DDE to Dining Plan comparison

[n2mm]

We used the dining plan in September during the "free" time and thought it was great. We did not use it for our meals solely. We had other family down staying at other resorts who did not use the plan and we supplemented their meals. This will happen again for us in April. While we would like to get the dining plan for our reservation for 13 nights, our adult kids are coming down later in our trip and will not get the dining plan for their reservation. We will use our credits to take all to the more expensive places and we will use our DDE discount at the cheaper places (the Plaza, Trail's End, 50s Prime Time). We also don't eat at alot of counter service locations, so will let the kids use some/most of our cs credits. We did this in September and it worked great for us. Sometimes some of us would use TS credits, while others would use the DDE discount (depending on how hungary we were). The servers were great at sorting out the "more expensive" dishes and using the credits for those. We shared appetizers and sometimes deserts. I read recently that the dining plan will not start until the end of april, so may have to modify my dates as we are checking in on April 23, but am willing to move my arrival dates later. I'm glad to see that they are adding this perk and will use it, though I'm still trying to drop the weight from my September trip. (Of course, going to WDW in October and December didn't help either.)

 

[pplasky]

I worked out some of the numbers for my family. We already have the DDE so the price of that is not a factor. We usually have one sit down meal a day, but last trip there were two days we did not. I worked out some numbers, planning a sit-down everyday(including tax & tip). Most of these are character meals since my kids are still in to them. The DDP would cost us $110/day.

day 1 Donald Brkfst: 63.83; Flametree: 35.06; snacks: 5.30 = 104.19
day 2 Brkfst at hotel: 22.09; Mama Melrose 79.45; snacks: 5.30 = 106.84
day 3 early lunch: 34.16; Garden Grill 80.29; sancks: 5.30 = 119.76
day 4 brkfst at hotel: 23.99; Coral Reef 87.12; sancks 5.30 = 116.33
day 5 early lunch 35.81; Liberty tree tavern 70.66; snacks 5.30 = 111.77
day 6 brkfst hotel 23.91; Crystal Palace: 70.38; snacks 5.30 = 99.59

Total DDP= $660 Total DDE=658.48

Roughly about the same. Have seriously consider weighing out food we spend on Wegoshop(we will need some either way) and whether or not we really want to eat that many meals out since they are time consuming.

 

[KennyP]

Ok - our family goes to DW at least once a year. We're DVC members and we ALWAYS eat at TS dining spots. We have never done any sort of meal plan - and I don't even know if we have been given the option (we may have, but we've never discussed) - Sounds like we should investigate this DDE option. Where can I find detailed info about this???

 

[Chuck S]

Ok - our family goes to DW at least once a year. We're DVC members and we ALWAYS eat at TS dining spots. We have never done any sort of meal plan - and I don't even know if we have been given the option (we may have, but we've never discussed) - Sounds like we should investigate this DDE option. Where can I find detailed info about this???

The DDE is available to FL residents or Annual Pass Holders, regardless of residency. For AP holders it is currently $50 per year, and is valid for 20% off at nearly every Disney operated TS and at those venues that have no TS options (POP, All Stars, Animal Kingdom). Also note that Beginning Feb 1, 2005 Cinderella's Royal Table will no longer accept DDE.


The info below is for AP holders:


DISNEY DINING EXPERIENCE:

Become a member in the Disney Dining Experience program for $50.00, a $25.00 savings off of the regular price.

