Disney Dining Plan VS. Tables in Wonderland

[EvilQueenT]

The "break even" point for the TiW card if you're paying $125 for the card (AP Holders get it for $100) is $586.85. This is assuming you would be giving the server an 18% tip.

thank you. i have just been brain dead trying to figure out the break even point. but yes we're ap holders and go back several times a year usually 3 day weekend kind of things but one big trip a year as well. historically i tip at 20% but if they decide on 18 and nothing is super above board then 18 it is.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

thank you. i have just been brain dead trying to figure out the break even point. but yes we're ap holders and go back several times a year usually 3 day weekend kind of things but one big trip a year as well. historically i tip at 20% but if they decide on 18 and nothing is super above board then 18 it is.

We are AP and TiW holders and only given 18% tip when using the card. There have been a few instances where we have given extra. We do this when we feel the server has been especially attentive or really gone out of their way to help us.

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

TIW works great for us because we like sit down restaurants and usually order cocktails or wine. In addition, I like to sample apps and almost never order a dessert. So it's perfect for our "method" of dining. All depends on how you like to eat really.

 

[frannn]

With the rise in the price of the DXDP, plus DD10 wanting kid's meals but being charged adult prices, we decided this would no longer provide a savings for us. We had booked the bounceback free dining for Aug, so we are getting the reg DP at a discount. We will also get the TIW on arrival, and use that for CS breakfasts at the resort, 4 additional TS lunches, and OOP kid's meals for DD (or HDD and 1 TS). That should almost get us the breakeven point in the cost of the card, plus we'll hopefully be able to use it on next year's trip. With the rumors about no free dining at the value's, it will be nice to have this to use next year. I figure we'll save almost 1,000 over what the upgrade cost would've been from DP to DXDP. Really stinks though, cause upgrading to DX used to be a no-brainer for us. We will miss that carefree feeling of just ordering whatever we want, including appetizers, cause we don't order that way at home. I think I may just buy a Disney or Amex gift card for the sole purpose of dining, so it feels just as easy as using your KTTW card...actually easier because the tip will be included in the TIW total. Just a little less magical for grandma, who will now not get a huge box of fudge from our leftover snack credits

 

[JZCubed]

We are AP and TiW holders and only given 18% tip when using the card. There have been a few instances where we have given extra. We do this when we feel the server has been especially attentive or really gone out of their way to help us.

When my infant/young toddler left more than her fair share of mess, I always made sure to throw in an extra $5 or $10. Then again, both my wife & I have worked for tips in our youth.

More often than not, we find the service we receive at Disney to be more than accommodating our need to either get out fast or slow-walk a meal.

 

[Tigger1021]

Thanks for everyone's input. I really love the fact that I am not the only one in this predicament. DW and I have made many trips in the 11 years we have been together and have always used the DDP. Even traveling with our son who will be making his 4th trip at the age of 5 has used the DDP with us. As DVC members, the TIW card will cost $100, so seeing that my "break even point" is ~$475, and the basic DDP for 3 of us for a week is over $900 almost makes this a no-brainer. My current plan is to preload a gift card with the money we are planning on spending for dining so that will alleviate the large credit card bill coming in after the trip. Also, I like the fact that since my parents and sister will be traveling with us, they will also be able to use the TIW discount when dining with us. Now I just have to countdown to April 3 so I can book our room

We have hit most of the character dining experiences on our last few trips. Is there anywhere that anyone recommends as a "can't miss"?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We have hit most of the character dining experiences on our last few trips. Is there anywhere that anyone recommends as a "can't miss"?

Tusker House is a must do for us for breakfast! It has a great selection, for the picky eaters, the more adventurous eaters and everyone in the middle

 

[topmonkeygirl]

We have always been on the DDP but with the cost going up I just can't justify it anymore. I have a picky eater on my hands so quick service doesn't cut it with my DH. He's not a food snob by any means he just hates burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches. He wants to sit down and get real food not something mass produced. So on vacation he wants breakfast, and of course dinner, lunch is optional. So not having lunch everyday would give us extra credits for signature meals. That being said the other dinning plans are not an option. So I'm stuck with DDP, OOP, or OOP with TIW. I think this trip I'll go with TIW. The amount of credits on DDP is what I want but to come out ahead like others have said we each have to get an appy, entree', and dessert, too much. I'm done with it.

 

[davedmaine]

Hey all,

We are planning a trip to WDW for November and are weighing DDP vs TIW. In the past, we have always used the DDP, but our last trip, we debated back and forth whether it was worth the cost. The more I look at things, the more I feel like the TIW card is the way to go. Figuring the cost of the DDP for 7 nights for 2 adults and 1 child was coming out around $900, and I just can't help but think that we would be spending far less on the TIW plan... Thanks to all in advance for your thoughts!

Tiw -no question. The dining plan doesn't make sense for anyone..

 

[Dziactor]

We stick with TiW due to the flexibility like many have said. I also find myself eating less since I don't have to get everything.

 

[Colleen27]

I run the numbers every trip, and it always comes down to the same thing - If we qualify for the TiW already, it is the better option, but it isn't such a great savings that it is worth upgrading to an AP for access. So this year is a TiW year because I have enough trips planned that an AP makes sense, but next year might find us back on the DxDDP or just paying out of pocket without any discount.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Tiw -no question. The dining plan doesn't make sense for anyone..

Sure it does. It makes sense for Disney; otherwise they would not offer it.

 

[Megsie1000]

TIW is good for only TS meals - so if you eat alot of CS it's not as good a value.

Not necessarily true. For instance, if you stay at a value you can use your TIW card at the food court. Too bad my Mom and I didn't realize this last October when we stayed at POP. Now we are wiser and will be using it this May when we stay there again.

You can also use it at both the Flame Tree BBQ and Pizzafari at the AK.

I like that with the TIW for only a few $ more I can eat at the Liberty Tree or the Plaza for lunch at the MK instead of waiting in those horrible queues at Cosmic Rays while juggling 2 trays and 3 children.

I did enjoy the dining plan when we did it (free dining). It was fun. To be honest, if they included tips I would probably do it just for the convenience and the ease of it. But when you break it down, TIW almost always comes out ahead for us. We don't feel pressure to book the most expensive meals and only dinners, etc, in order to get value. We eat where we want when we want.