Our Story The Complete History

Welcome To A Legendary Destination Where Magic Meets Excellence

Nestled in the heart of Walt Disney World® Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin stands as a beacon of imagination, boasting an impressive blend of entertainment architecture, distinctive service, exclusive amenities and a legacy of hospitality.

The resort’s exterior trademarks include a 27-story pyramid, visible from every Disney theme park, as well as gigantic 5-story statues of mythical swans and dolphins. These famous icons proudly adorn the rooftops.

In addition to location and reputation, one of the most important attributes of the resort is that of the cast members. This creative and dedicated team of over 2,000 strong works enthusiastically to ensure magical experiences for guests visiting from all over the world. Many have served for decades with over 50 cast members here since opening and over 200 team members offering 20 years or more of tenured service. Beyond the resort, they also serve our community with over 15,000 volunteer hours annually and receive countless industry accolades.

The Walt Disney World and Swan and Dolphin is more than a place to stay. Amidst all the Disney magic, this iconic resort continues to evolve while honoring its legacy as one of the most memorable and premier destinations in the world.

Four men in suits stand around a large architectural model, featuring a pyramid structure, displayed on a table in an office. A framed architectural photo hangs on the wall behind them.

Michael Graves, John Tishman, Michael Eisner
And Frank Wells Admire the Model of The Hotel Complex

Building Dreams: Tishman’s Path to EPCOT®

From Skyscrapers To EPCOT® How Tishman Earned Disney’s Trust

After successfully managing construction for notable projects such as Chicago’s John Hancock Center in 1970 and New York City ’s World Trade Center in 1973, Tishman Construction & Realty, then-led by John Tishman, caught the attention of executives at Walt Disney World who were launching major plans to realize Walt Disney ’s vision for a massive, highly complex $800 million project, now known as EPCOT®. After ultimately being selected as construction manager, a U.S. economic downturn subsequently stalled the project. In the interim, Tishman was contracted for a much smaller construction project, a second-phase addition to Disney ’s Polynesian Hotel.

Seeing this project as an opportunity to showcase their capability to Disney, in light of the upcoming EPCOT ® project, Tishman proceeded with the work – to much acclaim. Not only did the team complete the project successfully, they also further distinguished themselves by completing it early, making a favorable impression on the Disney team.

EPCOT® in 1,000 Days: A Monumental Achievement

From Disney’s Vision to Reality

The EPCOT ® project eventually resumed, becoming the largest project for Tishman at that time, in terms of land area, number of buildings and its overall intricate scope. Against immense pressures of a project with this level of complexity and an aggressive opening schedule, the team successfully completed the sprawling project in 1,000 days!

A large geodesic sphere structure under construction, surrounded by cranes and building materials, with open land and trees in the background. EPCOT®’s Spaceship Earth Under Construction

Four men in suits and hard hats examine a large fish sculpture outdoors. One man is pointing at the sculpture, while others look on. Pine trees and construction materials are visible in the background. Michael Eisner and the Team Reviewing the
Centerpiece of Michael Graves’ Legendary Design

Three men in hard hats stand in front of a large swan sculpture and a building under construction, while two women in gowns and two men in prince costumes pose behind them. A crane is visible to the left. John Tishman, Michael Eisner and Frank Wells
are Joined By Some Special Guests

Crowning the Center: The Swan and Dolphin Hotels

An even bigger opportunity arose for the now very proven Tishman team: a chance to pursue a project for building a large convention hotel. This particular project would meet the objective of appealing to large convention business and would be a first of its kind at Walt Disney World® Resort.

A project of this magnitude wasn’t easy to realize and soon proved to be as complex as it was unprecedented. After some shifts, intense negotiations and deeper engagements between Tishman and Walt Disney World, Tishman emerged with the ability to begin construction of what Disney ’s then-CEO, Michael Eisner envisioned as two adjoining hotels reflecting “entertainment architecture,” in their design, named “The Dolphin” and “The Swan.” The signature creatures would be represented by prominent, iconic showpiece statues and a design with such towering presence, that the hotels would be highly visible from around Walt Disney World® Resort. This led to the selection of the world-renowned architect, Michael Graves, charged with executing this vision. Graves’ work not only brought the vision to life, it transformed the hotel into an internationally renowned work of art.

Tishman was also granted a prime location in the geographic center of Walt Disney World® Resort – and the hotels would carry an exclusive distinction as Disney hotels by name and by their ability to offer Disney ’s exclusive resort benefits to its guests. Tishman selected Westin, and then-named ITT Sheraton, to manage the respective hotels.

