Reports Dining Plan may be opened to AP holders

[BCV23]

Three posters on the Rates and Code board have reported that CMs at the Disney Reservation Center have said that AP holders MAY be able to add the dining plan.

We absolutely love DDE and don't usually do any counter service restaurants but it would be great if it were an option. If it includes DVC that would be great as well.

If this comes to fruition, I just really hope that the DVC AP discount remains as well as the ability to buy DDE with an AP.

Just doing my part to spread another rumor.

 

[Donna]

This is good news if it turns out to be true! So would ONLY the AP holder be able to add the dining plan, not guests staying with them? I am taking my parents next year and that'd be the only way they'd pay "those kinds of prices" , lol.

 

[BCV23]

I don't know but I would think it would be tied into having a ticket? Maybe that would be another way to dissuade people from buying only one AP as a room discount card!

But it will be interesting to see.

Someone was also told that it would be open to CMs. I had never thought of that but it must be tough on them to book meal after meal for people on the MYW plan and not be able to get that same deal.

 

[Paticake]

I went on the DVC tour with my son last Thurs. He is a new member!!! Visions of a Grand villa in our future with pooled points. Anyway my guide said that DVC is working on a dining plan when I brought it up with her. Here's hoping!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I much prefer the DDE discount to the dining plan. I hope this doesn't mean the DDE goes away for DVC/AP holders.

 

[Chuck S]

I much prefer the DDE discount to the dining plan. I hope this doesn't mean the DDE goes away for DVC/AP holders.

Us too, I added up our food costs, with the DDE, including tips, from our last trip. The dining plan would be a "break even" as far as cost...but more limiting in what we could order. I mean, sometimes we wanted BOTH soup and salad without any dessert...the plan would not allow that.

 

[BCV23]

We used to do the Gold Plan/Deluxe Magic...different names over the years and always found the CMs to be very flexible with ordering. I imagine with so many people doing the plan and so many people doing shady things (IMO) to maximize the return, the CMs are stricter now. But I would think that most would still let you order that salad or soup in place of dessert. Have you read otherwise, Chuck?

But as I said, we really love DDE and the DVC/AP discount and would really hope if this happens that those discounts remain.

 

[crisi]

Us too, I added up our food costs, with the DDE, including tips, from our last trip. The dining plan would be a "break even" as far as cost...but more limiting in what we could order. I mean, sometimes we wanted BOTH soup and salad without any dessert...the plan would not allow that.

Its the liquor bill!

 

[Chuck S]

Its the liquor bill!

Ahh, true. While we drink very little liquor, we did have about 4 drinks during the 9 day trip, and with the MYW plan it would have been more expensive.

 

[DebbieB]

This is good news if it turns out to be true! So would ONLY the AP holder be able to add the dining plan, not guests staying with them? I am taking my parents next year and that'd be the only way they'd pay "those kinds of prices" , lol.

I would think they would keep the rule that everyone in the room has to buy the dining plan. Otherwise, only some would buy it then share the food with the others in the family who didn't buy it. I think that's a key part of how Disney makes the dining plan cost effective for them.

 

[chipscinderelly]

On the 2005 Member Cruise Jim Lewis did confirm that they are working hard on a dining plan for DVC - some of the hold up appeared to be that there are numerous computer systems being used and DVC has a one that is different so they needed to work out some kinks (along with pricing etc).

 

[ClarabelleCow]

What is the difference in the dining plan and DDE??? We don't have AP, just 10day MYW with no expiration, but we may be back in October, so I am thinking of turning in my 4 MYW tickets (I think we have 7 days left on them), and making them AP's, is the DDE worth it???

 

[BCV23]

DDE is fantastic. The card costs $50 if you have an AP. You receive two cards for you and a spouse (or significant other???...not sure how that works). With the card you get 20% off at almost all table service restaurants at WDW. Also works at counter service restaurants at the few resorts without a full service option. Even works at Victoria & Alberts.

The dining plan that can be added to MYW plans provides one TS, one CS and one snack per night of your stay for a flat fee/night. You can move your credits around from day to day within your stay. Also some restaurants take two credits.

 

[keishashadow]

Thought this might be of interest...

