The Walt Disney World Swan

Overview

While the Swan is located on Disney property, it is a Premiere Westin Resort, and is not operated by The Disney Company. Having said that, guests at the Swan enjoy many of the same amenities as Disney operated resort guests, including Surprise Mornings, WDW transportation to all Disney attractions, length of stay passes, free parking, guaranteed park admission, same day dining reservations, preferred tee times, and access to guest services.

However, unlike other Disney resorts, you can't charge purchases made outside of the hotel back to the room, although all purchases and dining expenses at both the Swan and the Dolphin, can be charged to your pre-arranged account.

The Swan's theming is unlike anything you've ever seen before. The hotel is a coral color with giant aqua waves adorning the exterior. The hotel itself is an impressive sight and can actually be seen from Epcot's World Showcase. A 12 story main building and two 7 story wings hold the 758 guest rooms. When you approach the hotel, look up on the roof. The two swans that you'll see are 46 feet high and 56,000 pounds each. The swans are a good indication of the level of service and comfort at this resort.

This resort could very nearly be called a tropical paradise with the vegetation surrounding the outside and the whimsical furnishings on the inside. The swan theme is carried out gracefully. There is a swan fountain, and many of the furnishings have carved swans in one form or another. The vibrant, tropical colors and pineapple print carpets are enough to put anyone in a vacationing mood. Check out the murals in the halls on your way to your room. Inside and out, this an unforgettable resort.

The Swan's close proximity to Epcot and the Disney/MGM Studios make it an excellent choice for a stay in WDW. Additionally, as well as the excellent Swan and Dolphin's restaurants, the BoardWalk and the Yacht and Beach Clubs are very close, extending the dining choices considerably. Epcot's fabulous restaurants are just a short walk away, too.

Rooms

Rooms at the Swan are decorated in the same tropical theme as the outside. Light colored wood and pastel accents make it a very relaxing atmosphere. Don't be surprised if you find your lamp is shaped like a bird or pineapple!

Rooms at the Swan feature either two queen beds or a one king size bed. A large armoir hides the t.v. and provides extra storage space for your belongings. The bathroom area boasts a separate vanity area. Mini-bars and in-room safes are among the conveniences. Bathrobes with an embroidered swan can be found in the closet. For a $5 a night resort fee, amenities such as access to the health club, daily newspaper delivery, an in-room coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board can be added. There is ample storage space in the closet, armoir and separate drawers. These are definitely deluxe hotel accomodations.

There are four different types of views offered at the Swan. The resort view overlooks the hotel grounds, and may include a glimpse of the parking lot or the Disney-MGM Studios. This view is comparable to other Disney resorts' standard view. The lake and/or BoardWalk view includes a view of the waterway to the Disney-MGM Studios, gardens, and parts of the BoardWalk Villas. The terrace courtyard view offers a view of the courtyard, Dolphin, gardens, and possibly the swimming area. These rooms have a guaranteed private balcony for enjoying the view.

In addition to the deluxe accomodations, the Swan also offers special extras that make your stay a little nicer. These include: Nightly turn down service, complimentary valet parking, valet and laundry service, concierge desk, bell service, beauty salon, the HBO and Disney channels, pay-per-view movies, and 24-hour room service.

There are two pricing seasons at the Swan--peak and value. Peak season is December 18 thru January 5 and February 1 thru April 30. Value season is longer at the Swan than the other Disney resorts. Value season begins January 6 and runs through January 31, and also includes May 1 thru December 17. That means great bargains for summer travelers! The rates vary according to hotel capacity. The rates are as follows:

The rooms offer stocked mini-butlers. For those wishing to have a refrigerator for their own use and supplies, the Swan will supply you with one for a one-time fee of $10.

Magic Kingdom Club members can receive a 10% discount on accomodations at the Swan during peak season only. Westin Premier members are entitled to benefits also. The Swan reservationists suggest inquiring about any special offers or discounts available when you make your reservations.

Food and Drink

Garden Grove Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a garden gazebo setting. Character breakfasts are featured on Saturday mornings, and there are character dinners 3 nights a week. Breakfast is traditional fare, while lunch is better than would be expected. Lunch offerings include fresh seafood and other grilled meats. Be aware that the dinner hours change the restaurant into Gulliver's Grill featuring seafood and steak. Desserts are made in an open kitchen, and watching the chefs through the window is an interesting stop on the way in or out of the restaurant.

Kimonos offers oriental specialties and sushi. You can watch the sushi chefs prepare the food and relax and have a drink while you wait for your meal. Kimonos is only open during the dinner hours.

Palios serves fine Italian cuisine. Strolling violinists and guitarists make this a unique dining experience. Note that the entrees here are authentic Italian fare. Specialties include pastas, veal, fish, foccacia, and DESSERTS! The desserts are simply amazing, and choosing just one is extremely difficult! Palios is open for dinner only.

