Disney Dining Experience

[calicommando]

I did a quick search and couldn't easily find an answer. Please don't get mad if this has been asked over and over again, but could someone please explain the DDE? Is it for passholders? What are the benefits? If there is a link that explains it thoroughly, that would be great. Thanks for your help.

 

[calicommando]

Nevermind, I found it.
http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

 

[gardenia]

That link gives you the basics.... but let me add:

Newsletter - wha??? In three years of DDE membership I've never received a newletter in any format. A few event emails, yes.

Tip - if you use DDE they now add an 18% tip automatically as of January 2008 (if the server remembers to press the right button). So you're getting 20% off and paying an 18% automatic gratuity. Still a bargain, but be sure you don't double tip.

Sometimes they ask for your drivers license before processing your discount - just be sure to have it with you.

Not all restaurants on Disney property take DDE. I was disappointed to find that the restaurants in the Japan pavillion at Epcot do not take DDE.

 

[Monty]

When we were there earlier this month I never once had the 18% gratuity added without the server pointing out to me that it was already included.

I've also never been asked for my driver's license or any other form of ID. In fact, a couple of places just casually glanced at the card and didn't take it to swipe it [or even look closely enough to see if it was expired].

Japan in Epcot and Yak & Yeti in AK were two that didn't take it, but it still saved me a small fortune during the year I had it!

 

[calicommando]

Thanks for the post. The 18% will save me money. I guess I understand automatic gratuity though since I've been the server getting the 10% tip.

 

[Monty]

Thanks for the post. The 18% will save me money. I guess I understand automatic gratuity though since I've been the server getting the 10% tip.

That would never have been me! :animwink:

I consider the 18% a bare minimum tip at any restaurant. When you serve me well, I increase from there!

 

[MinnieLee]

That would never have been me! :animwink:

I consider the 18% a bare minimum tip at any restaurant. When you serve me well, I increase from there!

I agree with you. We always tip higher than what is expected. We have saved alot of money with the DDE card - well worth the money. We just booked reservations at Cinderalla's Royal Table and were surprised that it was accepted there. We tried to use it in Japan and no good. Also, they should have some kind of discount at the USA pavilion.

 

[Monty]

I agree with you. We always tip higher than what is expected. We have saved alot of money with the DDE card - well worth the money. We just booked reservations at Cinderalla's Royal Table and were surprised that it was accepted there. We tried to use it in Japan and no good. Also, they should have some kind of discount at the USA pavilion.

The only time counter service restaurants are covered by DDE is if the park has no table service restaurants that take it. Epcot has lots of restaurants that accept DDE [12 according to the sheet I have].

 

[Rob562]

The only time counter service restaurants are covered by DDE is if the park has no table service restaurants that take it. Epcot has lots of restaurants that accept DDE [12 according to the sheet I have].

This is also the case with the resorts. So the food courts at the Values, as well as at French Quarter will accept the DDE card.

And although Animal Kingdom now has a Table Service restaurant that accepts the DDE (Tusker House), they still accept it at Flame Tree, Restaurantosaurus and Pizzafari, at least for the time being. The the best of my knowledge, DDE is not accepted at either the Table or Counter Service at Yak & Yeti.

-Rob

 

[formercast84]

DDE changes

:hammer:We have had the DDE for 3 years and enjoyed using it. It helped make the food more reasonable considering how high the prices are compared to places outside of Disney. We recently contact Disney when the mandatory 18% fee was added and closed our account. The will refund your entire amount if you return the card and ask for it. I don't know that we have a problem with a gratuity of 18%, but I refuse to make it a mandatory fee. There have been many times where the service and food didn't warrant 18%. For example, at Chef de'France the waiter was impossible to find and just tossed the food on the table. Hardly worthy of 18%. I tipped 5% with a note written on the receipt.

Basically, it is a service fee and it only applies to DDE. I find it interesting at the same time that Disney started charging DDE members 18%, they stopped charging the Disney Dining Plan users the fee. DDE members tend to be your frequent "attenders" to the parks. It is wrong to penalize that same group for being on DDE. I recommend you reconsider it. It will take a long time for the card to pay for itself now and now you have to complain to the restaurant management if the service is poor to ask that the fee be reduced. Unacceptable!

 

[Monty]

:hammer:We have had the DDE for 3 years and enjoyed using it. It helped make the food more reasonable considering how high the prices are compared to places outside of Disney. We recently contact Disney when the mandatory 18% fee was added and closed our account. The will refund your entire amount if you return the card and ask for it. I don't know that we have a problem with a gratuity of 18%, but I refuse to make it a mandatory fee. There have been many times where the service and food didn't warrant 18%. For example, at Chef de'France the waiter was impossible to find and just tossed the food on the table. Hardly worthy of 18%. I tipped 5% with a note written on the receipt.

Basically, it is a service fee and it only applies to DDE. I find it interesting at the same time that Disney started charging DDE members 18%, they stopped charging the Disney Dining Plan users the fee. DDE members tend to be your frequent "attenders" to the parks. It is wrong to penalize that same group for being on DDE. I recommend you reconsider it. It will take a long time for the card to pay for itself now and now you have to complain to the restaurant management if the service is poor to ask that the fee be reduced. Unacceptable!

Not saving money on principle is still not saving money. :shrug:

If they reduce my bill by 20% and add 18% as a tip, I'm still ahead by 20% unless I wouldn't tip 18. So the savings are still 20% for me.

If you choose to be stubborn and pay more as a result, feel free.

 

[evanssc]

Did they send out a notification of the mandatory 18% change? We have been member of DDE for two years and this is the first that I have heard of it.

