What is WDW thinking by charging for a second DDE card

[DVC Grandpa]

What was Disney thinking when they upped the price for DDE plan (which is understandable) but then requiring an additional $25 for a spouse card? As far as I can see, a second card cost pennies to produce and for the most part it is a matter of convenience for the guest. Those who take the time to purchase the card will find a way to use it together. Is Disney really saving money by not ussuing that second card? Perhaps they are loosing money if people substitute a counter meal for a more expensive sit down meal.
Are there ways around the one card situation?
I have a few ideas to bounce off anyone who cares.
- Issued the card in your surname and as long as the user has the card and the same surname the 20% would be given.
- Present your DDE card to the desk at check-in and then bill all the meals on your room key and let Disney reduce the 20% from those meal applicable on the final bill.
- By far the easiest is to issue the second card.

 

[CarolMN]

My "guess" is that charging for the second card was the easiest way for Disney to deal with abuse. I recall reading quite a few posts in which posters asked how to obtain cards for people who did not fit the criteria for the second "free" card. Lots of rationalizations provided as justification.

FWIW, I don't believe you can show the DDE to the front desk and then get 20% taken off meals charged to your room. The discount is given at the participating restaurant.

Too bad Disney had to resort to charging - at least they still allow AP holders to get the card (and even kept the discount).

Best wishes -

 

[lizanne]

Is Disney really saving money by not ussuing that second card? Perhaps they are loosing money if people substitute a counter meal for a more expensive sit down meal.

The Dining Plan specifies counter service and sit down meals. There is no substituting with the DDE card, if the restaurant accepts it they take 20% off your meal. Maybe I don't understand what you mean by this statement.

If your party is eating together you don't need a second card. I guess if your spouse is an AP holder and wants their own card in case you don't eat together, then you'd need it. $25.00 is better than having to pay the $60.00 for their own card.

 

[bicker]

Lots of rationalizations provided as justification.

Well-put. Just another example of abuse leading to changes in operations.

 

[Chuck S]

The Dining Plan specifies counter service and sit down meals. There is no substituting with the DDE card, if the restaurant accepts it they take 20% off your meal. Maybe I don't understand what you mean by this statement.

I re-read the post a few times...here is what I think the OP means:

If spouses (along with other members of their party) are going their seperate ways in the parks, they won't all be dining together. If a couple decides not to pay the $25 for the extra card, the spouse without the card, and the members of their party that are with that spouse, may choose to eat at a counter service restaurant rather than a full service restaurant because they would not get the discount.

I think that may happen, but rarely. Probably not often enough to figure into the equation.

Most folks, I think, that normally would eat at a full service restaurant would not change plans.

 

[lizanne]

Thanks Chuck. After re-reading several times I think you're right.

We're also "OKW SINCE 1992"

 

[FlyingfreeWDW]

Well-put. Just another example of abuse leading to changes in operations.

I agree. Abusers end up hurting us all in the end. With the people piling extra people in rooms at WDW Resorts, I suspect you'll see some type of crack down on that as well.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I think what was happening is that because you could get a second card for anyone really ("wife kept her maiden name", "domestic partner". etc.), theoretically you could pay the DDE fee, get a second card free & give it to whomever (neighbor, relative, etc). Now you would have two complete groups, each with their own card, getting the discount off of one fee.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Minnniegirl, you are correct. When using the DDE, they don't even ask for a driver's license, so it's easy for others to use your card. Paying $25 makes sense, although there is still a huge chance of someone abusing the card. I think a lot of people would buy the $25 spouse card, and then giving it to a brother/sister/parent/child.

 

[tmt martins]

Minnniegirl, you are correct. When using the DDE, they don't even ask for a driver's license, so it's easy for others to use your card. Paying $25 makes sense, although there is still a huge chance of someone abusing the card. I think a lot of people would buy the $25 spouse card, and then giving it to a brother/sister/parent/child.

Yes I agree with this as well

The problem is that again it only hurts the people that were using the system correctly(by charging them for what others are abusing).

The ones that are getting the second card as a way to abuse the program will still gladly pay the $25 to continue the abuse.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I, personally, have no problem with this. Combining DDE with the new Dining Plan, one can get fantastic bargains at WDW for eating.

It is a shame that people were abusing it and ruining it for others, but I certainly don't blame Disney for this change in policy.

