After multiple delays, Marriott's new luxury Disney resort is finally open
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Great news for Walt Disney World Resort fans, the brand-new Swan Reserve hotel is finally open after a series of delays and setbacks.
The resort, one of the most anticipated hotel openings of the year, is a Marriott property located within walking distance of Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Earlier delays in the opening caused a headache for guests who had already made reservations for previous opening dates. At that time, many guests with cash reservations were moved to the nearby Swan and Dolphin properties, while those with Marriott award reservations were canceled outright with no specific accommodations or assistance provided beyond advising them to rebook their stay at the Swan or Dolphin if desired.
Luckily, those nightmares are over and guests can finally enjoy the property we've all been waiting for.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
For those unfamiliar, the Swan Reserve is a Marriott Autograph Collection property that allows you to earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points. As a Category 6 property, points prices range from 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott points per night. Cash prices for a standard room look to hover between $400 to $500 per night on many nights.
TPG senior editor Nick Ewen was recently able to book a room at Swan Reserve and use a Suite Night Award for an upcoming stay. When searching for SNA availability, Ewen was presented with 10 options for potential upgrades:
- Chairman 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed, Epcot view, Balcony
- Signature Pool View Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed
- Signature HollywoodStudio 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed
- Signature HollywoodStudio 1 Bedroom Suite, 2 Queen, Sofa bed
- Signature Epcot View Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed
- Signature Epcot View Suite, 2 Queen, Sofa bed
- Signature Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed
- Signature Suite, 2 Queen, Sofa bed
- Two Bedroom Suite 2 Bedroom Suite, Bedroom 1: 1 King, Bedroom 2: 1 Queen
- Junior Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed
This is in addition to five other options for standard rooms with better views (Epcot, Hollywood Studios or pool).
After submitting his request options, bolded in the list above, Ewan was notified via email that he was confirmed into the Signature Pool View Suite.
Back in late June, TPG got a sneak peek inside the hotel on a hard hat tour to see and share the progress.
Related: The best hotels to use points at Disney World
The points pricing is consistent with both the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels, both of which are also Category 6 properties. But the cash rates for the Swan Reserve are currently a good amount higher than those two resorts.
Related: Guide to visiting Walt Disney World
The Swan Reserve tower has 14 stories and 349 rooms — 151 of which are suites designed for families of six to 10 people.
The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve has its own signature restaurant, a grab-and-go market, a health club (that advertizes Peloton bikes) and its own pool.
Guests also have access to the amenities and pools at the Swan and Dolphin as well, though at least for now, there isn't a bridge connecting the two. You have to cross a small road to get from Swan Reserve to the other two properties.
Related: How much does it cost to go to Disney World
The Swan Reserve was still definitely an active construction site on our late June visit, but you could see the potential in the floor-to-ceiling windows and fun decor choices.
We saw a mix of room types and indeed saw many suites of different configurations and rooms with a mix of walk-in showers and shower/tub combos.
Many of the Swan Reserve’s rooms and suites have great fireworks views for when the evening fireworks shows return to all four of the Disney World parks.
The Swan Reserve is, by far, the most boutique of the hotels in the Swan and Dolphin complex. And while it's a little bit further for those looking to walk to Hollywood Studios or Epcot, that trade-off may be worth it to stay at the newest hotel on Disney property.
Related: These are the best places to stay at Disney World
The on-site, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Amare is open for three meals per day.
There’s also Grounds, a grab-and-go spot for a cup of coffee or light lunch.
Those looking to host events at the Swan Reserve can book the rooftop space, The Vue, with pretty epic indoor and outdoor views of all the surrounding areas.
Bottom line
Based on our earlier hard hat tour, we are excited about the potential the hotel has to offer, and are excited to check it out again now that it's finally open.
At Disney World, there are usually very real cost tradeoffs if you want to stay in one of the nicer “deluxe” on-property resorts. It’s common for a standard hotel room in a deluxe Disney World resort to cost $400 to $600 per night. And indeed, that’s currently where 2021 cash rates are hovering for the Swan Reserve.
But the beauty of it being a property under the Marriott umbrella is that you can instead redeem Marriott points or even a 50,000 Marriott certificate for a stay. In fact, right now, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card currently has a sign-up bonus of a free night (worth up to 50,000 bonus points) plus 125,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.
That means you could get three nights here during standard or off-peak nights with just one card welcome bonus. You’re not going to be able to do that at Disney’s Contemporary or the Grand Floridian. Then on top of that, you can put your Marriott elite perks to use and score a Platinum breakfast option and maybe even an upgrade into one of the resort’s many suites.
Stay tuned for more updates and news on the Swan Reserve and all things Walt Disney World.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees