Disney Dining Experience

[morgklm]

I have seen a few threads about the Disney Dining Experience, but cannot find any information on it at the DVC Member site. We have used the DDP in the past, and have been very happy with it. Where do you get the DDE, and is there a link to info somewhere? Thanks!!

 

[MinnieFan]

You have to be a Florida resident or an annual passholder to get the DDE card. The cost is $85.00 for a FL resident or $65.00 for a passholder. If you decide to buy an annual pass, you can do this on the DVC member site - there is a $100 discount on an adult pass for a DVC member. Once you have your annual pass voucher, you can call Disney Dining Experience at (407) 566-5858 to order your card. It takes a few weeks to get the card, so you need to allow enough time before your trip.

The DDE card gives you a 20% discount on food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages) at participating restaurants. We have used it with great success both alone and in combination with the Disney Dining Plan. Hope that helps!

 

[Chuck S]

The DDE is not a DVC perk or benefit, it is for any annual passholder OR a non-passholder Florida resident.

The DDE is $65 for about 13 months. (1 year plus processing time).

DISNEY DINING EXPERIENCE:

Become a member in the Disney Dining Experience program for $65.00 and add a second membership for your spouse or partner for $25.00.

The Disney Dining Experience gives you:

20% off of food and beverages at over 70 Disney Resort hotel and Theme Park RESTAURANTS. (Discount is good for up to 10 guests.)
Theme Park and Resort parking for dining purposes
Member-Only invitations to exclusive events
Half Price admission at Pleasure Island for DDE member
Free Admission to Boardwalk's Atlantic Dance for DDE member and guest
Annual Passholders can join up by calling 407-566-5858 (Mon-Fri, 9:00am to 6m EST). The Disney Dining Experience is not accepted during holidays, including New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing. NOTE: If you order your card and it doesn't arrive before you leave for WDW, you can pick up a temporary voucher at Epcot's Guest Relations.

Here is a link to Participating restaurants

 

[SwhJess]

The DDE is not a DVC perk or benefit, it is for any annual passholder OR a non-passholder Florida resident.

The DDE is $65 for about 13 months. (1 year plus processing time).

DISNEY DINING EXPERIENCE:

Become a member in the Disney Dining Experience program for $65.00 and add a second membership for your spouse or partner for $25.00.

Here is a link to Participating restaurants

Thanks, everyone, for the info (and OP for starting the conversation)...I have a question: what is the advantage/need for adding a second membership for your spouse?

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks, everyone, for the info (and OP for starting the conversation)...I have a question: what is the advantage/need for adding a second membership for your spouse?

That charge for the second card has always been a sore point for us. Originally, the second card was free, but someone realized they could charge for it and whatever revenue increase they got was just found money.

The only applications I can think of for a second card are 1) if your family splits up to go to different restaurants, or 2) if you are taking a whole herd of people (like 15-20) to dinner and it's more than the 10 the card allows.

We don't do either of those, so we don't get the second card.

 

[SwhJess]

That charge for the second card has always been a sore point for us. Originally, the second card was free, but someone realized they could charge for it and whatever revenue increase they got was just found money.

The only applications I can think of for a second card are 1) if your family splits up to go to different restaurants, or 2) if you are taking a whole herd of people (like 15-20) to dinner and it's more than the 10 the card allows.

We don't do either of those, so we don't get the second card.

Thank you, JimMIA! DH and I will be first-time DDE folks and we won't need two cards, either.

 

[morgklm]

Thanks to all! Since we will be doing multiple trips in the next year, we will be getting the AP. Sounds like DDE will be part of it!

 

[Corinne]

We have had the DDE card since they first offered it to AP Holders. IMO, it is so worth it--we save so much! We go to WDW once a year and plan our trips so that we get 2 uses from out AP's and the DDE card.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

I have heard that the DDE card is activiated when they send it to you, rather than at first use. Which is true?

 

[disneynutz]

I have heard that the DDE card is activiated when they send it to you, rather than at first use. Which is true?

When they send it to you.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

When they send it to you.

How far in advance should I order my DDE card then? ABout a month or so early? I don't want to miss getting it in the mail after we leave for our trip.

 

[doconeill]

If you don't get the card in time, you can get a temporary card from Guest Services at Epcot (ONLY at Epcot).

 

[disneynutz]

How far in advance should I order my DDE card then? ABout a month or so early? I don't want to miss getting it in the mail after we leave for our trip.

4 -6 weeks processing time is the advertised time frame. If your card doesn't get to you in time you can arrange to pick up a temp card at Epcot. A DDE order form is on the WDW AP website. I ordered ours this morning.

 

[disvaclub92]

I actually ordered mine on the day I arrived at Disney. Just picked it up at Epcot Guest Relations (temp card) that same day, after 5:30pm.

 

[BCV23]

That charge for the second card has always been a sore point for us. Originally, the second card was free, but someone realized they could charge for it and whatever revenue increase they got was just found money.

For many years the second card was free. It wasn't until last year that there was a charge for the second card.

My suspicion is that the extra charge came about because of abuse. I remember a FL resident explaining how she and a friend had been getting cards for many years under one membership even though they weren't married and did not live together.

We still get two cards anyway. My DH calls it the irritation factor. As in he would be irritated if either of us missed out on the discount because we happened to dine apart. So far this year, I've used mine for two single meals at B&C.

 

[donmil723]

If you order the DDE card prior to your trip, can you pick it up at Will Call on a weekend? More specifically, at GR at Epcot's International Gateway? Can you also exchange your AP vouchers at the International Gateway too? Thanks!

Donna

 

[BCV23]

If you order the DDE card prior to your trip, can you pick it up at Will Call on a weekend? More specifically, at GR at Epcot's International Gateway? Can you also exchange your AP vouchers at the International Gateway too? Thanks!

Donna

From what has been posted, the only place to pick up the temporary DDE card is Guest Relations outside the main entrance of Epcot.

But you can exchange your AP voucher at the IG so at least you could get through the park to pick up your DDE before dining.

 

[kritter]

Sounds great do I have to order the card when I get my annual passes?? I am actually getting my annual passes when I go in Sept. but would like hte DDE for my next trip in April... Can I get it now or can I wait?? Thanks,,,!!!!

 

[doconeill]

As long as you have the annual pass or the pre-order voucher, you cna get the card. They don't have to run concurrently. As far as I know, you can order the DDE card on the last valid day of your AP.

The DDE card is good for at least 12 months (13 if you order it the right time of the month - they only seem to print cards once a month, and its good for 12 months from when they print - but you can get a temporary card from the day you order. So you could get it in September, and it will still be good in April. Unless you have another trip planned within 12 months of April that you could make better use of the DDE card, you would get more value getting it for September.

 

[extremesoccermom]

As long as you have the annual pass or the pre-order voucher, you cna get the card. They don't have to run concurrently. As far as I know, you can order the DDE card on the last valid day of your AP.
QUOTE]

OK, this may not be on the up and up but I have an AP voucher from a couple of years ago when I had originally planned a couple of trips in one year but when we had to cancel one I just kept the voucher and bought a My Way 10day Non expire pass. So I could get the DDE card with just the voucher? I am not sure when or if I will turn it into an acitivated pass in the next few years.