I don’t often travel without Chris, but when I do, I pick the hotel I stay at with great care. Each year, Chris and a group of guys he’s been friends with since high school get together for a long weekend at a cabin in Minnesota’s great Up North. When he does, I plan a girls’ getaway. This year, I chose to spend our four days apart with our eldest granddaughter (she’s 6) in Orlando. While there, I was also able to spend time with my daughter and her significant other.
Editor’s Note: This review was originally published in October 2023 and updated in September 2025 to reflect our most recent stay at the Swan Reserve.
2025 Update: Our Most Recent Stay
Two years later, we returned. This time, we upgraded to a room with a sparkling view of Epcot. I’ll never forget the three of us sprinting from the bus after a night at Disney Springs, racing through the hallway like madwomen as the first fireworks burst overhead…We made it just in time to watch the show from our window. A magical Disney moment we didn’t plan, but treasure.
Making the Most of Early Entry
Unlike our first stay, we actually made it out the door early enough to take advantage of Disney’s Early Entry perk, available to those staying at the resort. On this trip, we visited Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. Thanks to my daughter’s sharp eye, we avoided the consequences of one rookie-level mistake I made on our way back from Magic Kingdom. I didn’t read the tip sheet provided at check-in. If I had, I would have known the exact spot to meet the return bus at Magic Kingdom. Since we grabbed a ride share to get there a bit earlier than the shuttles were running, which worked out well, we didn’t see where the bus would be. Thankfully, Elizabeth spotted our bus before we wandered off in the wrong direction.
Getting Around: Shuttles & Boats
Speaking of transportation, I continue to be impressed. The Swan Reserve offers:
Shuttles to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs
Friendship Water Taxis to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (with backup shuttles if the weather doesn’t cooperate)
We never once had to stand—there was always a seat available. That was not the case when we stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans, where buses were often packed. It may have helped that this trip was just after Labor Day weekend instead of peak summer. But even on our first visit, the Friendship boats were never overcrowded. Arriving at Disney parks relaxed and unhurried really makes a difference.
Parking Fees vs. Car Service
As before, I skipped renting a car. Self-parking at Swan Reserve runs $38 plus tax per night, which adds up quickly. Instead, I rely on Elife Limo—not an actual limo, but always a clean car with a reliable driver. It’s a smooth, stress-free option that beats waiting on Uber or dealing with a lengthy shuttle bus trip.
Service and Resort Perks
Guests at Swan Reserve also have access to the Disney Planning Centers inside the Dolphin and Swan, as well as all the pools across the three resorts. There’s a gym on-site, though I haven’t made it there yet. Service remains outstanding. Check-in is still done while seated, which feels far more welcoming than standing at a counter. I was unsure about how to set up early entry in the Disney app, so the front desk associate patiently walked me through every step.
One small detail that meant the world to my granddaughter: the hammocks. I’d forgotten about them, but she hadn’t. Every day she asked when we’d have hammock time, and we finally made it happen on our last morning. It was the perfect way to end our stay, swinging gently in the Florida sun and reliving our favorite moments.
A Look Inside Swan Reserve
Want a quick peek at what staying at the Swan Reserve is really like? We put together this YouTube Short to give you a feel for the hotel — from the sleek lobby and resort vibes to the little details that made our stay special. Press play below to see why this Disney Deluxe Hotel continues to be one of our top picks.
Why I Chose Swan Reserve for Our Disney Girls' Trip
When I travel without Chris—especially with a little one in tow—I put extra thought into choosing the right hotel. For the first girls’ weekend with my then 6-year-old granddaughter, I had a few non-negotiables and a couple of nice-to-haves. Here’s what I was looking for:
Close to the Magic: I wanted to stay on (or very near) Walt Disney World Resort property so we could skip the rental car and still have easy access to the parks.
Great Onsite Dining: A variety of dining options was essential—including a café that opened early enough to grab coffee and a pastry before rope drop.
Safety First: While I trust Disney’s reputation for safety, I still made my choice with comfort and security top of mind.
Loyalty Points Perk: As frequent travelers and Marriott Bonvoy members, earning points was a nice bonus—even if it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Convenient Park Access: Since we planned to visit Epcot and Hollywood Studios, I prioritized hotels with walkable or easy access to those parks.
What to Expect at the Swan Reserve
The Swan Reserve is the newest addition to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort family and is officially classified as a Disney Deluxe Hotel. It opened in November 2021 with 349 rooms and offers a quieter, more refined experience compared to its larger neighbors—the Swan and Dolphin—which sit just across the street. I appreciated the newer construction (great for anyone with allergies like mine) and the lower foot traffic, which made the entire stay feel more relaxed and secure.
As a Marriott Bonvoy property, Swan Reserve also lets you earn hotel loyalty points—something I always look for when we travel. I racked up 13,227 points during our stay, which felt like a nice bonus.
Dining is a major highlight here. Between the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve, guests have access to six signature restaurants, five casual spots, five quick-service counters, and seven lounges. In short, way more dining options than we had time to try. Grounds, the lobby café at Swan Reserve, became our go-to each morning. It opens at 6 a.m.—which was perfect for grabbing coffee and a pastry before waking up my granddaughter to the Toy Story soundtrack.
Getting to the parks couldn’t have been easier. A complimentary boat took us to Hollywood Studios, and we walked to Epcot without any trouble—even in the heat of August.
