2014 CHANGES to TiW

[goofydad99]

We have skipped dining at the sit down restaurants for 3 years now. We purchased one this past week for the first time in many years. Our kids are older, but they have asked if we can return to Chef Mickey's and Ohana. We travel in early June normally so, it doesn't look like it will be worth it anymore. Just one more reason for us to skip the sit down places and eat in the villa.

 

[granmanh603]

Well we were there over Memorial Day weekend this year and it was packed and I heard they closed MK. A CM said it was busiest weekend? normally. We were there the following week and it was still crowded. I think now people whose school lets out early go to avoid the price increases in rooms and locals who have the 4 day passes that you can buy for like 120.
As for March that is when we normally go for 3 weeks... so for us no more TIW after this one expires... more eating off property.
Really dissapointed in the food lately too. When we were there last May we ate at a CS in DHS and bill for 2 was close to 25 for awful food. Next day we went to Big River on Boardwalk, had great meal (lunch)and it was 35.
My DD and family just went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va on the way down to Disney and RAVED about the food there. Said best theme park food they ever had.
So no more TWI for me. And for me food has gone downhill too. I used to look forward to different meals, not anymore. Things either disappear from the menu or are changed.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

Yes, this totally affects us. We always vacation in early June. Very disappointed.

 

[sgtpet]

After being a big fan and user of TIW for years, this might me reconsider in the future. The black out dates between May and June are outrageous. Just as many things in life, the benefits we once had continue to diminish.

 

[patsal]

The food is barely worth the price with TIW, I see a ton more meals prepped in my room and more off site dining in my future. Very few meals were anything remarkable and many were meh to yuck!
Actually I just went to the TIW website and read what the restrictions are. Overall the only effect that I will encounter is that it will no longer be valid at V&A which I was hoping to try now that we are empty nesters. The extended blackouts are for buffets and Le Cellier which I no longer to choose to eat at, heck even with the TIW those are significantly overpriced IMHO!
That lovely "Kitchen decoration" may stay that way afterall.

 

[Chuck S]

The food is barely worth the price with TIW, I see a ton more meals prepped in my room and more off site dining in my future. Very few meals were anything remarkable and many were meh to yuck!
Actually I just went to the TIW website and read what the restrictions are. Overall the only effect that I will encounter is that it will no longer be valid at V&A which I was hoping to try now that we are empty nesters. The extended blackouts are for buffets and Le Cellier which I no longer to choose to eat at, heck even with the TIW those are significantly overpriced IMHO!
That lovely "Kitchen decoration" may stay that way afterall.

I agree, but also it depends upon the make up of your traveling party and their accommodations.

Since I now often travel solo, I have to also compare the cost of dining at Disney to the difference in points needed between a studio and one bedroom with a real kitchen where I can prepare decent meals. Then also the time required to actually prepare a meal for one person, and also the cost of a rental car of driving to Disney vs flying. So for now, the TiW wins.

In the big 2015 trip I have planned with 20 people, we will have cars as we're carpooling to Disney. I'm planning to get a 2bdrm, studio and a Grand Villa for that trip. So outside of "must do" character meals for the little ones (3 of them will be 6 yo) many of our meals will be in the rooms...but some of us will still get some adult beverages that will likely justify the TiW. If Disney food were more reasonably priced, I'd bet fewer people would chose to cook on vacation.

 

[DenLo]

I don't cook on vacation. That's why we buy the TIW card.

I could see blocking out APs that are not full use APs from getting full benefits of the TIW card, but instead everyone is blocked out. The June dates in particular are irritating, they are not even around a holiday.

 

[Shannon12]

V&A is one of the main reasons we got the card to begin with, so a renewal is unlikely for us...

 

[Pootle]

I don't think that Disney restaurants are worth what they charge these days, but I will be buying a new TiW card next January as I know we'll be getting 3 trips out of it including 1 whole family vacation. I used to renew automatically, but not now.

Now I generally wouldn't bother, especially as DVC membership gives 10% off at most of our favorites, eg Citricos, Turf Club and The Wave. Also we like to eat off site such as Seasons 52 and Cheesecake Factory - much better value - but then, we're not really 'park people' so much any longer.

 

[granmanh603]

I don't think that Disney restaurants are worth what they charge these days, but I will be buying a new TiW card next January as I know we'll be getting 3 trips out of it including 1 whole family vacation. I used to renew automatically, but not now.

Now I generally wouldn't bother, especially as DVC membership gives 10% off at most of our favorites, eg Citricos, Turf Club and The Wave. Also we like to eat off site such as Seasons 52 and Cheesecake Factory - much better value - but then, we're not really 'park people' so much any longer.

Ok could you please tell me where is the closest Cheesecake Factory?

 

[SUSIEQ]

Ok could you please tell me where is the closest Cheesecake Factory?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[hcortesis]

I was wondering the same thing.

If you don't count DisneyQuest, Mall at Millenia.

 

[cwdefouw]

There are only two in the Orlando area, on at the "Mall at Millenia" on Conroy Rd. and one in Winter Park at 520 N. Orlando Avenue.

 

[SUSIEQ]

If you don't count DisneyQuest, Mall at Millenia.

Thanks, I did not realize there was one at DQ.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thanks, I did not realize there was one at DQ.

There is not. They pulled out a while back.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The added cost had us questioning it this year, but because we were doing V &A, it made sense. Then we discovered it didn't cover the Chef's Table or Queen's Room, so that was out anyway. It's still going to be worth it this time though, because there will be 4 of us for our Christmas trip, and the two of us again in March followed by another trip in early Dec. 2014. That's 3 trips on the one card, so I know we'll be able to save with it. The blacked out restaurants don't bother us, since they are not among our favorites anyway. Our very favorite (Teppan Edo) has never been a part of the plan anyway, so we just go there at noon and use the AP discount. I must say though, if the price increases again going forward, it might not make much sense for us unless we have guests traveling with us.