What would be better Disney Dinning Plan or DDE?

[DVC Dude]

We love the DDE and it paid for itself very quickly as we were a group of 8 last month when we stayed at the AKL.

 

[mouseclick1]

For us, the DDE makes a lot more sense. We almost always order appetizers, and very rarely order dessert. Plus, DH and I often order a drink with dinner. The DDE takes 20% off of all of that, while we would have additional out of pocket expenses on the DDP, not to mention the wasted desserts.

 

[DebbieB]

I took my then 12 year old niece 2 years ago. We did the DDP, mostly character dinners. All she ate was chicken fingers and macaroni & cheese. If I had to do it again, I would have got DDE and did more counter service and maybe 1 or 2 character dinners.

 

[tink4ever]

We use the DDE for our trips. It seems to be better for us. This June will be the 5th vacation we used it for so we more than got our money back.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

We got the DDP 3 times pre-2008 when it was just me and 2 kids.

We decided to forgo the DDP for the DDE (which we have used in the past). We spent more money on food even with the 20% discount than if we had used the DDP for less meals out. Of course, this included wine and other things maybe not included in the DDP.

I called DVC MS to add the DDP for the second half of the trip (4 nights) when we switched resorts and DH was joining us. I think the DDP savings no longer comes from the TS restaurants but from the CS restaurants. Those meals really add up and there are no discounts available at most of them.

Now I never use to be a CS person. We use to eat most meals at TS and others in the room. But every since Disney added free DME and I tried the DDP program, I have gotten spoiled. No car, no groceries - buy EVERYTHING from Disney. Pre-paid, MORE than enough food - kids, you may get ANYTHING you want that is included.

That being said, I think we might get DDP in the future only if we use DME and if the trip is shorter. If we stay longer or have a car, we will probably stick with the DDE.

BTW, I think that one of the BEST deals for using the CS credits is at the Wolf Gang Puck Express at DTD. It's almost a TS except you order and pay after lining up in the beginning. The meals are served to you on real plate and silverware and the food is much better than the normal CS meals.

WGPexpress participates on the DDP but NOT on the DDP plan. However, you do get 10% off as a DVC member (subject to change of course).

HTH.

 

[Towncrier]

Hi Glo

Another vote for DDE. Everyone that I know that has used DDP either comes home with unused meal credits or their clothes no longer fit properly.

Seriously, DDP is a LOT of food. With DDE, you aren't pressured to eat eat eat. I'm sure that we'll pick up a DDE card for our family vacation (to visit our castmember son James) in July.

 

[54fab5]

Here's my 2cents' worth:

While our family has had DDE for the last 4 years, this year we let it lapse and are going with the DDP and here's why:

1. We always eat at least one sit-down meal a day.

2. I'm tired of DH not allowing the kids to order what they want on the menu because it's too expensive.

3. If I hear one more refrain of, "When I was your age, we never had snacks in the park. Just fill up your water bottle!" I'm going to have a very un-Disney moment in public.

4. I'm tired of surprise meal charges on our bill at the end of a stay.

I figure that if we tell the kids to eat within their allotment and provide stuff in the room for breakfast and take-a-long snacks, we will all have a more relaxed time and I will not be looking at the right side of the menu so much every time we sit down. I'm hoping it will be a real stress reliever for me. I do not believe in giving in to every little whim, but if I can easily set reasonable boundaries I prefer to let everyone indulge their tastes once in a while. DH and I are testing it this weekend and plan to use it when we are at AKV this summer with the kids and an extra guest. I'll let you know how I feel after that.

 

[hakepb]

2. I'm tired of DH not allowing the kids to order what they want on the menu because it's too expensive.

Remember kids ages 3-9 must order from the kids menu.

Pre-08, I thought the DDP was a great stress reducer. Now that gratuity is not included in DDP, I knew I'd loose that stress-free feeling, so I'm now thinking DDE.

 

[Corinne]

We've done both and will not do the Dining Plan again - it's too confining and too much food. We prefer the DDE card. That way we don't have to make ADRs for every TS meal to ensure we can use the credits, we don't have to worry whether we're eating in a 1 credit or 2 credit restaurant, we feel free to order a glass of wine or an appetizer when we feel like it and we don't have to order dessert if we're already full.
QUOTE]

While we have never done the DDP, the reasons you state are all why we stick to the DDE. We tend to order appetizers instead of desserts ( and I like a glass of wine and dh likes a beer with dinner when on vacation!) and I think we would be forcing ourselves to eat more with the DDP. Not appealing to me at all.

 

[Lexxiefern]

We just got back from a trip and used DDE. On our last 4 trips we have done the DDP - I loved the dining plan until they changed it this year. Anyhoo, we did a cost comparison this trip and decided that the DDE card was better for us. It allowed us to eat what we wanted (not what we were "allowed" per the DDP). We discovered we really prefer apps over dessert and my DH likes his beer the DDE card gives discounts on booze, so that helped alot. Overall we figured we came out saving about $80 over the DDP on a 4 day trip. Now of course this is not apples for apples. If you like the options of the DDP, then that would prob be more cost effective. But we liked being able to pick what we wanted when we wanted.

Have a fantastic time!!