Tables in Wonderland Discount

[pennilessinpa]

We had been thinking about (instead of DDP) trying the Tables in Wonderland card. My question is: Is there DVC discount on the purchase of this card or is it only a AP discount? When I looked it up elsewhere it mentioned that the cost was now $100 and $75 for AP. I thought we were looking at a discounted price of around $60 before, but ....

[erionm]

The Tables in Wonderland card can only be purchased by Annual Passholders ($75) or Florida Residents ($100). The price was recently raised.

[gkrykewy]

It would be a nice perk if they'd let DVC members purchase at the FLA resident rate (if they don't have APs). We have APs this year and purchased the DDE/TIW card - love it so much!

[Buckeye Fan]

Per the PP, it is $75. We just purchased one two weeks ago while we were down at WDW. FWIW, our card almost paid for itself the week we bought it! If you plan on making multiple trips and eating on Disney property, it's a great way to go. :thumbsup2

[amandelba]

If you prefer TS over CS, like we do, the card will pay for itself in a few days. With the 20% and the 18% tip added, I save about 22%, since I'm typically a 20% tipper.

[MinnieLee]

We just renewed our TIW card 10 days ago. New card already arrived. We paid $75 for the renewal with the AP - there is no DVC discount. We've had the card since it started and it has always paid for itself. We like the idea that it covers alcohol and food which the DDP does not.

[Tara]

If you prefer TS over CS, like we do, the card will pay for itself in a few days. With the 20% and the 18% tip added, I save about 22%, since I'm typically a 20% tipper.

I'd add that our card (at the old $60 rate) paid for itself in TWO meals (2 adults and 1 child) at Jiko and California Grill! :cool1:

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I'd add that our card (at the old $60 rate) paid for itself in TWO meals (2 adults and 1 child) at Jiko and California Grill! :cool1:

Same here...one or two big TS meals for our family and our card has paid for itself. We'd be lost without it.

[christa112]

Do you renew the Tables in Wonderland every yr? Also, is it one card per family to received the discount?

[Tara]

Do you renew the Tables in Wonderland every yr? Also, is it one card per family to received the discount?

One nice thing about the card is that it's good for about 13 months. I bought mine in November 2008 (on the 18th or 19th) and it's good through December 31, 2009.

There's no discount for renewal and after our December 2009 trip, I'm not sure when we'll go again because of other life plans (probably not until December 2010), so I probably wouldn't renew in Dec 2009 and would buy a new card in Dec 2010.

And yes, it's one card per family to receive the discount. I think you can actually use it for 8 or 10 people dining together - I can't remember the max.

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Do you renew the Tables in Wonderland every yr? Also, is it one card per family to received the discount?

Like PP said, you can renew every 13 months or just wait until your next trip to renew. One card per family, although you can get an additional card for another family member for I believe $50 extra. I don't dine without DH, so we didn't see the sense of getting an additional card for him.

[jco_direwolf]

Do you renew the Tables in Wonderland every yr? Also, is it one card per family to received the discount?

As others have said it's good for 13 months. And no reason to renew it till you go back.

You get 10 discounts per seating including the card holder, who must be dinning with the party.

So depends on the number in your "family."

johno

[Anal Annie]

We got it a couple of years ago and found that it took a lot of planning to break even with it being a small family of 3 with a DS who may or may not eat off the adult menu. Being on a daily budget, we typically eat mostly CS meals and only do 2 or 3 TS meals in a week. Probably 3. So as a family of 3 it took us 10 days (2 trips) before we got our $60 back last time (even with several "Glowtini's" at Boma figured in). Our 3rd & final trip with the card was finally worth it when we used it for dinner at Jiko, breakfast at Boma and a lunch in the the AK park venues. Now that it is up to $75 I don't think we'll get it because it's not accepted everywhere. We have 2 TS meals planned over Memorial Day weekend and it is not accepted at either of the 2 restaurants we're going to (in DTD)!!! So that means probably the only time we'll use it on that trip is maybe for a CS lunch at the AK park. That will save us like $5. Still $70 to go. I don't know where we are eating yet when we go in August but I just don't think we'll get our money back on it if I have to sit & plan for only places where it's accepted... I don't know. I guess I have to start planning our August meals already so I can call for ADR's on May 18. :headache: Just our luck they announced the free dining plan starting on our first day in August. I really hate planning the TS meals in advance.

So my view is that if you do many CS meals or if your family is smaller it's harder to break even for what you pay for it. If you do a lot of TS meals and don't mind planning all of them around places that take the card or if your family is larger then it's a great idea.

