Added up our savings using DDE card

[jiggerj]

As most of you know my family and I just returned from 9 days in the World. There were 3 adults (myself and 2 dd's) and one child (my 6 yr old son).

I was able to purchase the dining card with my AP discount back in May for our May trip for $50.00. Sooo... I have been able to use it for 6 days this past May, 4 days this past Sept and 9 days this trip.

This trip alone when I added up the receipts was a total of $91.33 savings just using the card. I used it at every opportunity that would accept it. Actually the $91.33 is the min. I saved as I did not save the receipt from GF dinner or the uses at the Gurgling Suitcase. :)

With all the talk of the dining plan I just thought I would share the savings that the DDE was for me. And its not over yet! I will be able to use it one more time before it expires for 6 days this coming May although we will not have quite as extensive ADR's as this trip. With multiple trips within a year the DDE was great!

[dianeschlicht]

Good to know! I think ours is going to be perfect for us too. I doubt we would ever want to take advantage of the dining plan, because it would have to be for all people staying on each trip. The DDE card appears to be a much better deal for us.

[Rozzie]

we love the DDE. Our DDE last year (under FL resident program) saved us over $160 after cost of card. We paid for the card just with the discount at V&A. So far this year, we have now paid for the card with our first trip, and have 2 trips left this year. It works out better for us to use the DDE, as they do drinks also.

[bavaria]

I love the DDE card, even when I am alone. I haven't added up the savings, but I know that they are substantial (especially after 6 trips this year!!!) :)

I do find that I tip higher as well when using the DDE (I always tip on the prediscount price, but since I am 'saving' so much I find myself a little more generous)

Also note that BC marketplace usually accepts the card. I always ask a location if I am unsure.

[mamaprincess]

We tend to tip about 20% of the total bill so we see it as saving us our tips.
I'm just glad we have the option of both the dining plan or the DDE now.

[cobbler]

We used ours on two trips. Oct 1-8 and Nov 27-Dec 2.

We saved a total of 166.49. After we spent 50 for the card we had a grand total savings of 116.49.

Not to bad considering we eat only one sit down meal a day.

It really helped that in Oct we were at the FQ and they take DDE in their food court :)

[dvcconvert]

Actually the $91.33 is the min. I saved as I did not save the receipt from GF dinner or the uses at the Gurgling Suitcase.



I bet I've saved $ 91.33 just at the Gurgling Suitcase alone! :D

The DDE is a seriously good deal! A few months back I took a group over to the Yachtsman Steakhouse--after added "several" bottles of Diane Disney Millers' Silverado to the food tab for 14 people, the DDE saved me over $ 200.00 !!

I don't think you can go wrong with it, so long as you do use it when, and where ever possible!

[Colorado Belle]

I wonder how it would work for one person in a studio to use the dniing plan?
Several of us go 'solo' and meet up in the World. In May, the two other ladies each have a DDE card which of ocurse has the added distinction of savings on drinks!!!! Yahoo.

I can't imagine getting an appetizer, an entree and a dessert for that price including tip. The thing is, I hardly ever get an appetizer, and entree and a dessert in the same meal. But just a salad and drink in the World is 11.00 for counter service...so does it mean one can eat in Le Cellier for one sit down coupon and get a whole meal for 37-11(counter service) or 26 bucks?

This last trip, 7 days, I only ate one 'dining' meal and about 3 counter service meals...so normally, I spend very little on food. But the gals I'm going with made ressies for every night, so I'm thinking it might be worth a try.

Lots to ponder...but I must say I NEVER thought it would happen for DVC.

Never say never!

[gopherit]

I can't imagine getting an appetizer, an entree and a dessert for that price including tip. The thing is, I hardly ever get an appetizer, and entree and a dessert in the same meal. But just a salad and drink in the World is 11.00 for counter service...so does it mean one can eat in Le Cellier for one sit down coupon and get a whole meal for 37-11(counter service) or 26 bucks?

This last trip, 7 days, I only ate one 'dining' meal and about 3 counter service meals...so normally, I spend very little on food. But the gals I'm going with made ressies for every night, so I'm thinking it might be worth a try.

THis is sort of my thinking as well, as I look at the dining plan (something I ordinarily would not have ever considered). When I do the math like CB did, however, I think that $26 for a sit-down meal is quite reasonable! THe children's dining plan is a real deal, in my eyes - a sit-down buffet for them is already $11, so it's like getting a snack and counter service meal for them for free.

Of course, also like CB, we don't tend to eat out excessively - usually we do one sit-down service per day. HOWEVER... we love HDDR, and that would use up 2 sit-downs, and we might try something nice like Yachtsman (again using up 2 table-service), which would then mean we could use up some of that counter service food as a dinner for one night that we don't have a table service ticket for.

I just wish one little thing... that you could trade "up" 2 counter service for a TS! I'd even be willing to trade 3 CS for 1 TS. Typically, we just don't do counter service.... maybe we will learn to!