Swan vs Dolphin: Which Disney World Resort Is Right for You?

There are a ton of hotels to choose from when going to Disney World for vacation, but there are two that stand out to many guests.

This might sound controversial, but when you visit Disney World, you should consider NOT staying at a Disney-owned hotel. I know that can be a hot take to some. But there is a non-Disney resort that is still on property that may just offer a better experience for you than a Disney-owned hotel. That’s the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. But how do you know which one is better for your travel party? We’re breaking it down to help you decide.

What BOTH Resorts Offer

Perks

So you might be thinking, “But if I stay off-property, I won’t get those perks like Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours.” Well, I’ve got some good news for you. You’ll get both of those perks at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, just like you would at any Disney-owned deluxe hotel. You also get the perk of booking your Lightning Lanes 7 days before your stay for the entire length of your stay.

Location

The biggest draw to these hotels might be their location, though. They are just steps away from several EPCOT-area hotels, which means you’re super close to Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Resorts. That means you have a WIDE variety of dining and shopping options in the area.  Plus, you can walk to EPCOT (and Hollywood Studios, although it’s a little farther away).

Transportation

You’ll also get access to transportation to and from the parks and Disney Springs, including a water shuttle to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. You’re also pretty close to the EPCOT Skyliner station. However, you can also just walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Seriously, as I said above, the location just can’t be beat.

Marriott-Owned Hotel

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, as well as the Swan Reserve, are all owned by Marriott. That means if you’re a member of the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, you can earn points for stays at these hotels. You can also use your rewards points to book rooms.

Theme

Okay, so one thing you need to know about these hotels is that there is no Disney theme. Instead, at the Swan, there are, well, swans, EVERYWHERE. And at the Dolphin? There are tons of dolphin fish sculptures and lots of water. These hotels are still gorgeous!

Dining

While they each have their own dining options, since they are adjacent to each other, it is easy to access all of the dining, so it’s not really a deciding factor. You will find fine dining restaurants — including Todd English’s BlueZoo, Amare, Rosa Mexicano, and the new Bourbon Steak — at locations including Garden Grove and The Fountain, quick service — including Fuel, and lounges and pool dining options. Check out our guide to Swan and Dolphin dining here.

Pools

The resorts share a grotto pool with waterfalls and a waterslide, two lap pools, a spring pool, a kiddie pool, and four whirlpools. You will also find poolside activities, pool bars, a white sand beach, beach volleyball courts, and more resort amenities.

What Makes Them Different 

Size

The Swan is a smaller resort than the Dolphin. It has about half as many rooms. Therefore, it has a bit more of an intimate feel than the Dolphin. The Swan has 12 floors and is flanked by two 56-foot swan statues. It has 756 standard rooms and 55 suites.

The Dolphin has 27 floors and boasts two iconic statues of dolphinfish, based on the work of Italian Sculptor Bernini. It hosts 1,514 standard rooms and 124 suites.

Room Details

Both the Swan and Dolphin hotels (as well as the Swan Reserve) have Heavenly Beds that Westin made famous. The primary difference in the rooms here is that the Dolphin offers standard rooms that accommodate five people, while the Swan rooms (and those at the Swan Reserve) are built for a max of four guests. This can be a huge difference depending on the size of your traveling party.

At the Swan, standard guest rooms are 340 square feet. There are three configurations:

• 2 Queen Beds
• 1 King Bed
• 1 King Bed and 1 Sofa Bed

At the Swan Reserve, standard guest rooms are 330 square feet, and there are two configurations:

• 2 Queen Beds
• 1 King Bed and 1 Sofa Bed

At the Dolphin, standard guest rooms are 360 square feet, and there are three configurations:

• 2 Double Beds
• 1 King Bed
• 1 King Bed and 1 Sofa Bed

Most of the guest rooms at both resorts have glass-enclosed showers, but tub/shower combos are available. The Swan has a dedicated vanity space,  meaning the rooms have a sink area outside of the bathroom door, as well as one inside. This can be an important feature if you have multiple people in the room who need to get ready to rope drop at the same time.

If the shower situation is important to you, there is a difference between the hotels. You will find the “Heavenly” rain shower head and hand-held wand at the Swan. The Dolphin has an overhead rain shower head. The Swan Reserve has a rain shower head and a hand-held wand.

Price

When we compared the Swan and the Dolphin in price for the same dates, the Swan was more expensive. We looked at just a traditional room with no view for each hotel. The Dolphin, which only has two double beds, had a nightly rate of $282, while the Swan, which has two queen beds, had a nightly rate of $295. Now there are several types of rooms and rates, and rates could shift depending on dates, so it’s a great idea to compare them to one another.

Final Thoughts

The Swan doesn’t have as many rooms or restaurants as the Dolphin, but it does have larger beds, and the bathrooms offer some additional space for getting ready. The Swan also comes in a bit cheaper than the Dolphin, though that may adjust based on season and availability.

The Dolphin allows for five guests in a room, though, which could be the deciding factor for your group. The differences between these resorts are minor, especially since they are close enough to be considered the same resort, especially when it comes to location, transportation, dining options, and pools and recreation.

So, the winner here is really going to come down to your needs and preferences. A bigger, grander (and sometimes louder) Dolphin? A smaller, more intimate Swan. You’ll receive the same Disney World benefits at each, so just decide what’s best for your party as far as budget and space!

We love what each of these resorts can offer, and we hope this helps you decide which is right for your family’s trip. For more Disney tips and news, be sure to follow AllEars.net.

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