Fodor's Expert Review Walt Disney World Dolphin

A pair of 56-foot-tall sea creatures bookends a 25-story, glass, A-frame structure at this luxe resort designed, like the adjoining Swan (which is also on Disney property but not a Disney-owned resort), by world-renowned architect Michael Graves and set close enough to the parks that you can escape the midday heat for a dip in the pool. Guests get some (like transportation and Extra Magic Hours) but not all (in-park charging privileges) of the perks of staying on Disney property. The Swan Reserve, an annex opened in late 2021, has additional rooms and suites and its own pool, ballroom, and four unique restaurants; it's designed to keep some of the hustle and bustle of conferences and conventions away from the main hotels.