The Disney Dining Experience gives you:

• 20% off of food and beverages at over 70 Disney Resort hotel and Theme Park [url="http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm"]RESTAURANTS.[/url] (Discount is good for up to 10 guests.)
• Theme Park and Resort parking for dining purposes
• Member-Only invitations to exclusive events

Annual Passholders can join up by calling 407-566-5858 (Mon-Fri, 9:00am to 6pm EST). The Disney Dining Experience is not accepted during holidays, including New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing

 

[DonnaL]

KennyP,

Go to www.allearsnet.com and click on Dining. If you scroll down the left side of screen (I believe it's under dining discounts) you can click on DDE
and get a lot of info. Anyone can purchase DDE for $75.00 annually or if
you are an AP holder the price is $50.00. We purchased DDE this year for the first time (was available only to FL residents prior to 1/05) at the AP discount rate. We saved about $105.00 this trip, but, we have two more trips planned one for 10/06 and one for early 1/07 (the card is good until end of 1/07 since
we just purchased it early December. I definitely think it was worth it for our family especially with three trips planned. As far as the Dining Plan going into effect in April I have mixed feelings. We don't like to plan in advance
where we're eating (never make ADR's and have only had a problem once or
twice not getting in somewhere) Of course, we never go during a real busy season and we tend to eat at off times (late breakfasts and lunchs). So, I
think for now at least the DDE works better for us.

 

[Chuck S]

KennyP,

Go to www.allearsnet.com and click on Dining. If you scroll down the left side of screen (I believe it's under dining discounts) you can click on DDE
and get a lot of info. Anyone can purchase DDE for $75.00 annually or if
you are an AP holder the price is $50.00. We purchased DDE this year for the first time (was available only to FL residents prior to 1/05) at the AP discount rate. We saved about $105.00 this trip, but, we have two more trips planned one for 10/06 and one for early 1/07 (the card is good until end of 1/07 since
we just purchased it early December. I definitely think it was worth it for our family especially with three trips planned. As far as the Dining Plan going into effect in April I have mixed feelings. We don't like to plan in advance
where we're eating (never make ADR's and have only had a problem once or
twice not getting in somewhere) Of course, we never go during a real busy season and we tend to eat at off times (late breakfasts and lunchs). So, I
think for now at least the DDE works better for us.

Sorry, this is not true. ONLY FL residents can purchase the card for $75 if they are not AP holders. Otherwise you MUST be an AP holders to be eligible for the card.

 

[magicmommy]

We have the DDE card and it is great! However, DH and I usually go to the world at least one week a year without the kids. Since we stay in a studio when it is just the two of us I think I will try the dining plan in May. If we run out of TS credits by using them at signature restaurants then I'll use my DDE card. Based on how this works for us, I'll then decide if the DP is worth it for our 2 week August trip in a 2BR villa with 2 teenaged sons, probably not, or maybe for part of our split stay. Since I'm an obsessive planner its fun to compare what works best for our family. As many have said before, its nice having the option for DVCers.

 

[lsket]

We just returned from a trip to the World ( 12-11 to 12-16 ). I charged everything to the room card to make a comparison of what we spend to see if the dp would save anything. We spent about $500 for a family of 5 ( 2 adult, 11,9,3) for about 100 per day. We ate at rainforest,character breakfast at restaurantosaurus, and sci- fi. 4 counter service lunch, and 1 cs breakfast. The other 2 breakfasts were in the room. I don't know what the dp will cost but I would guess that it would be more than the $100 per day. This is how we normally eat when at Disney.

Lynn

We did use the dde card where accepted. When we said we had a "dining card" they wanted to see it. When they saw what it was they said " you can order anything on the menu" so the dp doesnt allow you to order all items on the menu.

 

[JMC]

Hey Chuck S- thanks for the great comparison. We're also 2 adults and tend to have our larger meal as a late lunch. The DDe seems like the better choice for us too.

I had one question for whomever: We bought our annual passes in October. If we buy the DDE plan in May (around the time of our next trip) and then choose not to renew our APs will this effect our ability to use the DDE after our APs expire?

Thanks.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Hey Chuck S- thanks for the great comparison. We're also 2 adults and tend to have our larger meal as a late lunch. The DDe seems like the better choice for us too.
I had one question for whomever: We bought our annual passes in October. If we buy the DDE plan in May (around the time of our next trip) and then choose not to renew our APs will this effect our ability to use the DDE after our APs expire?
Thanks.

Well, assuming they continue AP holders' eligibility for DDE, you would be in good shape. We bought our DDEs last January, and they are good thru February '06; our APs ran out in November, but our DDE is still valid.

