Disney Dining Experience discount card changes

[yooperfan]

I thought I read somewhere the DDE would be going through some changes as of Nov. 1st. I was planning on buying one for out Jan. vacation. Has anyone heard what the changes are yet? If we leave for WDW on Jan. 30, 2008 and leave Feb. 6, 2008, when should I order my discount card so that it expires the end of Jan. 2009?

 

[eeyoreiscool]

You might be able to get it as early as the middle of December, but to be safe I would order it the first part of January. If you don't get the physical card in the mail before your trip, you can pick up a letter at the Epcot Guest Relations booth. Just let DDE know that you need this.

As for the changes, they will probably take effect at the first of the year. The biggest one is they are going to include the tips in the final total.

 

[cherylp3]

I would get it now or plan on getting a latter, I amiled my application in a month early and it took me almost a month to get the card.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I was just coming to post this!

It's November, what are the changes? I don't have any of my renewal stuff at work with me so I won't be calling today.

I am hoping to reorder next week so we'll have the card by 12/12. If anybody hears of anything changing other than automatic gratuity please let me know!

 

[engle]

What automatic gratuity? And where do you find this info?

 

[cherylp3]

the changes would not be in effect until Jan 1 2008. Rumors of changes will be an automatic 18% gratituity.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

does anyone have a website or a link that they can PM me with information on this, i am trying find some stuff for my dad when they go down next June. I have heard bits and pieces about the DDE card, and he wants to know more, like how many people can use it, and where it is good at, cost....etc...

thanks for any help that people have.

 

[travelbug]

I called about the DDE card today and what to do since I only have a Will Call number for my AP and not a voucher number. The CM I talked to told me about another change coming, which I think is GREAT!

Guests will be able to purchase the DDE card right at Guest Relations at all the parks. That way it won't matter if a Will Call number, voucher, or actual AP are being presented -- it results in a card being given on the spot. I asked if it will be an actual card or some type of paper letter, and she said that it will be the actual card. This will mean no more calling in advance, trying to figure out the right timing, hoping it arrives in the mail, making do with a paper letter that gets ragged, etc. etc. This is a great change! She said it is to take place by December 1, but she suggested I could call in December if I want to make double sure the change actually took place.

Hoping the change goes into effect on time and with no glitches!

 

[TwingleMum]

You might be able to get it as early as the middle of December, but to be safe I would order it the first part of January. If you don't get the physical card in the mail before your trip, you can pick up a letter at the Epcot Guest Relations booth. Just let DDE know that you need this.

As for the changes, they will probably take effect at the first of the year. The biggest one is they are going to include the tips in the final total.

I think you might be mixing up your programs. At least I hope so. Disney Dining Experience is strictly a % off card. The only proposed possible change I heard was not including Alcoholic beverages in the discount. I hope that they don't change anything. I know they are adding 18% to the Dining plan in 2008. I also think that the 18% mandatory gratuity will make the dining plan not worth it for us. And considering the DDE discount is 20% it would be a wash b/c of the forced tip so why pay $50 for the card. Seems you can't catch a break these days.

 

[cherylp3]

travelbug, I asume no weekends since the office is closed on weekends.

 

[Magickndm]

As for the changes, they will probably take effect at the first of the year. The biggest one is they are going to include the tips in the final total.

This makes no sense for the DDE, how could they do this?
As for excluding alcohol possibly, that stinks, but we'll still get it.

 

[wilma-bride]

I am really confused - I had heard that there would automatically be an 18% gratuity added to the final bill when using the DDE but figured that would be OK as the discount would cancel that out anyway.

I didn't think was starting until January 1st though.

 

[Magickndm]

I think I read eeyoreiscool's post wrong. I thought they meant they were adding the price on to the actual card. Sorry.
That being said, it really bugs me when they add on a mandatory tip. It should be up to me how much I tip.

 

[travelbug]

travelbug, I asume no weekends since the office is closed on weekends.

I don't quite understand. What office are you talking about? (Sorry if I'm being dense.)

What the CM said was that the DDE card would be sold directly at Guest Relations at the parks (not sure about DD or resorts; didn't ask), so that would be 7 days a week. I even clarified that I could show up at any park, get my AP with my Will Call number, and then get my DDE there at the same time. She said yes, that's right. Obviously I'm hoping she has the story right, but she sure sounded clear and confident as she explained it to me. Like with everything else, I guess time will tell.

 

[Hootch]

I think I read eeyoreiscool's post wrong. I thought they meant they were adding the price on to the actual card. Sorry.
That being said, it really bugs me when they add on a mandatory tip. It should be up to me how much I tip.

I generally agree with you though I can see the logic with the DDE card more than other places. Many people who get discounts or use coupons end up tipping on the final bill. It is customary to tip on the bill prior to any type of discount. If Disney is adding an automatic gratuity in response to tips on the discounted bill, then I can see the point. 18% is considered an average tip or recommended tip. If service is exceptional then adding more tip is easy. If it is poor then I would chalk up the additional tip to past deficiencies of other tippers.

To quote a rather well known comedy troop from England, "Always look on the bright side of life."

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, this is all just clear as mud!

In the union negotiations earlier this year there was something about adding an automatic 18% tip to all DDE purchases, even if you don't have a large party. Not really a big deal, because we always tip whatever the discount was. (If the bill is $100 and the DDE gives us $20 off, we tip $20.)

I haven't heard anything about alcohol being excluded. I DID read that the card might not be accepted at lounges in 2008 but that hasn't been confirmed.

We really only use the card for TS meals, so hopefully that WON'T change!

 

[dvc at last !]

subscribing..........

 

[janette]

I called to order my card today, prices haven't changed and they didn't mention any other changes. The recording mentions that it might not be accepted during holiday periods so I'm hoping that doesn't include all of Thanksgiving week vs just Thanksgiving day.

Do they usually give a confirmation number? I realized they didn't and said my card would be available for pick up at Guest Services since we are going in 2 wks. I may call back on Monday since they won't be open when we arrive.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

When we picked up our new cards way back in July, we were told that changes might be coming down the pike at the beginning of the new year.

 

[Disney-Kim]

You might be able to get it as early as the middle of December, but to be safe I would order it the first part of January. If you don't get the physical card in the mail before your trip, you can pick up a letter at the Epcot Guest Relations booth. Just let DDE know that you need this.

As for the changes, they will probably take effect at the first of the year. The biggest one is they are going to include the tips in the final total.

well that wouldn't be great. We generally tip 20% on the original total , so their loss

I think I quoted the wrong post...I meant the 18% tip one