Our DDE thoughts

[LarryJ]

This is the first time we have done this and got the Disney Dining Experience card for meals and for $65 even having the automatic 18% gratuity added for the 8 meals we used it for our real savings on just this trip alone was close to $50. This was mainly because two of our meals (Spirit of Aloha and CRT) both of which require pre payment automatically include a gratuity that you have to pay anyway and so those we got an actual 20% rebate ($21 for the SOA and $13.50 for CRT). Thus the real out of pocket savings is not that much put it paid for like almost $120 in the 18% gratuity that was added to those 8 meals. If you qualify for it (AP holder, DVC member if think or Fl. resident ... restrictions apply), IMHO it is well worth it. It even saved us almost $4 real $$ for TE take out which was CS.

Also, for those that want to celebrate like an anniversary for their whole visit, you can get a pin at the front desk that get's a lot of attention from CMs everywhere and especially at the restaurants. We got a free/special dessert at Narcoossee's, an upgraded dessert at Bistro, and a pair of neat champagne flutes with CRT engraved on them at CRT. So if you consider your Disney trip to be to celebrate your anniversary, get the pins and wear/use them while you are there. We never mentioned "anniversary" all the above was done when someone noticed the pin.

Larry

 

[clkelley]

I LOVE my DDE card. It is well worth the $65 per year. Back in 2006 we took 4 teenagers with us and had a sit down each evening. With a party of 6 for a full sit down dinner each night, we saved well over $200 on one trip.

(That was before the mandatory tip, so our custom was to add the discount back as a tip and round up to the next dollar, so the automatic tip will save us money.)

 

[Mr Man]

Thanks for the feedback on the DDE card. We purchased AP's for our Spring Break trip (3 trips in 1 year- a first for us) WOOHOO!

I have been crunching numbers on DDP versus DDE and will definitely look at getting the DDE card to use on at least 2 of the trips (1st one is already booked with DDP though).

The DDE seems like an even better deal if you camp/DVC (and eat there at least once a day).

I especially like that drinks are included........as I like to throw back a few beers with dinner.

Regards,

 

[mdoc]

The DDE card worked out well for us, too. It more than paid for itself and the difference between an annual pass and the MYW ticket we otherwise would have gotten on our first trip to WDW, so any savings on our next trip will be gravy. We've never considered the DDP because we wouldn't eat enough and aren't flexible enough to even break even on it, but DDE resulted in real savings. Especially since DH likes his adult beverages.

 

[csdavis]

Okay, I guess I haven't done my homework but what is the DDE? We have done the DDP while staying at the Fort but usually we do our own thing. We have 4 kids and now 2 of them are now 10 so we will be paying for 4 adults for the first time. Can anyone tutor me on this!
Thanks!

 

[clkelley]

The DDE is the Disney Dining Experience. It is a discount card that Florida Residents and Passholders can purchase. For Passholders, it costs $65 per year, (spouse card is $25.00 extra).

The card is usually good for about 13 months. The benefits are 20% off meals and beverages (including alcohol) at select sit down locations around Disney property. There are also a couple of counter service locations that accept the DDE. The general rule is if there is not a sit down location available, then the card is accepted at counter service, such as All-Star resort(s) food courts, Pop Century food court, Port Orleans-French Quarter food court, and for the time being a couple of the counter service locations at Animal Kingdom (That may change since Tusker House is now a sit down). Some of the other benefits are 1/2 price admission to Pleasure Island, free valet parking at the resorts when you dine there, and a few other benefits.

There are a few restrictions. Most notably is 18% automatic tip is added when you use the DDE regardless of party size, also if you have multiple folks in your party in order to give everyone the discount, it must all be on one check. When it's just your family that's not generally a problem.