other Disney resorts I have stayed at (POFQ and Boardwalk). If someone wants an on-site resort with a great pool, I think this is a top contender!

Side note - the coffee that is served at Java and Fuel is great!

 

[Dakota731]

How far is it to walk to BWI for the MK bus? Also, where is the best place to book to get the lowest prices on a room?