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

[Road_Dog]

I need help from my Marriott experts here. I do a lot of churning and business spend to rack up Marriott points.

Does only the Swan Reserve offer the ability to redeem points towards a 1-bedroom? Maybe I'm not searching the correct dates.

I've been eyeing up the Swan for an upcoming family trip. The Swan seems like the better location for access to the boats and has queens vs doubles. That being said, I'd be fine with my kids sleeping on a pull out couch if it meant my wife and I had our own private area at the end of the night.

However anytime I check dates for Swan and Dolphin, I never see 1-bedroom suites available via points--only cash rates for those bigger rooms. It seems you can only redeem points at Swan/Dolphin for 1 king or 2 queen/double studios, which may or may not have a balcony.

It looks like the Swan Reserve does offer points for 1 bedrooms. I'm not as keen on staying there due to the less ideal location from the boardwalk and the boats, but if it gave me the ability to use points for a 1-bedroom, I think I'd suck it up (plus it seems to be the nicest of the 3).

Biggest downside is that the point value for the 1-bedrooms is very poor. I understand that the 5th night is free on point bookings so below I'm just showing the average point cost per night, providing I stay 5 nights. This is for September 2026:

• Dolphin point rate: 5 nights for 348k (69,600/night), cash rate $375/night - Traditional 2 Double Room, no view, no balcony.
• Swan point rate: 5 nights for 348k (69,600/night), cash rate $400/night - Traditional 2 Queen, no view
• Swan Reserve point rate: 5 nights for 384k (76,800/night), cash rate $470/night - Pool Queen/Queen, Guest room, 2 Queen, Pool view
• Swan Reserve point rate: 5 nights for 734k (146,800/night), cash rate $761/night - Signature, Suite, 2 Queen, Sofa bed

I understand point values fluctuate throughout the year so there are off peak times I could go--we're eyeing up October 2026 which is why I'm using September 2026 pricing right now.

I do find it funny/interesting that I could technically book two connecting rooms at Swan for less than the 1-bedroom suite at Swan Reserve.

 

[Dave006]

I understand point values fluctuate throughout the year so there are off peak times I could go--we're eyeing up October 2026 which is why I'm using September 2026 pricing right now.

Your challenge with the Swan in October 2026 is that it is normally a very busy month with multiple large groups that book Sun-Wed or even thru Thursday. The Gartner IT Symposium and Expo is almost always the 3rd week of October, and all 3 resorts are often full.

I do find it funny/interesting that I could technically book two connecting rooms at Swan for less than the 1-bedroom suite at Swan Reserve.

This was going to be my suggestion. You get a King room that connects to a 2 Queen room, and a possible balcony for 1 or both rooms, and most importantly 2 full bathrooms.

Dave

 

[DisneyFan1985!]

are all the rooms at the Dolphin new and renovated? thinking of a stay in early Feb 2026

thank you

 

[Road_Dog]

This was going to be my suggestion. You get a King room that connects to a 2 Queen room, and a possible balcony for 1 or both rooms, and most importantly 2 full bathrooms.

I think the biggest downside here is the extra resort fee.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think the biggest downside here is the extra resort fee.

There should only be one resort fee.

 

[Dave006]

I think the biggest downside here is the extra resort fee.

When you book under the Family plan where you have connecting rooms under 1 reservation there is only (1) Resort fee. Just like @Dan Murphy indicated.

Dave

 

[Road_Dog]

When you book under the Family plan where you have connecting rooms under 1 reservation there is only (1) Resort fee. Just like @Dan Murphy indicated.

Dave

Sorry, not seeing where/how I can book under a family plan? I did a dummy checkout for two rooms and it was indeed trying to charge me a resort fee per room.

 

[Dave006]

Sorry, not seeing where/how I can book under a family plan? I did a dummy checkout for two rooms and it was indeed trying to charge me a resort fee per room.

Are you using the Bonvoy app, the Marriott web? Try the Escape Your Way Family Package, your Double Queen should be discounted and not have a resort fee.

Or pickup the phone and Local: 407-934-4000 Reservations: 1-888-828-8850 (In house at the resort) when they are busy you may roll-over to the general Marriott reservation number which not a good option.

Dave