The Walt Disney World Swan is a resort hotel designed by the 2012 Driehaus Prize winner Michael Graves located between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios behind Disney's BoardWalk Resort and across from its sister resort, the Walt Disney World Dolphin. The Swan, which opened January 13, 1990 on Disney property, is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company, Tishman Hotel Corporation, MetLife and Starwood Hotels and Resorts. The land the resort occupies is owned by the Walt Disney Company, while the buildings themselves are leased by Disney to the Tishman Hotel Corporation and MetLife and operated byMarriott International under the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are a part of the Walt Disney Collection of resorts; because of this they are Disney branded and guests of the resort have access to special Disney benefits available to Disney Resort Hotel guests only. The Dolphin and Swan share similar elements, but each has a distinctive appearance. The Swan's main structure is a 12-story rectangular main structure with a gently arching top and two 7-story wings, on the Swan side the main structure is crowned with two, tall Swan statues. The colored facade is adorned with turquoise waves similar to the Dolphin's banana-leaf motif. In 2008, The Walt Disney Swan Resort was awarded a One Palm Designation through the Florida Green Lodging Program established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary state initiative that provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste, conserve natural resources and improve the bottom line.
History
In the late 1980s, Disney saw that they were losing business to area hotels that catered to conventions and large meetings, so Michael Eisner decided to build a convention-oriented hotel near Epcot. The Tishman Group, the contractor who was hired to build Epcot and who also had hotels in the nearby Disney hotel zone, claimed that the Epcot deal gave them exclusive rights to operate convention hotels on the Disney property, so Disney partnered with Tishman to develop the Swan and Dolphin complex.The Swan was managed by Westin Hotels & Resorts, and the Dolphin by Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Eisner had used Graves for other company projects and wanted to continue to build striking, unique buildings. Tishman and MetLife own the buildings, but has a 99-year lease on the land from Disney. Disney also receives a share of the hotel's revenues, and has a say in any design or architecture changes to the interior or exterior of the buildings.
Location
The Walt Disney Swan Resort is located near many Disney hotspots and hotels. Walking paths or Disney boats are available from the resort to both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Disney Transport Buses bring guests to all other Walt Disney World attractions.
Amenities
The resort, along with the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, has two lap pools and one grotto pool with a waterslide and waterfall. Drinks can be ordered by guests near the pools through a nearby cabana bar. Resort guests have access to a spa, arcade, day care program, along with multiple Disney gift shops.
Walt Disney World privileges
Walt Disney World Swan guests are provided complimentary transportation to all Walt Disney World theme parks and attractions on the Disney Transportation System, via boat, and bus. Length-of-stay park passes are available, as is package delivery from Disney theme park shops to the resort. There is a Walt Disney World guest services desk located in the lobby of each resort. Walt Disney World Swan guests can also use Extra Magic Hours, and Disney's Fastpass+ service, guests can select time slots for attractions 60 days prior to their arrival at the resort. However, room charging is not available and hotel restaurants only participate in the Tables in Wonderland Dining Plan, not the Disney Dining Plan. For an additional fee, the hotel features onsite Disney Character Dining nightly and on weekend mornings, and reservations for all restaurants can by made through Disney. Room charging within the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Complex is available. Also, guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin have free parking on-site, which is near the theme parks but not in the main theme park lot, and priority access to the Disney theme parks during sell out situations.
