Anyone have experience with the TIW card?

[AgentP]

I have an AP and I'm thinking about getting a TIW Card, just wanted to get some input from folks that already have one.
Here is my situation...
I have two trips to WDW planned for the next six months, both are relatively short(4 days and 5 days). I never buy a dinning plan because I like the flexibility of dinning when and where I want. I have a couple of ADR's booked for the upcoming trips at restaurants where I would get a discount with the TIW card(I got a list of restaurants that offer a TIW card discount from /disneyworld.disney.go.com). From what I have read on other postings it sounds like the break even point is somewhere around 350 to 375 dollars, I'm pretty sure I would exceed that so I'm leaning towards just spending the 75 bucks and getting the card. One question I have is whether the TIW card can be used to get a discount at any of the quick services locations in the parks, like for adult beverages when I'm walking around the pond at EPCOT

 

[Kidanifan08]

Looking on some other unofficial websites, the only QS restaurants currently accepting TIW are at Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree, Pizzafari, and Restaurantosaurus. For the number of days you are traveling, you should be able to benefit from TIW if you do a few TS with each trip.

 

[drusba]

The break even point, $375, represents how much you need to spend to get enough in 20% discunts to make up for the $75 annual charge for the TIW card. We have the card and it works fine particularly since we go to WDW 2 to 4 times a year. You probably already know that at WDW prices, you don't need too many meals to exceed that break even point particularly if you also have any alcohol with the meal.

Just be aware that they automatically tack on an 18% tip at the restaurants, although that is 18% of the price after discount is deducted. However, if you were to usually tip 15-20% that really doesn't change the savings equation. The card does, however, have use at only at a limited number of quick service places.

 

[erionm]

Here's the current list of participating locations from the Disney World FL Resident webpage:

Here's the most current list of restaurants participating in Tables in Wonderland. Print this page for future reference.

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort – World Premiere Food Court
Disney's All-Star Music Resort – Intermission Food Court
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort – End Zone Food Court
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Boma - The Flavors of Africa, Jiko - The Cooking Place, Sanaa, Victoria Falls
Disney's Beach Club Resort – Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (excludes take-out shop), Cape May Cafe, Martha's Vineyard Lounge
Disney's BoardWalk – Belle Vue Lounge, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, ESPN® Club, Flying Fish Cafe, Kouzzina by Cat Cora
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort – Shutters at Old Port Royale
Disney's Contemporary Resort – California Grill, Chef Mickey's, Outer Rim, The Wave
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort – Maya Grill
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground – Crockett's Tavern, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (9:30 p.m. show only), Trail's End Restaurant (Excludes take out shop)
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – 1900 Park Fare, Citricos, Garden View Tea Room, Grand Floridian Cafe, Mizner's Lounge, Narcoossee's, Victoria & Albert's (excludes Chef's Table and Queen Victoria Room)
Disney's Old Key West Resort – Olivia's Cafe
Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course – Sand Trap Bar & Grill
Disney's Polynesian Resort – 'Ohana, Kona Cafe, Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Late show only), Tambu Lounge
Disney's Pop Century Resort – Everything Pop Shopping and Dining (excludes merchandise from shop)
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, Scat Cat's Club
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside - Boatwright's Dining Hall, River Roost
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort – The Artist's Palette, The Turf Club Bar & Grill; Turf Club Lounge
Disney's Vero Beach Resort – The Green Cabin Room, Shutter's, Sonya's (Excludes Sunday Brunch)
Disney's Wilderness Lodge – Artist Point, Territory Lounge, Whispering Canyon Cafe
Disney's Yacht Club Resort – Ale and Compass Lounge, Captain's Grille, Crews Cup Lounge, Yachtsman Steakhouse
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort – Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Kimonos, Shula's Steak House, Todd English's bluezoo, Garden Grove

Magic Kingdom® Park – Cinderella's Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Crystal Palace, The Plaza Restaurant, Tony's Town Square Restaurant
Epcot® – Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Bistro de Paris, Chefs de France, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Nine Dragons Restaurant, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, San Angel Inn Restaurante, The Garden Grill Restaurant, Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia Ristorante, Via Napoli
Disney's Hollywood Studios™ – 50's Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Tune-In Lounge
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park – Flame Tree Barbeque, Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Tusker House Restaurant
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® – Marketplace - Cap'n Jack's Restaurant, Fulton's Crab House
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® – Pleasure Island – Paradiso 37, Portobello, Raglan Road" Irish Pub and Restaurant
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® – West side – Bongo's Cuban Café, House Of Blues® (Excludes Sunday Brunch), Planet Hollywood®, Wolfgang Puck Café
ESPN Wide World of Sports® Complex – ESPN Wide World of Sports® Grill

 

[staceymay00]

We are on our second TiW card. We use it for 2-3 trips, although we are not eating as many TS meals as we used to. Still with five of us it is not hard to get to the $375 break even point. The discount is not available on holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter, etc. An 18% gratuity is added to all your meals, even buffets, which is not a problem for us since we tip in that range anyway. I actually think the 18% tip is applied before the discount, unlike a PP stated. Maybe someone else knows for sure. When I bought my first card the CM told me not to lose it - $50 replacement fee!

