Swan & Dolphin Resort Added to Disney’s Early Entry & Extended Evening Eligible List

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

As Walt Disney World prepares for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” for the resort’s 50th Anniversary, we too are making our plans to be part of the 18-month celebration kicking off on October 1, 2021. While we’ve learned the old “Extra Magic Hours” for Walt Disney World Resort guests is officially gone, we are looking forward to experiencing the new “Early Theme Park Entry” and “Extended Evening Hours” for select resort guests. We previously shared a list of eligible resorts for the new Early Theme Park Entry. Three notable resorts were missing from the list! Now, we have confirmation they too have been added to the list!

We now have confirmation that the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, and the newest incoming resort, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, will all have access to early theme park entry AND extended evening theme park hours.

As confirmed by WDW Swan & Dolphin: “Guests of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin – including the new Walt Disney World Swan Reserve – to receive extra time to play every day at Walt Disney World theme parks starting Oct. Starting in October, as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will be able to enjoy extra time to play every day in the Walt Disney World theme parks with early theme park entry and extended evening theme park hours.”

Early Theme Park Entry: Starting October 1, 2021, guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to any Walt Disney World theme park, every day –  available at all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks. For early theme park entry, guests will need valid admission, a park reservation and Resort ID.

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours: Also beginning in October, guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin can enjoy extended evening hours—experiencing select attractions, shops and dining after regular park hours—in select theme parks on select nights. Together with early theme park entry, guests of the hotels will get to arrive earlier and stay later to maximize their time in the parks during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration!” Specific dates and parks for extended evening hours will be shared later. For extended evening hours, guests will need a valid Resort ID, valid admission and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day. (Or a ticket or annual pass with the Park Hopper Option, provided you entered the park where you made your reservation earlier in the day.)”

Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort Announces New Fall Food & Drink Event Series

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

We have exciting news to share! Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort are to host an all-new fall food and drink event series: “Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays”. This event will replace this year’s Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic and offer guests a new way to enjoy some favorite food and drink experiences.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort will debut a special series of weekly food and drink themed events this fall starting Sept. 19 called Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays: A New Twist on the Food & Wine Classic Experience.

Every Saturday evening 5:30pm – 7:30pm through Oct. 24, a different culinary experience will take place exclusively for guests staying on the new Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays overnight package. These limited-capacity, themed events created by the resort’s award-winning food and beverage team are inspired by elements of the popular Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic and will include a Champagne lounge, barbecue and Oktoberfest. 

Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays offer guests a new way to enjoy and celebrate different food and drink experiences each weekend and replaces the traditional Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. Each event will feature an intimate atmosphere and implement the latest in responsible food delivery safety measures and social distancing procedures to create an entertaining, unforgettable, mouthwatering experience. 

A one-night Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays package offers guests a chance to celebrate the culinary arts all weekend long. In addition to exclusive access to the Saturday evening event, guests can enjoy a different specialty themed pop-up food truck each Saturday by the resort pool (available to all resort guests and not included in package), as well as convenient, walkable access to the Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, just 1,000-steps away. (please note: This is a separate event and advanced theme park reservations and tickets are required)  

The Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays event lineup is as follows:

  • Sept. 19: Bubbles Lounge: A lounge experience showcasing the finest in sparkling beverages with perfectly paired small bites to complete the experience. Taste the base varietals of traditional Champagne along with various sparkling wine styles from around the world.
  • Sept. 26: Beer Garden: A celebration of hops with a variety of ales, lagers, and pilsners served alongside pub favorites.   
  • Oct. 3: Italian Wines & Bites: A delicious trip for guests’ taste buds across the Atlantic showcasing top Italian wines varietals from across the country’s famed regions from Sicily to Tuscany to Piedmont.  
  • Oct. 10: Smokin’ D’s Bourbon, Beer, & BBQ: A selection of BBQ favorites handcrafted by the resort’s executive chef Dan Herman along with the best in bourbon and beer samplings. Smokin’ D’s menu items are annual favorites at Food & Wine Classic and only offered at the resort select times each year.
  • Oct. 17: Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition (5:30-8:00pm): A new Food & Wine Classic experience, this event features fan favorites from the well-known Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic in a more intimate setting.
  • Oct. 24: Oktoberfest Biergarten: An Oktoberfest party with German-themed music and tastings alongside a full selection of brews.

All events will be indoors and limited to 100 participants, except for the Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition experience which will be limited to 200 participants in a larger space. Tickets are available exclusively as a resort package. Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays one-night packages start at $295 and include access for two adults. The Oct. 17 Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition experience, which will feature extended hours and expanded offerings, will start at $395 for a one-night package. To book call 1-888-828-8850. Events are limited to those 21 and older.

