Disney's Pop Century Resort vs Walt Disney World Swan

Disney's Pop Century Resort

Photo: Lester Shalloway
Value ESPN Wide World of Sports 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

Pop Century

Value

Walt Disney World Swan

Deluxe

Area

Pop Century

ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area

Walt Disney World Swan

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Pop Century

Skyliner, Bus

Walt Disney World Swan

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Pop Century

None

Walt Disney World Swan

5 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Pop Century

2 locations

Walt Disney World Swan

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Pop Century

Pool

Walt Disney World Swan

Pool, Water Slide

Extended Evening Hours

Pop Century

No

Walt Disney World Swan

Yes

Top Highlight

Pop Century

Disney Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World Swan

Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin

Overview

Disney's Pop Century Resort

A large value resort celebrating late-20th-century pop culture, with Skyliner access shared across Hourglass Lake from Art of Animation.

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 Pop Century Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail (1.3 miles around Hourglass Lake)

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 Pop Century Resort

  • Skyliner

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • 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 Pop Century Resort

  • Disney Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
  • Best-value resort among the Value tier with superior amenities
  • Refurbished rooms with fold-down table bed and modern design
  • Does not share bus service, one of the best bus experiences at Value tier
  • Fun decades-themed theming from the 50s through the 90s

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 Pop Century Resort

  • Standard rooms are small at 260 square feet
  • No family suites, only standard double-queen or single-king rooms
  • Skyliner can have long waits during peak park opening and closing times
  • Theming can feel less immersive than Art of Animation next door
  • No table service restaurant on property

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 Pop Century Resort

  • Everything POP Shopping & Dining

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Petals Pool 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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