Disney Dining Plan or Disney Dining Experienc

[MikMin6554]

I was wondering if would be better to use the DDP or the Dining Experience Discount. Being a new DVC member I am not sure since we have been using the DDP for the last few years. One TS/big meal and a small meal seem to be enough for us.

 

[tomandrobin]

Both are good, it all depends on how and where you like to eat. We just got back from a 3 day trip with the DDP. We used the DDP this time since we knew we would be eating table service meals all three days. We kept a running tab of the cost of our meals, and compared that to the cost of the DDP. We saved about $160.

On the trip before that we did not eat table service meals every day. So, on that trip we used our DDE card. We saved enough on the table service meals, plus the alcohol to justify the cost of the DDE for this trip. We ran a running tab on this trip also to compare the cost if we got the DDP vs using the DDE. At the end it was almost a tie in cost. The DDP was more expensive, but by around $20-30 dollars. The upside, we didn't gain as much weight!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have never thought the DDP was a good deal for us, but because our guests for part of our Dec. trip want to do it, we are trying it next trip. We also have the DDE card, so we will likely use BOTH when we need to. The part of our trip in the 1 bedroom is not using the DDP, so the DDE card will be our only plan then.

 

[tinkfan]

Can the two be combined? I was wondering this because we often have a glass of wine with dinner and I know this is not an option on the DDP. Its nice that the discount on alcohol is given with the DDE card. Not sure we would ever do the DDP but its nice to know all the details.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I was wondering if would be better to use the DDP or the Dining Experience Discount. Being a new DVC member I am not sure since we have been using the DDP for the last few years. One TS/big meal and a small meal seem to be enough for us.

Check this recent thread: Is Dining Plan Worth It While At a DVC Resort?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Because DDE isn't usuable for Candlelight Processional package, and Fantasmic dinner packages, we decided to try DDP for our December trip. My biggest worry is that we'll be tempted to eat too much.

Bobbi

PS. You can use the DDE for the wine costs at your DDP meal.

 

[ADP]

The DDE can be used at TS locations that accept it (most do) and you get the 20% discount on items not covered by the DDP. This would include alcohol.

We personally like the flexibility of the DDE. You can eat at your leisure without worrying about using credits. You also get free valet parking at the resorts where you are dining.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We have never thought the DDP was a good deal for us, but because our guests for part of our Dec. trip want to do it, we are trying it next trip. We also have the DDE card, so we will likely use BOTH when we need to. The part of our trip in the 1 bedroom is not using the DDP, so the DDE card will be our only plan then.

That's what we did in May (but the opposite). We stayed in a two-bedroom unit with friends for a weekend. When they left, and DH and I moved to a studio, we tried the dining plan. We're doing something similar in October (DDP for just the two of us, then moving to a two-bedroom with family without DDP).

We also have and use DDE.

 

[twinklebug]

I was wondering if would be better to use the DDP or the Dining Experience Discount. Being a new DVC member I am not sure since we have been using the DDP for the last few years. One TS/big meal and a small meal seem to be enough for us.

What I've been reading is most people will about break even when using DDP, if they're big eaters then they save $ by using it but not a ton.

I would think DDE is a far better choice for those who don't eat big meals or eat more frequently.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I think the only way to answer that is to tell you to really evaluate how you like to eat, do you always order appy/entree/dessert or no? do you have drinks with dinner? do you enjoy TS breakfast & dinner in the same day?

Then think about how much you normally spend on food vs cost of DDP.

We are a family of 4. We prefer DDE. Maybe as our boys get older, if they begin to eat like animals (or should I say "when") maybe it will be more advantageous but for now...

 

[Cruelladeville]

We have the DDE card, and use it for wine, and those types of extras, but use the DDP for meals, because we always eat at table service restaurants for dinner. In fact, dining makes our trips special, and we look forward to planning where we are going to eat! We enjoy the signature restaurants, like Flying Fish, and Yachtsman, which take two tickets per meal, so we usually end up using the DDE card, too, at some point in our trip. We are not normally dessert eaters, but it is included on the DDP, so we get it "to go", and eat it later. The desserts did tend to pile up, a real embarassment of riches. We find that we tend to save money this way.

 

[gcbsdad]

Can the two be combined? I was wondering this because we often have a glass of wine with dinner and I know this is not an option on the DDP. Its nice that the discount on alcohol is given with the DDE card. Not sure we would ever do the DDP but its nice to know all the details.

