Disney's Contemporary Resort vs Walt Disney World Swan

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Photo: Disney's Contemporary Resort
Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Walt Disney World Swan

Photo: Walt Disney World Swan
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Contemporary

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Swan

Deluxe

Area

Contemporary

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Walt Disney World Swan

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Contemporary

Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus

Walt Disney World Swan

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Contemporary

4 restaurants

Walt Disney World Swan

5 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Contemporary

6 locations

Walt Disney World Swan

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Contemporary

Pool, Quiet Pool

Walt Disney World Swan

Pool, Water Slide

Extended Evening Hours

Contemporary

Yes

Walt Disney World Swan

Yes

Top Highlight

Contemporary

Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Swan

Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin

Overview

Disney's Contemporary Resort

A flagship monorail resort next to Magic Kingdom, recognized for its A-frame tower and quick walk to the park gates.

Walt Disney World Swan

A Marriott-operated on-property resort between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, with walking and boat access to both parks.

Amenities

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • Quiet Pool
  • seven seas lagoon — enjoy fishing, boating and more
  • Marina
  • Children's water play area
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Volleyball

Wellness

  • Fitness Center

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service
  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities

Walt Disney World Swan

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Water Slide
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 5-12 from 4PM to 11PM with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan watercraft rentals on the white sand beach; Boat Rental in Activities

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Other

  • Child Care
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin for Friendship launches
  • Disney Cabanas store at Swan; Resort Essentials boutique at Dolphin

Transportation

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • Monorail

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Walk

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Boat

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Swan

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom
  • Walking distance to Magic Kingdom, closest hotel to the park
  • Top-tier dining including California Grill atop the resort
  • Iconic A-frame architecture and clean modern design
  • Bay Lake Tower offers direct walkway connection

Walt Disney World Swan

  • Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin
  • Marriott Bonvoy points eligible for stays and redemptions
  • Access to Dolphin's extensive dining and amenities via shared complex
  • Swan Reserve and Swan combined offer over 2,000 rooms in the complex
  • Competitively priced relative to Disney-owned Deluxe resorts nearby

Cons

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • One of the most expensive resorts at Walt Disney World
  • Modern design lacks the immersive theming of other Deluxe resorts
  • Standard rooms can feel dated compared to newer renovations
  • Far from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, bus ride required
  • Monorail loop congestion can cause delays during peak times

Walt Disney World Swan

  • No Disney on-site Early Entry or advance Lightning Lane booking
  • Resort fees and parking fees add significantly to the nightly rate
  • Shared amenities with Dolphin mean crowded pools during peak times
  • Design is less Disney-immersive than Disney-owned resorts
  • Limited transportation compared to monorail or Skyliner resorts

On-Site Dining

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • California Grill

    Table Service

    American, Seafood, Sushi

    dinner

    View menu

  • Chef Mickey's

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Contempo Café

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Contemporary Grounds

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    dinner

    View menu

  • Cove Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Outer Rim

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71 Lounge

    Quick Service

    Steakhouse, American

    snack

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71 To Go

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • The Sand Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Walt Disney World Swan

  • Chill

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Garden Grove

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

  • Il Mulino

    Table Service

    Italian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Il Mulino Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Java

    Quick Service

    Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos

    Table Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    dinner · snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos Lounge

    Quick Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    snack

    View menu

  • Splash Pool Bar and Grill

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

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