Good luck!

 

[patsal]

I wasn't sure if it would be worth it or not, so I added it to the package we had from Dec. 14-19th--extend family, last minute, regular resort, non AP. Our party was considered three adults and one child (the ages are 14 and 9) the total for the Dining was $115 per day including tax. We ate at Crystal palace for dinner, Garden Grill for dinner, Prime Time for dinner, Breakfastasaurus (obviously breakfast) and Cap'n Jacks-- to keep the experiment true I just let everyone order whatever they wanted and if they didn't want dessert or apps I didn't force it. Most of our TS were around $155.00 including tax and tip(breakfast obviously less)--we went with extended family so the tips were calculated at 18%. We had a lot more food with counter service than we are usually used to with the plan--normally we order 2 counter service meals, no dessert and an extra side order or two. On the plan we ordered three meals with desserts per CS occasion--the average cost with tax was around $55.00. We didn't always use our snacks as we were not always hungry--all those desserts with CS really kept us filled up. On the last day we had 10 snacks to get so we had Mickey bars at the park, and took home 4 mickey rice crispy treats and 2 bags of chips. Not all bad, and I would push the beverages more if it had been summer so it was fine. By my calculations we saved approximately $107 per day (or $535) using the plan. If we had used the DDE--which we have--we would have not saved at most counter service since it is not valid where there is a sit down option or at any CS in the parks except AK. We would have only saved the portion of the bill that was the tip so about $30 per day or $150 total. Now that we will be able to use this with DVC stays it is obvious that the dining plan is worth it for us--even though DD will have to pay the adult price in July we will still save $$ and the value may be even greater since she will be able to choose from more options at CS and at the TS. Even with the cost closer to $155 per day it will be like free snacks and free CS.It worked well for us and it was and will be nice not to have to limit the kids choices to keep prices down.
By using two or three CS meals per occasion we were able to get CS for a few breakfasts and dinner on day of arrival and breakfast and lunch on Day of check out. This plan worked out really well for us. We used DDE to obtain a discount on alcoholic beverages. No where was there food ordered that was not covered by the plan--not planned, it just worked out that way. Everyone of course has their favorite snacks that are not included on the plan--a few pastries from France, Dole whips, wine in Italy, slushies from the sweet shop at MGM and a slush at Goofy's at DTD--well under $50.00.
Oh, and I only gained 3 pounds, which was off in two days--I know I didn't drink my eight glasses of water per day while I was there!
These things are of couse subjective, but for us the dining plan will save money.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We went to WDW in 11/04 , just 2 adults, used some meal vouchers that we bought online for $11.00 per meal. They were good at all CS restaurants, which gave us some surprisingly good, healthy choices. While we did save probably $15-20 per meal, we also felt like we were offered, no, almost forced to order way too much food to meet the criteria of appetizer, entree, desert and drink. Sometimes, they would give us a combo meal, and ask us to add an extra side dish, also.

I am wondering, has anyone tried to share any of these meals with family members? We felt that in most cases we could have split these meals and been satisfied

 

[MAGICFOR2]

By the way, those vouchers are no longer available.

 

[Dean]

We went to WDW in 11/04 , just 2 adults, used some meal vouchers that we bought online for $11.00 per meal. They were good at all CS restaurants, which gave us some surprisingly good, healthy choices. While we did save probably $15-20 per meal, we also felt like we were offered, no, almost forced to order way too much food to meet the criteria of appetizer, entree, desert and drink. Sometimes, they would give us a combo meal, and ask us to add an extra side dish, also.

I am wondering, has anyone tried to share any of these meals with family members? We felt that in most cases we could have split these meals and been satisfied

The rules say purchase for every person for every day. The only way to legally share would be to do so with people not staying in your room. But given the right circumstances, it could general a real value for some.

 

[zulaya]

Dean, there are people who report on the Restaurant Board (from time to time and not regularly) that they were able to share a meal.

