Enough of the 18% - DDE or DDP?

[toothdoc]

Let's move beyond the 18% and figure this out. For those who have the two options, which is better to have, the DDE card or to get the DDP. For example with kids age 7,4 and 2 am I better off DDE or DDP. Age 2 of course is free at buffet's, etc. However, 7 and 4 would eat at a TS for about $12 (not counting DDE discount). This is the same price for them to eat all day on the DDP, including counter service. Does anyone have ideas? Let's take a 1 week trip for example: Which is better DDE or DDP in the wallet? Has anyone experienced both and can give their input on which was better?

 

[bicker]

Generally, for 2008, folks who are already eligible for DDE (Florida residents or annual passholders) will find the DDE to be a better financial deal overall, on average. Where it gets interesting is where you're not eligible, and have to buy an annual passport in order to quality. That typically mitigates much of the advantage a single-trip-per-year visitor will derive.

 

[toothdoc]

We live in Louisiana (GO TIGERS!!) however plan to visit the world twice in 2008 and will have AP's. We are staying on property and have both the DDE or DDP options available. To get the DDP I know you need a magic you way ticket, but we can buy a 1 day ticket, not use it and then apply it to further ticket purchases or AP renewals. Therefore both DDE or DDP are options for my family and we are trying to figure out what has the best bang for the buck.

 

[angelmav]

We are a family of 7 (5 disney adults) and went off menu's on what we thought everyone might order off the plan and compared. Resulted in a small savings for an 8 day stay. (around $100). So I think that the DDP is probably going to be more of a wash for most that would eat a TS each day anyway. The benefit is being able to prepay. Weather or not that is worth it is up to the individual because on our breakdown it was pretty even.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

There are too many unknowns to quantify which a better benefit. A big unknown is the discount you might get on the room. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you have the option of DDE, then one can assume you have an AP or are a FL resident. Each of those could get you a room discount. That alone could be a greater savings than paying rack rate for a room and then buying the DDP.

Also, if you have an AP and can use it multiple times a year, the savings of using it vs buying tickets for each stay is huge!

Not to mention the 20% off alcohol if you do like that sort of thing.

As bicker said, as AP holders and FL residents, we find the DDE a better deal for these reasons.

 

[Tricia1972]

I have an AP and the DDE card. Looking at the menus at what we would eat and figuring out that cost vs the DDP cost, we came out ahead using the DDE card.

Like Bicker said, if you are buying an AP only for the DDE, then you probably won't save as much.

(We got the AP's because with all of our visits we'll be on-site for over 30 days this year)

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

We're annual passholders and DVC members. So we can go with either DDE or DDP.

For 2008 it became an easy choice when the appetizers were removed from the DDP. We tend to eat appetizers plus entree and skip dessert. We usually eat dessert much later, especially if it's been a long park day.

Also, we have never planned to eat one TS meal per day of vacation. It's just not how we budget.

We will be renewing our DDE card for a third year in just a couple months. We generally spend at least 14 days per year in WDW. We average a TS meal every other day. With a family of five, the card has paid for itself after three meals. Occasionally we travel with friends or family, and the savings just keeps on accruing.

 

[Brian Noble]

All things being equal, I prefer DDE because it is more flexible. Want to pop into California Grill for drinks and appetizers? No problem. Want to eat fewer (or more) table service meals than one per day? No problem. Prefer appetizer to dessert with your meal? No problem. Don't want either? No problem. A simple 20% off of whatever you order, wherever you order it (provided the restaurant participates).

The only downside to DDE is that, for most people, the "effective discount" rate is more like 10-15%, after you subtract the cost of the card. But, if you have a family, or take a couple three trips in a 13-month period, it will pay off pretty quickly.

 

[DVC Sadie]

For us the DDE is the best way for us to save while dining at WDW. We go where we want, eat and drink what we want, without having to worry about "bang for the buck."

 

[wezee]

DH and I really don't have the DDE option, but have used the DDP several times and save quite a bit. Keep in mind.....we enjoy a nice sitdown meal every evening and like the idea of not looking at the prices when we dine. We have tried many wonderful restaurants, including signature dining, and have been introduced to different foods we may not have otherwise tried. Being just the two of us, doing Disney the adult way, I could not imagine spending a week or more at WDW and eating mostly CS meals. But then again, I guess we enjoy the food and relaxing over dinner at the restaurants almost as much as the rides.

 

[fires_grumpy]

DW and I are AP & DDE card holders. We where not happy at first with what was done. We love to save a buck like the next person. We figured it was extra money we could spend at WDW on what we saved on DDE card. We would most of the time would tip 20 to 25 % from org billing at TS. We got to figureing on what we spend and tip then discount from card. We will still save on our billing. We do at least 1 TS and some times 2 a day. A breakfest and a dinner. The card will still work for us.Might not save as much as before. But my DW will still be able to bring home some new eeyores home,stuffed and pins. And if Disney would let her the live one tooooooo

 

[Taja]

I've used the DDP and enjoyed it--to a certain extent. I felt tied to ADRs the entire visit--and I don't like so many table service meals in one visit.

For me, the DDE provides a bit more flexibility. Not sure it's a good value, as I'll only be able to use it one visit (December 2007), so it's most likely a break-even option. Since we can purchase it at WDW instead of advance purchase only, I can decide when we arrive at the resort. I believe it's valid in the value resort food courts, as they don't have TS restaurants. So with all of the food/beverages we purchase at PC plus our one dinner ADR (hoping to book another, but haven't been able to get suitable location/time) to date. It's up in the air at this time!

At this point, I don't plan on returning to WDW for two or three years after our December visit. That doesn't mean I won't--it just isn't in the plans! *LOL*

 

[angelmav]

Weezee, while what your saying is true under the old plan, the DDP is no longer a slam dunk. As I stated, we priced it and it would lead to a marginal savings (assuming we eat all the meals, everyone orders as prjected etc..), however for multiple return visitors, the DDE still has to be the better deal for repeat visitors as the DDP is configuered for 08'.

 

[toothdoc]

Thanks for all the input. We are definitely goind the DDE route. Will post and let you know how it turns out.

 

[just another guy]

I agree that the DDE is the best plan now without the changes to the DDP.

 

[Lesley]

Last year we did both. We visited WDW 4 times during the 12 months our AP's were valid. Our first trip was DVC, before we could get DDP, so we used DDE and the card more than paid for itself. The second was a non-DVC stay, so we used DDE again. The third we did entirely DDP-the savings were better than the DDE and we were still able to use DDE at places we ate off the dining plan (like Beaches and Cream) and for grown up drinks. The last trip my parents joined us, giving us the best dining discount of all by paying for our meals, but we used our DDE once again to save them the 20% (which is significant with a party of 7!).

Where the DDP ends up being a bigger savings is if you use counter service places at least once a day. With small kids we've found we sometimes need a meal faster than we can get one at table service. If you eat at all table service places, and definitely if you do this more than once a day, you'll want the DDE. While there have been many changes, I think this remains the same.

 

[chaoscent]

I figured it out for 3 adults for 5 days. I already have the DDE card as we go two or three times a year. It was a few dollars cheaper using the DDE card than using the dining plan. SInce we are staying DVC it became even cheaper when I decided to have some mid day meals back at the ranch. My Mom is 80 and can't stay at the parks all day. So we decided to go back to OKW at some point and either pick her up/drop her off and eat a sandwich there. Then we will be really hungry for the 7:30 meal at California Grill.
Penny

 

[riaesq]

Two nice perks of DDE that are often forgotten are FREE valet parking at the hotels and half price admission to Pleasure Island. These alone can easily cover the cost of the card.