Another Great Stay/TIW - Best Kept Secret?

[yopaulie5]

Just wrapped up a great 12 day stay, weather was incredible, did not get caught in rain once! For the past several years we have opted to go with the DDP for each of our stays and this year we decided to try to see what we would spend on meals by not using it.

Somehow I ran across the Tables in Wonderland discount card, if you are an annual pass holder it costs $75 and entitles you to 20% off on food/drinks in most of the restaurants, plus it it good for a year. We estimated our savings to be close to $275 over the course of our stay. Perhaps I was never really looking for it, but I had never heard of this prior to this stay and have not seen it promoted. To me this is one of the best kept secrets!

Just curious what other people think about TIW compared to DDP, I feel it is much better since you seem to have greater flexibility and are not locked into Main Course + Dessert to get your moneys worth.

 

[vicki_c]

It's pretty popular among DVC members - always has been for those that have APs, but they recently expanded it to all DVC members. There's always a few threads about it every month or more frequently.

DVC members pay the same as FL residents = $100, whereas AP holders can get it for $75.

I don't think it's much of a secret on these boards, but yes, overall I would guess most haven't heard of it since its audience is limited.

We have had one for the past few years when we had APs - we are not DDP people and we love TiW.

Make sure you get on their mailing list - they have various activities throughout the year as well - they recently had a dinner inside the Great Movie Ride, and they often have special chef's meals at the restaurants. They just sent out a notice last week for something.

 

[ccigliano]

We too have opted for TIW the last few years over the DDP. Since we visit Disney at least twice in a calendar year to maximize the DVC Annual Passes we get the best bang for out buck out of TIW. We also opt to have breakfast in the room most of the time (bagels, cereal, coffee) and then dine out for the other meals. I plan to get mine in December when I get my new DVC Annual Pass.

 

[DVC Jen]

Is the TIW card something you can purchase by calling MS or can you get it at a resort? How do you go about getting it? Also - is it good at the resort restaurants at Vero?

 

[zavandor]

Is the TIW card something you can purchase by calling MS or can you get it at a resort? How do you go about getting it? Also - is it good at the resort restaurants at Vero?

You can buy the TIW card at Guest Services at all theme parks.
To get it at 75$ you must have an AP (a voucher is not enough). To get at 100$ you need your DVC membership card (or a proof of living in Florida).

 

[Jousey]

We are looking at buying the card this year scine we are going twice and have many ADR in November.

 

[vicki_c]

Is the TIW card something you can purchase by calling MS or can you get it at a resort? How do you go about getting it? Also - is it good at the resort restaurants at Vero?

I just saw another thread recently where someone mentioned using at Vero. I remember because I was surprised that you could. I think it was mentioned that Vero wasnt mentioned on the TIW website, but you should check it yourself. Www.tablesinwonderland.com.

 

[DMKEDM]

We've done both TiW and DDP...we're pretty much sworn off DDP by now...it's too restrictive for our tastes...TiW also has its restrictions--it's great if you're planning on a lot of table service meals--it's not good everywhere, but it is good almost everywhere (one major exception that matters to us is Wolfgang Puck's sit-down restaurant at DTD West Side--we love that place and go almost every trip--and they don't accept TiW)...it's also good to have if we're staying at SSR, as Artist's Palette takes it...but most counter service restaurants don't accept it--

We go to WDW frequently--multiple times each year. So one trip where we're mostly doing in-villa and/or counter service eating doesn't negate the value of the card. But this year all but one of my planned trips are solo or with families & friends with very young children so we will be doing mostly counter service/in-villa meals--so I won't get the card this year.

Another thought worth considering: the person with the TiW card (me) generally pays the bills...mostly I get reimbursed and I'm ok with not getting reimbursed when I don't...but it does mean a psychological acceptance of the fact that I'm going to be the bill-payer. Not a big deal, but definitely an issue worth considering...

Generally, I'm not a fan of cards/programs that require you to buy them to get a discount. So even though TiW does make financial sense for us most years, I'm usually reluctant to get it. As a result, I've probably spent more money on food than I would have if I had gotten it.

Most of the time, TiW is definitely better, for us, than DDP...for us, DDP is pretty much without value...we don't eat one counter service and one table service, without appetizer and with dessert, per day for the whole trip...and unless you consistently select the most expensive choices and avoid signature restaurants, you don't save much (if any) money...

On the other hand, DDP is great for those trips when I'm taking DS and a group of his friends--it makes financing their meals MUCH easier...they can get plenty to eat, with lots of choices, without me having to be there or having to monitor the expense...

Like WDW generally, TiW gives another choice...from that perspective, it's really good...

 

[jennylyn_b]

We have no interest in DDP and probably never will. However, we love love.love TIW! It has saved us literally thousands over several visits (yes we have purchased multiple years now).


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[lucyem]

Like anything you have to do the math and see what works best for your family.

We have never found DDP to work out for us. We just do not eat like that. Not to mention that 10 yr old Disney Adult who just wants a kids burger.

TIW has worked well when we did a lot of sit down meals. Works amazingly well when we visit with friends

We will be skipping TIW next time around. Even for two trips a year it will not be worth it for just our family of 4. I did the math and we would barely come out even as AP holders paying the $75. We have been eating less sit down meals and, with that 10 yr old Disney Adult not eating much, totally skipping buffets

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just wrapped up a great 12 day stay, weather was incredible, did not get caught in rain once! For the past several years we have opted to go with the DDP for each of our stays and this year we decided to try to see what we would spend on meals by not using it.

Somehow I ran across the Tables in Wonderland discount card, if you are an annual pass holder it costs $75 and entitles you to 20% off on food/drinks in most of the restaurants, plus it it good for a year. We estimated our savings to be close to $275 over the course of our stay. Perhaps I was never really looking for it, but I had never heard of this prior to this stay and have not seen it promoted. To me this is one of the best kept secrets!

Just curious what other people think about TIW compared to DDP, I feel it is much better since you seem to have greater flexibility and are not locked into Main Course + Dessert to get your moneys worth.

A few years ago we tried the DDP and thought it was a good value. Then they changed the program a bit and it was less of a good value for us, so we went back to using the DDE (now TIW) card. We tracked all of our costs one trip eating with the TIW card, and then tracked a trip with DDP when our guests wanted to use it. We spent $200+ MORE on DDP than we did using the TIW card. For us, it is always a savings to use TIW. THe great thing is you don't feel like you MUST eat more than you want, and you get to order what you want instead of trying to make the dining plan fit.

For example: We rarely eat desserts, but we love appetizers. That doesn't fit the DDP at all. Plus we almost never eat at counter service other than Flame Tree BBQ, so the counter service credits go unused.

Besides, we have learned that the restaurants we prefer in WDW are dwindling down to a precious few. The DDP has kind of "dumbed down" the food at most of them. Yes, even some of the white table cloth ones seem to be following that course. We find we now have a maximum of 1 meal a day out, and eat in the villa the rest of the time. I can cook up something just as easily there as at home, and it's nice to have a little break at "home" to do that. We have talked our guests out of DDP for a few years now, and we just let them share our discount on the TIW by paying for their meals on our check, and having them reimburse us at the end of the trip. It turns out to be a savings for all of us.

 

[Hopefully]

I just saw another thread recently where someone mentioned using at Vero. I remember because I was surprised that you could. I think it was mentioned that Vero wasnt mentioned on the TIW website, but you should check it yourself. Www.tablesinwonderland.com.

I don't know if it has changed this year, but last October DH and I did 5 nights at BCV for F & W followed by 6 nights at Vero. We used the TiW card at Vero as well.
We also got a May Flower and Garden long weekend in and are returning the first of this October with DS and DDiL for our 3rd trip in 12 months. The TiW card has more than saved us lots of money.

 

[Let'sGoToDisney]

You do not have to pay the bill if you are the card member for TIW. You just need to be present at the table. My DD's often pay and still get the discount.
One time at ESPN Club, I paid the bill and a quest who was with us paid their own bill. The waitress gave both of us the discount. Great deal!

 

[bumbershoot]

You do not have to pay the bill if you are the card member for TIW. You just need to be present at the table. My DD's often pay and still get the discount.
One time at ESPN Club, I paid the bill and a quest who was with us paid their own bill. The waitress gave both of us the discount. Great deal!

While there are servers who kindly do this, it's not how the program is written.

The Tables in Wonderland discount is good for up to 10 people, as long as everyone is on the same check, and the Tables in Wonderland member is paying the bill.

It's worth knowing the rules, so that you're not surprised if you come upon a server who needs you to follow the rules!

 

[aan1701]

One thing about paying. When I am our with friends who live on the WDW area and they insist on paying, I first give the card. When the bill comes back whoever pays puts in the card. Never in 6 years had a problem. I do understand the rules though and I am always ready to pay. Also I did use my TIW in march at the sit down Wolfgang Puck.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[BLTWildcat]

Agree with all the TiW support. We have done trips this year with extended family, where the value really kicks into high gear. I also like that alcohol is included and card is accepted at most resort bars/lounges. We will have three trips this year where we're using the card and it will have more than paid for itself. Another awesome perk is the free valet parking for TiW resort dining.

 

[Halle]

We too have done both DDP and TIW. My family hated the DDP, we did it the first year it came out and it truly was a deal then when traveling with 9 adults all TS meals. They didn't like the constraints of the CS choices. After that experience it took some convincing to get DH to agree to the TIW but he's a believer now.

 

[amyy]

Hoping to use some of your points to help me convince my husband not to do the DDP this trip. I have written down a sketch of what we would eat everyday, cost etc to show him how TIW would be a better option. Skipping dessert and having an appetizer etc. Wish me luck.

 

[FRANKTSJR]

I've never been a big fan of the DDP and believe that it overall has diminished the quality of dining in WDW. However I am a big fan of TiW and find it to be a better value with more flexibility than DDP.

 

[granmanh603]

And now if you use the new offer of a PAP for 399 it will allow you to also get the TIN card for $75 so another $25 savings if you did not have an AP before...
We also love TIW card...much better than DDP you can order what you want and alcohol is also included..