Out of pocket, DDP or DDE?

[mom2m_a_c]

My family and I are planning our first DVC trip in January of 08. We will be staying at the VWL for 8 days and 7 nights . Last year we stayed at the AKL for a week and used the DDP. With all the changes and the fact that we will have a 2 bedroom villa with a kitchen, we really do not think that the DDP is the best option. I am wondering if anyone has done the financial analysis to determine if one family member purchasing the AP and DDE card is worth it for a 1 week trip, or would we be better to just pay out of pocket for meals we eat at the parks? We will not have a rental car, but am planning on having food sent to the room and one trip to a grocery to stock up when we arrive.

Thanks in advance!

nicole

 

[CarolAnnC]

Purchasing an AP will most likely not be worth it for you unless you plan on returning to WDW within the next year..with your description of your meal plans in the room, I would say definitely not worth it if you are only purchasing the AP in order to get a DDE card.

 

[Pakey]

It's hard to do a breakeven for you without knowing how many are in your party, the age group, etc. For us, the DDE was worth it. We did not like the DDP because we do not like counter service at all and we only eat one TS meal per day and rarely want desserts. Plus, our 2 favorite places do not accept DDP. So the DDP was a waste for us. However, since our group is all adults, the DDE was worth it because we can get the 20% discount on alcohol also. And since we take 5 "kids" all in their 20's/30's, that is a huge savings.

For every $100 spent on tickets/DDE, you will have to spend $500 to recoup your investment. I have no idea what type of tickets you are buying. Let's just say that it would cost you $100 more for the AP over 1 ticket plus then $65 for the DDE, you would then have to spend $825 on food to recoup the $165 investment.

I hope this helps you.