swan dolphin with Dining plan - someday???

[petrymom]

Do you think it would ever be possible to stay at the Swan or Dolphin and do the dining plan? My kids would love to stay at either of these resorts, but I really enjoyed the dining plan on our last stay and don't know if I would want to be without it.......

What do you think?

 

[NancyIL]

Never say never - but I don't think Disney will allow the dining plan to be offered to Swan/Dolphin resort guests - as long as those hotels are not owned by Disney. I usually stay at the Swan or Dolphin, and I don't feel deprived because I can't do the dining plan. I have an annual pass, so I paid $60 to get the Disney Dining Experience card - which saves me 20% on most table service restaurants, and at counter service eateries at Animal Kingdom and the value resort food courts.

 

[jstjohn]

Never say never - but I don't think Disney will allow the dining plan to be offered to Swan/Dolphin resort guests - as long as those hotels are not owned by Disney. I usually stay at the Swan or Dolphin, and I don't feel deprived because I can't do the dining plan. I have an annual pass, so I paid $60 to get the Disney Dining Experience card - which saves me 20% on most table service restaurants, and at counter service eateries at Animal Kingdom and the value resort food courts.

Next time I go it will just be my husband and me and I think we're going to try staying at the Dolphin, and I'll get an AP and the DDE card. But I have a question - do you rent a car or rely on buses? I'm going in May, but didn't stay at the Dolphin because I'm not renting a car and wasn't sure about the bus service?

 

[bornwiththeears]

We stayed at the Dolphin during Thanksgiving and it was wonderful. Like you, we really wanted to do the dining plan, but I do not see it happening unless Disney takes over the Swan/Dolphin. However, even without the DP it was one of the best hotels we have stayed at during our 20+ trips to the world. If you do stay there, take advantage of the refillable mugs and remember to use Picabu's for your casual meals. The food was good.

 

[nbodyhome]

No, I don't see that happening.

 

[NancyIL]

Next time I go it will just be my husband and me and I think we're going to try staying at the Dolphin, and I'll get an AP and the DDE card. But I have a question - do you rent a car or rely on buses? I'm going in May, but didn't stay at the Dolphin because I'm not renting a car and wasn't sure about the bus service?

If I fly to Florida (which is usually the case), I don't have a rental car. The bus service to the MK and AK is pretty good, and you can take the boat or walk (I usually do the latter) to Epcot and MGM. My son and I drove to FL last month, so we had our car at WDW. The Swan and Dolphin charge $9.59/day to park.