Would you DDP or DDE?

[TammyAlphabet]

If you were going to do one sit-down every day with two adults and one child of 8 years old and staying for 12 nights in a studio, would you do the DDP or just the DDE?

[mom2alix]

I would do DDP if you're definitely doing one sit down meal per day. It's a really good deal, especially while your child is still at the child's price. In a couple of years, at the adult price for your little one I might go the DDE route instead of DDP.

We're actually doing both DDE and DDP. Some days we do more than one sit-down per day. I'm paying for CRT OOP since it's going to be 2 credits, with a party of 5 adults and 2 kids CRT alone almost made up the cost of the DDE. DH also likes to have cocktails before dinner and a beer with his steak on vacation, so I think we'll get good value from the DDE even with the DDP too.

[Mike]

You should run the numbers to compare. I just went through this exercise and I was somewhat surprised to see that I was better off with the DDE discount over the DDP. The savings were even greater when I got a little realistic and did not plan on ordering an appetizer and dessert with every meal. There is no way everyone in our party would each order an appetizer, entree and dessert at every meal!!!! And I am a big eater! Sure if we did order all of that food then we would save money with the DDP. But a more realistic view of what would actually be ordered showed that the DDE is a better deal - especially if you can get multiple trips out of it.

[changjoe]

I never had DDE, but last time when i used DDP it was really nice. We were able to enjoy all the good meal at AKL (best food) at pretty low price. I just really liked the feeling of enjoying food without worrying about how much it costs.

[jdvm]

I'd vote for Disney Dining experience. I feel like I have to be on a mission with a dining plan to eat enough to get my money's worth and order things I wouldn't normally order; eat a meal when I really ought to skip, etc. With the DDE card, you follow your normal pattern but you get a hefty discount (or "free tipping" as I call it!)

[erikthewise]

DDP does not work well if you don't plan to eat a TS meal every day. It also doesn't work well if you plan to eat more than one per day! On our 9-day trip last month we ate all breakfasts and one lunch in our room. We ate 13 TS meals, 4 CS meals, and very few snacks at a cost of $1100 using our DDE card.

The dining plan would have cost us $1125 at current prices -- a wash. Except that we were able to eat our way, a lot of lighter table service meals with a minimum of counter service. I don't think we ever had appetizer, entree, and dessert at the same meal. On the dining plan we would have had to use very different eating habits.

[pumpkinboy]

I'd vote for Disney Dining experience. I feel like I have to be on a mission with a dining plan to eat enough to get my money's worth and order things I wouldn't normally order; eat a meal when I really ought to skip, etc. With the DDE card, you follow your normal pattern but you get a hefty discount (or "free tipping" as I call it!) :teacher: DDE added up for us! I like jdvm's "free tipping" idea on this. It worked well with our usual schedule. We ate where we wanted, had a bottle of wine and did not feel any need to "get the most out of the plan" as you might on the DDP.

When we are vacationing at WDW, we like to have breakfast in the room, and then Table Service for wither lunch or dinner (sometimes both); and when we're in a nice place, that happens not to be in the MK, we will get a bottle of wine, or two if we feel like it. Sometimes we'll get appetizers, sometimes not. We'll get dessert for DD, but after a nice meal, i'd just as soon save the calories (or rather replace those calories with wine). The 20% the total bill with DDE just suits us better. Were we on the DDP, we would end up with lots of Counter Service credits left over, and would still have to pay for wine out of pocket.

Then again, if you were a teetotaler, and your dining habits match the plan, then DDP might make sense for you. But not for me Thx.

[Dean]

You should definitely look at the menu's and run the numbers. You may be surprised to find that for a 12 day stay, getting neither might be best. Remember there are other discounts availalbe to DVC and AP holders. If you can get another trip in under the DDE, that will likely be your best option. But it depends on how you eat and how your 8 y/o eats as well as how strict they hold you to getting kids meals for the 8 y/o.

[doubletrouble_vb]

I agree with Dean. Check out the discounts already available to you before leaping on either plan. I had the DDE this year and really struggled to make it pay. Now that's because I was one person trying to spend the $250 it takes to start saving on the plan. The people I traveled with got a great deal but I can't count their savings in except for one trip (I had a niece with me).

Rather than looking at the credits I'd look at how I'd normally eat and then compare that to the credits and the places I wanted to eat. For example...I usually eat breakfast in the room. So far Disney breakfasts haven't been good enough to make this a must do with a couple of exceptions. I generally avoid counter service except in EPCOT. I might get one or two snacks on a trip. I do order alcohol and I like food I can't come by easily.

With such picky habits I probably WILL do the DDP someday when I'm doing a split stay. DDE I'll only do again when traveling with people with similar habits.

[dianeschlicht]

We KNOW we would not eat enough to make DDP worthwhile for us, but the DDE card saved us a lot, since we tend to never eat at CS and only at sit downs, and many that would require 2 DDP tickets, so DDE was the best for us. We have used it 10 days already, and will be using it 20 more before the end of the year.

