DDE questions

[momtotanmanandraerae]

We are going to WDW for our first DVC trip home in Dec. We will be there for 10 days. We are not going back for the rest of the year so we thought we would not get annual passes. We thought that we would do the DDP but after trying to make a rough draft I realized that we had a lot more TS than CS. We like to do lots of table services and little counter services. So then I read about the DDE card. If just my husband gets an annual pass and DDE card, can we get the 20% discount for our whole family? Also, am I thinking correctly that we should just do the card and not the plan? Thanks for any help in this decision!

 

[MinnieFan]

You can buy the DDE card with only one AP. The DDE card would have to be in the name of the person who gets the AP. The card will cover that person and up to 9 guests. You can buy a second card for the spouse for an additional $25, but if you will all eat together all of the time this would not be necessary.

You may be correct that DDE is the way to go for your family. On our most recent trip, though, we used both DDE and the DDP. Like you, we like to do more TS meals than are covered by the DDP. So we paid for those extra TS's (mostly character breakfasts) and used the DDE card for those meals. Using this approach we saved a lot of money.

Have a great trip - WDW is beautiful in December!

 

[blossomz]

We also do both the DDE and the DDP!

 

[byoung]

We also do both the DDE and the DDP!

We also use both.

 

[MrShiny]

As long as you spend over $300, the DDE saves you money (it also offers other perks like parking for dining and discounts of Pleasure Island tickets, etc.)

I've found that the DDP (if completely used) tended to save us about 30%, but if you are going outside of the plan mostly, DDE will be the way to go.

 

[momoflizandains]

We use both, too. We've saved lots.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

The DDE is great is you have wine or cocktails with dinner...it also takes 20% off of that, which, I believe, would not be covered under the DDP. Our family has not used the DDP, and we probably will not. We tend to do TS for all our evening meals with a flexible approach to breakfast and lunch (sometimes breakfast in the room, sometimes snacks/light lunch at the parks). Consider how your family likes to dine and use the best option for your dining patterns. The AP also gives you shopping perks (pins, discounts, etc.) that you would not get with the DDP. I believe allears.net has a comparison of the 2 plans to help with your decision. Have a great time.