Disney Dining Experience Card Is It

[earthelves]

Worth The $60?? The Reason I Ask Is I Notice That You Get 20% Off All Food But Then They Add 18% For Gratuity Am I Missing Something??

TIA

 

[matty624]

Worth The $60?? The Reason I Ask Is I Notice That You Get 20% Off All Food But Then They Add 18% For Gratuity Am I Missing Something??

TIA

I was a little dismayed to see that they had imposed that 18% tip on the bill too! I dont mind giving a good tip, if I've had good service, but to put that on the bill automatically, just because you're using DDE, isn't really on!
That said, if you figure you'll usually tip 15% for reasonable service, it's only a little more than I'd tip anyway, and you do get the 20% off... annoying though!!! I like to decide for myself how much the tip is, not be told!!!
We'll still get it though, just as soon as I've bought my PAP...
Matt

 

[UKDEB]

The addition of the auto-gratuity was a sop to servers when the gratuity was removed from the Dining Plan. For them, though, it wasn't a good move because most people (me included) simply added back the discount as the tip, so they're actually down by 2%.

Whether or not it's worth it is a simple mathematical calculation. You just need to take a look at the menus of the places you want to eat and work out how much you're likely to spend. It only needs to be in excess of $300 for you to be up on the deal. In every year since we've had it, it's paid for itself in one meal at V&A's alone. And the benefit of the DDE over any other discount is that alcohol is included.

Effectively (and the way we've always looked at it) it pays the tip. I suppose there's an argument to say that if you're a poor tipper, you'd need to factor that in.

 

[matty624]

The addition of the auto-gratuity was a sop to servers when the gratuity was removed from the Dining Plan. For them, though, it wasn't a good move because most people (me included) simply added back the discount as the tip, so they're actually down by 2%.

Whether or not it's worth it is a simple mathematical calculation. You just need to take a look at the menus of the places you want to eat and work out how much you're likely to spend. It only needs to be in excess of $300 for you to be up on the deal. In every year since we've had it, it's paid for itself in one meal at V&A's alone. And the benefit of the DDE over any other discount is that alcohol is included.

Effectively (and the way we've always looked at it) it pays the tip. I suppose there's an argument to say that if you're a poor tipper, you'd need to factor that in.

$300 for one meal!!!! Blimey! Still, you're right, we've saved a fortune, over the course of a few weeks, the 20%s add up. But wont be eating at V&As if it's that expensive!
Matt

 

[UKDEB]

$300 for one meal!!!!

Well there were 20 people in our party!

No, seriously, V&A's is $125 each, plus $60 per person if you choose the wine pairing, plus tax and tip.

 

[wayneg]

Well there were 20 people in our party!

No, seriously, V&A's is $125 each, plus $60 per person if you choose the wine pairing, plus tax and tip.

2 meals there it pays for a 4 night cruise

 

[UKDEB]

Cruising is great value for money, no doubt about it. We had four nights on the Wonder for $400. $100 a night for accommodation and as much food as you can eat is a no-brainer. I'd pay that just for Castaway Cay! But, the food on the cruise is just so-so, in my opinion, and we're big foodies. I couldn't compare one with the other - two equally enjoyable yet totally different experiences.

 

[wayneg]

Cruising is great value for money, no doubt about it. We had four nights on the Wonder for $400. $100 a night for accommodation and as much food as you can eat is a no-brainer. I'd pay that just for Castaway Cay! But, the food on the cruise is just so-so, in my opinion, and we're big foodies. I couldn't compare one with the other - two equally enjoyable yet totally different experiences.

Have you tried RCCL cruise, foodwise way better than Disney IMO.
I know you are into your food and drink though, Something I don't get being very happy with a $18 steak, ribs fries and soda at Texas Roadhouse.

 

[UKDEB]

No, but we have cruised with NCL. Their Freestyle cruising is truly revolutionary and, as it's been around for some time now, I'm surprised more lines haven't cottoned on. The newer ships have something like 13 or 14 eateries and you can make reservations just as you would at a regular restaurant. The standard of the food is incredible given the obvious restrictions they face. There are supplements for the signature restaurants, but they're better than Palo. Don't get me wrong, I think DCL has a unique offering, too, and I particularly like the fact that, for adults travelling without kids, there are plenty of child-free places. I'm just not so keen on the food. It's not dreadful by any means, but not top-notch, either. In fact, it's exactly as I thought it would be - on a par with park restaurants in the main and, in Palo's case, with Artist Point, Narcoossee's and the like. Obviously cruising is losing its image as the domain of the blue-rinse set, but there must still be a huge untapped market. It really is fantastic value for money and what other holiday option allows you to wake up in a different destination each morning without having to keep packing and unpacking?

 

[wideeyes]

I am buying the DDE card in september, I think it will be good value for us and I don't mind paying the 18% tip, it will make it easier that it is added on for us, will also save a bit as we would of tipped 20%.

Am I right in thinking the tip is worked out on the total not including the tax?

 

[Claire L]

Don't forget that to be able to buy the DDE you either need to be a Florida resident or have an Annual Pass.

Claire

 

[earthelves]

Yes We Have Ap's

 

[mikki.young]

The tip is worked out on the pre tax, pre discount total. so if bill was $100 tip would be $18 and tax on top of that.

 

[Lannin]

The tip is worked out on the pre tax, pre discount total. so if bill was $100 tip would be $18 and tax on top of that.

Gonna wait for the free DDP offer myself...

 

[orangetiggs]

we got ours in feb and used it for a week, fantastic, we used it at counter service meals and they didnt add the tip and we saved aourn $50 in a week. We are going out there for our wedding in 7 weeks so I think we will use it alot then

 

[wayneg]

Gonna wait for the free DDP offer myself...

Works for some but not for many. Take into account over paying for the room rate, overpaying for your tickets and being tied to Disney dining the whole stay.
We have booked AKL in August for £82/night but to qualify for DDP it would be £138/night. £56 or $111 buys a lot of food for 3 people, I know we prefer offsite dining but we rarely spend above $80-90/day on food.
I also know a few that do it once and then don't like it, too tieing and too much food.

 

[wideeyes]

Gonna wait for the free DDP offer myself...

We saved more by getting an AP rate on our room then we would of saved on free dining. saved almost $2000, so if we had booked free dining it would not really have been free as we would of had to pay almost an extra $2000 on the room. I don't think we would eat $2000 worth of food on the free dining plan.

 

[markndean]

I think that it depends on how many of you there are in your group. We bought one last year and didn't make our $60 back as there are only 2 of us, AND you can't use them in Cinderellas royal table! Which is usually our main treat.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I am still on the fence on this one - got an AP - but a swe are going at Christmas you can't use on a couple of days when we are goint to places that would normally accept it

So may still be worth it when I get around to looking at the prices.

 

[suzycute]

Can anyone tell me whether we have to buy a DDE card each (or between us)? I am going to buy an AP for October but DH will not (he's not invited with me to WDW next year!!). Will this make a difference in whether we can both use a DDE card?

Hope this makes sense!

Many thanks