DDE...should I buy?

[ChrisMouse]

Hi all!

We will be buying AP's just prior to our visit in May (we'll be going May 10-17, then again in Nov. for a couple of days, and then May 2-9 in 2009).

I'm considering the DDE since I (finally!) decided that the DDP is not for us. Here are the TS meals we have ADR's for...will the DDE experts out there tell me if the DDE will benefit us? As I understand it, it gives you a 20% discount on TS meals (including beverages??) but no discounts on CS meals...am I correct?

CRT
Sci Fi
Mama Melrose's Fantasmic Pkg. dinner
Liberty tree tavern character dinner
Crystal Palace character breakfast
California Grill (just DH and me) dinner
Tusker House Bkfst
San Angel Inn for lunch


TIA for help!

Chris

 

[TDC Nala]

All the restaurants you listed will accept DDE - although I am not sure about the Fantasmic package, I've never tried to use it for one. The 20% discount is on the entire bill, including beverages - even alcoholic beverages. Starting in 2008, an automatic gratuity of 18% will be added to the bill.

Mother's Day (May 11) is a blackout day for DDE, you won't be able to use it on that date.

You can use DDE at counter service restaurants in locations where there is no table service restaurant. It's good at the food courts in the value resorts, the food court at POFQ, and (for now) the Animal Kingdom counter service. (Check for a list of participating restaurants in 2008 - I haven't seen one yet. It's possible they'll remove AK counter service from DDE because AK now has a full service restaurant that takes DDE.)

Since this is not a DDP question, I'm going to move it to the restaurant board.

 

[ChrisMouse]

Thanks!!!

(Sorry for posting in the wrong spot!!))

Chris

 

[debbiedoo]

From my understandings the tip is automatic on parties 6/8 or more, so I have heard.

 

[debbiedoo]

hold on I just found this:

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.

apparently from an email to curent DDE card holders

 

[TDC Nala]

Addition of the automatic 18% gratuity in 2008 will be to:

All DDE parties regardless of size

AND

All parties of 6 or more regardless of method of payment.

 

[Christopher5927]

Addition of the automatic 18% gratuity in 2008 will be to:

All DDE parties regardless of size

AND

All parties of 6 or more regardless of method of payment.

I have said it before... the addition of 18% gratuity to any size party is Disney's way of removing the DDE. In time, people will realise that saving 20% then paying 18% is more expensive than no discount and then tipping 15%. Then, Disney will say that there is no longer any demand for DDE and withdraw it.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Hi chris

i've purchased the dde plan for the past three years and think it is well worth it. I usually tip more than 15% so the auto 18% is no big deal to me.

We 've used it at counter service at EPCOT and MK both of which have sitdown & counter service and of course AK, so i dont think AK would stop accepting it at their counter service just becuz they now have a sitdown available at that park. The only park we have encountered an issue using the dde card at counter service is MGM.

You can also use it for just a beer or two at ESPN zone or at the United Kingdom, poolside bars or your resort bar. The best thing is to always ask. We have a family of 5 plus there is ALWAYs one or two extra bodies with us, so normally within our first few days of our trip it has more than paid for itself. Its really nice to have at places like Artist Point or the California Grill. You can also use it downtown disney at Earl of Sandwich & a few sit downs

You also get discount entry into Pleasure island (buy one get one pass?)

And yes it does have a few black out date and Mothers day is one of them.

Think is worth trying at least once.

enjoy your trips

 

[debbiedoo]

The automatic tip does not bother me. We normally tip 20/30% depending on the type of service we have received. If it was really, really bad, then it was 15%. I know many others here feel the same, and I do not think it will be a way to remove the DDE. If everyone was tipping appropriately from the get go, then this should not be a problem

 

[DeeDeeDis]

actually i thought 18% was the new 15% now anyways, everything else has gone up seems only natural to me that that would be too

 

[debbiedoo]

actually i thought 18% was the new 15% now anyways, everything else has gone up seems only natural to me that that would be too

correct, but if I receive bad, bad service -- I go with the 15, and speak with a manager before I leave

 

[tinkandpan]

I don't know anyone out there except perhaps my grandma who tips less than 18 - 20 percent anyway so I still don't get all the hoopla. My only issue is when the service is horrid but luckily that has not been an issue

 

[garneska]

I have said it before... the addition of 18% gratuity to any size party is Disney's way of removing the DDE. In time, people will realise that saving 20% then paying 18% is more expensive than no discount and then tipping 15%. Then, Disney will say that there is no longer any demand for DDE and withdraw it.

Hate to say this but your math is bad. If I have a $100 meal and use DDE, you pay a $18 gratuity and then receive $20 discount. I pay $98 dollars. If you don't have DDE and leave a 15% tip then you pay a $15 gratuity and you pay $115 so DDE you still save $17 dollars.

 

[Luv2Roam]

To my knowledge DDE does not allow a discount towards a Fantasmic dinner package. (Nor CP dinner.)
You can get the 20% for the meal. However you just will not be able to get the reserved seating.
So I believe your choices are pay full price at MM for the package and get the reserved seating. Or, get 20% off the meal and be seated as the general guests.