If you're dreaming of a trip to Walt Disney World, but want to plan a budget vacation there are a variety of ways to make your dream a reality without breaking the bank. One great way to save money on your Disney World vacation is to plan ahead and be strategic about your accommodations. And I'm going to tell you how to stay for free at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
Did you know that there are hotels located on actual Disney property that offer you the benefits of staying on-site, but not owned by Disney?
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels are now operated by Marriott, which means that you can use Marriott Bonvoy points to stay there. Furthermore, there is an introductory offer available, which allows you to get several nights for free right off the bat. It's worth noting that I am not employed by or associated with Marriott in any way, but my husband and I were excited to try out this offer. We decided to break our nights into two stays so we could try both the Swan and Dolphin. First up, The Swan!
Obviously, I am not a financial planner and it's important to exercise caution and be responsible when taking out credit cards. However, if you're approved for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card from Chase, and spend $3,000 in the first three months, you'll receive three free nights. My husband and I each applied for the card separately, giving us a total of six free nights to use at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
The biggest benefit of staying at the Swan Resort is its prime location. The resort is just a short walk away from Epcot (5-10 minutes) and Disney's Hollywood Studios (15-20). You can also take a Friendship boat to Epcot and Hollywood and there are buses to get to the other parks. I did note that the bus to Magic Kingdom takes you to the Ticket and Transportation Center, so you still need to take the monorail or a ferry from there – if you were staying at a Disney-owned hotel your bus would take you right to Magic Kingdom.
You're also just a short walk to Disney's Boardwalk, The Disney BoardWalk area is a vibrant and lively entertainment district area of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It is designed to resemble an Atlantic City boardwalk from the early 20th century and features a wide range of activities, dining options, and shops.
The boardwalk is located along the banks of Crescent Lake, and its highlights include a beautiful promenade that is perfect for a leisurely stroll or jog. There are plenty of benches along the way where you can relax and take in the view of the water, or watch street performers and musicians.
In addition to its scenic views, the boardwalk also offers a variety of entertainment options. You can catch a live show at the Atlantic Dance Hall or the Jellyrolls dueling piano bar, or watch outdoor movies on a giant screen. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even rent a Surrey bike and pedal your way around the boardwalk.
For dining, there are plenty of options to choose from, ranging from casual to fine dining. Some popular options include the Flying Fish Cafe, Trattoria al Forno, and The Boardwalk Deli. If you're looking for a sweet treat, be sure to visit the BoardWalk Ice Cream, Beaches and Cream, or Carousel Coffee.
And since the Swan and Dolphin are considered Disney partner hotels you still get the same benefits that other guests at Disney hotels enjoy like daily early entry to the parks and extra magic hours.
While these hotels certainly have their own unique architecture, one notable difference is the lack of Disney theming. While there is a Disney gift shop in the lobby and certain Disney touches, you won't find as much classic Disney as a true Disney hotel. I was certainly willing to trade that for the price tag, but if this is your first trip to Disney you may want to split your time here with another more traditional Disney hotel experience.
In the end, we did wind up having to pay $32 a night for parking and some taxes and fees for our stay. You also will have some restrictions on the type of room you can book with your free nights as well as some blackouts during peak holidays, but all in all, it truly was not a hassle.
The Swan rooms were nice enough. You standard 3-4 star hotel. What is exceptional was the location, and that part did not disappoint.
What do you think - would you take out a credit card to stay at Disney World for virtually free?
You can follow all of my Walt Disney World and Wizarding World of Harry Potter adventures on my Instagram @polyjuice_and_pixiedust. Stay magic, friend.
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