In association with: Swan and Dolphin Resort
Stay in the heart of the parks at the recently expanded Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Do your clients want to experience the magic of Orlando, while staying at a resort that really does have it all to make their holiday even more special? Look no further than Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Set right among the parks, this spacious resort boasts 23 restaurants and lounges, six pools and a spa, all a stone’s throw from the Disney action.
EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are a complimentary water taxi or short stroll away, while a complimentary bus is on hand to shuttle guests to the Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom theme parks. Away from the parks, there’s a roster of activities to keep the family entertained, from minigolf to an evening kids’ club.
And there are plenty more reasons to sell too, with the new Walt Disney World Swan Reserve hotel having opened in late 2021, while Mexican restaurant Rosa Mexicano has just opened its first Orlando outpost at the resort.
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Opened in 2021, the 14-storey Walt Disney World Swan Reserve boasts 349 rooms, including 151 suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering idyllic views over the resort. It’s designed like a tropical oasis, so you’ll find colourful decor, vibrant murals and lush greenery throughout, with fragrant orange trees lining the entrance and poolside areas.
Head to the Vue rooftop for panoramic views over the area, tuck into Mediterranean plates at Amare, pick up a snack at the grab-n-go cafe or relax by the pool area, complete with a deck and fire pit.
Guests will also get all the perks of the entire resort – including early theme park entry and extended evening hours to beat the crowds, plus free parking to make getting around even easier
Rosa Mexicana
Food is part of the fun here, with numerous eateries to choose from across the resort – including the all‑new Rosa Mexicano. Clients can expect authentic Mexican dishes served in stylish, colourful surroundings – including a painting by legendary Mexican artist Frieda Kahlo – with cuisine handed down from founding chef Josefina Howard, who opened her first New York outpost in 1984.
Empanadas and quesadillas feature on the menu, while more than 100 varieties of tequila and agave-based spirits mean there’s plenty to lure adults. Try the restaurant’s now-legendary frozen pomegranate margarita to see why it got a name in New York City.
Culinary credentials
Away from Rosa Mexicano, culinary highlights across the resort include Shula’s Steak House, a fine-dining restaurant; Todd English’s bluezoo, serving fresh seafood in underwater-themed surroundings; and Il Mulino New York Trattoria, dishing up Italian risottos, pizzas and steaks beneath exposed-beam ceilings and rustic brick arches. For more casual fare, snack on tacos at the poolside Cabana Bar and Beach Club, tuck into burgers and sandwiches at The Fountain, or stop by one of the five quick-service spots for a fresh juice or on-the-go treat.
When evening comes, swing by Kimonos Lounge for nightly karaoke, or sip on a speciality cocktail at stylish spot Phins (don’t miss the bourbon-infused Smoke N’ Roses, served in an artsy box).
Fun for every age
Aside from the food, there’s plenty more to entice. Table tennis, basketball, volleyball, a playground, waterslide and arcade room are among the facilities, with arts, crafts and other activities offered every evening at the kids’ club for five to 12-year-olds.
For adults, the Mandara Spa offers a host of treatments, from Elemis facials and deep-tissue massages to an Asian bathing ritual, plus an idyllic Meditation Garden offering a peaceful spot to relax in.
Elsewhere, there are six swimming pools, plus three fitness rooms, daily exercise classes and jogging trails for guests wanting to keep fit – just in case the rest isn’t enough to keep you occupied at this all-encompassing resort.
Added perks
Benefits for guests at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort include:
- Early access to the parks and extended evening hours so they can beat the queues and continue the fun.
- Insider planning tips from the resort’s three Disney planning centres to help get the most of out of each day.
- Free parking across the parks – guests just need to show a room key.
- Advance tee times on some nearby Walt Disney World golf courses so they can book their preferred time slots.
- Access to all the facilities across the resort, such as the restaurants, bars, kids’ club and beyond.
Find out more at SwanDolphin.com
PICTURES: Jason Dewey