Actually, the Swan and Dolphin are not owned by Disney at all. The official name is the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. When EPCOT was being built, Disney decided they didn't want to run all the hotels around the parks, and granted a developer the rights to all future hotels on Disney property. The first two built were the Swan and the Dolphin. The Swan was managed by Westin, while the Dolphin was managed by Sheraton. (they have now merged into one company, Starwood). Eventually, someome woke up to the massive error they had made, and voided the contract with the developer, and started building Disney owned resorts. While the Dolphin and Swan do sit on Disney property, they are not Disney owned or operated. Direct from their website:
Quote:
• Tishman Realty & Construction Corporation and MetLife own the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide manages the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.
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Guests there do have some of the same amenities as Disney guests, such as transportation, early entry, etc. They do not offer charging privileges as you get staying with Disney, so you can't charge your turkey leg to your room, you have to pay cash.