How to use the DDP? Dining Discuss How to use the DDP? in the Vacation Planning forums; Please could anyone give me some basic instructions on how to actually use the DDP? For example, when we go to the Yachtsman Steakhouse- a) when do we say we ...

[Piglit]

Please could anyone give me some basic instructions on how to actually use the DDP?

For example, when we go to the Yachtsman Steakhouse-

a) when do we say we have DDP and to whom?
b) can we have any extras, such as drinks, charged to our room card?
c) how do we calculate/pay the gratuity?

At a counter service -
a) do we tell the CM before we order?
b) can we then order anything and have the extras charged to the room again?

Thank you!

[kat228]

You've got the basic idea. You'll get the hang of it after 1 meal. They'll always ask you when you sit down if you're on the DDP and which plan you're on. Then they'll explain it to you. For your example of Yachtsman, if you're on the regular plan, it'll take 2 TS credits per person. Then you can order any entree, any dessert, and any soft drink. If you want an app to share or say a glass of wine, that would be extra, as well as gratuity. At the end of the meal when you get your check, you can hand them your KTTW card if you'd like everything just charged to the room (IMO this is the simple way, since you need to hand them your card anyway to get the credits removed.) And then you'll get the bill back and be able to write in tip, etc, like normal. You can also tell your waiter/waitress that you'll be paying for any extras in cash, so you'd give them your KTTW card for the DP credits, then you can leave tip in cash as well as any extras you might have.

As for QS, generally it entitles you to a meal, dessert, and drink. What I did is say to the cashier when I went up and ordered was, "I have 2 QS meals I'd like to use. I want...." and then placed my order. They'll walk you through it if you're a little lost. Actually, take a look at this picture:


That's the menu board from Yak & Yeti CS at AK. For a QS meal, you'd get the honey chicken, a frozen lemonade, & a drink. (Just as an example.) And then just tell them that you'd like to use a QS credit. I've gone without the DP many times and if I hand them a KTTW card, the cashier always asks me if it's being charged to the room or if I'm using the DP.
As for extras, when we went to Pepper Market, when we were done dinner my brother decided to grab a latte to take with him. We paid for our meals and then she rang his drink through separately. He paid cash (it was my CC on the room) but you can also charge it to the room at that point.

As for snacks, if you refer back to the picture, you'll see the little purple icon next to some items (like the egg rolls!) That's the icon they use to designate whether or not an item counts as a snack on the DDP. Now, not all snacks will have a handy dandy icon, so it's important to check with whomever you're getting it from, that indeed, the item does count as a snack before checking out. When we were at Rix Cafe (CSR), I assumed that the danishes would be a snack credit for breakfast...nope! So just remember to check.

Hope that helps!

[Piglit]

Oh, thank you so much! That is all perfectly clear. I'll print this out just in case I get an attack of the 'stupids' at the first hurdle.

At the end of the meal when you get your check, you can hand them your KTTW card if you'd like everything just charged to the room (IMO this is the simple way, since you need to hand them your card anyway to get the credits removed.)

We like to charge everything, it's so much easier than carrying cash around.

And then you'll get the bill back and be able to write in tip, etc, like normal.

So the gratuity can be charged too, I assume.


Thanks again. I'll buy you a coffee if we ever meet.

[disneycrazy1956]

Great explanation kat228, another DDP first timer thanks you too. I pretty much had it down but you confirmed my ideas with your post. Thanks so much!!! We are going in September for free dining.

[kat228]

I'm glad I could help!!

The only thing I'm not 100% sure on, is when you get your bill if you know what your total would have been if you weren't on the DP, so you can figure out tip. I've never actually been on the full DP, just the QS plan, but when I was researching my options, I figured everything out for the regular plan...you know, just in case But I have heard from other people that indeed you can charge the gratuity to the room, in fact they assume you'll be doing that unless told otherwise.

I've used the QSDP, I loved the QSDP, so I have the QS meals and snacks down now.

I'm a bit obsessed with Disney food, so if there's anything more you have questions on, I'd be happy to help!

[Piglit]

Originally Posted by kat228

But I have heard from other people that indeed you can charge the gratuity to the room, in fact they assume you'll be doing that unless told otherwise.

Thank you.

If I think of any more food-related questions in the next 3 weeks I'll know who to call on.