Splash Grill is the casual restaurant for hamburgers, hot dogs and such. Located near the pool, Splash Grill also offers a full bar, ice creams and snacks. Splash Grill is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

The Lobby Court serves delicious desserts and drinks during the evening hours. The pianist nearby makes it a serene little spot to relax. There are also lounges adjacent to Kimonos and Palios. The Splash Grill also serves drinks-- get a to-go cup and grab a seat out on the white sand beach.

For those that can't do without their morning jolt of java, there are a few options. The Splash Grill and Garden Grove Cafe offer coffee, among other traditional breakfast fare. For a real treat, try the Lobby Court. Gourmet coffees and fabulous pastries will make this a frequently visited place during your stay. The Lobby Court is also an excellent choice in the evenings, when they offer desserts and the piano is playing in the lobby.

Activities

The BoardWalk's entertainment complex is practically next door, and Fantasia Gardens, a miniature golf complex, is just across the parking lot.

Camp Swan is for children ages 3-12. Camp Swan provides supervised activities from 4 p.m. to midnight. Dinner can be arranged for an additional charge. The cost is $5 an hour for the first child and $3 an hour for each additional child.

You'll have your choice of two lap pools or the tropical "Grotto" to satisfy the need for swimming. One lap pool is located near the Dolphin, and the other located near the Swan. Both have hot tubs, away from the liveliness of the Grotto. The Grotto is a 3-acre water playground complete with waterfalls, slides, water volleyball, and hot tubs. Tropical foilage surrounds the Grotto area, and the white sand beach nearby makes it a perfect place to relax or have fun. Dj's are on hand to help keep the area lively and fun by playing great music and starting games for groups. A kiddie pool is near the Grotto for the little guys. Pool toys are available for rent, also.

Recreation

Recreational activities at the Swan/Dolphin complex are endless. There is a beautiful white sand beach with watercraft rentals. The beach is quiet and peaceful in the hours after dark, which makes for a romantic spot. There are 4 tennis courts and a basketball court that are kept lighted throughout the night, for those that still have energy left over after a day at the parks.

There is a large play area for children, located near the Grotto. A jogging and walking path winds around the Swan and Dolphin. Add to that, the boardwalk around Crescent Lake (near the Y&B and BoardWalk), and you'll have quite an extensive walk or jog. The path around the Swan is pretty with all of the vegetation and small wildlife.

For those less inclined to outdoor exercise activities there is also a health club, complete with an array of bicycles and cardiovascular equipment. For those that like the indoor activities, but not so strenuous, there is a video game room near Splash Grill.

Fantasia Gardens is a 2 minute walk away. This miniature golf adventure opened spring of 1996 and includes two 18 hole courses. There is something for everyone--fun and Disney magic on the Fantasia Gardens course, and a more challenging game on Fantasia Fairways. Don't forget to explore activities offered at the nearby BoardWalk and Yacht & Beach Clubs.

Fireworks can be seen from both the Disney-MGM Studios' Sorcery in the Sky display and the Illuminations display at Epcot. Of course, upper floors offer the best view from your room; but viewing from outside is great, too.

Shopping

Disney's Cabana is the one-stop shopping spot at the Swan. The Cabana features the usal array of character merchandise, sundries, and essentials like toothpaste and aspirin. Also featured are collections of men's and women's sportswear and resort wear.

Checkin/Checkout

Check in time at the Swan is at 3 p.m. Early check in is available if your room is ready, if not, luggage storage is available for later check in. Check out time is 11 a.m., although later check out can be arranged. Guests can check out up until 1 p.m. without penalty, and later for an additional charge.

Guest Services

Transportation

Swan guests enjoy full use of all of the WDW transportation services. Buses run directly from the front of the hotel to Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney (Disney Village Marketplace), Typhoon Lagoon, Pleasure Island, and Blizzard Beach.

Epcot can be reached by catching a Friendship launch (boat) from the rear of the hotel, or by taking a short stroll across the BoardWalk and to Epcot's International Gateway and World Showcase. The walk is a pleasant one and takes about 8-10 minutes. Disney/MGM Studios can be reached via the Studios Friendship launch. The launch is caught in the courtyard between the Swan and Dolphin. Note that the Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios launches are shared with the Yacht & Beach Clubs and the BoardWalk. If you miss the launch to Epcot, you can easily walk over and catch it at the BoardWalk or the Yacht Club.

Transportation to Discovery Island and the other Disney resorts are somewhat trickier. We found that the bus drivers knew the most about getting from point A to point B in the shortest time possible. Some trips will involve a trip to the (TTC) and then on to your destination, others may not. Allow yourself 45 minutes to an hour for travel time between resorts, just to be safe.

The Pleasure Island/Downtown Disney bus route is shared between the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Clubs, and the BoardWalk. The buses tend to become crowded from about 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Directions to the Resort

Take I-4 to Exit 26B (EPCOT Center/Disney Village). Take 2nd exit (Epcot Resorts/Disney/MGM Studios). Turn right at 5th traffic signal (Epcot Resorts Boulevard) and look for the Swan sign, you'll turn right here.

The Walt Disney World Swan is located at 1500 EPCOT Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista FL 32830-2653 Telephone: (407) 934-3000