NO DDE for everyone??!!

[dislvr75]

What is going on here? I just called DDE (1/26/05 8:45am central) to inquire about getting a card, she told me it is ONLY available to Florida Residents and AP and Seasonal Pass holders. She said it was unfortunate that it was being reported as being open to everyone on a few "un-official" disney websites. So what's the real story, are people gettting upset over nothing??? Has ANYONE out there been successful in getting a DDE card WITHOUT meeting one of the above criteria??? Did I happen to get someone at DDE who didn't know what she was talking about or is everyone here and also on allearsnet wrong?????


Please someone, anyone, what's the deal? DDE for anyone or not?

 

[daisy112878]

There was a thread the other day with people who got them. I would call back. She must not have known the new info.

Here's a link to the thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=723758

 

[Cuddlemama]

I purchased the DDE yesterday. I am not an AP holder or Florida resident.

The CM on the phone said specifically..."The charge is $50 for Annual Passholders and $75 for non-passholders. Do you own an Annual Pass? Would you be interested in purchasing an Annual Pass?"

I said no to both and she completed the transaction,thanked me for trying the Disney Dining Experience, wished me luck on my upcoming trip and sent me my email of good standing, which arrived about 10 minutes after the phone call.

~Leigh

 

[26555]

The original post on the allears site I saw specifically said the FL resident perk had now been opened up to passholders. I do not think it was intended to be for non-residents who do not have passes. The dining package options are available to MYW ticketholders. DDE is for passholders. A non-passholder non-resident may figure out a way to obtain one but they should not be surprised if at least some of the time they are checked for annual passes and not able to use it. They would be taking a chance just like poolhoppers who hope they don't get "carded".

 

[Terry S]

I was talking to a person at DDE two days ago and I specifically asked "this is only for Florida residents and AP hoders correct?" and she told me no it is open to anyone now. I mentioned to her that the recording only said Florida residents or AP holders and she said knew about that but it was incorrect and they were going to be changing that. So I confirmed again to her that those not living in Florida and those that do not have an AP can still get the DDE card, they just have to pay $75 and she said that was correct.

26555. If you look on Debs Site now http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm it does say it is open to everyone!

 

[dislvr75]

I hear what you're saying Terry S, I even called again, 10 minutes ago, and got another CM who said again, NO, this DDE card is only available to Florida residents, AP and seasonal pass holders. She even said they check the computer to see if in fact you are a pass holder when you request the card. Even if I were lucky enough to find a CM with "other, new" information, I'm afraid they may ask for my pass at the restaurant and I won't have one!!! Then I'm out $75 and no way to verify my entitlement to the card. If I say, well a CM sold it to me, and I didn't lie when I purchased it, that may not be enough.

I am very disappointed with the way Disney has handled this. It's one thing for there to be a rumor, where bad info gets passed around. THAT they have no control over. But to have so many people saying that they got a DDE card and were told its now open to everyone is just not fair. Congrats to those who have managed to get them but c'mon Disney, have some rules and be consistent.

 

[BCV23]

You know I think it is how you read the allears page. It says it is open to people who live outside of FL now but it does not say it is open to everyone who lives outside of FL. In other words, it is open to people who live outside of FL and have APs but perhaps not to those who don't?? The paragraph explicitly says it is now open to those with APs but doesn't mention those who don't. General membership could still refer to those FL residents who don't have APs. Who knows?

Also mousesavers lists it as a benefit for AP or FL residents.

But how to explain the different experiences everyone is having?

 

[Terry S]

Wow! I agree that Disney really needs to get thier act together sometimes. I didn't not order the card at the time I was talking because we don't go to WDW until April and the CM I was talking to convinced me not to order at the time, but I am also an AP holder so it is really not an issue, but if I was not an AP holder and I didn't order at the time and called back to order it and got someone who told me that I couldn't I would be asking for a supervisor.

 

[26555]

Also mousesavers lists it as a benefit for AP or FL residents.

But how to explain the different experiences everyone is having?

DDE was a really small staff, I bet there was a lot of confusion early on and they are inforcing the correct interpretation now. My guess anyway........ Obviously, no one who was told they could order one and did so have done anything wrong. But I think since the CMs are saying what they are saying now ........ its a FL resident and Passholder perk.

 

[drumflower]

Can anyone official verify this? Is it true? Can I a non season passholder and non resident get a DDE card?

 

[BCV23]

DDE was a really small staff, I bet there was a lot of confusion early on and they are inforcing the correct interpretation now. My guess anyway........ Obviously, no one who was told they could order one and did so have done anything wrong. But I think since the CMs are saying what they are saying now ........ its a FL resident and Passholder perk.

That is sort of what I thought too. Actually my guess was that there was a new hire(s) to meet the increased demand and the training didn't quite "take." But I also feel badly for anyone who had their hopes up. There was one poster though who I thought might have been trying to mislead people.....not on this thread and certainly not Terry.

But then I think I'm starting to develop a jaundiced view of a few posters....too much time on the DIS for me, I guess.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I feel bad for those who bought the card with the info directly from the CM at DDE for $75 who said they don't have to have an annual pass or be a FL resident and now they cannot use it. I would be very unhappy. I'm glad I waited on this one. A CM at CRO already messed up my tickets

 

[daisy112878]

I'm kindof upset now. I talked my DH into going to V&A on our next trip b/c I was going to get this card. And I told my Dad about it (he's DVC) and he was all excited b/c when we all go he usually takes us (6 adults and 2 kids) out to dinner two or three times. He was excited it was going to save him some money. I have to go break the news to him. I knew I should have called last week for it.

