Disney Dining Experience! :o )

[Laurajean1014]

We purchased our DDE card in December ($50 - PAP discount) and it paid for itself off a 5 day conceirge's trip.

Down here now with friends and so far 11 people have saved over $300 in food and liquor.

This card is terrific.

We think it's better than the DDP because we like the high-end restaurants and with the card you get discounts off of liquor and wine (unlike DDP).

Places we've been to: Flying Fish, Spoodles, CA Grill, Chef DeFrance, Germany, Moracco, Wolfgang Puck and a few more.

Great card.

 

[bugbugmom]

Thanks for the report. We are using DDE for the 1st time in a month. Have a great trip. Don't forget to report back on your dining experiences.

 

[*Flower*]

FYI, as of early this month- Wolfgang Puck is no longer participating in the DDE program.

We were able to get the DDE discount there in December, but we won't let that be the only reason that we go there in the future.

 

[Didney Daddy]

You are right, if you like the high end restaurants and some cocktails - DDE is a much better deal.

 

[Kimi313]

We are thinking about getting one this year, but one quick question. It last for a year, is that a calendar year, a year from when you order it, or a year from when you first use it.

 

[jwfla422]

YES, it is for the calendar year. I always try to wait until it gets close to a trip before ordering. Renewing isn't always the best option so I'll just let it run out and order a new one. Did that this time around. If you order it the end of the month it'll usually expire the end of the next month (that next year).

Another perk I love is the FREE valet parking at the resorts (just don't forget to tip)--but it's great if you have a car and want to drive to the resort, don't worry about parking.

I remember when the card first came out, it was $25 for the year!! What a bargain that was!! (it quickly doubled and then went up more, but since they allowed AP holders to also become members the price went down a bit...something that actually came down in price!! What a CONCEPT!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

It's still a bargain at the current price. We've used ours once already and saved several hundred $$$$ And we get 2 more chances to use it before expiration.
And how easy to use--no need to wonder if a bowl of jello will use up a CS credit, etc etc. Just hand the card to the server and that's that.

 

[majortom]

Unlike Disney's Dining Plan (which lowers restaurant quality at participating restaurants), Disney's Dining Experience card tends to raise quality, by encouraging diners to try more expensive items (for a restaurant will get more money, unlike from its Dining Plan guests).

It is not that difficult to spend $300 at Disney and so is an easy value.

/carmi

 

[PavelB]

Last year I bought the DDE on July 1. It is valid until the end of this coming July, so mine was really good for 13 months.

 

[pooh2001]

With the DDE card - ordering normal entrees, no appetizers, maybe a dessert or two and no alcohol we will save about $280 in one week.
We eat at 2 sitdowns per day (lunch & dinner or breakfast and dinner).
We are considered all adults (our kids are over 9).

We will also save 20% at our Cindy breakfast (not calculated in yet) and the HDD (not calculated yet).
I will order our DDE card May 8th and then call WDW dining to get the 20% credit for the prepaid Cindy breakfast and HDD dinner.

Bottom line - the discounts at Cindy's and HDD will probably come to the $60 to pay for the DDE - so an overall savings of $280 for one week.

We will have a chance to use the DDE card again Easter of 2007.

Hey we have to eat meals - so why not get a discount

 

[Minniespal]

Glad you made good use of the DDE card.

 

[LiteBrite]

Another perk I love is the FREE valet parking at the resorts (just don't forget to tip)--but it's great if you have a car and want to drive to the resort, don't worry about parking.

I didn't know about this perk - do you mean that anytime you want to valet park at a resort, it's free (but with tip, of course)? Does this apply even if you're not dining at the resort?

 

[ukwildcat]

According to the DDE benefits, you must be dining at a resort restaurant to get free valet parking (no $7.00 charge, but it is good form to tip the valet attendant). You are supposed to show your restaurant receipt as well as your DDE card to get the free valet service. You also have a 3 hour time limit on the parking. This is the official word.

Now, the unofficial word. No one has ever asked me for a dining receipt. Nor have I been charged if I have been at a resort more than 3 hours.

Either way it a good perk.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We go once per year in October for 12 days and when we purchase a card, it lasts us for two vacations. It's basically good for 13 months if you plan properly. My wife and I like to drink wine on vacation at the various higher end restaurants so the value is terrific for us.

 

[karla63]

So what exactly is the DDE? How does it compare to the DDP plan? We are a group of 9 (more or less adults) and were planning on doing the DDP plan to try different foods, etc. If the DDP is $37.99 per person per day what does the DDE cost?

thanks so much

 

[eliza61]

Thanks for the tip, I actually brought a AP this year just so I could get a DDE card. The AP was $167 more than a 10 MYW park hopper and water park option pass that I would normally get. I figured with a family of 4, including 2 teenage boys who eat like lumberjacks so I think I'll definitely save that the 1st couple of days.

 

[ukwildcat]

DDE is the Disney Dining Experience. You must be a Florida Resident, Annual Pass Holder, or Disney Vacation Club member to join. It costs somewhere between $60.00 and $85.00 to join. It gives you 20% off your entire bill for everyone at your table, at certain restaurants around WDW. In general, it covers most table service restaurants. It's good for alcohol as well as food.

Hope that helps.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

It costs somewhere between $60.00 and $85.00 to join.

It must have gone up a little. We paid $50 last year in October.

 

[DaisyD]

I didn't know about this perk - do you mean that anytime you want to valet park at a resort, it's free (but with tip, of course)? Does this apply even if you're not dining at the resort?

You have to be dining at the resort.

 

[tortoni]

DDE also works at food courts in the resorts that do not have TS restaurants and many of the lunch spots at AK.