DDP or Tables in Wonderland?? Help me please!!

[Dawna]

I tried to guess at the menu choices we might have on our April Disney vacation to see which would work to our advantage - the Disney Dining Plan or the Tables in Wonderland card. It came out pretty close without considering the Tables in Wonderland discount (I did not consider tax), but with the TIW discount we could save around $75 ($150 savings less the cost $75) on our planned table services. With tax though it would lessen the savings as tax is included in the DDP, correct?

We (5) are going with DH's parents, BIL and SIL and my two nephews. Since my MIL and FIL, who aren't big eaters, have already opted out of the DDP, I could pay for them on one TIW bill and the savings would help them too (I think TIW is up to 10 people on one check). My BIL and his family (4) are DDP all the way and I know I can't pay for 11 on one TIW check anyway. My teenage girls want the DDP so they can just get snacks when they want. I'm not sure what to do...

Anyone try the TIW and felt happy about the decision vs. the DDP?

Thanks for your help!!
Dawna

 

[dr&momto2boys]

One other thing I find with DDP versus TIW is that I order drinks and desserts more on DDP than I would without it. So that costs more in tip and figures into greater savings with TIW. Personally we like to eat more TS than CS and TIW serves us better. Everytime I do the analysis TIW comes out cheaper than DDP, but sometimes we go with DDP if it's close and I want to try more desserts and snacks.

Sounds like you can't go wrong with either decision. Would the rest of your family benefitting from TIW pay 1/2 the cost of the card since it will save them so much too? If you're like me, you probably would never ask.

 

[snykymom]

I prefer the flexibility of TiW - I can order what I want when I want it and don't have to worry about wasting credits. I can order my entree at one place and dessert at another; I can have 2 appetizers and no entree; I can have only dessert if I want. And of course I can have adult beverages!

For your daughters, is it really such a big deal to pay $4 (DDP) or $8 (QSDP, DxDP) for snacks rather than get the DP?

 

[Hopefully]

Have you considered both? That is what we did on our last trip. We were 6 adults total, but only 4 of us were on the DDP. We used the TiW card for the additional 2 dinners, plus adult beverages and appetizers, when we wanted them. We believe we still saved money even paying the $75 for the TiW card. Just a thought

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We have done both and have decided since two of our children have become adults in the eye of Disney that we save money with the Tables Card. One thing to consider is adult beverages are included in the discount. If you want snacks for the girls give them a gift card with $20-$30 on it and they can get snacks.

 

[travelfanatic]

I love my Tables in Wonderland card!!!

 

[jwfla422]

I prefer the flexibility of TiW - I can order what I want when I want it and don't have to worry about wasting credits. I can order my entree at one place and dessert at another; I can have 2 appetizers and no entree; I can have only dessert if I want. And of course I can have adult beverages!

For your daughters, is it really such a big deal to pay $4 (DDP) or $8 (QSDP, DxDP) for snacks rather than get the DP?

DITTO, I am big on ordering appetizers for dinner like that...plus the free valet parking is a nice perk. And..there are some places now that are taking TIW and not the DDP.