DDP and DDE- 8/19-8/25

[pixiechick]

Just back last night. DH, DS (age 10) and myself. We paid $683 to add the DDP to our DVC reservation.

We had no problems sharing, or paying out of pocket and applying the Disney Dining Experience discount. Overall, the 3 of us for 6 nights, saved about $300 with the Dining Plan. In factoring out the cost vs savings, I kept the DDE discount separate. Yes, there were extra desserts etc. that we normally wounl not have ordered but we still saved a huge amount.

When we shared credits, we just told the waitstaff right away and made sure it was clear which person was paying OOP. Then we handed over the DDE card and they discounted the extra food and any alcohol. When we did pay OOP, the application of gratuity was inconsistent. Sometimes it was added, sometimes not.

The addition of the new snack choices really expands your options--Figaro fries, Boardwalk bakery desserts , Pineapple Floats, cinnamon rolls at Main street bakery,....hmmmmm....
For our TS, we did Flying Fish (a combo of credits and cash), Chefs de France, California Grill, Mama Melrose (FDP) and Le Cellier (another combo of credits and $). Occasionally, we shared CS and for our last night we Ate Around the World Showcase using counter service credits.

The DDE card paid for itself already because for most meals we had a drink or bottle of wine (or both! ) We still have 2 more trips with that!

Will we do the plan again? I don't know. All 3 of us agreed that we enjoying trying it out. By the end though, we were tired of eating. Typically, we would eat at places like Chefs and Le Cellier for lighter lunches and cheaper prices. This trip we did all TS for dinner because from a $ perspective it was foolish not to do so. We felt like we spent a lot of time focused on food.

As an aside, the only restaurant that was accepting walkins was Flying Fish. We were there shortly after they opened so I don't know if that was the case later. At all of the others we heard walk ups told there were no tables available. I wondered if people had double booked restaurants and not cancelled the ADR they decided not to use though because only California Grill looked full.
Any questions, let me know!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd love to know more about your experiences and what you ate at California Grill and Chefs de France.

 

[pixiechick]

Simba's Mom:

I just posted my reviews( for what they're worth!)

Dining Reviews 8/19-8/25

Any other questions, let me know!

 

[Ethan's dad]

Can I ask how it worked with the DDE card? When you ordered OOP items (wine etc) could you use the card and still charge the cost back to your room? My sister, who lives in Orlando, will be joining my family (we are all staying on property and getting the DDP). She will be with us in the parks and at meals on a few days, but is not on the reservation, so no DDP for her. She does have DDE though. So when we all eat together, we plan to pay OOP for her. We'd like to put her costs on our room charge, although still get the DDE discount. Is this ok?

 

[pixiechick]

Can I ask how it worked with the DDE card? When you ordered OOP items (wine etc) could you use the card and still charge the cost back to your room? My sister, who lives in Orlando, will be joining my family (we are all staying on property and getting the DDP). She will be with us in the parks and at meals on a few days, but is not on the reservation, so no DDP for her. She does have DDE though. So when we all eat together, we plan to pay OOP for her. We'd like to put her costs on our room charge, although still get the DDE discount. Is this ok?

We had no problem charging back to the room. Most of the time they asked if they should just use the card for both credits and charging.

The only difference would be that I was the one with both the room charge and the DDE card. I'm not sure if they need to be the same name.

Sorry I'm not more help.