There are over 20 Disney World hotels to choose from when planning your vacation, not counting the Good Neighbor Hotels nearby!
Swan and Dolphin: A Hidden Gem
Good Neighbor hotels are hotels that aren’t owned by Disney but have a partnership with the Company that allows people to enjoy some of the perks of staying at a Disney World hotel. This includes things like free transportation to the parks and Disney Springs, Early Entry, and, starting July 24th, being able to book Lightning Lane selections up to seven days before your arrival date. There are a lot of Good Neighbor Hotels to choose from, but we’re personally HUGE fans of the Swan and Dolphin Hotels — here’s why!
The Luxurious Beds
Many guests love staying at Disney World hotels because they find the beds extremely comfortable. They’re not too soft or hard, and that’s the perfect medium for many guests. Most Disney World hotels use Beautyrest Disney Pillow Top Mattresses, and they’re so great that most frequent guests can TELL when those mattresses aren’t being used. However, the beds at the Swan and Dolphin hotels are even BETTER. The Swan and Dolphin hotels are operated by Marriott, and they choose to use different mattresses. The beds here are Westin Heavenly Beds, described as having a “pillow-top mattress, a white goose-down comforter, and four overstuffed pillows.” And guess what? They truly are heavenly from both what we’ve experienced and heard from our readers who stay there! Getting enough sleep in Disney World is WILDLY important because you’ll be going, going, going all day long, and doing that without adequate rest? It’s a recipe for disaster. We always know we’ll get a great night’s sleep here (but never want to get out of bed, which is a problem).
Prime Location Near Disney Parks
Let’s play a little comparison game: at the Swan and Dolphin hotels, you’re within walking distance to EPCOT, a short boat ride away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and have complimentary bus transportation to the parks and Disney Springs. A room at these hotels for one night from July 19th through July 20th is between $367-$474 with no discounts, depending on how fancy you’d like to go. A similar Disney World hotel would be located on or near Disney’s BoardWalk, which puts you within walking distance of EPCOT and comes with complimentary transportation to the remainder of the parks and Disney Springs. Staying at the Swan or Dolphin hotels can give you a similar deluxe Disney hotel experience for hundreds of dollars less! For some families, this is a fantastic way to have the same level of service and expectation from your hotel at a lower price point.
Escape the Disney Theming
For those of you out there who aren’t huge fans of having Disney-theming as part of every single second of your Disney World vacation, the Swan and Dolphin hotels might be a great fit. While these hotels are on Disney World property, there isn’t any major of Disney theming in the hotel or hotel rooms. While some families want Disney-theming everywhere, or at least hints of it, others prefer a simple, elegant hotel experience. If you want a bit of a break from the theming when you’re not in the parks, AND you’re looking to, again, stay at more of a deluxe-level hotel, this is the spot for you! You’re still close to the action of Disney World, though, which is great! Walk 10–15 minutes, and you’ll find yourself in EPCOT, so you can immerse yourself in the Disney magic whenever you like. We’re always here to help you plan your next Disney World vacation, so stay tuned to DFB!