This is How to Staycation at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
This Disney staycation at the Swan and Dolphin Resort is perfect for a low-key family getaway.
Looking for a fun Disney vacation without the crowded parks, overpriced tickets and long lines? A Disney hotel staycation has all the magic without the fuss.
When picking where to check in for a Disney hotel staycation, we recommend one of the resort hubs with multiple properties in walking distance — and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort on Crescent Lake is the perfect location.
You get access to multiple pools, outdoor sports and activities, 17 restaurants and lounges, and a huge spa facility at the Swan and Dolphin. And, it’s just a 10-minute stroll around a scenic lake to three other Disney resorts. Plus, if you do decide to pop into a park, Epcot and Hollywood Studios are a short walk or boat ride away.
Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin are actually two separate hotel buildings, but they’re both managed by Marriott International and share amenities like the resort pool deck and a sandy lagoon beachfront. Since they’re on Disney property, they also have guest perks like complimentary Disney transportation to theme parks, Extra Magic Hours, and character dining on-site.
The Swan and Dolphin are both four-star resorts, but they’re typically much cheaper than their neighboring Disney Deluxe hotels — Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Swan and Dolphin staycation guests can enjoy the lounges, beachfront, restaurants and lakeside walking path at these properties.
We’ve rounded up the 10 best things to do at the Swan and Dolphin for a Disney staycation. Scroll to the bottom for info on how to find the best deals and book a stay.
10 Things to Do at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort
Splash in the Pools
The huge pool deck at the Swan and Dolphin wraps around a sandy beach and lagoon between the two hotels and is the perfect spot to hang out on a summer or spring staycation. Features like a waterfall grotto, lush palm tree landscaping and whirlpools nestled into coves give off tropical resort vibes. You can even reserve a poolside cabana with a mini-fridge, TV and fruit bowl included.
Kids will love the twisty slide, kiddie pool, deck games and floats you can rent from a beach hut. There is also a playground a few steps from the pool on the sandy beach.
With two poolside restaurants available, you can stick to the lounge chairs all day. Just pull out the Swan and Dolphin app to order.
Walk Around Crescent Lake
One of the best features of Disney’s Swan and Dolphin hotels is the proximity to Crescent Lake. Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club and BoardWalk Inn ring the waterfront, opening up more than a dozen extra dining options and a few shops. Try the BoardWalk Bakery for morning pastries and coffee or grab a burger and milkshake from the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop.
While you can’t access the pools at these neighboring properties without being a guest, you can enjoy the other public spaces like a sandy beach, indoor lounge areas and lakeside tables on the boardwalk.
It’s about a mile loop to walk around the lake or you can rent surrey bikes for a fun family ride.
Ride the Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner stops at the International Gateway at Epcot, which is about a half-mile walk from the Swan and Dolphin, right next to the Beach Club.
From Epcot, the colorful Skyliner gondolas go to a transit hub at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and connect to Hollywood Studios and the Riviera, Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts.
You can take a ride to hotel hop for more dining and entertainment options or just to enjoy the sights from above (look out for landmarks like the Epcot ball and Tower of Terror).
Lounge on the Sandy Beach
The white sand beach at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin sits on a lagoon with views of the colorful hotels. You can play a game of beach volleyball or simply relax in one of the lounge chairs while the kids run around on the playground or build sandcastles.
Have a Fancy Dinner Out
With 17 restaurants and lounges on the Swan and Dolphin property, plus a dozen more in walking distance, you’ll have plenty of dining options during a Disney hotel staycation.
For a romantic meal out, make a reservation for seafood at Todd English’s bluezoo, sushi at Kimonos, pasta at Trattoria Il Mulino, or ribeyes at Shula’s Steakhouse. The Dolphin typically runs an evening kids camp for date night, but it’s not currently open.
More casual options include a Mediterranean buffet, the Fountain for burgers and sandwiches, and Garden Grove for breakfast, lunch and weekend Disney character dining.
Play Games
You’ll find all sorts of different family-friendly games and activities around the Swan and Dolphin property. Arcades on the first floor of the Dolphin and at the neighboring Crescent Lake resorts have video games and air hockey.
Near the pool deck, you’ll find outdoor activities like cornhole, oversized chess, water volleyball and ping pong.
Rent a Boat
Did you know you can rent boats to explore the lakes on Disney property? The Swan and Dolphin have little boats shaped like swans to pedal around the lagoon but wander over to the Yacht Club marina to rent larger motorized vessels you can drive around Crescent Lake.
If you want to take a free ride just for fun, the water transit boats from Epcot and Hollywood Studios stop at the Swan and Dolphin.
Try a Spa Treatment
The Balinese-style Mandara Spa at the Swan and Dolphin features a tea garden and meditation garden inside the 10,500-square-foot haven. Treat yourself to a body polish or deep-tissue massage, or pop in for a spa manicure and pedicure.
Stay Active
There are tons of ways to keep active during a Disney hotel staycation at the Swan and Dolphin. The health clubs in each hotel feature amenities like a yoga room, weight training equipment, Peloton spin classes and on-demand video workouts.
Outdoors, you can swim laps in the Swan’s pool, play beach or pool volleyball, or jog the running path (maps for different trail lengths are available in the fitness centers).
Play a Round of (Mini) Golf
Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Fairways mini golf courses are right across the street from the Swan and Dolphin. Perfect for families, the Gardens course has typical putt-putt obstacles and colorful characters, while the Fairways is designed more like a mini version of a standard golf course, full of sand traps and water hazards.
If you want to level up to real golf, Swan and Dolphin guests can book advanced tee times at three 18-hole courses and a 9-hole walking course on Disney property. Footgolf is also available at the Oak Trail course.
How to Book a Disney Hotel Staycation at the Swan and Dolphin
Where to Book Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel
Rooms and suites at the two hotels come with double, queen or king beds, plus perks like balconies, lagoon views and Epcot fireworks views.
