DDE or DDP add on for DVC member?

[Schucraig]

Which is the best value to add on? We just joined DVC and there are 2 adults, and 2 DS's. Is it better to add on the DDP or do DDE? TIA

 

[TDC Nala]

Is this your only trip to WDW this year, or do you plan to take others? Are the kids under age 10? Do you want to eat mainly at table service restaurants, or do you regularly eat at counter service also? Do you order alcoholic beverages? Can't answer without more info.

 

[DebbieB]

Do you have an annual pass? To get the DDE, you need to buy an AP or be a Florida Resident.

 

[Schucraig]

My DS's are 9 and 5. We plan to go 2 times this year, before DS turns 10. We like to eat at both CS & TS. However, we do not need a TS every day. I am trying to figure out what the best option is. We always have breakfast in our room. We sometimes get a alcoholic beverage at dinner but, mostly while walking around Epcot at night.

 

[Schucraig]

Do you have an annual pass? To get the DDE, you need to buy an AP or be a Florida Resident.

Yes, we are going to get annual passes.

 

[TDC Nala]

As mentioned, since you're not a Florida resident you would need to be an annual passholder to get DDE.

DDE is 20% off the full bill, and applies to alcoholic beverages (if they are served at restaurants or lounges - it's not accepted at kiosks in Epcot). It's good at most TS restaurants at WDW and a limited number of CS (none of the CS are located at DVC resorts). It has 8 blackout dates per year, generally on major holidays. Fee for annual passholder membership is $60. All DDE parties have an 18% automatic gratuity added at table service locations.

DDP (basic plan) would run you $37.99 for each adult and $9.99 for the kids since they are under 10, per night of your stay. Kids have to order off children's menus where they are available. You get one CS credit, one TS credit and one snack credit per night of your stay, which may be used in any combination throughout your stay. TS appetizers are not included for adults - adult TS credits are good for an entree and a dessert. "Signature" restaurants and dinner shows take 2 TS credits for both adults and children. Snacks are single serving sizes only, and alcoholic beverages are not included. Gratuities are not included in the Dining Plan price. DDP parties will not have an automatic gratuity added unless the party consists of 6 or more persons.

 

[Chuck S]

It really depends upon your personal dining habits. At table service locations do you regularly order entree, beverages and desserts, at least for both adults? Or do you prefer appetizers over desserts? They are not interchangeable on the DDP.

Are you small to average eaters, do you sometimes share large entrees? Then the DDE or no plan at all, may be the best for you.

If you regularly eat dessert, entrees, and a beverage the DDP is likely the best way to go.

If you don't feel the need for a table service meal daily, (or a signature restaurant every-other day), but are just as happy eating counter service for lunch and dinner some nights, with the occasinal table service meal, then probably neither plan works for you, and you may as well pay out of pocket.

 

[Schucraig]

It really depends upon your personal dining habits. At table service locations do you regularly order entree, beverages and desserts, at least for both adults? Or do you prefer appetizers over desserts? They are not interchangeable on the DDP.

Are you small to average eaters, do you sometimes share large entrees? Then the DDE or no plan at all, may be the best for you.

If you regularly eat dessert, entrees, and a beverage the DDP is likely the best way to go.

If you don't feel the need for a table service meal daily, (or a signature restaurant every-other day), but are just as happy eating counter service for lunch and dinner some nights, with the occasinal table service meal, then probably neither plan works for you, and you may as well pay out of pocket.

We have done the DDP the last few years before we joined DVC. I prefer the app. vs. the dessert. That is my struggle, is it still a good deal? It also has us tied down to eating out every night. So that way I think DDE is better, except you can not use it at many CS spots.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't think DDE is worth it if you are going to eat mostly CS, unless you eat at AK a lot.

Then again, DDP is no bargain if you're not going to use the TS credits.

 

[Chuck S]

Again, it depends upon your normal dining habits. For us, as two adults, we usually have a table service lunch and usually a counter service dinner. Often we'll drive over to POP for dinner, as their food court has a nice selection, and they take the DDE. (Love their Caesar Salads!!!) The DDE works best for us.

 

[ChelleinNC]

DDE is good at AP at SSR and at Flame Tree at AK--2 CS that I know off the top of my head that it is good at

DDE works well for us, as we're not big CS fans and both of my kids are Disney "Adults". Since your kids are under 10 and you like CS, it may work well for you. It's hard to beat $10 a day to feed your child 2 meals & a snack at Disney World --as long as your kids will eat off the childrens menu.

 

[TDC Nala]

DDE is good at AP at SSR and at Flame Tree at AK--2 CS that I know off the top of my head that it is good at

It's good at CS at Flame Tree, Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus (it is not good at Anandupur Food Cafes/Yak & Yeti). Also at the value resort food courts and POFQ.

DDE choices are pretty limited at Downtown Disney - there it is accepted only at Cap'n Jack's, Raglan Road and Planet Hollywood.

 

[starbox]

We used both last year - but with the new and unimproved DDP, I'm a DDE convert. When you factor in tips, the DDP won't save you more than 20% and it "forces" you to eat a specific way. DDE is just as much of a savings with the freedom to save that 20% on the food/drinks you actually want to eat.

For example, I'd rather have a glass of wine and a salad that soda pop and dessert.

 

[nhdisnut]

DDE does work at SSR....At the Artist's Palette in Jan, I received 20% off all meals, snacks and beverages (including beer).....and no 20% tip is added so it really is a savings!

 

[mommylibrarian]

I'm a DDE fan. My kids are really young, though, and don't eat much. The main thing for me is the flexibility. We eat in the room a lot (we put that kitchen to full use!). When we do eat out, it's a treat and it's often TS. We usually have 3-4 TS meals in the week, and almost always dinner. Lunch is too easy to make in the room before naps.

The easiest thing to do is guess where you might want to eat ahead of time (you don't have to stick to this, of course, but it will give you an idea) and do the math. For us, I can never really come up with a good way to make DDP pay. But as long as you spend about $300 at TS, DDE will at least cause you to break even. (I think that math is right).

The first time we got the DDE, we made a ressie at V&A, so it paid off immediately. And we go with friends, so it gave them a nice discount too. I called it a birthday gift. (Isn't that cheap of me?!)

 

[DisneyPhD]

We used both last year - but with the new and unimproved DDP, I'm a DDE convert. When you factor in tips, the DDP won't save you more than 20% and it "forces" you to eat a specific way. DDE is just as much of a savings with the freedom to save that 20% on the food/drinks you actually want to eat.

For example, I'd rather have a glass of wine and a salad that soda pop and dessert.

We have done DDP in the past and now with the changes are getting a DDE card for our next trip. We are looking forward to no having to worry about the plan or what works for snacks. I am getting a funnel cake this time!!!!! (not that DDE works on them, but you get the idea.)

I read you can buy them there, so we are going to get our DDE at the same time we get our AP's at guest services.

 

[Tiggerlover48]

We have done the DDP in the past - but it was always free!!! So that was a no brainer. But now we aren't sure which way to go. I really love getting the app. with my dinner - I like having a salad with my dinner. And now that it's gone, I think we might go the DDE way. We don't always eat 2desserts a day!!!! Not that I mind!! But my thighs, do.

 

[jcf]

I bought AP's already for me and 7 yr old son. We will probably eat breakfist and dinner with characters. Is DDE best bet going twice per year.