These two Michael Graves–designed, high-rise luxury hotels, which face each other on Disney property and share facilities, offer a distinctly toned-down Disney feel but have many of the the Disney perks, including Magic Hours (where a theme park opens early and closes late for guests at Disney hotels only). Large swan and dolphin statues grace the grounds.
Perched along the bay between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, these are the only non-Disney hotels next to a theme park; thus, the 'Magic Band' payment system is no good here -- they need real dollars, not mouse money. They are also differently owned: Dolphin is a Sheraton property, Swan a Westin. Online and last-minute deals can save literally hundreds of dollars.