DDP vs TIW

[gwhb75]

Hi everyone. I was listening to a podcast the other day, and the topic of the DDP came up. The gist of the comments were that the DDP isn't worth the money, and that TIW was better, and could pay for itself in one trip.

I'm an accountant, so thought I'd run some numbers to see if this was correct. I took our September reservations (family of 4 - 3 "adults", 1 child going in Septemberfor 9 nights), assumed $50 per day for counter service (for four - incuding the TIW discount), and the end result was that this worked out to around $100 less than the dining plan.

Tables In Wonderland 100

Restaurant Discounted cost
Ohana 104.33
Chef Mickeys 123.39
Libery Tree Tavern 95.39
50's Prime Time 106.50
Teppan Edo 149.10
Biergarten 104.33
Sci-Fi 102.24
Ohana (breakfast) 72.00
Crystal Palace 119.28

976.55

Add counter services 450.00

Total TIW cost 1,526.55

Dinin Plan cost 1,626.00

Savings 99.45



However, this did not include any snacks while at the park (which could get up to $15-$20 per day for four people), or the resort mugs which would run around $16/person. So, if all that is factored in, then it looks like DDP is still the better deal.

It looks like the comments that TIW will pay can pay for itself in one trip is correct, but I can't say that it is a better deal than TIW. I guess if you include alcohol then there are some substantial savings, but we don't drink.

So, after all that, a couple of questions:

1) Did I miss something in my analysis?
2) Has anyone used TIW before, and what was your experience?

The reason we're interested is we have someone who may be joining us on our reservation a few days in, and wanted to see if TIW would work out better since that person would need to get the dining plan for the days she wasn't there

 

[Monty]

I've used both. If you and your party all eat in the "pattern" of the DDP [one TS/one QS and one snack/day] and don't drink, then your analysis is generally accurate [it also depends on what you would order].

When you factor in alcohol, resort discounts [depending on whether you're paying for DDP or getting it "free"], how many people in your party and a variety of other potential variables, it gets a little more blurred.

In my experience, taking only my son or travelling alone I do multiple trips per year, I find I save significantly more between buying and AP and the TiW card than paying for DDP or getting it free. We don't eat very many QS meals and I have been known to imbibe with meals and without.

 

[2bornot2be]

I use the DDL; what is and how do you get the TiW discount?

 

[Monty]

I use the DDL; what is and how do you get the TiW discount?

Tables in Wonderland is a dining discount card that can be purchased by Florida residents [$100], AP holders [$75] and DVC members [Not sure what they're charged]. It gives a 20% discount on most Table Service restaurants and a few Quick Service. At TS you're charge an automatic 18% tip.

If you qualify, you can buy it at any Guest Relations at WDW.

 

[2bornot2be]

Tables in Wonderland is a dining discount card that can be purchased by Florida residents [$100], AP holders [$75] and DVC members [Not sure what they're charged]. It gives a 20% discount on most Table Service restaurants and a few Quick Service. At TS you're charge an automatic 18% tip.

If you qualify, you can buy it at any Guest Relations at WDW.

Thanks Monty, I guess I don't qualify

 

[Computer Magic]

You need to buy an AP and the TiW card.

 

[gwhb75]

Tables in Wonderland is a dining discount card that can be purchased by Florida residents [$100], AP holders [$75] and DVC members [Not sure what they're charged]. It gives a 20% discount on most Table Service restaurants and a few Quick Service. At TS you're charge an automatic 18% tip.

If you qualify, you can buy it at any Guest Relations at WDW.

DVC members are charged $100 also.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We have AP's and bought the TIW card at the beginning of our November trip. 3 of us each chipped in $25 (we always travel together) and it was paid for by the end of the 5 days. We ate at Le Cellier, Ohana, Les Chefs De France, Via Napoli, 50s Prime Time Cafe and Crystal Palace. Last month we also used it for our 11 table service meals.So it was well worth the $75 for us. However, in September we are using the DDP. We're normally not huge eaters and rarely order dessert. Since the DDP is free for us (with the small upgrade charge to TS rather than QS plan) we're going to use it as an experiment to see if it is indeed worth it to get the DDP in the future.

