advice on tables in wonderland

[aeenser]

We will be taking a 7 day trip in September in a party of 8.Our party is already split on wether we should be purchasing the dinning plan or not - I am in favor of not. I was looking into tables in wonderland and wondered if this is worth it and may help me convince the others that we do not want the dinning plan. We are planning reservations for Cinderella's royal table, Be Our Guest, Hollywood and Vine, Chef Mickey's and for 4 of us Ohana . Our family of 4 will be returning in July 2015 for a trip, but we are not sure on the length. tAny thoughts?

 

[vicki_c]

Try scrolling down this page to the thread called "tables in wonderland worth it?" That should have a lot of your answers.

 

[sophia315]

Since you have an idea where you are planning to eat do a mock bill for each place and ad in the 20% discount. Then you will have an idea of the savings. I think you can save but with a larger group sometimes it is easier to do the dining plan (no splitting up the bill and paid in advance).

 

[Deb & Bill]

The TIW card holder will probably be required to pay the bill. Splitting the bill might not be possible.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We will be taking a 7 day trip in September in a party of 8.Our party is already split on wether we should be purchasing the dinning plan or not - I am in favor of not. I was looking into tables in wonderland and wondered if this is worth it and may help me convince the others that we do not want the dinning plan. We are planning reservations for Cinderella's royal table, Be Our Guest, Hollywood and Vine, Chef Mickey's and for 4 of us Ohana . Our family of 4 will be returning in July 2015 for a trip, but we are not sure on the length. tAny thoughts?

We just went to Disney for 4 nights and definitely broke even or close to even on TIW $100 cost after one trip with 6 people. We ate at Ohana for dinner, Tutto Italia for dinner, Hollywood and Vine for breakfast, Kona for breakfast, Capy May Cafe for dinner, and Restaurant Marrakesh for dinner. Without a doubt, TIW is the way to go for us since we barely use our refillable mugs and don't usually get dessert. We have July trip with 8 people planned so we will use it for another 7 nights.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

We just went to Disney for 4 nights and definitely broke even or close to even on TIW $100 cost after one trip with 6 people. We ate at Ohana for dinner, Tutto Italia for dinner, Hollywood and Vine for breakfast, Kona for breakfast, Capy May Cafe for dinner, and Restaurant Marrakesh for dinner. Without a doubt, TIW is the way to go for us since we barely use our refillable mugs and don't usually get dessert. We have July trip with 8 people planned so we will use it for another 7 nights.

Will you be paying for all 8 people?

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

 

[gdrj]

IMO it would be worth it. With 8 people as long as it is on one bill definitely is worth it. Keep in mind owner of card needs to with party and pay.

 

[Sur]

I'm glad this was asked as I was wondering similarly. I wonder, too, if TiW can be used along with Disney gift cards?

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm glad this was asked as I was wondering similarly. I wonder, too, if TiW can be used along with Disney gift cards?

The payment media is totally independent of the TiW use.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Will you be paying for all 8 people?

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

It is our family. So we will all pay under one bill, yes. When we went last week, we were paying separately with those family members, they used cash towards their part, and we paid with our CC because you are not allowed to split the bill once TIW card is utilized.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It isn't as simple as 20% AND $500.00 total for the $100.00 cost. Many restaurants give DVC discounts from 10 to 20% and all you have to do is show your DVC card to get it. So if you are going to California Grill where there is no DVC discount, count that toward TIW card but if you are going to the many restaurants that take the DVC card, you have to look a little closer. Look at the DVC perks under dining and compare the list to where you will be eating to determine if it is really worth it or not.

HBC

 

[EPCOTatNight]

It is our family. So we will all pay under one bill, yes. When we went last week, we were paying separately with those family members, they used cash towards their part, and we paid with our CC because you are not allowed to split the bill once TIW card is utilized.

I asked because you shouldn't count the money paid by others toward the break even point unless everyone split the cost of the card.

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

 

[georgeat]

If alcohol is involved the DVC card doesn't give a discount on drinks but TiW does. If going to O'Hana by car the valet parking is free. Just show your TiW card and dining receipt to save $15

 

[ajasmom]

This website has an awesome dining plan price comparison. You select your number of nights and locations you will be eating and it calculates your dining plan cost, TIW costs and out of pocket costs. It is quite accurate


http://seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon#!calculator-download/c16yz

 

[ltmoko]

I purchased a TiW card for out trip in Nov for 4 of us (2 adults, 2 kids). I ended saving about $70 after covering the cost of the card. So for me it worked. We are going back in Oct this year and will use it again ( good for a year) so it's all money saved this time!

 

[Anal Annie]

For a party of 8 the TIW would be totally worthwhile. We are just a family of 3 (2 A and 1 DS16) and used it last August over the course of 9 nights/8 days at Via Napoli, Le Cellier, The Plaza, 50's Prime Time, Tony's Town Square, Flame Tree BBQ in AK (2x), Wolfgang Puck Cafe in DTD, Liberty Tree Tavern and Pizzafari (AK) and saved $135 ($33 of that was at Le Cellier). Then we just went again for a few nights in January and used it at Pizzafari & Flame Tree again, Be Our Guest and Boma and we saved an additional $57 ($26 at BOG and $26 at Boma)!! So we spent $100 on it and saved $192 so we had a "net savings" of $92.

Because it is a percentage based discount and includes alcohol the more you spend the more you save!!

 

[bruhl1j]

Just to add a few two cents on TIW and DDP.

I have done Deluxe and regular dining plans. You do save money if done right. Downside is it is too much food, snacks go unused, and you are locked into eating to use up the plan. For me the advantages of plan is eating at places like the CG, Derby, and Narcoossie's. If you are planning to hit several buffets, the DDP is great for that. Also, the cost is paid up front so no surprises or budgeting food during the trip. But remember, tips are not included anymore. Bummer!

The TIW is great if you like a beer or wine with your meal. We covered the cost of the card in one meal at Bongo's with our family of 9. If you have a two trip year, it is well worth getting the card. My wife and I recently went on a package trip (free dining). The TIW saved us about $30 on over the trip on drinks (Yehaa Bob is great and already been twice in a year). If you plan on having drinks, one option is to have one member of the trip get an annual pass and then the TIW. 6 people x 2 drinks a day is about $24/day saving (just an guess-timation!!). My wife and I had an order of Naan Bread and 4 drinks and saves about $9 at Sanaa Lounge.

The only way to know for sure is to do some calculation. If small kids are involved, they never eat enough to cover the cost of a DP. I like the DDP but TIW is a better value for me now that we DVC and go twice a year.

That is the great thing about Disney, it has multiple way to travel and plan.

 

[mckinneyld2000]

I definately believe that it's worth it. In order to alleviate the paying headache, I would try to estimate the amount of money that the meals should cost, and use gift cards as a way of payment. I usually get mine at Kroger so I can get a fuel discount as well. We bought the TIW card in 2012 and put it in my wife's name and was able to use it for 4 trips over the course of the next year. It makes it easier to justify, if you're planning at least 2 long vacations over 1 year's timespan.