How do we add the DDP?

[K9pal]

OK, we already have ressies using points for June, and now we've decided to do the DDP. How do we go about getting and paying for it? Do we need to purchase it BEFORE making ADR's, or does it matter? Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

When making ADRs they usually ask if you are on the DDP, if you know you are going to get it, just say Yes.

You need to call Member Services to link the DDP to your reservation. You will pay for the plan when you check-in at your resort.

 

[JimMIA]

As Chuck said, they will usually ask about DDP when you make ADRs (and vice versa), but the DDP and ADRs have nothing to do with each other. They'll ask when you check in at the host desk at the restaurant too, but the only person who really needs to know if you are on the DDP is your server.

Definitely do NOT wait until adding the DDP to make your ADRs!

You need to call MS and add the DDP at least 3 days prior to arrival. You can NOT add it on arrival. I'd personally call somewhat before that, just so I didn't forget in the confusion of all the last-minute trip activities.

As noted, you don't pay for it until you actually check in at the resort.

 

[byoung]

The DDP is well worth it.

 

[K9pal]

Thanks, guys.
We've never done the DDP since it's always just DH and myself, and we aren't that big eaters. But we got to thinking - what a bargain for kids at $10.99! We couldn't feed them on that for one day no matter where we ate. And DS and his wife love to have appetizers and dessert with meals, and this is their first time at WDW. So we think they'll be impressed, and we're really excited about it now too!

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks, guys.
We've never done the DDP since it's always just DH and myself, and we aren't that big eaters. But we got to thinking - what a bargain for kids at $10.99! We couldn't feed them on that for one day no matter where we ate. And DS and his wife love to have appetizers and dessert with meals, and this is their first time at WDW. So we think they'll be impressed, and we're really excited about it now too!

The value of DDP depends on the composition of your group and your normal dining pattern at WDW.

We always do either a nice dinner or a character meal each day. When I do my calculations, I only consider the price of what we really would have ordered for table service meals if we'd been paying cash vs. the cost of the DDP. I count the CS and snack credits as zero, although we usually use all of them. Even using that very conservative method, we come out slightly ahead using the DDP. If I factored in the value of the CS and snack credits we actually use, we'd probably save $200-500 on each 4-5 day trip.

YMMV depending on how you normally dine, but I think it's a great value for our family.