Buy DxDP or TIW card?

[Bostonterrierlover]

We are going to WDW in Jan and Dec 2011, so we are more than likely going to buy APs since it will be cheaper than buying tickets for each trip. However, for our upcoming Jan trip we are debating whether or not to purchase the DxDP or the TIW card (if we indeed do purchase APs). When I use the current pricing for the meals off allears it is about $10 cheaper a day on the DxDP. However, I read that TIW also gets a 20% discount off of alcoholic beverages. Is this still true? This may make the TIW card a better option then since the drinks are so expensive. What would you all do? Also, I think we would only purchase APs and the TIW card for this year, and would not renew since we want to do some other vacations outside of Disney for the next few years. TIA for your opinions!

 

[mom3sonstt]

We have never had any interest in the DDP so maybe I'm not an unbiased opinion. We did get the TIW card. It is still good for alcholic beverages. Since we are at DVC we usually eat breakfast in the room (toast, donut, bagel, rice krispie treat.....) We also only have a few table service meals during a week not every day. On vacation we just don't eat a lot of meals so doing the DDP never made sense to us. We do get our money's worth out of the TIW. On our family vacations there are 6 of us (5 in the family and we have been letting our youngest bring a friend). They always want to eat at Primetime (which accepts the card), my husband has a new-found love for Beaches and Cream over at the Beach Club (also takes the card). The card is also good for more than the one trip (like DDP would be) so we have used ours on 2 full family vacations (Aug last year and June this year) and 2 shorter trips without the kids - one included another couple.

Maybe someone else will have a compelling argument on behalf of the DDP - it just won't be me

 

[GettinReadyforDisney]

Although I am an a new DVC owner -- I have used DXDP and TIW on non-DVC vacations in the past.

In fact, we just recently had the DXDP on our June trip -- we had a code for free QSDP and just paid to upgrade. So, it was a very good deal -- for 3 adults and 1 child, the total receipts for everything (meals, snacks, refillable mugs, plus tax) were almost $2,500 and we only paid $772!!. We all agreed that we likely would not pay full price for it - it was just so much food. We didn't feel compelled to eat it all, although we still did feel a little guilty from time to time.

On the other hand, we ate at 4 Signature restaurants (Calif Grill, Narcoose's, Flying Fish and Jiko), which we had never done before. We totally enjoyed those experiences and definitely would eat at those restaurants again.

Interestingly enough -- we discussed going back to those restaurants and said that it would be great to have TIW next time and we are trying to plan two trips within a year, just so we can do that!

Several years ago, we bought AP's and TIW and used both for 3 trips. We agreed that we enjoyed the freedom of TIW -- not having to eat big at every meal. Plus, the idea of saving 20% on both the food and the alcohol is appealing to us.

 

[heathers4um]

I am also in the same boat. We are new DVC members and my first thought was to buy the AP's and get the TIW card. Our trip in Nov will just be me and DBF but we will be planing another trip with the kids before the AP's run out so I think it makes more sense in the long run UNLESS for whatever reason we cant get back before the year runs out. Its so hard telling the way life goes but thats the optimistic approach.

HOWEVER....it would be great to go and just know the food expenses are all set with the DDP and then just pay for adult beverages as we go.

 

[saintstickets]

We recently returned from a DVC trip to OKW in May, 2010. There were 5 adults and we had the DP. I kept the receipts and compared the DP vs OOP for the exact same items (Details at trip report link below). The DP was much less expensive than what we would have paid OOP if we would have ordered the same items at the same restaurants. The DP has a dessert included with every CS and TS meal. We are not big on desserts with EVERY meal and would like appetizers/adult beverages periodically which are not included in the DP. For my own information, I also compared the OOP costs on the TS meals vs TIW if we would have ordered the same items (Details also at TR link below). Again, TIW is less expensive by the amount of the tip. TIW has a 20% discount but automatically adds an 18% tip. Assuming one would tip between 15-20% on top of the OOP cost, then you save the value of the tip by using TIW. But the advantage of TIW vs DP is that you are not obligated to the dessert (and already paid for it whether you want it or not) and you can get an appetizer, can split items with others in your group and get adult beverages that are all subject to the 20% discount. DW and I are returning after Thanksgiving and for us, we are going to use the TIW this trip. To each his own I guess.

