DDP versus DDE??

[MicheleC]

I was wondering if anyone who had experience with both discount plans could help me decide. Last year we had APs for the first time and ordered the DDE card. We saved 20% at all sit-down meals, which for us is every night, plus a few character breakfasts thrown in. We saved $12 - $16 on average per sit down meal. We go twice a year so we actually saved about $200 for the year. We are planning our trips for this year (May and Nov) and I keep reading more and more about the DDP and wonder if it would be worth it for us. We usually have sit-down dinners every night so it wouldn't be like we are trying new things, but it does seem to be a money-savings with sit-down dinners ranging from $60 - $80 for our family of 4. But I'm not sure if it outwieghs the DDE. Also, we sometimes skip lunch, but we usually get Boardwalk Bakery for breakfast, which I guess would count as our snack?! Sorry so long, just trying to figure out, any help?!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Michele, I did not want you think that you were not getting any responses here. I think what is difficult is that not sure if many have done both plans and I can only speak for myself here as I have only done DDE, which I think is a great perk as a result of being an APHolder..

Here's the thing.....if you do DDP, would you still get an AP. Then I would take what it costs for an AP plus the Dining plan, compare it with what it costs for the AP plus the cost DDE if you plan on getting another AP or if yours has not run out. Also, if you do not plan on getting the AP, what it would cost for tickets plus the DDP..

I think you will be ok with the food if you usually skip lunch....and just do the Bakery in the am and a table service in the evening..just not sure how they compare..

Hopefully someone else with more experience with both will post. I have the DDE and love it.

 

[BCV23]

We've used the DDP on the DVC portion of two trips. We've used DDE on seven trips now including the two DDP/DVC stays.

It is amazing to me how closely the DDE savings mirror the DDP savings on the TS portion of our DDP experiences. Almost exactly a wash. But that means the QS and snacks on the DDP were essentially free for us in comparison to DDP.

Given your family's dinig habits, the DDP might work well for you. Breakfast can be either QS or snack credits.

But as Mackey was indicating, you must do the math for your family considering tickets, accomodations and future trips as well as dining discounts.

 

[marlynnp]

You need to figure it out for yourself. I checked the menus for all my planned TS meals and came up with a best guestimate including tax and tip. In my case 80% of that guestimate was $36 less than the cost of the DDP plan - so all my CS and Snack Credits are almost free. I should mention that we are taking a 10 day/9 night trip.

Now, in my case I already have the DDE card from my last trip so I will use that for a couple of extra TS (character breakfasts - cheapest on my list) and for any extras and alcoholic drinks.

I have an AP but will save my 1 day MYW ticket for when I get my next AP. I will be getting my DD an AP this trip (we plan on a spring 2008 trip) and will apply her 1 day ticket to that.

Of course if they come out with a good room only AP discount for my dates this is subject to change!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have done the DDP twice now, and DDE on every trip for the past 5 trips. So....I sit down, and make a list of where we'll be eating on a given trip. Then, I head to the menus for each restaurant and total what we would order if paying cash (DDE), don't forget the tax/tip. We don't eat the same way when using the DDP! We tend to eat more because we can try an appetizer or a dessert since it's included. So, when I do the oop costs, I only add in what I would actually order (hope that makes sense!!) Then, I total the costs for oop eating, with the DDE card. I have found that the two plans come very close in amounts for my family. If we decide to add a meal here or there, that isn't going to be covered by DDP points, then we have the DDE card to get a discount with (if TS).
I do like the DDP for it's convenience though. I have been able to get breakfast at BW Bakery in the past using snack credits (pastry is a snack credit) or adding coffee to it, or getting a breakfast sandwich with coffee is a counter service credit. I usually have snack credits and cs credits that I can play with.

 

[ksoehrlein]

I've done the math for my family as well. It's not too tough if you use the AllEars menus. (We usually tip 20%, so the DDE and tip cancel each other out -- not too much math!).

For my family, the DDP works out better. But I'm debating getting a new DDE card before our next trip anyway. It's so nice to get "adult beverages" at a discount.