New AP perk - Disney Dining Experience

[heidica]

So WDW LOVR the information you were given sounds like you don't even need an AP to get the DDE, only to get the discount for paying for the DDE? Does that sound right to everyone else? We will be eating at enough sit-down restaurants on our June trip to be able to save a significant amount of $$ with the DDE even if I had to pay the $75. With the changes in tickets, I am I still not 100% sure about buying an AP. Already got a killer discount at AKL without an AP, so if I can get a DDE without an AP, I would be really interested in doing that.

 

[WDW LOVR]

You need the AP to get the discounted price of $50 only. I asked the CM how they would verify I had an AP without my giving them the code on the back and she said they have the AP name database that they verify against. So to answer your question, no, you would not need the AP to to get the benefits of the DDE. It would just take you a little longer to recoup the cost.

What I don't know is if the DDE is restricted to Fla residents and AP holders only. Anyone??

 

[goofy4tink]

I was under the assumption that you would have to have a valid, activated AP to show, along with the DDE card when you eat in order to get the 20% off. But, I could have misunderstood. Heaven knows, that's happened before!!!

 

[WDW LOVR]

Goofy, I specifically asked that since we don't know if we will renew our AP's in June and the CM told me that once we purchased the DDE "that will be the only card you'll need to show to get the discount". I asked again based on others posts on these boards and she said once you purchase the card that's all you need.

What I'm not sure about is if they check the AP database to verify you have one before allowing you to purchase one (as the CM told me) how are the people with vouchers getting them? You don't give them your name when you purchase a voucher at the Disney store?

 

[lenshanem]

When I called earlier today I was never asked about my AP. I only told her I was calling to get the AP deal on the card.
But, later I did ask her that if my AP expired in June could I still use it until next January and I was told yes.

Also, I did receive my email confirmation later today. (I was worrying!)

Now about the rude...
I had asked the kind woman at DDE if my already existing PSs for February and my already paid deposit for CRT for April needed to have DDE noted on them. She didn't know and told me to call WDW DINE.

So a little while ago I called WDW DINE. The CM told me I only had to show my card when we arrived at the restaurant, we did not need to mention it on our PSs. But, when I asked about CRT and my deposit, she told me we do not get a discount there. When I told her I thought I saw it listed, she replied - If anybody's gonna get a discount there it would be me and I don't get one, so NO. They NEVER give discounts there. And she said it VERY SNIPPY! I asked her to look and she came back and said yes, you do get a discount. I then asked her about applying the discount and she said to show it when we go. Think I need to call back and ask someone else to make sure???

 

[Luv2Roam]

I would just show the card when ordering. I have never had it noted on a PS we have a DDE card. And I do not think it would matter.
If you had to pay in full, I would guess they would not credit anything without seeing the card.

 

[lenshanem]

OK, that makes sense Luv2Roam.

So I guess they'll just take the 20% off the total bill at CRT, then minus the deposit we already paid???

 

[EpcotBill]

I called this morning for the DDE. I told the CM that I just bought my AP voucher 2 weeks ago. She just said that was OK and took my application over the phone. She didn't even ask me for any numbers on the receipt or anything. So that blows the "they check the AP database theory". I got my email confirmation about an hour ago.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

This is great news! We're going back in May (our 4th trip on these AP's yay!) and this is definately something that we'd be interested in. I haven't EVER been able to get onto the passholder site, don't know why, it always says my number is invalid or something, so I didn't know anything about this until now. Thanks everyone!

 

[Terry S]

Shan, there was no excuse for rudeness. As far as CRT goes I have asked that question on a thread today and was told yes there is a discount at CRT. The reason I asked was that my CM id does not work for a discount at CRT and apparantly the DDE card does work there. I am sure this is what the CM was referring to and was surprised that the DDE card works when a CM ID does not. Maybe she had been there recently and was upset when her ID didn't work for the discount. This also applies at Beaches and Creme. The do not give CM's 20% off there buy from what I understand the DDE card does work there!

