Disney Dining Experience -- worth it or not?

[wdwfreak]

We were thinking about investing in the DDE for $50. It seems like it would more than pay for itself in just one visit. Can you guys share your experiences with the program, good or bad?

Does it include beverages, alcoholic and/or non? Is it the entire meal (apps and desserts included) or just the entrees? Any help is, as always, greatly appreciated!

 

[goofy4tink]

We used it for our 9 day trip in June and then again 3 weeks ago for a very last minute trip. The way I figured it out was...it basically paid the tip. So, after you spend $250 in food, you have paid for the card.That's about 3 days for us. And yes, it covers the entire meal....drinks,appetizers, desserts..the whole shebang. That's what is nice about the DDE card..it is usable at many more places. I even used mine at the food court at Pop on my last trip. If there isn't a table service restuarant at a resort, you can use it at the food court...I figure that every $2 helps!!! I think that for that stay of 4 nights, I saved probably $50 on food and it was just my dd and myself!!! I'm planning on renewing mine in May!!

 

[winniedapooh]

I agree it was worth it for us too. We used it in February for 5 days and will use it again in Sept. for 4 days and December/Jan. for 15 days!

 

[JESW]

We just got back from Disney and the DDE was definetely worth it for us! We go to a lot of the places that cover the card.

Jill

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Well worth it! One of the best discounts available.

 

[Mickeefan]

We're going in just over a month and I'm wondering how this would work WITH the dining plan? If we're on the dining plan, but want to purchase "extra" drinks (i.e. adult beverages and shakes/smoothies) would this card/program pay for itself? We are: myself (41) and a 12-year-old and we're staying at POP from 10/4-10/9.

 

[eeyore0062]

We live down here and have DEFINITELY gotten our money's worth. Whether or not you will depends entirely on how long your will be staying, how many meals you will be eating in participating restaurants and how many are in your party. For us, it is great, because when we have out of town guests, we can use the card for a discount, even if they are paying part of the bill. It paid for itself within probably 5 visits.

 

[DW mouser]

I was wondering too how this DDE worked vs. the dining plan?

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Oh yes, it is worth it. We were there in June and used it for 9 days. There were 12 of us in our party and we used it each time and they gave us the discount on everyone! Not just the 10 it said. We also used it at one place, all of us with seperate bills and she used the one card for each set.

I should do a chart showing how much we saved. We used it at Ohana, Boma, CRT, Sci Fi, LeCellier, and Chef Mickeys. Oh and POP Century and POFQ food courts. We saved pretty much the whole $50 fee the first night alone, at Ohana! So the rest was pure savings.

 

[kathi]

I am planning on joining for our upcoming October trip. We spend about $100/meal for 2 adults (and there will be 4 adults on this trip). I figure we will get our money back by the end of the first day!

I have one question for those who already have it. When does the year "start"? The first time you use it or when it is sent to you. I don't want to get it too soon if the 1-year clock starts ticking when they send it to me. Can I pick it up when I get there or do I have to get it in the mail?

thanks!!!

kathi

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

We're going in just over a month and I'm wondering how this would work WITH the dining plan? If we're on the dining plan, but want to purchase "extra" drinks (i.e. adult beverages and shakes/smoothies) would this card/program pay for itself? We are: myself (41) and a 12-year-old and we're staying at POP from 10/4-10/9.

yes, you can do this I think. If this is your only trip though, it might not be worth the money.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

The DDE card expires at the end of a month. Usually the month you order it, but could be the next month. I ordered mine in mid June and it expires end of July the next year. Most people report this actually, so you usually have about 13 months.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Picking it up! You can pick it up, ordering when you arrive. But, you have to wait until after 5pm weekdays to pick it up at Epcot. IF you can do this, then I would just wait until you are in town, call them to order, then go pick it up. This was a pain for us, as we didn't arrive until about 3pm. Had to run to Epcot to get our APs, even to order the DDE, then we had to wait a couple hours to go BACK to Epcot to get it, in time to make it to dinner at 6:30 at Ohana. Very exhausting. But it was just me doing all this running and it doesn't realy bother me to do so.

 

[BCV23]

We're going in just over a month and I'm wondering how this would work WITH the dining plan? If we're on the dining plan, but want to purchase "extra" drinks (i.e. adult beverages and shakes/smoothies) would this card/program pay for itself? We are: myself (41) and a 12-year-old and we're staying at POP from 10/4-10/9.

It would only be good for you if you think you will spend at least $250 in beverages or meals not covered by your plan.

But you must be a FL resident or have an AP to purchase it. If you're on the dining plan, you must be on a package that includes tickets. Will you have APs too?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Memorymakers:
AFTER 5:00??
They said nothing about that when I ordered my card. Just said Guest relations ouside Epcot---

 

[DebbieB]

Memorymakers:
AFTER 5:00??
They said nothing about that when I ordered my card. Just said Guest relations ouside Epcot---

I think that means if you want to pick it up on the same day as you order it. They have to have time to process your order, you can't pick it up immediately. If you already ordered it before that day, you can pick it up earlier.

 

[BCV23]

Uncleromulus, I wonder if it was after 5:00 because she had just purchased her AP and DDE card on day of arrival? Perhaps all the new info is sent to Epcot when the DDE office closes for the day?

Anyway, I bet you won't have trouble sent you already ordered yours. In fact, maybe it will come before you leave. The cards seem to be arriving in quick order now. I'm looking forward to your reviews.

 

[Mickeefan]

But you must be a FL resident or have an AP to purchase it. If you're on the dining plan, you must be on a package that includes tickets. Will you have APs too?

I understood that they had opened this up to anyone, not just FL residents and AP holders. I do NOT have an AP at this time. After reading some of the other posts, it may not be worth it as this is the only trip I have planned for the next year. I'm talking about another trip next year, but nothing scheduled yet.

Thanks for the answers, though.

 

[BCV23]

Wow, I hadn't heard that. Are you sure? Mousesavers and allears still list DDE as only for AP holders and FL residents.

 

[kathi]

It is definitely worth it for us. We will be there for 4 days in October and another 4 in late November. All told, along with our friends/family, we will drop at least $1,500 on food and booze for the 2 trips. I also expect there will be maybe one more trip next year before it expires.

We are planning on being at MK the first day and have dinner at California Grill at 8 pm. I suppose we can hop on over to Epcot to pick up our tickets before or after going back to our resort (that we don't have yet) to get changed.

Thanks for the information!!

kathi