Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Review: A Great Disney Resort You Can Book With Points

Introduction

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and looking for a place to stay that offers the benefits of deluxe accommodations without paying Disney deluxe resort prices, you may want to consider the Walt Disney World Swan.

This is one of my favorite places to stay when visiting Walt Disney World.

In this Walt Disney World Swan Hotel review, I’ll share what it’s like to stay here and why it’s become one of my go-to hotels when visiting the parks.

Location: Why the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Is So Convenient

The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel is part of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort complex. It’s centrally located within the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

What’s best about this location is its proximity to Disney’s BoardWalk, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios—they’re all within walking distance. Whether I was eager to skip transportation and begin my park morning with a quick walk to Hollywood Studios, or winding down with a leisurely stroll back to the Swan from EPCOT after the fireworks, the location was fantastic!

Being so close to the BoardWalk area also means you have easy access to restaurants, entertainment, and additional transportation options. It’s one of the most convenient locations on Disney property without staying at a Disney-owned resort.

Distance From Swan Hotel to Disney Parks

Park	Distance	Transportation
EPCOT	10–15 minute walk	Walking path or boat
Hollywood Studios	15–20 minute walk	Walking path or boat
Magic Kingdom	~20 minutes	Bus + monorail or ferry
Animal Kingdom	~15–20 minutes	Bus

Booking and Check-in

Despite being located on Disney property, the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel is not owned by Disney. It’s a Marriott hotel, which means you can book using Marriott Bonvoy points.

Alternatively, this hotel is often available through credit card travel portals and discount booking sites, which can make it a good option when you’re planning a rewards-based trip.

One thing to know before booking is that the Swan charges a daily resort fee. At the time of our stay, the fee was $50 per night plus tax. This resort service package includes several benefits such as in-room wireless internet, fitness classes, paddleboat rentals, and discounts on spa services at the Mandara Spa. Guests with Marriott Bonvoy Silver status or higher also receive access to the Mandara Spa relaxation areas. There’s also a parking fee.

For this trip, I booked a three-night stay for two adults using a combination of Marriott Bonvoy points and an annual Free Night Award from my Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. Since the Free Night Award was valid for up to 35,000 points and the nightly rate I booked was 42,000 points, I used points to “top up” the award. Marriott allows you to add up to 15,000 points to a Free Night Award to cover a higher redemption rate.

The Free Night Award was booked separately from the other nights, but the hotel had no problem combining the reservations at check-in and keeping us in the same room for the entire stay.

When we arrived, our room wasn’t ready yet. To be fair, we arrived earlier than the official 4:00 p.m. check-in time, but it would have been nice to settle in right away. Fortunately, we were able to leave our bags with bell services and explore the resort area while we waited. I received a text notification as soon as our room was ready.

If you’re interested in learning how to use rewards for travel, see my guide on how to plan a free theme park vacation.

Rooms and Atmosphere at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

Serene is the word I’d use to describe walking into the Swan. The atmosphere felt calm and relaxed.

Compared to the hustle and bustle you’ll find at some Disney resorts, the Swan feels quieter and more laid-back. The hotel often hosts conferences and conventions, so many guests are visiting for business rather than a Disney vacation. As a result, the overall environment feels less themed and more peaceful.

For me, that’s actually a positive. After a long and sometimes overstimulating day in the parks, returning to a quieter hotel can be exactly what you need.

The property itself is relatively compact, which makes it easy to navigate and reduces the amount of walking required compared to some larger resorts.

I reserved a standard “Traditional” room with no view. At the time of booking I had Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which provides eligibility for a room upgrade when available. We were assigned a Resort View room, which is considered an upgrade.

Upgrades are never guaranteed here since the Swan is a very popular hotel. As always, it’s best to book the room type you’ll be happy with.

One feature we particularly enjoyed was the two queen-size Westin Heavenly Beds®. They’re extremely comfortable and are something I always look forward to when staying at Marriott properties.

Another thoughtful feature was the double vanity setup. One sink is located inside the bathroom while the second vanity is positioned just outside the bathroom area. This makes it much easier for two people to get ready at the same time.

The room itself included several convenient features, including:

• Plenty of electrical outlets and USB charging ports
• In-room safe
• Iron and ironing board
• Single-serve coffee maker with coffee and tea
• Mini refrigerator
• Individual climate control
• High-speed internet access
• Large flat-screen television with streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube

Overall, the room felt clean, comfortable, and well-designed for a multi-night stay.

Dining & Amenities

The Swan and Dolphin resorts together offer an impressive collection of more than 20 restaurants and lounges. Dining options range from signature restaurants and casual table-service dining to quick-service and grab-and-go locations. There’s also poolside dining.

The only downside is that many of these restaurants are spread throughout the Swan and Dolphin complex. While the walk isn’t far, it can feel inconvenient if you’re already tired after a long park day.

During one afternoon break from the parks, we returned to the hotel hoping to grab a late lunch. Aside from grab-and-go items, our dining options were limited at that time of day. Walking over to the Dolphin for more choices didn’t feel appealing after a full morning in the parks, so we ended up snacking in the room and heading out sooner than planned for an early dinner. I would’ve liked a Disney-style food court in the Swan.