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Was staying at Walt Disney World Swan Reserve the Right Choice?
Checking in was a breeze. I sat across from the woman at the front desk as she took my information and went over the resort’s amenities with care. Chris always handles checking us into hotels, so though it may sound silly, it’s not a process I feel at ease with. Resort maps baffle me. Plus, my ears were ringing from the flight. She patiently re-explained things to me, and when I apologized, she made it seem as if every guest walked into their hotel with ringing ears and a poor sense of direction. It was “no problem at all.” Bonus: my room was ready.
Swan Reserve is glassy and classy. Our “no-view” room had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the swimming pool with its chic vibe. When Audi and I used the pool on a mid-August night, we were the only ones in the pool for at least thirty minutes. She couldn’t get over the pool’s prettiness. The sun set while we were out there, making the evening even more magical. After a while, another family came out, and Audi made fast friends with their children.
Before I can really say if the Swan Reserve was the right choice for us, we need to talk food.
Were the Dining Options at the Swan & Dolphin Resort Right For Us?
Each evening, we dined at a different restaurant—night one at Il Mulino New York Trattoria with my daughter, her boyfriend, and Audi. It was a short walk from our room in the Swan Reserve to be transported all the way to New York and to dine on food inspired by the mountainous Abruzzi region. We adults shared a wonderful bottle of Vermentino, a lovely Italian white. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I only took a picture of my Pollo Scarpariello (hand-cut chicken with garlic, white wine, wild mushrooms, and spicy cherry peppers). It was divine and free from all of my food allergies.* Audi was called a princess several times by staff, and the fancy dress she wore with her Minnie Mouse ears received several compliments from guests and staff alike. She was treated like royalty, which thrilled my grandma-heart (of course).
After spending a full day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I thought Audi might want to go with one of the more casual options offered, but I should have known better. After all, Fancy Nancy is the only character at Hollywood Studios that she ran full force to meet. Audi wanted a fancy meal, so I made reservations for the two of us at Amare Mediterranean Restaurant in the Swan Reserve.
We were greeted as friends the moment we entered. Service was at a nice pace and so friendly. I spotted a fun mocktail on their menu, so Audi had the perfect fancy girl start to her meal. Our dinners were delicious. I ordered the Angus Beef Grilled Souvlaki, and Audi dined on spaghetti with two meatballs added on from the kids’ menu. The struggle to eat spaghetti in a fancy way is real, especially for a 6-year-old. All-in-all she did quite well.
When I looked around the restaurant, I noticed other solo adults with children. Like Audi, all of the children were on their best behavior. I think there’s something about sharing an elevated experience with a child and really engaging in conversation with them that keeps the experience fun and classy for everyone in the room. I didn’t hear any loud electronics babysitting anyone, or any demanding tantrums being thrown.
Once our meal was done, we went to our room to get ready to spend time at the pool. Life felt fancy and fabulous, and our girls’ weekend together was turning out as I hoped it would.
On night three, it was the four of us again. Audi and I spent the day at Epcot. We all met for dinner at Rosa Mexicano. All of us love Mexican food, but I had some reservations when I made our reservations weeks ahead of the trip. Their Google Reviews were at less than 4 stars when I booked. As I write this, they have 3.7 stars but only 72 reviews. When Audi and I arrived, I was a little concerned because the hostess seemed to have forgotten about us. As soon as I went up and reminded her that we were waiting, she apologized and found a table for us.
Our server was fabulous. Attentive, informative, confident, and encouraging us to get appetizers and add-ons. My daughter and I gave their spicy cucumber margaritas a try – they were a delight. My steak tacos were delish. We were all enjoying our time together too much to take photos of our food. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals. It was the perfect way to end our weekend together.
In September 2025, we ate breakfast once at Garden Grove. Otherwise, our full days at the parks prevented us from eating at any of the Disney Dolphin & Swan properties.
The environment is lovely with its relaxed green vibes meant to evoke New York’s Central Park. It was a calm, low-key way to spend the last morning of our Disney Girls’ Weekend.
Our adult entrees were good but not extraordinary. A Croque Madame for me. Eggs Benedict for Elizabeth. A fine meal, but not a standout. Audi, however, ate all of her Kids’ Mickey Waffles and was 110% delighted, so take that review for what it’s worth.
Would I Stay at Swan Reserve Again?
Would I stay at Swan Reserve again? Yes. Most definitely. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and we didn’t even get to explore or take advantage of all its amenities. Book your stay.
For example, as a Swan Reserve Guest, you can get Disney Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. We never could get out our hotel door early enough to make use of this benefit. Plus, it was mid-August, and we wilted too early to stay late. We could have used the pools at the Swan and Dolphin, but we were happy at Swan Reserve’s pool. Maybe next time we’ll do more exploring.
*On food allergies. Every Disney Dolphin & Swan Resort restaurant and every restaurant at the Disney Theme Parks went above and beyond to accommodate my food allergies. Even when I let them know that my food allergies weren’t severe, they insisted that those preparing the food would switch gloves, just in case.
Looking for more Disney details? Check out our other posts for hotel reviews, park tips, and magical moments.
- Dining at Disney: Unforgettable Meals at Walt Disney World
- Disney Packing List for a Stress-Free Girls’ Trip
- Walt Disney World Girls’ Trip with Grandma & Granddaughter
- Port Orleans Riverside Review: Disney Hotel with Royal Rooms
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