Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels

SEE BELOW FOR DISCOUNTED RATES!

The Swan and Dolphin are located very near Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and there is Disney boat transportation provided to both parks, plus you have access to the entire official Disney transportation system. Their location is outstanding and the hotels themselves rival the Disney Deluxe resorts in amenities and services, though not in theming.

Swan and Dolphin guests get some of the same “perks” as Disney resort guests, but there are differences. When staying at the Swan and Dolphin you can participate in the Extra Magic Hours program and you can get package delivery from the theme parks to the hotel. However, you cannot charge items in the parks to your room key and guests of the Swan and Dolphin do NOT qualify for Disney’s Magical Express.

The Swan and Dolphin are similar in decor, though the Dolphin has a more spectacular lobby. The beach-themed decor of both hotels is extremely bright and lively, and clearly a great deal of money has been poured into it — it’s just not to everyone’s taste (deep colors, whimsical, a little “loud”). I personally think it’s very much in the Disney vein.

The 12-story Swan is smaller, with about 750 rooms, while the 27-story Dolphin has about 1500 rooms. They are both convention hotels, and at times you may find large numbers of convention-goers in the public spaces, though the hotels do their best to minimize contact between convention attendees and leisure guests.

Both hotels have multiple full-service restaurants and lounges (totaling over 15 options) in a variety of price ranges and in every style from casual to elegant, plus 24-hour room service. A couple of the restaurants offer character meals. You can buy refillable mugs. Click here to learn about any current Swan/Dolphin restaurant discounts.

The Swan and Dolphin share a spectacular pool complex including a grotto pool that is on par with some of the Disney Deluxe resort pools, plus two lap pools, two hot tubs, a kiddie pool and a kids’ water play area (sand with water sprinkler).

The hotels have all of the high-end facilities you would expect from a large resort/convention hotel, including an outstanding, fully-equipped health club at the Dolphin and a smaller fitness center at the Swan, tennis, volleyball, jogging trail, paddle boat rentals, a fabulous Mandara Spa, beauty salon, shops, laundry service, self-serve laundry, supervised children’s program (Camp Dolphin), children’s play area, and more.

Instead of a minibar, the Swan and Dolphin now offer a “Personal Pantry” service. Guests custom order the snack and drink items they would like stocked in their in-room mini-fridge at check-in, or order them through room service anytime during their stay, 24-hours a day. The items are then delivered and stocked in their room with no delivery or service charge, at prices competitive with convenience stores. For a full list of Personal Pantry items along with prices, click here.

The Swan rooms have two vanities (sinks), one of which is outside the bathroom, while the Dolphin rooms have only one vanity. Beds at both hotels have been upgraded to the Westin “Heavenly Bed” standard, which includes a pillow top mattress, triple sheeting, down blanket and comforter, and goose down/feather pillows.

There are a variety of room upgrade options at an additional cost, including lake view, resort view or balcony rooms. The Swan offers a reasonably-priced “Junior Suite” that is basically an oversized hotel room (no separate rooms). Both hotels also offer true suites (called Executive Suites), with one or more bedrooms and a parlor, which are extremely pricey.

A mandatory $17 daily resort fee is added to your rate at the Swan and Dolphin hotels. This includes:

• in-room high-speed Internet access
• unlimited domestic long distance and local calls
• two bottles of water per day
• unlimited access to the health club facilities

These two resorts offer self-parking at $15 per day, or you can use valet parking for $20 per night, plus tip. There is an Alamo/National rental car location at the Swan and Dolphin.

The Swan is a totally non-smoking hotel.

Swan/Dolphin Specials and Deals

Please note: tax and gratuities are not included in the offers below. All are subject to availability and subject to change without notice.

• Starwood Website Specials
• AAA Rates
• Florida Resident Rates
• Senior Rates
• Government Employee Rates
• Annual Passholder Rates
• Military Rates
• Nurse Rates
• Teacher Rates
• Starpoints Redemption Offers
• Swan/Dolphin Restaurant Deals
• Mandara Spa Deals

Starwood Website Specials

One of the best places to check is always the Starwood website, which often has the best deals:

• Walt Disney World Dolphin – click on “Hotel Offers” in the upper right
• Walt Disney World Swan – click on “Hotel Offers” in the upper right

AAA Rates

The Swan and Dolphin almost always offer modest discounts to AAA (American Automobile Association) and CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) members. You’ll have to present your membership card at check-in.

To book the AAA rates:

• Walt Disney World Dolphin – Click on the Reserve button. On the next page, on the left side under Rate Preferences, use the pull-down menu to select Automobile Association, and click Search.
• Walt Disney World Swan – Click on the Reserve button. On the next page, on the left side under Rate Preferences, use the pull-down menu to select Automobile Association, and click Search.

Florida Resident Rates

The Swan and Dolphin often offer substantial discounts to Florida residents. These rates are not always offered and may be “blacked out” (unavailable) during peak periods, holidays, etc. You must show your valid Florida ID at check-in.

