Tips on the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Planning a trip to Disney can be mind boggling and with so many places to stay in Orlando it can be really hard to choose. These Tips on the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will help you decide on which Disney hotel is right for you. For us we just love the convenience of a hotel but with Walt Disney being at the top end of the budget you need to know it’s worth the extra you will be paying. The Swan and Dolphin hotel is not managed by Disney but offers a lot of the perks of Disney at a reasonable price.
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The Swan and Dolphin Hotel offer a choice of Standard rooms and excutive room,s and they all come with Queen beds. The Hotels are close together and are coveniantly located heart of the Walt Disney World close to Epcot, and not far from the magic kingdom park.
Review and tips of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Why stay here? This is all you need to know before you go.
We alway feel that we have made a great choice staying here so here are my Tips on the Walt Disney world Swan and Dolphin and all you need to know before you go.
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Where is the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin?
The Walt Disney world Swan and dolphin are two separate hotels on one site and are much easier on the pocket than some of the other resorts. Although they are managed by another company you get all of the convenience of staying at Walt Disney world resort too.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin rooms
The Swan and the dolphin are situated side by side and are very similar in styling inside and out. Very contemporary and very luxurious on the inside. The Swan also has a huge lobby area with a shop and reception area. Recently at the resort the rooms have been refurbished and are very pleasant and clean. Both the Swan and Dolphin offer double beds in the rooms a wide screen T V and a fridge. Having two sinks with a family of 4 in the bathroom was also a big help in getting us out of the door in the morning.
How easy is it to get to the parks from Swan and Dolphin resort?
One of the best things about the Swan and also the Dolphin hotel is thier location! They offer a bus service and a complimentary water taxi boat service. It is very central and if you don’t want to drive its in within walking distance of many restaurants and Disney parks. It is very closely situated to some of the best parks such as Hollywood Studios being only a short walk or a free boat ride away. Epcot is very close also this is great if you just want to pop in to a park at rope drop or for the extra hours and not even stay long.
Free park parking and included transports
The Transport between the parks is great you can get free courtesy buses directly outside to any Disney park. Also a boat to the Boardwalk, Hollywood Studios, Epcot or another hotel. Or if you want to drive you get free parking at the parks.
Do Disney buses go to Swan and Dolphin?
Bus service’s are available from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin to the Disney parks. The Buses depart every 15-20 minutes. The bus’s also stop along the route at the Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort and the Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.
How long is bus ride from Dolphin to Magic Kingdom?
The bus ride from the Swan hotel to the Magic Kingdom take’s around 25 minutes. The bus transportation means you can get easy access to the theme parks that are further away.
Do you get extra magic hours at the Swan Dolphin for early theme park entry?
The best bonus of staying at a Walt Disney parks is the parks is the extra magic hours. The Swan and Dolphin do the extra magic hours too! Each day a different park has extra magic hours, sometimes in the morning for an hour or 2 hours after closing. This is fantastic and makes getting on all the rides so much easier. You can then book your fast passes for later in the morning, Go to the park before opening and get straight on some of the more popular rides without having to queue for long. If the extra hours are in the evening you get to stay after the park has shut and go on some more rides by showing your hotel room card.
Restaurants at the Swan Hotel and the Dolphin Hotel
Some of the best Disney restaurants are located in the heart of the Swan and Dolphin too! In fact Disney dining has never been better! There are so many dining options such as Shula’s steak house is one of Americas best steak houses and one of our favourite restaurants at Disney. Todd English’s bluezoo is a contemporary fish restaurant with a stunning bar for evening drinks. The il mulino new york trattoria is lovely for your Italian dishes. All of the restaurants have a bar and Kimonos even does karaoke thrown in with your sushi. The new Rosa Mexicano can be found in the Dolphin Hotel Rosa Mexicano offering a fresh take on authentic Mexican cuisine, serving both beloved classics and sophisticated dishes .
So with 4 signature restaurants, 5 casual restaurants and snack and coffee counters you really are spoilt for choice.
The restaurant in the Swan is a delight the essence of New York’s Central Park, Garden Grove offers globe lights, inlaid wood and an enchanting 25-foot tall oak tree.
The Boardwalk is located right next to the hotels.
If you feel like you need short walk and a real Disney fix you can head of over the bridge to the Disney Boardwalk which comes alive at night. You will find Disney stores many more restaurants and even street performers. This really is fantastic being a 5 minute walk away! When your not spending your evening in the park you can still pop out without having to worry about a taxi or driving.
Disney Swan and Dolphin pool
The shared pool area is fabulous for cooling off after a long day at a park. They have waiter service for drinks and children’s entertainment around by the pool. This great pool has water slides for the children plenty of sun loungers and the occasional duck wandering past. They had a live singer here during the day so it is the perfect place for an afternoon of escape.
There is a shallower kiddie pool and a water slide too. So all you need is to grab a drink from the pool Cabana bar and sit back and relax. I loved the frozen Rose wine!
Swan and Dolphin Kids club
Another great bonus is the complimentary Camp Dolphin. When dining in one of the hotels restaurant you can get 2 hours free kids club with a meal. We didn’t use this facility this time but in previous years our children really enjoyed it. So if you would like a couple of hours peace and quiet you can be rest assured your children will be having great fun in there in the kids club
Whatever you buy in store can get sent to your hotel room
You can even get your purchases shipped to your hotel resort shop for collection the next day. This handy service will let you send any thing you have bought at a Disney resort park back to the Swan or Dolphin Hotel. Particularly helpful if you are going to come home with a Stitch the size of a small child!
Can you see fireworks from Swan and Dolphin?
Is Disney Dolphin or Swan better?
The buses pick up from the Swan first so if the resorts are busy you will have a better chance of getting a seat on the bus if you get on at the Swan. Having said that you can walk through to both hotels in a few minutes. The Boats and the boardwalk are situated in-between both hotels.
Can you walk to Hollywood studios from Swan and Dolphin?
Yes you can walk to Hollywood Studios from the Swan and Dolphin. At a brisk pace it would take you about 20 minutes. There is a long wide path that is lighted all of the way.
How far is the walk from the Swan and Dolphin to Epcot?
You can walk to Epcot via the Boardwalk to the World Showcase entrance at EPCOT. It will take about 15 minutes and you will enter via England at the international gateway. It has paved and lighted walkways all the way.
Do you get magic bands if you stay at Swan and Dolphin?
Unfortunately you do not get magic bands included in your stay at disney. But you can purchase them at the hotel.
Thank you for reading my Tips on the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. All in all its worth a stay for the convenience’s you receive, its central, its luxurious and good value for money. And above all its Disney!
Check out my Disney tips for first timers!
All thoughts and opinions are my own after several stays at this resort.
D x
Ah last time I saw that fountain was at your wedding. It must be lovely revising when you got married there. I think we may try this out next time we visit x
Lol! I know , Was so easy to get around , walk to Boardwalk , walk to Hollywood studios, Epcot 10 min boat ride takes you in to England near the pub! 😂 really convenient!