Did you know there’s a new EPCOT area resort? The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin now boast a third deluxe resort: The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Scroll on for our full Swan Reserve review to see what we experienced when we stayed overnight.

The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin are two separate Deluxe Resorts that sit on the EPCOT resort loop. Both resorts are Marriott owned and operated, yet they are in partnership with Disney and still considered official Disney Resorts.

I’ve stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin multiple times and have always been a big fan of both these resorts. So when I heard a third Marriott resort would be opening nearby, I knew I had to book a stay. 

Unfortunately, there were some delays with construction of the Swan Reserve, and it wasn’t open in time for my September 2021 trip. 

But I didn’t have to wait too long to experience this shiny new resort: WDW Magazine was invited for a media stay at the Swan Reserve, and I was able to attend on a recent trip.

Swan Reserve: Pricing 

Make no mistake: The Swan Reserve is a Deluxe Resort and prices reflect that. 

Prices at the Swan Reserve start at around $350 and can go up to around $700 depending on the room type. The Signature EPCOT View Suite we stayed in has a price tag of about $580. 

Photo by Tatjana Lazar

These prices are comparable to many of Disney’s other official Deluxe Resorts, and in some cases, the Swan Reserve is actually quite a bit less expensive. 

Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is comparable in terms of newness and park proximity, will run you about $674 per night for a much smaller room than the one we stayed in. 

Review: Swan Reserve Room 

My immediate reaction upon opening the door to our Signature Epcot View Suite was simply, “Wow.” 

The rooms at the Swan Reserve are modern, pristine, and luxurious. There were three TVs in our room. Three! What do you even do with that many TVs? I was bowled over. 

A stunning view from the bedroom. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Along with the TVs, there was a dining area, lounge area with a couch that doubled as a sofa bed, a powder room with toilet and sink, a shower room with a sink, and a bedroom with a gloriously plush king bed. 

All the amenities you’ll need. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

So many TVs at the Swan Reserve. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

The dining area in our Swan Reserve room. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

A spacious bathroom. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Fully stocked. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

And of course, floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the vistas of the other two Marriott resorts with Spaceship Earth in the distance nestled in between. Seeing the firework bursts from Harmonious and watching Spaceship Earth’s lights pulse and shift from the comfort of my room never got old. 

@wdwmagazine.com The Swan Reserve has some awesome views, that’s for sure! 🤩 #disneytiktok #disneytok #disneyvacations #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #disneyhotel #Disney #disneyresort #disneyplanning #disneyholiday #wdw #disneyadults ♬ original sound – WDW Magazine

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed staying in this suite. But the contentment didn’t end there.

VIDEO: Swan Reserve Room Tour

Review: Swan Reserve Amenities

The Swan Reserve has all the usual amenities you may expect from a Disney Deluxe Resort, including the following:

• 349 guest rooms (including 149 distinctive suites)
• Four restaurants and lounges (including Amare, a signature Mediterranean restaurant)
• Scenic pool area with elevated deck and fire pit
• Exclusive rooftop event space boasting breathtaking views of Walt Disney World 
• 15,711 sq. ft. of meeting space (including two ballrooms and 12 meeting rooms)
• 13,835 sq. f.t of outdoor event space
• Business center
• Unique Walt Disney World benefits
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Relax by the pool. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Plenty of comfortable seating. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Plus, both the Swan and Dolphin resorts are just a 5-minute walk across the street and through a garden path. There, you’ll find a shared pool complex you can enjoy, along with all the incredible dining options available at the other two resorts.

And trust me, the food at all three of these resorts is outstanding.

Review: Swan Reserve Dining

I only had the pleasure of trying out one of the Swan Reserve’s dining options, Stir, the lounge bar adjacent to the lobby. 

We ate at Stir twice. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

I dined here on two occasions and got to enjoy several cocktails as well as the Amare flatbread and Chargrilled Pepper Crostini. Everything we tried at Stir was of a very high caliber. 

