2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[Bluesdad]

We booked through AAA and got an awesome package with the DDP option and it would cost less for the three of us on this plan than eating on our own. My AAA agent said her and her DH and 2 kids went recently and spent $100 on lunch for the 4 of them. That was just lunch! I calculated and decided it was way cheaper to do the plan. I am one who will not take advantage and use it wisely.

 

[bless7ings]

The good news is that you'll save a bit more than 2%

OOP
$100 - Food Bill
$15 - 15% Tip
$6.50 - Tax
$121.50 - Total

DDE
$100 - Food Bill
$18.00 - 18% Tip
-$20 - Discount
$5.50 - Tax (You're taxed after the discount and aren't taxed on the tip-something new I learned this week!)
$103.50 - Total Bill

What exactly are you talking about? Is this the card for about $75 and you save 20% off dining? But there are not as many participants as the DDP? The places are more limited aren't they?

For the person who is only going once in the year:
I haven't done any math, but with a family of 2 adults, 2 ages 14, 12 and two 5 and 4 is it better to get the package with DDP or to pay for a card for 20% off and by room only tickets hopefully at a discount and then the lowest park tickets I can find?

Tammy in Maine

 

[sorul82?]

You have to have an AP to purchase the DDE.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What exactly are you talking about? Is this the card for about $75 and you save 20% off dining? But there are not as many participants as the DDP? The places are more limited aren't they?

For the person who is only going once in the year:
I haven't done any math, but with a family of 2 adults, 2 ages 14, 12 and two 5 and 4 is it better to get the package with DDP or to pay for a card for 20% off and by room only tickets hopefully at a discount and then the lowest park tickets I can find?

Tammy in Maine

You would have to check the menus here http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm and determine what you will all plan/expect to eat.
Then you will have to do the math and decide if it's more cost-effective for you to:
- Get the DDP
- Get the Deluxe DDP
- Purchase an Annual Pass and then the Disney Dining Experience card

 

[Tricia1972]

You would have to check the menus here http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm and determine what you will all plan/expect to eat.
Then you will have to do the math and decide if it's more cost-effective for you to:
- Get the DDP
- Get the Deluxe DDP
- Purchase an Annual Pass and then the Disney Dining Experience card

What she said, the only additional thing to note is that the cost of the card is $60, and only one member of your party would have to buy an AP to get the card. (of course, the card would only be in their name then.)

I brought it up in this thread only because a PP was asking/talking about it.

 

[englishrose47]

Any reports on the neww ddp? They won't subst. an appie for dessert is what I'm hearing! What about drinks can you get specialty drinks as your drinks or milkshakes? What isthe scoop on snax???

 

[starwarsdisney]

Just so we are clear, what does the 2008 DDP include? This is only our second trip and this will be the first time we use the DDP. I know grat. is not included and quite frankly that doesn't bother me.

We have booked to eat at the Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast (2 TS), 1900 Park Fare for Dinner, and the 50's Prime Time Cafe for dinner. We don't want to "overbook" ourselves for dinners and miss time in the parks. Will it be easy to still use TS meals?

Can you sub meals?

 

[LizinSTL]

Just so we are clear, what does the 2008 DDP include? This is only our second trip and this will be the first time we use the DDP. I know grat. is not included and quite frankly that doesn't bother me.

We have booked to eat at the Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast (2 TS), 1900 Park Fare for Dinner, and the 50's Prime Time Cafe for dinner. We don't want to "overbook" ourselves for dinners and miss time in the parks. Will it be easy to still use TS meals?

Can you sub meals?

The DDP includes 1 TS meal, 1 CS meal and 1 snack per person per night of your trip.

For your TS credit you get either a buffet/drink OR an entree, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage. No dessert at breakfast. For your CS meal, you get a combo or entree, dessert and soft drink. No dessert at breakfast but you can have juice in lieu of dessert (so coffee and juice or milk and juice or water and juice, etc.) For your snack credit, you get a single serve snack like a beverage, popcorn, pretzel, ice cream, pastry, etc.

