What is the best time of day for an outdoor Wedding Ceremony?
The best times of day to hold a ceremony are early to mid-morning or late afternoon to early evening (most comfortable temperature and lighting for outdoor photos). However, we are happy to accommodate any time preference (based on availability).
What are the best months of the year to host a Wedding in Orlando?
The most popular months in Orlando to book a wedding are March, April, October and November. This is due to the pleasant, less humid weather. Generally these months are free of severe weather events.
Which locations can I see the fireworks?
Our Resort is located in the heart of the Epcot Resort Area. So we are closest to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If your event is on ground level, outdoors, there are many locations to view the Epcot fireworks as they are nearby. The best location to see all the Theme parks from one location would be from our 15th floor rooftop ballroom, The Vue, at the Swan Reserve. There is a minimum expenditure required to book this location.
Is there a curfew for the end time of my event?
All outdoor events must conclude by 10:00pm. Events held in the Vue Ballroom must conclude with any amplified noise by 10:00pm. All events taking place in a ballroom in one of our convention centers in any of the three hotels are able to extend past this time.
Do you offer any reduced pricing for certain days of the week or months during the year?
We do offer a lower Food & Beverage minimum for events that take place prior to 2:00pm and in the months of June, July and August. Other considerations are short term contracts or mid-week requests, but not guaranteed.
Do you offer any discounts on the Wedding Menu Packages?
We offer a food & beverage discount to any Swan & Dolphin and Swan Reserve Cast Members, Walt Disney World Cast Members, active Military personnel and Marriott Employee discounts (with proper ID proof of employment from these companies).
How far in advance can I book my Wedding?
We book weddings of all sizes and have a generous time period to book your event. We offer 2 years in advance for our indoor ballroom and meeting room locations and 1 year in advance for our outdoor locations. Note: Availability depends on your desired date, the size of your event, and preferred location.
How much advance notice is needed for booking a Micro Wedding, Wedding Ceremony, or full Wedding Reception?
Our wedding team is capable of handling last-minute catering and wedding requests. We prefer advance notice of: 3 weeks for ceremonies and 2 months for Wedding Receptions. We do our best to accommodate all short-term requests. Micro Weddings and Wedding Receptions are booked based on the size of the event, the availability of our ballrooms & outdoor locations as well as the availability of the wedding & event teams who service these events. Note: Holidays and weekends are peak time periods for our property and are typically booked well in advance.
Do I have to be a guest of the Swan & Dolphin and Swan Reserve to get married there?
You do not have to be a guest staying at the resort to host your Micro Wedding, Wedding Ceremony or Wedding Reception with our hotels. We are nestled in the Epcot Resort Area and we are in walking distance of Disney’s Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach hotels. You can also easily get to our property via the complimentary Friendship boat which picks up and drops off at Hollywood Studios and Epcot. We are also have complimentary motorcoach pick up/drop off from all 4 theme parks and Disney Springs.
Is a deposit required to book my Wedding?
For a Micro Wedding (which is less than 20 guests booked 1 year advance) we require a 50% non-refundable deposit of the package price selected. For Ceremonies & Receptions, a 25% non-refundable deposit of the Ceremony Site Fee and Food & Beverage minimum is due at contract signing. Your wedding contract is booked with a Catering Sales Manager through the Catering Department.
What if there is inclement weather on my Wedding day?
As part of your contract, for an outdoor location, the hotel will always secure an indoor weather backup space inside the hotel. This space will be able to accommodate the full size of your wedding in case of inclement weather. Inclement weather can include rain, extreme heat or cold, excessive wind, lightning within 20 miles or other types of storm activity in the area.
Is there a limit to the number of guests we can invite?
The hotel does not limit the number of wedding guests. We have wedding packages to suit all needs for number of guests from Micro Weddings to large scale receptions. The hotel has a variety of indoor and outdoor locations across the property to accommodate reception style events of all sizes from 2 to 1,000 guests.
If we book a Micro Wedding or a Wedding Ceremony, do we have to book a reception at the hotel?
