Deluxe - Walt Disney World Swan

Walt Disney World Swan
Address: 1500 EPCOT Resorts Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista FL 32830-2653
Phone: (407) 934-3000
Fax: (407) 934-4499

The Walt Disney World Swan and its sister resort the Dolphin, are part of the Epcot Area resort cluster. While the Swan is located on Disney property, it is not operated by The Disney Company. The Swan is a premiere Westin resort.

Resort Layout:
The Swan is a coral and peach colored resort 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 resort was designed by Michael Graves.

The swan theming is carried throughout the resort with a swan fountain in the lobby and 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. Both inside and out, this an unforgettable resort.

Guests at the Swan enjoy many of the same amenities as Disney operated resort guests. A stay at the Swan includes WDW transportation to all Disney attractions, free parking, guaranteed park admission, package delivery to your hotel from the parks, same day dining reservations, preferred tee times, and access to guest services. Also, Disney theme park tickets can be purchased by Swan guests.

However, unlike other Disney resorts, charging privileges don't extend beyond the Swan and Dolphin. All purchases and dining expenses at both the Swan and the Dolphin, can be charged to your pre-arranged account.

In 2002, the WDW Swan and Dolphin hotels began a $75 million expansion and enhancement plan. The plan included: new meetings and exhibit space; an all-new guestroom design by renowned architect Michael Graves - the original architect of the hotel; and the introduction of a new, nationally recognized restaurant to its existing line-up of dining venues.

All of the rooms at the Swan have now been totally renovated and feature the new Heavenly Beds! The Swan renovation finished May 2003.

The Swan's close proximity to Epcot and the Disney-MGM Studios make it an outstanding choice for a stay in WDW. In addition, the dining options are nearly endless! Not only do you have the Swan and Dolphin's restaurants and lounges, but also those at the BoardWalk and the Yacht and Beach Clubs nearby. Epcot's fabulous restaurants are just a stroll away, too.

The BoardWalk's entertainment complex is practically in your backyard if the urge to dance or listen to dueling pianos suddenly hits you.

Fantasia Gardens, a miniature golf complex, is just a hop across the parking lot.

Services & Amenities:
 Room Service
 17 restaurants and lounges
 Concierge desk
 Health Club
 Babysitting and child services
 Pak-n-play crib available
 Room and facilities for guest with disabilities
 Self parking
 Valet parking available for a nominal fee
 Laundry facilities/services
 Meeting and banquet facilities
 Business Center

Guest Rooms:
The Swan rooms have been totally renovated. Michael Graves has designed all new guest rooms for the Swan and Dolphin which are just beautiful! The design includes features such as: slate entryways in the guestroom foyer, with the same stone surface continuing into the bathroom; new carpeting and designer wall coverings, complemented by custom-designed draperies, accented by a Graves-designed insignia. A 27” color television replaces the current 20” models in a contemporary-designed bureau that connects to a large desk and work area. King rooms feature a pullout sleeper, while the double/double rooms offer a customized lounge chair and ottoman.

The new guestrooms include Westin's popular Heavenly Beds. Guests who have stayed in a newly renovated room are raving about the beds! Each one features a custom-designed pillow-top mattress set; a cozy down blanket; three crisp sheets with thread counts between 180-250; a comforter; a duvet and five of the best pillows in the industry. The headboards on the beds are accented by original Michael Graves artwork, topped by picture-wash lighting that also provides incremental reading lighting.

Custom-designed carpeting and draperies, accented by a Graves-designed insignia, complement new designer wall coverings. A sleek, maple wood bureau with frosted glass accents replaces existing armoires in the guestrooms, providing ample drawer space for guest belongings.

The bathrooms feature the Heavenly Bath treatment, which includes broad-width shower curtains and signature in-bath amenities.

There are three different types of views offered at the Swan. The Standard View overlooks the hotel grounds which may include the parking lot. This view is comparable to other Disney resorts' standard view.

The Standard Water View includes a view of the lake, or a view of the waterway to the Disney-MGM Studios, gardens, and parts of the BoardWalk Villas.

The Resort View offers a view of the courtyard, Dolphin, gardens, and possibly the swimming area.

Not all rooms have balconies; in fact, none of the rooms on the Royal Beach Club have balconies.

Concierge Service:
Concierge service at the Swan is referred to as the Royal Beach Club. Concierge accommodations are located on the 12th and 14th floors of the tower. Extra room amenities include plush bathrobes and turn down service.

Royal Beach Club service also includes full use of the private lounge which offers the following amenities:
Deluxe Continental Breakfast featuring an assortment of freshly baked pastries, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, juice and coffee. Monday-Saturday 7:00am - 10:00am and Sunday 7:00am to 10:30am.

