There’s been much buzz about the new Swan Reserve hotel set to open at Walt Disney World. It’s one of the first non-Disney hotels to open on Disney’s property since the Swan and Dolphin hotels opened in 1990. The only exception was the Four Seasons that opened on the Golden Oak development (and just sold for $600 million.) (Note from Sharon: And that one doesn’t even count because Disney annexed the property that Golden Oak is on, so it’s not even officially on Disney property. Just former Disney property)
The Swan Reserve will be a part of the Marriott Bonvoy program as an Autograph Collection hotel, which makes it appealing to those looking to redeem award points for a stay. While it’s a category 6 hotel that will cost between 40,000 and 60,000 points a night, the Swan and Dolphin hotels are in the same category and are some of the most popular hotels to redeem free nights in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
We still think it’s a really stupid name for that particular hotel. Oh, and don’t get me started about how it doesn’t make any sense that the adjacent hotels fly the three different brand flags of Westin, Sheraton and Autograph Collection.
But that’s not why I’m writing this post. It’s more of a warning to those of you who are looking to stay at the Swan Reserve this summer. According to the hotel website, it’s Opening Soon in August 2021.
They’re not as confident in that date as they sound because the first date you can make a reservation is September 1st.
Meanwhile, we just drove by the hotel the other day and one entire side of the hotel still lacks windows. This means they’re a long way from finishing the wiring or AC and forget about painting, carpeting and furniture.
Sure, they might be able to open according to schedule but there’s a reason you should never look to stay at a hotel on the opening date or within the first couple of months.
Take this as a warning if you have a reservation at the Swan Reserve for this August, September, or even October. The hotel will undoubtedly still be going through some growing pains. As long as you’re willing to pay over $300 or 40,000 points a night for a hotel that might not be finished during your stay. If not, you might want to look to move to the Swan or Dolphin, which while might need some TLC, but at least they’re finished.
IMHO, the only people who should stay at hotels right after they open are those who review hotels and can tell us how the hotel is not quite ready for guests.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
2 comments
Booked for 9/1 opening night several months ago. There has been no contact from management that they will not be fully opened. The hotel stopped offering bookings for the first two weeks of September a month ago. Astounding that they aren’t contacting guests.
I’ve got a 3-day booking for September 17th myself. It’s been bookable for the last few months, but I see now as of the last few days or so it’s no longer bookable, but my reservation is still in place and I haven’t been contacted yet. Guess I need to start on a Plan B.