New Owner with a DDE vs Dining Plan Question

[Pennykay]

Hello! We just purchased at AKV and we are so excited!! Anyway, we are trying to decide between the dining plan vs. getting the DDE card. We are a family of five (2 adults, and kids 13,6, and 2) We are going to be at Disney for 11 nights this year and five or more nights within the next year. We will eat one table service per day. We do have a glass of wine or two with some meals and I know that is also discounted on the DDE. Does anyone have any impute as the best way to go for us. Thank you!!!

 

[Chuck S]

It depends upon your normal dining habits. Remember, that with DDE you'd have to spend $300 before you actually save anything, as the card is $60 and $60 is 20% of $300. You'd also have to figure if you don't normally eat as much food as the DDP would allow, you really aren't saving anything, either.

For us, 2 adults traveling 2x a year, 9 to 10 days each trip, the DDE works best for us.

With your kids, you'll be payig an adult DDP price for your 13yo, again, it could be a saving if the 13yo is a big eater, but if they normally eat smaller meals, there won't be a savings.

 

[Pennykay]

Good points. The 13 yo is a skinny pre teen girl, so really, she isn't a big eater. We will have counter service for lunch at the parks. Hmmm....

 

[TDC Nala]

If it makes a difference to you: if you use DDE, an automatic gratuity of 18% should be added to your bill wherever you use it (except at the few counter service places that take DDE). If you are on the DDP, no auto gratuity since your party is fewer than 6 people. You'd have to pay your own tip, but you get to determine the amount.

 

[bounceliketigger]

I believe you have to be season pass holders to get DDE. In any event, last year we did both DDE & Dining Plan & made out like bandits. We used DDE when we didn't feel like it was worth it to use a DDP meal or when we had alcohol. In the latter case, we would have the drinks billed separately and used DDE for them.

 

[Pennykay]

Yes, we are going to be purchasing annual passes. Using both, this is an idea that I had not considered. Thanks!