Frequently Asked Questions About The Disney World Swan And Dolphin

It’s a Swan Fountain at the Swan Hotel. Is that Disney-resort-level theming? You decide.
What are the differences between the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve?
That’s way more than we could pack in this one article. I’ll refer you to Why You Should Consider the Swolphin Rather Than A Disney Hotel.
“On-Site” Disney World Perks for Swan and Dolphin Guests
When can Swan and Dolphin guests make Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservations?
Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve guests can begin purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass 7 days in advance of their arrival date, for the length of their stay. This is the same advance booking window as guests of Disney resort hotels. This is one of the perks that is available to those staying at the Swan & Dolphin but not other area hotels.
Can Swan and Dolphin guests buy the Lightning Lane Premier Pass?
Yes. Lightning Lane Premier Pass is available for purchase by guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve. You can purchase up to 7 days in advance of your visit, the same as guests of Disney’s Deluxe resorts.
Are guests of the Swan and Dolphin eligible for Early Theme Park Entry?
Yes, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve get Early Theme Park Entry. This benefit allows guests of the hotel to enter the parks at least half an hour before they open to regular visitors. Our experience is that most guests will be able to do between 1 and 3 attractions during Early Entry with much shorter lines than they’ll find later in the day.
Are guests of the Swan and Dolphin eligible for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours?
Yes, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are eligible for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. EETPH was announced as part of the Disney World 50th Anniversary and has continued since. These Extended Evening Hours give qualifying guests two extra hours in the parks after they close to day guests.

When can you make Disney World dining reservations if you’re staying at the Swan and Dolphin?
Guests at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can make reservations starting 60 days from the beginning of their stay. Even better, they qualify for the 60+10 rule. That means they can usually reserve for their entire stay as soon as their dining window opens.
Do the Swan and Dolphin qualify as “on-site” hotels for hard-ticket event booking?
Yes. When Disney releases tickets for events such as Disney After Hours, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, guests with a qualifying resort reservation usually have access to an early booking window before the general public. Those with reservations at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve qualify to buy tickets during this early access period. However, the Swolphin is not usually considered a qualifying reservation for Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic events.
If you are an Annual Passholder, do the Swan and Dolphin count as “on-site” hotels for making park pass reservations?
Yes, the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve count as on-site hotels for Annual Passholders who are making Park Pass reservations. You will be able to make a park reservation for each day of your stay, and these reservations will not count against your normal allotment.
If you are staying at the Swan and Dolphin, do you get free parking at the theme parks?
Yes, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve get free parking at the Disney World theme parks.
Can you use MagicBands to charge to your room at the Swan & Dolphin?
No. Guests staying at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve do not have resort-wide charging privileges at Disney World. Thus, neither MagicBands nor MagicMobile can be used to charge to your room. However, you can charge to your room from the restaurants and shops at the Swolphin complex itself, like any other hotel.
If you’re doing a Disney World split stay with the Swan & Dolphin as one of the resorts, will Disney transfer your luggage?
No. Disney will only transfer your luggage between hotels that Disney owns and operates. That doesn’t include the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve.
Are Swan and Dolphin guests eligible for the arrival day Water Park Benefit?
No. Continuing into 2026, guests staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel may be eligible to visit a water park free of charge on their arrival day. However, the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are not considered part of this group, and guests of these hotels are not eligible for the free water park entry.
Transportation Questions
Do the Disney buses go to the Swan and Dolphin?
No. As of 2020, the Swan & Dolphin are not part of Disney World’s bus system and instead provide their own free buses to the parks and Disney Springs. This matters most at the Magic Kingdom, where Swan & Dolphin buses go to the Transportation & Ticket Center instead of directly to the front of the theme park. From the TTC, you’ll need to take the monorail or a ferry boat to reach the park entrance.
However, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. They also have access to the Disney-operated Friendship Boats that serve EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and the other Crescent Lake area resorts.
Finally, guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve who drive to Disney World will have to pay for parking at their hotel. But they get complimentary parking at the theme parks.
The Crescent Lake Friendship Boats stop at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve – and also at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
Does Mears Connect go to the Swan and Dolphin?
Yes, the Mears Connect airport shuttles do offer service to and from the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve.
Can you use Minnie Van service at the Swan and Dolphin?
Yes, Minnie Vans will both pick up and drop off at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels.
Questions About Reservations and Fees
How can you make a reservation at the Swan and Dolphin?
Reservations at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can be made in any of the following ways:

