Disney Swan vs. Dolphin: Which Is Best?

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are two of the smartest hotel plays at Disney World. They're the only properties on Disney turf where you can earn Marriott points, use Marriott points and still get Extended Evening Hours in the parks — a perk that Disney doesn't even give its own Value and Moderate resort guests. And as is the case for all Disney resort guests, you also get eary park entry.

But between the Disney Swan versus Dolphin, which is best? They're essentially twins separated by a short walkway, which makes choosing between them confusing. Both charge resort fees. Both make you pay for parking at the hotel. Both share the same pools, restaurants and that prime location between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

So which one should you book? Here's the short answer:

For most families: Disney Dolphin — Slightly lower prices, bigger rooms, accommodates five guests (vs. four at the Swan), and more dining options.

For couples and small families seeking quiet: Disney Swan — Smaller, more boutique feel with queen beds instead of doubles, fewer convention crowds, and a more intimate vibe.

For points and miles travelers: Either property works, but book whichever has availability at the fewest amount of Marriott Bonvoy points per night is your best bet

For luxury seekers: Consider the Swan Reserve instead (but that's another article).

» Learn more: Best Disney World hotels to book with points

Before we dive into differences, let's talk about what makes these properties unique at Disney World — and what they share.

The Disney perks (yes, really)

Despite being Marriott Bonvoy brands, Swan and Dolphin guests get most Disney resort benefits, which include:

• Early Theme Park Entry: 30 minutes before official opening, every day at every park.

• Extended Evening Hours: Access to select parks after closing (a perk Disney-owned Deluxe resorts get but Value/Moderate resorts don't).

• Free theme park parking: Show your room key at the parking toll booths.

• Skyliner access: Walk to the station and ride to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.

• Priority dining reservations: Book restaurants 60 days in advance.

• Lightning Lane booking: Make selections starting at 7 a.m.

What you DON'T get:

• MagicBands as room keys (though you can still use them in parks).

• Charging purchases to your room throughout Disney property.

• Disney's Magical Express (though that's discontinued for everyone now).

• The full "Disney magic" theming experience.

The shared amenities (and why they're amazing)

Both Swan and Dolphin guests have access to the same collection of amenities, which honestly rival or exceed what you'll find at Disney's own Deluxe resorts. These include:

Five pools including the stunning grotto pool with waterfalls and a white sand beach. This pool alone is worth the price of admission — it's easily one of the best at any Disney World resort.

Mandara Spa offering the full menu of massages, facials, and beauty treatments. Three health clubs if you're one of those people who actually works out on vacation.

23 restaurants and lounges ranging from Todd English's bluezoo and Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina (both celebrity chef concepts) to poolside casual dining and 24-hour room service. The breadth of dining options exceeds what you'll find at any single Disney-owned resort.

Swan paddle boats, basketball courts, jogging trails, game room and Camp Dolphin childcare for kids 5-12.

The fees (let's get this over with)

Here's where these hotels diverge from Disney-owned properties in unfortunate ways:

Resort fee: $40-45 per night (varies slightly by season) Includes: WiFi, fitness center access, two bottles of water daily, local calls (in case you don't have your own cell phone, apparently) and Swan boat rentals.

Parking: About $40 per night for self-parking.

Extra guest fee: At the Dolphin, if you have a fifth person, expect an additional charge.

The location (arguably the best at Disney World)

Both hotels sit on Crescent Lake in the EPCOT Resort Area, which might be the single best location on Disney property.

You can:

• Walk to EPCOT in 10-15 minutes via the International Gateway (rear entrance).

• Walk to Hollywood Studios in 15-20 minutes.

• Take the Friendship Boat to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

• Walk to Disney's Boardwalk for dining and entertainment.

• Access the Skyliner by walking to the Boardwalk, Riviera, or Caribbean Beach stations.

• Walk to Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk resorts for additional dining options.

The only downside: Magic Kingdom requires a bus to the Ticket and Transportation Center, then either monorail or ferry. This adds about 30 minutes compared to Disney buses that drop directly at Magic Kingdom. Pro tip: Walk to Beach/Yacht Club or Boardwalk and catch their Magic Kingdom bus instead.

Best for: Larger families, groups, anyone seeking the most dining options and slightly lower prices.

