Disney Dining Experience

[nhdisnut]

Has anyone used the Disney Dining Experience as an Annual Passholder?

I'm wondering how long the DDE pass is good for (as long as the AP?, for one year after purchase?.....) I'm also wondering if it is a good deal or not.

Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[mickeymouse1017]

The annual pass will last for one year from purchase. We got one during the summer and it paid for itself plus some just on that one trip. We will have two other trips to use it on before it expires so it is truly worth it for us.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

The DDE card is good for one year. We have felt that it's definitely worth it - saving 20 percent on meals is terrific, especially if you like the restaurants and go to WDW a lot. However, it does seem lately like fewer places are accepting the DDE card. We tried to use it this past weekend at the new Tokyo Dining restaurant in Epcot and we were denied! We stayed at POR though and used it in the food court there for breakfast each morning. Our rule of thumb is to always ask if it's accepted, whether we're at a counter service place or a high end restaurant. You just never know!

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

i just ordered my new dde card on wednesday (4 to 5 weeks to receive it but if it has not arrived a week before your trip, they will have a voucher for you at the epcot guest services window for you to pick up - you apparently cannot buy it at the parks)
the date will start on november 30 (even tho i ordered on oct 11) - if you order after the 10th of the month then it starts at the end of the next month--

we had one last year and really got our money's worth because we were able to use it nov 2005 and nov 2006. there are a lot of restaurants that accept it - just look at the list AND it includes alcohol/drinks.
for our family it has been a very good purchase - we have saved several hundred dollars over two trips (there are 6 of us)

good luck!

 

[chamonix]

I believe it's not when it starts, but when it ends that the end of month thing matters. You can use it as soon as you get it (or the temp card you can pick up at Epcot). However, as long as you order after a certain day of the month, it's valid longer--until the end of the next month, in the next calendar year. Clear as mud? LOL

In other words, don't order it until you absolutely need it if you think it's possible you may use it again in the next calendar year at the same approximate time. It will be valid longer if you wait longer to order it. It's not like the APs that are valid for exactly one year from when you first use them at a park. DDE is good for 12 months from when you order it--though at the END of the month--and if you order after the first half of the month (not sure the exact day, it may be the 10th) it won't expire until the END of the 13th month from then. (so, for example: if you order it today, it will expire Nov 30, 2008, but if you ordered it on October 1st, it would expire on October 31st, 2008)

Oh, and it's worth it if the total amount of $$ you spend on food and drinks is over $325--because 20% of that total is the cost of the DDE. It's more than worth it to us. Here's a thread on the "worth" question:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1609220

Don't forget to make sure the places you want to eat and drink take the DDE when you are figuring out if it will be worth it for you.

Oh, and you can technically get it at WDW--just pick up the phone (M-F during business hours) and then go pick up your temp card after 5pm the same day at Epcot guest services.

here's a link to the DIS page with info on DDE including lists of all the restaurants that are included:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

 

[pumba]

we got the AP voucher on line and we picked it up at guest services at the first park we arrived at. SO that means your ap is valid until the next year on that date ......the DDE plan you have to have your numbers for your voucher and it is allowed ......we got it so we had three trips on our AP and also DDE......we made out ......even after our one visit we were ahead of the game. We were two adults and two grandkids when we used it the first time.......our GK's kept track on how much money we saved each time we used it......

 

[gomagic]

If your annual pass expires before your DDE card is the DDE invalid at that point? Our annual passes expire in December but our DDE card is valid through Aug 2008.

 

[RoutemanDan]

If your annual pass expires before your DDE card is the DDE invalid at that point? Our annual passes expire in December but our DDE card is valid through Aug 2008.

Your DDE card expires in Aug. 2008. It is not tied to your AP beyond the need to have a valid AP to get the DDE.

 

[gomagic]

Your DDE card expires in Aug. 2008. It is not tied to your AP beyond the need to have a valid AP to get the DDE.

Thanks! That's good to know.

 

[Happydinks]

I just ordered our DDE card on October 8th, specifically asked when the card would expire in 2008, and she said that the expiration would be November 30, 2008 (we wanted to be sure to be able to use it for our trip next October/Nov!). Since it takes anywhere from 3-6 weeks to get the card (per their on-hold message) - they must use the end of the next month as the card expiration date. This is an assumption on our part - but we took the extra measure to ask about the expiration date.

 

[theparsons]

When calculating your value be sure to remember that starting in 2008 there is a MANDATORY 15% gratuity added to all DDE purchases (also keep that in mind so you don't then drop another tip on the table! )

I would think that the best way to ensure that your AP and your DDE expire together is to call and order it 2-3 days before you leave.....then the DDE won't expire until next month.

 

[pumba]

We were always generous with our tipping ......so the amount they say is still less then we would of paid out of pocket for tipping......

Now this automatic gratuity is not included on food courts .......? Question on that please

 

[nhdisnut]

Thanks for all of the info! It looks like something we might try....