To book the Florida resident rates:

• Walt Disney World Dolphin – click on “Hotel Offers” in the upper right, then select Florida Residents Special
• Walt Disney World Swan – click on “Hotel Offers” in the upper right, then select Florida Residents Special

Senior Rates

Special rates are available for those who are members of AARP (which you can join if you are 50 or older). These rates are not always offered and may be “blacked out” (unavailable) during peak periods, holidays, etc.

To book the AARP rates:

• Walt Disney World Dolphin – Click on the Reserve button. On the next page, on the left side under Rate Preferences, use the pull-down menu to select Senior Discount, and click Search.
• Walt Disney World Swan – Click on the Reserve button. On the next page, on the left side under Rate Preferences, use the pull-down menu to select Senior Discount, and click Search.

Government Employee Rates

US Federal and State employees, Amtrak employees, and Canadian Provincial employeesqualify for discounted rates at the Swan and Dolphin. These rates are not always offered and may be “blacked out” (unavailable) during peak periods, holidays, etc. Government ID must be shown at check-in.

To book the Government Employee rates:

• Walt Disney World Dolphin – Click on the Reserve button. On the next page, on the left side under Rate Preferences, use the pull-down menu to select Government Employee, and click Search.
• Walt Disney World Swan – Click on the Reserve button. On the next page, on the left side under Rate Preferences, use the pull-down menu to select Government Employee, and click Search.

Annual Passholder Rates

The Swan and Dolphin usually offer substantial discounts to Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. These rates are not always offered and are frequently “blacked out” (unavailable) during peak periods, holidays, etc. You must show your Annual Pass at check-in.

You must book these rates directly through the hotel at (888) 828-8850. Ask for rate code AP.

Military Rates

Active or retired US military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists can take advantage of seasonal special offers. These rates are not always offered and are frequently “blacked out” (unavailable) during peak periods, holidays, etc. Proper ID must be shown at check-in.

You must book these rates directly through the hotel at (888) 828-8850. Ask for rate code TROOPS.

Nurse Rates

Nurses qualify for discounted rates at the Swan and Dolphin. These rates are not always offered and are frequently “blacked out” (unavailable) during peak periods, holidays, etc. Proper ID and/or most recent paycheck stub proving employment must be shown at check-in.

You must book these rates directly through the hotel at (888) 828-8850. Ask for rate code NURSE.

Teacher Rates

Certified school teachers and school support staff qualify for discounted rates at the Swan and Dolphin. These rates are not always offered and are frequently “blacked out” (unavailable) during peak periods, holidays, etc. Proper ID and/or most recent paycheck stub proving employment must be shown at check-in.

You must book these rates directly through the hotel at (888) 828-8850. Ask for rate code TEACH.

Starpoints Redemption Offers

Since the Swan and Dolphin are part of the Starwood hotel chain, you may want to join the Starwood Preferred Guest program for free. This allows you to accumulate Starpoints that can be redeemed for hotel stays, hotel restaurant discounts, etc. Also, Preferred Guest members are more likely to get free upgrades at check-in.

Some of the Starpoints awards that are worth considering for stays at Swan and Dolphin:

• 50% Off Regular Rates awards allow you to redeem 1000 Starpoints and stay at the Swan or Dolphin for up to five consecutive nights for 50% off the rack rate. Thanks to Stacey D for info.

• Free Nights with No Blackouts awards allow you to redeem 10,000 Starpoints per night for a free night at the Swan or Dolphin. Plus, redeem points for 4 nights and get the 5th night FREE!

• Nights & Flights II awards allow you to redeem 70,000 Starwood points and receive 50,000 airline miles and 5 free nights in a Category 4 hotel. The Swan and Dolphin are Category 4 hotels and 50,000 airline miles is enough on most airlines for 2 roundtrip coach tickets in the continental US. Thanks to Dan B for info.

Swan/Dolphin Restaurant Deals

• For deals at the Swan and Dolphin restaurants, click here.
• Valet parking is validated by Todd English’s bluezoo and Shula’s Steak House when you dine at those restaurants.
• Children ages 4-12 may enjoy 2 complimentary hours of fun at Camp Dolphin when you dine at Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo or Il Mulino New York Trattoria. Present your receipt as proof of purchase at time of child pickup. One child admitted for each adult entrée purchased.

Mandara Spa Deals

The Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin blends the Dolphin’s unique architecture with its signature Balinese style. The spa offers a wide variety of massages, body wraps, pedicures and more. Click here to read a review of the Mandara Spa.

• For deals at the Dolphin’s Mandara Spa, click here.
• Valet parking is validated by the spa when you have a treatment.
• Children ages 4-12 may enjoy 2 complimentary hours of fun at Camp Dolphin when you purchase any spa service lasting 75 minutes or more. Present your receipt as proof of purchase at time of child pickup. One child admitted for each purchase of a spa treatment of 75 minutes or more.