The Dolphin is the larger of the two properties, and in almost every way that matters for budget-conscious families, it's the better choice.

Room capacity and beds

Here's the single most important difference: The Dolphin accommodates five guests with a rollaway bed, while the Swan maxes out at four.

The rooms are also slightly larger than Swan rooms, which matters when you're packing in extra people and all the gear that comes with a Disney vacation.

Pricing

The Dolphin typically runs $10-30 less per night than the Swan for comparable dates, though compare pricing on your specific dates.

Atmosphere

The Dolphin has a grand, energetic lobby with soaring ceilings and a fountain. It feels more like a bustling business hotel — because it is one. The Dolphin hosts major conventions year-round, which means you'll encounter conference attendees in lanyards, vendor booths in common areas and general activity.

For some travelers, this is a dealbreaker. For others, it's just background noise that doesn't impact their vacation since they're spending most of their time in the parks anyway.

Dining

The Dolphin houses more restaurants than the Swan:

• Todd English's bluezoo (upscale seafood)

• Shula's Steak House (recently became Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina)

• The Fountain (retro soda fountain and diner)

• Fresh Mediterranean Market (breakfast and lunch buffet)

• Fuel (grab-and-go marketplace)

• Cabana Bar & Beach Club (poolside)

• Picabu (24-hour marketplace and dining)

Remember, Swan guests can eat at all these restaurants too, but having them in your building means shorter walks in the rain or when you're exhausted after a park day.

Drawbacks

Convention crowds: If there's a major medical conference or corporate event, the Dolphin can feel overrun. The lobby becomes a networking zone, restaurants get busier, and elevators fill with badge-wearing professionals.

Less intimate feel: The Dolphin is big and can feel impersonal. If you want a boutique hotel experience, this isn't it.

Best for: Couples, small families, anyone who wants a more intimate resort experience, people bothered by convention crowds

The Swan feels like the Dolphin's sophisticated older sibling who moved to the quieter part of town.

The boutique advantage

With half as many rooms, the Swan simply feels smaller and more manageable. The lobby is more intimate, check-in lines are shorter and you're less likely to be navigating through crowds.

The Swan hosts fewer conventions, which means the public spaces stay calmer and more vacation-like.

Room quality

Swan standard rooms come with:

• Two queen beds (blessed!)

• One king bed

• Maximum occupancy: 4 guests

The rooms recently underwent renovation and feature luxury tile flooring and modern appointments. They're elegant in a Westin way (the Swan is Westin-managed while the Dolphin is Sheraton-managed, though both are Marriott Bonvoy properties).

The white tea experience

Because the Swan is a Westin property, you get Westin's signature touches:

• White tea scent in public areas and rooms.

• Heavenly Beds with pillow-top mattresses.

• Heavenly Showers.

• Sleep Well menu with foods designed to promote rest.

If you're into hotel brand consistency and these touches matter to you, the Swan delivers.

Dining

The Swan has fewer restaurants than the Dolphin, but the quality is there:

• Il Mulino New York Trattoria (upscale Italian).

• Kimonos (sushi and karaoke lounge).

• Garden Grove (character breakfast on weekends).

• Java (coffee bar).

• Splash Terrace (poolside).

Garden Grove's character breakfast is a major draw for families, featuring Goofy and Pluto.

Pricing

Expect to pay that $10-30 premium over the Dolphin. For some travelers, the quieter atmosphere and queen beds are worth it. For budget-conscious families, probably not.

Drawbacks

Limited capacity: If you have five people, you're out of luck. The Swan won't accommodate a fifth guest even with a rollaway.

Fewer dining options: While you can walk to the Dolphin (and you will), having fewer restaurants in your own building is less convenient.

Still not Disney-themed: If you're hoping the smaller size means more Disney magic, you'll be disappointed. The Swan is just as corporate-hotel-feeling as the Dolphin, just quieter.

Here's where things get interesting for points and miles travelers.

Earning Marriott points for Swan/Dolphin stays

Both hotels earn Marriott Bonvoy points on paid stays. Here's what you'll earn as a regular Marriott Bonvoy member:

• 10 points per dollar spent on room rate.

• Up to a 50% elite bonus if you have the highest levels of Marriott elite status.

Use a Marriott branded credit card to earn even more points.

