The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is preparing to launch a $275 million overhaul, marking the most extensive transformation in the property's history.
This project will bring significant expansion and upgrades to the existing facilities, with particular focus on enhancing event spaces, guest rooms, and technology. Aimed at accommodating larger events and providing a refreshed guest experience, this ambitious renovation could position the Swan and Dolphin as a leading convention hub on the East Coast.
Expanded Event Space to Meet Modern Demands
The centerpiece of the Swan and Dolphin's overhaul is the addition of 120,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, bringing the property's total to 469,000 square feet across its three buildings: the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve. This makes the Swan and Dolphin one of the largest convention hotel complexes in the region. Included in this expansion is a new two-story annex at the Dolphin, featuring a 41,000-square-foot multi-purpose area, a pre-function space, and an upper-level ballroom that can be divided as needed. The new building's design will echo the original Michael Graves aesthetic with a modern touch, blending natural light, water-themed accents, and wood finishes.
The new ballroom and multi-functional areas are designed to meet the needs of today's large-scale events and allow for concurrent gatherings across floors. Enhanced with state-of-the-art event technology, the space will also accommodate outdoor setups, integrating infrastructure for temporary structures to offer even more flexibility for conventions and gatherings.
Refreshed Meeting Spaces Across the Swan and Dolphin
This transformation goes beyond adding space; the existing 333,000 square feet of meeting areas at the Swan and Dolphin will undergo a modernization that includes updated ballrooms, corridors, and breakout spaces. Completed work in the Dolphin's event areas features a fresh color scheme of whites, blues, grays, and natural wood, aligning with the hotel's coastal theming. The Swan's meeting areas are currently being revamped, with final updates scheduled for completion by summer 2025.
Upgraded Guest Rooms in the Swan
In parallel with the meeting space transformation, all guest rooms at the Swan are set to be renovated. Following the debut of the Swan Reserve in 2021, which introduced 349 new luxury rooms, this renovation will bring updated, modern interiors with luxury tile flooring and a contemporary design. The Swan's guest room transformation is expected to be complete by 2024, adding a fresh layer of comfort for convention attendees and vacationers alike.
A Timeline for Completion
The Swan and Dolphin's transformation project is scheduled to begin in November 2024, with construction anticipated to conclude by late summer 2026. With the enhancements, the property aims to attract larger conventions and meet the evolving needs of event organizers, who increasingly seek versatile, high-tech spaces.
WDWMAGIC Intelligence
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