Swan flying in
This little bitty goes back to 1990 when I with my daughter Linda, and four year-old grandson David, were among the first guests to stay at THE SWAN. Visiting Disney was always a treat, but staying at The Swan, was over the top. Expensive even then, like $200 a night, remember, that’s in 1990. This adventure was a homework assignment to write a critique for my criticism class at Parsons. What better way to experience an assignment? Live it! The fire alarm went off around 3:00 a.m. It was loud and clear . . . everyone out, use the stairs only. Take nothing. This was serious, everyone, OUT! Breathless, and in our PJs, we scampered down those stairs, Linda carrying David. Of all the warm nights we could have encountered in Florida, this one wasn’t. Chilled, we all stood with hands folded across chests for warmth, looking for fire and smoke. No, no one was naked, darn. Bathrobes were the garbs of the night. I wondered if folks kept bathrobes at the foot of the bed in case of fire? Read on, well, you’ll have to get to the end for the rest of the story.
Swan
The Swan hotel, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, was meant to characterize Disney’s belief that any architecture outside the boundaries of Disney’s theme parks should embody the same fantasy and sense of place as within the park. The clients, Disney and the Westin Hotels and Resorts, owners/operators of the hotel in 1990, plotted the development strategies of the program. Michael Graves with Alan Lapidus (son of Morris Lapidus, architect of the Fontainebleau in Florida) were committed to organizing and implementing those strategies.
The hotel is a colorful example of architectural frontality, a term used when referring to the façade. Graves had established his brand, where architecture is a three-dimensional mass, upon which all elements are hung and interwoven, like the hand-painted murals of Florida’s tropical landscapes, the frond columns, tented ceiling and the decorative art in the furnishings throughout the hotel. In the design community, Graves was known as the architect’s decorator for the iconography that identifies his buildings. 
In keeping with the whimsical world of Disney Architecture, the structures themselves are designed to amuse, delight, and stimulate the imagination. Cascading fountains in giant clamshells sit atop seven-story wings of 56,000 pound, combined weight, 47 foot high classical swans, the symbols of water.
Swan
In the end, the fire alarms turned out to be nothing but a faulty switch, except we met new people and talked about this strange and funny incident. I managed to get an interview with the Swan’s managing director at the time, Bill McCreary. His thoughts were positive about this successful entertainment architecture. Because of the fake fire alarm, we were not charged for our stay at this not-Disney, but on Disney, property. Wow, what a wonderful surprise. But the Swan, a convention center, with changes not necessarily consistent to its original design, is now twenty-six years old. Things change and time isn’t always kind. Remember to check out reviews for any hotel before you choose.
Swan Hotel swimming hole
Click the link below for a 2006 story to see what happened with this important entertainment architecture.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/8152/Understanding_the_Swan_and_Dolphin
MM
Do you have a favorite hotel at Disney?
Oops. I have to even edit my comment. Other than the Swan and the Dolphin the other Disney resorts and rides all tell a story.
Thanks again.
So happy you had a good time. Disney is my favorite vacation place. Love the Disney cruises. They’re just as great if not better. What I love most about Disney (Other than the Swan and the Dolphin) is that every ride, every resort tells a story. It appeals to the writer in me. I stay at the value resorts so I can spend more days there. I spend my time in the theme parks and water parks so I have a different view of the experience. I just want a pool to take a dip in and a comfortable bed to collapse in at night. Currently Pop Century (50’s era) is my favorite but I’m looking forward to a stay at Animation.
Christine, thanks for stopping by. We love Disney too! Your system of discovery is clever. Thanks for sharing.
Gail, Gil and I stayed at the sister hotel, The Dolphin. Over the years, we had a chance to experience several of the Disney resort hotels. Disney always gets it right. Most recently we enjoyed a family reunion at the Grand Floridian-my all time favorite.
Hi Joy, thanks for stopping by. The Dolphin was not yet open when we stayed at The Swan Hotel. Although it abuts Disney property, it is not a Disney hotel. I remember taking the boat to get anywhere, not the buses. Tell me about the Grand Floridian. Maybe we will stay there next trip. We stayed at the New Orleans this past February. It was nice, but not luxurious.
I stayed at the SWAN when I went to RWA’s National conference in Orlando several years ago. It was amazing! I only wished I had had more time to enjoy the amenities. There was so much to see and do right on the grounds. I did enjoy the outdoor pool and bar a few times, but of course, my focus was on the conference and all the fabulous parties! Looking forward to NYC next month. It’s always fun visiting the Big Apple:-)
Paula, so great to see you again. The Swan was renovated in 2006, I think. You found the hotel amazing, as it was when I was there in 1990. So that’s good. I do not know how it is now. It isn’t run by Disney. Those magic bands are not available at The Swan. The Disney magic bands makes all the difference, got to have them. I can’t wait to see you at the RWA conference.