Swan/Dolphin and Dining Plan

[mayk]

Will be going back to WDW in the Spring for a business conference and staying at the Swan and Dolphin...we normally go and stay at the Poly for a family vacation, but thought we would try this resort.

Now I realize the S/D is not a "Disney" hotel, but just can not figure out why you can take a boat to Epcot, can participate with all of the Magic Hours, but what is the reasoning for not allowing guests participate in the Dining Plan??
:shrug::shrug: I just dont understand the logic...what harm does it cause by allowing the plan for the guests of the hotel?

Because of this, thinking of staying at a WDW resort and paying for the stay out of own pocket....

Anyone know why this rule exists?

Counting the days to Disney!:sohappy:

 

[Master Yoda]

I do not know what the official reason is but it might be as simple as them being tied into the Disney resorts computer system. From my understanding this is also the reason that you can not use your room key to charge items back to your room in the parks as well.

The dining plan is a good value but it is hardly worth paying and additional $100-$300 per night for a room elsewhere on property to get if it your room at S&D is already covered.

 

[unkadug]

The DDP is offered as an incentive for people to stay at Disney resorts.

Since the S&D are not Disney resorts, it would make no sense for Disney to offer it to them.

 

[mayk]

Thanks for the reply, and you know, that makes sense (room card)...As we are a family of 5 (13, 10, and 7 y/os) who really enjoy going to dinner at the WDW resturants, the dining plan works well for us....I havent made the reservation yet, so trying to determine what the costs would be if we ate the resturants we have plans for and not on the plan.

Heck, might even try Port Orleans for a change.....as they allow 5 guests...

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks for the reply, and you know, that makes sense (room card)...As we are a family of 5 (13, 10, and 7 y/os) who really enjoy going to dinner at the WDW resturants, the dining plan works well for us....I havent made the reservation yet, so trying to determine what the costs would be if we ate the resturants we have plans for and not on the plan.

Heck, might even try Port Orleans for a change.....as they allow 5 guests...

I have a party of 5 as well and stay at Port Orleans Riverside quite frequently. It is a great resort. IMHO it is Disney's most bang for the buck resort. Drop me a line and I can get your reservations set up for you if you decide to go that route.

 

[mayk]

Thanks!!

Thanks for the reply and appreciate the offer....Sounds like you can recommend the best room/building to 'ask for'.....

When I was in Orlando last year (before our vacation-we stayed at the Poly again) for business, I spent a good day on my "poor mans fun day" by riding the mono rail to each resort, spending time at the resorts, and then visiting each of the other mod resorts....The Port Orleans looked like a nice place.....with a good pool area for the kids as well. We stayed a few years ago at the Coronado and enjoyed that resort as well....

With a family of 5, I take the room has a trundle bed?

Anyway, thanks for the reply and the hardest part of this trip will be me sitting in meetings while I know the family is having a great time! :lol:

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks for the reply and appreciate the offer....Sounds like you can recommend the best room/building to 'ask for'.....

When I was in Orlando last year (before our vacation-we stayed at the Poly again) for business, I spent a good day on my "poor mans fun day" by riding the mono rail to each resort, spending time at the resorts, and then visiting each of the other mod resorts....The Port Orleans looked like a nice place.....with a good pool area for the kids as well. We stayed a few years ago at the Coronado and enjoyed that resort as well....

With a family of 5, I take the room has a trundle bed?

Anyway, thanks for the reply and the hardest part of this trip will be me sitting in meetings while I know the family is having a great time! :lol:

That is correct. I have done the same thing myself. I have attended a few conventions at the Contemporary and S&D over the years. While my family is having a blast in the parks I am stuck in a room listening to a lecture about pressure treated lumber or something else equally as exciting.:lol:

 

[mayk]

LOL....sent email.

I will be there for the RFID Conference...:hammer:

But sitting here in 14 degree weather, with wind chills in the single digits...the trip can not get here soon enough!

The last business trip at WDW, our 12 y/o daughter would send pictures to my phone of what they were doing and the rides they were on....that was tourture!