Disney Dining Plan?

[BaBeeCee14]

Hi Ladies,

I asked my WP this question but I still wasn't clear on if this could be done or not. We will be staying at AKL for our honeymoon with the wedding room discount rate. We were thinking about going on the Disney Dining Plan, but will that not be allowed since we are getting a discounted room? If thats the case, going on the DDP isn't really worth it if I have to pay full price for the room right?

 

[BayouPrincess]

I would love to hear the responses you get for this question. We are looking at breaking our stay if we can't do the DDP with our reduced rate room. (which I think is the case). I love the DDP, it allows us to eat at places we normally wouldn't because of the cost factor. Since the DDP has been an option on our trips we have always used it. It's great for our family of 4 adults. I couldn't afford to go to Disney as often as we do if each meal cost us over 150.00.

Bill keeps telling me that at DFTW they are working on a package that could include the DDP and it could possibly be in effect by the time my VR is. I'm hoping this is true...I've talked the dining plan up so much that most people want to use it!

 

[lurkyloo]

The reason you currently can't have the DDP is cuz, to get it, you have to buy package vacation that includes park tickets and a room at the full price. So not only do you not get a room discount, you're buying tickets you don't need cuz you're getting the AP with your wedding.

True, you can buy just a one day, one park ticket to qualify for the package, but the savings on food is further negated by having to pay full price for your room.

It will be interesting to see how they incorporate the DDP into weddings, considering that a couple years ago they separated lodging from the wedding package entirely...

 

[lov2b@disney]

You can get a Disney Dining Experience card with your AP- it helps a little it gives 20% off at most sitdown restaurants and I think even at some counter service restaurants. It is good for up to 10 people at a time.

 

[BayouPrincess]

I'll have to check my math, but I'm more than willing to move to a Value and book a package to have the DDP for the second half of our Disneymoon. We are going to stay at the Beach Club at the "group rate" through the wedding night, but I think I will stay at Pop Century and buy a one day ticket to get the Deluxe DP for the remainder of our trip (5 more days). I know it sounds silly and I will check the math before I do it, but the DDP is so worth it for us. Now the DDE may be worth it to stay in the Deluxe since it will just be the two of us after. I'm sending the children home with my parents after the wedding. They will fight it, but I want some alone time with the hubby in our favorite spot.

 

[cseca]

I think BayouPrincess' idea (DDE card) is the best option if :
1. You are going to use your AP on this trip
2. You two aren't big eaters (no dessert or sometimes shares meals)
3. You eat at TS most of the times.
4. You have more than 2 people eating with you most of the time.

The DDP is beneficial if you eat a good amt. If not it could be a waste.

 

[BaBeeCee14]

So it looks like no DDP with the wedding discount . That really stinks because there were a lot of restaurants I wanted to try. I definitely want to stay at AKL and it is not worth paying full price for that room just to get the DDP.

The thing with the DDE card, which is what I was originally going to get, is that starting in 2008, there is an automatic 18% gratuity added to your bill when using that card. There is a whole thread about this in the DDP section about this and how a lot of people won't be getting the DDE card because of the change. So yes, you get your 20% off, but they will automatically bill you the 18% gratuity. I think that is ridiculous because what if you don't get good service? Then you are forced to pay the 18% just because you are using the DDE card? I don't know, it just doesn't seem like a good option to me anymore

 

[lurkyloo]

Yeah, I was kinda grumpy about that too, but you can get it taken off your bill if you get crummy service. You have to ask for a manager, of course. And really, many people already tip 20%, so having an 18% tip calculated saves you a whopping 2%! But I know what you mean - what if you only want to give 15% - do you have to get a manager to get your 3% back?