DDP vs DDE?

[twbrown]

I was just wondering if anyone ever compared the two?

Which is better to get - the Disney Dining Experience Card or the Disney Dining Plan?

Thanks!

[gppnj]

I've never crunched the numbers. On a purely qualitative basis, I opted for the DDE card because that discount also applies to alchohol, and some of the people I travel to Walt Disney World with are big drinkers.

[Chuck S]

I've always compared our bills since the DDP became available to DVC Members. It depends entirely upon your dining habits. We usually have a table service lunch, and rarely order desserts. We have a counter service dinner, and have a light breakfast in our room.

Some days we spend more, some days less than the DDP...but over the course of the trip always save at least $150 (including tax & tip) using DDE and not DDP.

For a short trip, DDP would probably be the better value.

It also depends upon if you have children (9 and under) in your party. We are all adults, but kids may make the DDP a better deal.

[BCV23]

I crunched the numbers on our first DDP trip. DDP beat DDE for us. It broke down that our QS and snacks were "free" on DDP.

We hardly maximized DDP either. Most of our QS were used for breakfast and as I recall 60% of our TS were used at lunch on that trip.

We do have DDE and use that for signature meals, alcohol, B&C, etc..

We're all adults too. I agree with Chuck that it depends on your habits. For instance to use DDE for QS, you must venture to one of the value resorts, AK or POFQ. Too much hassle for us.

[Helene4]

can someone plaes explain what these are and the differences? Also what are QS?
Thanks, Helene

[nuzmom]

I've always compared our bills since the DDP became available to DVC Members. It depends entirely upon your dining habits. We usually have a table service lunch, and rarely order desserts. We have a counter service dinner, and have a light breakfast in our room.

We compared also (twice). The DDE is always the better deal for us. We seem to have similiar dinning habits to Chuck S, except we're 3 adults, 2 children (although 1 child is now 11) We typically eat breakfast at "home", TS for lunch, and CS for dinner. We like our park snacks and have late evening snacks at home. We typically do not order appetizers. If we order dessert at a TS, then we usually just eat an appetizer as a meal. We seem to graze mostly than eat BIG meals.

My DH is a big eater and I'd say I'm sometimes average and sometimes light, DM is light. DSs are good "child size" eaters. We typically spend $100 per day on meals including tips with DDE. The DDP would be $105 FOR JUST 3 ADULTS!!!! Add in that DS11 would be $35 per day plus 1 child's price. Also add in that you pay for arrival and departure day DDP meals. We come out WAY ahead with DDE.

[BCV23]

Also add in that you pay for arrival and departure day DDP meals.

No, the DDP is per night not per day.

[goofy4tink]

When I went to WDW last Oct, I compared, side by side, the two plans. The DDP came out about $50 more than just using the DDE card. Since I was traveling with another mom and her dd, I decided to go with DDP, just for the sake of convenience!! That way, she could pay for her and her dd, and I could pay for myself and my dd..none of that haggling at the end of the trip.
My family (myself, dh, and 13 y/o dd) are traveling to WDW in Aug. Again, I compared costs, side by side. I figured what it would cost using the DDE card...eating breakfast in our room, having lunch in the room and having a nice table service meal for dinner. When I added the cost of having food delivered using Garden Grocer, it came out to about $495 using the DDE card. With DDP it's $570, but that includes lunch in the parks, and those all important snacks. If I add the cost of snacks each day, for three of us, that brings my total to $555 using the DDE card...only a difference of $15. I would rather pack my cereal for in room breakfast, and do the DDP and get a nice lunch late morning and a nice ts meal for dinner. But that can change with each trip..depends on who is going, and how long we're there for. It is going to be different for each family I would imagine.

[CarolA]

For me DDP may have been "cheaper", but it was a huge waste of food. Our frig was FULL of leftovers when we left. (I don't need or want that much food and the theory that "walking" in the park burns off all those calories is not really true. I have read several posters on other boards who gained five pounds on thier Disney trip LOL!)

