Swan Reserve Opens at Disney World!
The Swan Reserve hotel opened today at Walt Disney World. In this post, we’ll share details from the press release, thoughts on the new resort, and Harmonious fireworks photos from rooftop observation area. Let’s start with the announcement:
Amidst the excitement of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is making even more magic today (November 3, 2021) with the much-anticipated opening of its newest addition, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Part of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, the hotel is designed to be an intimate and tranquil oasis like no other.
This 14-story hotel, positioned adjacent to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in the middle of Walt Disney World Resort, features a captivating design offering 349 spacious and versatile guest rooms — including 151 suites — with incredible floor-to-ceiling views of the resort. This, along with its perfect location within walking distance to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, provides the ideal opportunity for guests to be in the heart of Disney’s big celebration.
Additional features include Amare, the signature Mediterranean restaurant; a grab-n-go café; scenic pool area with elevated deck and fire pit; and an exciting array of Walt Disney World guest benefits. These perks include more time in the theme parks with the early entry and extended evening hours benefits.
“With its relaxing atmosphere, fascinating design, stunning views, perfect proximity, and adjacent location to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, guests have every option imaginable for a magical getaway, said Area General Manager Sean Verney. “This is the moment we all have been waiting for and we look forward to offering an experience like nothing else, thanks to a location that’s like nowhere else.”
The attractive versatility in design and amenities makes the hotel ideal for families wanting additional guest room space or for meetings, weddings, and other special events. The picturesque top-floor venue, The Vue, is an exclusive rooftop space offering views of the surrounding area.
In total, the property has more than 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including 2 ballrooms and 12 meeting rooms and more than 13,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space. This, combined with access to the adjacent Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, makes it a must-see in Walt Disney World Resort.
Inside and out, the hotel’s design inspiration is a bold tribute to the environment surrounding it. The exterior building design recreates the reflective light from the hotel’s scenic Crescent Lake, while the interior creates a tropical feel which intentionally blurs the lines between indoors and out, with everything from lush greenery to distinctive tropical murals on each floor.
The tropical theme continues along the hotel’s exterior landscape, with orange trees lining the entryway and poolside areas, including aromatic orange blossoms and vibrant fruit, a subtle nod to the region’s citrus legacy.
Guests of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve will have full access to all the amenities at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, including the Mandara Spa, six pools, 22 restaurants and lounges, preferred tee times on nearby Disney championship golf courses, and four additional signature restaurants: Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo, Il Mulino and Kimonos.
The award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin reside amongst the greatest theme parks and attractions in Central Florida. They are located between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.
Over the weekend, we were invited to watch Harmonious from the Vue, which is the Swan Reserve’s rooftop observation deck.
To my knowledge, this area is private space for conventions, weddings, etc. and there’s no public access to a viewing deck outside of events. That’s really a shame, as the views are impressive.
Nevertheless, this should roughly approximate the views guests on higher floors with theme park facing rooms will have of Harmonious.
It’s an awesome observation area, but more impressive for the 360º views of Walt Disney World than Harmonious (the water is blocked by the Swan, so no Stargate from up here). You can see everything from Expedition Everest to Cinderella Castle–even the Tower of Terror billboard!
Ultimately, we’re excited that the Swan Reserve is now open at Walt Disney World after a few delays and displaced guests. Hopefully good news for anyone with an upcoming stay this month or in December, or those considering a reservation at the Swan Reserve. We’ll review the property at some point in the coming months, but for now, we don’t hesitate to recommend it based on what we’ve seen thus far.
As discussed in our Photo Tour of the Swan Reserve (which features room photos), which of these hotels is right for you will depend upon preferences. Location-wise, the Swan Reserve is farther from Epcot and Hollywood Studios than the Swan & Dolphin. The in-building amenities are also more scaled back, so if you want a wealth of dining options under the same roof, one of those will likely be your better bet.