 

[DebbieB]

The break even point, $375, represents how much you need to spend to get enough in 20% discunts to make up for the $75 annual charge for the TIW card. We have the card and it works fine particularly since we go to WDW 2 to 4 times a year. You probably already know that at WDW prices, you don't need too many meals to exceed that break even point particularly if you also have any alcohol with the meal.

Just be aware that they automatically tack on an 18% tip at the restaurants, although that is 18% of the price after discount is deducted. However, if you were to usually tip 15-20% that really doesn't change the savings equation. The card does, however, have use at only at a limited number of quick service places.

The 18% is taken before the discount. Anytime you have a discount on dining, you should figure the tip before the discount. I think that's the reason the tip is automatic, people tip too low otherwise.

 

[DMKEDM]

Some food for thought: I have not renewed last year's TIW card, and haven't yet decided whether I will...I found last year that I couldn't keep up with which card gives which discounts at which places...so I got in the habit of offering the TIW, my Disney Visa, my AP and my DVC card and asking for the best discount among them.

Very frequently, it was either the Disney Visa or the AP that resulted in the best discount--and almost always the Visa or AP got me a discount equal to the TIW --and of course, you don't have to pay to get the Visa, and while you do pay for an AP, you pay for its park admissions, not discounts--

If you're looking to maximize your savings, it's worth looking up whether any of the restaurants you're thinking of patronizing give a discount to Disney Visa, AP and/or DVC as well as TIW...I found only a very few where the TIW discount was better than one of the others...

Now, if you don't have a Disney Visa, this is irrelevant. Unless you're a FL resident, you have to have an AP to get a TIW...and the DVC discount is usually both smaller (10%) and time-sensitive (e.g., lunch only)...but it's pretty amazing how many places give the same 20% discount w/the Disney Visa and/or AP...at least, that was true last year. I haven't investigated it yet for this year, and as you know, discounts change at least annually (and sometimes more frequently than that)...

Good lucK!

 

[BDJazz]

We love using our TIW card. We purchased ours on May 3rd of last year and will be using it again on our trip this year scheduled for the 9th of May. I'm not sure if this is the norm, but even though ours was purchased May 3, 2010, it is good through June 30, 2011. If you travel the same time each year this enables you to use the card for 2 trips!

 

[drusba]

The 18% is taken before the discount. Anytime you have a discount on dining, you should figure the tip before the discount. I think that's the reason the tip is automatic, people tip too low otherwise.

I check it every meal with TIW and every meal I have had has added 18% of the discounted price.

 

[Kidanifan08]

. . .it was either the Disney Visa or the AP that resulted in the best discount--and almost always the Visa or AP got me a discount equal to the TIW. . .I found only a very few where the TIW discount was better than one of the others. . .but it's pretty amazing how many places give the same 20% discount w/the Disney Visa and/or AP...at least, that was true last year. . .

There is currently nothing on the Disney Visa website or any information that I can find on AP holder discounts that gives park dining discounts at WDW of greater than 10%, although AP holders can get 20% discounts at some of the DTD restaurants. We did get 20% discounts with Disney Visa on merchandise on one trip within the past 2 years. They must have special promotional offers during certain times of the year with added discounts. Next time we are there, I am going to ask the CM at the TS restaurants about a Disney Visa discount, because I would love to save the $75 it cost us for TIW. They realy should give DVC members and AP holders better discounts, but they make us buy TIW for that!

 

[JimC]

We have used it (and it's predecessor - DDE) for years. It works very well for us to reduce overall meal costs. There are some important exclusions to be aware of - holidays and certain dinner packages. Best to have their list or the WDW Dining app (which has all discounts noted) to stay current on where it is valid. Where you will typically miss is the QS meals.

We also have enjoyed a number of TIW's special dining events.

 

[Pooh2]

Very frequently, it was either the Disney Visa or the AP that resulted in the best discount--and almost always the Visa or AP got me a discount equal to the TIW --and of course, you don't have to pay to get the Visa, and while you do pay for an AP, you pay for its park admissions, not discounts--


I did not realize that Disney Visa or an AP or AAA give restaurant discounts. Where would I find a list of these places? Or do you just ask at each place before you are seated?

10% with one of these would probably work better than purchasing a TIW for us since it's just the two of us now.

 

[CarolMN]

I don't think the Disney Visa offers any dining discounts. If they do, they are not listed anywhere on the rewards website (that I can find). Perhaps they occasionally offer special dining promotions beyond the "Kids Stay & Eat Free" or "Free Dining", but I am not aware of any that just offer a dining discount for having the card.

