Swan Reserve is a Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World, situated inside strolling distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios on Crescent Lake, with boat and bus transportation to the parks. This resort assessment options household suite room photographs, pool & restaurant data, professionals & cons, and rather more.
In phrases of fundamentals, the Swan Reserve is a brand new addition to Walt Disney World that opened final fall. It’s situated throughout the road from the common Swan & Dolphin accommodations, proper by Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course. More notably, the resort is between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Although it’s not technically on the water, Swan Reserve continues to be a part of the Crescent Lake Resort Area. This district additionally contains Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, in addition to the aforementioned Swan & Dolphin Resorts. All of those accommodations are inside strolling distance of Epcot’s International Gateway entrance/exit in World Showcase between the United Kingdom and France. There’s additionally a Skyliner gondola station over there if you wish to get to one of many accommodations related to that.
While it’s a standalone property, the Swan Reserve shares numerous facilities with the ‘legacy’ Swan & Dolphin accommodations which have existed for a number of many years. Those huge accommodations are dwelling to entire host of different choices, from the swimming pools to well being membership, tennis courts, jogging trails, spa, recreation room, watercraft leases, artwork gallery, and extra.
All of these facilities can be found to friends of the Swan Reserve; you’ll be able to examine all of that in our complete Swan & Dolphin Resort Review. This publish will focus solely on what’s on the Swan Reserve, which is a a lot smaller property–each the resort itself and the grounds it occupies.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out the Swan Reserve, beginning with the strategy. I’ve poked enjoyable at its exterior for wanting like an workplace constructing in Scranton and its identify for evoking all of the “grandeur” of a rehabilitation heart for waterfowl. There’s actually no getting previous both of these issues–the resort appears boring on the skin and the identify matches that.
On the plus aspect, the Swan Reserve is barely a pair minutes from the rather more fascinating Swan & Dolphin grounds. In reality, it’s a shorter stroll to the Grotto Pool from many rooms on the Swan Reserve than from these on the Swan & Dolphin. It’ll take lower than 5 minutes to get there from the Swan Reserve, and about 10 minutes or much less to get to the eating places in these buildings.
This is important, because the pool on the Swan Reserve is pretty underwhelming. It’s a decent-enough choice for adults to sunbathe, learn, or have some poolside drinks.
For sensible functions, it doesn’t maintain a candle to the Grotto Pool. That’s one of many nicest pool areas in all of Walt Disney World, and it has a footprint in regards to the dimension of your complete Swan Reserve.
There’s additionally a small health heart within the Swan Reserve with a view of the highway. Or you are able to do a digital view of a operating path, or no matter folks watch on these train tools screens.
Although it’s not pictured, this health club additionally has a Peloton, in order that’s a plus. It doesn’t have a entrance row spot on the window, so you’ll be able to’t watch automobiles go, a colossal minus.
There’s a seize and go spot for breakfasts, snacks, espresso, or a lightweight lunch.
This is completely passable in a pinch, however with so many good alternate options round Crescent Lake (together with within the Swan & Dolphin) and in World Showcase, you hopefully gained’t want it.
My favourite space of the Swan Reserve is the foyer lounge. To put this into perspective, the pool is behind the bar, the primary restaurant is to the left, and the check-in desk is the wrong way.
This lounge has a number of cool colours, good makes use of of texture, and an upscale but relaxed vibe. One specific element I actually like is the planters above the bar space. There are additionally quite a few cubicles off to the perimeters with some vibrant artwork in every. It’s a relaxed spot in the course of the day, and has a moody environment at evening.
Also on the second ground is Amare Mediterranean Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch or dinner. We discovered that Amare nearly all the time has final minute ADRs, and it’s incredible. (The pizzas, particularly, supply nice bang for buck.)
These are the one eating choices within the Swan Reserve, however there are one thing like two-dozen between the Swan & Dolphin, so no scarcity close by.
Despite the boring exterior of the constructing, the interiors of the Swan Reserve are properly accomplished. Lots of high-quality finishes, furnishings, lighting, and so forth. Definitely not the tasteless tower resort you would possibly anticipate if all you’ve seen is the outside photographs.
It’s a small resort with far fewer eating choices, swimming pools, and different facilities than the Swan & Dolphin subsequent door, but it surely makes essentially the most of its house. Pretty a lot every little thing right here fills an essential function, and is worth it. Even the seize and go spot is nice for a morning espresso.
Now let’s flip to the visitor rooms, beginning with a video room tour to supply context and a greater understanding of the format. This is the Signature Suite on the Swan Reserve.
While the remainder of the brand new tower pales compared to the formidable slate of facilities on the legacy Swan & Dolphin resorts, the rooms are the place the Swan Reserve blows its predecessors out of the water (figuratively–no waterfowl or fish have been harmed within the making of this resort…we assume).