[rutgers1]

Is there a web site that lists where the card is accepted? I used to have it bookmarked but can't find it.

I have worked it out every which way possible via spreadsheet, and I found that the Disney folks really did their homework with this thing, as it is SOMETIMES a better deal than the DDP and sometimes isn't. In the end, it is a bit of a tossup and totally depends on your dining habits. If you eat more table service meals at lunch, it is actually a better deal to go with the TIW card. If you eat more of them at dinner, the DDP is better. If you have kids who are just over the "kid" age category for the DDP, then the TIW card is a MUCH better deal provided the child is still eating children's food. It makes little sense to pay an adult fee for the DDP when your kid is still eating chicken fingers.

The thing that frustrates me about the TIW is how few counter service places inside the parks where it is accepted. When I am in the parks, that is when I am most likely to go to a counter, and that is the place where you are least likely to find a counter that accepts TIW. On the flip side, it is easy to find a counter that accepts DDP. To me, that is a major selling point of the DDP. Some people consider the TIW card to be more flexible since you aren't stuck with what it includes (dessert, but no appetizer), but I find DDP to be more flexible simply because you can use it in more places where I want to eat.

However, with two sons who are going to age out of the "child" category on the DDP, I guess I'll be going with the TIW for a while.

[rutgers1]

I found a listing of participating restaurants here. (http://www.mousesavers.com/diningexperience.html)

As you can see, few (if any?) counter service options, and definitely none at the parks.

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Here's the most current list of restaurants participating in Tables in Wonderland. This is the list posted on Disney's website.

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort – World Premiere Food Court
Disney's All-Star Music Resort – Intermission Food Court
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort – End Zone Food Court
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Boma - The Flavors of Africa, Jiko - The Cooking Place, Victoria Falls, Sanaa
Disney's Beach Club Resort – Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (excludes take-out shop), Cape May Cafe, Martha's Vineyard Lounge
Disney's BoardWalk – ESPN® Club, Flying Fish Cafe, Spoodles, Bellevue Lounge
Disney's Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge Golf Club – Sand Trap Bar & Grill
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort – Shutters at Old Port Royale
Disney's Contemporary Resort – California Grill, Chef Mickey's, The Wave, Outer Rim Lounge
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort – Maya Grill
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground – Crockett's Tavern, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (9:30 p.m. show only), Trail's End Restaurant
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – 1900 Park Fare, Citricos, Garden View Lounge, Grand Floridian Cafe, Mizner's Lounge, Narcoossee's, Victoria & Albert's (excludes Chef's Table)
Disney's Old Key West Resort – Olivia's Cafe
Disney's Polynesian Resort – Kona Cafe, 'Ohana, Tambu Lounge, Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Late show only)
Disney's Pop Century Resort – Classic Concoctions, Everything Pop Shopping and Dining
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, Scat Cat's Club
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside - Boatwright's Dining Hall, River Roost
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort – The Artist Palette; The Turf Club Bar & Grill
Disney's Vero Beach Resort – : The Green Cabin Room, Shutter's and Sonya's (except Sunday Brunch)
Disney's Wilderness Lodge – Artist Point, Territory Lounge, Whispering Canyon Cafe
Disney's Yacht Club Resort – Captain's Grille, Ale and Compass Lounge, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Crews Cup Lounge
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® – Marketplace - Cap'n Jack's Restaurant
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® – Pleasure Island - Raglan Road™ Irish Pub and Restaurant
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® – West Side - Planet Hollywood®
Epcot® – Tutto Italia Ristorante, Chefs de France, Nine Dragons Restaurant, San Angel Inn Restaurante, Bistro de Paris Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Biergarten Restaurant, Restaurant Marrakesh, Restaurant Akershus, Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, The Garden Grill, Coral Reef Restaurant
Disney's Hollywood Studios™ – Hollywood & Vine, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Tune-In Lounge, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby
Magic Kingdom® Park – The Crystal Palace, Cinderella's Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Plaza Restaurant, Tony's Town Square Restaurant
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park – Tusker House Restaurant, Pizzafari, Flame Tree Barbeque, Restaurantosaurus

[Debby7]

I'm sorry this may be a bit OT but My tables in Wonderland card has not expired, but the AP I used to buy it has. Can I still use my dining card?

[erionm]

I'm sorry this may be a bit OT but My tables in Wonderland card has not expired, but the AP I used to buy it has. Can I still use my dining card?
Yes. You don't have to show your AP to use the TiW card.

