Disney Dining Experience

[Scott1964]

Anyone else besides me think that the Disney Dining Experience should be available to Vacation Club members. As of now it's only available to Florida residents and annual pass holders. Has anyone heard any talk of making it available to us?

 

[Chuck S]

I think it would be a nice option for DVC members...but, I also think that perhaps you would not see any value out of it unless you spent enough days at WDW to warrant the purchase of the DVC discounted AP over a standard park ticket.

In other words, if DVCers were allowed to purchase for the regular $75 price, they would have to spend at least $375 on food. For two adults that would take a few days, and may be enough days to justify the purchase of an AP for park admission.

 

[Scott1964]

There is no question it would be worth it for my family of four. Three days a couple of character breakfasts and a few of dinners and we are at or over the $375 and we would be able to realize a nice savings for the rest of our 7 day stay.Seems kind of odd Disney would offer it to annual pass holders and Florida residents but not to the people that invested there money with Disney and keep them afloat during the slow season.

 

[Dean]

Anyone else besides me think that the Disney Dining Experience should be available to Vacation Club members. As of now it's only available to Florida residents and annual pass holders. Has anyone heard any talk of making it available to us?

The only talk I've seen is from the members themselves. I would doubt DVC members will ever have this option but you never know. Remember you don't have to buy an AP for everyone if you don't want to, you can just get if for one if you want. And it still might be workable for many given the DVC discounts on the AP and the perks built into the AP even if the pass itself doesn't seem to be worth it for your trip. I know a lot of people who just buy an AP or FL seasonal pass to have access to the other discounts and options. Heck, I'm going to likely buy two this fall to use for two long weekends on cash and the discount on the DDE card.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Anyone else besides me think that the Disney Dining Experience should be available to Vacation Club members. As of now it's only available to Florida residents and annual pass holders. Has anyone heard any talk of making it available to us?

It is no longer restricted to Florida residents from my understanding. Yes, AP holders get $25 off the DDE card, but anyone could buy it for the full $75 price tag, I believe. Call the number and find out if they'll sell it to you; I expect they will.

Even if it is restricted to AP holders (which I do not believe is the case), with our DVC discount you can get one AP for one adult in your family, and still save plenty of $$$. To make the DDE worth it you would likely be staying at least 5 days anyway; since the cheapest 5 day MYW pass is $205 and the AP is a mere $314, the marginal difference is fairly small. The extra $109 (maximum) for the AP plus the $50 for the AP discounted DDE and we're talking maximum of $159 differential for that DDE card. Figure 20% off your meals budget and after you break even, you're golden. We already had our APs and came close to breaking even in our frist DDE trip, 3 days in January.

But still, I believe you can simply order the DDE card for the full $75 price at this point, regardless of where you live. Call them and find out.

 

[CarolMN]

It is no longer restricted to Florida residents from my understanding. Yes, AP holders get $25 off the DDE card, but anyone could buy it for the full $75 price tag, I believe. Call the number and find out if they'll sell it to you; I expect they will.(snip).........

I don't believe they will.

There was some confusion early on, and some people who did not have APs/PAPs (and were not Florida residents) were allowed to buy the card. The Dining CMs now have the correct info and will ask for the numbers on the back of your AP/PAP or voucher before selling you the card.

Best wishes -

 

[Scott1964]

I don't believe they will.

There was some confusion early on, and some people who did not have APs/PAPs (and were not Florida residents) were allowed to buy the card. The Dining CMs now have the correct info and will ask for the numbers on the back of your AP/PAP or voucher before selling you the card.

Best wishes -

Correct Carol I called and they told me DVC members were NOT able to purchase the DDE UNLESS they were annual pass holders or Florida residence.

 

[barbnbrian]

Can I have my friend who is a FL resident buy the DDE card for me? Would I be asked to show some type of ID? I really wanted the DDE card, but I have brand-new 7 day PHP with 3 pluses that I planned to stretch out for two trips and don't want to upgrade to an Annual Pass. I realize the FL resident card is $75 but it would still be worth it for my family. Any one know if this would work?

 

[NandP]

Did you say it's available to AP holders???

I am a DVC, and we just bought our AP's, so where do I fiund out how DDE works for me?

 

[dianeschlicht]

It is my understanding that you have to have the AP BEFORE you order the DDE card. We did not renew our APs, but we do want to buy the DDE card when we buy our new APs in December. Is there a way of doing that when you are already at WDW? I think it is a great way to save. We would save the $50 after you spend $250. Doesn't take long to do that at Disney!

 

[BCV23]

It is my understanding that you have to have the AP BEFORE you order the DDE card. We did not renew our APs, but we do want to buy the DDE card when we buy our new APs in December. Is there a way of doing that when you are already at WDW? I think it is a great way to save. We would save the $50 after you spend $250. Doesn't take long to do that at Disney!

You have to have the AP or a voucher to order the DDE card.

Apparently the DDE office is willing to fax a letter to your resort if you join after you're at WDW. But they close at 5 and are only open M-F so plan accordingly.

 

[lllovell]

You can call DDE from anywhere and they will gladly fax you a copy of a conformation letter to you. When we turned our vouchers into APs at the Guest Relations office at DTD, the CM offered to have them fax a certificate directly to them there. I already had it, but obviously they are getting the request often.

There is really no need to order it before you get there as long as you can call during business hours. If you aren't getting their during business hours, then you will have to wait until they open the next day to get your DDE card. I think their hours are Mon - Fri. reg business hours. That is the only drawback to waiting.

 

[KristiKelly]

Correct Carol I called and they told me DVC members were NOT able to purchase the DDE UNLESS they were annual pass holders or Florida residence.

Maybe if enough DVC members called DVC MS asking about it, they would see that it would be worthwhile to offer it to us.