Disney Swan vs Dolphin Resorts: An Honest Comparison
Last updated on September 3, 2026
Disney Swan vs. Dolphin: Which hotel is best for you?
If you are thinking about a stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, here’s a guide to help you decide! We’ll explore how they are different, what they have in common, and equally important though rarely considered – how are they different from other Disney World Resort hotels?
This is such an important consideration when trying to decide if which hotel is right for your Disney vacation!
Based upon my dozens of trips to Walt Disney World and stays at both the Disney Swan and Dolphin and nearly all other on-property hotels, I’ve put together this guide to compare the pros and cons of staying at the Disney Swan vs Dolphin as well as other Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Disney Swan vs Dolphin Hotels
Though not official Disney hotels, the Disney Swan and Dolphin Resorts are two sister hotels located on-property at Walt Disney World. They share many similarities, but each have distinct features that may make one more appealing depending on your preferences.
Both resorts are managed by Sheraton (part of the Marriott brand) and are part of the Disney Resorts Collection, meaning guests receive select Disney perks like early park entry and complimentary transportation (though there are some catches, which we will outline below).
Design & Atmosphere
The Walt Disney World Swan Resort is designed with a softer, more tranquil aesthetic. It features elegant, muted tones and a slightly more upscale, boutique-like vibe. The lobby is smaller than the one at the Dolphin.
The Disney Swan is ideal for those seeking a quieter, more sophisticated atmosphere.
The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort is larger and more bustling. It has a more dynamic and family-friendly feel. The hotel features bold colors, a dramatic lobby, and more casual design elements.
The Disney Swan and Dolphin share a boat dock – located smack in the middle of their connecting walkway – and the landscaping flows seamlessly between the two hotels.
Hotel Rooms & Amenities
Both hotels offer similar room layouts and amenities, including either one king or two queen beds in their standard rooms, flat-screen TVs, and modern decor.
We stayed in a room at the Swan that overlooked the waterway leading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It was such a pretty view and fun to be able to watch the water taxis cruising by throughout the day.
Guests at either resort have access to shared amenities, including pools, a white sand beach, boat transportation, Mandara Spa (technically located inside the Disney Dolphin), a jogging trail, volleyball court, relaxing hammocks, and a 24-hour fitness center.
Swan and Dolphin Hotel Pool
One of my favorite things about staying at either the Disney Swan or Dolphin is their amazing pool area.
The resort has six unique pools, plus hot tubs, all nestled in an exotic tropical environment with waterfalls, fountains, and a white sandy beach. The main pool is huge and kinds of winds around.
The expansive pool area at the Disney Swan and Dolphin provides the best of both worlds: quiet alcoves for those who prefer a private place to unwind and more lively areas with seasonal music, games for kids, and entertainment for those who prefer a little more excitement.
We received a voucher for a free paddle boat rental when we stayed recently and definitely took advantage of this fun activity. The boats are shaped like swans and it is very fun to paddle around the lake.
Dining at the Disney Swan and Dolphin Hotels
One of the standout features of both the Dolphin and Swan Resorts is their impressive dining lineup. With more than 20 restaurants and lounges between them, these resorts offer some of the best culinary options on Walt Disney World property – without ever stepping foot in a theme park. Here are some highlights.
Swan Hotel Dining
- Il Mulino New York Trattoria: This upscale Italian restaurant offers a warm, rustic atmosphere and authentic Italian cuisine inspired by the Abruzzi region. It’s perfect for date nights or a relaxed yet refined family dinner. Known for its fresh pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and robust wine list.
- Kimonos: A hidden gem among Disney dining options, Kimonos serves top-quality sushi in a modern, minimalist setting. It transforms in the evening into a lively karaoke bar, offering a fun blend of excellent food and late-night entertainment.
- Java Bar: Located in the lobby, Java Bar is a quick-stop café serving Starbucks coffee, pastries, and light bites – perfect for a morning grab-and-go before hitting the parks.
- Garden Grove: The place to go for a great breakfast buffet. The centerpiece of this restaurant is a beautiful 25-foot oak tree, adorned with twinkling lights and paper lanterns.
Dolphin Hotel Dining
- Bourbon Steak: A new fine dining restaurant by Michael Mina. This replaces Shula’s Steakhouse at the Dolphin Resort.
- Rosa Mexicano: Mexican cuisine in a bright stylish setting. This table service restaurant is open for breakfast, too!
- Todd English’s Bluezoo: A contemporary seafood restaurant created by celebrity chef Todd English. The menu features innovative takes on fresh seafood, along with creative cocktails and sleek, modern decor. Ideal for foodies looking for something upscale and inventive. It is open for dinner only.
