does any one know if....

[blueiis99]

I have been contimplating getting just 1 AP (we have park hopper, but we can change them if needed) and then buying the DDE for $50. to save 20% on the meals. I think that the increase in the cost of tickets is about 180ish.
I'm thinking that the cost of the saving in the resturants should be greater in the long run... I am not much of a fast food person.
Has anyone ever done this? If so did you find that your overall savings was worth it?

 

[EthansMom]

Since we're planning on going two-three times in the next year, we bought APs for the first time ever. But I did run the numbers to see if I saved money getting one adult AP and the DDE card and yes, I figured I would save at least $80 on one seven-night trip using the AP discount for 7 nights at a Moderate resort and using DDE to get 20% discount at most meals and purchasing souvenirs at World of Disney with the 10% discount. Of course, since Annual Passholders already get a 10% discount at many restaurants, it may not make sense to spend the $50 to save 10% if you don't every meal at one of the discounted restaurants or if you are light eaters.

If you're interested in staying at a Delux for a week, it is definitely worth it to see if you can book the AP rate and if so, for one person to get the Annual Pass. I think the current savings at a Delux is $100/nt with the AP rate and so you pay for the difference to get an AP in two nights!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

The DDE is something new for AP holders so I don't think that you'll find too many people who are able to respond from personal experience. Since the DDE will cost you $50, you will need to spend $250 on meals at DDE participating restaurants in order to recover that amount. To recover the difference in price between an AP and the MYW ticket ($180 in your case), you would have to purchase an additional $900 in food. That's a total of $1150 in food in order to just breakeven. But since there are other benefits to having an AP (room discounts, shopping discounts, free parking, unlimited visits for a year), you might find that you'll break even a lot sooner.

My advise would be to purchase the AP if you plan to visit WDW on more than 11 days throughout the next year OR if you're staying onsite and are able to get an AP discount for the room. I would not purchase an AP solely for the purpose of joining the DDE.

 

[blueiis99]

Then this just might work for us. We are 4, (plus 2 more for the first 3 days) I expect food to be at least that if not more. We will be there for 7 days, and cruising for 3. If I can get the dicounts for the AP on the hotel (don't know yet, they haven't come out). I'm hoping to be able to call the TA and see if we can upgrade with an AP discount. (the trip is already booked).

The list of resturants that I have seen associated with the DDE are the resturants we have selected.

Thanks again for clear concise info!!! you have been a great help.