Free Dining Plan for DVC?

Sharkreef11

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Just yesterday was the first time I had ever heard of Tables in Wonderland. So what exactly is it??? Can you only buy this on property then? Or can I purchase this online or through the phone?
 

Pioneer Hall

Well-Known Member
Just yesterday was the first time I had ever heard of Tables in Wonderland. So what exactly is it??? Can you only buy this on property then? Or can I purchase this online or through the phone?

It is a discount card that can be used at nearly all of the Table Serve restaurants in Disney (and a limited number of the counter service locations). The card gives you 20% off food and drink (including alcohol) at participating locations. The only thing to know is that Disney automatically adds 18% gratuity when you use the discount card. The card is available to FL Residents and DVC Members for $100 a year and to AP Holders for $75 a year. I believe you can order it through the phone, but you are better off waiting to do it in person so you get the full year of use out of the card.
 

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
It is a discount card that can be used at nearly all of the Table Serve restaurants in Disney (and a limited number of the counter service locations). The card gives you 20% off food and drink (including alcohol) at participating locations. The only thing to know is that Disney automatically adds 18% gratuity when you use the discount card. The card is available to FL Residents and DVC Members for $100 a year and to AP Holders for $75 a year. I believe you can order it through the phone, but you are better off waiting to do it in person so you get the full year of use out of the card.

In addition to the discount perks, WDW runs a number of special dining events throughout the year. tasting menus, guest chefs, interesting locales (such as in an attraction)

While on the pricey side, they can be interesting. TiW card holders get the invites to these events.


-dave
 

Sharkreef11

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
It is a discount card that can be used at nearly all of the Table Serve restaurants in Disney (and a limited number of the counter service locations). The card gives you 20% off food and drink (including alcohol) at participating locations. The only thing to know is that Disney automatically adds 18% gratuity when you use the discount card. The card is available to FL Residents and DVC Members for $100 a year and to AP Holders for $75 a year. I believe you can order it through the phone, but you are better off waiting to do it in person so you get the full year of use out of the card.

That is really awesome. I can't believe I have never heard of that before. Can you purchase that from your resort when check in? Or does it have to be at park services?
 

Pioneer Hall

Well-Known Member
That is really awesome. I can't believe I have never heard of that before. Can you purchase that from your resort when check in? Or does it have to be at park services?

I think it needs to be at either a theme park or Downtown Disney guest relations area. You can always check at the resort, but I don't think they can do it.
 

dixiegirl

Well-Known Member
This always bothers me too! I feel that DVC members don't get enough perks. I would love to see DVC member with better Dining discounts. I have to buy park tickets for everyday I am there just the same as someone who would buy a package. I was hoping for a DVC anniversary gift for the 20 years but we didn't get anything. I love being a DVC member I feel very lucky and special every time I visit but I would still like to see better perks for us too!

Funny because my hubby and I were just discussing thi sthe otherday, how its too bad DVC members don't get more perks or better ones at that...But we do go with the Tables Of Wonderland and agree it is a great option to purchase since we can't get free Dining.
 

WWWD

Well-Known Member
What is also nice is the card is good for 13 months, so if you plan accordingly you can use it for two annual trips.
 

Sharkreef11

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So does it make sense to buy it even for the dining plan?

See that's what I was wondering. I think we will be doing the quick service dining plan next trip. So maybe purchase the Tables in Wonderland to utilize for sit down services that are a must do. Typically we have to hit Teppan Edo, Via Napoli, TRex, and San Angel so this could work out well.. TBD of course once I crunch numbers.
 

fredtom

Active Member
I don't see any need for the card if you are on the dining plan.

DW and I always use the TiW card along with the DDP to discount any extra food not covered on the dining plan, as well as wine and drinks.


"An Adventurer's life is best!" :lol:
 

goodanu

Active Member
DW and I always use the TiW card along with the DDP to discount any extra food not covered on the dining plan, as well as wine and drinks.


"An Adventurer's life is best!" :lol:

I would guess this is not the norm. I have been on the dining plan many times and found that the dinner credits are plenty of food in itself. You must like to eat? I would say that many families on the ddp order from the available credits and would have no reason to purchase the card, even for the discounts on alcohol. IMO.
 

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
I would guess this is not the norm. I have been on the dining plan many times and found that the dinner credits are plenty of food in itself. You must like to eat? I would say that many families on the ddp order from the available credits and would have no reason to purchase the card, even for the discounts on alcohol. IMO.
You are right that is not the norm but I could easily see how it could happen. The break even point on a TiWL card is around $375 and is good for a party of 10 total. It would not be hard for a party of 10 to rack up a $375 bar tab in a single meal. Also considering the vastness of WDW's wine selection, I could easily see a couple hitting the $375 mark with just a couple of signature dinners where a simple bottle or two were ordered at each.
 

