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 pictures, pool & restaurant information, 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 motels, 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 motels 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 motels linked to that.
While it’s a standalone property, the Swan Reserve shares numerous facilities with the ‘legacy’ Swan & Dolphin motels which have existed for a number of many years. Those large motels are residence to complete host of different choices, from the swimming pools to well being membership, tennis courts, jogging trails, spa, sport room, watercraft leases, artwork gallery, and extra.
All of these facilities can be found to visitors of the Swan Reserve; you may examine all of that in our complete Swan & Dolphin Resort Review. This submit 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 method. I’ve poked enjoyable at its exterior for trying like an workplace constructing in Scranton and its title for evoking all of the “grandeur” of a rehabilitation middle for waterfowl. There’s actually no getting previous both of these issues–the resort seems uninteresting on the skin and the title matches that.
On the plus facet, the Swan Reserve is simply a pair minutes from the rather more attention-grabbing Swan & Dolphin grounds. In truth, 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 concerning the dimension of the whole Swan Reserve.
There’s additionally a small health middle 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 may’t watch automobiles cross, 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 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 principle restaurant is to the left, and the check-in desk is the wrong way.
This lounge has plenty 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 a lot of cubicles off to the perimeters with some vibrant artwork in every. It’s a relaxed spot throughout the day, and has a moody environment at night time.
Also on the second ground is Amare Mediterranean Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch or dinner. We discovered that Amare nearly at all times has final minute ADRs, and it’s improbable. (The pizzas, specifically, 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 uninteresting exterior of the constructing, the interiors of the Swan Reserve are effectively executed. Lots of high-quality finishes, furnishings, lighting, and so forth. Definitely not the tasteless tower resort you may count on if all you’ve seen is the outside pictures.
It’s a small resort with far fewer eating choices, swimming pools, and different facilities than the Swan & Dolphin subsequent door, however it makes probably the most of its house. Pretty a lot every thing right here fills an vital 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 whole, 151 rooms on the Swan Reserve are suites.
While the vast majority of the Swan Reserve continues to be commonplace rooms, that’s much more suites than I might’ve guessed. In perusing looking availability, it additionally looks like the suites are extra fashionable. That’s not an enormous shock on condition that it is a much less widespread room class at Walt Disney World.
In truth, 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 youngsters, 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. toes, versus 425 to 590 sq. toes for the Junior (I understand that’s an enormous vary, however it’s what the Marriott web site signifies) and 330 sq. toes for the normal room.
The Signature Suite is actually the normal room plus a lounge. Assuming my math is appropriate (by no means a protected assumption), that dwelling space is about 290 sq. toes.
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 this kind of room, it’s powerful to return. Having a little bit of house to unfold out is improbable, as is having the ability to watch tv or work whereas others in your room relaxation.
This is an more and more fashionable type of room amongst actual world motels (just about all the new ones in Anaheim are this type), however is extremely troublesome to search out on-site at Walt Disney World. Aside from the aforementioned household suites at Walt Disney World, there are some motels at Flamingo Crossings and Bonnet Creek that additionally supply this type of room.
Prices for the Swan Reserve are everywhere, various rather more than different Walt Disney World motels. From what we’ve seen, rooms on the Swan Reserve begin at round $250 per night time and might exceed $500 on busy dates. With that mentioned, reductions are additionally extra widespread for non-peak dates.
Oddly sufficient, there’s typically not an enormous distinction between a typical room and the suites. The Signature Suite was solely round ~$50 to ~$75 per night time 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 whenever you examine this to different giant on-site rooms and suites at Walt Disney World, which normally have premium pricing past simply what two rooms would value.
The large home windows undoubtedly make for a brighter room than you’ll discover at Walt Disney World’s Value and Moderate Resorts. These enable in ample quantities of pure mild, 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 character. Even the in any other case all-white bedding has a little bit of texture to it. Everything concerning 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 major 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 mentioned for type that’s distinctive and never merely the kind of nondescript fashionable artwork that’s ubiquitous in chained-brand motels.
The crow statues, alternatively, do completely nothing for me. Hardly a dealbreaker, however I’m unsure anybody has ever mentioned, “you know what would enhance this relaxed aquatic setting? SOME CROWS!” Maybe there’s some enjoyable backstory concerning the crows being the guardians of their waterfowl buddies at this specific avian sanctuary.
As somebody who loves balconies, the dearth of that’s fairly important 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 state of affairs 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 convey 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 a substitute of being harking back to a Las Vegas resort, that is like one alongside the California coast.
Finally, let’s focus on some sensible particulars concerning the Swan Reserve. Technically, all three of the “Swolphin” motels are thought of Deluxe Resorts however are managed by Marriott. Due to an settlement method again within the Eisner days, these are the one third social gathering motels which can be handled like precise Deluxe Resorts and bookable by the general public. (Shades of Green is comparable, 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 night time 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 make the most of program advantages, together with incomes Marriott Bonvoy factors with every keep. We are Marriott Bonvoy Members, have stayed at most of the chain’s different motels, 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 robust fits. Marriott undoubtedly has the sting there. To be certain, not every thing concerning 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 mentioned, our experiences right here have usually surpassed these at Disney-owned properties.
Although the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort motels aren’t owned by Disney, they’re very a lot on-site motels. 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 motels. 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 motels 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 visitors are eligible for Extended Evening Hours, whereas Value and Moderate Resort visitors aren’t. In different phrases, Beach Club-caliber perks at Caribbean Beach degree pricing!
Unlike different third social gathering motels 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, at the least) 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 if you’d like a wealth of eating choices underneath the identical roof, the common Swolphin will probably be your higher guess. However, the principle 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 larger draw back, however they have been actually non-factors for us. Of course, your mileage could differ.
If what you’re on the lookout for is a bigger and nicer room with a superb on-site location, the Swan Reserve goes to be powerful 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 endure a room overhauls not way back, these are nonetheless newer and extra modernized. Not to say the number of room layouts, which shall be large 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, specifically, must 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 this kind of room turns into extra prevalent at and round Walt Disney World, as the additional house (and privateness for adults with youngsters!) is improbable.
The Signature Suites are fashionable for good cause, and are definitely well 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 unmatched 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.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you stayed on the Swan Reserve? What concerning 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 trying ahead to testing 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 may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!