DVC APs/DDE

[married@wdw]

OK guys, I signed up for DDE and I didn't know I had to have an AP (they let me sign up without being a Florida resident or an AP holder). Not a problem, I'll just pay the difference between the five-day MYW pass and the AP price for one of us so we can use the discount - with a party of 10 for eight days, we'll still save a ton!

My question is, can I get my AP from the OKW guest services desk or do I have to go to the gate of one of the parks? If I have to go to a gate, can I go to the International Gateway at Epcot -- seems that always has a nice short line? Just trying to plan -- we won't technically be using our passes before we head to our first night's dinner at California Grill, but I can stop at a gate if I have to.

 

[DemoBri1]

I think you have to go to one of the park ticket booths to get the AP. You should definitely be able to go to the International Gateway booth. We had our AP's activated there are a couple of years ago.

Brian

 

[Niagara2]

I am an AP holder and DDE member, new who went with the faxed letter. We used the letter alot and no one asked for an AP. Wonder how they check who should pay $50 as an AP holder and who should pay $75 as a non AP holder. I think they need to tighten up procedures on this.

 

[dizplanner]

Some people are reporting that you don't have an AP to get DDE - just that you should pay $75 instead of $50 if you don't have an AP. However, I don't know where they got this information. I would suggest calling the DDE line and just ask them if you must be a Florida resident or have an annual pass to get/use DDE. There seems to be a lot of confusion as to the rules on this program. I hope it is all figured out before we go in December.

 

[Paul in CT]

Deb Wills' site says that as of January, 2005 the DDE membership is now open to non-residents of Florida for $75. If you are an AP holder, the fee is discounted to $50. Formerly, the DDE was open only to Florida residents. It sounds like a good deal to me even with the DVC discounts that are not generally as good (20%) nor for as many restaurants.

 

[mowog]

We bought our APs at the world showcase gate. The APs say DVC on the back and also read AP DVC as you go through the gates. We used our DDE e-mail copy mid January and was never asked to show an AP. My wife called and ordered the DDE even though we hadn't purchased the AP yet. So I guess there is an honor system of sorts. I'm looking forward to seeing what the card says when it finally arrives.

Jean and Bob

 

[CarolA]

Well I called DDE today and the recording there does not agree with what Deb's site says. It says "If you are a Florida resident OR and AP holder" so.....

 

[WDW LOVR]

There is a thread going on the restaurant board concerning this very thing. A number of people there say that DDE has stated in no uncertain terms that you must be an AP holder or a Fla resident to get one. The one post said the CM even verified this with the DDE supervisor. A number of posters report the CM's saying that you should never trust non-Disney websites for accurate information.

I've also read that they rarely ask you to show the AP when you use the DDE card, just show a picture ID (which could confirm ID and Residence). If you have an AP and you don't live in Fla they could theoretically confirm the AP vs. the DDE card in their system when you use it (they seem to know everything else about you. I've had CM's at the beer stand in Canada ask me how I like the Boardwalk Villas when it never came up in conversation before that). That could explain why they never ask to see the AP when you try to use it.

 

[dis-happy]

Can't add anything to the DDE ap/non-ap discussion. Just wanted to tell you where we bought our ap's---guest services at DTD. Very convenient, only 5 minute wait. It's located across from Earl's, next to the restrooms, kind of behind the corner. HTH

 

[BCV23]

There is a discussion on the restaurant forum.Someone bought the DDE without AP/FL residency. WDW emailed them that it would be honored. Apparentlythe DDE office was overwhelmed with the new calls and had very little training. So if you already bought the DDE card, you should be fine.

 

[married@wdw]

Thanks everyone! We'll definitely try DTD on our way to OKW -- that sounds very convenient.

We got wrong information as well. I purchased the DDE from a CM asking if I was an AP member, and when I said no, just taking my information and $75. NEVER told me I'd need an AP or Florida DL to get the discount. And while a lot of places don't check, I know big places like O'Hana will check every time (my in-laws have the DDE as well and always have to supply their DL along with the card there -- and we hit that place and least two or three times per year).

With my family of 11 going for eight nights on this trip, I can't afford to get turned away! Luckily we hadn't bought our MYW tickets yet, so I just bought one AP with the DVC discount. The difference in the the one ticket price is about $80, but DDE is refunding us $25 of our $75 fee, so all told, I think getting DDE will cost us about $130. I figure it'll pay for itself in the first two or three days (with such a big party). And the AP will be an excuse to hit the Food and Wine festival in November AND maybe hop down to Florida in January too!

