Any 20% off Disney Dining Experience tips?

[cinderlexa's mom]

We purchased this card with the AP discount. I'm pretty sure I understand how it works...just wondering if there are any "little-known tips" out there from experienced users?

A received a LOT of tips last year before I used the free dining plan...but haven't read much about DDE...

TIA!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Not much to tell. It's very straight forward (unlike other WDW offers).

The card can be used by the participant and 9 other guests. If you have more than 10 you will either get charged full price for one meal or if you are like us, my DH's card went for the other meal.

I wanted to see if it was worth it and in a 5 day Christmas trip, a family of three broke even.

In April I went with two other families (11 in all) and we used it on every meal. We saved $524 on that trip alone.

I was way.... worth it.

Many CS did not accept the DDE. That's all I know.

 

[cdrn1]

We made up the cost of the card our very first meal at Jiko. It was soooo worth it. I have used it for three trips (so far) and estimate that I have saved around $800 with it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

As has been said, it's relatively straightforward--unlike the DDP!!
W've saved several hundreds of dollars also. Don't forget too that it includes alcohol and you also get free valet parking when you're dining!!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We love our DDE card! We've used it for 3 trips, I think, and we'll be purchasing another one before our trip in March. It was especially great on our trip in January when my DD's sister and stepmother came with us; we all loved that 20% discount!

The only caveat is, of course, it doesn't apply on holidays, though even that is sometimes sketchy. Last New Year's Day they took our card at the lounge at the Poly but not at Kona... woops! Also some places like Big River Grille don't take it.

There are also a lot of great perks offered with it that we, living as far away as we do, are unfortunately unable to take advantage of. There are special dinners and cooking classes offered, and special events during the food and wine festival. We really wish we could go! Oh well, maybe sometime.

 

[dustysky]

Its nice to hear that plans works for so many of you, to me 20% just does not seem like that big of a deal

 

[Laurajean1014]

Its nice to hear that plans works for so many of you, to me 20% just does not seem like that big of a deal

What do you normally spend a day for a family on food?
Do you drink wine or alcohol?
Do you like the upscale restaurants?

Answering these questions will give you a good idea if it is right for you.

We are not DDP people. I don't want to keep track of my points and only visit a 2 TS place once or twice a trip.

I like restaurants like: Jiko, Flying Fish, CA GRILL, Citrico's, etc.

Therefore, the DDE is for me!

 

[eliza61]

Its nice to hear that plans works for so many of you, to me 20% just does not seem like that big of a deal

If you only use it once or twice, your right 20% isn't that big of a deal. But if we stay at WDW for 11-12 nights and always eat at least 1 (most of the time it's more like 2) table service meals a day, 20% add's up. Generally we save $30-40 per day multiply that by 10 days. Hey in my life saving $400 is definitely worth it. Last year with 6 people I saved enough to pay for the cost of my Premium annual pass.

Once again it depends on how you dine, if you tend to have at least 1 TS a day, you'll save a bunch. If you eat at upscale restaurants and enjoy adult beverages (some times a beer definitely goes down good! ) you'll save even more.

 

[crisi]

Its nice to hear that plans works for so many of you, to me 20% just does not seem like that big of a deal

Flying Fish for two adults two children:

2 kids meals at $5.50 = $11.00

Crab Cake (me) = $14
Salad (hubby) = $9

Snapper (me) $34
Steak (hubby) $38

Split the cosmo for dessert = $9
Two kids desserts = $12

Two kids drinks = $6
One bottle of wine = $50

Total Bill - $183
20% Discount on $183 = $36.60


Now, some people don't eat like this - you can use two dining credits on the DDP - you'll get a second dessert, but you'll be paying OOP for the wine. The kicker with the DDE is the discount on alcohol. The disadvantage is that its taken at only a few counter service places. Because its a fee card, it works best for families that are already Fl residents or get an AP, or spent ridiculous amounts dining to make up for needing an AP to get one. It adds value the more meals you buy on it - so one person in a large party with an AP may make sense, but a four day honeymoon trip for two, it probably won't, For most people I think the DDP is a better deal.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Its nice to hear that plans works for so many of you, to me 20% just does not seem like that big of a deal

Wow, are you serious?

 

[christinou]

20% off every meal adds up very quickly, we love our DDE card and certainly have used it quite a bit.

