Is DDE worth it?

[Momof6]

We have aps, and just dh and I are returning for a few nights during F&W - it looks like we would save $ using the DDE, even though we don't eat at TS a lot on our trips.
We have one party of 16 people on 6/30 at Biergarten for lunch. I know that we can only do parties of 10, though, right? So, that would be worth about $40 or so. The card is $60. We (dh, me, and 2 dds) might eat at Boma one night. We love it there.

How do we get the DDE? We are staying at SOG.

Thanks for any thoughts!

denise

 

[pumba]

do you plan on going again in the one year time that you order the dde card.....we did eleven days a year ago, then five in December, and then 7 days in April.....so we saved major money.....plus we were four adults in April....try to see if you would save money on your meals....

 

[DisBride2007]

The DDE card is worth getting if you are going to spend more than $300 in the next year at DDE-approved restaurants. First, I would say to make sure that Biergarten is on the list of approved restaurants. If it is, I would say you should get the card. We got ours, unfortunately after a dinner for 10 at Cape May where we could have paid for the card (the meal was over $300... ugh...) But we make enough trips to Disney that we have more than paid for the card by now. All Ears has a pretty updated list:

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

You need to order it in advance of your trip by calling (407) 566-5858. You might not get the card in time for your trip and might have to pick up a temporary card in person (see below).

There is only one way to get it at the parks. You need to go to Customer Service in Epcot (the one inside the park, near Spaceship Earth). Tell them you want to buy it. They will call someone and give you the phone. You'll need to give them your AP ticket # and a credit card to pay the $60 fee. They'll then tell you to come back either after 5 p.m. that day or the next day (something like that). You'll need to go to the Customer Service booth OUTSIDE Epcot (near the ticket lines). The line for that can be EXTREMELY long. However, they'll give you your temporary card and you can start using it right away! You'll receive your official card about a month or two later in the mail.

GL!

 

[nbodyhome]

It's been worth it for me to have it for 10 or so years now - it sounds like it will be worth it for you too.

Sometimes they'll use it for more than 10 people - but you never know.

 

[tinkandpan]

You just need to plan where you are going to eat- for example, we got our money worth just at California Grill in one evening. Having the additional of liquor to it really works for us, because we like to drink nicer bottles of wine that add up. Plus- if you are going to eat at any resorts, you get free valet parking which can be a huge plus if you have a car.

 

[MEGADAN]

Another important note on the DDE is that it applies to liquor too. So if you have wine with dinner it is pays for itself rather quickly. We've had ours for over 5 years.

 

[erikthewise]

The DDE card is worth getting if you are going to spend more than $300 in the next year at DDE-approved restaurants. First, I would say to make sure that Biergarten is on the list of approved restaurants. If it is, I would say you should get the card. We got ours, unfortunately after a dinner for 10 at Cape May where we could have paid for the card (the meal was over $300... ugh...) But we make enough trips to Disney that we have more than paid for the card by now. All Ears has a pretty updated list:

I would say $500 or more. Sure you break even with $300, but then what's the point? Likewise I wouldn't say it was really worth the trouble to of order and pay for it, and carry it with you and present it everywhere just to save $10-$20. That said, it's very likely it will pay off for you if you plan to spend a week or even less at WDW within a year, depending on your party size. (It's actually good for 13 months.)

Yes it is definitely good at Biergarten, and just about everywhere else for table service, plus a few counter service spots. Most notable omissions are the Swan/Dolphin restaurants, anywhere in the Japan pavilion, and Downtown Disney where it's only good at a few places.

 

[sunee]

Absolutely worth it for me.

 

[silverarrowknits]

I find it to be a great deal. The discount is on both food and drinks (including booze). This works out great for my Dad, because he likes to have a drink before and during dinner and alcohol can be expensive at WDW. In addition, I find that the discount lets me go to TS more than I normally do when I go solo, because the discount makes the TS places work within my budget.

With that said, it looks like you are going to break even with the one dinner (especially if some of the people in your group order speciality drinks). Also, right now the CS places at AK take the DDE since the only sit down place is RC.

 

[halld6479]

We got it for this trip and for our family gathering in Dec we have paid for it just in this trip. I will get it again when it is time I think. it saved us 30% on lunch at Fulton crab shack on just one meal.

 

[Maria311]

We have saved a lot of money with the card. We don't like to eat CS meals.
(With the DDP it the best way to ruin your day!!!! The lines are brutal.
Talk about a frustrating, appetite killing, nightmare!)
We have used it for several weekend trips and have just returned from a six night stay. This card has been a HUGE money saver for us. I would highly recommend that you give it a try. If you have time try and order the card in advance. Ours arrived in about 3 weeks.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We love the DDE card. It will generally pay for itself after about 3 meals for us.