New DDE Purchase Option

[psu4glory]

as info...just got off the phone with a DDE customer service rep. i have my AP exchange certificates and wanted to purchase the DDE card for my upcoming DEC trip to SSR. she said that beginning MONDAY, NOV 12, you'll have the option to purchase the DDE card DIRECTLY FROM GUEST RELATIONS on-the-spot at WDW.

this is great news...now those purchasing the DDE card do not have to do so 4-6 weeks in advance and - as a result - will be able to extend the expiration date on their card by 1-2 months (depending on timing). my card - if purchased at guest relations on 12/15/07 - will not expire until 1/31/09, as opposed to if i had ordered today from the DDE hotline, it would have expired on 12/31/08.

 

[LisaS]

this is great news...now those purchasing the DDE card do not have to do so 4-6 weeks in advance and - as a result - will be able to extend the expiration date on their card by 1-2 months (depending on timing). my card - if purchased at guest relations on 12/15/07 - will not expire until 1/31/09, as opposed to if i had ordered today from the DDE hotline, it would have expired on 12/31/08.

Are you sure about the expiration date being up to 13 months out when you buy on site? There have been other threads about being able to purchase the DDE at Guest Services now but this is the first time anyone has posted that if you buy on site, you will still get the extra month on the card.

I've always assumed the reason they added on that extra month when you order by phone is because it can take 3-4 weeks to get the card in the mail. When the card arrived, you still got your full 12 months of use. I have been expecting that if you buy the card on site, they wouldn't give you that extra month and that the expiration date would be 12 months from date of purchase, extended out to the end of that month.

 

[psu4glory]

Are you sure about the expiration date being up to 13 months out when you buy on site?

i specifically asked the CS rep 'If I buy at Guest Relations on 12/15, what will be the expiration?' - to which she replied '1/31/09'...i am assuming that she knew the details of the new process. that could be a bad assumption

 

[LisaS]

i specifically asked the CS rep 'If I buy at Guest Relations on 12/15, what will be the expiration?' - to which she replied '1/31/09'...i am assuming that she knew the details of the new process. that could be a bad assumption

I'm just pleasantly surprised!! It sounds like the folks at Guest Services will be accessing the same system to order the card so the expiration date will be calculated the same as if you ordered by phone. What a great deal!! Thanks for the clarification.

 

[sznk]

I just confirmed a few more details with a DDE phone rep.
She confirmed that starting on 11/12/07, DDE is available at any Guest Relations location at the Parks and Downtown Disney. This includes the "back entrance" of Epcot. It cannot be purchased at any of the Resorts or Villas.
The DDE card will be given immediately, and it will expire the same as if done over the phone. For example, if you get it between 11/12 and 12/03/07, it expires 12/31/08; if you get it between 12/04/07 and 01/07/08, it expires 01/31/09, etc.

 

[BCV23]

Lisa, I'm pleasantly surprised too. I actually thought it likely that DDE purchased on site would expire in 365 days like APs.

Thanks for more info, psu4glory...and go Blue!

 

[Donald is #1]

Awesome!

 

[jekjones1558]

Darn. Wish I had known. I just ordered mine on the phone Monday, with a temporary card to be picked up Sunday, Nov. 11. It would have been lots easier to just pick up the card on Monday!

 

[ntsammy5]

i am assuming that she knew the details of the new process. that could be a bad assumption

 

[NCRedding]

The only part I hate about this: the first time I purchased the DDE, I picked up a temporary "letter" at guest services when I arrived at WDW--I had a TERRIBLE time getting the CMs at most restaurants to use it--almost every restaurant we ate had to redo the check because they neglected the discount. It really made for some frustration.

 

[granmanh603]

The only part I hate about this: the first time I purchased the DDE, I picked up a temporary "letter" at guest services when I arrived at WDW--I had a TERRIBLE time getting the CMs at most restaurants to use it--almost every restaurant we ate had to redo the check because they neglected the discount. It really made for some frustration.

I just purchased mine on the phone in Oct(around 10th) and picked the temporary card up and it is a nice little card with name and DDE gold sticker on it and I had no trouble using it for 3 weeks....no one questioned it, everything went smooth and the expiration on that was 12/31/07

 

[psu4glory]

The only part I hate about this: the first time I purchased the DDE, I picked up a temporary "letter" at guest services when I arrived at WDW--I had a TERRIBLE time getting the CMs at most restaurants to use it--almost every restaurant we ate had to redo the check because they neglected the discount. It really made for some frustration.

NCRedding...i'm pretty sure that with the change being put in place on MONDAY, there will no longer be a need for 'temporary DDE letters'. anyone with an AP will be able to walk up to guest relations at any time, purchase a DDE card on the spot, and receive the actual DDE plastic 'credit card' right then...

 

[jekjones1558]

I just purchased mine on the phone in Oct(around 10th) and picked the temporary card up and it is a nice little card with name and DDE gold sticker on it and I had no trouble using it for 3 weeks....no one questioned it, everything went smooth and the expiration on that was 12/31/07

Thanks for this info!

 

[LisaS]

According to this email I received from the DDE team, the cards issued at Guest Relations will be paper, similar to the paper APs. I bolded that info in the text below:

Greetings from the Disney Dining Experience Team!

