Tables in Wonderland - Is it Worth it?

[brightlillstar]

DH and I are getting APs again and taking an 8 day trip this December and one next October. Usually we're grazers, eating a lot of CS, and a few nice TS meals. Last time we went it was F&W and we had the dining plan and at that time we REALLY enjoyed it. This time I decided against DDP, although we could still add it. We did get something out of the TS meals, but to me it's not a must and I think it's a little hard to get your money's worth.
We were thinking doing DDP next year since we like using snack credits for F&W tastings.

However, I was thinking instead of getting a TIW membership.

How much do you think we'd need to eat for it to be really worth it? What have your experiences been?

So far all we have booked in terms of ADRs is CRT , and a CP package at Hacienda (does TIW work for pre-payed events? I'm assuming no), and one at Boma.

 

[Becky]

DH and I are getting APs again and taking an 8 day trip this December and one next October. Usually we're grazers, eating a lot of CS, and a few nice TS meals. Last time we went it was F&W and we had the dining plan and at that time we REALLY enjoyed it. This time I decided against DDP, although we could still add it. We did get something out of the TS meals, but to me it's not a must and I think it's a little hard to get your money's worth.
We were thinking doing DDP next year since we like using snack credits for F&W tastings.

However, I was thinking instead of getting a TIW membership.

How much do you think we'd need to eat for it to be really worth it? What have your experiences been?

So far all we have booked in terms of ADRs is CRT , and a CP package at Hacienda (does TIW work for pre-payed events? I'm assuming no), and one at Boma.

You would have to eat $375 at table service to break even. BUT although you get 20% off there is a mandetory 18% tip added so you are only saving 2% unless you would give an 18%-20% tip anyway then you are even at $375. If you stay at Values you get the 20% discount at the food courts and there would be no tip. Last trip there were four of us and we ate four TS meals and a couple of food court meals. We always tip 20% or more so we came out ok on just the one trip. We have two more trips, only 2 people, booked for or TIW year so we will be way ahead.

 

[Monty]

If you're not fans of Table Service, probably not.

TiW is a great deal if you prefer TS over QS, generally if you would spend more than $375 on food/alcohol at TS you're going to break even.

What's really great is if you're able to combine AP room-only discounts and the TiW card over either a week-long trip or a number of trips.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

You would have to eat $375 at table service to break even. BUT although you get 20% off there is a mandetory 18% tip added so you are only saving 2% unless you would give an 18%-20% tip anyway then you are even at $375. If you stay at Values you get the 20% discount at the food courts and there would be no tip. Last trip there were four of us and we ate four TS meals and a couple of food court meals. We always tip 20% or more so we came out ok on just the one trip. We have two more trips, only 2 people, booked for or TIW year so we will be way ahead.

The discount is not 2% unless you are a person who doesn't tip, and I can't imagine there are people who really do that. The best way to describe it is by using an example...If your bill was $100 prior to the discount the total would be $118 after the gratuity that you would be paying anyway. With TiW your bill becomes $80 and the gratuity is added on. So instead of paying $118 you are paying $98, which is a nice savings.

As far as worth, other people have said it here already. If you are going to spend over $375 at restaurants included on the plan, then it pays to have.

 

[ScoutN]

Does this card qualify everyone in the party under the discount or does each individual need their own card?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Does this card qualify everyone in the party under the discount or does each individual need their own card?

Good for up to 10 people in a group. If you have more than that number of people you would need 2 cards.

 

[Becky]

The discount is not 2% unless you are a person who doesn't tip, and I can't imagine there are people who really do that. The best way to describe it is by using an example...If your bill was $100 prior to the discount the total would be $118 after the gratuity that you would be paying anyway. With TiW your bill becomes $80 and the gratuity is added on. So instead of paying $118 you are paying $98, which is a nice savings.

QUOTE]

My math was off as I figure tips at non-discounted prices but TIW basis them on the discounted price. Finally I am NOT a person who does not tip. Reading my post you will see I said "We always tip 20% or more".

 

[ScoutN]

Good for up to 10 people in a group. If you have more than that number of people you would need 2 cards.

Ahh okay. But I guess the only advantage of the cast discount we receive is the alcohol discount?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The discount is not 2% unless you are a person who doesn't tip, and I can't imagine there are people who really do that. The best way to describe it is by using an example...If your bill was $100 prior to the discount the total would be $118 after the gratuity that you would be paying anyway. With TiW your bill becomes $80 and the gratuity is added on. So instead of paying $118 you are paying $98, which is a nice savings.

QUOTE]

My math was off as I figure tips at non-discounted prices but TIW basis them on the discounted price. Finally I am NOT a person who does not tip. Reading my post you will see I said "We always tip 20% or more".

Never said you weren't a tipper, but by the way it was stated it looked like you wouldn't be by looking at it as only a 2% discount. Wanted to clarify it so people saw they were really saving 20% and not 2%. The tip is also based off of the non-discounted price which is why I said the tip would still be $18 dollars even after the discount.

Ahh okay. But I guess the only advantage of the cast discount we receive is the alcohol discount?

The discount is good for food and alcohol at participating locations.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Also something to note is that the 18% gratuity is added on automatically but it is NOT mandatory. If you get really crappy service and feel the 18% is not deserved you can speak to a manager and have it adjusted as you see fit. I didn't know that for a while but was happy to hear it. And, yes, we have had a tip adjusted adversely for very poor service just as we've left additional money for exceptional service. :animwink:

We have had TiW for quite some time and it works well for us. We do like to have drinks with our dinners sometimes so it's nice to have the discount extend to that. Also, there are additional eateries not limited to table service that accept the card....like Sassagoula Floatworks at POFQ. The way it was explained to me was some counter service locations at resorts that don't have table service do accept it as well.

Also to note, the $375 break-even happens fast! For my family of 4 (we have 2 teenage boys) that's like 3 breakfasts. Or, almost our anniversary dinner at the Yachtsman. The total bill before discount there was like $375 (my brother joined us so we had 5 people, a few drinks for the old people, and a custom cake added). We would've tipped no less than 18% which would've made that meal total $442.50. After the 20% was deducted and the 18% tip was added (the tip is based on the total before the discount) our total was $362.10. That's a biiiiig difference!

Another way to put it into perspective: Over our recent 11-nights at WDW we probably spent no less than $1800 on table service meals. 20% of $1800 is $360. 18% tips on that $1800 is $324. So instead of spending $2,124 on those table service meals our OOP after the discount and 18% tips was $1,764. Yep. That's $360 we didn't spend which is like half what we spent on counter service meals and snacks. Oh! It's also more than my new DCL Dooney purse & wristlet cost! Heeeeeeyyy!!!!!! Woot!

We also maximize the savings with our TiW cards by trying to smush 2 trips into a calendar year (spread them out by 11 months) so we can double our value. Looooove it!



:wave:

 

[Phonedave]

We also maximize the savings with our TiW cards by trying to smush 2 trips into a calendar year (spread them out by 11 months) so we can double our value. Looooove it!



:wave:

If you are looking to save, somthing else to remember is that you do not need an AP to USE the TiW. You just need an AP to BUY the TiW card. (if you are a FL resident you can buy one anytime you want)

You can get an AP on 1/1/2012 and but a TiW card. That TiW card will be good through 12/31/2012. However on 12/1/2012 you can buy ANOTHER TiW card and that card will be good though 12/31/2013. You can use it just fine without the AP you used to buy it. They don't ask for your AP.

So if you have a number of trips planned in 2012 that make an AP worthwhile, and then maybe a 6 day trip planned in 2013, you can go ahead and use the TiW on both trips.

-dave