You may not want to do the DDP with those meals. Add up the costs and and your DDP cost and see if it's worth it to book using the DDP. If you don't use all your TS credits, you are losing money to use the DDP. If you use all of your TS credits and MOST of your CS and snack credits, you'll break even at the very least *unless* your TS meals are all breakfasts and/or all signature dining, then you still may lose.

 

[starwarsdisney]

The DDP includes 1 TS meal, 1 CS meal and 1 snack per person per night of your trip.

For your TS credit you get either a buffet/drink OR an entree, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage. No dessert at breakfast. For your CS meal, you get a combo or entree, dessert and soft drink. No dessert at breakfast but you can have juice in lieu of dessert (so coffee and juice or milk and juice or water and juice, etc.) For your snack credit, you get a single serve snack like a beverage, popcorn, pretzel, ice cream, pastry, etc.

You may not want to do the DDP with those meals. Add up the costs and and your DDP cost and see if it's worth it to book using the DDP. If you don't use all your TS credits, you are losing money to use the DDP. If you use all of your TS credits and MOST of your CS and snack credits, you'll break even at the very least *unless* your TS meals are all breakfasts and/or all signature dining, then you still may lose.

We plan on doing other TS meals, we just don't want to have to book them in advance. We want the freedom to go when we want. We may even us some TS meals for lunch. That way we can rest our feet and enjoy a good meal. We just don't want to feel like we have to plan everything and then run around to make those times. We booked the ones we did because they are popular and hard to get into from what we've been told. We also have the resort which has the Maya Grill, I think.

 

[englishrose47]

Be careful with NOT having adrs .You could end up not finding anywhere that has openings.You can check the day before at your hotel, but I know we tried to change one , we ate at CP and loved it and wanted to do it again in 2 days NO luck !!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Any reports on the neww ddp? They won't subst. an appie for dessert is what I'm hearing! What about drinks can you get specialty drinks as your drinks or milkshakes? What isthe scoop on snax???

Glad I put my glasses on. I couldn't figure why you were posting they wouldn't let you have an apple for dessert!

 

[apostolic4life]

Be careful with NOT having adrs .You could end up not finding anywhere that has openings.You can check the day before at your hotel, but I know we tried to change one , we ate at CP and loved it and wanted to do it again in 2 days NO luck !!

I totally agree........the way things are at WDW now you may be out of luck if you choose not to make ADR's prior to getting there. If you want to wing it, I would not get the DDP. Can you imagine paying for the DDP and not being able to get into a restaurant.......that could very well happen if you do not make ADR's.

 

[starwarsdisney]

We are going to sit down and make a tenitive schedule of what days we will be in what park that way we can make ARS. Were thinking maybe we will do lunch on some days for TS to offset the dinner time rush. Thanks for the advice. We got the DDP because we both like to eat and like the idea of not having to pay (except grat @ TS) for our meals.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I can't imagine going to WDW without ADRs, especially if on the DDP. If you aren't quite sure, book a backup....just in case. If you are lucky and are able to book something else while there....cancel the original ressie. It's a lot less stressful.

 

[Dizneyholic]

Any reports on the neww ddp? They won't subst. an appie for dessert is what I'm hearing! What about drinks can you get specialty drinks as your drinks or milkshakes? What isthe scoop on snax???

We were able to get milkshake's as our drink at Sci-Fi and Whispering Canyon just last week! However, the milkshake and dessert was a little to much.

 

[DizzDoll]

Glad I put my glasses on. I couldn't figure why you were posting they wouldn't let you have an apple for dessert!

Talk about skewed vision - I thought it read APPLE PIE for dessert!!! Sheesh, and I wear glasses, which probably has absolutely nothing to do with reading for comprehension!!!

 

[starwarsdisney]

Okay, I'm glad you guys are helping me out. ADR's seem to be a must for the TS meals. I'm glad I found this site.

 

[starwarsdisney]

What are some good TS places to eat at?

 

[mkycrzy1971]

Ohana
Chef Mickeys
Kona
LeCellier
50's Prime Time
Whispering Canyon Cafe


Just a few of my favorites

 

[lexmelinda]

What are some good TS places to eat at?

I just pm'd you some suggestions but now I see it is your anniversary trip. Don't forget to mention your anniversary when making your ADRs! Narcoossee or California Grill would be great for an anniversary dinner.