our dde is about to expire

[lsket]

our dde is about to expire is there a way to renew online or do we have to mail the card back in?

Thanks
Lynn

 

[Chuck S]

You can call and renew by phone. 407-566-5858

 

[Cruelladeville]

Chuck just told me (in another thread) that the cost of the DDE is now $60, instead of $50. It went up January 1.

 

[jlx2]

I'm new to the DVC, could someone tell me what a DDE is? Thank you!

 

[Chuck S]

DDE is the Disney Dining Experience card. It is good for a 20% discount at virtually all Disney operated full service ad buffet restarants, including alcoholic beverages. It is also honored at most bars/lounges, counter service eateries at AK, and (though it may be changing) food courts at the value resorts. It is $60 for annual passholders and FL Seasonal passholders. FL residents that do not have a seasonal or annual pass may get it for $85 and renew at $70.

The DDE is not a DVC perk, nor is it available to non-FL resident DVC members unless they also have an annual pass. It just became an annual pass perk in 2005, prior to that it was available to FL residents only.

 

[krdisneybound]

These are the new Dining Experience Card rates as of 1/1/06

Florida Residents-non passholders 85.00

Renewals-FL. resident non passholders 70.00

Annual/Seasonal Passholders 60.00

Secondary Memberships 25.00

 

[NMW]

I'm more bummed about the second card costing $25 than the $10 increase. You don't get the second card for free anymore, so no splitting up and both having the card. Unless of course you buy the second card, which would make it $85.

 

[DebIreland]

Why is there no discount for AP holders to renew their DDE membership? For Florida residents it's 85 for first-time membership, 70 to renew. AP holders, 60 first-time membership and 60 to renew. Couldn't they give even 5 dollars off for those renewing? Seems strange. And wrong, very very wrong.

Oh, another thing, the second card is only available to spouses and partners now (although I'd imagine they'd find it hard to prove who is and isn't someone's partner).

You can't renew directly online but the Disney site has a link (in the AP section and presumably in the Florida resident section too) to an application/renewal form which you can mail with a check if you prefer not to renew by credit card over the phone.

 

[byoung]

I just renewed my card.

 

[jlx2]

Thank you for the information.

 

[brianm27]

Why is there no discount for AP holders to renew their DDE membership? For Florida residents it's 85 for first-time membership, 70 to renew. AP holders, 60 first-time membership and 60 to renew. Couldn't they give even 5 dollars off for those renewing? Seems strange. And wrong, very very wrong.

I will gladly continue to pay my $60 for DDE. I already consider that a BIG discount. And if it will be a few months before I get back after the card expires the clock won't start ticking again until I need to order a new one.(you only have 30 days to get a renewal price if you are a FL resident)

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm more bummed about the second card costing $25 than the $10 increase. You don't get the second card for free anymore, so no splitting up and both having the card. Unless of course you buy the second card, which would make it $85.

Me too! I hadn't realized this new charge, until the flyer came in the mail today.
Bobbi

 

[Olaf]

That secondary card charge is ridiculous. It costs them pennies to make those cards. What's the point?

 

[dianeschlicht]

That secondary card charge is ridiculous. It costs them pennies to make those cards. What's the point?

It's a way to raise the cost more than the $10 it appears to have been raised.

 

[LisaS]

That secondary card charge is ridiculous. It costs them pennies to make those cards. What's the point?

The only thing I can think of is that some DDE card holders were using the spouse's/partner's card as a way to get the discount for more than 10 people. If dining out with a party of more than 10 people, some people split the check so they can get a discount for the first 10 people on one DDE card and get a discount for the rest of their party using the spouse/partner's DDE card. Maybe Disney figures if people are going to do that, it will now cost them an extra $25 for that second card?

Otherwise, I agree with you. We liked the convenience of two cards, and would be happy to pay an extra dollar for a second card but not $25!

 

[CarolA]

Well, I met at least one man who told me PROUDLY that he had gotten half of his DDE paid for by selling his second membership card to a "friend" Maybe Disney got wise to that idea and is at least trying to discourage it. (Keep in mind your spouse doesn't always have the same last name as you!)

 

[BCV23]

That secondary card charge is ridiculous. It costs them pennies to make those cards. What's the point?

I think it may be recouping some of WDW lost revenue as a result of people sharing the DDE card. Someone posted about having split the cost of membership for years with a male friend of hers living at a different address.

We've had APs for a number of years but could never purchase DDE. I remain thrilled that we are able to buy DDE for a second year. It represents tremendous savings for us.

 

[jodifla]

Does the DDE card have your name on it??

 

[Daddio]

Yes the card has your name on it and some places (but not many) ask to see ID. I don't mind showing ID if it would keep the cost down by eliminating those trying to cheat the system.

I too am disappointed at the price increase and the second card cost. It now becomes borderline if I will renew mine. Not because of the increase alone, but that, coupled with the price increases of food, make me take a second look. We just ate at Crystal Palace which is now $28.00 per person. I can eat at TGI Fridays or even Rain Forest Cafe for TWO for just a little more.

It was the DDE card that brought us to eating on site for the entire stay, and we do 31 days throughout the year.

 

[NMW]

Well, I met at least one man who told me PROUDLY that he had gotten half of his DDE paid for by selling his second membership card to a "friend" Maybe Disney got wise to that idea and is at least trying to discourage it. (Keep in mind your spouse doesn't always have the same last name as you!)

I have to admit, that never occured to me. It does make sense that disney would want to stop such abuse. Don't they ask you for the second card holders name though? I guess if the CM's don't ask for ID, and you're not paying with a credit card or a room card, there is no way to know that person is not who he says he is. My husband and I liked having 2 cards because a couple of times we did split up-like me at the pool bar and my husband at ESPN zone. Oh well.