If you have a large party or are looking for something special, like a King with a kitchenette adjoining a standard room, consider calling the hotel reservations department directly. Sorry, millennials, but it’s often easier than trying to do it all online. You may also find offers available that aren’t listed on the website.
Can you link your Swan and Dolphin reservation to My Disney Experience?
Yes. Making a reservation on the Disney World website will automatically link the reservation to your My Disney Experience account. You’ll need to manually link reservations made directly with the Swan & Dolphin, but Disney has made that easy. Your Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve reservation confirmation number can be entered directly into MDE to link your reservation.
Is there an advantage to booking the Swan and Dolphin through Disney?
If you’re only making a room reservation, then no. If you’re booking a Disney Vacation Package that includes tickets, then you’ll need to book through Disney’s website or a travel agent. One advantage of Vacation Packages is that the tickets are fully refundable if you need to cancel your vacation. But, buying components separately may come with more savings.
Can you stay at the Swan and Dolphin using reward points?
Yes. You can use Marriott Bonvoy rewards to reserve a stay at any of the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve. Stays at these resorts that are reserved with cash also earn Marriott Bonvoy points.

Is there a resort fee at the Swan and Dolphin?
Yes, the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve all charge a resort fee. This fee doesn’t include parking, which is an extra charge if you drive. You need to pay the resort fee even if you reserve your room using Marriott Bonvoy reward points.
Do you have to pay for parking at the Swan and Dolphin?
Yes. Guests staying at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve need to pay for parking. Guests who are just visiting also need to pay for parking, although some of the restaurants will validate parking. The restaurants that validate parking are Amare, Il Mulino, Kimonos, Rosa Mexicana, Bourbon Steak, and Todd English’s bluezoo.
How do prices at the Swan and Dolphin compare to official Disney resorts?
Prices at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are often much lower than comparable Deluxe resorts, as much as 50% lower. However, those rates are highly dependent on the season, and at more popular times of the year the gap can be narrow to non-existent. The resort fee is included in the price displayed, but if you’re bringing a car, don’t forget to factor in parking fees when comparing prices.
Can you get the Disney Dining Plan if you’re staying at the Swan and Dolphin?
No. This is one of the few ways in which these hotels are truly different from an official Disney Resort hotel. You cannot add the Dining Plan to a reservation at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve.

Do Disney World discount offers include the Swan and Dolphin?
No. When Disney World releases offers and promotions, they don’t include these hotels since they are not Disney-operated. But the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve run their own promotions, and they may coincide with discounts on Disney World resorts. These include promotions for Florida Residents and Disney World Annual Passholders. It never hurts to check.
Questions About Paying at the Swan & Dolphin
Can you use Disney Gift Cards at the Swan & Dolphin?
Mostly no. The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are not Disney-owned properties and don’t have agreements with Disney that commit them to accept Disney Gift Cards. Although there may be a few random exceptions, you generally can’t use Disney Gift cards at the restaurants or shops in these hotels, nor can you use them to pay your bill.
Can you use MagicBands to pay at the Swan & Dolphin?
No. The stores and restaurants at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve aren’t on Disney’s payment system. If you’re staying at another Disney World resort, you can’t pay for things at the Swan and Dolphin hotels using either MagicBand or MagicMobile.
Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at the Swan and Dolphin restaurants?
No. The Swan, Dolphin, & Swan Reserve restaurants don’t participate in the Disney Dining Plan. You can’t use Table Service, Quick Service, or Snack credits in the eateries at these hotels.
Miscellaneous Questions
Is there pool hopping at the Swan and Dolphin?
Kinda. Guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can use all the pools at the complex no matter which hotel they are staying in. But they are not eligible to use the pools at other Disney World resort hotels. If it’s any consolation, that perk doesn’t come standard with a Disney resort hotel stay either. And even Disney Vacation Club members who do qualify for pool hopping can’t use the pools at the Swolphin.
The Swan & Dolphin complex has some lovely pools. You can only use them if you’re staying at one of the three hotels.
Can you see fireworks from the Swan and Dolphin?
Yes. The hotels are located about midway between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. All three hotels offer at least a few rooms with views of fireworks. Several public spaces such as restaurants or lounges also have excellent fireworks viewing.
Can you buy theme park tickets at the Swan and Dolphin?
Yes. The vacation planning desk at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve can help you with tickets and other aspects of your Disney World vacation.
I’m sure we missed something. Was it your question? Let us know in the comments!
(Originally published June 20, 2023. Last updated/republished October 3, 2025.)

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