Walt Disney World Swan evaluate

I grew up just a few hours from Orlando and visited Walt Disney World typically as a child. I used to be at all times curious in regards to the coral and turquoise lodge with the five-story-high swans sitting atop the roof. It wasn’t till effectively into maturity that I lastly stayed on the Walt Disney World Swan Resort, and it’s now considered one of my favourite accommodations on Disney property.

Although the Walt Disney World Swan and its sister properties, the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan Reserve accommodations, will not be technically official Disney World accommodations, they’re close to Disney’s BoardWalk resort space between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Not solely is the Swan conveniently situated close to two of Disney’s theme parks, nevertheless it additionally affords a number of perks for each Disney company and Marriott Bonvoy members.

In case you, too, have been questioning what lies inside that swan-topped lodge, here is the whole lot it is advisable find out about this Marriott resort at Disney World.

Getting there

The Walt Disney World Swan is situated roughly 20 minutes from Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO). The second closest airport is Orlando Sanford Worldwide Airport (SFB), which is a few 45-minute drive, although most vacationers are available in by means of MCO. Assuming you’re, as effectively, there are just a few choices for getting between MCO and the Walt Disney World Swan.

Rental automobile counters and ride-hailing companies are plentiful, however you could possibly additionally take the Mears Join shuttle, which companies accommodations at and round Disney World. The round-trip value is $32 for adults and $26 for teenagers ages 3 to 9. Children underneath 3 journey at no cost.

The resort additionally affords a personal airport switch service, which you’ll be able to request right here.

Reserving particulars

Like its sister properties, the Walt Disney World Swan is managed by Marriott Worldwide. Meaning you may earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors to your keep along with paying money charges. In case you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member, you will obtain the identical advantages right here as you’d at some other Marriott property.

Commonplace room charges vary from $256 to $340 per evening. The resort typically has particular affords out there for Disney World annual move holders, Florida residents, senior residents, educators, first responders and army personnel. I used to be in a position to benefit from a company fee of $224 per evening throughout my keep.

Factors pricing ranges between about 45,000 and 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.

When you have an eligible Marriott Bonvoy cobranded bank card, you may additionally be capable of use your free evening certificates on the Walt Disney World Swan resort. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Categorical® Card comes with an annual free evening certificates that you should use for properties that cost as much as 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening. That may work for an evening that falls on the increased finish of the vary, however you could possibly use a 50,000-point free evening certificates on a inexpensive evening or a 35,000-point free evening certificates if you happen to fork over the as much as 15,000 extra factors allowed to “prime up” your certificates.

As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member (a standing I earned by retaining The Platinum Card® from American Categorical in my pockets and enrolling within the profit), I obtained a complimentary improve to a balcony room and in addition obtained a factors bonus of 500 Marriott Bonvoy factors upon check-in. In complete, I earned 5,675 factors for this two-night keep due to my Gold standing.

When reserving the Walt Disney World Swan, you will need to use one of many bank cards that earn probably the most factors for Marriott stays, in addition to one which probably affords computerized Marriott Bonvoy elite standing for value-added advantages. These embody:

• Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Platinum Elite standing; and 25 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Silver Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card: Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; computerized Silver Elite standing; and 5 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.

The data for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Issues we liked

• The Walt Disney World Swan is inside strolling distance to each Epcot (about 10 minutes) and Hollywood Studios (about quarter-hour), however you may as well make the most of the resort’s water taxi to get to each parks or take the complimentary shuttle to get to Disney’s different theme parks and Disney Springs.
• Although the pricing is just like what you’d pay at considered one of Disney’s average resorts, the visitor rooms and facilities (just like the swimming pools, eating places and spa) are nearer to what you’d discover at considered one of Disney’s pricier Deluxe resorts.
• Between all three properties, there are 23 eating places and lounges to select from. You may even get Mickey waffles with breakfast.
• It is not at all times straightforward to earn or use lodge factors at Disney World, nevertheless it’s straightforward on the Swan Resort. For my two-night keep, I earned 5,675 factors, which incorporates my Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite 25% factors bonus and my welcome present of 500 factors.
• Regardless of not being an “official” Disney World property, the Swan resort affords Disney perks like complimentary theme park transportation (or free theme park parking if you happen to select to drive), a Disney present store, 30-minute entry into the parks previous to the official opening time and prolonged night theme park hours on choose nights, prearrival Lightning Lane alternatives seven days previous to check-in, a Disney trip planning desk and extra.

Issues to think about earlier than staying right here

• I used to be pleasantly stunned to search out that the $45 day by day amenity price included issues I would really use, like day by day swan paddle boat leases and entry to the comfort areas of the on-site spa. However, if you happen to aren’t planning on spending a lot time on the lodge, you might not have the possibility to make use of those facilities.
• Though there’s a Disney present store and a few hints of Disney, you do not have that very same feeling of being immersed within the Disney bubble as you’d at an official Disney resort. In case you aren’t actually into the in-your-face Disney theming, you might think about {that a} good factor.
• The lodge does present complimentary transportation to Disney theme parks and Disney Springs, nevertheless it is not on as frequent a schedule because the official Disney shuttles. The water taxis and shuttles arrive each 20-25 minutes, so you might wait a bit longer than you’d at an official Disney resort.