 

[Pakey]

We have done both and much prefer the TIW.

1. We do enjoy our alcohol with our meals.

2. We are not big dessert eaters and the DxDDP only saves you real money if you get to eat what you would have ordered even without the plan. Many times I want two appetizers instead of an entree, etc. The TIW gives you the discount on all TS, no matter what you order.

3. There are several restaurants that accept the TIW that are not on the dining plan and those are the places we like to go (V&A, bluezoo, etc).

 

[heathers4um]

Ok so this may seem overkill but hear me out - I just learned through looking at other posts that even if you are on the DDP, and IF you have an AP, you can ALSO get a TIW card for the apps, drinks, and whatever else you would want while on the meal plan.

Has anyone ever done this and does it seem like a good idea to anyone else? I know to make good use of it you need to spend like $375 or so (os this right) - it seems to me that with the prices of the drinks that wouldnt be too hard to do, especially if there were a few of us going or you intended to use it again within the 13 months it is valid.

 

[Sandisw]

Ok so this may seem overkill but hear me out - I just learned through looking at other posts that even if you are on the DDP, and IF you have an AP, you can ALSO get a TIW card for the apps, drinks, and whatever else you would want while on the meal plan.

Has anyone ever done this and does it seem like a good idea to anyone else? I know to make good use of it you need to spend like $375 or so (os this right) - it seems to me that with the prices of the drinks that wouldnt be too hard to do, especially if there were a few of us going or you intended to use it again within the 13 months it is valid.

Yes, I think that, depending on what you add to your meals for the DDP, you can certainly make it work.

We are evaluating using it starting in 2011 vs. the DDP because I am hearing rumors that changes are coming to the plans--dessert may be eliminated from the CS meals for all the plans and that the QSDP won't include the refillable mug any longer.

We realized, based on the size of our group and the places we eat, that our first trip pays for the card and that it will be the 2nd trip in which we begin to save. We don't usually get a lot of alcoholic beverages when we are there, but now that the kids are older, and getting a discount, that could change!

 

[ToddyLu]

We discovered on our first DVC trip last Nov--that we actually spent more time around the resort. It was such a great environment that we kinda wanted to snack out on the balcony. Our visits to Disney are in transition. It makes more since to relax a few extra minutes in the morning. This year we have APs and will use TIW to purchase food and drinks then supplement that with snacks in the room.

My MIL will be going with us and she decided that the CS breakfast was too much, I like big breakfasts and DH likes to graze....so TIW will suit all of us equally.

But the thing which cannot be overstated is how your DVC ownership will change your trips. We love our DVC..

 

[KathyK]

Ok so this may seem overkill but hear me out - I just learned through looking at other posts that even if you are on the DDP, and IF you have an AP, you can ALSO get a TIW card for the apps, drinks, and whatever else you would want while on the meal plan.

We did this once, before they had DxDDP, and we purchased the Basic DDP plan. We had about 2x as many TS meals as we had credits, so we used the TIW card for the OOP meals. We're not big drinkers, so the discount on the alcohol isn't a big perk for me.

As far as the OP's question, I did a cost analysis of TIW vs DxDDP for the portion of my upcoming trip where it will be just me and my kids. I calculated meals w/o desserts and appetizers - to try to save money - when calculating TIW. The DxDDP came out $275 less than TIW for the meals I have planned. And we get the desserts and appetizers, refillable mugs, and more snacks than we can use. So if I add all of that in, DxDDP is much, much less expensive for our family.

 

[Bostonterrierlover]

We did this once, before they had DxDDP, and we purchased the Basic DDP plan. We had about 2x as many TS meals as we had credits, so we used the TIW card for the OOP meals. We're not big drinkers, so the discount on the alcohol isn't a big perk for me.