Another consideration is when you will go. There is a very strong rumor that the DDP will NOT include the tip in 2008. So if you order the "appetizer, main dish, drink and desert" and the meal value is $50 you will then need to leave around a $8 tip (assuming close to 15% tip rate) That's going to bump up the cost of the DDP to something more in the high $40 to $50 range depending on where you eat.

[JimMIA]

can someone plaes explain what these are and the differences? Also what are QS?
Thanks, Helene
DDP is the Disney Dining Plan, which is part of a package which usually includes an onsite Disney resort room at rack rate, a minimum one-day base ticket purchase, and the DDP for $38.99 per night per adult and $10.99 per child. All persons in the room must purchase DDP for all nights of the reservation, whether or not they will actually be there. If you are staying at a DVC resort on points, you do not have to purchase park tickets to qualify for DDP

DDP provides one table service meal, one quick service (QS - AKA: counter service or CS) meal, and one snack for each person. The table service meal includes an appetiser (or soup, or salad), the entree, a non-alcoholic drink, and dessert. There are very few exclusions or limitations on what you can order. DDP also includes all taxes, plus an 18% gratuity on the TS meal.

The price for DDP for 2008 is not yet known, but there are strong rumors that the 18% gratuity will no longer be included.

There is an entire DIS board devoted to the DDP. Here's a link to the thread that has all of the basics of the plan. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1479952

DDE is the Disney Dining Experience card. You have to be either a Florida resident or an Annual Passholder to be eligible to purchase the DDP card. I think the prices are $60 for an AP holder and $75 for a Florida resident, but I haven't bought a DDE in several years, so I could well be mistaken. The DDE gives you 20% off all food and beverage at most Disney table service restaurants, and it's good for 13 months after purchase. No other discount plan gives you a discount on alcohol.

[BCV23]

For me DDP may have been "cheaper", but it was a huge waste of food. Our frig was FULL of leftovers when we left. (I don't need or want that much food and the theory that "walking" in the park burns off all those calories is not really true. I have read several posters on other boards who gained five pounds on thier Disney trip LOL!)

Another consideration is when you will go. There is a very strong rumor that the DDP will NOT include the tip in 2008. So if you order the "appetizer, main dish, drink and desert" and the meal value is $50 you will then need to leave around a $8 tip (assuming close to 15% tip rate) That's going to bump up the cost of the DDP to something more in the high $40 to $50 range depending on where you eat.

I imagine some people gain at WDW whether on DDP or not. We've done the current DDP three times. I lost weight once and stayed the same the other two. The only leftovers we take back are desserts and rarely do that. If we don't want a course or don't feel like finishing something, that's fine too.

If the tip is removed, I suspect the DDP would still be a bit better of a deal for our family. But we don't like QS meals very much so DDE will be the winner for us most likely.

nuzmom, in your calculations did you include the cost of those counter service meals and snacks? If you can feed 5 people two Disney meals/day with Disney snacks added on for $100...:worship:

[goofy4tink]

It sure is a fair amount of food!! We tend to eat pretty much the same way either way. The only thing that is different is that dh may get an appetizer while I might not. Now, with the DDP, we both get one, but I sometimes will leave a bit on my plate. I also don't eat nearly as much bread when on the DDP.
But, if your family tends to eat more lightly, then it may not be a good buy. But, then again, we eat a very light breakfast in our villa with CS for lunch around 11:30 and then TS for dinner at about 6:00. And we don't snack a whole lot....we tend to get that snack later in the evening, or if we have a late dinner ADR, we'll snack around 3ish...gotta love my DoleWhip or sweetcream filled pretzel!!!

[Tamar]

I much prefer a set discount on what I want to eat, rather than feeling I have to eat a lot to maximize my investment.

Needless to say, we're big fans of DDE. This past Memorial Day weekend, DH's parents and neice and nephew joined us and we had dinners at Cali Grill and Boma...the discount more than paid for the card, and we will use it on 3 other trips, including 11 days at F&W.

Also, I like a glass of wine with dinner, and that's easier knowing it's 20% off.

