The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort broke ground on its new tower this week. As part of the ceremony, The Cove at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort was announced as the official name. The new 349-room hotel brings the resort’s total inventory to 2,619 rooms and will feature a rooftop reception space. The project brings together hotel owners Tishman and MetLife along with Walt Disney World. It will operate under the Marriott hotel banner.
The name The Cove comes from the placement of the hotel at the end of the water way that separates the Swan from the Dolphin hotels. The design of the tower continues the water motif taking on the form of a water feature at the end of The Cove.
Designed with 151 suites, large meeting spaces, including a rooftop reception space, the new hotel is ideal for groups. It will also help the Swan & Dolphin complex meet its own increasing demand for hotel rooms. The Cove hotel scheduled for completion in late 2020 or early 2021.
The tower will be 14 stories tall and include:
- Meeting and rooftop space – Over 22,000 square feet of meeting space, including two ballrooms, 12 meeting rooms and a rooftop reception space offering spectacular views of the nightly Walt Disney World fireworks
- Guest rooms – 349 guest rooms including 151 suites featuring separate working and private spaces, built-in AV system, large conference table and other features designed to create the perfect collaboration space
- Outdoor space – Landscaped 16,800-square-foot elevated deck with a fire pit and pool
- Restaurant – 90-seat restaurant and a 50-seat lounge
- Other amenities – Health club, business center, grab-and-go market, upscale craft cocktail lobby bar, Disney benefits
“This is another significant phase for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort,” said Fred Sawyers, the resort’s general manager. “We’re excited about the resort’s continued evolution and the new experience it will provide for our guests.”
The tennis courts where the hotel will rise are already closed and larger work in the area should begin shortly. Construction is expected to be completed in the winter of 2020.
The addition of The Cove Hotel follows a $150 million transformation of the Swan & Dolphin Resort’s guest rooms, lobby areas, and all meeting spaces. Once the new tower is completed, the resort will offer more than 2,600 total guestrooms and 350,000 square feet of meeting space.
Pictured above with Mickey Mouse from left to right are Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort General Manager Fred Sawyers, Tishman Chairman and CEO John A. Vickers, Tishman Principal and Vice Chairman Dan Tishman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Senior Vice President of Global Development Andy Hopkins, MetLife Director of Hotel Asset Management Bill Webster and Marriott International COO of the Eastern Region David Marriott.