Anyone still buying the DDE card?

[PlutoLuvr]

We just returned from a quick, three-day trip and bought the DDE. It was $60 for anyone wondering. None of the CM's over the phone could tell me if it was $60 or $65. The folks who work at the Guest Relations places knew how much it cost.

I still think it's a good deal. The card paid for itself and we saw a $30 savings over and above that on just a few meals (Bistro, Biergarten, 50s PTC and Jiko). We received a detailed receipt that listed the discount and the auto grat every time we used it. But there is definitely still a line for the guest to fill out a gratuity amount, and they also place the little card in the folder talking about how people on a food plan don't have the tip included. This can be very misleading if you don't scrutinize your bill and see the auto grat's been included.

The only time we added any additional amount of gratuity was at Bistro. The service there was amazing, way beyond anything I've seen at a WDW restaurant in years. The next best service we saw was at Biergarten, a buffet, go figure. Our server was always close by and seemed to sense just what we needed. Jiko and PTC, the service was acceptable, bordering on complainable. I'm hoping Jiko at least was just having an off night, because that's one of our favorite Orlando restaurants.

So, at any rate, that was our experience using the DDE earlier this week. Service was hit or miss, just as it has been all the trips we go and pay OOP with no discount plan. The check outlined the discount and auto grat, but still had a blank line for "gratuity" and behind it was a card reminding you to leave a tip. But it's still a great savings and in most cases, it's very, very convenient having the auto grat included.

 

[twins4disney]

sorry for my confusion but here goes, we are doing the DDP in July, and thought about buying the dining card in addition to the DDP. I realize it is 60 for AP holders, which we are gettign for this trip. Anyway I am confused about using it. Fot instance, we go to one of our TS use our DDP, and decide to order drinks or appetizers. Do we tell the server we have both "plans", they would then ring up the TS, take off from the DDP, then ring up the drinks, appetizers, etc. using the dining card and we get 20% off that total? The auto gratuity is added before the % off, correct?

 

[rumrunnergirl]

They have messed with the discount rates at FW too. Used to be that people would stay 1-2 months at a time, but don't anymore because the sites are filling up without giving a discount to return visitors. I think Disney has made a conscious effort not to cater to return visitors. From their point of view, why should they offer discounts when the don't need to? First time visitors spend more money and will fill up the parks just as full. JMO.

I don't think that they did that because they don't want to cater to return visitors. There are only so many camping spaces, and with people staying at FW for months at a time, others didn't have a chance of getting a spot during the winter months, and while there are many onsite Disney resorts, there is only *one* campground. Many are happy about that change so that they too can now camp at Disney during the winter.

 

[Tiffany]

They have messed with the discount rates at FW too. Used to be that people would stay 1-2 months at a time, but don't anymore because the sites are filling up without giving a discount to return visitors. I think Disney has made a conscious effort not to cater to return visitors. From their point of view, why should they offer discounts when the don't need to? First time visitors spend more money and will fill up the parks just as full. JMO.

It is funny my husband and I just returned from a trip and said the same thing. We stayed at the Swan this time and they know how to treat their repeat guests. We think that Disney wants to push all of their repeat guests into the DVC.

 

[TDC Nala]

It is funny my husband and I just returned from a trip and said the same thing. We stayed at the Swan this time and they know how to treat their repeat guests. We think that Disney wants to push all of their repeat guests into the DVC.

Except for the fact that we get a discount on annual passes, DVC members aren't getting anything that non-DVC members don't get. We're paying the same prices for food and it's getting much more difficult to score a last-minute resort reservation.

WDW is certainly not encouraging repeat business the way it used to...but it doesn't need to anymore.

 

[AKV707]

I do n't know, maybe it is just me being too positive. An annual passes a great perk for return visitors. The DVC discount on the AP is a further incentive and benefit to DVC members. With that pass you can purchase the DDE, which is what this thread is about.

The change in the tip policy for the DDE is not a reduction in benefits for me. I think that it is protection for servers who have been under tipped by people who tip a small percentage of the discounted price. As many here have also done, we usually tip 20%, because honestly, we usually get excellent service. We would get the DDE discount and then pay the full value of the check, giving the server that 20%. Now 18% will be included, so how is this affecting me negatively? not at all.

 

[appleorchard]

We had an odd experience this week using the card at Citricos. The 20% discount was taken, but the automatic 18% gratuity was not added back onto the bill. There was a "suggested tip" amount line saying what an 18% or 20% tip would be, but the tip was not written into the bill.
We checked and rechecked it to make sure we weren't double tipping and that we got out discount. Would have asked our waiter but all the waitstaff seemed very harried when we were leaving, so we didn't. I just thought the 18% was being automatically added on all the time--seems as though all the wait staff may not understand the plan too well.

 

[Tiffany]

We had an odd experience this week using the card at Citricos. The 20% discount was taken, but the automatic 18% gratuity was not added back onto the bill. There was a "suggested tip" amount line saying what an 18% or 20% tip would be, but the tip was not written into the bill.
We checked and rechecked it to make sure we weren't double tipping and that we got out discount. Would have asked our waiter but all the waitstaff seemed very harried when we were leaving, so we didn't. I just thought the 18% was being automatically added on all the time--seems as though all the wait staff may not understand the plan too well.

We had this happen at ESPN last week.

 

[TDC Nala]

I had that happen at Tambu Lounge, they just never added the autograt.

I understand that when the server or bartender or whoever rings up DDE orders, they're supposed to hit a key that adds the automatic gratuity - it's possible they forget to do it.

After that, I always check to make sure that they added a gratuity.

 

[Beca]

Sorry if this is in the wrong thread (search never works for me anymore). We are going to WDW soon, and will be buying our AP's when we get there. We have not had the DDE card for a couple of years, and I do not know what the current procedure is for getting one if you buy your AP's onsite. Can anyone who has done this recently fill me in on how best to do this?

Thanks!!!

 

[webray]

We are keeping the card and will renew, we have just decided we won't add additional tip. I can't remember the last time we tipped as low as 18% while at Disney. But, we have decided if that is what they want, that is what they get.

 

[slug]

Sorry if this is in the wrong thread (search never works for me anymore). We are going to WDW soon, and will be buying our AP's when we get there. We have not had the DDE card for a couple of years, and I do not know what the current procedure is for getting one if you buy your AP's onsite. Can anyone who has done this recently fill me in on how best to do this?

Thanks!!!

From allearsnet.com:


MEMBERSHIP AND CARD INFORMATION: Call Disney Dining Experience office at (407) 566-5858, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Effective November 11, 2007, guests may visit Guest Relations at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdrom, Disney's MGM Studios, or Downtown Disney to purchase a Disney Dining Experience Card.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We are still using the card.

 

[BaBeeCee14]

If you are purchasing your AP's onsite at guest relations - you can purchase your DDE card at the same time. Before you had to call and order the DDE card over the phone, but not you get buy it in person.

 

[tinkandpan]

We are not- but it is not because of the tipping change. We are no longer going to hold AP's. They have just reached their peak of becoming too expensive for our family to fly down from NYC, stay at a hotel on site and eat. Not to mention- lately the food choices have been going slowly downhill and becoming a bit boring. We are branching out and going elsewhere for awhile.

 

[fireplug]

We are planninig 3 trips on this years ap's so we will get the DDE cards. I am certain the CRT savings for 6 in July will really help pay for it!


Squid

 

[n2mm]

We just returned last night and used our DDE card exclusively. Normally we use both the DDP and DDE, but decided against the DDP this trip. I kept a tab and never did I exceed the $76 a day it would've cost for the 2 of us to be on the DDP. We ate 2 TS meals a day and still came in under $76 using the DDE card discount (not counting the tip -- as the ddp doesn't cover it in order to compare). Yes the 18% was added EVERY time for the 2 of us to dine and drink. Yes EVERY lounge added the 18% to our drinks. We saved enough during this 6 day trip to cover the cost of our card. Since we will be using our card for our 14 day spring trip, 12 day August trip, and 14 day October trip, we should save a few dollars. We have not used the DDE card exclusively since DVC members could add the DDP so it was interesting keeping tabs. I started off keeping track of one CS meal a day and one TS meal a day and if we got snacks I added them too. I was surprised that we seldom exceeded $60 a day. Actually on 2 days we ate 2 TS meals (lunch and dinner) and still came in under $76 a day and if we can do this with 2 TS meals vs 1 TS meal and 1 CS meal, this is what I prefer. We like to do a TS breakfast or lunch and a TS dinner. We never deprived ourselves. If we wanted desert we got it (esp. beaches and cream and the Plaza), but sometimes only one of us got a desert. I order water at most meals, but in the past I ordered a beverage because it was part of the plan. I'm happier with water. We ate at most of our regular places too. (50s Prime Time 2x, The Plaza, Kona Cafe, Concourse SH, Olivia's, WCC 2x, Trails End, Captain's Grill/YCG).

I do have to say I use to tip at the lounges for drinks, but often a $1 a drink, so guess I wasn't tipping enough, because that 18% adds up fast. We did hear a few servers complain that they feel like they now have to remind people to tip and/or point out it's not part of the 2008 ddp anymore. Most say they are not comfortable doing this.

Yes I will continue to use our DDE because compared to the DDP the savings with it is the better deal for us and our family.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And I just got my renewal notice in the mail today; my DDE card expires at the end of this month.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

We just returned last night and used our DDE card exclusively. Normally we use both the DDP and DDE, but decided against the DDP this trip. I kept a tab and never did I exceed the $76 a day it would've cost for the 2 of us to be on the DDP. We ate 2 TS meals a day and still came in under $76 using the DDE card discount (not counting the tip -- as the ddp doesn't cover it in order to compare). Yes the 18% was added EVERY time for the 2 of us to dine and drink. Yes EVERY lounge added the 18% to our drinks. We saved enough during this 6 day trip to cover the cost of our card. Since we will be using our card for our 14 day spring trip, 12 day August trip, and 14 day October trip, we should save a few dollars. We have not used the DDE card exclusively since DVC members could add the DDP so it was interesting keeping tabs. I started off keeping track of one CS meal a day and one TS meal a day and if we got snacks I added them too. I was surprised that we seldom exceeded $60 a day. Actually on 2 days we ate 2 TS meals (lunch and dinner) and still came in under $76 a day and if we can do this with 2 TS meals vs 1 TS meal and 1 CS meal, this is what I prefer. We like to do a TS breakfast or lunch and a TS dinner. We never deprived ourselves. If we wanted desert we got it (esp. beaches and cream and the Plaza), but sometimes only one of us got a desert. I order water at most meals, but in the past I ordered a beverage because it was part of the plan. I'm happier with water. We ate at most of our regular places too. (50s Prime Time 2x, The Plaza, Kona Cafe, Concourse SH, Olivia's, WCC 2x, Trails End, Captain's Grill/YCG).

I do have to say I use to tip at the lounges for drinks, but often a $1 a drink, so guess I wasn't tipping enough, because that 18% adds up fast. We did hear a few servers complain that they feel like they now have to remind people to tip and/or point out it's not part of the 2008 ddp anymore. Most say they are not comfortable doing this.

Yes I will continue to use our DDE because compared to the DDP the savings with it is the better deal for us and our family.

How was the Plaza? And Kona?
$76 a day that is unbelivable.....
In March an Adult dinner is $31 w/o tip
I was looking into the DDE vs. DDP but with the Holiday charges, we are eating at just about every upcharge place, it figures. We will do the combo it seems to save us a few bucks.

 

[n2mm]

How was the Plaza? And Kona?
$76 a day that is unbelivable.....
In March an Adult dinner is $31 w/o tip
I was looking into the DDE vs. DDP but with the Holiday charges, we are eating at just about every upcharge place, it figures. We will do the combo it seems to save us a few bucks.

I actually kept a tab going. Our bill for Kona Cafe was $58 for the 2 of us. This included the steak entree for hubby, the prime rib entree for me, 2 ice teas, and one Kona Kone to share. This did not include the tip, but included the discount and tax.

We love the Plaza and both had an entree (cheeseburger for me, turkey sandwich for him). Ice tea for us and both had desert. Our bill after discount w/o tip was $29.

I agree, while there are some meals that are a little higher, we don't eat like that every day or we would buy the ddp. We enjoy some regular TS meals too (like the 50s PT, Plaza, Olivias, Breakfast TS -- which are not very expensive and generally cost $25-35 for the 2 of us to eat at w/o tip).