Tables in Wonderland question

rufio

rufio

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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. 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.

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

Mukta

Well-Known Member
Let me ask you this. If you two went to WDW without the dining plan, what do you think your eating habits would be? Look at the menus and do some honest math. I found that once I wasn't on the DDP, I didn't eat dessert because I was full.

The break even point for TiW is $375. If you think you will spend that much in table service over the next 13 months, it can be worth it.

The QS meals are covered by TiW in certain places like AK that don't have as many table options.
 
swissamy

swissamy

Well-Known Member
We use our TiW card for quick service meals in some hotels for lunch and it has helped us quite a bit. We love it and as you seem to enjoy some of the things that would be covered by the TiW card (appetizers, beer) it may help you more than the DDP. We prefer to use our AP to get a discount on our rooms and then use the TiW card rather than taking advantage of the free dining offers which requires you to pay rack rate. To my understanding (we have had the TiW card for more years than I can remember), it only covers a party up to maybe 8 so it would not help with your reception. Hope this helps!
 
docdebbi

docdebbi

Well-Known Member
you also didn't mention if you are referring to getting free dining with a package or paying for it. if you pay for it, in general i think you would do better with TiW. if it is free, then you really do need to go to the menus and do the math.
even "free" isn't free. a package costs more than just a room (especially if you get a discounted room rate) and tickets. i have done the math many many times. a package costs more, so even free dining costs. i usually go to allears and look at menus, calculate what we will probably eat and add it all up. then see if it exceeds the difference in the price for room/tickers vs. package. depending on who i am going with, sometimes free dining is a savings and sometimes not. depends if it is folks who have a bottle of wine with dinner, who like signature restaurants, who like an appetizer, or are generally quick service in and out types.
good luck deciding, have fun on your trip no matter which way you go!
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
You can combine TiW with the DDP. Use the DDP credits for what you want, and then if you want a beer or an appitizer that is not covered under the plan, then you get 20% on that item.

Normaly I would say the above is not the best of ideas, however you mention your reception dinner. You can use your Tiw for up to 10 people (including yourself). If that covers your reception dinner guests, then you will be saving $80 - $100 on that dinner alone.

Your TiW card is going to be $100. Once you save that amount, anything extra is pure savings.You pretty much cover that alone with your reception dinner.

-dave
 
rufio

rufio

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Phonedave said:
You can combine TiW with the DDP. Use the DDP credits for what you want, and then if you want a beer or an appitizer that is not covered under the plan, then you get 20% on that item.

Normaly I would say the above is not the best of ideas, however you mention your reception dinner. You can use your Tiw for up to 10 people (including yourself). If that covers your reception dinner guests, then you will be saving $80 - $100 on that dinner alone.

Your TiW card is going to be $100. Once you save that amount, anything extra is pure savings.You pretty much cover that alone with your reception dinner.

-dave
Click to expand...

Thanks, Dave! But can I use the DDP for my fiance and I at our reception dinner and use TiW for any alcohol we drink and to pay for our guests?
 
rufio

rufio

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Mukta said:
As long as the person paying the bill is the person with TiW, no issues.
Click to expand...

Well I'm paying the bill, but like I said, I will be using DDP for my meal. I wasn't sure if it would be an issue for me to pay the rest of the bill with TiW.
 
PhilharMagician

PhilharMagician

Well-Known Member
The cost of the TIW card is $100 for FL resident and DVC and $75 for AP holders. In order for the TIW to be of any value, you need to spend over $375 on food and drink @ locations that except the TIW card if you are an AP holder.

I would say that in most cases if you already have the dining plan then it will not be worth purchasing the TIW card. The discount simply will not cover the initial cost. Now If you had purchased before you March trip and also had it for your Dedember trip it really could have easily paid for itself and then some. As a DVC member we have not purchased the DDP in at least 6 years since they stipped out most of it's value. I have found that I can save more money using the only the TIW card.

Be cautious when using the TIW card. Gratuity is autoimatically added to you bill while also on the bottom of your bill it has the recommendations for 18% & 20% gratuity lines and an area to fill in for gratuity. If you are not paying attention it is easy to look at the bill and write in a second gratuity. I had done that a few times with regret after they introduced this proceedure.
 
LizC

LizC

Well-Known Member
Just came back from WDW and used my TIW card quite a bit. I will warn you they were much stricter than I have seen in the past. A couple times someone else in the party went to hand their card to pay and were told I must pay, two years ago this was not as much of an issue. Also, I believe the discount is for yourself and up to 10 guests.

That being said, I think TIW is great and the benefits for me have far outweighed the cost every year I have purchased one. Just look out for snooty bartenders not wanting to spend their time getting a manger to give you your discount. :rolleyes:

Enjoy your trip! :)
 
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
Everyone needs to do the math for themselves.

I always found that TiW was the best deal for us. Some people swear it doesn't work for them, though.
 

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