As 2008 quickly approaches, you will begin to see some exciting new developments for the Disney Dining Experience Membership Program. You asked and we listened! Effective November 11, 2007, you will no longer have to wait 3 - 6 weeks to receive your permanent membership card(s).

Guest Relations locations at Epcot., MAGIC KINGDOM. Park, DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM. Theme Park, Disney-MGM Studios, DOWNTOWN DISNEY. West Side, and DOWNTOWN DISNEY. Marketplace will now be able to print permanent Disney Dining Experience membership cards for immediate use. This service is designed for existing and new members. Cards produced at the Guest Relations locations will be printed on paper stock similar to the annual pass tickets.

The Disney Dining Experience office will still be available to take applications for current and new members, via the phone, fax or mail for those who do not want to take advantage of the in-park service. Membership cards ordered through the Disney Dining Experience office will be received within 2 - 3 weeks of purchase.

All Guests who have ordered their Disney Dining Experience membership cards prior to November 11, 2007 date will have to pickup their temporary cards at the main entrance Epcot. Guest Relations. Your permanent card will be sent through the mail and arrive in 3-4 weeks from the date of purchase.

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World. Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!


The Disney Dining Experience Team


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Dining Location


Tutto Italia Ristorante, in the Italian Pavilion at Epcot. is now a participating Disney Dining Experience location. The casual-elegant restaurant features handmade mozzarella and pasta, Italian regional specialties and wonderful breads and pastries. Tutto Italia Ristorante location is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Please note that L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Restaurant is no longer operating at the Italian Pavilion.

 

[sznk]

According to this email I received from the DDE team, the cards issued at Guest Relations will be paper, similar to the paper APs. ...
Greetings from the Disney Dining Experience Team! ...

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World. Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size.
The Disney Dining Experience Team ...

I am baffled at how they can add 18% at all food and beverage locations! I can almost understand it for table-service dining, but I hope that 18% doesn't include counter service!
I believe that a good server deserves a good tip, but not all servers provide great service. I know that if I don't receive excellent service, I will be strongly requesting that a manager reduce the gratuity on my bill to fit my opinion of the level of service. I presume I'm not alone...

I also wonder how much of the 18% actually goes to the people who are providing the service (server, busser, etc.) and how much is being kept by the management

 

[kdzgon]

Are you sure about the expiration date being up to 13 months out when you buy on site? There have been other threads about being able to purchase the DDE at Guest Services now but this is the first time anyone has posted that if you buy on site, you will still get the extra month on the card.

I've always assumed the reason they added on that extra month when you order by phone is because it can take 3-4 weeks to get the card in the mail. When the card arrived, you still got your full 12 months of use. I have been expecting that if you buy the card on site, they wouldn't give you that extra month and that the expiration date would be 12 months from date of purchase, extended out to the end of that month.

I suspect we are in a transitional phase and if/when the new procedures are tested and running smoothly I fully expect to see the expiration date change either to expiring on the last day of the 12th month or exactly one year later a la APs.

 

[starwood]

18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size.

Wasn't this the excuse used for eliminating the gratuity from the DDP? They said people wanted the flexibility to add their own gratuity based on service received.

 

[Scotch]

as info...just got off the phone with a DDE customer service rep. i have my AP exchange certificates and wanted to purchase the DDE card for my upcoming DEC trip to SSR. she said that beginning MONDAY, NOV 12, you'll have the option to purchase the DDE card DIRECTLY FROM GUEST RELATIONS on-the-spot at WDW.

this is great news...now those purchasing the DDE card do not have to do so 4-6 weeks in advance and - as a result - will be able to extend the expiration date on their card by 1-2 months (depending on timing). my card - if purchased at guest relations on 12/15/07 - will not expire until 1/31/09, as opposed to if i had ordered today from the DDE hotline, it would have expired on 12/31/08.

It sounds like you plan on using the DDE for the later half of December? Are you aware that DDE has extended the period it considers a "holiday" around Xmas -- the blackout period when DDE discounts cannot be applied -- to cover December 15, 2007 through January 5, 2008? You may want to doublecheck on this if the dates cover your trip dates. I first read about this months ago on the restaurant board -- back then it was a rumor. But yesterday when I was making my final ADRs with WDW-DINE, I asked the CM what the holiday blackout dates were this year and those were the dates she gave me. Since it covers my entire trip, DDE is out for us so we're probably going to buy the Dining Plan (and enjoy it for the last time given the pricey changes going into effect starting 2008).

 

[Daggett]

I am baffled at how they can add 18% at all food and beverage locations! I can almost understand it for table-service dining, but I hope that 18% doesn't include counter service!
I believe that a good server deserves a good tip, but not all servers provide great service. I know that if I don't receive excellent service, I will be strongly requesting that a manager reduce the gratuity on my bill to fit my opinion of the level of service. I presume I'm not alone...

I also wonder how much of the 18% actually goes to the people who are providing the service (server, busser, etc.) and how much is being kept by the management

I recieved this email yesterday:

Dear Daggett,
Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.
This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.

If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.
Thank you,
The Disney Dining Experience Team

 

[nzdisneymom]

Thanks for posting this ... our DDE card expired in September and we had a short weekend in October and I sure missed that % off when we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern. We're going again in December, so I'll be sure to get our card then from Guest Relations.