food IS a theme park
Trying to choose the perfect Disney World hotel for your vacation?
Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts
You’ll want one with great perks, good transportation options, and a location that fits your needs. You’re also going to want to consider the dining and activity options available if you’re planning to spend some time there on your off days from the parks. One Disney World hotel has all that and more…but people keep sleeping on it!
For many, room service is an essential element of a hotel stay, arguably seen as more of a basic necessity than a “perk.”
We miss room service!
Which makes it all the more surprising that right now there are only TWO locations on Disney property where hotel guests can order room service!
We LOVE a day at EPCOT, but sometimes between the festival crowds and the long wait times, we just need to escape, and we found the perfect place to do so.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort is a hidden oasis to some Disney guests, while others have visited the parks for years without ever thinking of it. While it is not owned by Disney World, instead it’s a Marriott resort, it is located within minutes of both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you’re anything like me, and the parks become overly crowded and the heat is scorching, heading to this resort can turn your whole day around.
If you’ve never been to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, you’re missing out. This annual event is held at the Swan and Dolphin resort at Disney World, featuring food and drinks from the resort’s restaurants, plus wine tasting experiences and live entertainment.
Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic
The 2026 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will be held on November 20th and 21st from 5 to 9 PM each day. This ticketed event is open to the public — you don’t have to be staying at the resort to join in on the fun. We just got some new details about this year’s lineup!
November in Disney World is sneaky good.
2025 Food and Wine Classic
It does not always get the same glowing fanfare as spring break, Halloween, or Christmas week, but seasoned Disney travelers know what is up. November is when the parks start pulling out the garland, the weather begins behaving like it has read the room, EPCOT is still feeding people around the world, and holiday parties start taking over the nighttime calendar.
For those unaware, the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin are not Disney-owned hotels, despite being located on Walt Disney World property.
Mickey Waffles from Java at Swan
However, despite this, the hotels offer some major Disney-level perks, including serving two of the resort’s most iconic snacks. So, it’s safe to say they are seriously a great place to stay during a Disney World vacation!
As someone who LOVES to stay at a Disney World Deluxe Resort, I’ll let you in on a secret — I will choose this one hotel over those!
Swan and Dolphin Resort
If you’ve never seriously considered the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, it’s time to change that. While they aren’t owned by Disney, they are operated by Marriott and are officially classified as Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, which means they come with many of the same perks as Disney’s top-tier hotels. Let’s dive into why you need to add this resort to your list.
After decades of visiting Disney World, I can let you in on a secret — November is one of the best times to visit. Well, at least that’s what I think.
Walt Disney World Swan
You see, there is a lot to love at the Disney parks during November. You have the parks decorated for the holidays; you can attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Jollywood Nights, head to the International Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT, or grab a delicious holiday-themed treat. So, where is the best place to stay if you’re looking to enjoy all of the fun? We have one answer!
May and Mother’s Day are almost here, and two of Walt Disney World’s most popular hotels will have a slew of special offerings.
Garden Grove
The Swan & Dolphin Resorts are offering a “refined yet relaxed” Mother’s Day brunch at Garden Grove on May 10th, plus “beautifully crafted specials at several restaurants.” Let’s dive into what’s going to be available!
There are so many perks when you choose to stay at a Disney World hotel — but sometimes those perks can go unnoticed.
Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom
These underappreciated perks often include pretty sweet benefits like free transportation, free water park admission per person on your day of check-in (during select seasons), Early Theme Park Entry, and the ability to book Lighting Lanes 7 days in advance. These freebie perks are offered to all guests staying at Disney’s Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts — but there’s one major perk offered specifically for Deluxe Resort guests that we need to remind you of…
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