[jfinke]

I found a listing of participating restaurants here. (http://www.mousesavers.com/diningexperience.html)

As you can see, few (if any?) counter service options, and definitely none at the parks.

Animal Kingdom has both Pizzafari and the BBQ place, I believe.

[Tara]

If you eat more table service meals at lunch, it is actually a better deal to go with the TIW card. If you eat more of them at dinner, the DDP is better.

I don't quite get this...I suppose you are saying that if you eat counter service for lunch and table for dinner, DDP is better? In my experience, we don't eat much CS, period, so TIW is a much better deal for us. And my son eats next to nothing at most restaurants, unless they can make him a grilled cheese sandwich (we're accustomed to feeding him before we eat if we think there'll be nothing for him), so the DDP is a total waste for him with the exception of breakfasts.

Some people consider the TIW card to be more flexible since you aren't stuck with what it includes (dessert, but no appetizer), but I find DDP to be more flexible simply because you can use it in more places where I want to eat.

We much prefer appetizers to dessert, but to us, the flexibility of ordering either -- or both! -- is more valuable. Guess that's why they offer a couple of different discount programs - something for almost everyone.

In the end, if you eat CS frequently, don't order appetizers or alcohol (or don't mind paying extra for them), and don't eat at many signature restaurants, then DDP might work. Since we do eat at signatures, eat more TS than CS, like appetizers and often order wine/beer, the TIW is perfect for us.

However, with two sons who are going to age out of the "child" category on the DDP, I guess I'll be going with the TIW for a while.[/QUOTE]

[Corinne]

I found a listing of participating restaurants here. (http://www.mousesavers.com/diningexperience.html)

As you can see, few (if any?) counter service options, and definitely none at the parks.

Uhm, the whole point of the TIW program is the discount on table service dining. The only reason the food courts at the resorts accept it is because those particular resorts do not offer any TS dining.

As other's have mentioned, it pays for itself in just a few meals. We have had the card since it was first offered to AP holders, we love it!

[jco_direwolf]

As you can see, few (if any?) counter service options, and definitely none at the parks.


Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park – Tusker House Restaurant, Pizzafari, Flame Tree Barbeque, Restaurantosaurus

Pizzafari, Flame Tree and Restaurantosaurus are all considered Counter Service and are in a park. It's because the Tusker House only recently became a TS and Yak and Yeti doesn't take DDE/TiW (it being not operated by Disney.)

Assuming this really is the current list (pulled it out of the previous post.) I was thinking once Tusker house opened they would pull out the other 3 CS. Because I've used them numerous times for a quick snack when I was at AK.

I was in line at Restaurantosaurus with my Mother-in-law, and I had just explained to her that the DDE didn't work at Counter Service in MK so when I pulled it out and paid for the stuff at AK she asked me about. I explained it to her. The CM at the register smiled at me and said "So you're an ex cast member?" I said nope...just know the rules...

johno

[rutgers1]

Uhm, the whole point of the TIW program is the discount on table service dining. The only reason the food courts at the resorts accept it is because those particular resorts do not offer any TS dining.

As other's have mentioned, it pays for itself in just a few meals. We have had the card since it was first offered to AP holders, we love it!

Corrinne, I understand that the point is to get a discount on table service dining, but considering most people's vacations feature a mix of table service and counter service, and since people weighing the options (TIW or DDP) tend to be looking for the best savings, I thought that I should point out that the discounts you get with TIW are much more limited when it comes to counter service. For some people, that is a significant point. Well, it is for me.

For me, if there were counter service options at all of the parks, I would consider it an even better deal.

[rutgers1]

I don't quite get this...I suppose you are saying that if you eat counter service for lunch and table for dinner, DDP is better? In my experience, we don't eat much CS, period, so TIW is a much better deal for us. And my son eats next to nothing at most restaurants, unless they can make him a grilled cheese sandwich (we're accustomed to feeding him before we eat if we think there'll be nothing for him), so the DDP is a total waste for him with the exception of breakfasts.



