Disney Dining Experience versus Disney Dining Plan

[figment_jii]

I'm a little confused about the Disney Dining Experience and the Disney Dining Plan. This is what I think they are:

Plan = One table service, one counter service, and one snack per day of your visit. You have to have a "Magic Your Way" vacation package.

Experience = A 'club' like thing that AP members can join that gives you discounts at specific food locations.

Am I right thus far? Are there limitations on which restuarants, which days, and which meals (mainly for the 'Experience')? I've looked at some online places (mousesavers, allears.net), but I've gotten myself very confused. Some seem to say the discounts is for lunch on M-F only, while others do not mention the day/time limits.

I'm thinking of going to WDW later this year and am trying to decide on which would be best (most economical).

Help, please!

 

[lonegungirl]

Well, I'm not an expert, nor do I play one on TV, but here's what I think:

Your description of the plan is correct. The advantages: It is all-inclusive and prepaid. The disadvantages: It requires advance planning and some record-keeping to maximize the credits; it is not accepted at all restaurants; the price may be more than you would usually spend per person per day for food; you are constrained to the combinations of food (1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert) allowed by the plan whether it is more or less than you'd like.

The Disney Dining Experience is a card available for (when I got it) $60 for AP holders. It gives you 20% off participating restaurants every day for every meal. The advantages: You have more choices than with the Disney Dining Plan; it discounts alcoholic beverages; there is no minimum charge required--you can order what you want. Disadvantages: Still not good at all restaurants and few counter service places; at $60, you would need to spend around $300 for the year on food to break even.

The discount that's good for lunch M-F is the discount that's given with all the APs with no extra cost.

 

[Barbi]

Here's a question. A group of us are going in August hoping for free dining. If free dining is offered, can I use my DDE card for drinks not covered with DDP?

Thanks

 

[Pugrpooh]

Here's a question. A group of us are going in August hoping for free dining. If free dining is offered, can I use my DDE card for drinks not covered with DDP?

Thanks

Yes, we did that last August. We also went to HDDR so we had an extra TS which we used the DDE for.

 

[InstImpres]

One other thing to keep in mind is in MK, MGM & Epcot, the DDE is only good for sit down dining, no discounts on counter service

 

[Barbi]

Thanks, every little bit helps!

 

[Oofies]

Well, I'm not an expert, nor do I play one on TV, but here's what I think:
Disadvantages: Still not good at all restaurants and few counter service places; at $60, you would need to spend around $300 for the year on food to break even.


$300 goes by fast though, four adults eating most buffett dinner three times is $300. If you eat like I do- three adults spend that in about 2.5 dinners.

Have Fun!