Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts Reviewed in 2025

➞ What to Do

The Swan and Dolphin Resorts are great options whether you plan to spend a lot of time at the Disney parks or not, as there is plenty to do on-property and nearby. In fact, I recommend planning at least a day to stay back and enjoy the grotto pool, its waterslide and waterfall, the sandy beach on the lake, and the other fun outdoor activities.

Just a short walk away is the boardwalk around Crescent Lake, which is great for a morning or evening stroll. There are several bars, a nightclub, and tons of restaurants in this lively area as well, adding to the dining allure of the Swan and Dolphin. One of my favorite memories as a kid was renting a four-seater bike with my family and pedaling around the lake.

Of course, all of the magic of Disney is at your doorstep. Frequent boat transfers leave from the Swan and Dolphin dock to connect visitors with Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Epcot can even be reached on foot, while the other parks have bus transfers from the resort.

In between all that and your many dining experiences, you may want to indulge in a treatment at the Mandara Spa. This peaceful haven, along with several other quiet and adult-friendly places around the resort complex, makes the Swan and Dolphin great choices for adult travelers and those without kids as well.

➞ What to Eat & Drink

The two-resorts-in-one concept of the Swan and Dolphin Resorts contributes to our decision to call it best for eating and drinking, as you get a ton of options just steps from your room that can just be signed to your bill. The restaurants here have a great variety of atmospheres and cuisines, and the five-minute walk to the boardwalk area opens up dozens of extra possibilities.

In considering all of the restaurants, bars, cafés, and lounges in the resort complex, there are more than 20 options. A massive buffet breakfast is served daily at the Swan’s Garden Grove and the Dolphin’s Rosa Mexicano. You can also grab a quick coffee and breakfast to-go at cafés like Java or the cafeteria-style Picabu.

All of the above-mentioned places do lunch as well. Guests enjoying the sunshine usually have their lunch at Cabana Bar and Beach Club or Splash Pool Bar and Grill, both casual indoor-outdoor spots. You can also have lunch dishes and cocktails delivered to your pool chair.

You can return to Rosa Mexicano for dinner to try their namesake Mexican cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Dinnertime is also when specialty restaurants open up, including Todd English’s Bluezoo, with its fine seafood menu; Il Mulino New York Trattoria, with upscale and highly acclaimed Italian food; and Kimonos, a high-end sushi bar that consistently finds itself among the best in Orlando.

➞ Room Guide

There are more than 2,600 rooms in the Swan and Dolphin Resorts combined. Luckily, they don’t make it too overwhelming when selecting one. Overall, you should make a decision based on which of the two properties you want to be at, as well as the view you want and the amount of space you need.

Swan Guest Rooms: The Swan is actually a Westin property underneath its local branding, so you’ll find the familiar luxuries of Heavenly Beds and high-end toiletries in these rooms. Rooms without views are clearly named, so be careful with those if the view is important to you. Otherwise, Traditional and Deluxe Resort View rooms put you in locations overlooking the lake, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom, which can be great for nightly fireworks, especially if you choose a balcony variety.

Dolphin Guest Rooms: The Dolphin is not a Westin, but rather a Sheraton. Therefore, some might consider rooms here slightly less luxurious than the Swan, although still upscale and very comfortable. It’s just across from the Swan and has mostly the same categories, along with specifically named Fireworks View rooms. Alcove Rooms and Premium Rooms add even more space for families who don’t quite want to go for a suite.

Swan & Dolphin Suites: There are 169 suites between the two hotels, spread over seven categories ranging from Junior Suite to Presidential Suite. I have stayed in quite a few of these and can confirm that if you want luxury, extra space, and great views, suites at this resort are worth the money. Interestingly, they often don’t sell these on Marriott’s booking site or others. You may need to call in order to determine options during your dates.

➞ Special Experiences

To capitalize on the great food and beverages offered at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, you can plan for a special gastronomical experience at its Food and Wine Classic. This special event takes place each fall and brings the resort’s chefs from each restaurant to showcase special flavors, techniques, and pairings, along with live music and other entertainment.

Parents can sign their kids up for a day at Camp Dolphin, a club just for kids that provides all-day fun and new friends. Then, the grown-ups can do things like relax at the Mandara Spa, try one of the fine dining restaurants, or enjoy other attractions around Orlando.