I can see why someone wouldn't have understood what I was saying. The main issue is that we all have different dining habits, so saying one thing is better than another is difficult because we are not all comparing apples to apples. So, with that said, here was my reasoning......As we all know, the DDP is a fixed price, whether you order dishes that are on the high or low end of the price spectrum, or whether you take full advantage of the offerings (dessert, snacks, etc.). So, supposing (and this is a big supposition because I do realize that some people eat multiple table service meals a day) you eat one table service meal per day (which is what the most popular DDP offering includes), you are MORE likely to make good use of your money spent on the DDP if you eat that table service meal at dinner. I say this because dinners generally cost more. Eat a nice steak for dinner at a more upscale restaurant, and you will definitely be saving money by getting the DDP over paying out of pocket (even with the TIW card). Eat a salad at lunchtime, and you won't be saving with the DDP.

I worked it out many different ways for my family - with dessert, without dessert, eating table services at lunch, eating table services at dinner, etc. I worked it out so many ways that my head was spinning. In the end, I basically concluded that the savings are so minimal from one plan to the other (given my family's dining habits) that it was hard to declare one to be "hands down" better than the other. The only scenario whereby one will be clearly better than the other is when my sons cross from "child" to "adult" in the DDP pricing category, as there is no way that they will eat enough to justify an adult DDP price. At that point, TIW is definitely the way to go.

Now that we just joined DVC, one thing that might steer us away from DDP is the fact that DVC doesn't let you pay for your DDP prior to getting there. Now this might sound silly, but we used to like paying for our meals months in advance. When we'd pay early and pay off that debt off of our credit card prior to our arrival in Disney, it almost felt like the food was "free". I have seen others mention that feeling on the disboards before. However, if you have to pay with your credit card upon arrival, it doesn't feel quite the same way anymore. At that point, I don't really consider it prepaid. I know it is silly, but that is the way we feel.

[Anal Annie]

I can see why someone wouldn't have understood what I was saying. The main issue is that we all have different dining habits, so saying one thing is better than another is difficult because we are not all comparing apples to apples. So, with that said, here was my reasoning......As we all know, the DDP is a fixed price, whether you order dishes that are on the high or low end of the price spectrum, or whether you take full advantage of the offerings (dessert, snacks, etc.). So, supposing (and this is a big supposition because I do realize that some people eat multiple table service meals a day) you eat one table service meal per day (which is what the most popular DDP offering includes), you are MORE likely to make good use of your money spent on the DDP if you eat that table service meal at dinner. I say this because dinners generally cost more. Eat a nice steak for dinner at a more upscale restaurant, and you will definitely be saving money by getting the DDP over paying out of pocket (even with the TIW card). Eat a salad at lunchtime, and you won't be saving with the DDP.

I worked it out many different ways for my family - with dessert, without dessert, eating table services at lunch, eating table services at dinner, etc. I worked it out so many ways that my head was spinning. In the end, I basically concluded that the savings are so minimal from one plan to the other (given my family's dining habits) that it was hard to declare one to be "hands down" better than the other. The only scenario whereby one will be clearly better than the other is when my sons cross from "child" to "adult" in the DDP pricing category, as there is no way that they will eat enough to justify an adult DDP price. At that point, TIW is definitely the way to go.

This is kinda what I was trying to say. If you eat primarily TS meals at "participating restaurants" it's a good deal or say if you're a family of 5 with 3 teenage boys who eat like 10 ppl 6 times a day the TIW card is a fantastic deal 'cuz it's a 20% off discount. So the more you spend the more you save. For a little family of 3 like us with a 65 Lb "Disney Adult" who still eats his share of mac & cheese...not so much of a deal for EITHER plan as Mr. 65 Lbs Soaking Wet does not eat anywhere close to the amount of food they charge for on the DDP either. The buffets are certainly a hard pill to swallow for him too as he heads for the pastas & maybe has a little chicken on the side.

We are trying 2 TS restaurants on our next trip that we've never done before and neither takes the TIW card but I still wanted to eat there. We CAN get the AP and/or DVC 10% off tho so I think for the 10% difference we'll manage just fine. Personally, I get tired of 1) planning when & where we want to eat 90 days out and 2) Dislike having to go thru the list of participating restaurants to make sure we only eat at those places. I feel so restricted and scheduled. But thanks to the DDP that's how it's gotta be if you want to eat TS. Just another reason we do a lot of CS meals.

[Jeremy&Susan]

[quote=rutgers1;31639787]Is there a web site that lists where the card is accepted? I used to have it bookmarked but can't find it.

quote]


I thnk all ears site has a listing.

We also agree that TIW could use more participating restaurants. We used to always get the card but it seemed to be a job to make sure we at least broke out even with the cost of the card verses our savings.
Now with even fewer restaurants (at least fewer that we go to) accepting the card, we chose just not to get it.