[CarolA]

I do DDE and find it saves me some money. However, I can't really fathom a sit down meal every day for 12 days... Are you sure about that? I feel like it gives my schedule way too little flexibiity and plus I don't need to eat an appitzer, main dish an desert at Disney portions every day... I think that's the big issue with the DDP will Both you an DH eat all that food at every sit down??? Plus your child gets a full meal... it's just a lot of food.(If I did I think I would have to run to the outlet mall to buy clothes in a larger size!)

[mbb]

Just had to chime in with a giggle :laughing:

"Doin' the DDE and the DDP" just sounds like new dance!! :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Adding that to our "almost single digits" and "Boot Scootin' Boogie" repertoire :teeth: :teeth: :teeth:

Have a great day!..and thanks for the smile:)

:sunny:

[tinkercubbyfan]

To sum it all up. Do your homework and see how it pans out. I went through and checked out menus and figured out what I would order and we are going with the DDP provided I can get my parents to committ. We will be saving quite a bit provided DD dosen't sleep through every meal. But she will be older and her tastes have expanded to a few more items than just
spag-o 's :teeth:

[patsal]

If you are staying in a studio and really plan to eat one TS every day for the 12 days and you intend to spend at least $25.00 per adult on dinner then the DDP may be a good deal for you. IF you are planning signature dining you can get a respite from "all 12 days" as those require 2TS credits. Personally in a studio I would be more limited with what I could cook and I know with 12 days I would hoave time to relax a bit mroe so the 12 TS would be something I would do. Do a little research on your restaurant choices and then compare the cost versus the 20% off.

[Judique]

If you were going to do one sit-down every day with two adults and one child of 8 years old and staying for 12 nights in a studio, would you do the DDP or just the DDE?

I was all set to go ahead and do DDP for 2 of us for a 5 night stay. I calculated out all the dinners and planned them at 1 credit a day TS restaurants. For 5 nights, this was relatively easy ( we are moving after 5 nights). We would also be able to do CS breakfasts and use the snack option, and still come out a bit ahead.

Then, 1st one and then a second family member (adults) started making noise about joining us. The DDP was no longer a bargain, as one of these adults is a 'light' eater and would be ordering salad and diet soda for dinner - not steak or chicken. Their breakfast would probably be a juice,etc.

I already have DDE and it paid for itself last trip. So, if we are a party of four, we'll go DDE, party of two - DDP.

To go one step further, if I had to plan for meals for 12 nights, I would go DDE. With that many nights, there would be more then one occasion where I would just feel like a slice of pizza for dinner and a bagel for breakfast - I don't eat a three course dinner at home, combined with a CS lunch every day. So, I guess my point is that over a long trip, the DDP is just too much. For a short trip, the food is a manageable amount - 4 or 5 nights are actually spread over 5-6 days. And more people in the room leads to too much extra food.

[beattyfamily]

We are debating the DDP and alreayd have the DDE card. I'm leaning toward getting the plan. We eat at least one TS a day, sometimes two but some days none.

I think I'm going to use both.

[ClarabelleCow]

honestly, I would scrap the studio and get a one bedroom, twelve days is a long time without a kitchen or washer and dryer!! then probably get the DDE or not even bother, eating in most breakfasts and even lunches you will save alot, even a simple dinner in the room would be great. When we do long trips like that I bring frozen lasagna, chic parm, etc,. (love that food saver!!) and defrost and eat!! the flexability of having a kitchen is awsome!

Just something to consider!! We get tired of eating out, imagine!

[BROWNSPHAN]

We were down in Oct for 7 nights and did the DDP.2 adults, 3 kids (15,12,5).Older 2 charged as adults.We thought the DDP worked the best for us because we would use 2 or 3 CS for breakfast and then 2 or 3 CS for lunch.Did TS every night.We liked the idea of not having to tell the kids what they could or should order and not have to worry about being to price conscious.Just able to give them freedom of choice and enjoy the whole vacation with everything paid up front.Not to say that this works for everyone, but seems to work out great for us. Thanks, Greg

[Laurajean1014]

We are two adults and one child 9. We went with the DDE because we love the higher end restaurants. We frequent Jiko, CA Grill, Citrico's and thought it made more sense to do DDE based on the fact that we like 2 point restaurants.

We are also going with 8 others in April and the 20% would be a big savings.

[SleepyatDVC]

we love the higher end restaurants. We frequent Jiko, CA Grill, Citrico's and thought it made more sense to do DDE based on the fact that we like 2 point restaurants.

We are also going with 8 others in April and the 20% would be a big savings.


We are 2 adults and 2 kids under 7. We already have a DDE, our next trip is in February, and who knows when until our next trip will be. So, the DDP doesn't really affect us for a LONG time but hanging around these boards, I just can't stop doing "research." :rotfl2:

I agree that ALL our favorite restaurants that we usually try to eat at are 2 point "signature" restaurants!! Artist Point, Citrico's, Narcoosees, FFish, CA Grill, Yachtsman,... see a trend? :rotfl:

If it is still available in 2007 when we plan our next trip :sad1: , I may consider a split stay to try the DDP. It is definitely too much food for the entire trip. We too get tired of eating out sometimes.

