PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Not yet. I'll add it to the list.
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Tables in Wonderland Changes with Additional Block-out Dates
- Thread starter The Visionary Soul
- Start date
Not yet. I'll add it to the list.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
I think you hit the nail on the head - just stop having meals at WDW. Food's much better on Sand Lake.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
They called today. Possible the same individual that called others. She would have talked to me all day if I wasn't at work. She did re-iterate that there was a full year of lead time and she apologize for the cast member not mentioning the blackout dates upon purchase.
I asked for an explanation of why the changes are happening after the price went up and she said that there was no plan for the price to go up again this year. I asked if the cuts were a sign that this was going away and she said no there are no plans for that. I asked if this would be rolled into the Annual Pass like in Disneyland and she said no to that too. The last question I asked was if this would be an end to the inflated seasonal pricing that happens at the same time of these blackout dates. She said that the Tables in Wonderland people have no correlation with the actual pricing at the restaurants themselves.
I was satisfied with the phone call, I'm glad they called. What it comes down to though is will this be worth it for me in the future. I'll judge that when it's up for renewal next February.
Scuttle
Well-Known Member
Sounds like the same person. Did she mention that they fought hard to not have another price increase?
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
Yep, and that she worked at Disneyland and Disney World.
Scuttle
Well-Known Member
Same woman for sure.
Regarding the included gratuities for discounted meals or for large parties... I've looked into it and discovered that Disney has been taxing all tips for all Cast Members for some time now. (at least 2 years, but some say longer.) So, the only thing that was changed is the wording. Any place that "Gratuity" was previously used has been replaced with the words "Service Charge." Disney has been way ahead of the tax game all along. Who knew?
So, those included "service charges" aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
So, those included "service charges" aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
Ok. But its not really a bad deal. The "service charge" is on the 20% discount. Not the original amount. And the 20% discount as you probably already know is on both food and beverage, including alchohol. In that sense, unless you are motivated to tip more for a very good CM, just sign the check.
Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that the 18% Service Charge that Disney tacks on was based on the pre-discounted amount before taxes. Does anyone here know for 100% certainty?
Either way, that's not the point. I was just trying to point out why Disney's included service charges don't have to go away due to the new IRS rules.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
I am 100% certain. I've used it more than once. The 18% gratuity/service charge (whatever) is on the 20% discount, not before the discount. So it's not like saying it's only a 2% off. No, that isn't the case. Because the gratuity is AFTER the discount is applied.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
Well, one more point is that when you get the TiW card, they give you the little brochure with program details, participating restaurants, etc. That booklet does have the new blackout dates listed in it. So, if you received that booklet -- as I would think is standard when buying the card -- that is a way of informing you at the time of purchase.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
The blockout dates beginning August 1 are on the TIW website now: http://tablesinwonderland.com/#benefits_nav
Scuttle
Well-Known Member
Again they couldn't send us all emails 6 months ago? Also whys they wait six months to put this on the website? My only conclusion is to not scare away people and try and get them before they know about the new block out dates. Snake move if that's the case.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
It's been on the website since August 2013, a year before the changes went into effect.
Again, we can debate the merits of the program in light of the changes, but I don't see how Disney did anything wrong with publicizing the changes. They announced it in August 2013, which was a year before they woudl go into effect. Anyone who has bought a TiW card since August 2013 (i.e. would be affected by the changes) should have been aware of them before they purchased by either looking on the website or looking at the little brochure you get when you buy. Disney didn't keep this a secret.
Scuttle
Well-Known Member
Ya well my fault for not going on the website, but it's also Disneys fault for not telling me when I purchased a new card which was actually in August.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
I understand. I don't expect companies to go out of their way to publicize decreasing perks though. So, I think they did the reasonable minimum that they "should" by putting it on the website where it could be seen by anyone.
My point here is that people seem to think that because this thread was only started a week ago that Disney just announced the changes; they didn't -- they've been announced since Aug 2013, a year before they went into effect. Which is when they needed to be announced so that the information was available to anyone buying from that point and potentially affected by the changes.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
As a Florida Resident and AP holder, I bought it anyway on September 29. I'll be back my fourth time this April since then. I don't think the restriction on V&A will affect me any time soon. Also, I have the FR Seasonal Pass so would be blocked out during most of the dates anyway. Although, with Easter on April 5 next year, I am surprised to see blockout dates for an entire month (March 8 - April 5, 2015). That would be comparable to March 23-April 20 this year.