Do not sleep on this Amare Flatbread. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

My only regret was not having the time to try out the Swan Reserve’s signature Mediterranean restaurant, Amare. At least I can take solace knowing the flatbread I did try was an Amare menu item. 

I’ll absolutely be back for a full meal at the restaurant on a future trip.   

Swan Reserve: Bonus Benefits 

Swan Reserve guests receive access to many of the same benefits other Disney Deluxe Resorts guests have access to, including evening extra magic hours on select nights. 

Enjoy this nighttime view … or extend your stay in the parks by 2 hours. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

I was able to enjoy an extra 2 hours of park time at EPCOT after the park had closed to day guests. This is a major bonus for anyone looking to ride busy attractions like the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure without Individual Lightning Lane Selections.  

One thing to note: The My Disney Experience app does not yet recognize the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve as part of the suite of deluxe resorts that receive special benefits. 

This means you’ll have to present your room key or proof of booking to a Cast Member before you’re allowed entry onto an attraction during extended evening hours. Each time a Cast Member went to scan our Magic Bands to check if we did indeed have access, we had to explain that we were staying at the Swan Reserve.

Enjoy a luxurious stay, but anticipate some technical difficulties (for now). Photo by Tatjana Lazar

We never had any trouble from Cast Members, as everyone we spoke with was aware of the issue. 

You also shouldn’t bother waking up at 7 AM to purchase a lightning lane or Genie+. Since the app doesn’t recognize the Marriott resort bookings, you’ll have to wait until the official park opening time to make those purchases, just like off-property guests. 

Hopefully this issue within the app is taken care of within the year, but be prepared to deal with it if you’re looking to take advantage of these Disney Deluxe Resort benefits.

A look inside the elegant Swan Reserve. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

One other benefit we utilized was the luggage transfer between Disney resorts. We moved to Disney’s Pop Century Resort after our stay at the Swan Reserve, and Bell Services was happy to arrange our luggage transfer. 

Review: Swan Reserve Transportation

The Swan Reserve, like the Swan and the Dolphin, has complimentary theme park transportation. If you’re looking to get to either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, you can walk or take boat transportation. 

The walk normally takes me about 25 minutes and is a pleasant stroll along the waterway. The boat takes about the same amount of time because it stops at the other EPCOT-area resorts along the way.

You can travel by boat to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Photo by Rich Ramos

If you’re traveling to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs, you’ll be able to catch a bus that picks up right outside the Swan Reserve. 

These buses are not the standard Disney buses you may be used to from staying at other on-property Disney resorts. Each time I’ve utilized a bus from any of the Marriott resorts, it’s been a coach bus. Much more comfortable than your typical Disney bus, and you’re guaranteed a seat.  

One thing to be aware of is that if you’re traveling to Animal Kingdom, your bus will drop off at the front of the car parking lot, not where the official Disney resort buses drop off. You’ll actually be just a touch closer to the park entrance coming from the front of the parking lot side.

At Magic Kingdom, however, the Marriott buses drop off and pick up at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). This means you’ll still need to take a ferry boat or monorail to get to the park entrance instead of being dropped off by the front of the park. 

That TTC drop-off for Magic Kingdom is really the only downside when it comes to the Marriott hotel transportation. But the fact that you’re within walking distance of two parks and get to enjoy riding in a coach for the other two parks makes up for it in my opinion.

VIDEO: Swan Reserve Resort Tour

Book Your Stay

My experience at the Swan Reserve was truly nothing short of perfection. The room was immaculate, the building was gorgeous, the food was delectable, and every single Cast Member I passed in the halls greeted me with a smile. 

If you’re considering a stay at the Swan Reserve, I would absolutely recommend you go for it. I truly believe all three of the Marriott resorts don’t get the recognition they deserve when discussions around Disney resorts come up. 

I know without a doubt I’ll be booking a future stay at this wonderful resort.

Thanks to Marriott for inviting us to stay at the newly opened Swan Reserve at Walt Disney World. #hosted

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