Should I bother with DDP or just DDE

[princessfionasmom]

OK we are staying at SSR Dec 1 - 5 and then at ASM Dec 6 &7. I have us getting the dining plan while we stay at SSR but not at ASM as we will likely have annual passes and would not be worth it to have to buy a day pass just to get the dining plan for last two nights, so I am planning on geting DDE for that reason. My question is this, since we are getting the DDE card is it still worth it for us to get he DDP or just use the DDE during our whole stay? It will be me, DH who can really eat, DS 8 and DD 5. Now we can definitely get away with sharing CS meals with kids because they don't eat a full meal and we end up throwing away a lot of food. We are planning on at least one sit down meal every day which will include CRT for lunch, Le Cellier for diner CP package, Fantasmic package for Mama Melrosas, LTT for diner the night we do the party at MK, Crystal Palace for one breakfast and Boma. Hubby and I do like to have a drink or two of the alcohol kind with diner and we definitely do not need snack credits for every day. I brink a water bottle filter top with me so we can just refill a water bottle with the fountain water and it tastes just like bottled water so we won't need snack credits for that either.

Greatly appreciate all input. This is our first trip as owners so the DDE is totally new to us.

THANKS!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

That's really hard to say.. I think you need to do some rough math to figure it out.

For my wife and me, we never do the DDP. We don't like being roped into anything, including feeling the need to eat something just so we don't waste the plan.
That said, we couldn't get along without the DDE. That's truly a great benefit, especially since it includes booze. Plus it's good at Vero Beach.

MG

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

We did DDP last time but are skipping it this year as it doesn't save us the money it use to. We also like to eat two sitdown meals a day and dont like counterservice very often. Also we dont want or need 4 desserts for every dinner. I did the math and for us DDE is the way to go. Also you now have to pay tax and gratituty so it really doesnt save us that much and we need maybe one or two desserts if that.

 

[jimmytammy]

For us, the DDE works best. It doesnt tie you to "having too eat". And it saves us money. Unless you have a really big appetite, IMO go for the DDE.

 

[Inkmahm]

For us, the DDE works best. It doesnt tie you to "having too eat". And it saves us money. Unless you have a really big appetite, IMO go for the DDE.

Same for us. I've done the math using our actual receipts from a Disney trip when we got home. I could break even on cost for the DDP deluxe plan compared to the DDE and the addiitonal benefits we'd get would be all the snack credits and the refillable mug. But we don't really need either of those. We're sticking with the DDE for now, that saves us a LOT of money.

 

[BCV23]

OK we are staying at SSR Dec 1 - 5 and then at ASM Dec 6 &7. I have us getting the dining plan while we stay at SSR but not at ASM as we will likely have annual passes and would not be worth it to have to buy a day pass just to get the dining plan for last two nights, so I am planning on geting DDE for that reason.
THANKS!!

With an AP, you do not need to purchase any ticket to get the DDP with a room only reservation. That's fairly new. The DDE is great but if you do end up getting the DDP for the SSR stay, make sure you will recoup the cost of DDE during your ASM stay. You can of course use the DDE during your SSR stay for any extra meals or alcoholic beverages.

Also you now have to pay tax and gratituty so it really doesnt save us that much and we need maybe one or two desserts if that.

Tax is still included in the DDP.

 

[lovepooh]

I have a question. Can I purchase the DDP for my two year old and not purchase him a park ticket? I know for non DVC members you have to purchase a pass but would I have to?

 

[lizanne]

I really don't think you need both. I'd get the DDE since you plan on getting AP's anyway.

 

[wls23]

lovepooh-

we are dvc members and ap holders. when we stayed at ssr last year my DD was nearly 2 (she does not have an ap yet) - we were able to purchase DDP for her (at the child price) without any park tix

 

[Topo Bella]

We also purchased DDP for our then 2 year old.

As for "is the DDP worth it" question... for me, the only reason to get the plan is so that you know what you are going to spend on food in advance. I also have a real problem with purchasing burgers for the family and the bill coming to over $70 - it just feels so much better to hand the clerk the DDP card.

With DDE, you still have the problem of not knowing what you are spending in advance.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

As for "is the DDP worth it" question... for me, the only reason to get the plan is so that you know what you are going to spend on food in advance.


That 's only true if you use all the cs meals and don't pay for other meals out of pocket (OOP) which a lot of people do. You have to like CS meals and dessert for DDP

 

[Shelly S]

We have done the DDP twice before and earlier this year we used the DDE. I wrote down the cost of everything on my index cards and we came out close to what the DDP would have cost. We ate what and when we wanted, including a TS every day. When we used the DDP, I felt too full all the time with the dessert included, and because I felt so full I did not get a chance to have some of my favorite snacks. Doing the DDE, I never felt overstuffed. We were able to have dinner and then get a dessert/snack a few hours later in the parks. Next week we are doing the DDE but I probably will keep track of what we spend again.

 

[Corinne]

For us, the DDE works best. It doesnt tie you to "having too eat". And it saves us money. Unless you have a really big appetite, IMO go for the DDE.

ITA. We love the DDE!