Marriott’s web site touts the “residential-style comfort and boutique décor” of the resort’s 349 rooms and suites. Of that complete, 151 rooms on the Swan Reserve are suites.
While the vast majority of the Swan Reserve continues to be commonplace rooms, that’s way more suites than I might’ve guessed. In perusing searching availability, it additionally looks like the suites are extra widespread. That’s not an enormous shock provided that it is a much less widespread room class at Walt Disney World.
In reality, there’s actually no direct “competition” for the Signature Suites on the Swan Reserve.
Family suites at Walt Disney World appear to exist largely on the excessive ends of the spectrum: Value Resorts or Deluxe Villa Resorts. Either you get one thing on the Value Resorts that’s priced about the identical because the Swan Reserve however skews rather more in direction of children, otherwise you spend a ton extra for one thing lavish at a Deluxe Villa (or Disney Vacation Club) Resort. There’s nearly no center floor. Unless you rely the Fort Wilderness Cabins, I suppose?
Anyway, these Signature Suites are 610 sq. ft, versus 425 to 590 sq. ft for the Junior (I notice that’s an enormous vary, but it surely’s what the Marriott website signifies) and 330 sq. ft for the standard room.
The Signature Suite is actually the standard room plus a front room. Assuming my math is appropriate (by no means a protected assumption), that dwelling space is about 290 sq. ft.
The large promoting level of the Signature Suites is that it has two areas separated by a wall and door. Fair warning: when you keep in the sort of room, it’s robust to return. Having a little bit of house to unfold out is incredible, as is with the ability to watch tv or work whereas others in your room relaxation.
This is an more and more widespread fashion of room amongst actual world accommodations (just about all the new ones in Anaheim are this fashion), however is extremely troublesome to seek out on-site at Walt Disney World. Aside from the aforementioned household suites at Walt Disney World, there are some accommodations at Flamingo Crossings and Bonnet Creek that additionally supply this fashion of room.
Prices for the Swan Reserve are all over, various rather more than different Walt Disney World accommodations. From what we’ve seen, rooms on the Swan Reserve begin at round $250 per evening and might exceed $500 on busy dates. With that stated, reductions are additionally extra widespread for non-peak dates.
Oddly sufficient, there’s usually not an enormous distinction between a typical room and the suites. The Signature Suite was solely round ~$50 to ~$75 per evening extra for a number of dates we checked. Given that it’s primarily two of the usual rooms, this was considerably stunning. It’s rather more stunning if you evaluate this to different giant on-site rooms and suites at Walt Disney World, which often have premium pricing past simply what two rooms would value.
The big home windows positively make for a brighter room than you’ll discover at Walt Disney World’s Value and Moderate Resorts. These permit in plentiful quantities of pure gentle, and that plus a blue and white shade scheme actually pops.
The headboards, bedside tables, lamps, carpet, and even the dresser drawers additionally give the rooms loads of persona. Even the in any other case all-white bedding has a little bit of texture to it. Everything in regards to the rooms has heft, texture, and a considerable feeling. There’s an amazing quantity of consideration to element and high quality within the rooms on the Swan Reserve.
I’m unsure why, however the Swan Reserve’s main visible motifs are pool artwork (above left) and crowds (above proper). I just like the work. Although they’re a bit odd at first, they develop on you. There’s one thing to be stated for fashion that’s distinctive and never merely the kind of nondescript fashionable artwork that’s ubiquitous in chained-brand accommodations.
The crow statues, however, do completely nothing for me. Hardly a dealbreaker, however I’m unsure anybody has ever stated, “you know what would enhance this relaxed aquatic setting? SOME CROWS!” Maybe there’s some enjoyable backstory in regards to the crows being the guardians of their waterfowl mates at this specific avian sanctuary.
As somebody who loves balconies, the shortage of that’s fairly vital for me, however so many rooms on the Swan & Dolphin don’t have balconies. Ditto all Value and Moderate Resorts at Walt Disney World.
Even Gran Destino lacks balconies. I suppose for this worth, ground to ceiling home windows is just about the most effective case situation from an on-site Walt Disney World resort.
To that time, the Swan Reserve is definitely surprisingly just like Gran Destino Tower. Both have been decades-later additions to well-established resorts with far bigger footprints. To various levels, every carry one thing distinctive to the desk and surpass the usual rooms at their respective resorts. Both are ugly on the skin and add visible blight to the skyline, however are fairly good as soon as inside.
The fundamental variations are that the Swan Reserve has much more home windows so it’s even lighter and airier, extra suites, and as an alternative of being harking back to a Las Vegas resort, that is like one alongside the California coast.
