The last two major resort hotels on Walt Disney World property–outside of the Disney Springs Resort Area–have decided to close their doors due to enduring concerns surrounding the current pandemic: The Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
The hotels closed on March 24, 2020 and will reopen after March 31, 2020, presumably with the impending reopening of Walt Disney World itself.
Here is the official statement on the Swan and Dolphin’s website:
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is implementing the following policies:
- In order to better serve our guests during the temporary closure of Walt Disney World Theme Parks and hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will close effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 12:00pm EST through March 31, 2020.
- For guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates that are typically more restrictive, we will allow full changes or cancellation without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival, as long as the change or cancellation is made by March 31, 2020. Please note that any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability and any rate differences.
- For guests making new reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates, from today until April 30, 2020, we will allow the reservation to be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival date. Please note that changes to the reservation will be subject to availability and any rate differences.
- Please note that this policy does NOT apply to travel associated with a group booking. Guests who booked via online travel agents or other third-party travel professionals are advised to contact their booking provider for information on their policies.
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We will continue to make adjustments to our operations as appropriate and look forward to welcoming guests back as soon as it is advisable. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The Swan and Dolphin Resort were permitted to remain open because they are not Disney-owned-and-operated hotels. They are owned and operated by Marriot. However, their integration into the resort with their closeness to the EPCOT Resort Area, walking distance from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and their proximity to the Fantasia Minigolf courses give the impression that they are Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. However, their level of luxury and customer service more than meets the Disney standard and earns them an honorary membership in the club at least.
The Swan and Dolphin Resort is also the latest Walt Disney World hotel to extend the lenient last-minute cancellation policy to reservations scheduled through April 30, 2020. At this time, we are still waiting on word from the Walt Disney Company on when exactly the gates to the Magic Kingdom will be open again. But there is still reason to suspect it will be pushed past April 1.