A split stay would be HIGHLY ironic since DH and I really HATE moving when on vacation. In fact, DH got me an add-on last year as an early 10th anniversary gift, just so we wouldn't have to move around. And now this... :rotfl2: :rotfl:

Maybe we will just plan a short trip with DDP. Arrggh - 2007 is so far away!!!! :crazy:

[calypso*a*go-go]

Unless you really think you'll be able to eat an appetizer and dessert with every sit down meal, I think you'd be better off with DDE. I know it works better for us because we tend to eat breakfast in the room, a large meal midday, and then a snack later in the evening. The DDP would be too much food and the price would really add up over a twelve day stay.

[TammyAlphabet]

Thanks for all the great responses so far. On my last trip, we averaged one sit-down per day, often a buffet type restaurant, and we really welcomed the chance to slow down and sit and relax for a while......

Secondly, I am thinking that, as others have said, it gives you a good feeling to have it all paid for upfront. Sort of like on a cruise.

But, I already have the DDE card. Did you guys know that you don't get a 20 percent discount on soft drinks? I thought that was cheap on their part. But, I might do a split stay and use the plan for just part of the trip.

Still undecided. :rolleyes2

[athenna]

Thanks for all the great responses so far. On my last trip, we averaged one sit-down per day, often a buffet type restaurant, and we really welcomed the chance to slow down and sit and relax for a while......

Secondly, I am thinking that, as others have said, it gives you a good feeling to have it all paid for upfront. Sort of like on a cruise.

But, I already have the DDE card. Did you guys know that you don't get a 20 percent discount on soft drinks? I thought that was cheap on their part. But, I might do a split stay and use the plan for just part of the trip.

Still undecided. :rolleyes2


Hmmm, are you sure about that Tammy? I never noticed we didn't get 20% off soda. :confused3 If we get 20% off of adult beverages, why not soda? I know we received it in the past, my last 2 travelling companions do not drink alcohol so they always get sodas (or water.)

[SleepyatDVC]

But, I already have the DDE card. Did you guys know that you don't get a 20 percent discount on soft drinks? I thought that was cheap on their part. But, I might do a split stay and use the plan for just part of the trip.

Still undecided. :rolleyes2


You SHOULD get the 20% off on soda with your TS meal. You won't get the 20% off soda from CS or take out windows and any place not on the DDE list. Maybe that's why you didn't get it? :confused3

[dianeschlicht]

The DDE card gave us 20% off EVERYTHING including soda and hard drinks. It is off the entire bill for up to 10 people.

[Dean]

Hmmm, are you sure about that Tammy? I never noticed we didn't get 20% off soda. :confused3 If we get 20% off of adult beverages, why not soda? I know we received it in the past, my last 2 travelling companions do not drink alcohol so they always get sodas (or water.)AT many of the places the soft drinks are taken care of like it was food. So you'll see something like $3.50 off food and 0% of drinks. But you still get the discount on the regular drinks. I know I've noticed this at several places this week.

[TammyAlphabet]

AT many of the places the soft drinks are taken care of like it was food. So you'll see something like $3.50 off food and 0% of drinks. But you still get the discount on the regular drinks. I know I've noticed this at several places this week.


That must be it!!! I never (well, almost never) order alcoholic beverages so I didn't think of that. But I bet that is what they did. Thanks Dean!

[athenna]

AT many of the places the soft drinks are taken care of like it was food. So you'll see something like $3.50 off food and 0% of drinks. But you still get the discount on the regular drinks. I know I've noticed this at several places this week.

Ahh, that explains it, thanks Dean :)

[Dean]

Ahh, that explains it, thanks Dean :)Just walked in from eating at Boatwrights, it was the same there. We essentially never order alcohol with meals so I wouldn't know if that's where they draw the line and list it the other way or whether the system is just geared to take a straight 20% off the top and lump it all together. And as long as I get my discount, I really don't care how they do it, LOL.

[erikthewise]

Now that Dean mentions this, I remember it. I think they want only alcoholic drinks in the "drinks" total for separate accounting, since it is NOT included in the dining plan. Or something like that.

[iankh]

I must be thick or something. Can someone explain to my how DDP make sense for a split stay? Our next trip is probably going to be a split stay and I'd like to understand how it would work and why it might be beneficial to get DDP for part and use DDE for the other part.

[Plutofan]

DDE is only available to Annual passholders or Florida residents. Since we love to do character breakfasts and love to eat a sit down dinner the DDE was the best value for us especially since the 20% off is on your entire bill including drinks. We would have a hard time using up the counter service portion since we usually skip lunch - to bizzy going on rides. I hope this helps.

[Cyndy]

We found that for our party of 11 for 5 days (8 Adults) our DDE (paid for itself many times over on the previous 4 trips :Pinkbounc ) would work best for us and we really don't need or want an appitizer and dessert with TS meals...plus we prefer to eat a lite breakfast (fruit and pastery etc) in the room with our juice/coffee. The whole thing came out close but then we would have to count the Weight Watchers expense to take off all the extra lbs! :rotfl2: