DDE info for December visitors

[JimMIA]

I called today for a DDE and was advised to call back later in order to get maximum use from my DDE, so I thought I'd pass the info along.

Our situation is that we are visiting 12/4-12/8 this year, sometime during the summer, and another trip in Dec 2006. For that reason, I wanted to be sure my DDE was valid on 12/4/05, but also extended through 12/31/06.

I was told not to order the DDE until November 7, because that is the date the switch from a 11/30 expiration to a 12/31 expiration takes place. Any DDE's purchased on 11/7 or after will be good for all of calendar 2006.

 

[shoes99]

I ordered mine on 7/20/05 and it expires 8/31/06.

 

[JimMIA]

I ordered mine on 7/20/05 and it expires 8/31/06.

Right, it expires 13 months from the issue month, but there is a switchover date that gives you the assurance of getting the maximum time. Probably not important to most, but it was to us because of our scheduling...we're getting three trips on it instead of two.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks, Jim! We're in exactly the same situation. Visiting 12/2 - 12/10 and wanting to come back again in December 2006. Had planned to order the DDE card just after Thanksgiving and pick up the temp card at EPCOT, but if I can order it on 11/7 or 11/8, we might get the real thing before we leave!

Best wishes -

P.S. Hoping your family and neighbors all came through Wilma without damage - sounds like there are still many without power.

 

[ro80]

Hi Jim -
If I'm going for ESPN Weekend March 1-4, when shoud I order mine. I am going in March, May and Sept. 06. I think it will definitely be worth it for us...

 

[MarieA]

I ordered mine 7/8/06 and it expires 8/31/07.

 

[JimMIA]

Hi Jim -
If I'm going for ESPN Weekend March 1-4, when shoud I order mine. I am going in March, May and Sept. 06. I think it will definitely be worth it for us...

I assume you mean 2007?

The DDE card is good for about 13 months. Actually, as you can see from Marie's post, it expires at the end of the 12th month after issuance. It normally takes 2-3 weeks for them to send you the card, and that's the reason for the delayed expiration -- so that you will have the card in your hand for a full 12 months.

However, you can purchase the DDE at the last minute if you like. They'll have a temporary card ready for pickup at the Epcot Guest Services office, and you can use that throughout your first visit. That strategy is helpful if you are planning on squeezing in another trip right around the expiration date, because you actually get 13 months of usage.

In your case, it looks like it doesn't matter, because you're going three times in six months. But I'd still wait until the last minute just in case. You never know...you may want to make another trip in March of 2008, and if you wait until the last minute the card will still be valid.

When you call to order the card, they can tell you the precise date when the expiration date changes to the next month. Usually that's around the 7th-8th of the month.

Don't forget that you can use the DDE in conjunction with the Disney Dining Plan (for adult beverages, or other items not covered by the DDP).

Also remember that you get your DDE discount for up to 10 people per meal, as long as you're all dining together and on the same check, so you don't need additional cards unless you plan to split up for some meals. (If you're hosting a large group, be sure to tell the server prior to ordering so they put everything on one check.)

 

[twotoohappy]

I ordered my DDE card the 2nd of October and I'm still waiting for it to come.......

2-3 weeks

 

[DVC Grammy]

Thanks so much for this information! I was going to call DDE to find out how to get the most use from the card (3 visits), but now I don't have to!

 

[coasterbob]

I ordered my DDE card the 2nd of October and I'm still waiting for it to come.......

2-3 weeks

same here ordered around 10/6 and no card yet...........

Bob

 

[OADad]

Ordered October 2 as well . . . .

Was planning to call this coming week, as I want to make sure we have it for our arrival on 11/30!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Thanks, Jim! We're in exactly the same situation. Visiting 12/2 - 12/10 and wanting to come back again in December 2006. Had planned to order the DDE card just after Thanksgiving and pick up the temp card at EPCOT, but if I can order it on 11/7 or 11/8, we might get the real thing before we leave!

Wow. Thanks for this information. We wanted the DDE card but thought it was too late to order one since we are leaving December 1st. and our next trip will be in October 2007. Do you think if we order on monday we would get all that we need before we leave and still be able to include that Oct trip? And also should we have to get a temporary card or letter where in Epcot is that exactly?

 

[justKim]

I ordered ours days before our trip, and picked up our temporary cards at Epcot. The Guest Services office is at the front entrance on the right. My husband checked us in at Boardwalk while I hurried across the park to get the cards. Made it back just in time to meet the family at Flying Fish for an early dinner.

We just travelled with two other families and used the card extensively. Except when I took the kids out of Ohanas and DH forgot to use the DDE for our party of 10!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We wanted the DDE card but thought it was too late to order one since we are leaving December 1st. and our next trip will be in October 2007. Do you think if we order on monday we would get all that we need before we leave and still be able to include that Oct trip?

Yes, get the card, it's not too late and it will still be good in October 2007. It's easy to find the location at the front of EPCOT. We had to go for a replacement card once when our's disappeared ( I think we left it at a restaurant).

HBC

 

[ont/ohana]

HI THERE EVERYONE!! My Visa was charged and still no sign of our card. We had our ME tickects right away and we leave in 25 days. I love to organize and am a huge planner so I'm patiently waiting. We are going DEC06, Mar07and Sept 07.
Yahh love the DVC and DIS!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Thanks everyone for your replies. What I need to know now is can we order the DDE card with just our AP vouchers? We've never been passholders before so forgive me for the dumb questions. Is the number we need to give the reservation number at the top of our voucher letter? Thanks a bunch.

 

[DanenRox]

just wondering....can the DDE be used at the kiosks serving liquor in World Showcase? Is the kiosk outside of Biergarten part of Biergarten, or some other garten? I know there is a list of restaurants accepting the DDE, but don't know if the outside bars are stand alone "establishments" or not?????

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks everyone for your replies. What I need to know now is can we order the DDE card with just our AP vouchers? We've never been passholders before so forgive me for the dumb questions. Is the number we need to give the reservation number at the top of our voucher letter? Thanks a bunch.

Yes, you can. You won't actually have the AP in hand until you pick it up at a ticket location at WDW, but you can use the voucher number for DDE.

 

[jekjones1558]

To all who are still waiting: We had this same experience when we were trying to get a card for our April 3 trip. We ordered on March 7 but it didn't reach us on time. I called a couple of days before we left home and DDE had a letter waiting for us at Epcot. We had no trouble using this temporary DDE ID. It was worth the trouble so that we can still use the card for our spring trip in 2007.

 

[OKWMom]

I called on Friday morning to order our DDE card for our December trip. I had not read this thread when I made the call, so I wasn't sure when the date change over would take place. I was going to ask, but I didn't have to. The nice CM who handled the call said that since my trip was in 5 weeks, she would process the order on Monday so I would have a December 07 expiration.