However, the main pool is about the same distance from the main buildings, and even those lobbies aren’t much of a walk. Beyond that, the rooms at the Swan Reserve seem nicer across the board. While the Swan & Dolphin did undergo a room overhauls not long ago, these are still newer and more modernized. Not to mention the variety of room layouts, which will be huge for families or anyone wanting more space.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you stayed at the Swan and/or Dolphin? What did you think of those hotels? Looking forward to checking out the Swan Reserve? Do these accommodations look appealing to you, or is this not to your tastes, preferences, or needs? Do you agree or disagree with our early assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi. I have a reservation at both swan and reserve as I was concerned that reserve wouldn’t be open. Question, would the walk to the dolphin pool be a burden for my 6 y/o?
The walk to the main pool is about the same distance from Swan Reserve as it is from the Dolphin. The only difference is that you’re crossing a street from the Reserve.
I stayed at Swan two nights ago and then moved to Swan Reserve last night. Although technically it’s “further” it really doesn’t feel it. I timed a 13 minute walk from Reserve to International Gateway, which seemed quite reasonable. I was very impressed with the floor to ceiling windows, and I got upgraded to 14th floor Epcot view, so it was very similar to the picture above. I was surprised to get turndown service and a lollipop on the bed, not sure if that’s due to the hotel being new, or my Marriott status, or just random. Best of all though, the breakfast buffet is far superior to the Swan or Dolphin, and they all end up about the same price of a $15 upcharge for full buffet (if you have a Marriott status voucher). Fresh at Dolphin used to be my favorite, in large part due to the variety of fresh juices offered, but apparently they moved the juice machine from Fresh to here at Reserve 🙂 For me personally, I’ll probably stay at Swan or Dolphin or Reserve based on which has the cheapest cash/points cost (difference in distance doesn’t really matter), but I’ll always use my vouchers for breakfast at Reserve.
From the outside, it looks like an office complex to me. To each his own.
Oh absolutely. The outside is boring as can be.
Please discontinue notifications. I am no longer interested in WDW news.
Susan—-I’m with you
If I can’t stay on Disney Property then I’m NOT going
This just added to my list of places to stay if my favorites have zero availability
Those floor to ceiling views look to be pretty sweet.
And if you like mini-golf, you’re right next to two fun courses.
We were there last week for the Food and Wine classic and agree that it was very well-done and had great entertainment! We’ve stayed at the Swan/Dolphin quite a few times over the last several years and love the location, lovely rooms, and outstanding restaurants!
Relieved that it is open.My husband and I have a reservation early
Dec.Does anyone know if you will need a reservation for breakfast or lunch?
I’m on the hunt for a wedding venue now, and of course we’re considering Disney locations. As one of the few Harmonious diehard fans out there, the prospect of that viewing deck during the reception makes this very enticing.
Love the photos! Do you know if Amare is taking dining reservations?
That was fast we were just there last month and looked like considerable construction was left. We will have to check it out next trip.
We’re staying here in December! So excited!!
The new hotel looks absolutely lovely and the views? Spectacular! I’ll have to look into it. As a die hard “stay on the property” guest for my entire adult life (who absolutely cannot fathom my friend who says “why bother? stay at one of the hotels on the highway. To which my response is, “Are you kidding me? The atmosphere! The fun places to eat! The total immersion in all things Disney 24/7” but I digress…I ALWAYS stay in an official Disney property and haven’t included the Swan or Dolphin. I’m thinking about this now.
Although I was staying at a different hotel complex this past week I had dinner at Il Mulino, at The Swan. We very much enjoyed the food, the service, and the presentation. We also found ourselves in the middle of the Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, which we thought was absolutely fantastic. The super large, but well accommodated crowd that attended seemed to be enjoying the vast presentations of wine and food that were offered to the ticket purchasers. The entertainment provided was really top notch. There was a 10 piece band along with at least three talented singers. The event was one of casual sophistication. It was one of our most pleasant experiences at Disneyworld this week and we highly recommend attending this event next year.