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
I don't see any need for the card if you are on the dining plan.

I could possibly see getting the basic counter service dining plan, followed by TiW for sit-down dinners, especially if you're dining in some of the more expensive Signature restaurants. Parents with 2 teens eating at Cali Grill with a couple of cocktails for the grownups, you're probably paying for most of the TiW card right there.
 

Zummi Gummi

Pioneering the Universe Within!
I would guess this is not the norm. I have been on the dining plan many times and found that the dinner credits are plenty of food in itself. You must like to eat? I would say that many families on the ddp order from the available credits and would have no reason to purchase the card, even for the discounts on alcohol. IMO.

It would certainly make sense if you liked to enjoy a glass of wine (or two) at dinner.
 

tjkraz

Active Member
I don't know how widespread it is for people to use both DDP and TiW but it does happen. Remember TiW is typically good for 12-13 months. Many people take multiple trips over that period and may not buy the DDP during all of them.

The TiW card would discount all alcoholic beverages, appetizers and additional meals beyond the DDP dining credits.

TiW isn't for everyone but in the right circumstances, it's a great perk. A few years ago we traveled with a group of 9 and nearly covered the purchase price in our first meal. The savings over the rest of that trip--plus two more--were dramatic.
 

fredtom

Active Member
I would guess this is not the norm. I have been on the dining plan many times and found that the dinner credits are plenty of food in itself. You must like to eat? I would say that many families on the ddp order from the available credits and would have no reason to purchase the card, even for the discounts on alcohol. IMO.

I think you're right in that it's probably not the norm, but it certainly has worked well for us. Our TiW pays for itself many times over being able to discount appetizers when not on the Deluxe DDP, as well as wine and drinks. We're able to use it for two annual trips.

We also use the discount for drinks at most lounges before or after dinner. Also if any friends join us, we can discount their meals and drinks too.


"An Adventurer's life is best!" :lol:
 

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Another thing to remember is that while the TiW card is not valid at MOST quick service locations at resorts, it is however valid at MOST resort bars. If you like to have a drink or two back at the resort, you get your discount. Just be sure to check, some don't take it. For example the pool bar at AKL. The inside bar takes it, but the pool bar does not.


-dave
 

SMZ MD

New Member
And for what it's worth, Disney offers this promotion when it's convenient for THEM, not necessarily for YOU. DVC affords you an opportunity to travel when it's convenient for you (for example, free dining often occurs during the school year, so any parent that doesn't believe in taking their kids out of school for a family vacation is SOL). You can get a discount on an annual pass; Arrange your next vacation to coincide just before it expires and it could save you serious coin (you would still have to buy tickets for each free dining package), plus as others have, the Tables in Wonderland discount that would save you 20% off pretty much every table service restaurant and a smattering of counter service.

I would love to see some additional discounts for DVC members, too. For example, I could be wrong, but I think the Tables in Wonderland is only available for Florida residents and annual passholders. DVC members can only get in TiW if they get an annual pass, which happens to be discounted. It'd be nice for DVC members to be able to get it regardless of the ticket type they get. It'd also be nice to see it usable in more counter service restaurants. Heck, I'd like to see some kind of discounts for DVC members of any kind of theme park ticket, not just annual passes. But hey, while I'm at it, I'd also like a pony. I knew what sort of perks were available when I joined, and I also knew those perks could go away at any time (and the annual pass discount wasn't even a perk when I first joined, though it was shortly thereafter), so I can't complain that as a DVC member they don't ask me "what would you like us to give you for less or free?" All I can do is try to convince them that offering certain perks benefits them in the long run - saving money means I may spend more there, or extend my trip, or pay for park hoppers or water park options, etc.

I want a pony too!!!:animwink:
 

goodanu

Active Member
I think you're right in that it's probably not the norm, but it certainly has worked well for us. Our TiW pays for itself many times over being able to discount appetizers when not on the Deluxe DDP, as well as wine and drinks. We're able to use it for two annual trips.

We also use the discount for drinks at most lounges before or after dinner. Also if any friends join us, we can discount their meals and drinks too.


"An Adventurer's life is best!" :lol:

Well then I stand corrected. I see how it would be effective to have both if you are going to the WORLD more than once in a thirteen month period. Or as you use it Fred. I would not have thought of using the card in that way before this thread. Not for me though. If I am shelling out over $200.00 a day for the dining plan for my family of four, that would be enough for us as far as food goes.
 

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