Food can add up quickly during a theme park trip. I share several ways to reduce those costs in my guide to saving money on theme park food.

In addition to dining, the Swan and Dolphin offer a wide range of recreational amenities. Guests can enjoy:

• Six swimming pools, including a grotto pool with waterfalls and a waterslide
• A white-sand beach area
• Mandara Spa
• Jogging trails
• Three health clubs
• Swan paddleboat rentals
• Camp Dolphin supervised children’s activities
• A playground and game room

Walt Disney World Resort Benefits

One of the biggest advantages of staying at the Swan is that guests receive several official Walt Disney World resort benefits.

Transportation is available to all four Disney theme parks, including water taxis to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In the past, the Swan and Dolphin used the same bus system as Disney-owned resorts. However, several years ago they switched to a different bus service. The main downside of this is that the drop-off location for Magic Kingdom is the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) rather than the main entrance.

From the TTC, you’ll need to take either the monorail or ferryboat to reach Magic Kingdom. While I personally enjoy the ferry ride across Seven Seas Lagoon, it does add extra time to your commute, so you’ll want to factor that into your park plans.

If you’d prefer to avoid the TTC, another option is walking to Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and taking a Disney bus from there directly to Magic Kingdom.

Guests at the Swan and Dolphin also receive Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. This allows resort guests to enter the parks 30 minutes before opening and stay later on select nights.

Other available services include Disney Planning Centers, advance tee times at Disney golf courses, and complimentary parking at Disney theme parks with a valid room key.

Is the Walt Disney World Swan Worth It Compared to Disney Resorts?

One of the biggest reasons travelers choose the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel is that it offers many of the perks of Disney deluxe resorts at a lower price.

Nearby Disney deluxe resorts in the same area include:

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort

These resorts offer similar access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, but nightly prices are often hundreds of dollars higher.

The Swan can be especially attractive if you’re planning to book with Marriott Bonvoy points or a Free Night Award, which isn’t possible with Disney-owned resorts. There’s also Marriott’s Fifth Night Free (“Stay for 5, Pay for 4”) perk that allows Bonvoy members to book five consecutive nights using points and only pay the points cost for four nights. This benefit is automatic for all members, applies to standard award bookings, and discounts the lowest-priced night of the stay.

For travelers looking for a convenient location and deluxe-level comfort without the deluxe Disney price tag, the Swan can be an excellent value.

Pros

• Walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
• Close to Disney’s BoardWalk area
• Quieter atmosphere than many Disney resorts
• Smaller property with less internal walking
• Bookable with Marriott points and Free Night Awards

Cons

• Daily resort fee
• Parking fee
• Some dining locations require walking to the Dolphin
• Bus transportation does not drop off directly at Magic Kingdom
• Lack of Disney theming

Who Should Stay at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel?

The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel can be a great choice for several types of travelers.

You may especially enjoy staying here if you:

• Want to walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
• Prefer a quieter resort atmosphere
• Plan to book your stay with Marriott Bonvoy points
• Want deluxe-level accommodations without paying Disney deluxe prices

However, if you’re looking for heavy Disney theming or the convenience of Disney bus transportation directly to Magic Kingdom, a Disney-owned resort may be a better fit.

Would I Stay Again?

Yes, absolutely.

The location alone makes the Swan one of my favorite places to stay at Walt Disney World. Being able to walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios saves time and avoids crowded buses at the end of a long park day.

I also appreciate the quieter atmosphere. After spending hours in busy theme parks, returning to a calm and comfortable hotel makes a big difference.

When you combine the location, Disney resort benefits, and the ability to pay with Marriott points or Free Night Awards, the Swan offers excellent value.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for deluxe-level accommodations in a fantastic location, the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel is a great option. Between the ability to walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, the quieter atmosphere, and the option to book with Marriott Bonvoy points, it’s easy to see why this resort is a favorite for many Disney visitors.

After several stays here, I can confidently say that the Swan is one of the best values on Disney property.

FAQ About the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

Is the Walt Disney World Swan a Disney hotel?

No. The Swan is not owned by Disney. It is operated by Marriott, but it is located on Walt Disney World property and offers many Disney resort benefits.

Can you walk to EPCOT from the Swan Hotel?

Yes. The Swan is about a 10–15 minute walk to EPCOT’s International Gateway entrance, making it one of the most convenient hotels for visiting EPCOT.

Can you walk to Hollywood Studios from the Swan Hotel?

Yes. Guests can walk from the Swan to Hollywood Studios in about 15–20 minutes, or take a water taxi.

Does the Swan Hotel get Disney resort benefits?

Yes. Guests staying at the Swan receive several Walt Disney World resort benefits, including:

• Early Theme Park Entry
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
• Complimentary Disney transportation

Can you book the Walt Disney World Swan with Marriott points?

Yes. The Swan participates in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, so you can book rooms using points or Marriott Free Night Awards.