DDE vs. DDP

[ogorchock]

I'm getting an AP to get the AP discount on room only. Now, I need to decide whether to go with the Disney Dining Experience or the DDP. It's our first trip with a 5 y.o. so we're going to go to several character meals and to LeCellier for steak. But, I'm sure there will be some nights where we don't want a big meal. We're going for 7 nights/8days. What's your vote? DDE or DDP.

 

[Tricia1972]

If you aren't eating TS every night of your trip, then the DDE is probably a better deal for you.

If you're doing a few signature restaurants (more than one) then then you may break even on the DDE.

Our upcoming trip is 5 adults, 1 child and 1 infant.

We're dining at:
LeCellier (1 TS Credit)
Beaches & Cream (1 TS Credit)
Tony's (1 TS Credit)
Jiko (2 TS Credits)
Crystal Palace (1 TS Credit)

Planned CS's are:
Pinocchio's Village Haus
Backlot Express
Wolfgang Puck Express
Flame Tree BBQ - DDE Discount applies here
Earl of Sandwich
Artist's Palette x 2

So we'd be using 6 of our 7 TS Credits and all 7 of our CS entitlements.

Because we don't order many if any desserts, generally prefer an appetizer or two for our party, and we never order any CS desserts, the DDE is a much better value for us. We are saving close to $500 by doing the DDE.

Desserts can make or break you...
Adding on TS Desserts for everyone would take away roughly $190 of savings
Adding on CS Desserts for everyone would take away an additional $125 of savings

 

[zackspal]

We have AP for entire family. Also do DDP. In addition, we use DDE, This covers drinks & anything else added to meal DDP does not cover

 

[Laurie222]

What is the Disney Dining Experience?

This is all new to me!

 

[HeatherinVT]

PHFEW i thought I was the only one!!

What is the Disney Dining Experience?

This is all new to me!

 

[Laurie222]

DDE is 20% off meals and you can only use it if you are an annual pass holder.

 

[cart-mom]

OR you could be a Florida resident and get the DDE.

I have a question to add.....
Can you use the DDE and get the 20% discount on the refillable mugs?? There's more that we would use it for (there's 6 of us) so I know it will save us money on our meals but I was just hoping it would also save on the mugs.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

OR you could be a Florida resident and get the DDE.

I have a question to add.....
Can you use the DDE and get the 20% discount on the refillable mugs?? There's more that we would use it for (there's 6 of us) so I know it will save us money on our meals but I was just hoping it would also save on the mugs.

No. The DDE discount does not apply to the mugs.

We have a 16 night stay in August, but it is 3 separate ressies. I was kind of leaning towards adding the DDP to our last 7 nights. I sat and added up our cost using DDE, then added the costs using DDP. The DDP costs MORE! If tips were included we would break even - within $8. Unless dining is FREE we won't be using DDP at all. There is no way I am willing to deal with the hassle of DDP AND not save any money!

 

[ChicagoJim]

After looking at the DDP add-on for AP holders offer, I thought I might take the plunge this time and sign up for it. However, since they took out the appetizer for adults, it really doesn't make sense. My cost would be $125 a day for the DDP on a family of three adults and one child. Looking at my included savings using the DDE, I am spending about $118 day on like-item purchases.

BTW - we never really eat dessert, so that would be a huge waste for us on DDP. I wish you could substitute an appetizer.

And does anybody know the philosphy behind giving a child (3-9) an appetizer on DDP????

Either way, you are probably better off with the flexibility and savings of the DDE.

 

[emma'smom]

We had the DDE and the DDP. When we had meals that just used the DDE we actually didn't find it all that much of a savings anymore since it basically just covers the 18% imposed tip (then you save only 2%). It does cover alcohol, but we really don't order alcohol with meals. We do like dessert though...the DDP was a much better deal for us and since we do a lot of character meals (mostly buffets or served multiple course meals like LTT), the DDE didn't save us as much as the DDP because we couldn't cut costs by not ordering a dessert, sharing meals, etc.

 

[BCV23]

We had the DDE and the DDP. When we had meals that just used the DDE we actually didn't find it all that much of a savings anymore since it basically just covers the 18% imposed tip (then you save only 2%).

That would only be true if you had planned to give no tip.

You still saved 20% off the cost of the meals. Without DDE you would have paid the additional 20% for the meal and then whatever tip you planned on top of that.

Tricia1972, Artist's Palette took DDE last I knew.

 

[Tricia1972]

That would only be true if you had planned to give no tip.

You still saved 20% off the cost of the meals. Without DDE you would have paid the additional 20% for the meal and then whatever tip you planned on top of that.

Tricia1972, Artist's Palette took DDE last I knew.

Thanks for the tip on Artist's Palette - I'll be checking it out next week!

I also agree with your first point, it's only not a savings (having the card) if you weren't going to tip. Also you are taxed on the total post discount. So for a $100 food bill, you'll be taxed $5.20 (on $80) instead of $6.50.

Take LTT - OOP vs on the DDE

DDE
28.99 - Adult Meal
5.80 - Discount
1.51 - Tax
$24.70 - Per Adult

OOP
28.99 - Adult Meal
1.88 - Tax
$30.87 - Per Adult

However, I agree, if you are doing all character meals then the DDP is probably a better discount for your family.

 

[emma'smom]

Well, I would have only left 15% at LTT as the service wasn't that great. We waited a long time for everything from drink refills to a spoon. So, I would have saved 5% not 2% if the tip hadn't been imposed. That...and the holiday surcharge!

 

[BCV23]

Well, I would have only left 15% at LTT as the service wasn't that great. We waited a long time for everything from drink refills to a spoon. So, I would have saved 5% not 2% if the tip hadn't been imposed. That...and the holiday surcharge!

No.

Forgetting tax and the surcharge (not sure if you meant you were charged that or not), pretend your bill was $100.

With DDE, the discount would have lowered the bill to $80. Then the automatic 18% would have been added bringing your total to $98.

Without DDE, you would have added $15 to the original $100. So the total would have been $115 instead of $98. Savings of $17 on a $100 bill. That would be 17%.