Finally got an answer from WDW as to trade in/cost to upgrade my MYW tix to AP's.

I originally bought 7 night MYW Premium tix for 2 A & 1 C, @ advance purchase discount of $992.59.

We had 4 major parks & 4 minor left over.

I'm told it will cost us $694.92 (less DVC disc) to upgrade, or...including tax; less than $400.

So, our "credit" is $504.28; slightly less than the formula quoted (4/7 in our case); still a great deal IMO.

I'm a cheerleader for the dining plan being offered...probably AFTER I purchase the DDE in December .

 

[manning]

What is the difference in the dining plan and DDE??? We don't have AP, just 10day MYW with no expiration, but we may be back in October, so I am thinking of turning in my 4 MYW tickets (I think we have 7 days left on them), and making them AP's, is the DDE worth it???

Anyone can buy the DDE. There are two costs. $75.00 and a discounted price of $50.00 for those who have an annual pass. I believe florida resident pass holders can get the discounted price also.

You get 20% off your food and liquor bill. There are some restrictions, but not many, as to where and when you can use it. Go to this site for details

http://allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

It is good for one year. Here's a hint. Try to order the card on or after the 7th of the month. You will get an extra month out of it. I.E. you order it 1-6 of november it will expire on nov 30 next year. Order it on or after the 7th of november it will expire on Dec 31 next year.


It can be bought only as followed:

BY MAIL: Disney's Dining Experience, Post Office Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

BY PHONE: (407) 566-5858.


It will take about four to six weeks for the permanent card(s) to be mailed to you. The only way to get the permanent card. The cards will not be held at the post office or forewarded.

If you are going to disney within this time frame you can order it by phone and arrange to have a temporary card issued. You will pick it up at guest relations located at EPCOT at the front only. We did this while there. I ordered it at 9:00 am and the card was available for pickup after 5:30 pm the same day.

You will get two cards, one for you and another for your spouse along with a list of the establishments giving the discount.

Someone else will have to fill you in on the Dining Plan.

 

[shellbelle1971]

Keishashadow
thanks for that info. I have been wondering about how that would work. Do you have a phone # I can call for a similar question?

 

[Chuck S]

Anyone can buy the DDE. There are two costs. $75.00 and a discounted price of $50.00 for those who have an annual pass. I believe florida resident pass holders can get the discounted price also.

Incorrect. You must be a FL resident OR have an annual pass to get the DDE. There was confusion on January when the DDE was first opened up to AP holders, and they are now enforcing this rule.

If you are a FL resident but do not have an AP the cost is $75. If you are a resident of any state and have an AP the cost is $50.

 

[BCV23]

Anyone can buy the DDE. There are two costs. $75.00 and a discounted price of $50.00 for those who have an annual pass. I believe florida resident pass holders can get the discounted price also.

No, I'm pretty sure you must have an AP or be a FL to get DDE. Up until this year, the program was only open to FL residents who pay $75. This year it was also opened up for AP holders at the discounted price of $50.

On that same thread on the Codes and Rates board someone is now saying that DDE may not be available next year! That "they" haven't decided yet....whoever they is.

I may need to stop reading that forum.

 

[DVCajun]

That's right-- you have to be either a Florida resident or an AP holder, and AP holders get a $25 discount. We rather flew by the seat of our pants on our last trip because we had to have our AP vouchers before we could purchase the DDE card, and we waited until only about a week before our trip to order them! I got the vouchers on Friday and was able to order our DDE card that day so our temporary cards would be waiting for us at Epcot guest services Saturday afternoon. The DDE office isn't open on the weekend, so if we had waited until we got there we would have missed a weekend of discounts!

I LOVE that the DDE card offers a discount on alcohol too. That took most of the guilt out of ordering them-- usually I feel like our bill is already so expensive I shouldn't splurge on a drink too.

 

[erikthewise]

It's not just the liquor bill with DDE. We don't drink alcohol, but we also virtually never eat appetizer, entree, and dessert at the same meal. And we usually average 1.5 table service meals per day. So DDE will work out much better for us. (Waiting with 'bated breath for my card to come in the mail!)

But assuming it doesn't impact DDE, it would be great for AP holders to have the dining plan as an option.