Should DVCers be fighting for the DDE?

[bnlbebes]

Are there any other members here that think allowing DVC members to enroll in the DDE would be a good benefit to ask for?

We will never be annual pass holder as we go for short stays, never 10 days in one year, but I still think the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) might be worth the cost if I were allowed to make use of it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, if you don't go that much, do you really think it would be worth the cost? We have the AP and do buy it, but the cost is discounted for AP holders.

I'm not going to say "no" if there's enough people who want it, I say "go for it" but we already do have it.

Bobbi

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I think this would be a wonderful perk for DVC members. We just used this on our last two trips and it paid for itself almost immediately. DH has said that he even would consider paying a little more for it if it were to be offered. This was the first time we have ever purchased AP's and probably will be the last since we usually only travel to WDW every other year. It was great trying several new restaurants this time.

 

[BroganMc]

Yes, I do think this is a valid perk to ask for as DVC members. I already qualify since I always get an AP, but my sibs (who travel less) would find it very helpful. I am not always with them.

It ends up paying for itself after a few dinners. About the only time it wouldn't be good for DVC members is if they only travel during the prime holiday seasons when its not valid.

 

[Muushka]

As a family of 2, it is not a benefit we would take advantage of. But I hope you get it!

 

[ead79]

We already have the DDE card as annual passholders. I'm guessing that Disney thinks that most DVC members who would be able to make good use of the DDE card are also annual passholders. Since they give such a nice discount on the annual pass for DVC members, I think that's plenty for now. Of course, I never mind if they want to give us DVC members additional perks.

 

[Inkmahm]

As a family of 2, it is not a benefit we would take advantage of. But I hope you get it!

We're a family of two and LOVE the DDE. It does pay for itself quickly. I have an annual pass specifically so we can have the DDE. Otherwise, most years, I could get away with 10 day never expire tickets as we usually do for my DH. This next year we have more Disney time planned than usual so we both have APs, but it would be nice to be able to get the DDE without having to purchase the AP first.

 

[AKV707]

I always have an AP and now have m first DDE. It is great. Paid for itself in 3 days! I think that it would be a nice perk for DVC members.

 

[robinb]

I voted "Yes" even though I already have one because we had an AP last year. I would like to be able to buy it without the AP, even though it's likely that we will be buying APs this year too. Luckily, our DDE card is good through January, 2008.

ETA: Our DDE card was paid off with one dinner for 4 at V&A's.

 

[Kathy C]

We bought APs that will be activated in December when we go. We don't make ten day trips either but will try and get three trips in the year timeframe to make use of the APs. I'd much rather have the discount on the AP than to be able to get the DDE card as a DVC member perk.

 

[Inkmahm]

We bought APs that will be activated in December when we go. We don't make ten day trips either but will try and get three trips in the year timeframe to make use of the APs. I'd much rather have the discount on the AP than to be able to get the DDE card as a DVC member perk.

Who said we can't have both?

 

[cobbler]

It would be a nice option but now I don't really care either way. Before the implimentation of the mandatory gratuity I would be all gung ho, but now, I don't care so much.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I would love the DDE perk!! In fact, I don't know why its not offered for DVC members now

 

[tjkraz]

I would love the DDE perk!! In fact, I don't know why its not offered for DVC members now

I'd say it's probably part of the inducement to try and get people to commit to APs. Between the AP discount and the benefits of the DDE card, you've got a couple of pretty strong motivators to buy APs. And APs have a funny way of driving DVC add-ons, or at least paving the way for adding an extra trip every so often.

Although I can see the benefits to many, I can think of a few higher-priority items more deserving of a fight.

 

[dianeschlicht]

In essence we DO have the DDE perk, since we have the best AP discount around, and we can get the DDE with the AP.

 

[Caskbill]

The DDE is not a 'one size fits all' type of perk. For 2 people, it only works if you go often enough, and dine enough, to recoup the cost of the buying the DDE card.

If you're a larger group, then you may recoup the cost of the card with just a couple of meals. Especially if you purchase alcoholic beverages.

I don't see a problem with the automatic gratuity except that it is mandated. We would tip that amount anyway, but if making it automatic winds up lowering service, then it's a bad thing.

As for the card, I think it's still $65 to purchase. This would put the break even point at $325 (20% off of $325 = $65), so if you know you'll be spending at least that amount in all your visits (one visit or multiple visits) over the course of a year, then it would be a benefit. And remember, that's $325 at restaurants that accept the card. Not all restaurants do.

And a couple of other things: 1. We already get a DVC discount at a number of restaurants. If you eat somewhere that accepts both the DVC discount and the DDE discount, then by having the DDE card you're really only gaining the difference between the two discounts. Thus if DVC were 10% and DDE is 20%, that meal you only recouped 10% toward paying for the card.

2. The DDE card is not good at CS restaurants. The one exception now is AK because they don't have a TS restaurant yet. But as soon as the new one (I forget the name) opens this December, my guess is that the DDE card will no longer be valid at the AK CS restaurants.

 

[jarestel]

I'm not one to turn down perks (whether or not I would even use them) so if offered I'm sure that would be nice for some portion of the DVC population. If not offered though, I'm not losing any sleep over it either.

I guess I'm pretty much non-commital.

 

[Island Mouse]

I think it is a great perk and should extended to DVC members. Members who don't go to the parks enough to justify the cost of an AP could still benefit from the food discounts.

 

[crisi]

We'd use it an appreciate it. We will problably just buy one AP and the DDE next year any way. With four of us and liquor, we do end up saving money.