Tables in wonderland...is it worth it?

[disfan07]

So we have been wavering about whether or not it would be worth it to get a TIW card this time. We've always either just paid straight OOP or had free dining because no one has had an AP before.

Well, I currently have a Premium annual pass for DL. I am thinking of upgrading to the premier AP (cost would be about $400 or so) instead of buying a 5 day PH for this trip (which is about $350). Doing this would allow me to buy the TIW card for $75. Combining the difference between the tickets and the cost of the TIW card would be about $125.

It's going to be 3 adults (me, my mom, and my dad). Right now our dining plans are:

Crystal Palace for lunch
The Plaza for dinner
50s Prime Time for lunch
Sci Fi for dinner (I think???...it's a 4:20 ADR)
Rose and Crown for dinner
1900 Park Fare for dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch
Either whispering Canyon Cafe or the Wave for lunch

We are also staying at POP and I know the CS there is also part of TIW.

To me, it seems like we would definitely benefit us. We always tip 18% so that's not an issue. But with 3 adults and 7 or 8 TS meals, I feel like we are going to save some money. But I would like to hear other people's experiences using TIW. Also..is it 20% off the check BEFORE or AFTER tax? Because I think that would make a difference as well.

 

[cluvsdisney]

The TIW card is absolutely worth it. I believe the discount is before tax. It includes everything you order at a TS restaurant and select CS establishments. You can use the card at resort lounges as well. In one long weekend trip, DH & I saved enough with the dining card to cover the cost. With regards to dining at Disney, 2 things I can say with certainty, we will never purchase the dining plan and we will always purchase the TIW card.

 

[MinnieLee]

You will recoup your TIW membership fee and then some with 4 of you. We love our card. It not only covers food but any alcohol/wine your purchase at dinner. Also good at the Rose & Crown or 50's Prime Time or alot of the other "pubs" where you just want to get purchase a drink, go and walk. It does include the 18% gratutity so one less thing to worry about.

I just upgraded my AP to the Premium on 10/30 and the cost with tax was $410. That will also give you 20% discount when shopping, and sometimes a discount when TIW is not accepted.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

In my opinion, TIW is worth it.


I have done research along with calculations. I believe it will benefit us in the end compared to the DDP & without TIW.

It will give us more freedom, more appetizers to try, less desserts to eat & throw away.

I say go for it!

 

[Kay1]

It should be worth it for you, especially staying at POP.

Enjoy.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The actual savings of the TiW card is $21.30 per $100 of menu price, as the tax is also adjusted. Since the OP has indicated the effective price of the card will be $125 (because the difference on the AP as well as the fee) your break even point would be menu pricing of 586.85. And this does include alcoholic beverages. For three adults for eight table service meals you would easily go over the breakeven point.

 

[Brook1099]

We absolutely loved using TIW this trip, the saving were fantastic. And the fact it is good for 13 months, makes it worth it for us.

 

[mountdew1]

The $375 breakeven point on the TiW can easily be hit in 4 TS meals for 4 people. Judging by your list of meals, along with the fact that you can use it at the POP food court make it a no brainer to me. Even after paying for the AP vs a ticket, ($60 difference) you would need to buy another $300 and change worth of food. 7 TS meals means if you average $100 per meal, you should have no problem hitting the target. And it goes even lower if you do your breakfasts at POP. Figure $30-45 per breakfast for 3, 7 days, that $200+ towards the total food costs. Brings your TS spend down to $480ish, which would be $70 per meal. Not a problem. And then if you toss in AK CS, etc. Definitely recommend it.

 

[MVC1225]

Definitely worth it. We are just two adults and in just one 8 night trip (6 TS restaurants including one signature) we are saving over $80 and neither of us drink which would increase the savings even more.

 

[bcrook]

The actual savings of the TiW card is $21.30 per $100 of menu price, as the tax is also adjusted. Since the OP has indicated the effective price of the card will be $125 (because the difference on the AP as well as the fee) your break even point would be menu pricing of 586.85. And this does include alcoholic beverages. For three adults for eight table service meals you would easily go over the breakeven point.

This is an extremely helpful and clear post. Thank you Cheshire!

 

[WeLoveAriel0505]

If you're going to spend $375 on eligible locations, it's a no brainer. Get the card! After that it's just gravy

 

[sleepydog25]

The TIW card is a good deal overall, though it's not the best of uses when you use it strictly at a bar (unless you're getting food). . .unless you tend to tip 18%+ when you are served drinks. For example, we used it at Territory Lounge a couple of weeks ago for two glasses of wine, and the tab was approximately $25, so the tip was nearly $5 merely to bring us two glasses filled with a liquid (though a tasty one to be sure). On the other hand, when used with a meal, it does tend to save one money; however, if we get good service, we traditionally tip 20% so our savings tend to accrue at a slower rate.

 

[JZCubed]

If you enjoy Disney Table Service & Signature restaurants, then TiW 20% discount/18% gratuity is an excellent value after spending $375.

And you also get discounted alcohol at many Bars & Lounges and a few Quick Service places (i.e. Flame Tree BBQ).....for up to nine [9] people.

My family of 4 adults budgets $100/day per adult for food. TiW repays itself after one 'Signature' meal for us....and we spend over 8 nights....sometimes with in-laws too....those $40 meals are certainly more palatable at $32 (net discount).

Best of all, you don't feel as if you have to over-eat to get your value.

 

[JandD Mom]

The TIW card is a good deal overall, though it's not the best of uses when you use it strictly at a bar (unless you're getting food). . .unless you tend to tip 18%+ when you are served drinks. For example, we used it at Territory Lounge a couple of weeks ago for two glasses of wine, and the tab was approximately $25, so the tip was nearly $5 merely to bring us two glasses filled with a liquid (though a tasty one to be sure). On the other hand, when used with a meal, it does tend to save one money; however, if we get good service, we traditionally tip 20% so our savings tend to accrue at a slower rate.

I respectfully disagree on this point. Even if you would't tip at all on bar drinks (and hopefully that's not true), you would still get more than a 2% discount on bar drinks (considering tax is also adjusted it is more like 3% as Cheshire Figment pointed out) even of you are forced to leave the tip (which is customary in the US). That 3% itself might not be the sole reason to buy TIW, but if I have it and I am at the bar, it is certainly worth using it!

 

[sleepydog25]

I respectfully disagree on this point. Even if you would't tip at all on bar drinks (and hopefully that's not true), you would still get more than a 2% discount on bar drinks (considering tax is also adjusted it is more like 3% as Cheshire Figment pointed out) even of you are forced to leave the tip (which is customary in the US). That 3% itself might not be the sole reason to buy TIW, but if I have it and I am at the bar, it is certainly worth using it!

I understand, and you are correct--there is some slight discount, just not much. I suppose my point should more correctly have been that unless one has more than a single round of drinks (which is all we had THAT particular time lol), the savings are minimal since, though we do tip, we don't tend to tip 18% for drink service at a bar or lounge.