 

[Master Yoda]

Did they send out a notification of the mandatory 18% change? We have been member of DDE for two years and this is the first that I have heard of it.

I was notified by way of e-mail.

 

[Master Yoda]

:hammer:We have had the DDE for 3 years and enjoyed using it. It helped make the food more reasonable considering how high the prices are compared to places outside of Disney. We recently contact Disney when the mandatory 18% fee was added and closed our account. The will refund your entire amount if you return the card and ask for it. I don't know that we have a problem with a gratuity of 18%, but I refuse to make it a mandatory fee. There have been many times where the service and food didn't warrant 18%. For example, at Chef de'France the waiter was impossible to find and just tossed the food on the table. Hardly worthy of 18%. I tipped 5% with a note written on the receipt.

Basically, it is a service fee and it only applies to DDE. I find it interesting at the same time that Disney started charging DDE members 18%, they stopped charging the Disney Dining Plan users the fee. DDE members tend to be your frequent "attenders" to the parks. It is wrong to penalize that same group for being on DDE. I recommend you reconsider it. It will take a long time for the card to pay for itself now and now you have to complain to the restaurant management if the service is poor to ask that the fee be reduced. Unacceptable!

The only way that this would be true is if you do not tip. As a general rule I always tipped the discount. Now that the tip is mandatory the automatic 18% that is all they get. In reality this change saved me an extra 2%.

 

[Monty]

I received two e-mails about the 18% tip being added:

On 9 November:

Dear Monty,
Greetings from the Disney Dining Experience Team!
As 2008 quickly approaches, you will begin to see some exciting new developments for the Disney Dining Experience Membership Program. You asked and we listened! Effective November 11, 2007, you will no longer have to wait 3 – 6 weeks to receive your permanent membership card(s).
Guest Relations locations at Epcot®, MAGIC KINGDOM® Park, DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park, Disney-MGM Studios, DOWNTOWN DISNEY® West Side, and DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Marketplace will now be able to print permanent Disney Dining Experience membership cards for immediate use. This service is designed for existing and new members. Cards produced at the Guest Relations locations will be printed on paper stock similar to the annual pass tickets.
The Disney Dining Experience office will still be available to take applications for current and new members, via the phone, fax or mail for those who do not want to take advantage of the in-park service. Membership cards ordered through the Disney Dining Experience office will be received within 2 - 3 weeks of purchase.
All Guests who have ordered their Disney Dining Experience membership cards prior to November 11, 2007 date will have to pickup their temporary cards at the main entrance Epcot® Guest Relations. Your permanent card will be sent through the mail and arrive in 3-4 weeks from the date of purchase.
We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.
Cheers!
The Disney Dining Experience Team

[FONT=georgia,times new roman,times,serif]New Dining Location[/FONT]​

Tutto Italia Ristorante, in the Italian Pavilion at Epcot® is now a participating Disney Dining Experience location. The casual-elegant restaurant features handmade mozzarella and pasta, Italian regional specialties and wonderful breads and pastries. Tutto Italia Ristorante location is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Please note that L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Restaurant is no longer operating at the Italian Pavilion.

and a follow-up on 10 November:

Dear Monty,
Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.
This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.
If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.
Thank you,
The Disney Dining Experience Team

Reasonable notice was provided.

 

[formercast84]

DDE Notice

They gave enough notice on the increase. I am not saying I wouldn't tip, but at the very least I should be able to say what my tip is. Bad service doesn't get 18%, but it does now unless you complain (that is what Disney told me). But with bills double or more of normal and the fact I know what the base salary is for the service help, the 18% mandatory is too much and I rarely get that good of service. To me, average service (which is what we usually get), is 15%. But like I said, now I don't have a choice. They gave me the refund when I asked for it because the terms and conditions you agree to for the card don't allow them to make this increase. They basically broke their own rules. They should have made it go into effect the next time you renewed. Then you could have just said no.

 

[BSikor]

Oh no! It's started again!:hammer:

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Not saving money on principle is still not saving money. :shrug:

If they reduce my bill by 20% and add 18% as a tip, I'm still ahead by 20% unless I wouldn't tip 18. So the savings are still 20% for me.

If you choose to be stubborn and pay more as a result, feel free.

Agreed!

 

[formercast84]

Helpful

Oh no! It's started again!:hammer:

Now that is a helpful and constructive comment!

 

[Laura]

It will take a long time for the card to pay for itself now

:veryconfu

A $100 meal with an average 20% gratuity would cost you $120 out of pocket.
A $100 meal using DDE and paying the auto 18% gratuity would cost you $98.

That's a $22 savings. After 3 meals the card has paid for itself. Depending on how often you eat at full service meals it could have paid for itself within 2-4 days, and you get to keep it all year!


Your argument is if you wouldn't normally tip well for crappy service so therefore it would take a long time to recoup the initial amount spent. Let's use your 5% "you are a sucky server" gratuity as an example...

$100 meal, 5% gratuity = $105
$100 meal, DDE discount, 18% gratuity = $98.
$7 saved.

So it would take 9 full service meals, all with completely deplorable service, to pay for the card in your mind. Now what are the chances that you're going to have 9 terrible servers in a row that would only deserve a 5% gratuity? And even if that did happen (yeah right) most people with DDE are going to eat more than 9 sit down meals in a year at Disney anyway.

I was really irritated when I learned about the auto-gratuity because I've had some pretty bad service myself in the last year. But once I got to Disney and began eating at some full service restaurants I started appreciating the convenience (and extra 2% savings) of the auto-tip and now I kinda like having it there.