Disney Dining Experience Card

[disneydreamer98]

Does anybody know what the restrictions are on the Disney Dining Experience Card. I understand that you can save 20% on selected sit down meals. Would like to know what the restrictions are and if it includes any or all of the character meals? Also would love to hear any positive or negative feedback from anybody who has used it before. Thank you!

 

[beattyfamily]

Link to info on it...

Participating Restaurants and Lounges in the DDE as of January 2005:

All-Star Movies Resort
World Premiere Food Court

All-Star Music Resort
Intermission Food Court

All-Star Sports Resort
End Zone Food Court

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma-Flavors of Africa
Jiko-The Cooking Place
Victoria Falls

Beach Club Resort
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
(excludes take out shop)
Cape May Cafe
Martha’s Vineyard Lounge
Rip Tide Lounge

BoardWalk
Bellevue Lounge
ESPN Club
Flying Fish Cafe
Spoodles

Bonnet Creek Golf Club
Sand Trap Bar & Grill

Caribbean Beach Resort
Shutters at Old Port Royale

Contemporary Resort
California Grill
Chef Mickey’s Restaurant
Concourse Steakhouse
Outer Rim Lounge

Coronado Springs Resort
Maya Grill

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue - (9:30 p.m. Show Only)
Trail’s End Restaurant

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1900 Park Fare
Cítricos
Garden View Lounge
Grand Floridian Cafe
Mizner’s Lounge
Narcoossee's
Victoria & Albert's (excluding Chef's Table)

Old Key West Resort
Olivia's Cafe

Polynesian Resort
'Ohana
Kona Cafe
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
(Late Show Only)
Tambu Lounge

Pop Century Resort
Everything Pop Shopping and Dining
Classic Concoctions

Port Orleans Resort
Riverside:
Boatwright's Dining Hall
River Roost
French Quarter:
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food
Factory
Scat Cat's Club

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Artist's Palette
The Turf Club

Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point
Territory Lounge
Whispering Canyon Cafe

Yacht Club Resort
Ale and Compass Lounge
Crews Cup Lounge
Yacht Club Galley
Yachtsman Steakhouse

DOWNTOWN DISNEY Marketplace
Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant

DOWNTOWN DISNEY West Side
Wolfgang Puck Café
Planet Hollywood

Epcot
Biergarten Restaurant
Bistro de Paris Restaurant
Chefs de France Restaurant
Coral Reef Restaurant
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Restaurant Akershus
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante
The Garden Grill Restaurant

Disney-MGM Studios
50's Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood & Vine
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Tune-In Lounge

Magic Kingdom
Cinderella's Royal Table
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Crystal Palace
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony's Town Square Restaurant

Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant
Pizzafari
Flame Tree Barbecue
Restaurantosaurus

Disney’s Wide World of Sports
Official All-Star Cafe

 

[LAWalz23]

Yes, the DDE includes all character meals. It also includes the food courts of the hotels that do not have sitdown dining (Allstars, Pop, POFQ and SSR). And even the late shows of HDD and Spirit of Aloha. My mom and I used it in Jan for a quick trip and saved over $43 using it for 2 breakfasts (Chef Mickeys and Cape May) and 3 dinners (Ohanas, Trails End, Le Cellier). I will also get two more trips out of it since the card does not expire until 2/28/06. We had no trouble using it (some servers did ask to show their managers the letter (email) but they always returned the letter and gave us the 20% discount and were asked to show id only 1x. The card/letter is also good for 20% off of alcoholic drinks and is good in all the lounges of the hotels. For me it was a great deal especially since having an AP and being DVC, I cannot get the new dining pkg.

 

[aubriee]

I wonder why cards ordered in January have different expiration dates? I ordered mine as soon as it was announced that AP holders can get them for $50.00 on Jan 6th, got my e-mail late that afternoon saying the letter was good until Feb 28, 2005 and the membership expired 01/31/06. However I got my card a few days ago and the expiration date is 03/31/06. I've read where some have an expiration date on them of 01/31/06, some 02/28/06, and some like mine, say 03/31/06. Since we all ordered them during the first week or two of Jan it seems like they would all expire during the same month. Mine wound up being good for 14 months and like I said I know I ordered it the first day they became available. because I check these boards everyday, as well as mousesavers, and AllEars.