I think the waitstaff likes waiting on us DDE'ers, I bet most of us tip pretty close to the 20% that is our discount.

[JimMIA]

I much prefer a set discount on what I want to eat, rather than feeling I have to eat a lot to maximize my investment.

Needless to say, we're big fans of DDE. This past Memorial Day weekend, DH's parents and neice and nephew joined us and we had dinners at Cali Grill and Boma...the discount more than paid for the card, and we will use it on 3 other trips, including 11 days at F&W.

Also, I like a glass of wine with dinner, and that's easier knowing it's 20% off.

I think the waitstaff likes waiting on us DDE'ers, I bet most of us tip pretty close to the 20% that is our discount.
The other part of the gratuity rumor is that all DDE checks will carry an automatic 18% tip after 1/1/08. That's not a biggie for us, because when we use DDE we usually just add back the discount as a tip like you do. But some won't like being told what to tip, I'm sure.

If the tip is removed for DDP, that would tip the scales for our family and we'll eat mostly offsite and use DDE for our occasional Disney dining.

Also, the autotip for larger parties will drop from parties of eight to parties of six, apparently.

[nuzmom]

nuzmom, in your calculations did you include the cost of those counter service meals and snacks? If you can feed 5 people two Disney meals/day with Disney snacks added on for $100...:worship:

For instance:
Liberty Tree Tavern - late lunch
Adult 1 - Pilgrims Feast ($13.79), ice tea ($2.19)
Adult 2 - Tri Corner Sandwich ($10.70), water
Adult 3 - Pot Roast ($13.79), coffee ($2.19)
Child 1 - Mac and Cheese ($4.99)
Child 2 - Corndog Nugg ($4.99)

1 Pound Cake for dessert ($4.29)

Subtotal: $57.02
Discount: $11.40
Total after discount - $48.59
leave $10.00 tip (which is a pretty fair tip) = $58.59

Pinocchio Haus -
3 Italian Subs w/ chips ($21.27)
2 kids mac & cheese ($7.98)
22 oz coke ($2.09)
Total with tax - $33.38

Total meals - $91.97
that includes 1 dessert at liberty tree and a little left for a couple snacks
I think this is a pretty good example of eating fairly good food and coming in at $100.

Granted that is with breakfast at the room (which we do every day except for 1 Donald's Breakfastosaurus. On that day, we eat dinner after AK closes at the Steak n Shake). We eat breakfast at "home" to save time and to give us a break from the crowds at WDW. Maybe this should be on the "weird and cheap" thread, but that's an example of our meals.

There is a convenience with DDP, but for our family DDE works pretty well. We also tend to have fairly long stays. I think that makes a difference, too. We also don't mind just getting some evening snacks in the park and then hitting McDonald's on our way back "home".

My suggestion would be to take a look at a typical day for your family. Look at the menus and do an estimate of what you'd order. If you take a look at a day or two, you'd probably feel pretty comfortable with whichever decision you make. Then again - I tend to be a "planner".

[pilferk]

I've always compared our bills since the DDP became available to DVC Members. It depends entirely upon your dining habits. We usually have a table service lunch, and rarely order desserts. We have a counter service dinner, and have a light breakfast in our room.

Some days we spend more, some days less than the DDP...but over the course of the trip always save at least $150 (including tax & tip) using DDE and not DDP.

For a short trip, DDP would probably be the better value.

It also depends upon if you have children (9 and under) in your party. We are all adults, but kids may make the DDP a better deal.

For us it was close, but DDP "wins" (assuming the inclusion of the "extra" $$ for one AP and the cost of the card, itself) by a relatively small margin (about $100 or so over 6 night stay)...basically the 18% tip "tips" the scale for us.

We were waffling between one scenario or the other for quite awhile (but leaning toward DDE), and we're still waffling. With the rumored DDP changes, much will depend on what the '08 plan brings before we make a decision. If they really do eliminate the tips, we'll DEFINITELY do DDE. If not, I'll likely sit down ONE more time with the final numbers and we'll see which will save us more $$, most easily.

