Disney Dining Expierence

[reginaastralis]

Has anyone ever used this?

I'm looking into purchasing this for our very well used Disney passes.

We go to Disney about every two months, usually doing a sit down at least once during the trip.

Will it be worth it to get the pass?

I know they send two, so would I be able to get one membership for my dad and I. I technically am living at their house, atm, though we will be getting our own house next month. My dad mom and sister would use theirs, and Juliette and I (she's two) would be the only ones using mine. If my dad and I could have the passes together, it would be worth it ... but if it's just me, I'm not sure the price would be worth just Juliette and I.

I hope this made sense. Thanks!

 

[PrincessV]

I have the DDE and made the cost of it back in one week-long trip. Every use for the rest of the year, I'll come out ahead.

What I did was this: go to allearsnet.com to find menu prices. Figure out how much your anticipated meals for the next year will cost at full price. Obviously, you're just guessing, but if you go every other month, you probably have a good idea as to what you might eat over a year.

Now calculate 20% of your total dining cost. Is it more than the cost of DDE? Then it'll save you money!

I don't know about the extra DDE card - I can't say as I remember that. thought it was only 1 per AP holder. (?)

 

[JESW]

It is worth it for us and we go 2x a year at least. But now they only send 1 card and you have to pay for the extra one. - not sure of the price.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I think you use to be able to get a second card. But no more if you want to it's like another $25 or so.I'm not even sure if you can put it in someones elses name . Check the Allears sight it gives you a breakdown on the cost.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We get great value from the DDE & opt for that over the DDP.

We are a family of 4 and I would say we recover our cost in about 2 - 3 days (avg dinner $125 - $150 @ 20% off = $25 - $30 per meal). Figure at least 21 days per year in WDW...

You no longer get the 2nd card free. It is available for an add'l $25.

 

[Maria311]

I think you have to pay a fee for the extra card for another person in the same household. Not as much as the first however. You can use the card for up to ten guests. The cardholder must be present. It is a very good deal for us.
My husband won't eat counter service. He likes to be served.
Typical Man LOL!!!! We have used it a lot and have absolutely gotten our money's worth and then some. We are at the world usually once every two months for a day or two. In May we are going for a week and are planning many TS meals. It's well worth the price. You should get it. I think we paid $60 per year.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

Around $300 seems to be the tipping point in where you will start saving money with the DDE card. If you think you will spend more than $300 in meals/alcohol at the qualifying restaurants, it's a good idea. If you will spend less than $300, you won't save enough to cover what you paid for the card ($60-65)

If you are going with just you and a 2 year old, and only 6 table services a year (1 every 2 months, as you stated) it probably wouldn't be worth it. It would be hard to average $50 per meal unless you have expensive tastes. My family of 4 (2 adults, 3 yr old and 1 yr old) averaged around $45 for each table service we had on our recent Feb trip.

Now, if your parents and sister are travelling with you, it would be easier to reach that tipping point.

HTH

 

[KevinYee]

I find it unnecessarily inconvenient that they stopped giving the second card for free. It's almost like they don't want us dining in the parks???

 

[reginaastralis]

Around $300 seems to be the tipping point in where you will start saving money with the DDE card. If you think you will spend more than $300 in meals/alcohol at the qualifying restaurants, it's a good idea. If you will spend less than $300, you won't save enough to cover what you paid for the card ($60-65)

If you are going with just you and a 2 year old, and only 6 table services a year (1 every 2 months, as you stated) it probably wouldn't be worth it. It would be hard to average $50 per meal unless you have expensive tastes. My family of 4 (2 adults, 3 yr old and 1 yr old) averaged around $45 for each table service we had on our recent Feb trip.

Now, if your parents and sister are travelling with you, it would be easier to reach that tipping point.

HTH

Thanks so much for breaking it down for me like this! I'm not afraid to admit to being a little "math challenged". I've been trying to sell my mom on it for a year or so, so it looks like the only way it would really work out in our favor is if my parents got one and we could use it for food with them.

Hmm ... I'll give it some thought. You guys are so helpful!

 

[minnie56]

Did this once, liked it a lot.
So, now you can only buy with an annual pass right? What is the cost?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Florida residents, AP-holders or FL CMs can buy a DDE membership. (And surprisingly enough the Cast pay the highest price.)
Membership prices vary depending what category the purchaser falls under, and if they are renewing their DDE or buying a new membership.
An extra card for a spouse/SO USE TO be free. But from what I can only guess was abuse, they now charge extra for a second card.
All who buy must be 21 years or older.

 

[minnie56]

The card is good only for the person that has the AP?? Am I reading that wrong?

 

[Luv2Roam]

The person whose name is on the card needs to be present. They don't have to be the one paying the bill. But they need to be there.
Rarely do I have anyone ask for ID. But that is probably because I use my debit card to pay for the meals, and the names match between the debit card and DDE. ALthough I have had servers still ask for a picture ID, as many do in stores when using a credit/debit card.
You can have up to 10 guests on one check. And they will not do separate checks.

 

[auntie]

If you are paying cash for a meal and show the card..they ask for picture ID?

 

[Pumbaa_]

I have been asked for ID. At a value food court no less. Not somewhere the bill was in the hundreds, oh no, the food court for breakfast.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Always find it fascinating that we were never asked for ID during any DDE meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) that we had during 3 trips. That is 21 breakfasts, 21 dinners, and 3 lunches.
But they make it pretty clear that you may (or maybe even should! ) be asked for ID so I always have it with me.
That second card is a non-issue for us as we always eat together..
I just ordered my card for May. Ordered on April 4 and it will expire at the end of May 2008--giving us 3 more trips to use it. A 3-4 week delivery time was indicated.

 

[n2mm]

I have been asked for ID. At a value food court no less. Not somewhere the bill was in the hundreds, oh no, the food court for breakfast.

Us too, many times. The cost for AP holders is $65. To order it you have to give the CM your AP membership number (or voucher membership number). It can be ordered Mon-Fri via the phone during business hours. The card takes 3-4 weeks to arrive, but you can arrange for a temp card to be picked-up at EPCOT. I believe the Florida residents and Cast member price is $85. As others have said, the holder must be present and dining to get the discount, but the holder does not have to be paying. It can be used at most TS meals and a very few counter service meals (value resorts, FQ, and AK CS)--the general rule is if there is no sit down restraurant then you can use it at CS. Once the AK gets a TS restraurant most likely we won't be able to use it at the CS locations anymore. As others have said it is $25 additional for a spouse card (or SO). Also a $25 replacement fee if you lose your card. I too had heard of abuse on the second card, so that is why you have to pay. Seems some folks were getting it for friends, not their spouse, and sharing the cost of the membership.

 

[minnie56]

Think the above poster answers my question. You can purchase the AP and not activate ahead of time? You cannot buy the DDE without already having purchased the AP correct?

Thanks!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Correct.
You need either your AP, or the voucher. They do require the numbers and verify.

 

[minnie56]

OK, thanks!