Experiencing Disney benefits and Marriott Bonvoy points: My stay at the Walt Disney World Swan

Having grown up just a few hours from Orlando, I frequently visited Walt Disney World during my childhood. I was always intrigued by the coral and turquoise hotel adorned with five-story swans atop its roof. It wasn't until later in life that I had the chance to stay at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort, which has since become one of my favorite hotels on Disney property.

While the Walt Disney World Swan and its sister hotels, the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan Reserve, are not technically classified as official Disney World hotels, they are situated close to Disney's BoardWalk area, nestled between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Swan is not only ideally located near two Disney theme parks, but it also offers numerous benefits for both Disney guests and Marriott Bonvoy members.

Curious about what’s inside that swan-adorned hotel? Here’s everything you need to know about this Marriott resort at Disney World.

How to get there

The Walt Disney World Swan is about a 20-minute drive from Orlando International Airport (MCO). The next nearest airport is Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), roughly a 45-minute journey, but most visitors arrive at MCO. If that’s your route, there are several transportation options to reach the Walt Disney World Swan.

You’ll find plenty of rental car options and ride-hailing services available, or you can opt for the Mears Connect shuttle that services hotels at and around Disney World. The round-trip fare is $32 for adults and $26 for children aged 3 to 9, while kids under 3 can ride for free.

The resort also provides a private airport transfer service that you can request here.

Reservation information

Similar to its sister hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan is managed by Marriott International. This means you can earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points during your stay in addition to paying standard rates. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy elite member, you’ll enjoy the same benefits as you would at any other Marriott property.

Standard room rates typically range from $256 to $340 per night. The resort frequently has special promotions for Disney World annual pass holders, Florida residents, seniors, educators, first responders, and military personnel. During my visit, I took advantage of a corporate rate of $224 per night.

Points redemption costs range from approximately 45,000 to 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

If you hold an eligible Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you might be able to use your free night certificate at the Walt Disney World Swan resort. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers an annual free night certificate valid for properties charging up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. This would be applicable for a stay at the higher end of the price range, while a 50,000-point free night certificate could be used for a less expensive night, or you could use a 35,000-point free night certificate by adding up to 15,000 extra points to “top up” your certificate.

As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member (a status I achieved by maintaining The Platinum Card® from American Express in my wallet and enrolling in the benefit), I received a complimentary upgrade to a room with a balcony and a points bonus of 500 Marriott Bonvoy points upon check-in. Overall, I accumulated 5,675 points during this two-night stay, thanks to my Gold status.

When booking at the Walt Disney World Swan, it’s advisable to use one of the credit cards that maximize points for Marriott stays and possibly offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for additional benefits. These include:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatic Platinum Elite status; and 25 elite night credits each year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits each year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn 6 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits each year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits each year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 6 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatic Silver Elite status; and 15 elite night credits each year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 3 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatic Silver Elite status; and 5 elite night credits each year toward a higher tier.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been gathered independently by Dinogo. The details provided on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

What we loved

• The Walt Disney World Swan is just a short walk from both Epcot (approximately 10 minutes) and Hollywood Studios (about 15 minutes), but you can also take advantage of the resort's water taxi to reach both parks or use the complimentary shuttle service to access Disney's other parks and Disney Springs.
• While the pricing is similar to that of Disney's moderate resorts, the guest rooms and amenities—such as pools, dining options, and spa services—are more akin to those found at Disney's higher-end Deluxe resorts.
• Across all three properties, guests can choose from 23 different restaurants and lounges, and you can even enjoy Mickey waffles at breakfast.
• Although earning or using hotel points at Disney World can be challenging, it's straightforward at the Swan Resort. During my two-night stay, I earned 5,675 points, including the 25% points bonus for being a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite member and my welcome gift of 500 points.
• Even though it’s not an “official” Disney World property, the Swan resort provides various Disney benefits, such as complimentary transportation to the theme parks (or free parking if you drive), a Disney gift shop, early entry into the parks 30 minutes before they officially open, extended evening hours at the parks on select nights, the ability to make Lightning Lane selections up to seven days before check-in, a Disney vacation planning desk, and more.

Considerations before your stay

• I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the $45 daily amenity fee covered items I would actually use, such as daily paddle boat rentals and access to the spa's relaxation areas. However, if you plan on spending minimal time at the hotel, you might not get the chance to enjoy these amenities.
• While there is a Disney gift shop and some subtle Disney touches, the experience doesn’t fully immerse you in the Disney atmosphere like an official Disney resort would. If you prefer less overt Disney theming, this could be a positive aspect for you.
• The hotel offers complimentary transportation to Disney theme parks and Disney Springs, but the schedule isn’t as frequent as the official Disney shuttles. The water taxis and shuttles arrive every 20-25 minutes, which means you might wait a bit longer compared to an official Disney resort.