Hors d'oeuvres are offered 5:00pm to 7:00pm and include fruit, cheeses, crudites, hot hord'oeuvres and fresh baked cookies.

Honor Bar is offered from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Beer, wine and champagne are available.
Of course, there's also the multilingual Royal Beach Club staff to see to all of your needs including dining reservations, golf tee times, floral orders, transportation or any special requests.

If you stay at the Royal Beach Club, be sure to look for Cast Members MamaT and Thabo tell them Deb says hello!

There is a dress code when visiting the Royal Beach Club Lounge -- wear footwear and cover-ups for swimwear.

Additional services, facilities, and amenities at the Dolphin. In addition to deluxe accommodations, the Dolphin also offers special extras that make your stay a real pleasure. These include: valet parking ($14 per night), valet and laundry service, concierge desk, bell service, hair salon, 24 hour room service, laundry facilities on the 1st floor, premium movie and Disney channels, pay-per-view movies, and an in-room video game system.

In addition to the deluxe accommodations, the Swan also offers special extras that make your stay a little nicer. These include: Nightly turn down service, valet parking ($14 for overnight), valet and laundry service, lobby level concierge desk, bell service, beauty salon, the HBO and Disney channels, pay-per-view movies, and 24-hour room service.


Check-In & Check-Out:
Check in time at the Swan is at 3 pm. 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 am, although later check out can be arranged. Guests can check out up until 1 pm without penalty, and later for an additional charge.

Dining:
Coffee makers and coffee are available in the rooms. Starbucks Coffee is also available at Tubbi's and the Dolphin Fountain (both at the Dolphin). If you're more partial to gourmet coffees and lattes, there is an excellent coffee bar called the Lobby Court at the Swan however it is expensive.

There is something for everyone at the Swan and Dolphin restaurants. If you have special dietary needs; please check with the restaurant staff upon arrival so that your stay can be made more comfortable.

Shula's Steakhouse - an elegant steakhouse decorated in heavy dark woods. Located on the lobby level, reservations are accepted. Shula's serves dinner only. (Dolphin)

Fresh Mediterranean Market ; - opened October 2003 for breakfast (buffet) and lunch (buffet). (Dolphin)

BlueZoo - a restaurant by Todd English, opened late December 2003, open for late lunch and dinner. (Dolphin)

Dolphin Fountain and Snack Shop - ; is a 50's style diner atmosphere. Ice cream, shakes and burgers make up the menu. Don't be surprised if the wait staff begins dancing and singing to 50's tunes during your visit! The Dolphin Fountain is open for lunch and dinner and is located on the lower level. (Dolphin)

Tubbi's Buffeteria - offers cafeteria service and a 24 hour convenience store and is located downstairs. The cafeteria offers just about everything you can imagine, and the convenience store has a great selection of foods. Tubbi's is open for all meals. (Dolphin)

The Cabana Bar and Grill - is located near the pool and is a casual eatery. Burgers and salads are the standard fare here. The Cabana is open daily. (Dolphin)

Garden Grove Café - serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a garden gazebo setting. The Garden Grove Cafe at the Swan offers a morning character breakfast buffet. 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. ; (Swan)

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. ; Karaoke is also available nightly at Kimonos after 9:00pm. (Swan)

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. ; (Swan)

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. ; (Swan)

Room Service is available 24 hours a day. ; Breakfast, all-day dining and late night menus are available. ;

The Swan's 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 small lounge in Kimonos. The Splash Grill serves drinks-- get a to-go cup and grab a seat out on the white sand beach.

Recreation:
Pools
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 foliage surrounds the Grotto area, and the white sand beach nearby makes it a perfect place to relax or have fun. A kiddie pool is near the Grotto for the little ones. Pool toys are available for rent, also.

At the Cabana Beach Hut you can use complimentary towels, life vests, basketballs and volleyballs (with your room key).

Health Club
There are now 2 health clubs servicing the complex- one at the Dolphin and one at the Swan. Massage therapy and Body Treatments are available for a fee at the health clubs. Saunas, whirlpools, and aerobics are also offered.

Game Room
The Swan and Dolphin each have a game room. The Swan's is next to Splash Grill next to the health club.

Miniature Golf
Fantasia Gardens is a 5 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.

Resort Tours
Resort tours are available daily by request. Call the Concierge for details.

Billiards
Billiards are available (coin operated) at the Dolphin's East Wing, lobby level.

Shopping
Disney's Cabana is the one-stop shopping spot at the Swan. The Cabana features the usual 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. It is open from approximately 7:00am until 11 pm daily. There are 4 shops located across the way in the Dolphin, and then there are the shops along the Boardwalk.