[Chuck S]

The other part of the gratuity rumor is that all DDE checks will carry an automatic 18% tip after 1/1/08. That's not a biggie for us, because when we use DDE we usually just add back the discount as a tip like you do. But some won't like being told what to tip, I'm sure.



I understand folks not liking the automatic tip...but, like most of the DDE people, I simply tip the "discount"...so at 18% it may actually save a buck here and there.

Hopefully they'll still include some Counter Service options for AK and the values, and a "tip" won't be added for those self-service meals.

[Chuck S]

For us it was close, but DDP "wins" (assuming the inclusion of the "extra" $$ for one AP and the cost of the card, itself) by a relatively small margin (about $100 or so over 6 night stay)...basically the 18% tip "tips" the scale for us.

We were waffling between one scenario or the other for quite awhile (but leaning toward DDE), and we're still waffling. With the rumored DDP changes, much will depend on what the '08 plan brings before we make a decision. If they really do eliminate the tips, we'll DEFINITELY do DDE. If not, I'll likely sit down ONE more time with the final numbers and we'll see which will save us more $$, most easily.

I agree with you. An AP should never be purchased based simply on discounts that are available...APs should be purchased because you'll use enough park days to give "value" to the AP itself. We usually have anywhere from 16 to 21 park days per year. The AP is the best ticket option for us...the DDE is an added plus.

[Inkmahm]

I much prefer a set discount on what I want to eat, rather than feeling I have to eat a lot to maximize my investment.

Needless to say, we're big fans of DDE. This past Memorial Day weekend, DH's parents and neice and nephew joined us and we had dinners at Cali Grill and Boma...the discount more than paid for the card, and we will use it on 3 other trips, including 11 days at F&W.

Also, I like a glass of wine with dinner, and that's easier knowing it's 20% off.

I think the waitstaff likes waiting on us DDE'ers, I bet most of us tip pretty close to the 20% that is our discount.We're very similar.

My DH and I have had the DDE card for several years now ever since they first opened it to AP holders. I don't eat as much as he does- I certainly don't need appetizer, meal AND dessert. Most times I don't even finish just the meal. DH likes wine with his dinners, too.

We tend to eat TS every night at restaurants that would require two TS credits. We love California Grill, Brown Derby, Jiko's, Yachtsmen steakhouse, Coral reef, Artist Point, etc. This wouldn't be practial with the DDP. We pay for the card easily in just a couple meals.

I also use the 20% discount as my guideline for what to tip. The math is so much easier that way! :)

Also, we eat breakfast in the villa and we rarely eat counter service anywhere. Tusker House was the exception but now that is being changed to a buffet. Neither DH or I are big on eating snacks in the park, either.

[auroraarielella]

I know I could just look it up, but does anyone know if DDE covers signature restaurants and dinners shows? I know I've used it for Character dining.

[BCV23]

DDE covers signature restaurants and even Victoria & Albert's although not the Chef's Table there.

Sorry can't remember about the dinner shows.

[BCV23]

nuzmom,

:worship: :worship: :worship: ,

[nuzmom]

nuzmom,

:worship: :worship: :worship: ,

thank you, thank you, I try my best :)

[Anthony1971]

Usingthe DDP last year I added up all my reciepts for 4 adults and came out about 120 ahead of what we paid and we did eat at a few of the more expensive places... However I would never eat this way normally and what I mean is we will not have desert with lunch if we did have both an apet. and Des. with a TS we would split it between two people and although we do not eat a lot of CS either there are some places we just need to go to like flame tree BBQ. We do not in general have three meals a day we will have breakfast and a late lunch and then a snack later... some days we just do not feel like a TS and those are the days flame tree and others win... I just did not enjoy eating a TS everyday for 7 days it just became something we had to do, however most 7 day trips we have 6 TS meals and we do eat a fair amount it was just to much food for us so discounts win for us....we bought it when traveling with a large group.... I do agree on value though there are a lot of families that can eat a lot more than we can and we can keep up for a few days it is just by the time we get to the third or fourth day we are done
but I would buy it if we were going for a short trip...

