Is it worth it to do DDE and DDP?

[shortypots]

Hubby and I are going in Dec and planning on getting an annual pass and debating on the DDE. We are planning on getting the DDP for our trip in Dec, but future trips in May and Oct probably won't get it due to the reduction in value of the 2008 DDP. Is it worth it for us to do DDE as well? I figure if it works on drinks too, it is probably worth it, but wanted to get opinions.

I should mention that we are staying in OKW on an exchange so we would be getting the plan through DVC. Can you get the plan without a MYW pass?

 

[shortypots]

bump

 

[BCV23]

The easy part first: staying at OKW on an exchange you should be able to do the DDP just as an owner can with no ticket requirement at all. I've never done an exchange but someone else posted about it. Dean on the DVC boards probably can confirm but I know I read that.

As for doing DDE and DDP, we do both on some trips. But we prefer TS meals so do some OOP even on the DDP. We also have 3-6 adults dining at once and most of us enjoy wine with dinner.

Since you have two future trips planned, DDE will probably work very well for you if you dine at mostly TS and enjoy adult beverages. Remember that you won't realize any savings until you recoup the cost of the DDE membership at the $325 mark.

 

[shortypots]

Since they have changed the dining plans so drastically for next year, we will probably just go OOP for food for the next trip in May. I was just wondering if it makes sense to get the plan when we get the tickets. Sounds like it will. Of course, with the folks I am going with, we could easily drink $325 worth of alchoholic or specialty drinks!

 

[Tricia1972]

We got both the DDP and the DDE for our trip last April, we had two more trips coming up within the year. Knowing we could use it for adult beverages, as well as for a 20% discount at Victoria & Alberts made it worthwhile for us.

Currently, you can also use the DDE for a discount at CS locations at Animal Kingdom. I don't know if that will change with the opening of the new Tusker House buffet.

 

[wilma-bride]

Remember that you won't realize any savings until you recoup the cost of the DDE membership at the $325 mark.

Sorry if I'm being dense here but how is the $325 cost worked out please?

 

[Tricia1972]

Sorry if I'm being dense here but how is the $325 cost worked out please?

If you spend $325 out of pocket, and receive a 20% discount on that amount, it will equal $65 (the cost of the DDE)

 

[wilma-bride]

If you spend $325 out of pocket, and receive a 20% discount on that amount, it will equal $65 (the cost of the DDE)

Oh right - I was being dense

 

[paulh]

you have to have an annual pas to get a dde card,so factor that price in as well.If staying dvc to get ddp it has to be added at least 5 days prior to arivel
Paulh

 

[BCV23]

No, the DDP just has to be added prior to check in.

I don't think DDE is accepted at all AK CS....just a few.

shortypots, the DDE will make sense for alcoholic beverages for this trip and for OOP meals on your trips next year if you will be dining at TS or the few CS places that accept it.

But if you just spend $325 total, you will not have saved anything at all.

Sorry if this is repetitive but I was confused with your second post...buying a plan and tickets?

Paul, they were already planning on APs.

 

[Tricia1972]

I just looked up DDE and Animal Kingdom, it's accepted at the following CS locations

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Tusker House Restaurant (which is now closed)
Pizzafari
Flame Tree Barbecue
Restaurantosaurus

I can't think of any other CS locations at AK, but I must admit that AK isn't my favorite CS park.
[/FONT]

 

[BCV23]

I just looked up DDE and Animal Kingdom, it's accepted at the following CS locations

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Tusker House Restaurant (which is now closed)
Pizzafari
Flame Tree Barbecue
Restaurantosaurus

I can't think of any other CS locations at AK, but I must admit that AK isn't my favorite CS park.
[/FONT]

Yes, it is accepted at those. But not at the various kiosks and stands. I've read of people being surprised they couldn't use DDE to get a coke or ice cream, etc..

 

[Tricia1972]

Yes, it is accepted at those. But not at the various kiosks and stands. I've read of people being surprised they couldn't use DDE to get a coke or ice cream, etc..

Ah, I see. People are confusing actual Counter Service locations with kiosks and stands.

 

[BCV23]

Ah, I see. People are confusing actual Counter Service locations with kiosks and stands.

Yep, I guess. Although to me they are all counter service since I walk to a counter, order and am served. But then I would not expect to be able to use DDE at the kiosks.

I guess the key is to look at the list.

And of course there is speculation that DDE will not be allowed at the others once Tusker House opens as a buffet. Has there been any confirmation of that BTW?

 

[Tricia1972]

Yep, I guess. Although to me they are all counter service since I walk to a counter, order and am served. But then I would not expect to be able to use DDE at the kiosks.

I guess the key is to look at the list.

And of course there is speculation that DDE will not be allowed at the others once Tusker House opens as a buffet. Has there been any confirmation of that BTW?

I agree!

I don't know about once Tusker House opens. I have not heard any official word, just speculation.

(my own personal speculation would be that DDE would be only available at Tusker House, but I hope that I would be wrong)

 

[clkelley]

I agree!

I don't know about once Tusker House opens. I have not heard any official word, just speculation.

(my own personal speculation would be that DDE would be only available at Tusker House, but I hope that I would be wrong)

I would agree with you on that one, as it seems that the only places the DDE is good for counter service is when sit down service is not available, (AK, All-Stars, Pop Century, POFQ).

Another question I have, Yak and Yeti is part of the Landry's Group, right?? So will the Rainforest Cafe Club perks apply there??

 

[shortypots]

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse everyone.

What I was trying to say is that we (4 adults) are staying on an exchange to OKW for a 1bd, therefore we will not be buying the MYW tickets. However, since we have planned two more trips there in the next year, we figured we would buy the Annual passes and get our money's worth out of it. (Apparently, the annual pass is the equivalent to 11 days in the park, which is not a problem with 2 trips, and bonus for 3 trips!)

We love the TS restaurants in DW and thought it would be worth it for the DDE for this purpose. We figured we would get the dining plan while it is still pretty good this year, but figured we would get the DDE anyway to cover the discount on the drinks for this first trip, and everything else on the 2 other trips. And like I mentioned before, we are going with a couple of folks that can drink quite a bit, so I think we could easily spend $325 on our first trip because it is good for up to 10 people in the party.

Sounds to me like I am making the right decision by going with both. My only problem is narrowing down the restaurants. Our trip in May is for our anniversary, so need to find a nice place that accepts DDE for our special dinner.

 

[Tricia1972]

....Our trip in May is for our anniversary, so need to find a nice place that accepts DDE for our special dinner.

We used the DDE for our dinner at Victoria and Albert's for our anniversary celebration. It was fantastic!!

 

[BCV23]

We used the DDE for our dinner at Victoria and Albert's for our anniversary celebration. It was fantastic!!

We've done that our last two anniversaries as well. Three anniversaries in all but only two since APers could join DDE. Such a romantic place to celebrate.

Sounds like both DDP and DDE will work great for you, shortypots.

 

[shortypots]

Hubby is telling me I can only have 1 expensive adventure on each trip, so for May it is either the Dive in Epcot or V&A... hmmm, decisions decisions... I guess I will have to wait and see how I like the dive in Dec.