As far as the OP's question, I did a cost analysis of TIW vs DxDDP for the portion of my upcoming trip where it will be just me and my kids. I calculated meals w/o desserts and appetizers - to try to save money - when calculating TIW. The DxDDP came out $275 less than TIW for the meals I have planned. And we get the desserts and appetizers, refillable mugs, and more snacks than we can use. So if I add all of that in, DxDDP is much, much less expensive for our family.

DxDP is cheaper for us to do too. However, as a previous poster mentioned, you may be able to use the TIW card for drinks while still on the DxDP, so I think we will go ahead and purchase it! We will use it for drinks and such this trip and in Dec. we plan to just do a few TS meals and wing the rest at CS places, so hopefully it will pay off for us then. Thanks everyone!

 

[lucyem]

It really depends on how you and your family eat. When I did the cost analysis for the TIW vs the DDP for us I found that we are better off with TIW. For our next trip the DDP saved us $100 vs paying out of pocket for the same food but thats more food then we would ever eat on our own. I often get an appetizer as a meal, sometimes we share meals especially with my 4 yr old, we prefer not having dessert right after a meal, I prefer a glass of wine at dinner.

 

[gillep]

I think it has a lot to do with how you want to eat. DH and I did the DxDP on our last trip and have decided that for our upcoming two trips we will just do the TIW card and we know we will come out better. When we were on the deluxe plan we saved about $500 if you consider the cost of everything we ate if we had paid oop however, there is no way that I would have ever wanted to eat all that I did on the plan if I had not had it. Many places I would have been happier just getting apps and a dessert or a couple apps for dinner which is not possible on the plan. DH and I also love to have a glass of wine with dinner and/or coctails in the lounge and the TIW would have been quite a savings considering the price of WDW drinks. DH and I can't wait for the freedom of the TIW card so that we can get exactly what we are hungry for instead of what we have pre paid for. Also I thought that the dining plan would be nice because it was pre paid but the tips added up so fast that it would have been easier to just budget a specific amount for meals and get a giftcard for that amount and paid for everything tips and all with that. Good luck deciding what is best for your family!!!!

 

[crazybones27]

We recently returned from a DVC trip to OKW in May, 2010. There were 5 adults and we had the DP. I kept the receipts and compared the DP vs OOP for the exact same items (Details at trip report link below). The DP was much less expensive than what we would have paid OOP if we would have ordered the same items at the same restaurants. The DP has a dessert included with every CS and TS meal. We are not big on desserts with EVERY meal and would like appetizers/adult beverages periodically which are not included in the DP. For my own information, I also compared the OOP costs on the TS meals vs TIW if we would have ordered the same items (Details also at TR link below). Again, TIW is less expensive by the amount of the tip. TIW has a 20% discount but automatically adds an 18% tip. Assuming one would tip between 15-20% on top of the OOP cost, then you save the value of the tip by using TIW. But the advantage of TIW vs DP is that you are not obligated to the dessert (and already paid for it whether you want it or not) and you can get an appetizer, can split items with others in your group and get adult beverages that are all subject to the 20% discount. DW and I are returning after Thanksgiving and for us, we are going to use the TIW this trip. To each his own I guess.

So wait by getting the TIW card they automatically charge an 18% gratuity to your bill? Does it matter how many people are in your group or are they just trying to make it easier for you or something? What if you felt the service wasn't good and think 18% is way to much? Do you have to ask for a manager in order to have this corrected? I have been debating the TIW for our upcoming trip since we'll have 10+ adults eating at sit down restuarants at a time. I'm sure this savings would be helpful, but to me it almost seems like the TIW card is covering your tip minus an extra 2%. Does that make sense. I'm sorry I'm just trying to understand how it works I guess. We did the dining plan on our last trip and we loved it, but I'll admit we really didn't want all those desserts and would rather live without them if we could.