 

[drumflower]

I was going to buy the DDE this afternoon! I was excited once again after all the BS that was going on from Nov. until now about the dining plan. I swear I am going to have a nervous breakdown complements of Disney! Now I can't have the discount!!!!! What is going to be next? What about all the people who did get the DDE and now they are not allowed? Is Disney going to let those people know or just let them hang themselves the park? I am getting so upset about this!

 

[aubriee]

I ordered the DDE for my Jan 9th-Jan 15th trip, just a few days before I left. They asked if I had an AP and I told them 'yes, but it had not been validated yet'. She said no problem, but I would have to have my AP validated before I could use the DDE. Late that afternoon I got the e-mail saying I was a member of DDE in good standing. She knew I wouldn't be in the computer as an AP holder since my AP hadn't been activated yet. When I went to WDW, I showed them my letter and they asked for my driver's license. Only one place (CP I think) asked to see my AP. There were a several waiters ( at WCC, Hollywood & Vine, CRT, and CP) though who took my DDE letter and said they would have to ask their managers, because the DDE card has to be run through their computer and they didn't know how to do it with a letter. I did not have any trouble using it however.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Has anyone that is not a FL resident or AP holder received their card in the mail yet? If so what does it look like? Seems to me if Disney sold them to you even if you are neither of the 2 they should still allow you to use it. If its a card that gives your name I don't see how anyone will know where you live or is you have an AP. Good luck to all

Shirley

 

[ducklite]

I would imagine it will work like it has in the past, The name on the card is verified against the name on the FL Drivers License or the back of the Annual Pass. If neither is a match, the discount will not be allowed.

Anne

 

[eeyore0062]

What is going on here? I just called DDE (1/26/05 8:45am central) to inquire about getting a card, she told me it is ONLY available to Florida Residents and AP and Seasonal Pass holders. She said it was unfortunate that it was being reported as being open to everyone on a few "un-official" disney websites. So what's the real story, are people gettting upset over nothing??? Has ANYONE out there been successful in getting a DDE card WITHOUT meeting one of the above criteria??? Did I happen to get someone at DDE who didn't know what she was talking about or is everyone here and also on allearsnet wrong?????


Please someone, anyone, what's the deal? DDE for anyone or not?

It was never open to everyone, evidently. When I went on the official site and put in DDE, it took me right over to the AP site and asked if I was an AP holder or a Florida resident (we are both). It has been very confusing with all of the information on other sites. I am wondering if the information they were sent was misinterpreted? That is why I went to the official site.

Has anyone that is not a FL resident or AP holder received their card in the mail yet? If so what does it look like? Seems to me if Disney sold them to you even if you are neither of the 2 they should still allow you to use it. If its a card that gives your name I don't see how anyone will know where you live or is you have an AP. Good luck to all

Shirley

Ducklite is correct. The waitstaff will have to check the discount card against your Florida DL or AP, which is how they will determine if a guest is eligible for the discount. If neither are present, the discount will be denied. If a card has been issued in error, call back, explain the situation so a refund can be issued. Good luck to everyone!

 

[aubriee]

When I posted a few minutes ago it reminded me that when I balanced my checkbook a couple of days ago the DDE still had not been charged to my account. I used a debit card to pay for it 01/05/05. I just checked with my bank and it's still not been charged and it's been three weeks now. Anyway I just called DDE to find out why and was told they are just now finishing up posting the ones for December and 'it may be another week before your account is debited and they check for your AP'. While I had him on the phone, I asked him if you had to be a Florida resident or AP holder to get the DDE and he said "yes". I told him that I had read on several sites where people had gotten them without an AP nor were they Floridians for the full fee of $75.00. He said "I don't know how, they're a perk for Floridians and AP holders only." He then made a comment about "unofficial Disney sites" giving incorrect information and you should always check the "Official Disney web site". I didn't mention any of the sites specifically, but again said people had posted they had gotten them. He said "let me check with my supervisor" and came back a few moments later and said "no way should anyone not a Florida resident or AP holder be able to get one and even if they do manage to get one, they will not be honored, because at the time of use you must show a picture ID and if you are out of state, an AP along with the ID ". This came directly from his supervisor, the coordinator of Disney Dining. He said that when I got my card it would come with a list of the participating restaurants and the rules of what I must show (picture ID and AP) in order to use this perk as it is new for AP holders not living in Florida. He also mentioned that they had been swamped (which is why they are just now finishing posting DDEs purchased in December) and that they have some extra people working DDE that usually didn't in order to handle the extra calls.

 

[dislvr75]

Thanks Aubriee,

I think that just about settles it. No DDE for non-Florida residents unless you have an AP or a seasonal pass. I am SO ok with this, I'm just glad that we now have a clearer picture of how the allearsnet site was probably misinterpreted and how this whole mis-information thing got started.

However, there are some out there that received their DDE cards (email letters) in error and I guess should maybe get a refund. Personally I'd rather be disappointed now that the error was made than to go to Disney and plan on using it, (more importantly, BUDGETING for the discounts) and then being told that you can't use the card unless you can produce Florida ID or a AP or Seasonal pass.

It's too bad that all of this mis-information was out there for people to believe. I know many will be disappointed to hear that they cannot buy one. I know I am.