A Grand Debut

In 1989, the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel opened, followed by the opening of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in 1990, to much awe and fanfare. With two 56-foot-tall mythical dolphin statues and two 47-foot swans weighing over 60,000 pounds as its signature icons atop each respective building, a new story of entertainment architecture and design began…

The Walt Disney World Dolphin boasted a towering 27-story pyramid structure, notably the tallest and longest single structure at Walt Disney World® Resort, and the only visible point from inside each theme park. Adjoined by a causeway to its sister property, the Walt Disney World Swan, which echoed the tropical Florida landscape, underscored by an infusion of water. The buildings showcased hand-painted murals on exterior walls in colors that represented Florida’s foliage. The Dolphin mural was a pattern of banana leaves, and the Swan exterior featured a nautical pattern of waves.

Aerial view of a large construction site with multiple buildings in progress, several cranes, dirt roads, and construction equipment scattered across the area. Construction Begins on the Complex

A large fish sculpture is being lifted by a crane above a building, with workers visible on the roof below against a clear blue sky. The Dolphin’s Signature Icon Being Lifted Into Place

A large crane lifts the giant head of the Statue of Liberty replica at a construction site, surrounded by scaffolding and partially completed buildings. The 54-Foot Clamshell Fountain Located on
the Causeway, Just Outside the Dolphin Hotel

Aerial view of a large hotel under construction, with cranes, construction vehicles, and building materials scattered around the site; other buildings and trees visible in the distance. The Walt Disney World Dolphin’s Center Pyramid Is Completed

The Mythology of Design: Graves’ Vision for the Swan & Dolphin

The mythical statues take center stage in the story of design, as they are reminiscent of Graves’ imagination of an underwater volcano upheaval which produced an island from the center of a tropical rainforest. As Graves envisioned the story, dolphins emerged from the water, as did a mountain whose pinnacle separates the two abounding dolphin statues. This piqued the curiosity of two birds, who after propelling to the top of the waves to marvel at the spectacle, were magically transformed into two permanent swan fixtures. These mythical statues are works of art representing classical and contemporary symbols of water, chosen by Graves to provide sophisticated, yet entertaining personality and character.

The water theme is accentuated with colorful fountains in several scenic locations throughout the property. The most visible fountain, located on the Crescent Lake side of the Dolphin, cascades nine stories through five seashell-shaped troughs into a 54-foot clamshell. The fountain entertains guests who stroll by and savor the cool mist. Guests in the lounges, restaurants and public spaces enjoy the spectacular views of this magnificent causeway centerpiece.

The outdoor causeway connecting the two iconic buildings continues the theme, with design accents featuring waves and landscaping representing a lush ecosystem of foliage and water.

As guests are transported inside, they are greeted with a contemporary look, featuring a towering grand chandelier stretching 20 feet from the ceiling with nearly 1,000 strands and over 10,000 individual crystals suspended above the fountain in the Dolphin lobby. The Swan lobby features a beautiful white swan fountain greeting guests at the main entry foyer.

When the property added a third building in 2021, the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, architecture firm, Gensler, drew upon the late Graves’ original water theme for inspiration but added a modern twist. Inside and out, the Swan Reserve’s design inspiration is a bold tribute to the environment surrounding it. The exterior building design recreates the reflective light from the hotel’s scenic Crescent Lake, while the interior creates a tropical feel which intentionally blurs the lines between indoors and out, with everything from flourishing greenery to distinctive tropical murals on each floor.

The tropical theme continues along the hotel’s exterior landscape, with orange trees lining the entryway and poolside areas, including aromatic orange blossoms and vibrant fruit, a subtle nod to the region’s citrus legacy.

A large, colorful hotel with a green triangular roof and unique sculptures sits beside a calm lake, with a red and white boat docked at the waterfront under a bright blue sky.

Walt Disney World Dolphin and Disney Friendship Water Taxi

A modern, glass-fronted hotel rises above lush green trees at sunset, with warm lights glowing inside and dramatic, fluffy clouds filling the sky in the background.

The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

A Legacy of Excellence

Three Iconic Hotels, World-Class Dining, and a Premier Destination

Today, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is managed by Marriott International and combines three distinct hotel options: Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin and the newest addition, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, offering a combined 2,619 rooms, 23 restaurants and lounges, and a host of amenities and facilities. Boasting nearly 450,000+ square feet of meeting space, the resort is also a multi-award-winning, nationally acclaimed meetings destination, hosting groups from 10 to 10,000.

Encompassing 88 acres, the property is ideally located in the geographic center of all the Disney magic. Options include a short stroll or a complimentary water taxi between EPCOT ® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, and a complimentary shuttle ride to nearby Disney ’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Magic Kingdom® Park.

From concept to fruition and beyond, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort complex continues to reflect its history as a beloved, iconic resort, perfectly situated in the heart of Walt Disney World.

Bright lobby seating area with wood screens and modern furniture