The atmosphere

Being located on Disney property, the Walt Disney World Swan features 765 rooms (including 169 suites) and has a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance. The resort was designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, who also played a role in redesigning the guest rooms.

The resort's soft color palette creates a tranquil atmosphere, providing a welcome escape before or after a busy day at Disney's theme parks. The coffee shop is conveniently situated near the front desk, and the restaurants are centrally located, making it easy to grab your next drink or meal.

With six pools available, families can enjoy the exciting waterslides and waterfall at the grotto pool, while those seeking a quieter place to relax can find solace at the tranquil pool closer to the hotel.

The accommodations

Reflecting the tranquility of the hotel's public areas, the rooms exude a calm atmosphere, featuring shades of blue and white contrasted with blonde wood furnishings.

The room was roomy, offering ample closet space for your belongings, along with elevated beds that allow you to tuck a suitcase underneath. The beds boasted wooden headboards with soft white cushioning, a bedside lamp positioned between them, and numerous standard USB and USB-C charging outlets.

The in-room features enhanced the resort's luxurious ambiance, with two plush robes and slippers stored in the closet, water bottles conveniently placed by the bed, and a comprehensive array of toiletries in the bathroom, including a loofah, shower cap, shoeshine mitt, sewing kit, lotion, and more.

I was too preoccupied with the parks to take in the nighttime view from my balcony, but several of the balcony rooms offer a glimpse of Epcot's evening fireworks display.

Food and drink

With 23 dining options spread across the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve, you can indulge virtually any culinary desire. Each morning, I grabbed iced coffee from Java, paired with ready-made overnight oats to keep in my room for a quick breakfast.

Had my stay been longer, I would have taken the opportunity to enjoy a more substantial breakfast at Garden Grove and savor authentic Mexican dishes at Rosa Mexicano for dinner. Although this trip was short and hectic, I often find time for a nightcap at Phins lounge located at the nearby Dolphin resort.

The resort also features two restaurants led by celebrity chefs: Shula's Steak House and Todd English's bluezoo.

Amenities and service

I really regretted not booking a longer stay because the resort's amenities are fantastic. The Grotto pool complex is one of my favorite spots at Disney, featuring a spacious layout, poolside dining with drinks (they even deliver right to your lounge chair), and various areas for relaxation and activities.

Along with this and the resort's five other pools, you can also enjoy the full-service Mandara Spa. Whether before or after your treatment, you can unwind in the spa's tea garden or meditation garden.

The Swan boasts several sandy beach areas where you can relax, play volleyball, or rent a Swan pedal boat for some fun on the water.

Kids can join the on-site kids club, Camp Dolphin, for an extra fee, or the entire family can partake in campfire s'mores, outdoor movie nights, and daily crafts and activities by the pool.

Out and about

Besides being close to Disney World's four theme parks and two water parks, the Walt Disney World Swan Resort is just a short walk from Disney's BoardWalk area. This lively destination features various dining options, shops, and entertainment. During the day, you can rent standard or surrey bikes, and in the evening, you can enjoy a drink at the magical Abracadabar or catch live performances at Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar.

If you're heading to Disney's theme parks, keep in mind that guests at the Walt Disney World Swan enjoy 30-minute early entry to any Disney park, as well as extended evening hours on select nights. This advantage is essential for maximizing your park experience and ride count.

Walt Disney World Swan guests can also purchase and start booking their Lightning Lane selections (Disney's skip-the-line service) seven days ahead of check-in. While this option incurs an additional fee, it’s a valuable benefit that helps you enjoy more rides with shorter wait times during your stay.

Accessibility

The Walt Disney World Swan offers accessible guest rooms equipped with features such as roll-in showers, spacious layouts for easy wheelchair navigation, and hearing-accessible amenities like visual alarms and notification systems for the door and phone.

The resort's public areas are also designed to be wheelchair accessible, and the pools include accessible lifts for ease of access.

As always, it’s advisable to contact the resort before booking to confirm that it meets your specific accessibility requirements.

Checking out

If you’re planning a Disney vacation and want to keep your Marriott Bonvoy benefits, the Walt Disney World Swan is an excellent option. You’ll enjoy perks comparable to those found at Disney's premier Deluxe resorts, all at a more affordable price, along with the opportunity to earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points.

Even if you’re not a devoted Marriott fan, this resort is recognized as one of the finest accommodations at Disney World.