Your Disney packages from the parks will be delivered to the Cabana shop.

Other Services:
• The ATM Machine is located on the lobby level by the East elevator.
• The Cashier at the front desk will cash personal and traveler's checks up to $100
• The Concierge Desk can assist with: airline reservations, babysitting referrals, church services, notary public, flowers, limousine service, restaurant reservations, tee times and more.
• For Facsimile Services, visit the Business Center, open weekly from 7:00 am to 6:30pm. ;
• Contact the shipping desk to assist in mailing packages or overnight letters.
• Stamps are available at Disney's Cabana store.
• An Alamo/National Car Rental Desk is located in the Guest Services Alcove in the Dolphin.

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, Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney (Marketplace and Pleasure Island), Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach. Some of the buses service only Swan and Dolphin resorts; others service the Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach club as well.

Epcot can be reached by catching a Friendship Launch (boat) from the courtyard between the Swan and Dolphin, or by taking a short stroll across the bridge to the BoardWalk and to Epcot's International Gateway and World Showcase. The walk is a pleasant one and takes about 10 minutes.

Disney-MGM Studios can be reached one of two ways; via the Studios Friendship launch or by walking. The boat launch is found 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.

Boats leaving Epcot bound for Studios make their stops in this order: Epcot, Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin, Studios.

Boats leaving the Studios bound for Epcot make their stops in this order: Studios, Swan & Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Club, Boardwalk, Epcot.

The walking path begins directly behind the Boardwalk's Atlantic Dance Hall and continues to the Disney-MGM Studios Parking lot. It's a pleasant walk that takes 10-15 minutes.

Transportation to the other Disney resorts is trickier. Disney does not provide any resort to resort transportation. Allow yourself 45 minutes to an hour for travel time between resorts, just to be safe. Options include:
Going to the closest open theme park or Downtown Disney and catching a bus to the resort of your choice.

Using a rental car.

Taking a taxi.

Mears town cars are also available should you want a ride directly to another Disney resort. The valet can assist you with getting a car. They are usually parked out front and will pick you up in minutes. Standard fee from the Swan to anywhere else on Disney property (resorts, parks, Downtown Disney) is $16 plus gratuity. 4 persons can fit and share a ride. I find the town cars useful when dressed for dinner and traveling to another Disney resort.

Rates:

Rates shown above are for single/double accommodations. Additional adults over the two adult maximum - $25.00 per person, per night. In addition to the room charge, you will also pay 11.5% tax.

Extra Information:
To use the mini-bar for your own personal use, there is a $20 charge.

Fireworks can be seen from the Illuminations display at Epcot. Of course, upper floors offer the best view from your room; but viewing from outside is great too. Sit down at the beach that adjoins the Swan and Dolphin themed pool for a great view of IllumiNations' fireworks.

The convention center offers many different types of meeting spaces. The largest space available is the Swan Ballroom with 23,000 square feet of meeting area. In addition to the Ballroom, there are 31 meeting and break rooms, and 6 hospitality suites to accommodate your meeting needs. A full range of business services are available, not only to those attending a convention, but other Swan guests as well. If you are planning on using a lap top computer during your stay at the Swan, just let the hotel know before you arrive, and they will make sure your room is equipped with the necessary equipment.

Kid's Passport - Upon check-in, your child will receive a Kid's Passport. This entitles them to a free ice cream at either the Dolphin Fountain or Splash Terrace after they have collected at least five stamps from various parts of the hotel including restaurants, shops, and other hotel facilities. If they collect all the stamps, they get free sprinkles on their ice cream as well.

Children's Menus - All hotel restaurants offer special children's menus except for Shula's Steak House where parents are treated to complimentary babysitting while dining.

Kid's Bedtime Stories - There's nothing like a good bedtime story to help little ones drift off to sleep. Just tune your TV in to The Story Channel. Your child will hear endearing stories created especially for children ages 4 - 9.

Kid's Survey - Kids can voice their opinions about hotel programs, accommodations and services on a special kids survey available from the Front Desk.

Safety Kit - Parents can request a safety kit to further "child-proof" their hotel room. It includes wall socket covers and a nightlight.

If you miss the Friendship launch for Epcot, you can easily walk to the Yacht Club or the BoardWalk and catch it there. If you miss the Friendship launch for the Studios, the Swan and Dolphin are the last stops, you'll have to wait for the next launch.

The Swan hosts many conventions and also tends to be popular with foreign tour groups. When you make reservations you might check with the reservations agent to see if this is the case, if this might affect your stay.

Take advantage of the Dolphin's shopping and dining facilities. For example, although the Swan doesn't have a 24 hour snack bar, the Dolphin's Tubbi's Buffeteria is just a short walk away.