 

[Monty]

We have AP's and bought the TIW card at the beginning of our November trip. 3 of us each chipped in $25 (we always travel together) and it was paid for by the end of the 5 days. We ate at Le Cellier, Ohana, Les Chefs De France, Via Napoli, 50s Prime Time Cafe and Crystal Palace. Last month we also used it for our 11 table service meals.So it was well worth the $75 for us. However, in September we are using the DDP. We're normally not huge eaters and rarely order dessert. Since the DDP is free for us (with the small upgrade charge to TS rather than QS plan) we're going to use it as an experiment to see if it is indeed worth it to get the DDP in the future.

You might want to look at room-only AP discounts as you get closer to your trip. Between the lower cost of the room and the upgrade charge for TS instead of QS, you may find you're still better off with your TiW...

Worth doing the math anyway.

 

[Monty]

Thanks Monty, I guess I don't qualify

My first time buying TiW was an 8-day trip with my son. We stayed at Beach Club and the AP discount was 42%. The savings on the room paid for an AP for me, the TiW card it qualified me for, my son's 9-day MYW Hopper and with the TiW discount, every bite of food we ate while we were there!

Admittedly, it didn't really save me any money because I ended up making two "extra" solo trips using that AP [they burn a hole in your pocket when you have them!].

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

You might want to look at room-only AP discounts as you get closer to your trip. Between the lower cost of the room and the upgrade charge for TS instead of QS, you may find you're still better off with your TiW...

Worth doing the math anyway.

I actually went through and picked out ALL my meals (table service and quick service) and snacks I would order on the dining plan as well as ALL my meals, etc., I would have using the TIW card and included all taxes and tips on both (because I am completely an overplanner and want to make sure I'm getting the best deal lol) and compared room with the 30% general discount they had out using TIW and the room with DDP plan. DDP came out to be about $50 more but that also includes the resort mug and a 2 day base ticket. So in the end, the dining plan wins out!! lol I do keep checking to see if there are any AP discounts but I haven't seen any. Also, as we change around our ADR's I will also go back and compare just to make sure we're getting the best deal.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

It's definitely the TiW for us. We enjoy eating at the better restaurants, usually with an adult beverage that the DDP does not include or discount. Since we are DVC members and AP holders (we go multiple times per year), the savings with the TIW runs into the hundreds of dollars. We rarely buy snacks, and would never use the resort mugs, since you can only refill them at your resort. If this is a one time visit, then the DDP may be for you.

A few questions on your math. Did you add in the extra money for the tip that you have to pay out-of-pocket for the DDP? I checked the cost of the DDP, and it comes out to just over $1526 for 3 adults and 1 child under 10 ($51.54 per adult per day plus $15.02 per day for the child). With the TS meals you totalled were $976.55, an 18% tip adds almost $176 to the total (20% even more), bringing the DDP to a little over $1700. Also, where did you figure the prices for the meals from? Checking around, all of the costs with a 20% discount came out less than you listed?? For e.g. I see that O'Hanas for dinner should be about $98 and $64 for breakfast, Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner is just under $90. Not big numbers, but different. I am also making the assumption that you are eating QS breakfast and lunch for your other meals?

Another thing to look at. Consider that you have O'Hana for breakfast one day. The worst case adult price (peak season) is only $26.62, and you only have 1 QS and 1 Snack left that day, but your DDP is costing you $51.54 for that day. Average QS is around $12 per person, and when you add in a $4 snack, you total that day is only $42.62. A loss of over $8 for that day. For the Liberty Tree Tavern, it costs $31.99 for an adult, so add in $16 for QS and Snack, and you are only at $47.99 that day. On a different day, you have to eat somewhere much more expensive to make up those losses, and the losses add up with multiple adults per day. It isn't always about a direct comparison with TiW and DDP, but sometimes it's about will you eat enough food to justify the cost of the DDP.

Now granted, if you buy the most expensive item at every TS meal, then the DDP can seem like a good deal, but you have 5 buffets for your meals, and they are not as good a deal for the DDP. We rarely go to the buffets (except Crystal Palace early AM), so we might not be the best candidates for comparison. Also, since you do not drink, there is much less cost savings for you as well. Good luck with your choice!