 

[n2mm]

I also agree that there was abuse of the rules to get the DDE. It was very plain to read that a spouse card was for the spouse or life partner living in the same household. We had the 2 cards last year, but when we renew in September, we will now only get one. We dine together 99.9% of the time, so never really needed the second card. Glad they still offer it. We also use the DDP too as DVC members. It's nice having both. We go to WDW often, so more than get our worth out of the card.

 

[senecabeach]

WOW...I didn't know this was happening!!

The problem is that again it only hurts the people that were using the system correctly(by charging them for what others are abusing).
The ones that are getting the second card as a way to abuse the program will still gladly pay the $25 to continue the abuse.

So....what else is new in this life, punish the group rather than prosecute the few!!

Lets biometric the restaurants now ...or maybe DNA testing??


I have 2 cards, with 2 surnames, same household, expiring in Oct 06.
Glad I have 2 trips planned !!

So far so good!!

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

Sorry, But I am new and can't find DDE in the list of abbreviations, what is it exactly? sure I'll feel stupid when i learn what it stands for, but i'm racking my brain.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sorry, But I am new and can't find DDE in the list of abbreviations, what is it exactly? sure I'll feel stupid when i learn what it stands for, but i'm racking my brain.

Disney Dining Experience. You buy the card and get 20% off the price of meals at many sit down, and some counterservice restaurants at WDW. The 20% also covers alcholic beverages, and is good for up to 10 people. The food courts at the value resorts are on the list of places, as well as the restaurants at VB. I think the price is $60 and you can buy it if you have an annual pass.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

... a shame that people were abusing it and ruining it for others, but I certainly don't blame Disney for this change in policy.

I don't blame Disney either.

 

[crisi]

Are there ways around the one card situation?
I have a few ideas to bounce off anyone who cares.
- Issued the card in your surname and as long as the user has the card and the same surname the 20% would be given.

Married, kept my maiden name. That isn't uncommon, and is normal in some cultures.

Tying it to the room wouldn't work, as sometimes people take trips without their card holding spouse.

I agree, this was done to compensate Disney because the second free card was abused. Next trip, if we get a DDE, we will only have one card. But since I used my secondary card once, and that was for a princess breakfast with my daughter while my son and husband rode rides, I think one card won't be an inconvience.

Its really a shame the abusers can't see any long term consequences of their actions. They seem to assume "Disney allows it and/or doesn't do anything to stop it" therefore they must be OK with it. I think more commonly, Disney doesn't think through all the ways the system is going to be "worked" by the guests - and then takes reactive steps to address the loopholes. The DDE and fingerscans on all adult tickets are two we've seen recently to prevent abuses that previously were justified as "Disney knows it happens and hasn't stopped it, they must be ok with it."

 

[bicker]

Yes, very true. The same sort of thing prevails with regard to the "working the system" we see these days with the Disney Dining Plan.

 

[CarolA]

I think what was happening is that because you could get a second card for anyone really ("wife kept her maiden name", "domestic partner". etc.), theoretically you could pay the DDE fee, get a second card free & give it to whomever (neighbor, relative, etc). Now you would have two complete groups, each with their own card, getting the discount off of one fee.

There was nothing theoretical about it. I met a man at the Rose and Crown who proudly told me how he and his buddy had "pretended" to be spouses to get the free second card and split the cost. So.. now you don't get the free second card. Blame your fellow DVC members (this guy was a DVC member)

 

[MinnieGirl33]

There was nothing theoretical about it. I met a man at the Rose and Crown who proudly told me how he and his buddy had "pretended" to be spouses to get the free second card and split the cost. So.. now you don't get the free second card. Blame your fellow DVC members (this guy was a DVC member)

I'm sure this happened repeatedly.

To be fair, I don't think it had anything to do specifically with DVC. People who lie, steal & cheat are everywhere. To me logic says it would be more prevalent with FL residents since they have more access & would dine out more often (we have friends in Orlando who have breakfast every Sunday in a park or resort) but what do I know.

I guess since DH & I never eat seperately it never really crossed my mind as being a big deal. We got the 2nd card last year simply because it was offered. When we renew we will only be getting one card.

Also, for those parents who split up (like mom's taking girls to PSB), I wonder if dad accompanied girls to restaurant & presented card to hostess & explained situation if it would be honored? Just a thought.

All good things come to an end. Guess we'll just enjoy this while it lasts.