What is a DDE Card?

[rthutchens]

We are planning on buying APs in just a few weeks and I was contemplating purchasing the DDE Card, but I'm not sure. What are the specifics on the use of the card? I know it is good for at least a year and you get a discount on specific restaurants, but I heard something about gratuity that confused me. Is it included or not?

 

[TBDave]

The card is $60 for annual passholders. Membership is for a full year. It can be used at almost all WDW table service restaurants and hotel bars (with a few exceptions). You get 20% Off all food and beverages (including alcoholic drinks). Basically, if you're going to spend over $300 on table service restaurants and bar drinks, the card will be a good investment. A few restaurants that don't accept the DDE Card (like the Yak & Yeti) offer an annual passholder discount (I think it's a 10% AP discount at the Y&Y).

There will be an automatic 18% gratuity added to your bill. But I think most people would tip 15%-20% anyways. I'm not sure if that 18% gratuity is calculated on the full amount or the discounted amount.

You also get a few other perks. Our favorite is the free valet parking at all WDW hotels. That's a lifesaver when it's pouring or you don't feel like trying to find a spot in the guest parking.

Here's some links for more info.

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

 

[ChelleinNC]

The automatic gratuity is calculated on the pre-discounted (full amount) of the bill.

The DDE card is also good at a few CS locations including Flame Tree Barbeque, Artist Palette and several others.

This is a good link with a lot a info: http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

 

[pumba]

we use the dde card and have enjoyed the benefits of 20 percent off and even in our food courts at our hotel.....here is our link

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

 

[rthutchens]

Can use the DDE with candlelight processional dinner packages?

 

[danniebellie]

I can't encourage AP/PAP-holders strongly enough to get the DDE card! As a PP noted, $300/year is all it takes to break even. We always pay for our card by the end of our third day -- sometimes the second!

And if you drink at all, it's a really good deal, since the 20% comes off of EVERYTHING, including alcohol.

There are other good benefits -- like free valet parking if you eat at one of the resort restaurants. Check out the link in the above posts, it's all there.

My 2¢.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We've had the DDE for quite a number of years now and we couldn't do without it. We save so much money. We normally do a signature restaurant each night and we spare no expense. I can't imagine what our food costs would be without it. Even with the mandatory tip now included, we still would have tipped the amount required (if not more) so the savings is still there.

 

[Snow Shoe]

We used it this past Christmas, we had 8 people eating, and we saved over $400 by the end of the trip. This coming June my wife and I will be back at WDW and will use it again. I'm very pleased about the savings it gives us.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Can use the DDE with candlelight processional dinner packages?

Nope, unfortunately it's not available with the CLP dinner packages or at least it wasn't last year. There are a few blackout dates as well, namely holidays. Other than that, it's a great money saver

 

[budbeerlady]

Can you use it at the resort pool bars? We like to relax with a drink by the pool when we get back from the parks. This trip will be CBR and Pop, that would push us over the edge on buying the card for our trips....