New AP perk - Disney Dining Experience

[26555]

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?

I agree, I think you have to be APholder and can pay 50 to get it OR be a FL resident and pay 75 for it. I think they have opened up this FL perk to passholders, not everyone. I'm sure a lot of DDE FL residents are also APholders but DDE was available when lots of FL residents made a trip a year out of the 4Play so they didn't have the AP requirement.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Thank you all so much for the terrific information!!

I just called my husband to tell him about it and said it doesn't cover counter service and he laughed and said "Honey, you are all about the sit down restaurant."

Now if they would just cover room service.

 

[zulaya]

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??

This just started January 2

 

[26555]

Thank you all so much for the terrific information!!

I just called my husband to tell him about it and said it doesn't cover counter service and he laughed and said "Honey, you are all about the sit down restaurant."

Now if they would just cover room service.

What happens is you end up deciding its a better deal to sit down at 20% off than to do counter service with no discount (or at least its more comparable so makes sense to do the sit down). Now if they could just leave some of the restaurants open later. I wanted a 7pm dinner reservation at Plaza but they close at 4:50 when the park closes at 9pm (not EMH, regular 9pm close).

 

[Tess]

I have just a question or two about DDE. I am a PAP holder although a non-Floridian. This is a great perk for those of us who hold APs, but aren't living in Florida. I'm really not clear on the whole DDE thing, so before I spend the $50 (which BTW, will pay for itself very quickly) I want to be sure I'm clear on the benefits.

Does the 20% include alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages? I know the 10% AP discount (M-F @ lunch) excludes alcohol and it clearly states that in the sleeve. I noticed there is no such exclusion under the DDE portion of benefits--it simply says food and beverages.

Also, I see there are a number of lounges listed as offering the DDE 20% discount. I'm guessing that means you will receive a 20% on cocktails and/or appetizers puchased in the lounges--is that the case? If so, between my husband and I on a 14 day jaunt--we'll have some savings there too!

I do not see a limitation on days of the week for DDE, unlike the 10% AP discount--is the 20% available all 7 days, all day?

Thanks for the heads up on this offer. I wouldn't have seen it until I picked up my new sleeve in June and then it would have been too late!

 

[salbythec]

I was going to buy vouchers this morning but after reading the posts will now get the DDE! Our trip is in April should I get it now?

 

[zulaya]

The only limitations to DDE is that you can't use it on major US holidays.

I have been on hold for about 40 minutes now. I can only imagine how long I will be on here if they only have one person working the phones.

 

[DVCconvert]

Does the 20% include alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages?

yes.

a number of lounges listed as offering the DDE 20% discount. I'm guessing that means you will receive a 20% on cocktails and/or appetizers puchased in the lounges--is that the case?

yes.

--is the 20% available all 7 days, all day?

no. Certain restrictions may apply during holidays and special events. Check with the restaurant when you make your PS

HTH

 

[Grumpy92]

We have had this card since its creation. Alcoholic drinks are included in the discount, as well as the discount for a party as large as 6. Rumor has it that has been uped to 10 but have not seen anything official yet. You also receive free valet parking at the resorts if you dine there. Just present the DDE to the valet when you leave. Special parking at EC is also avail.

There are no limitations as to days, holidays or mealtimes. We have used it on several thanks and xmas dinners. We have used it on other holidays as well nor does it say anything about holiday use on the info they send you with the card. A cm always told me it is best to ask when you make your PS, just in case. The only limitations are on party size and location. Non Disney owned restaurants are not included. So it is not useful at any of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants, or many of the DTD locations.

The price is $75. But if you have a AP it is $70. If you are renewing it is $60.
Here is the official site: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/passholder/offerDetail?id=FLSODiningExperienceDetailPage

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

It does take a few weeks to receive the card after you order it. But if you are going sooner they can fax you a letter that you can use for your visit. i have done this too and had no problem.

 

[Tess]

Great information and speedy answers! Grumpy92, the new 2005 sleeve of the AP gives a discount of $25 off the DDE--that makes it a bargain at $50! The party size has been increased to 10 as well--both tidbits I found early on in this post I believe--or maybe it was a different post about the same topic! Anyway--it looks as if this will be a great deal for our family of 4 (two teens who eat adult entrees). We will definitely add some evening meals at the better restaurants now!

Thanks again!

 

[KathleenFL]

"...20% discount on all food and beverages ..."

FYI: The DDE program includes alcoholic drinks.....it's the only discount program that I know that includes them, which is a nice perk for adults.....I've had the DDE for years (they've always offered it to FLa. residents); Since I go to WDW often, & eat at sit-down restaurants, I've saved money.....
The break-even for $50 cost would be $250 -- If you plan on spending more than that at the participating restaurants, it's well worth it....

Here's an easy way to figure tip, at 20% -- Ask for the original bill, also .. before the discount.. If you just pay that amount, it includes the tip.....

 

[cobbler]

I am soo going to get me one of these, my birthday is around the corner and with my birthday money . . . well you get the picture

 

[Grumpy92]

Ok I looked again Here are the holidays that are prohibited. They just changed this a few months ago. Each year they take off a few restaurants and now the holidays. Have to see how this year goes when we go to renew again.

Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, December 24, December 25, December 31 and January 1.

 

[aubriee]

I ordered mine yesterday and they are $50.00 and she made a point of saying it included alcoholic beverages and said several people had asked that, so she was just telling everybody. Some holidays are excluded, but she said alot of the individual restaraunts would accept them anyway on holidays and it was up to each restaraunt. She said you would need to spend about $250.00 to break even, but hey that will be easy enough on just one trip. Oh be prepared to be on hold for a LONG!!! time. I was on hold for just a few minutes short of an hour. She said they're getting alot of orders right now and it will take 5-6 weeks to get them, but since I'm leaving this Sunday she e-mailed me a memorandum of purchase that is good through Feb 28, 2005. Oh she also said that unlike APs these will be due for renewal Jan 31, 2006 regardless of which month you purchase them. I ordered them around 9:00 yesterday morning (started calling as soon as they opened), but didn't get my e-mail until around 7:00pm.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Clarification Question if anyone else calls.

"Oh she also said that unlike APs these will be due for renewal Jan 31, 2006 regardless of which month you purchase them."

So, waiting till closer to my trip wouldn't matter since they all expire at the same time, not based on when I buy it?

 

[jcemom]

Oh she also said that unlike APs these will be due for renewal Jan 31, 2006 regardless of which month you purchase them.

Someone else, earlier in this thread, was told that if you ordered next week, the renewal would be the end of February 2006.

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

 

[DizBelle]

Clarification Question if anyone else calls.

"Oh she also said that unlike APs these will be due for renewal Jan 31, 2006 regardless of which month you purchase them."

So, waiting till closer to my trip wouldn't matter since they all expire at the same time, not based on when I buy it?

And the people who buy theirs in December really get screwed. Something's not right with this...

 

[liznboys]

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.

Has anyone else been told this?? Seems like it would make sense to wait till next week to call for it if that extends the expiration by a month. ??

 

[lovethattink]

I've been on hold for 40 minutes. I bought a 250 min phone card, hopefully won't be waiting that long!! Guess this perk will be a bit more $ 'til we add up our time on the phone.

 

[EEyorelover22]

lovethattink,

Since you're on hold, can you ask about the expiration date.

Does it expire one year from the date of issue?

or

Do all the cards expire Jan 06?