News Swan and Dolphin Tower Expansion - The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

[Epcot82Guy]

I love it when developments, be they hotels, business offices or home sites name themselves something like "The Reserve, The Preserve or Something Farms". They are none of those things .

I'm pretty sure that's a line from a Dr. Seuss book.

 

[GimpYancIent]

I'm pretty sure that's a line from a Dr. Seuss book.

Regardless of the name inspiration as a building it is unappealing and architecturally uninteresting. The various names given to date do not help.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Regardless of the name inspiration as a building it is unappealing and architecturally uninteresting. The various names given to date do not help.

I was merely making a joke. "The Reserve, The Preserve or Something Farms.." felt very Seussical. These names are not really inspired by anything. I mean LITERALLY NOT INSPIRED by anything!

 

[JoeCamel]

I was merely making a joke. "The Reserve, The Preserve or Something Farms.." felt very Seussical. These names are not really inspired by anything. I mean LITERALLY NOT INSPIRED by anything!

They can't use it, controlled by Universal around these parts......

 

[jmuboy]

The concept art, while still bland has improved. The new name however is definitely a downgrade. Lets hope it changes again.
I would even call it the "Waves" hotel since the exterior has that wave pattern.
Oh well, I guess Disney has little control over this.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

If they wanted to be avant garde, they could even do something like "The Wing" at the Walt Disney World Swan - a Marriott Reserve property. Given most current WDW naming conventions these days, that rolls off the tongue.

 

[_caleb]

Any theories as to why they would change this (in name, anyway) from a stand-alone new hotel to tying it to the Swan? Thematically, it doesn't match the Swan. At first I figured maybe they're cutting amenities and that it would have to share with the Swan, but that doesn't work if the Reserve is supposed to be high-end.

 

[DCBaker]

 

[The Pho]

Any theories as to why they would change this (in name, anyway) from a stand-alone new hotel to tying it to the Swan? Thematically, it doesn't match the Swan. At first I figured maybe they're cutting amenities and that it would have to share with the Swan, but that doesn't work if the Reserve is supposed to be high-end.

Marriott had discussed looking into a new name last year. They wanted to avoid brand confusion with their Cove hotel in Atlantis. This name at least makes the hotel recognizable from the start, although they could’ve done better in many respects.

 

[mgf]

Well at least now we know this is very likely a Sheraton Hotel. I don't think we knew that before.

ETA: Clarifying a typo "very likely *NOT* a Sheraton Hotel."

 

[Horizons '83]

Well at least now we know this is very likely a Sheraton Hotel. I don't think we knew that before.

Why do you say that? I would assume it would be either an extension of the Westin (Swan) or an Autograph Collection based on the name change to Swan which is Westin property. They usually don't have 2 of the same brands next door to each other.

 

[_caleb]

Marriott had discussed looking into a new name last year. They wanted to avoid brand confusion with their Cove hotel in Atlantis. This name at least makes the hotel recognizable from the start, although they could’ve done better in many respects.

Seems like it makes it recognizable as a new addition to an existing hotel. But that's not what it's supposed to be, is it?

 

[The Pho]

Seems like it makes it recognizable as a new addition to an existing hotel. But that's not what it's supposed to be, is it?

The Swan and Dolphin are already handled as a single resort. It makes sense to treat this building as an expansion of the existing property rather than a separate entity. Plus then it boosts them from 47th largest hotel in the world to ~38th largest.

 

[_caleb]

The Swan and Dolphin are already handled as a single resort. It makes sense to treat this building as an expansion of the existing property rather than a separate entity. Plus then it boosts them from 47th largest hotel in the world to ~38th largest.

I see. I knew about Swan and Dolphin being one "resort." I didn't realize that the new hotel was really just a new, taller, uglier, more expensive wing on that same resort. Thanks.

 

[mgf]

Why do you say that? I would assume it would be either an extension of the Westin (Swan) or an Autograph Collection based on the name change to Swan which is Westin property. They usually don't have 2 of the same brands next door to each other.

I meant to say "not a Sheraton". Saying "this is probably a Westin" would have been simpler wording anyway. Sorry!

Also, it is not like it really makes that big of a difference anymore. Swan and Dolphin are both in the same rewards category anyway.

The Autograph Collection is an interesting thought....

 

[MisterPenguin]

The Swan and Dolphin are already handled as a single resort. It makes sense to treat this building as an expansion of the existing property rather than a separate entity. Plus then it boosts them from 47th largest hotel in the world to ~38th largest.

Well, yes and no.

Depending which site you land on, Marriott sometimes continues the distinction of the two being Westin v. Sheraton, and sometimes no mention of those brands.

Also the price for the two reflect a higher price (usually) for the Swan to indicate it is more luxe. It did get the higher grade beds in the latest refurbs.

But, other than that, they often operate as one unit. All the amenities are shared between the two. When I had a crazy split stay between them due to availability (Dolphin to Swan back to Dolphin), I went to the Dolphin desk to explain the situation and to see if they had any openings so I wouldn't have to jump to the Swan for two days, and the CM was able to move the Swan reservation to the Dolphin. So, they are pretty well linked with regard to reservations.

If Marriott really wanted them to be just one hotel, they'd stop having the reservations system between the two -- as it appears outwardly to guests -- as two distinct hotels and just merge the reservation site as "Swan and Dolphin" -- which they haven't... yet.

 

[DCBaker]

 

[Epcot82Guy]

So, I just spent the weekend at the Dolphin - and an interesting observation. The color scheme actually pairs pretty well with the interior design of the current rooms. The big issue there is how it doesn't match the exterior. It immediately made me wonder if we might be in for an exterior color change on the main hotels - incorporating more of the tans and blues. If done well, I think it could actually be pretty successful while giving homage to the original color scheme.

 

[Magic Feather]

A little late on the name party, but even the original, full name was “The Cove at the Walt Disney World Swan,” so this was always meant to be a quasi-extension in connection with the Swan. The Swan Reserve is definitely a weirder name (which I could honestly see being changed again), but it hits all of the notes they want “a slightly more luxurious neighbor to the Swan”.

And, yes, I do believe that this property will technically be classed in the Autograph Collection.

 

[Horizons '83]

Looks like this is officially an Autograph Collection hotel. Makes sense since they already have Westin and Sheraton branded hotels there. Also what's interesting is the name still seems a bit in flux, as its called a "Orlando Southwest" thus far.