A Micro Wedding or Wedding Ceremony can be booked at the hotel without booking a full Wedding Reception. We have wedding packages to accommodate weddings of all sizes. As an alternative to a full Wedding Reception, the hotel offers Private Dining Room (PDR) options at all of our Signature Restaurants on property. These PDRs accommodate up to 100 guests and our restaurants have a variety of themes & cuisines such as Italian, Seafood, Steak, Mexican and Mediterranean, This could be an option versus booking a full reception package.
Are there recommendations for a room to use as a “Getting Ready” location for the wedding party on the day of the Wedding?
We recommend to either book a meeting room through the Catering Sales Manager, a hotel sleeping room, or a suite in any of our three hotels through reservations. For the meeting room, it can be blocked in any of our three hotels. The Catering Sales Manager offers a Getting Room Menu Package. This package includes the rental of the meeting room as well as beverages and light snacks throughout the day for up to 10 guests. Additional guests can be added for an additional fee. The meeting room would be selected based on the size of the wedding party and is set with tables, chairs and mirror stations to accommodate hair and make-up teams. For the suite, it would be existing furniture in the parlor section and food & beverage could be ordered as an additional cost with two options: 1. pre-ordered with the Catering team for full banquet service or 2. Pre-ordered on line through our Swan & Dolphin mobile dining app for a food drop off for the day, time and location you order it.
Is there a Parking Fee at the Swan & Dolphin and Swan Reserve Resort?
The parking lots at all three of our hotels are gated and there is a fee to park on property for all visits. The Parking is handled by a third party and there is a fee for Day Self Parking, Day and Overnight Valet Parking. These fees are based per vehicle and are subject to change each year. The current fee when your contract is signed, is the fee that will be honored for your event. Discounted parking fees and vendor parking passes are available for Wedding events and will be shared by the Catering Sales Manager when contracting your event.
Does Walt Disney World offer discounts on Theme Parks tickets for Weddings?
Tickets and discounts for admission to any of the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks and attractions are not included in the wedding packages. Tickets can be purchased by the wedding couple on-line in advance, or at one of our Disney Gift shops at the Swan or Dolphin lobbies once you arrive to the property. Unfortunately, Walt Disney World does not offer any discounted or complimentary theme park tickets for weddings and social events.
Do we need a Marriage License?
Florida law dictates a license is required to be legally married. The conditions for marriage license issuance and the fees are provided by the Florida Clerk of Courts website. This site provides an information sheet to help you understand the requirements of the law and to answer questions which are frequently asked.
ROOM BLOCK INFORMATION
Are there discounted room rates for members of the wedding party and guests if they want to stay at the resort?
Room blocks with special discounted rates can be arranged for a wedding. To be eligible for a room block, you must have at least 10 or more guest rooms on one peak night during your stay. The special discounted sleeping room rate for your room block is booked on a separate contract with a Group Sales Manager through the Sales Department.
What are the requirements to qualify for a group room block and rate?
In order to qualify for a group room block and group rate, a minimum of 10 rooms on at least one peak night is required.
What is the most common example of a group room block request for a wedding or social event?
From experience, most wedding or social event “peak nights” fall the night before the actual event and the night of the event. Some blocks will include a handful of rooms 1-2 days prior to the night before and 1-2 nights post event night, based on preference. Below is an example of a group room block:
- *Example per night Room Block Needs*
ii. Two Nights Event Day – 4 rooms
iii. NIGHT BEFORE Event – 10 rooms
iv. NIGHT OF Event – 10 room
v. One night Post Actual Event Day – 3 rooms
vi. Two Nights Post Actual Event Day – All are now checked-out
Are wedding and social event room blocks guaranteed at the Hotel in which the Ceremony and/or Reception is located?
The Resort is unable to guarantee a group room block prior to the return of executed contract (agreement). Once the per night room needs are provided, the Sales team will review the guestroom availability at all three hotels (The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve) and will present all available run of house group rate option(s) for consideration. Guestrooms are not held out of inventory without a signed formal contract (agreement) and the proposed option(s) is based upon the hotel’s continued availability.