If your family is not a large # of people or a big appetizer, desert and flavored or alcoholic drink family; it will be more difficult to save money buying and using the card. Our family or three is usually just a main course and water with lemon family and that made it hard to save the $75 purchase price for the card once a few of our favorite place no longer took the card. We also dont like to plan our meals around who will take a discount, we usually go based on what we feel like eating at that time.


BTW Our family's eating habits are the same reason we dont use the DDP. We just can't or don't eat that much food.

[gkrykewy]

BTW Our family's eating habits are the same reason we dont use the DDP. We just can't or don't eat that much food.

Same reason why I've never found the DDP to make sense for us. It's just my wife and I for now, and we usually eat 1 CS and 1 TS meal per day - no lunch, really.

For us, DDE/TIW pays for itself via TS dinners and the occasional breakfast (Boma buffet heaven!!) alone. Really savoring the card this year, since we probably won't have APs most years.

[Chuck S]

Same reason why I've never found the DDP to make sense for us. It's just my wife and I for now, and we usually eat 1 CS and 1 TS meal per day - no lunch, really.

For us, DDE/TIW pays for itself via TS dinners and the occasional breakfast (Boma buffet heaven!!) alone. Really savoring the card this year, since we probably won't have APs most years.

:thumbsup2 I totally agree.

While it takes longer to recoup the initial $75 investment, the DDE/TIW can be beneficial for parties of two adults that travel to WDW a few times per year.

We never spend enough or dine in a way that makes the DDP of any value to us, and I have added up our dining after every trip. We usually save $100 over what the DDP would cost, and we are able to dine our way, not Disney's way.

[Tara]

I can see why someone wouldn't have understood what I was saying.

Right, I didn't follow it, which is why I said I didn't get it but I assumed you meant... (what I said above - not quoting it again here for simplicity's sake).

The main issue is that we all have different dining habits, so saying one thing is better than another is difficult because we are not all comparing apples to apples.

Which is why I also said this:

Guess that's why they offer a couple of different discount programs - something for almost everyone.

I just didn't get your first comment about the difference between TS for lunch vs dinner...or I wasn't sure if I got it so I said what I thought you meant. That's all. I then went on to explain why TIW works well for us to illustrate the point that each plan -- TIW or DDP -- has value when used in certain ways, but those ways vary from family to family. Based on your comment about different dining habits, I think we agree!

[jfinke]

We purchased APs and TiW this year. We will be doing two trips if not three this calendar year. The card will pay for itself with one trip to Victoria and Alberts.

I was able to use it to pay for my family's meals and then they reimbursed me for their meal. It worked out well as we did a couple of TS meals with 8 of us.

[PinkTink63]

We got it a couple of years ago and found that it took a lot of planning to break even with it being a small family of 3 with a DS who may or may not eat off the adult menu. Being on a daily budget, we typically eat mostly CS meals and only do 2 or 3 TS meals in a week. Probably 3. So as a family of 3 it took us 10 days (2 trips) before we got our $60 back last time (even with several "Glowtini's" at Boma figured in). Our 3rd & final trip with the card was finally worth it when we used it for dinner at Jiko, breakfast at Boma and a lunch in the the AK park venues. Now that it is up to $75 I don't think we'll get it because it's not accepted everywhere. We have 2 TS meals planned over Memorial Day weekend and it is not accepted at either of the 2 restaurants we're going to (in DTD)!!! So that means probably the only time we'll use it on that trip is maybe for a CS lunch at the AK park. That will save us like $5. Still $70 to go. I don't know where we are eating yet when we go in August but I just don't think we'll get our money back on it if I have to sit & plan for only places where it's accepted... I don't know. I guess I have to start planning our August meals already so I can call for ADR's on May 18. :headache: Just our luck they announced the free dining plan starting on our first day in August. I really hate planning the TS meals in advance.

So my view is that if you do many CS meals or if your family is smaller it's harder to break even for what you pay for it. If you do a lot of TS meals and don't mind planning all of them around places that take the card or if your family is larger then it's a great idea.

I don't know if we will get it this time either! I just checked and it is not valid at two of the resorts we will be staying at this summer at their counter service area. I know the last time we had it we used it at Artist Pallete quite a bit!

I'm also really disappointed that the FD starts the day we arrive! That makes getting ressies very difficult! We don't like to plan our whole trip over where we will be eating every day!