Don't have a Marriott card? Chase Ultimate Rewards points and American Express Membership Rewards both transfer to Marriott at 1:1 ratio (with occasional transfer bonuses).

» Learn more: How to budget for a family trip to Disney

These properties make sense if:

You prioritize location and value: Nothing beats the Crescent Lake location for accessing EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and at roughly half the cost of Beach/Yacht Club, the value is undeniable.

You're a Marriott loyalist: If you're already earning and burning Marriott points, staying at Swan/Dolphin is a no-brainer.

You want upscale amenities without Disney theming: The adult-focused vibe, celebrity chef restaurants and sophisticated spa make these resorts ideal for couples and adults-only trips.

You're attending a convention: If you're at Disney World for a medical conference or corporate event at the Dolphin, staying on-site is incredibly convenient.

You want Extended Evening Hours: Since Swan/Dolphin qualify but Disney's Value and Moderate resorts don't, you get a perk that guests paying more at Caribbean Beach or Port Orleans don't get.

Not to be confused with the main Swan property, the Swan Reserve is a more upscale option across the street with 349 rooms (almost half of which are suites). The hotel has a pool area with an elevated deck and fire pit plus panoramic event space on the rooftop with views of the Disney parks.

Despite a similar-sounding name, this is a separate hotel that participates in Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection brand. For those who want a quieter experience, this Lake Buena Vista property is a great option, but it should not be confused with the main Swan property.

» Learn more: Top Marriott boutique hotels you can book with points

Choose a different resort if:

Disney theming matters to you: There are no Mickey-shaped anything here. No subtle Disney details. No character meet-and-greets in the lobby. It's a nice hotel that happens to be on Disney property.

You hate resort fees: That nightly charge is non-negotiable and feels like a slap in the face compared to Disney-owned resorts, which don't charge resort fees.

You're bothered by convention crowds: Especially at the Dolphin, conventions can make public spaces feel more corporate than vacation-like.

You have five people and want the quieter Swan: The math doesn't work. You'll have to book two rooms or choose the Dolphin.

You want guaranteed MagicBand room keys: Some people really value the convenience of using MagicBands to open their room. You can't do that here.

Important note: The Swan & Dolphin are undergoing a $275 million renovation and expansion lasting through 2026.

The good: All Swan guest rooms are being renovated with modern design, luxury tile flooring, and new appointments. The Dolphin renovations are expected to follow.

The potential downsides:

• Some rooms may overlook construction

• Parking may be impacted (construction is on the far side of the convention center)

• Possible noise during daytime hours

Most guests report minimal impact, but it's worth being aware of. Request a room away from construction when booking.

Can I use Disney gift cards at Swan/Dolphin? No. These are Marriott properties, not Disney properties. Disney gift cards don't work here.

Do I need a car? Absolutely not. Between walking, boats, Skyliner and buses, you can access everything at Disney World. If you're flying in, skip the rental car and avoid the nightly parking fee.

Which property has the better pool? They share the same pools. The stunning grotto pool is equally accessible to both Swan and Dolphin guests, with the Dolphin being slightly closer.

Can I book through Disney directly? You can see Swan/Dolphin on Disney's website, but bookings are actually processed through Marriott. For the best rates and to use Marriott points, book directly through Marriott.com or call the hotels. You might also find great details through authorized travel agencies such as Undercover Tourist.

How do I link my reservation to My Disney Experience? Book through Marriott, get your confirmation number, then add it to My Disney Experience just like a Disney resort reservation. It may take 24-48 hours to appear in the system.

For most families visiting Disney World, the Dolphin edges out the Swan on pure value. The ability to accommodate five guests, lower pricing and extensive dining options make it the pragmatic choice.

But the Swan offers something the Dolphin can't: a genuinely quieter, more intimate resort experience with better beds. If you're a couple or small family who values that boutique hotel feel and doesn't mind paying a small premium, the Swan is worth it.

Either way, you're getting one of the best hotel values at Disney World — prime location, extensive amenities, Disney park perks and Marriott points earning, all for roughly half what you'd pay at Beach Club or Boardwalk.

Just remember to factor in those fees when budgeting, request rooms away from construction and if you're visiting during a major convention season, maybe think twice about the Dolphin.