What exactly is the DDE?

[DisneyAllison]

I know what DDE stands for, but I don't know anything about the program itself. Could someone please help me, and explain how the DDE works?

Thank you so much!

 

[scejas]

The Disney Dining Experience is a "membership" you can pay for ... depending on whether your an annual passholder, florida resident or neither the price will vary.

I have been a member for the last two years and what you basically get is:

20% most sit down dining locations
20% counter service at Animal Kingdom
20% some of the restaurants in downtown disney

Half-price admission to Pleasure Island

Complimentary valet parking at disney resorts for the purpose of having dinner there.

Here are some good resources:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm
http://www.mousesavers.com/diningexperience.html
http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

 

[bradk]

it's at DAK because of the lack of TS locations. and on that token, it includes the food courts at resorts that don't have a TS location either.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Port Orleans Riverside's counter service takes the card even though Boatwrights is down the hall. It is probably because POFQ doesn't have any TS and since they are sister resorts, they try to keep the same discounts.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

We have used this card for two years and think it is the greatest.. discount on food and alcohol, but not at all the Disney restaurants.. I remember being sad that Teppanyaki did not take the DDE...

 

[G's mommy]

We are AP holders and the DDE runs about $60 per year. We normally make that back in one trip, we are a family of 3 (2 adults and a 10 year old). You get 20% off most of the TS restaurants and CS in AK and at the resorts that don't have a TS restaurant onsite. This includes alcohol in the restaurants, so the discount can add up really quickly if you have drinks with dinner. You must prove FL residency or AP purchase prior to receiving the card.

 

[Fitswimmer]

My parents just purchased this when they renewed their Florida AP's. They've already used it at Coral Reef, and in the French place at EPCOT! We're going next week for 3 days and we're going to give it a good workout there. For those that partake, the discount includes the drinks!!

For people who go often it's a much better deal than the DDP. Since they live an hour away, they will just go down for a day to see the Flower and Garden or Food and Wine, so it's really worth it for them. Even when we all go, they'd rather eat at TS places, so that saves $$.

You do have to keep current on the participating restaurants because that is subject to change.

 

[BCV23]

For AP holders the cost is now $65. It's a bit more for FL residents without APs....maybe $85? A second card for a spouse used to be free but is now $25.....probably because of abuse.

DDE is also good at many lounges.

There are also special events for DDE but these mostly benefit FL residents as for the rest of us it is not as easy to pop down.

We ordered our first cards in Jan 05 as soon as the discount was extended to AP holders. Our third set of cards came last week. Delivery time was 23 days.

Gotta love DDE!

 

[scejas]

I just wish they had better DDE events... heck I wish they had better events for DDE and AP... just seems like they drop the ball at times with their most loyal customers....

 

[DisneyJimbo]

Does everyone in your party need to have a DDE card to get the discount?

For example, when I travel to Disney with my wife and daughter, do all 3 of us need a DDE card, or just one?

Thanks!

 

[waltskids]

We love the DDE and have used it the past two years. We are AP holders and DVC members so we go often and it has paid for itself over and over. Alcohol is included in the 20% discount, so if you drink with your meals like we do, it adds up fast. We also were able to use it at V&A's this past weekend and the discount alone was about $70 (you just can't use it at the Chef's Table).

 

[DisneyJimbo]

Does everyone in your party need to have a DDE card to get the discount?

For example, when I travel to Disney with my wife and daughter, do all 3 of us need a DDE card, or just one?

Thanks!

Never mind...I did a little reading and found the answer myself.