Please explain DDE to me!

[AlyLynn]

We are AP pass holders who have 4 children, and 3 trips to Disney planned in the next 9 months. We will be staying at FW, and eat out at least 1 meal a day. We have several character meals booked, and 2 already paid for. (CRT and Mickey's Backyard Bar B Que) Is the DDE worth it for us? And do they credit the meals we've paid for in advance? Thanks!

 

[NYMomof4]

I'm hoping more people might add to this but I am getting the DDE next month because I also have 4 kids and 2 trips planned, with possibly more. It sounds like we have similar eating out styles (one good TS meal/day) so when I did the math it was a definite savings. The DDE can be picked up at Guest Services with your AP for $60 and is good for a year.

You may want to call and ask about adding it to your paid reservations to see if they will change it, I'm not sure. The 18% tip is now included (added automatically) when you use the DDE. Still, when you figure that on an average $150 dinner, you save $30 right there. A few meals and it's paid for.

There is a list of participating restaurants listed somewhere that might be helpful.

 

[pumba]

we have had the DDE card quite a few times when we plan on going more then one visit. We use it at the food court for Port Orleans French Quarter and the food court at Movies......we have saved quite a bit of money on our sit down restaurants too.....we sometimes take our grandkids with us and then last year we went with in laws......I would go to the counter and show my card and they would pay the bill........we used it at Crystal Palace and also Biergarten ....and a few other sit down restaurants too.......Also we got because of the AP .....a ten percent off at Down Town Disney at the big Mickey store......
If you mean the meals you had to put your cc number down for.......yes they do not use your credit card until you tell them to...we usually pay in cash even with the CC info they received when we called to make the reservation......

 

[PatsMom]

We got the DDE for the first time on our last trip. We also usually eat only one sit down meal per day. Since you save 20%, it doesn't take long to make up $60! And since they add in the 18% tip, I don't have to do the math. The automatic tip doesn't bother us. We would normally tip around 20% so they the server is actually getting less. And if I ever had service so bad that I felt the tip was't deserved, I would probably hunt down a manager anyhow.

 

[pumba]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

here is the dde area with information

 

[AlyLynn]

Thank you so much for all of the info. Looks like we should get it. The only question I still have is how do you use the DDE with the prepaid meals like CRT? Thanks!

 

[mommylibrarian]

I used mine for CRT last year. They charge your card the full amount when you book. Then, at the restaurant they give you a gift card for the discount. At first I was a little ticked off, but as expensive as the meal was, it still didn't take me long to use the card on things I would have purchased anyway. Just be sure you don't do CRT right before you leave for your flight or anything. Plan it for the beginning or middle of your trip so you can spend that money. Or just save it for the next trip!

 

[davinakb]

I used mine for CRT last year. They charge your card the full amount when you book. Then, at the restaurant they give you a gift card for the discount.

Did not know that, good tip. We've had the DDE for years, saves $. With the size of your party, you could easily make back your investment in just a couple meals (we did it in one: party of 8 adults at Jiko). Plus it works on drinks (wine, beer) and your resort parking, so the savings can add up quickly depending on how you dine. FWIW.