[Uncleromulus]

Since we eat at only Signature restaurants, the Tables card works great for us! Just the one meal at V&A and we usually recoup the cost.
And since we don't do snacks, CS, or lunch, the DDP holds no attraction for us.

[cj9200]

I don't know if we will get it this time either! I just checked and it is not valid at two of the resorts we will be staying at this summer at their counter service area. I know the last time we had it we used it at Artist Pallete quite a bit!

I'm also really disappointed that the FD starts the day we arrive! That makes getting ressies very difficult! We don't like to plan our whole trip over where we will be eating every day!

Not sure I am going to renew either. In addition to not taking it at CS places they have a lot of "holiday" blackouts where the discount does not apply. These holiday restrictions are pretty generous to Disney.

I also hate free dining and am against the whole dining package idea. The menus have been dumbed down because of it. I remember waiting almost 30 minutes at the Boardwalk Bakery while this person took forever to figure out how many CS and snack credits she had and what she could use them on.

It is a shame. DDE used to be a great program and really introduced me to fine dining at WDW.

[Telcogirl]

Now that we just joined DVC, one thing that might steer us away from DDP is the fact that DVC doesn't let you pay for your DDP prior to getting there. Now this might sound silly, but we used to like paying for our meals months in advance. When we'd pay early and pay off that debt off of our credit card prior to our arrival in Disney, it almost felt like the food was "free". I have seen others mention that feeling on the disboards before. However, if you have to pay with your credit card upon arrival, it doesn't feel quite the same way anymore. At that point, I don't really consider it prepaid. I know it is silly, but that is the way we feel.

You can pay for the DDP in cash when you check in. I agree that I don't want that balance on my credit card either. We just take the cash and pay it when we get there.

[Inkmahm]

If you prefer TS over CS, like we do, the card will pay for itself in a few days. With the 20% and the 18% tip added, I save about 22%, since I'm typically a 20% tipper.

Us, too! Some CM are smart and don't add the tip automatically. They still get the 20% from me.

[Inkmahm]

I don't quite get this...I suppose you are saying that if you eat counter service for lunch and table for dinner, DDP is better? In my experience, we don't eat much CS, period, so TIW is a much better deal for us. And my son eats next to nothing at most restaurants, unless they can make him a grilled cheese sandwich (we're accustomed to feeding him before we eat if we think there'll be nothing for him), so the DDP is a total waste for him with the exception of breakfasts.



We much prefer appetizers to dessert, but to us, the flexibility of ordering either -- or both! -- is more valuable. Guess that's why they offer a couple of different discount programs - something for almost everyone.

In the end, if you eat CS frequently, don't order appetizers or alcohol (or don't mind paying extra for them), and don't eat at many signature restaurants, then DDP might work. Since we do eat at signatures, eat more TS than CS, like appetizers and often order wine/beer, the TIW is perfect for us.

However, with two sons who are going to age out of the "child" category on the DDP, I guess I'll be going with the TIW for a while.[/QUOTE]

We have eating habits much like you and have the TIW card. We've ALSO done the deluxe DDP at the same time. I've done that twice now and we come out head with the DDP but only based on comparing the cost using DDP to what we'd have paid without the deluxe plan. If we don't have the plan, I am likely to NOT order both appetizer and dessert. So... I think we'll stick with just the TIW card in the future. While we "saved" a little more with the Deluxe DDP, I think I will spend less overall just using the TIW card and ordering exactly what I want.

[vicki_c]

I didn't think the holiday blackouts were bad at all - it's very few days at year - just the day of the big holidays I think (maybe an "eve" or two as well) and Mother's Day - not that many.

At the $60 price, our card was paid for in one 4 day trip which included a few TS meals, and a few trips to Artists Palette. But then we used it for a 3 day weekend trip with 2 TS meals, and again on a 13 day Christmas/NY trip. We feel we have made out really really well, and get to use it again in June for 8 days before it expires! We usually tip 18-20%, so I just look at it as if it has paid for all the tips on all the table service meals we had over almost 30 days.

It's all about HOW you eat while you're there - I calculated it against the DDP for our upcoming trip, and OOP with the card was about $100 cheaper than the DDP for our family. And I like that it's more flexible than the DDP so I don't feel like anything is wasted if you cancel an ADR.

But I can understand that others like having everything paid for in advance with the DDP (or at least paid for when you check in if you're DVC).

[jco_direwolf]

Us, too! Some CM are smart and don't add the tip automatically. They still get the 20% from me.

Can they do that? It was part of the union contract, I doubt they can remove the 18%.

johno