Hiya Joyce Marie! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with this great question!
Oh boy! Your very first visit to the
Walt Disney World Resort! You are going to have the most magical time, especially with getting a head start on the planning process!
The
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel offers one of the best locations at Walt Disney World. You are directly between two of the four theme parks and have a host of dining locations just steps away. You also have Disney's Boardwalk to explore, which is home to some unique entertainment and fun activities.
The
Friendship Boats do make a stop at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels when it's transporting Guests from Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Transportation will typically begin about 45 minutes before the parks open, so you'll have plenty of time to get in line for
Early Theme Park Entry. This perk for Disney Resorts hotel Guests and Guests staying at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels allows entry 30 minutes before the official park opening time. This gives you a head start to ride some attractions with very minimal wait times.
If you wanted to ensure that you are one of the first Guests to arrive, there is a walking path to each of these two parks. To get to
Disney's Hollywood Studios, walk toward Disney's Boardwalk and hang a right before you enter. There is a path along the water that will take you directly to the entrance of the park. It takes about 15-20 minutes depending on how quickly you walk. To get to the International Gateway Entrance of
EPCOT, follow the path toward Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts to make your way to the entrance. This is a slightly quicker walk and usually takes about 10 minutes to get there.
Joyce Marie, being that you are a Disneyland Resort regular, I'm sure you have a great understanding of how to plan a magical trip. The biggest difference between the two is how much larger of a footprint Walt Disney World is, with the various
Disney Resorts hotels, four theme parks, and water parks. Transportation is a big part of the planning process, so I am happy you stopped by today with your question. Please send in any additional questions that come your way as you continue along!
See ya real soon!
Greg