Disney Reward Card - Theme Park Perks

I don't doubt that DMKEDM received a discount, but the CMs are notorious for making mistakes in this area. Wouldn't count on it happening on a regular basis.

In my experience, the AP usually offers only a 10% discount and at most restaurants, only for lunch. There are a few exceptions.

Same for DVC blue card. Mostly 10% and mostly for lunch. Notable exception is the 20% offered for the Swan/Dolphin restaurants. In the past, Shulas has not been included, but lately, I believe it has.

In general, if you tip 15%-20%, the TiW pays for your tip after you spend $375 at participating restaurants. I don't think that's hard to do if you go more than once a year or stay a week or more.

P.S. Restaurant.com has been offering their $25 coupons for several of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants and Downtown Disney Restaurants. Worth checking out, especially if you wait until the end of a month when you can often get the coupons for $2. Do the math, because sometimes another discount is better than $25 off if you spend $35.

 

[DVC Mike]

We have used the TIW card for years now, and great great value out of it.

We can't eat all the food on the DDP, and all the places we eat take the TIW card.

 

[mwmuntz]

We've used the TIW card in the past and it worked out well for us. We don't have it anymore, as we have no need for an AP, so we don't qualify for the TIW.

Question though - I know TIW also discounted the cost of alchohol. Do the DVC or Disney Visa discounts cover it as well? I know some discounts do not.

 

[blondietink]

Got our first TIW card in August with our AP's. We used it a couple of times in August, then again in October. We will be at WDW next week for 11 days. While we have probably broken even, I will not be purchsing another one when this one expires. Reason: the recent price increases at WDW dining locations. The cost for a meal is getting really outrageous, especially when we have 4 adults. For the amount we spend on a meal, we can get 3 tanks of gas, which will almost get us to WDW from our home. I also don't like the automatic gratuity added in, which almost negates the discount. We usually tip 15%, but will tip more or less depending on the service. In this economy, unless I get a better job or win the lottery, we will be cooking in our villa most of the time and just getting snacks in the parks. We love getting the discount at Flame Tree Barbeque in AK and we wish more counter service restaurants would join in. Then we would be using it more.

 

[staceymay00]

I check it every meal with TIW and every meal I have had has added 18% of the discounted price.

I am not saying this didn't happen for your meals - I was not there, you were! - however I just looked at a couple of receipts from our December trip that I happen to still have in our Disney backpack. For us, the 18% tip was not based on the discounted bill. The way the receipt is printed, however, can be misleading. They list the items ordered, subtract the 20% discount and give a subtotal. Then they show the 18% gratuity, tax and a grand total. Even though the 18% gratuity is listed after the discounted subtotal, it is still 18% of the non-discounted bill if you run the numbers - this has been the case for us, at least.

 

[Inkmahm]

I am not saying this didn't happen for your meals - I was not there, you were! - however I just looked at a couple of receipts from our December trip that I happen to still have in our Disney backpack. For us, the 18% tip was not based on the discounted bill. The way the receipt is printed, however, can be misleading. They list the items ordered, subtract the 20% discount and give a subtotal. Then they show the 18% gratuity, tax and a grand total. Even though the 18% gratuity is listed after the discounted subtotal, it is still 18% of the non-discounted bill if you run the numbers - this has been the case for us, at least.

I agree with this. The 18% is calculated on the full cost of the dinner, NOT the discounted cost.

We get a LOT of use out of our TIW card since we go to WDW 3 times each year and we generally eat at TS restaurants exclusively. Dining plans are too much food for us but the TIW card works well. It only takes about 3 dinners for us at places like Artist Point, Cali Grill, Jiko, Yachtsmen Steakhouse, etc. for us to get to the $375 breakeven point. When we bring guest with us, it may take only ONE meal to get to that $ amount. It's a great perk to be able to buy this card with our APs.

 

[castleri]

We've used the TIW card in the past and it worked out well for us. We don't have it anymore, as we have no need for an AP, so we don't qualify for the TIW.

Question though - I know TIW also discounted the cost of alchohol. Do the DVC or Disney Visa discounts cover it as well? I know some discounts do not.

I go the impression from what one CM said when we ate at Raglan Road recently that the TIW is the only one to give a discount on alcohol. I was also wondering about this as my TIW card will no longer be valid in Dec and I am wondering about getting a new one.

 

[dvcdisney]

We purchased a TIW for the first time this past Feb. We have used the DDP prior to this but much prefer the TIW. We are a family of 4 (2A 2C - although both children orders from the adult menu). We vacationed for 14 nights and SAVED $675 with the TIW discount, and SAVED almost $80 using either DVC or AP discount (for places like Fresh or Rainforest Cafe which did not take the TIW). So $75 to get the TIW was worth it for us. We found more flexibility than going on the DDP and definitely more discount when just using our DVC or AP discounts. We have another trip and possibly one more before the TIW expires .