 

[mom3sonstt]

When you get your ticket initially it shows the full price - and I believe it usually shows "recommended gratuity" or something like that. When we pay we give them our room charge an our TIW card. When it comes back they have deducted 20% and added the 18% gratuity back on. So our "new" bill is only slightly smaller than it was initially. My thought on them automatically charging an 18% gratuity is that due to the discount some people may only be tipping on the discounted portion instead of the actual price. On a $100 meal, an 18% tip would be $18, but with 20% taken off the meal is only $80 so if someone tipped 18% of that total the tip would be $14.40 which is only 14.4% of the actual "price" of the meal.
As for having poor service and wanting to tip less....yeah, I would imagine you would need to speak with someone about that. You can always add more, though. The ticket that comes back for you to sign is the standard one that gives you a line to add a tip to and change the total. If we didn't have TIW and were tipping on our own we usually tip more than 18% and make our total come out to a round number, but with TIW since it's added in we usually don't add more. If it was exceptional service we may add more, or maybe leave extra cash with the ticket.

 

[DenLo]

We did the DXDP in March 2010, I doubt that we will ever do it again. Just too much food. We thought we would do less meals by having more ADRs at signature restaurants. However, after two signature meals in four days we just were not ready to have a third on day 5 let alone a 4th one around day 7. Just too much rich food.

We are trying out the TIW card this October to see if it works better for us as like others have posted, we may not always want a dessert but would like an appetizer, or sometimes just and a couple of salads and an appetizer. One this trip will we eat whatever we want versus feeling like we throwing away money by not accepting the items on the DDP. As it was I often exchanged out french fries for a side salad and dessert for fruit for the CS meals. But the TS meals always got me as it was hard to turn down a "free" or should a say prepaid dessert. Also I like a glass of wine or beer with my dinners and it will be great to have them discounted.

 

[goodferry]

DH and I are taking a trip without the kids this August and we are going to try the TIW card in addition to some certificates I got on restaurants.com.
I did do a cost analysis of what we would "probably" order versus the cost of the deluxe dinining plan (also figuring a discount on drinks and what we ordered and that sometimes we would just have a snack or grab a quick service meal) and it actually came out exactly the same costwise, WITHOUT figuring in the TIW card cost. We are going to try it, though and see. I doubt I would go this route, though, on a trip when the kids are along. DH really likes things prepaid and when that $400 bill comes to the table he likes to be able to say "on the dining plan, please"
I would like to point out that on our last trip we were on the dxdp and at no point did anyone force us to order dessert It's not like we ordered it and wasted it, sometimes we didn't order it if we didn't want it, we still saved a lot of money...
I would love it if they would restructure the DDP to allow you to purchase the number of meals you would like (for example, two sit down and one quick service per day) A little more flexibility would be great.

 

[sweetdana]

I side note to consider. Is you get 10% off most table services with an AP pass alone. You actually need a lot more Q.S at the parks and drinks to make up the extra 10%. You get no discount on drinks, or QS, except at resorts.
I did the math and we would need either 750$ in purchase just to may back the extra 75$ that is before a discount. Or some where about 550$ including QS in the park, and drinks. (This is not includ. the require tip, which I usually leave 15%, not 18% or 20%. ) I eat a QS at the parks about once every 2 days, and a TS or a QS at resort most of the other time.

It sometimes is a forgotten part of the deciding factors.

 

[goodferry]

The 10% for passholders is for lunch only, and not at all restaurants, right?

 

[sweetdana]

I have used this at nearly everywhere with success.

From Mickey's BBQ, to Cape Mae, Breakfast in Norway with princesses, Dine and Vine, Yak and Yeti, rose and crown, Tony's. Also at resorts, I have used it at BC market, and artists pallet with success. I used it at Rex's in DTD and they do not even take the DDP. So no, although I am sure there are more I have off the top of my head the only places I have been turned down have been Q.S in the parks. Like Pin Villiage, or the fry cart, or places like that.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack.. midnight snack when open.. no problem.

... and no larger tip on the bill .. so it is only 8% more off.

If this is not suppose to happen, I would be suprised as they all have politly stated, oh yes there is a disc with the APs.