The vibe

As a result of it’s on Disney property, the 765-room (together with 169 suites) Walt Disney World Swan is occupied principally by households and has a complicated but pleasant really feel. The resort was designed by internationally acclaimed architect Michael Graves, who additionally contributed to the visitor room redesign.

The resort’s muted coloration palette offers it a peaceable atmosphere, which is a welcome reprieve earlier than or after an extended day at Disney’s theme parks. The espresso store is situated close to the entrance desk, and the eating places are grouped collectively in a central location, making discovering your subsequent drink or chunk to eat easy.

With six swimming pools to select from, households can simply benefit from the energetic waterslides and waterfall on the grotto pool, whereas these searching for a relaxed spot to catch some rays can head for the quiet pool nearer to the lodge.

The room

Just like the lodge’s public areas, the rooms felt calm and serene, with hues of blue and white set in opposition to blonde wooden furnishings.

The room was spacious, with loads of closet area for storage, in addition to excessive beds that you could possibly slide a suitcase underneath. The beds featured wood headboards with white cushioning, a bedside lamp between the 2 beds and loads of customary USB and USB-C shops.

The in-room facilities enriched the resort’s upscale setting, with two snug robes and two pairs of slippers within the closet, water bottles by the mattress and a full lineup of toiletries within the rest room, together with a loofah, bathe cap, shoeshine mitt, stitching equipment, lotion and extra.

I used to be too busy on the parks to benefit from the nighttime view from my balcony, however a number of of the balcony rooms present a view of Epcot’s nightly fireworks present.

Food and drinks

With 23 eating shops to select from between the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve, you may simply fulfill just about any craving you will have. I picked up iced espresso every morning from Java, together with premade in a single day oats to retailer in my room for a fast breakfast within the morning.

If I had been there longer, I’d have made time for a heartier breakfast from Backyard Grove and a dinner of genuine Mexican delicacies from Rosa Mexicano. This journey was fast and busy, however I’ve additionally been identified to cease for a nightcap at Phins lounge on the next-door Dolphin resort.

The resort additionally has two celebrity-helmed eating places, Shula’s Steak Home and Todd English’s bluezoo.

Facilities and repair

This resort’s facilities had been the place I used to be actually kicking myself for not reserving an extended keep. The Grotto pool advanced is considered one of my favorites at Disney due to its massive measurement, the poolside eating and drinks (they’ll even ship your order to your seat) and number of leisure areas and actions.

Along with this and the property’s 5 different swimming pools, you may go to the full-service Mandara Spa. Earlier than or after your therapy, you may calm down within the spa’s tea backyard or meditation backyard.

The Swan additionally has a number of sandy waterfront seashore areas the place you may hang around, play volleyball or hire a Swan pedal boat.

Children can go to the on-site youngsters membership, Camp Dolphin, for a further price, or the entire household can get pleasure from campfire s’mores, motion pictures underneath the celebrities and day by day crafts and actions by the pool.

Out and about

Along with proximity to Disney World’s 4 theme parks and two water parks, the Walt Disney World Swan Resort is inside strolling distance of Disney’s BoardWalk space. Disney’s BoardWalk is residence to a number of eating shops, outlets and leisure. Through the daytime hours, you may hire customary or surrey bikes and within the night, you may imbibe on the magic-themed Abracadabar or watch gifted musicians face off at Jellyrolls dueling piano bar.

In case you are visiting Disney’s theme parks, keep in mind that company of the Walt Disney World Swan are eligible for 30-minute early theme park entry to any Disney park and prolonged theme park hours on choose evenings. This profit is invaluable if you end up attempting to maximise your time (and journey rely) within the park.

Company of the Walt Disney World Swan are additionally eligible to buy and start reserving their Lightning Lane alternatives (Disney’s skip-the-line service) seven days previous to check-in. Although it carries a further price, that is one other perk that may aid you get on extra rides with shorter waits throughout your trip.

Accessibility

The Walt Disney World Swan has accessible visitor rooms with options like roll-in showers, spacious ground plans that permit for simple navigation through wheelchair and hearing-accessible options like visible alarms and notification gadgets for the door and cellphone.

Public areas of the resort are additionally wheelchair accessible, and the swimming pools have accessible lifts.

As at all times, we suggest calling the resort previous to reserving to make sure the property meets any accessibility wants.

Trying out

When you have an upcoming Disney journey however do not need to forgo your Marriott Bonvoy perks, the Walt Disney World Swan is a transparent selection. The advantages you get are just like these at considered one of Disney World’s top-tier Deluxe resorts, however at a a lot cheaper price level and with the added worth of incomes or burning Marriott Bonvoy factors.

Even if you happen to aren’t a Marriott loyalist, this resort stands by itself as the most effective resorts at Disney World.

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