Tables in Wonderland Question

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do this, but I posted in the Dining thread and no one is really answering, so I thought I'd ask here too.

For the past few years I've been doing the DDP and I love it because I'm able to try so many nice restaurants! I'm trying to determine if TiW would be the better deal for us. I've already spent $1442 on the DDP for 15 days, but I can get it refunded since I'm a couple months out and make the switch to TiW if needed. Here is some info about our dining habits:

- I enjoy the snack credits (helloooo cupcakes!), though I've never been able to use them all. Last trip we had 9 left over that we had to spend downtown before leaving.

- We would probably order dessert with every dinner either way.

- I can only drink vodka, so I wouldn't order alcohol every day.

- My fiance would prefer a beer with dinner, but doesn't order on the DDP because it's not covered.

- We do occasionally order an appetizer and pay out of pocket.

- We do not require dessert with lunch, but will eat it if it's in front of us... Should probably be obese.

- We normally use a snack credit for breakfast, quick service for lunch, and table service for dinner.

- Sometimes we use a QS for dinner in order to use the TS meal later on for a TS lunch & dinner in one day.

- We have also been known to pay for extra TS meals out of pocket.

I did notice that QS meals aren't included in TiW. That is the main reason I'm wondering about whether it's a better deal.

I should also include that we are going to be paying for our reception dinner which will be between $400-$500 during this trip.

TIW is only available to:
1) AP holders
2) FL residents
3) DVC members



If you fall into 1 of those categories it is an option. TIW is accepted in some but not all QS locations. Check this out for locations:
http://tablesinwonderland.com/

If you want to be really obsessive open a spreadsheet (or just use a pad of paper and a pencil) and make a list of where you plan to eat dinner and lunch if known. Figure on the cost of the average meal you would actually want to eat (there are a lot of online sites with menus including prices) and then take the 20% discount if the place accepts TIW. Add up the total cost plus the cost of TIW and compare it to the cost of DDP. For a lot of people it makes sense. If you plan on eating dessert either way and not drinking much it may not.

Not sure about the reception dinner (wedding reception? If so congrats!). Usually TIW allows you up to 10 guests on the bill. If you have more it may not work, but I am far from an expert so probably better to call someone and ask about it.

Some people prefer to know that they have pre-paid for the meal plan and don't have to worry about meal costs or budgeting on the trip. That is a benefit to DDP over TIW, although I have heard people suggest you could just buy Disney gift cards equal to the cost of DDP and use them to pay for meals with TIW and it's the same as pre-paying for DDP. I guess that works.

Thanks for the in-depth reply I am a DVC member, so I could get TiW. I did what you said and added up every meal and did the math, and it actually looks like we'll be better off if we go with DDP! We have a few 2 credit meals (Flying Fish, CRT, Bistro) and we generally do get dessert with dinner, and would be buying breakfast daily. I thought maybe we would save some money with TiW, but oh well! It is our honeymoon, after all!

I'm actually surprised that it worked out that way. The reception dinner alone is enough to justify the cost of the TiW. The breakeven point on a TiW is $500 for a DVC/FL price, $375 for an AP price. If you are going to be on property for 15 days, have you considered buying an AP? A 10 day hopper is about $399 with tax, and DVC is selling premium APs for $399 before tax, so by paying an extra $25 or so, you could bump up to an AP, and toss in the water parks and go each day of your trip. The added cost to make that change would be offset by the TiW savings, and you would actually start to come out ahead. So even if you are doing the DDP, the TiW may more than cover itself on that one meal. Then if you do order something at a TS location that is covered under the DDP, (your apps, beer etc, you would get the discount on that part of the bill). Ditto for meals at AK. Most of (if not all) the CS locations there accept TiW, so you could use a CS DDP credit for breakfast, and then pay for lunch out of pocket.

Based on your post, how many times did you really use a snack credit for breakfast? If you still had 9 left, and bought a bunch of cupcakes, it sounds like you may have paid for more meals out of pocket than you thought for. Also remember that if you buy TiW in Dec 12, it's good til Jan 14. (13 months since they still send some out by mail) Since your next trip is Sept 13, you can use it again then. (Same with an AP) Not sure if you thought of that when doing your numbers, but something to keep in mind.

We're debating the same issue right now and when I crunched the numbers I came up with TiW saving us a few dollars or breaking even, so we are down to debating the convenience factor.

Also consider that TiW discount includes alcohol...

And not just while you're eating dinner. It also is good for alcohol at places like the Rose & Crown pub at Epcot, Tune-In Lounge at the Studios, and most of the hotel bars (though not the pool bars).

-Rob

We just don't drink enough to make a difference. We might have a drink every few nights with dinner, but overall it's still a better value for us to use DDP. At least this year... Who knows with next year's price increase.

TIW is also good for one year. So on this 15 day trip when you get the DDP, you are done with it after your trip. But if you get TIW, you can use it for the entire year.

Do not forget to add gratuity onto your meal cost for the dining plan.

Best "plan" on WDW property - because it isn't a plan .

For US (big qualifier) - TIW saves $650 per year. But we go to Sigs every night, 18 nights a year. I always treat the plan as doing no more than paying the Tip that I would have left anyway...

People will argue - but I also love the look in the eyes of our favorite folks at our favorite restaurants, once they know that we have a TIW card . No hard data - but my gut instinct is that they are HIGHLY relieved that they are not going to be DDP'd.

On our most recent trip, we participated in the QS-DDP and bought a TIW card (using our AP's instead of our DVC membership). We only had 3 sit-down meals scheduled for our party of 9, and the card paid for itself. We paid: $75 for the card & saved: $98. The one thing to remember though, in regards to the TIW card, an 18% tip is automatically added onto your bill, 20% at some signature restaurants.

I did, actually. It just doesn't work out in our favor.

Which restaurants add the 20% to your bill?

V&A for sure (just used our TIW there). But I really don't remember any others?

I thought it was all table service places? Make sure to check your receipt!! You will see it listed there.

Receipts all list "suggested" gratuities of 18 and 20%, but they add an automatic gratuity of 18% when you use TiW at a TS restaurant or a bar and 20% at V&As. V&As is the only restaurant to which the 20% is added.

Thanks for the answer guys.

That is what I thought and was hoping that there was no change in the policy. Well at least no change for now.

I'm sorry that I'm just now replying to your post, but other members beat me to the answer. It is just V&A that adds 20% regardless of party size, although the TiW card is only good for 10 people, including the card holder.

Actually it's, 13 months. So if you go to WDW every year at the same time, or so, you can use it twice and save the $75 cost of the card the second year.

We go every year at the same time and only pay for the TiW card every other year because of the 13 month rule.