 

[Luv2Roam]

My understanding with WDW CM's anyway, is they get a discount on lunch, but not dinner. (Don't know about breakfast for CMs.)
So maybe anything *special* Disney figures goes to the guests to make their trip magical. before their employees.

 

[EEyorelover22]

So, since there are two cards with each membership and DH and I only have one AP between us, he could get the discount if we were together when we ate?

 

[BoCat]

I called this morning from two different phones-finally got through-just to ask questions. I was told that if i ordered the dde card this week it would show an expiration date of 1/06--But if i ordered the card next week the expiration date would be 2/06--That works for me--I think i will order the card next week since IF WE GET TO GO we'll be going in February.

 

[jcemom]

You must show your activated AP with usage. I saw other threads where people are getting confirmation letters to use since they have upcoming trips. You might want to call the number and order now and hopefully speak to a human.

Here's the info from the passholder website.

Dining Discounts
Discounts are valid for purchases made by the Passholder only and valid Pass ID is required for redemption.
Disney Dining Experience
Receive $25 off the regular price of the Disney Dining Experience Membership.

Benefits include:

20% discount on all food and beverages at over 70 participating Resort hotel and Theme Park restaurants (discount is valid for a party of up to 10 Guests).
Resort and Theme Park parking for dining purposes
Invitations to special member-only food and wine events, winemaker dinners and celebrity chef dinners
And more!
Call (407) 566-5858† (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. E.S.T.) for more information or to purchase your annual membership at the Passholder price of $50. The Disney Dining Experience Membership card is not accepted on holidays, including New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Mother's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Once you order your Disney Dining Experience membership card, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.

Ok, so some of you have been told that you DO NOT need to have an AP to use your DDE card? That's not how I'm understanding this. It says:

Discounts are valid for purchases made by the Passholder only and valid Pass ID is required for redemption.

Sounds like you need to actually HAVE an AP to me. Maybe, as with everything else, some CMs don't know for sure how this works yet?

 

[EEyorelover22]

jcemom,
I agree that you have to be an AP holder. Otherwise, why would Disney do this for everyone? Perhaps wrong info just like wrong info coming out of CRO at times since 2005 started and all the changes.

I was thinking either DH or I could use it, but I am thinking "no" now.

Why would they give you 2 cards though?

 

[DebbieB]

So, since there are two cards with each membership and DH and I only have one AP between us, he could get the discount if we were together when we ate?

If you were together, you both would get the discount. It's good for up to 10 people on one check. Only 1 person needs the card. I've dined with Florida Residents who had DDE in the past, they were able to get the discount for everyone (on one check). One time we had a large group with 2 Florida Residents with DDE cards, they split us up into 2 checks so everyone could get the discount and not go over the limit.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I posted that question wrong...it should have said if we WERE NOT together, he couldn't get the discount alone since only I have the AP.

 

[Luv2Roam]

DH and I each have a DDE card. We each have PAP's.
I paid the DDE card fee, but received two cards.
I am assuming the two cards is in case there are two adults in the same household. That way we are not having to reply on the other having to be there with one card.
I just think it is similar to a AAA or Sam's Club card. You normally get two.

What will be nice for vacationers is if the trip coincides with the DDE special meals. We have not attended any, as they are pretty steep in price and we are not wine people.
But visiting guests should be lucky enough to sometime have the option to attend one of these special gourmet meals for DDE holders only. I have heard they sell out fast even now.

 

[Rozzie]

Anyone know how long it takes to get their email???

they emailed us in about one business day

 

[debm]

This has peaked my interest because we have a FL resident annual pass and I had never heard of the DDE before this fall. We will be in the parks at the end of the week so I called about 2 weeks ago to get my DDE card. My understanding was that whatever number I called it was the only person working there. She said, "it's just me--so if you have a question call back." My email confirmation was sent within 5 minutes. She didn't even take my AP number or anything. Just my address. I mentioned the AP because it said if you have one you get it for $70 rather than $75. Now people are getting them for $50??!!!?? I'm a wee bit upset she didn't tell me. I wonder if this just changed in January? I called on Dec. 22nd. Anyone happen to know if I can get it for $50 instead??