Yes they can. On our trip a few weeks ago we had the Free Disney Dining plan and our DDE card. Our youngest is only 2 so they would not let us use the plan for her so we purchased a meal for her and used our DDE card for it as well as any alcoholic beverages that we had. It worked out great.

 

[MikMin6554]

Thanks for all the help. I am going solo for 4 days with the DDP. I am going to stick with it for this trip. Am I correct to assume that the DDE membership is a yearly thing the same as AP's? We will be going for MNSHP next year and then my wife's sister and her 5 (yes 5) kids will be joining us at SSR in a Grand Villa, seems as if the DDE would be better for that. Oh did I mention she lives in Ireland.
Thanks again for the helpful replys so far.

 

[BCV23]

Yes, the DDE is an annual membership although the dates don't coincide with your AP unless you happen to purchase them at the same time. You actually get a bit of bonus time with DDE.

We love the DDE but I do think you can save a bit more with DDP. In our case, the TS meals were about a wash when we used the DDP to the savings we would have had with just DDE. So our QS and snacks were "free." But we also used 10 of 15 TS credits for lunch which hardly maximizes the savings.

Before dismissing using the plan when your sister and family are there, I would do a little homework. The savings can really add up if you choose to do a character meals or two.

Also since you enjoy one big meal and one smaller one per day, the DDP probably is a better fit for you if by smaller you mean counter service. Most counter services places do not accept DDE. The exceptions are at AK and the CS of value resorts as well as POFQ. Since those resorts aren't exactly convenient for DVCers staying on points, the DDP is easier to use for counter service.

 

[castleri]

Can the two be combined? I was wondering this because we often have a glass of wine with dinner and I know this is not an option on the DDP. Its nice that the discount on alcohol is given with the DDE card. Not sure we would ever do the DDP but its nice to know all the details.

Yes they can - be aware that if you do this you chould check the DDE receipt carefully as they add the 18% tip to it automatically. This happened to us in April and I didn't realize it until later when I checked the receipt. We had left an extra cash tip amount on the table so that waiter really made out. We got it last year before the DDP was available and it will last through this Sept trip so hopefully we will break even on the original cost with the adult drinks and one or two OOP meals for a visitor who is not on the dining plan with us. We arrived at WDW on a weekday so I activated my AP and then called and ordered the DDE card. They delivered the temporary card to Guest services at Epcot about 5 that evening. I ordered it one of the last days of Sept 05 and it is good through October 06.

 

[castleri]

sorry - double post

 

[Esmerelda]

We used the Disney Dining Experience card on two trips...it was such a GREAT savings. We liked not to have to plan so many meals because you have a huge variety of places to eat.

We saved probably triple what we paid for the card.

I can't see using the plan because we do not eat that much food in a day while at Disney. For other folks...it may be fine...but it was definitley not for us. We even overheard in the Prime Time Cafe a CM telling a couple that wanted to eat there later "since they started the DDP, the restaraunts are flooded and there are barely any PS left for folks not on the plan" The couple left because the only time she had was 9:45p and it was 1pm in the afternoon.

have a great trip and happy eatings,
Esmerelda

 

[Pig Pen]

We have never done the DDP as we tend to eat our main meal in the afternoon and grab snacks the rest of the day. I think I would burst if I had to eat all that food every day for the entire trip! We like the DDE's flexibility...it also makes it easy for DH to figure out the tip...he just leaves the discounted amount.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I think I would burst if I had to eat all that food every day for the entire trip! We like the DDE's flexibility...it also makes it easy for DH to figure out the tip...he just leaves the discounted amount.

ITA

 

[BillPA]

original post by Esmerelda
We even overheard in the Prime Time Cafe a CM telling a couple that wanted to eat there later "since they started the DDP, the restaraunts are flooded and there are barely any PS left for folks not on the plan" The couple left because the only time she had was 9:45p and it was 1pm in the afternoon.

I think if you use the DDP or the DDE or neither, you have to plan ahead if you want to eat at a 'normal' time. These plans are so popular that if you don't book something several months in advance you might not get what you want, when you want it. Remember, you can book almost all meals without any cost to cancel if you can't make the meal time or just change your mind. Just be kind to others, and take a minute to call to open that time slot for someone else, if you do have to cancel.