[CarolA]

I understand folks not liking the automatic tip...but, like most of the DDE people, I simply tip the "discount"...so at 18% it may actually save a buck here and there.

Hopefully they'll still include some Counter Service options for AK and the values, and a "tip" won't be added for those self-service meals.

My concern on the tip issue is that if the DDP eliminates the tip and the customer has to do it there will be a lot of folks using this logic

"It's probably about $20 on my DDP so I will tip $2!" (Yes, it will happen. I once heard a man in the Rose & Crown say "we don't have to tip here, you don't tip in British Resturants" Yeah service is included in lots of resturants IN the UK, but not a the Rose & Crown....) If this happens and the servers start getting shafted on the tip, expect your service to be HORRID once you are identified as a dining plan diner.

[Tamar]

Speaking as a former waitron, I would really dislike if the DDP didn't include a decent tip. Those tables are MORE work than standard tables in many cases since they have all courses and you often have to explain what is and isn't included, the thing that probably keeps many of the waitstaff gracious and patient is the guarantee that they won't be stiffed.

I can tell you there always seems to be just the slightest loosening of tension in the shoulders when we're asked if we're on the dining plan and we say "no".

With DDE, they probably aren't doing themselves any favors by automatically adding a tip.

[Tamar]

Clarification....I'm not a former Disney waitron, just have done my time in other restaurants.

[chevyAZ]

We also tend to have fairly long stays.

Thats what makes the difference for us. We stay for 15 days each time we go and between 2 adults and 2 small children DD5 &DS4 who eat light it just doesnt make sense.

DDP would cost about $100 / night or $1500.
for that same $100/day, we usually
do 1 shopping trip at the beginning of the vacation ($150 gets water, bagels, poptarts, popcorn, capri suns, chips, cookies, fruit snacks, oreos, milk, Peanut butter, jelly, bread, ham, cheese, mayo).
Breakfast in the room
Bring Snacks to the Park, (PB&J, popcorn)
early Dinner at a Sitdown restaurant - with DDE discount usually $55 - $70 per night (Tip incl)
Sometimes we have a big lunch instead of a Sitdown Dinner.
Sometimes we have a character meal instead of a big dinner.
Cookies & Milk or Hot cocoa in the evening



In addition, we don't feel forced to eat. We can skip a meal and not feel guilty.

Last year we made it through the 15 days with about $1150 in meals, which included 4 character meals.

[nsalz]

We have done both. We did the DDP last summer and this year opted for the DDE. We just felt that we ate way to much on the DDP. A great Deal, but I think I gained ten pounds on that trip out of "guilt" of feeling I had to have an appetizer and desert to get my moneys worth.

[Uncleromulus]

Note that the automatic DDE gratuity coming in 2008 will be applied to the pre-discount cost of the meal. Which makes me suspect that many DDE users aren't tipping that way to start with. We always tip 20% of the pre-DDE discount anyway, so this change will be meaningless for us.

As to which is best--for us it's the DDE all the way. We never eat lunch, never do CS , never eat snacks, almost always do Signature TS dinners, and always have a drink with dinner. Just one meal at V&A "pays" for the card--and we get to use it THREE times before it expires. And there's free valet parking as well---.

[Anal Annie]

DDE covers signature restaurants and even Victoria & Albert's although not the Chef's Table there.

Sorry can't remember about the dinner shows.


I just called & asked about this a few weeks ago when we were making dinner ressies. The DDE includes places like Hollywood & Vine, Boma and the Character Breakfasts, HOWEVER, it is NOT valid on the special dining package reservations - like at the restaurants in MGM for the Fantasmic show. You could use it if you just wanted to eat dinner at one of these restaurants, but not for the show.

Our DS just turned 10 and will not eat $39 worth of food / day - so for us, the DDP would be a big bust! Maybe when he's one of those teenagers that eats 3 sandwiches for a snack it will be a deal - but not now! Also, we like to have a few drinks - so the DDE will work best for us!