Swan Resort Transportation: Walking to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios
Transportation from Swan
Walk
Walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
Boat
Friendship boats to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
Bus
Buses to Magic Kingdom (via the TTC), Animal Kingdom & Disney Springs (no bus to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios — walk or boat instead)
Monorail
Not available from this resort
Skyliner
No station at the resort (EPCOT's International Gateway station is within walking distance, no park ticket needed)
The Walt Disney World Swan is walking distance to EPCOT (10-12 minutes) and Hollywood Studios (15-20 minutes), with Friendship boat service to both parks and buses to Magic Kingdom (dropped at the TTC), Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. Like its sister property the Dolphin, Swan is a Marriott property on Disney property with complimentary transportation — but there's no regular bus to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.
This guide covers all your options.
Your Transportation Options
Swan has three main transportation modes:
| Mode | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | EPCOT, Hollywood Studios | 10-20 min depending on park |
| Boat (Friendship) | EPCOT, Hollywood Studios | Scenic, ~15-25 min with wait |
| Bus | Magic Kingdom (via the TTC), Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs | No regular bus to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios |
No monorail access, and no Skyliner station of its own — though EPCOT's International Gateway Skyliner station is within walking distance (no park ticket needed).
The Walking Advantage
Swan's location between the two parks makes walking practical to both.
To EPCOT
Walk time: 10-12 minutes
The path goes along Crescent Lake, through the BoardWalk area, and into EPCOT via International Gateway.
Why walk:
- Faster than waiting for a boat
- No uncertainty about when transportation arrives
- Pleasant waterfront path
Note: You enter at International Gateway (World Showcase). For the front of EPCOT (Guardians, Test Track), walk through the park or take a rideshare or Minnie Van to the main entrance.
To Hollywood Studios
Walk time: 15-20 minutes
The path goes the opposite direction along Crescent Lake to Hollywood Studios.
When to walk:
- Weather is pleasant
- You have energy
- You want certainty
When to consider alternatives:
- Midday heat
- You're tired
- Boat is available and ready
For more on this decision, see When Walking Beats Everything.
Getting to Each Park
To EPCOT
Best option: Walk
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walk | 10-12 min | Fastest, most reliable |
| Boat | 15-20 min | Scenic but slower |
| Bus | Not available | No regular bus; Disney buses fill in only when the boats stop for weather |
Walk unless you need the main entrance or weather is bad.
To Hollywood Studios
Best option: Walk or boat
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walk | 15-20 min | Reliable |
| Boat | 15-25 min | About the same |
| Bus | Not available | No regular bus; Disney buses fill in only when the boats stop for weather |
Walk and boat are roughly equivalent. If a boat is ready, take it. Otherwise, walk.
For more, see Walking vs. Bus.
To Magic Kingdom
Option: Bus only
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Walk to bus stop | 3-5 min |
| Wait for bus | 5-20 min |
| Ride to TTC | 15-20 min |
| Monorail or ferry | 10-20 min |
| Total | 33-65 min |
Bus to TTC, then transfer to monorail or ferry.
To Animal Kingdom
Option: Bus only
Total time: 23-45 min
Direct bus.
To Disney Springs
Option: Bus only
Total time: 23-40 min
Swan vs. Dolphin
Swan and Dolphin are connected sister properties, both operated by Marriott. Transportation is nearly identical.
| Factor | Swan | Dolphin |
|---|---|---|
| Walk to EPCOT | 10-12 min | 10-15 min |
| Walk to Hollywood Studios | 15-20 min | 18-22 min |
| Boat dock | Shared | Shared |
| Bus stop | Shared | Shared |
Walk times are nearly the same — Dolphin is the larger property, so some of its rooms are a bit farther from the paths.
Both are excellent. The transportation difference is minimal.
For Dolphin details, see Dolphin Transportation.
What's Different About Swan/Dolphin
Swan and Dolphin are Marriott properties, not Disney-owned. This affects a few things:
Transportation is similar: Full access to the Friendship boats and walking paths, plus complimentary buses.
What's different:
- Buses go only to Magic Kingdom (dropped at the TTC, not the park's bus loop), Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs, about every 20-25 minutes
- Marriott/Bonvoy points eligible
- Different booking system than Disney resorts
- Early Entry benefit included (link your reservation in My Disney Experience before your trip)
- Different cancellation policies
For EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, Swan works like Disney's EPCOT-area resorts (walk or boat); the big difference is the Magic Kingdom bus, which drops you at the TTC.
Rope Drop Strategies
For EPCOT
Leave time: 35-45 minutes before park opening
Walk. You're 10-12 minutes away.
For Guardians: Walk through International Gateway and head to the front of the park, or take a rideshare or Minnie Van to the main entrance.
For Hollywood Studios
Leave time: 45-60 minutes before park opening
Walk (15-20 min) or catch an early boat.
For Magic Kingdom
Leave time: 75-90 minutes before park opening
Bus to TTC, then monorail or ferry.
For Animal Kingdom
Leave time: 60-75 minutes before park opening
Bus only.
Park Close Strategies
From EPCOT
Walk. 10-12 minutes and you're home while others wait in bus lines.
From Hollywood Studios
Walk or boat. Both work well.
From Magic Kingdom
Plan for TTC crowds. Leave early or stay late. See Transportation at Park Close.
From Animal Kingdom
Waiting 15-20 minutes after park close helps you avoid the peak bus lines.
Quick Reference
| Destination | Best Option | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| EPCOT | Walk | 10-12 min |
| Hollywood Studios | Walk or Boat | 15-25 min |
| Magic Kingdom | Bus | 33-65 min |
| Animal Kingdom | Bus | 23-45 min |
| Disney Springs | Bus | 23-40 min |
Tips for Swan Guests
Embrace the Walk
The walking paths are the main advantage of this location. Use them.
Know the Boat Dock Location
Swan and Dolphin share a boat dock between the two buildings. Know where it is — it's useful for Hollywood Studios especially.
Marriott Status
If you have Marriott Bonvoy status, it applies here. Swan is technically a Westin property.
Link Your Reservation in My Disney Experience
Swan guests get 30-minute Early Theme Park Entry with valid park admission (some admission types, such as certain annual passes, may still need a park reservation). Link your hotel reservation in My Disney Experience before your trip to ensure everything is set up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swan considered a Disney resort?
Not officially. It's a Marriott property on Disney property. You get Disney transportation but not all Disney resort perks.
Can I use Disney Dining Plan at Swan?
No. Disney Dining Plan is only for Disney-owned resorts.
How does Swan compare to BoardWalk for transportation?
Very similar. BoardWalk is slightly closer to both parks. Swan offers Marriott points and (often) lower prices.
Is the walk to the parks safe at night?
Yes. The paths are well-lit, on Disney property, and heavily used by guests.
The Bottom Line
Swan's EPCOT-area location provides walking access to two parks with Marriott perks and pricing — a significant transportation advantage over most Disney resorts. For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you're on buses, and the best option varies with time of day and conditions. For help planning routes for your travel dates, or figuring it out on the spot — see how the app handles Swan routing.