Finally, let’s talk about some sensible particulars in regards to the Swan Reserve. Technically, all three of the “Swolphin” accommodations are thought of Deluxe Resorts however are managed by Marriott. Due to an settlement means again within the Eisner days, these are the one third social gathering accommodations which can be handled like precise Deluxe Resorts and bookable by the general public. (Shades of Green is analogous, minus the final half.)
The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is a Category 6 property. Using Marriott factors, you’ll want 40,000 factors for an off-peak keep, 50,000 factors for the standard keep, or 60,000 factors per evening for peak season. This is on par with the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort or common Swan & Dolphin.
In addition to having fun with commonplace on-site Walt Disney World advantages and visitor perks, Marriott Bonvoy Rewards members can reap the benefits of program advantages, together with incomes Marriott Bonvoy factors with every keep. We are Marriott Bonvoy Members, have stayed at lots of the chain’s different accommodations, and have discovered it to be a strong model with high quality service.
We are large followers of Disney, however don’t suppose resort administration is without doubt one of the firm’s sturdy fits. Marriott positively has the sting there. To ensure, not every little thing in regards to the Swan & Dolphin is ideal (the Magic Kingdom bus to TTC is the most important strike in opposition to it) and even nice. With that stated, our experiences right here have usually surpassed these at Disney-owned properties.
Although the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort accommodations will not be owned by Disney, they’re very a lot on-site accommodations. Located on Crescent Lake alongside BoardWalk Inn and Yacht & Beach Club, the Swan & Dolphin are inside strolling distance of each Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
With this prime piece of actual property, the Swan & Dolphin even have a greater location (in my estimation) than most Disney-owned accommodations. To every their very own, however I’d put Crescent Lake proper up there with the Magic Kingdom monorail loop.
The Swan & Dolphin even have higher on-site perks than most Disney-owned accommodations now that Disney’s Magical Express has been retired and as long as the Disney Dining Plan stays suspended. That’s as a result of, along with Early Entry, Swan & Dolphin friends are eligible for Extended Evening Hours, whereas Value and Moderate Resort friends will not be. In different phrases, Beach Club-caliber perks at Caribbean Beach degree pricing!
Unlike different third social gathering accommodations which can be technically on-site, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin really supply the most effective of each worlds. All of the advantages (for now, no less than) of staying in a Disney-owned resort, plus a rewards program, higher administration, and extra aggressive costs. About the one factor you’re compromising is Disney IP infused into the resort.
Ultimately, whether or not the Swan Reserve is best for you relies upon upon what you’re after. Location-wise, it’s barely farther from Epcot and Hollywood Studios than the Swan & Dolphin. The in-building facilities are additionally extra scaled again, so in order for you a wealth of eating choices underneath the identical roof, the common Swolphin will possible be your higher wager. However, the primary pool is about the identical distance from the opposite buildings, and even these lobbies aren’t a lot of a stroll. I anticipated location and in-building facilities to be a a lot greater draw back, however they have been actually non-factors for us. Of course, your mileage could fluctuate.
If what you’re on the lookout for is a bigger and nicer room with a wonderful on-site location, the Swan Reserve goes to be robust to beat. As in comparison with rooms on the Swolphin and even Deluxe Villas within the Crescent Lake space, the rooms on the Swan Reserve are nicer throughout the board. While the Swan & Dolphin did bear a room overhauls not way back, these are nonetheless newer and extra modernized. Not to say the number of room layouts, which shall be big for households or anybody wanting more room. For us, the superior rooms far outweighed the inferior in-building facilities and barely longer stroll.
Those Signature Suites, particularly, needs to be interesting to numerous households. That’s a room format that Sarah and I’ve actually come to understand in our non-Walt Disney World travels, because it’s very helpful even for simply the 2 of us. Hopefully the sort of room turns into extra prevalent at and round Walt Disney World, as the additional house (and privateness for adults with children!) is incredible.
The Signature Suites are widespread for good motive, and are definitely definitely worth the larger worth factors–particularly when you begin evaluating them to different giant rooms at Walt Disney World, each in value and high quality. The Signature Suites on the Swan Reserve supply an unequalled mixture of promoting factors which can be elusive at different on-site resorts, making this a extremely beneficial room class for these wanting or needing more room to unfold out.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every little thing you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you stayed on the Swan Reserve? What in regards to the common ‘ole Swan & Dolphin Resorts? What did you think of those hotels? Which did you prefer? If you haven’t stayed right here but, are you wanting ahead to trying out the Swan Reserve? Do these lodging look interesting to you, or is that this to not your tastes, preferences, or wants? Do you agree or disagree with our early evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!