Among the protocols that will be implemented for each event are: Temperature check at entrance for all attendees, plexiglass walls for all food service, all cast members wearing PPE, each group will receive their own socially distanced reserved table, touchless menus and clearly marked social distancing signage.

The Cove – A New Hotel Underway on Walt Disney World Property

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

During the Walt Disney World closure most of the construction on property stopped. There were a few exceptions, one of which was rather large. A brand new building is being built in the Epcot Resort Area, and it is easy to see from World Drive. Many people assume that the new building is the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (the “Star Wars” hotel) but that is not correct. The new building is going to be a hotel, but it won’t have a “Star Wars” theme, and it will not be owned or operated by Disney.

The building that is under construction is The Cove. It will be part of the same complex as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, which are also not owned by Disney. They are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which is a subsidiary of Marriot. That is why construction continued during the closure, because The Cove is not being constructed by Disney.

The Cove looks like it is going to be a magnificent place to stay. When finished, it will be a 14-story tower. Part of the focus will be business travelers, with plenty of meeting rooms and suites. There are 343 rooms planned, half of which will be business suites. The business suites will be able to transform into meeting areas if needed. State of the art equipment will be available for business meetings. There will also be a business center, two ballrooms, and a rooftop space.

The Swan and Dolphin are known for their dining experiences, and the trend will continue at The Cove. There will be a restaurant that can serve up to 90 people at any given time, and there will be a 50 person lounge. If you’re looking for a place to relax, there will be a lounge on the second story that will feature specialty cocktails.

Business travelers will also want to have fun, so there will be a 16,800 foot pool. It will feature several fountains, and will be surrounded by lavish landscaping. There will also be a fire pit. The Cove will have a health club as well.

Given the proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Cove is sure to be a favorite new place to stay for many. You will be able to walk or take a Friendship to either park, or watch the nightly fireworks from the rooftop. Fantasia Gardens miniature golf will also be just a short walk away. Disney’s BoardWalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club resorts will also be within walking distance, opening up even more dining, shopping, and entertainment possibilities. The Cove will also be near the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. That gives guests easy access to the Disney Skyliner.

Guests who stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels are eligible for some of the benefits that people who stay at a Disney owned resort can receive. This includes Extra Magic Hours and the ability to make FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance. Guests at those hotels are not eligible for Disney’s Magical Express or the Disney Dining Plan. It is safe to assume that the same will hold true at The Cove once it opens.

It was originally announced that the opening date for The Cove was to be March 1, 2021. That date was given before the closure and subsequent reopening of Walt Disney World, and it has not been said if the date will be pushed back. When complete, the complex (including the Swan and Dolphin) will have approximately 2,600 rooms between the three resorts.

WDW Swan & Dolphin To Remain Closed Through July

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

We were thrilled to announce last week that the Walt Disney World resort hotels would be reopening to guests starting from July 11th. This date matches up with the reopening of Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the same date, and before the reopening of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th.

However, it has been revealed that the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will not be reopening this early, as their website clearly points out that their closure will be effective right through July 29th.

All existing reservations to this hotel are being offered cancellation or changes without charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival, providing the modifications are made before the resort reopens on July 29th. If you do have a stay booked at the resort between now and then, we encourage you to contact your travel operator.

It is worth mentioning that the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin was one of the last resorts on property to close for the COVID-19 pandemic on March 24th, after slowly reducing operations down to just the Swan Wing as the Walt Disney World closures began to take effect.

Swan & Dolphin’s Annual FOod & Wine Classic Dates and Tickets Released

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is a fantastic resort to stay at with it’s ideal locations in between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. We are excited to share they just released the dates and ticket sales for their 11th Annual Food & Wine Classic. 

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns in 2020 for its 11th year Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7. Overnight packages and tickets are now on sale at www.FoodandWineClassic.com.

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic treats guests to a street party festival with unlimited tastings of culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants, wine samplings from around the world and a selection of other beverages, all amidst a festive backdrop of live entertainment.

The event features numerous themed areas including a beer garden and hands-on seminars with the hotel’s chefs and certified beverage experts.

Package options which include a pair of tickets to enjoy unlimited tastings and a one- or two-night hotel stay start at $548 for one night or $1,045 for two nights. Advance-purchase, event-only tickets are $155 per person (inclusive of tax and service fees).

The educational seminar experiences may be added to packages for an additional fee.

With 18 restaurants and lounges and a distinguished culinary and beverage team, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort continually earns national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel features more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections.

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