Really, how are the CMs going to know for sure if the 2 people coming up to get a CS meal are staying in the same room?

TS you'd think would be harder to share. But there has been mention that you can continue to share meals and use 1 credit and the CMs have been accomodating.

If that's against the rules, it seems they aren't being applied everywhere across the board. Of course, no one can go into a trip based on these reports and *assume* that they can share credits and spread the meals out. Just commenting on what I have read so far.

 

[patsal]

CS is a lot easier to share and the quantity of food makes that very easy. For TS we were able to share in a few instances--we were with extended family. After a careful look at the numbers for my family we decided that it is worth it with the kids--withthe price increases and the age change thing we had virtually eliminated character meals for the upcoming summer trip. This will allow us to choose where ever. The other thing I am confused about of course is the kids when we eat at some of the signature restaurants--mine will not want to eat off of the adult menu so I think I will have to check to see if I can pay out of pocket for them to order off the children's menu. Since everyone will be considered an adult it won't be like I'm trying to squirrel childrens credits for adult or anything, just insuring the kids will eat and not make faces at the food!

 

[BCV23]

Haven't read the entire thread but wanted to add two things.

I don't think the DDE with AP is going away. I just purchased a new one yesterday that wil be good through 1/31/07.

Secondly, the cost of the plan is per night not per day so be sure to use that in your calculations of cost. You also can move the credits around as you wish so if you want to do two CS on arrival day, nothing on a middle day and two TS on departure day, it works fine.

 

[NMW]

CS is a lot easier to share and the quantity of food makes that very easy. For TS we were able to share in a few instances--we were with extended family. After a careful look at the numbers for my family we decided that it is worth it with the kids--withthe price increases and the age change thing we had virtually eliminated character meals for the upcoming summer trip. This will allow us to choose where ever. The other thing I am confused about of course is the kids when we eat at some of the signature restaurants--mine will not want to eat off of the adult menu so I think I will have to check to see if I can pay out of pocket for them to order off the children's menu. Since everyone will be considered an adult it won't be like I'm trying to squirrel childrens credits for adult or anything, just insuring the kids will eat and not make faces at the food!

I've read several threads on the restaurant board saying that CM's let "children" over 9 order from the childrens menu as long as the parents were using the meal plan. I guess as long as you payed an adult price and are using the plan, some CM's don't care if they order off the kids menu and get say an appetizer and a dessert off the adult menu also. I have to say however, when I pay an adult price for my 10 year old, I'm going to encourage him to order off the adult menu!

 

[poohj80]

We did use the dde card where accepted. When we said we had a "dining card" they wanted to see it. When they saw what it was they said " you can order anything on the menu" so the dp doesnt allow you to order all items on the menu.

Some restaurants have a logo on the menu next to the items that are allowed on the DDP. We don't want to be limited in our dining choices like this which is one reason we have stayed with the DDE.

I had one question for whomever: We bought our annual passes in October. If we buy the DDE plan in May (around the time of our next trip) and then choose not to renew our APs will this effect our ability to use the DDE after our APs expire?

No, your DDE has a seperate expiration date based on when it was purchased and is good until that date even if you don't renew your AP.

 

[NMW]

Some restaurants have a logo on the menu next to the items that are allowed on the DDP. We don't want to be limited in our dining choices like this which is one reason we have stayed with the DDE.


No, your DDE has a seperate expiration date based on when it was purchased and is good until that date even if you don't renew your AP.

You are always free to pay out of pocket for items not on the DP. I have read this limitation is only at DTD locations like Wolfgang Puck. Other places like Cape May cafe don't allow you to add the lobster tail for free with the DP, but why would they? It's extra if you pay cash to eat there too.

Now we know people who ate at Le Celliar and Brown Derby on the DP last month and were encouraged by the CM's to add the lobster tail and it was covered by the DP. I think it pretty mcuh depends on the restaurant, but they said they didn't have any issues in ordering what they wanted, and everything was covered by the DP except alcohol.