When is DDE worth the $?

[nkjzmom]

DH and I have just put together an anniversary trip in Sept. and we have a family trip in Oct. We generally eat at counter service restaurants with one character meal and maybe one sit down dinner. Our trip in Oct. is with our family of 16. If we buy the DDE card for Sept. will we be able to get decent use out of it for both trips?

We have AP's...I need to recheck the list of restaurants that we get a discount at with those vs. the DDE. Does the DDE include more restaurants? And we can share meals with the DDE correct? Also, we don't drink alcohol.

 

[unixadm]

Since the card costs $50, and it gives you 20% off of most restaurants, then basically, it is worth it if you plan on spending more than $250 in food over the course of your trips.....which in most cases will happen.

Spending $250 in food will give you a $50 savings which is what you paid for the card.

I know that in May we had CS lunches consisting of burgers and the like for my wife, myself, 4 yo and 2 1/2 year old (who shared a meal) and it was $30. Eat a few of those, a few nice TS like Coral Reef or Le Cellier Steakhouse and add in a couple of character breakfasts and you are well over $250.

We had a Beach Club Villa with full kitchen......we had breakfast most mornings at the villa (except for the character breakfasts), my wife even packed lunch a couple of times and made 1 dinner. We still spent almost $600 in restaurants! We didn't have DDE card, but I just ordered one for our trip in Sept.

BTW....the card is good for up to 9 people. At CS meals, you can take advantage for all 16 people....but at table services, it will only take 20% off for up to 9 people. You can share meals....all the DDE card does is take 20% off of the total bill.

 

[nkjzmom]

Thanks for the input! I was concerned because only sit-down restaurants are listed for MK and Epcot...our favorite counter-service places are not. Maybe this will convince DH to try a few new places!!! And if we can share the main meal and get an extra appetizer then we should be fine!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

My guess is that one table service meal with a family of 16 (only 10 will be covered w/DDE card) will probably come close to having you break even. I would absolutely do it.

 

[R & B]

I think the DDE card is definately worth it. My family of 4 adults recently returned from a 10 day trip. We ate counter service at lunch and table service for dinner. After deducting $50 for the cost of the card, we saved $240.69! And we get to use it again next May!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

If you have a large party, I doesn't hurt to ask the restaurant manager ahead of time if they will accept the DDE for more than stated limit of people. Especially, if many in the party are kids.

We had 13 people at the Flying Fish in January 2004, 6 of them kids under 5yo, so only 7 adults. I asked permission to use the DDE card before the meal and the manager approved it for our whole party.

Even if they are getting stricter now, by letting them know in advance, the CM's will probably help you figure out the 8 highest price adult drinks, appetizers, entrees, desserts, and coffees to put the 20% discount on.

Just be sure to tip on the original billed amount and not on the discounted bill.

Have fun and good luck.

 

[Luv2Roam]

It all does depend on the server and then the manager.
The restaurants have been MUCH stricter about splitting tickets on the DDE.
They use to without any issues. Since March once it gets to the manager approving level, then we have almost always had to pay one ticket per DDE card. And one card per table.
So just a heads up that you may have to pay for the DDE discounted meals on one ticket. And that is DDE policy. But they use to be very lax about it.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We have a family of 5 (although we didn't always order meals for our 2.5 year AND she was free at buffets), and the DDE card paid for itself within 2 days!!