 

[Dis31]

A tip- if you stay at POR riverside they take the DDE in the foodcourt even though it isnt listed. I have used it multiple times there even a manager scanned it for me.

 

[DebIreland]

One tip I have is when you sit down to your meal, take out your DDE card and put it on the table in front of you so you'll remember to use it. I know you're probably think you'd never forget but TWICE last year, TWICE (lol!) we ate our meal, even discussed the discount throughout the meal and how cool it is and left without using the card.

I think it's probably with 3 kids when we finish the meal things are a bit hectic, putting the baby's stuff away etc. etc. But it was like throwing money away. I won't make that mistake this year.

Oh yeah, then when we decided at the last minute to eat at WCC, I was very proud that I remembered to take out the card when it was time to pay and the server then reminded me that it was July 4th so no DDE discount and I knew that in advance.

Ok, on second thought, I think it's just a problem with my brain.

 

[DebIreland]

Oh, 2 more tips (sane ones this time, lol).

If you're going to Animal Kingdom, all 4 CS places there accept DDE!!! Woohoo!! That's because there's only one sit-down restaurant in AK. So my tip is have lunch or dinner before you leave AK, not later in a place where DDE isn't accepted.

Also, I have heard that some food courts accept DDE towards the cost of refillable mugs! I hadn't known that last year, but read about it since. Just ask at the food court, they might say no, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Dis31]

Oh yeah, then when we decided at the last minute to eat at WCC, I was very proud that I remembered to take out the card when it was time to pay and the server then reminded me that it was July 4th so no DDE discount and I knew that in advance.

Wow , now that you mention it I just realized we used our DDE card on the 4 of July. I didn't even realize it was a holiday and it wasn't suppose to be accepted. We ate at POR foodcourt and the Plaza restaurant. I guess our servers and I forgot? LoL

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Its nice to hear that plans works for so many of you, to me 20% just does not seem like that big of a deal

I can see that point, especially since you pay to receive the card. It basically pays the tip on food that is somewhat pricey to start. It may have seemed more exciting before DDP. If you end up eating more TS to use the card instead of CS, you'll spend more money having DDE but you'll get better food. It really isn't such a big deal for small families with inexpensive tastes in food that don't drink or make more than 2 trips in a year.

 

[DebIreland]

We ate at POR foodcourt and the Plaza restaurant. I guess our servers and I forgot? LoL

Not fair!

 

[LVSWL]

We love our DDE card! We've used it for 3 trips, I think, and we'll be purchasing another one before our trip in March. It was especially great on our trip in January when my DD's sister and stepmother came with us; we all loved that 20% discount!

The only caveat is, of course, it doesn't apply on holidays, though even that is sometimes sketchy. Last New Year's Day they took our card at the lounge at the Poly but not at Kona... woops! Also some places like Big River Grille don't take it.

There are also a lot of great perks offered with it that we, living as far away as we do, are unfortunately unable to take advantage of. There are special dinners and cooking classes offered, and special events during the food and wine festival. We really wish we could go! Oh well, maybe sometime.

We were very interested in these dinners and in the events mentioned in the letter we received with our card. Do you receive a newsletter? We got our card in June but haven't received any other info from DDE. I just tried the phone #, but it kept telling me to press *, and then hung up on me. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[pixie dust 112]

We were very interested in these dinners and in the events mentioned in the letter we received with our card. Do you receive a newsletter? We got our card in June but haven't received any other info from DDE. I just tried the phone #, but it kept telling me to press *, and then hung up on me. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Go to the Disney.com site. Under annual passholders and probable Florida Residents, they have links with the info. I think you need to be in one of these groups to purchase DDE. AP holders pay $60.00.

We used in for the first time a couple of weeks ago. We are a family of 5, we like to do character meals, and went to CRT, CP, CM this trip. ALso used it at ESPN club twice Marakesh and Spoodles. We saved on ton of money at the Restaurants.

We have free dining in Sept., so won't use it then, but we will use it again in April. If you spend $300.00 at participating restaurants during a year, you've broken even. With a family of five (all over age 9 so counting as adults) we made up our money fast!!!

 

[DisOrBust]

Could someone tell me do need to have your ID or AP along all the time. I think that would be a PIA!

Thanks!
sue