
Walt Disney World Swan
Best for guests who want multiple pools, a full-service Mandara Spa, and larger meeting/wedding spaces while staying within easy walking distance of Epcot.
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Walt Disney World Swan is a large, Marriott-partnered resort on Crescent Lake with shared access to the Swan/Dolphin Grotto Pool complex and several signature restaurants — good for families, convention groups, and guests who want resort-style facilities within walking distance of Epcot. Disney's BoardWalk Inn is a Disney-owned, lakeside hotel centered on a turn-of-the-century Atlantic coastal promenade with nightlife, shops, and easy walking access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios — a better fit for guests who want Disney theming and evening entertainment steps from their door.
Updated · about 0.4 km apart

Best for guests who want multiple pools, a full-service Mandara Spa, and larger meeting/wedding spaces while staying within easy walking distance of Epcot.

Best for travelers who prioritize Disney-managed atmosphere, lakeside nightlife and walking access to the BoardWalk entertainment corridor and Epcot's International Gateway.
When Walt Disney World Swan wins: choose the Swan if you want more on-site pool options (five outdoor pools and access to the 3-acre Grotto Pool), a recognized destination spa (Mandara Spa), broader meeting/event capacity, and a wider mix of hotel-operated restaurants and lounges.
When Disney's BoardWalk Inn wins: pick the BoardWalk Inn if you want classic Disney lakeside ambiance, immediate access to evening restaurants, bars, and street entertainment on the BoardWalk, and a stay that’s tightly integrated with Disney-managed resort pathways to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Bottom line: they’re within easy walking distance of one another and of Epcot/Hollywood Studios; Swan leans toward resort-scale amenities, spa and conference needs, while BoardWalk Inn focuses on Disney atmosphere and waterside nightlife. Your choice depends on whether on-site facilities or Disney lakeside ambiance matters more.
| Category | Walt Disney World Swan | Disney's BoardWalk Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large Marriott-operated resort with resort/pool complex and convention capacity | Disney-run, nostalgic lakeside hotel centered on the BoardWalk entertainment district |
| Location | On Crescent Lake; short walk or Friendship boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios | |
| Size | 758 guest rooms (Swan building), part of larger Swan/Dolphin complex | 378 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages; family‑friendly with children’s pool and Kid amenities | |
| Pools & beach | Five outdoor pools plus Triplex access to the 3-acre Grotto Pool complex and a Crescent Lake white‑sand beach area | Outdoor pool(s) on property and direct access to the BoardWalk lakeside promenade (no ocean beach) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple signature venues (Il Mulino, Kimonos, Garden Grove) plus pool bars and cafes | Four on‑site restaurants/bars and easy walking access to many BoardWalk restaurants and lounges |
| Spa & fitness | Mandara Spa (full menu) and 24-hour WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio | Spa and fitness details not in the supplied listing |
| Known for | Resort-scale amenities, Mandara Spa, convention/wedding spaces, triplex pool access | Disney BoardWalk entertainment, lakeside dining and nightlife, walking access to Epcot |
| Disney benefits & transport | Complimentary Friendship boat to Epcot/Hollywood Studios, bus service to other parks, early theme park entry | |
| Parking & fees | On-site self-parking and valet (surcharge) and a mandatory resort fee listed by sources | Self-parking and valet (surcharge) noted in supplier listing; breakfast and parking fees may apply |
Walt Disney World Swan sits on Crescent Lake inside the Epcot Resort Area with walking and boat access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Choose the Swan for convenient multi-modal park access and immediate proximity to the BoardWalk corridor.
Disney's BoardWalk Inn sits directly on the BoardWalk promenade along Crescent Lake, putting nightlife, dining and shops a few steps from guest rooms.
Pick BoardWalk Inn for the closest access to evening lakeside entertainment and short walks to Epcot.
The Swan offers multiple room types across a large inventory, including accessible options and rooms with balconies.
Swan is a better fit if you want a wider choice of room types and accessible options within a larger resort complex.
BoardWalk Inn offers Disney-managed rooms in a smaller, more intimate hotel footprint with many accessible room variants.
BoardWalk Inn suits guests who prefer Disney-managed rooms and the intimate scale of a lakeside hotel.
Walt Disney World Swan has several signature restaurants and lounges on property plus poolside options and coffee shops.
Swan is for guests who want on‑site, hotel-operated signature restaurants and a mix of casual poolside options.
BoardWalk Inn lists four on-site dining outlets and benefits from immediate access to many BoardWalk restaurants, bars and bakeries nearby.
BoardWalk Inn is best if you want to step outside your hotel to a concentration of evening dining and bars.
The Swan emphasizes multiple pools and shared access to the large Grotto Pool complex and a small Crescent Lake white‑sand beach area.
Swan is the pick for guests prioritizing pool variety, water features and a hotel beach area on Crescent Lake.
BoardWalk Inn has an outdoor pool and puts the BoardWalk entertainment district — not pool complex scale — at the center of the guest experience.
BoardWalk Inn is better for guests who value lakeside dining and evening entertainment more than resort water-park scale pools.
The Swan combines a full Mandara Spa and 24-hour fitness studio with on-site bars and late-night dining in some venues.
Swan blends spa and fitness services with late-night hotel dining and entertainment.
BoardWalk Inn’s nightlife is the BoardWalk itself — waterfront bars, performers and restaurants that create an evening scene.
BoardWalk Inn is the clearer choice if nightly lakeside entertainment and walkable evening options matter most.

Walt Disney World Swan — Mandara Spa and a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT studio make Swan the better pick for wellness-focused stays.

Disney's BoardWalk Inn — step outside to the BoardWalk promenade for restaurants, bars and street entertainment.

Walt Disney World Swan — larger convention and wedding capacities across the Swan/Dolphin complex.

Disney's BoardWalk Inn — Disney-managed design, theming and immediate access to Epcot via the BoardWalk.
Both are within a short walk to Epcot’s International Gateway; BoardWalk Inn sits on the BoardWalk itself and the Swan is a very short walk or boat ride across Crescent Lake.
No — Triplex pool access is for registered Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve guests; BoardWalk Inn guests use their hotel’s pools and the BoardWalk promenade amenities.
Walt Disney World Swan’s dining locations do not accept the Disney Dining Plan; supplier notes for BoardWalk Inn indicate on-site restaurants but do not list Disney Dining Plan acceptance—check Disney’s current policies before you go.
Both welcome children of all ages. Choose the Swan for more pool options and family‑oriented on-site facilities; choose BoardWalk Inn if you prefer quick access to Disney entertainment and evening strolls.
Explore how Walt Disney World Swan stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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