DDE??!! So Confused

[Ms. Heimlich]

I read allearsnet.com re: the DDE

Gratuity is added in... Does that mean having the DDE means you don't need to tip b/c it is included, or that it is automatically calculated in?

I am so confused.


How many of you out there actually get an AP so you can get the DDE card?

 

[NejTheLion]

At the start of this year, they decided to add the 18% gratuity to all DDE receipts. It's just like they typically would do for parties of 6 or larger.

So, yes, that tip is included, but you are welcome to add more if you want to tip above 18%.

And we don't get an AP just for the DDE, but it's a definite plus. We usually eat dinner at resort TS restaurants, so between dinner and wine, it pays for itself within about one meal.

 

[disneyfan55]

I read allearsnet.com re: the DDE

Gratuity is added in... Does that mean having the DDE means you don't need to tip b/c it is included, or that it is automatically calculated in?

I am so confused.


How many of you out there actually get an AP so you can get the DDE card?

I don't think you need the AP to purchase the DDE. You do receive a discount with the AP making the DDE cost 60. I think it was a 25 savings with the AP or that's what I was told. Just to let you know the sales tax was calculated on the discounted price too. A little more savings. I also was surprise to find out that the counter service was included at the Value Resorts as well as Animal Kingdom. I would have purchased the DDE sooner if I was aware of this.

 

[pumba]

You do need an AP or a Florida Annual Pass to be able to get the DDE card.....We get the AP and DDE card and it does pay for itself.......We use it in the food court of the resort we usually stay in and also for TS restaurants.....The tip that is automatically added in at the TS restaurants is usually on the bill itself....we were there a week ago and this was how we saw it.......makes it easier for us. IF we want to we add more to the tip if our server was really good.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

 

[disneyfan55]

You do need an AP or a Florida Annual Pass to be able to get the DDE card.....We get the AP and DDE card and it does pay for itself.......We use it in the food court of the resort we usually stay in and also for TS restaurants.....The tip that is automatically added in at the TS restaurants is usually on the bill itself....we were there a week ago and this was how we saw it.......makes it easier for us. IF we want to we add more to the tip if our server was really good.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

We just purchased the DDE with an annual pass for 60 but were told that we received a 25 discount by having the AP and the cost without was 85. I had thought, too, that you needed the AP to get the DDE. Maybe it is something new. Not sure but this was just last week.

 

[i3utterfli82]

AP and Florida residents only can get the DDE.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We bought one this year with our AP's and it paid for itself by the end of the second day...plus we save more money because we usually tip 20-25%.

 

[oybolshoi]

We also have APs ... it ends up being cheaper to get an AP through the vacation club than it is to buy 10-day park hoppers and we always get the DDE as well. We save more money with the DDE and aren't forced to eat a lot of CS meals or snacks, which are really not the way we prefer to eat Disney.

 

[Allison]

We just purchased the DDE with an annual pass for 60 but were told that we received a 25 discount by having the AP and the cost without was 85. I had thought, too, that you needed the AP to get the DDE. Maybe it is something new. Not sure but this was just last week.

The $85 is the cost for Florida residents so that is what they meant when they gave you that comparison.

You need an AP/Seasonal pass or to be a Florida resident.

 

[disneyfan55]

The $85 is the cost for Florida residents so that is what they meant when they gave you that comparison.

You need an AP/Seasonal pass or to be a Florida resident.

They never asked if we were FL residents or not, maybe since we did have the AP. That's why I was a little confused and thought it was available to anyone but for a higher cost.

 

[inkkognito]

Even tho' we're FL residents, our DDE has always been cheaper to buy as APs. We generally tip 20%, which means we add 2% to the auto gratuity.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Just for clarification, as has been stated the FL resident rate is $85. A FL resident can get DDE for $60 w/ either a FL Res. Seasonal or FL Res. AP. Non-FL residents can purchase a DDE card for $60, if they have an AP. I think you need a total food cost of $300 to break even, which adds up quickly at WDW.

 

[disneyfan55]

Does anyone know when or if they change the places the DDE can be used? I noticed that some of the TS restaurants are not included but some counter service are. Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

AP and seasonal passholders pay $60 per year for the DDE membership. Florida residents who are not annual passholders pay $85 ($75 renewal).

It's not available to any guests other than annual passholders and Florida residents.

I have had an AP since 2000. The DDE was made available to passholders in 2005 (prior to that it was only for Florida residents). So I have never purchased an AP just to acquire a DDE card.

The restaurants that are not included are probably a number of those on WDW property that are not owned or run by Disney. While some agree to participate, some don't. For example, at Downtown Disney you can use DDE only at Planet Hollywood, Raglan Road or Cap'n Jack's (which is the only WDW owned/run TS restaurant at DTD). This has been constant for a few years and is not likely to change.

Counter service has historically been included only in locations where no table service restaurant is available (the value food courts and POFQ). Although AK and SSR now have full-service restaurants, DDE is still accepted at counter service there. If they plan to make changes, it would most likely be at the beginning of the year.

 

[davinakb]

We get AP when we know our trips will be long enough to make it cheaper than a 10 day no-expire MYW; and/or we commit to a return visit the next year right before the pass expires to squeeze in 2 trip on 1 pass. We don't buy the AP just for the DDE card, but if we have an AP we always get the DDE card (on our 3rd now). FWIW.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Thanks for the info everyone...

Most helpful.

Now, I'm off to do the "fuzzy math" of the Disney way...

Is it cheaper to do the DDP or an AP with the DDE...