 

[jghra]

I have a trip planned for December '05, can I get the DDE card now and it's actual activation date start in December or is it good for one year from the time you order it? The annual pass activation doesn't start until the first day you use it - right??

We will not be going to WDW until December '05 and I am betting a few trips in 2006, so I want to get the most out of the card & annual pass!!

Thanks.

 

[CarolMN]

I have a trip planned for December '05, can I get the DDE card now and it's actual activation date start in December or is it good for one year from the time you order it? The annual pass activation doesn't start until the first day you use it - right??

We will not be going to WDW until December '05 and I am betting a few trips in 2006, so I want to get the most out of the card & annual pass!!

Thanks.

I'm planning to do the same - get an AP and DDE for our next trip whcih will be December 2005.

The DDE is good for one year from date of purchase.

If you buy an AP online, over the phone or at TDS, you get a voucher. Your year begins on the day you exchange the voucher for the actul pass.

I will wait until just before my trip to buy the DDE, but I'll probably buy the APs (we need two) ahead of time to spread out the cost.

Best wishes -

 

[athenna]

The DDE is valid a year from when you request it, and the AP is valid a year from when you physically get there to activate it.

 

[lilstint]

I have a question concerning the DDE discount that I was hoping someone who has already used the card can answer. Is the 20% taken off the bill before or after taxes? We have a large party and we're trying to sort out finances ahead of time to avoid a lot of confusion at the table after dinner. Can anyone help???

 

[CarolMN]

I have a question concerning the DDE discount that I was hoping someone who has already used the card can answer. Is the 20% taken off the bill before or after taxes? We have a large party and we're trying to sort out finances ahead of time to avoid a lot of confusion at the table after dinner. Can anyone help???

It shouldn't matter for your purpose - the final amount you pay. As an example, let's say you spent $100 on food and the tax rate is 5% (Made up numbers to make the math easier).

Let's first take DDE discount off and then do taxes
$100 * 20% = $20. Bill is now $80
80 * 5% = $4 of tax. Total bill is $84

Now let's apply taxes first and discount second:

$100 * 5% = $5. Bill is $105.
DDE discount is 105 * 20% or $21.

Total bill is 105-21 = 84.

Now that said, the restaurant does not want to actually pay the government $5 when it could pay $4. They will do the discount first and apply the taxes after that. If you think about it, that is correct. The actual sale (revenue they get) is after the discount.

None of this has anything to do with the tip - the tip should be figured on the bill before the discount is applied and before the taxes are applied.

HTH.

 

[BCV23]

The DDE is valid a year from when you request it, and the AP is valid a year from when you physically get there to activate it.

Actually, there seems to be a little extra cushion built in for the DDE program for those of us ordering it with the AP discount.

I ordered mine the second week of January. It expires at 2/28/06. Many people on the restaurant board have reported the same. It works very well for us as we aren't going until next month. Lately, 3/31/06 has been reported.

I would call a couple months before your trip and ask what expiration date you would get if you order that day.

 

[CarolMN]

Actually, there seems to be a little extra cushion built in for the DDE program for those of us ordering it with the AP discount.

I ordered mine the second week of January. It expires at 2/28/06. Many people on the restaurant board have reported the same. It works very well for us as we aren't going until next month. Lately, 3/31/06 has been reported.

I would call a couple months before your trip and ask what expiration date you would get if you order that day.

I think the extra time is only happening right now because Disney is backed up due to the heavy demand. I don't expect that to continue and am not counting on it.

That said, I intend to do just what you suggest - ask before I order. As long as I can get an email or fax if the cards don't come before we leave, I'll be fine and I really want to use my card for two trips.

Best wishes -

 

[paults]

I just ordered our DDE today (fri 1-28)and got my e-mail back saying good till March 31 2006. We are ap holders

 

[mowog]

I have a question concerning the DDE discount that I was hoping someone who has already used the card can answer. Is the 20% taken off the bill before or after taxes? We have a large party and we're trying to sort out finances ahead of time to avoid a lot of confusion at the table after dinner. Can anyone help???

The server takes your bill away (to show to the manager) and you get a recalulated bill with sales tax only on the discounted amount. If you present the card before the bill is made up it still shows the discount and then the tax on the discounted amount. A great thing is that all types of beverages are included in the discount. I'm thinking now that they run your card to verify the AP.

Jean and Bob