- The Fountain: A casual, family-friendly diner-style restaurant serving burgers, fries, and hand-spun milkshakes. It’s a great option for a quick lunch or dinner with kids, or just a fun spot to grab ice cream.
- Fuel: A modern grab-and-go market offering coffee, breakfast sandwiches, snacks, and cold beverages. With extended hours, it’s especially convenient if you are heading out early or looking for a late-night bite after a day at the parks.
We had dinner one night at The Fountain. It was late and we were starving after spending the day at EPCOT. The nice thing about this restaurant is it is super casual and open late, so it was easy to pop in before heading up to our room.(Many of the two resorts’ nicer restaurants require reservations. Also the service is super friendly!
I ordered a chicken sandwich, and even though it was not on the menu, I was able to get it grilled instead of fried. The food was average but definitely not bad; perfect for a late night fill-up. The real stars at this eatery though are the ice cream floats and sundaes. We did not have the chance to try one this trip (too many sweets at EPCOT earlier in the day!) but next time we will.
Pricing & Rewards
The Dolphin and Swan Resorts are the only two hotels on-property that are not owned by Disney. They are actually Marriott brand hotels, which is great news if you are a Marriott Bonvoy member and like to earn and redeem points on your stays.
Staying here is the best of both worlds. As a Marriott Bonvoy silver elite member, I love that we are able to enjoy the many perks of a WDW vacation while still being able to earn and redeem Marriott points, as well as use our points for free nights.Both hotels are similarly priced but may vary depending on room type and season. Prices will also vary when there is an event scheduled to take place in the meeting and convention spaces at the Disney Swan, Dolphin, or new Swan Reserve.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin vs Disney Deluxe Resorts
Now that you have a clear picture of the Disney Swan vs Dolphin, let’s talk about how these hotels compare to the rest of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
On one of our most recent visits to Walt Disney World, we split our trip between the Disney Swan, Dolphin, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Staying at all three properties back-to-back in one week gave amazing perspective on the various perks each property offers, as well as their differences.
And while the Yacht Club is deluxe resort, on past trips we’ve stayed at many of Disney’s value and moderate resorts, as well. The Disney Swan and Dolphin Resorts are both beautiful, amenity-packed hotels that offer the same kind of luxurious stay you’d expect from one of the Disney Deluxe Resorts.
The Differences
There are definitely some big perks of staying at Disney World Resort hotels that you just won’t find at the Disney Swan and Dolphin.
Like all the Disney Resort hotels, the Swan and Dolphin offer complimentary transportation. We loved being able to walk or take the boats to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, however you’ll need to take a bus if going to Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
One thing we did not realize until we learned it the hard way is that since these hotels are not Disney-owned properties, the bus service drops you further away. In fact, while the Disney buses drop you right at the gate when you go to Magic Kingdom, the Swan and Dolphin Resort buses can only take you as far as the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). This means you’ll have to hop on the monorail or ferry to get to the park.
More annoyingly, at the end of the day you’ll also need to venture back to this location (with the crowds!) to catch the bus back to your hotel.
Another difference is that you won’t be able to charge things to your room or use your park ticket or MagicBand as a room key.
A few other differences that can be a bummer when you stay at the Disney Swan and Dolphin Resorts:
- Resort fee
- Parking fee (self-parking or valet)
- No refillable mugs available
- Most rooms do not have balconies
- Very little Disney theming
Comparison Table
To really get granular, we created an overview of how the Disney Swan and Dolphin stack up against each other AND other Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
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Final Thoughts: Disney Swan vs Dolphin vs Other Disney Resorts
Since I am big on earning and using Marriott points, I love staying at these resorts since they offer the best of both worlds – a fantastic location on property at Walt Disney World and the opportunity to use my Marriott Bonvoy benefits.
But which one you choose is really up to you because honestly…both are great in different ways.
With their elegant setting, sprawling grounds, and proximity to the BoardWalk, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, both the Swan and Dolphin Resorts at Walt Disney World offer lots of benefits for a price that is usually considerably less than a stay at nearby Disney Deluxe Resorts like Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and the BoardWalk Villas. However, added expenses like resort fees and parking may offset some of those savings.
► Choose the Walt Disney World Swan Resort if you prefer a quieter, more serene experience with a boutique feel.
► Go with the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort if you want more dining options, a livelier atmosphere, and don’t mind a slightly larger and busier resort.
Either way, you’re just a short boat ride or walk from two of Disney’s major theme parks – making both excellent choices.
If you are looking for accommodations that are more sophisticated, less “Disney,” but still have all the perks of staying near the parks, the Swan and Dolphin may just be for you!
Read these articles for more help planning your Walt Disney World vacation:
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