Hotel Review: Marriott Swan Reserve at Walt Disney World.

I’ve now stayed at six resorts at Walt Disney World – a mix of both onsite Disney and offsite.

However, Marriott Swan Reserve quickly became one of my favourites, and I’m SO excited to tell you why!

The Swan Reserve is not only luxurious and contemporary, but the Disney benefits it provides and location are insane considering it’s not an official Disney hotel.

So, ready to find out why you need to book Swan Reserve for your next Disney trip?! Let’s go!

Benefits of Booking Swan Reserve 

Although a Marriott resort, Swan Reserve is an official Disney Partner hotel – which is one step up from the Good Neighbour hotels.

The perks of being an official Disney Partner hotel are that it’s classed as a Deluxe resort, and as a result it gets most of the Deluxe benefits.

The Deluxe benefits you’re eligible for at Swan Reserve are:

• Early entry to the parks
• Extended evening hours
• Free bus transportation
• Free boat transportation to EPCOT
• The ability to book your dining reservations 60 days in advance for your entire trip length + lightning lanes seven days in advance
• Ability to link your stay on the My Disney Experience app
• You can also use all of the swimming pools at the Swan & Dolphin resorts

Of course, one of the key benefits of staying at Swan Reserve over other Disney results, is that you can also earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at Swan Reserve!

The main differences are that you cannot charge room purchases to your Disney MagicBand, and you cannot book packages with Disney dining plans on Disney’s main website.

But for me, the key reason to book Swan Reserve, is that it actually feels like a luxury resort.

Unlike Disney’s other Deluxe resorts (i.e. Polynesian, Grand Floridian etc), you get things like turndown service, plush robes and slippers, plush & larger towels, and a tranquil serenity the Disney own resorts just don’t have.

Location of Swan Reserve

The location of Swan Reserve is also incredible. 

Truly incredible.

It’s located just a 10 minute walk from Disney’s Boardwalk, and just a 15 minute walk away from both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. 

While the resort doesn’t have the official Disney bus service, you’re able to walk over to Boardwalk resort to use the bus service from there, or you can use the Skyliner from EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. 

You can also take the free friendship boats from Marriott’s Dolphin & Swan resorts directly to EPCOT.

If you really want a bus direct from Swan Reserve, the resort have their own bus service available (it’s just less frequent than Disney resort buses).

Arriving at Marriott’s Swan Reserve at Walt Disney World

I arrived at Marriott’s Swan Reserve after two nights staying at Disney’s Polynesian resort.

I was honestly stressed, frazzled, and overwhelmed from the chaos of the Polynesian. As soon as I stepped out of the Uber at Swan Reserve, I could feel my body instantly relax.

The staff were lovely, helpful, and took my luggage for me immediately and helped me out of the car with it all. Disney resorts could never.

I stepped into the lobby of the resort and my jaw dropped.

It’s contemporary, fresh, luxurious, and just absolutely beautiful. It also smells incredible. 

And, as well as elevators, there are aslo escalators to take you up from thr street level lobby to the main lobby area on the second floor. No walking required haha.

The experience was just so so different to the Disney resort experience, but in the best way. As an adult travelling solo, I instantly knew I was going to love this resort.

The staff also very kindly upgraded me to an EPCOT view room thanks to my Marriott Bonvoy status.

Traditional Epcot View Room

I had booked an entry level, basic room with no view at Swan Reserve using 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, so I was so so thrilled when they upgraded me to the Traditional EPCOT View Queen Room, which offers sweeping, unobstructed views of EPCOT and the nighttime fireworks.

When I walked in I was in loveeee! The view was actually jaw-dropping.

I mean LOOK at it!

Not only is the view incredible, but the room is just beautiful.

It felt fresh, contemporary, and really well designed. I adored the layout and the design.

The bathroom was also beautiful and I was very happy to finally have fluffy towels after a week with Disney’s awful, tiny rough ones.

Lovely plush robes and slippers were located in the closet, and free bottles of water had been left on the desk. 

The beds were super comfy and the bedding and sheets felt high quality. 

It was honestly pure bliss laying in bed that evening watching the EPCOT fireworks from the bed after getting back from an exhausting day at the parks.

I also thought it was super cute that they left chocolates and a little note for Mother’s Day with turndown service 🙂 

Pool & Amenities

One of the best things about Marriott Swan Reserve is the pool options.

Not only do you have access to the very swish Swan Reserve pool, but you also have access to the pools at the Dolphin and the Swan. 

I spent an hour or so at the Grotto pool at the Dolphin, and then I had about half an hour at the Swan Reserve pool. 

The Swan Reserve pool definitely feels more luxury than the Dolphin & Swan’s pools. It just feels more elevated, calmer, and has better quality sunbeds and towels. 

I’d recommend using Swan Reserve if you’re adults, but the Grotto is great for kiddos.

Restaurants & Bars

I didn’t actually eat at any of the restaurants at Swan Reserve as I had a dinner reservation at Beaches and Cream at the nearby Beach & Yacht Club resort, and then I wasn’t really hungry the following morning at breakfast time.

However, there are loads of options, both at the hotel itself and also in the surrounding area.

You’re able to use the restaurants at the Dolphin & Swan, plus obviously the Boardwalk area + Yacht & Beach Cub as they’re only a 10 minute walk away.

Service at Swan Reserve

The service was truly outstanding. Every staff member I encountered was so so lovely and really couldn’t do enough for me.

I hate to say it, but it was a noticeable difference from the service at the Polynesian.

Should you stay at Swan Reserve?

In my opinion, the Swan Reserve is one of the few true luxury resorts on Walt Disney World property. And yes, I’m including the Disney Deluxe resorts in that assessment. 

However, it doesn’t feel like a Disney resort, because it isn’t. There is no theming at all. 

For me, I would definitely do a split stay again with a few days at a Disney resort and then a couple of nights at Swan Reserve at the end just to have some chill time before heading home. That was the perfect scenario for me personally!

It’s also important to note, you do have to cross a road with traffic lights to get to the Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk areas. For me as a solo adult this was fine, but I think if you have kids you may not want to cross a road, especially late at night.

All-in-all, I had a really amazing stay at Marriott’s Swan Reserve and I would 100% stay there again!

Check out my guide: Comparing the 6 Best Luxury Resorts at Walt Disney World.

Also: What to Pack for Walt Disney World, Completing Walt Disney World’s 4-Park Challenge Solo, and my 5-Day Walt Disney World Itinerary for Solo Travelers.