 

[Chuck S]

I think they were just so swamped, they were overwhelmed and were doing what they could to get the cards printed and mailed. Many of the card embossing companies work from a computer file that is either emailed or sent on disk/CD. My card arrived with a 2004 restaurant list (that hasn't changed, but also listed a FL ID requirement and max of 6 people dining on the card). Possibly they expected to have new card blanks and letter by a certain date and they were delayed, so they also pushed back the expiration date to allow for an "unknown" processing date, while waiting to hear from the card mfg/mailing center.

 

[lovethattink]

I just got my card in the mail. The back of the card says non-transferable. It also still has on it that Valid Florida Drivers license or Florida state ID required. Which shouldn't be on there since it was open to ALL passholders. It also gives a web site of www.disney.dining.experience@disney.com The letter that accompanied the card lists the locations. Says it's good for 2-% on all food and beverages for up to 9 people at participating restaurants. Restaurants are subject to change. Restrictions apply during holidays and special events, not valid Easter, Mother's day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan1. Can't be use in combo with any other discount. valid for only 1 check per party. The perks are the 20%, an insiders-only newletter, Pleasure island at half off for you and a guest, free admission to Atlantic Dance Hall for you and a guest. Park for "free", must pay 1st then show ticket to guest relations at the park for a refund. Free valet parking with receipt from restaurant at the resort. Hope this helps!

 

[pigby]

Do you have to produce ID with the card? I am an AP holder living in the UK and my drivers licence doesn't have a photo - would a passport do instead?

 

[Chuck S]

Do you have to produce ID with the card? I am an AP holder living in the UK and my drivers licence doesn't have a photo - would a passport do instead?

Depending on the server, they may require ID. A passport should work fine. If you're leaving your passport in the hotel safe, I don't see why a photocopy of the passport wouldn't work, but you may want to ask when you order the card.

 

[roozlilone]

Just came back from GF...used my disney dining for 3 nights and saved over $100! I would definitely recommend it for AP holders. We didn't have any trouble using it...I gave them my letter and was never asked for any additional ID.

 

[lovethattink]

We've eaten at 3 different places so far. No one has asked for our ID.

 

[GDUL]

We used the DDE in 15 different restaurants and lounges last week. Three of the 15 requested my ID but 2 of the 15 didn't even ask to see the letter. They just believed that I had it, I guess (which I did!). The bottom line is, the majority asked for confirmation by looking at the letter and in some cases, bringing it to their manager for approval. We also used the valet services in 4 different locations and weren't asked for the letter or ID even once.

Gary

 

[yooperfan]

okay, I'm confused. We are going to activate our passes 01/24/06. Will this be offered for 2006, or should I purchase it at the end of 2005? I'd really rather wait until right before our vacation as we will be going a week earlier the next year and would like to be able to use it for both trips. Do you think I should just take a chance and wait until the 2006 benifits come out? What to do!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Only one problem so far - the bartender at Victoria Falls (AK) didn't want to be bothered to call the manager to have the discount approved. I just didn't tip him much.

 

[GDUL]

Only one problem so far - the bartender at Victoria Falls (AK) didn't want to be bothered to call the manager to have the discount approved. I just didn't tip him much.

LOL - we must have had the same bartender! The 2nd time we went to Victoria Falls Lounge last week, the bartender said that he was the only one there and he didn't have time to get the manager to ok the DDE discount. I left him my letter and said wave me back to pay the bill when "he had time to call the manager." I went and sat down with our drinks - got the discount about 10 or so minutes later.

Gary

 

[dandqdad]

We just got back and didn't have any problems at all using it. I think that they are getting more used to seeing them now that alot more people are showing up with them. It almost paid for itself on our first night. We went to V&A for dinner and saved $43 by using it.

We also used it at 'Ohanas, Kona, GF Cafe and dinner at Cinderellas castle. It was definitely worth the hassle getting it down there. I tried to get it before we left but that was when they started to require that you provide them your AP ID number when you order it. I had planned to get my AP when we got there so I had to wait until I got it to call them. They did fax out the confirmation right away and we were able to use it for our first meal.

 

[PCFriar80]

Only one problem so far - the bartender at Victoria Falls (AK) didn't want to be bothered to call the manager to have the discount approved. I just didn't tip him much.

We were at another onsite smaller establishment and the bartender didn't want to bother with the card either, so our drinks were free (3 Sam drafts)! No kidding. We also had a couple of burgers. We showed him the letter, he didn't want to deal with it so he never charged us the $5.25 per drink. So we get a tab for $22.45 and the rest is history. I fugured our bill should have been around $40, less $8 for DDE, instead $22.45 with a nice tip to cover the difference. Complicated but fun!