Best way for Saving $$ for dining at WDW???

[mimmiepnp]

If you can believe this, I just made my November 2010 reservations for room only with a CM discount since I will be out of points by our annual November trip next year due to a huge 2 week celebration at WDW earlier in the year.

Anyway, since I will not be on the DDP, nor will I be using any DVC points, is the Annual Pass discount dining card (I FORGOT THE NAME) the best way to dine at disney since I will not on the DDP and or is the DDP still the best bargain for the dollar (although I won't be entitled to it for our November trip I am just wondering)????????

I haven't bought that dining card yet and am curious if I should.

Just would love your thoughts.

Thanks

Mimmiepnp

 

[Disneycouple99]

In order for the card to pay for itself, you need to spend over $375 on food using the card to recoupe the cost of the card ($75). BTW it is called Tables In Wonderland (TIW).

 

[Chellymouse]

It really depends on where you prefer to eat and what time of day you prefer to eat. If the discounts on TIW are the places where you eat, then it's worth it. If not, eat "lupper" (that is the meal between lunch and supper where you can still get lunch prices around dinner time) or use grocery service for at least 2 meals a day and only eat out for one meal a day.

 

[DVC Mike]

In order for the card to pay for itself, you need to spend over $375 on food using the card to recoupe the cost of the card ($75). BTW it is called Tables In Wonderland (TIW).

Since we probably do 30+ dinners a year at TS restarants at WDW, the TIW card really saves us $$.

 

[backyardponder]

since TIW includes alcoholic beverages, I think it is well worth it.

 

[Crystal_27]

We are planning for 2 weeks in December, 2010, and have been debating on the DxDDP or the TIW card. We've decided to just purchase the TIW card and hope for the best. The DxDDP would cost us right around $2,300, so I'm hopeful that we'll come in under that figure using the TIW. Even though we will have a lot of 2-credit TS meals planned during our trip, I like that we'll have the flexibility of eating CS meals if we get too bogged down with food overload (if that's even possible - LOL). If we were on the DxDDP, I'd feel a lot of pressure to make sure that we didn't waste any credits and that we got our full money's worth. We'll see!! Good luck to both of us!!

 

[tgropp]

Can someone please explain the TIW card, where you buy it and where I can get some info as to how it applies to dining at WDW. Thanks

 

[DVC Mike]

Can someone please explain the TIW card, where you buy it and where I can get some info as to how it applies to dining at WDW. Thanks

See: http://allears.net/din/dde.htm

 

[tgropp]

Thanks Mike. Dis members can always count on you

 

[mimmiepnp]

Thanks for all the info. It sounds like for us the TIW card is the way to go for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mimmiepnp

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Thanks for all the info. It sounds like for us the TIW card is the way to go for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mimmiepnp

This is my thoughts, how long are you going for? Do you have an AP already or do you need to get one? IF your two trips area within the 1 year or 13 months, not sure how it works of each other, have you considered just getting the TIW card instead of the meal plan for the big trip?

I was very very torn on what to do, I was considering an AP to get the TIW card, but once I got down realized I had enough days left on my 10 day passses. The dining plan I feel used to be great when the taxes and gratuity were included. We opted not to get it this last trip, we ate when and where we want, didnt freak if we missed a big meal, if late in the day decided nah, dont' want tha big meal canceled, ordered room service and didnt freak cause it was 2 TS meals, and honestly I ordered breakfast one day and ate the left overs for the next two days!!

both my son and my self watch our weight and our prior trip we did the DDXDP, and just found way too much food, sure we didnt need to eat it, but the mind doesnt want you to waste it.

Remember with your DVC you still get 10% off at many places many during the lunch time, we took advantage of that. We were there 5 nights and I spent a little under 550 on all meals/drinks,etc. Spirit of Aloha, Chefs De France, Columbia House, ABC Commissary, Flying Fish, room service for breakfast, Contempo Cafe a few times, misc snacks and drinks throughout the parks and resorts, Lak and Yehti (the tuna was great as were the egg rolls!!) There i decided I wanted two apps for lunch and could, where with the dining plan that wouldn't have worked!

So not really sure if I saved money or not, but we ate where we wanted when we wanted and no stress.

On many occassions I overheard comments - no you can only get this, no aunt susie used up to many meals today, no more snacks for you your out of them, etc.
So before you make the decision, really plan it out.