DDP or TIW? Need help!

[MollyMcDaniel]

We are DVC and have an AP. In the past, we usually have gotten the DxDp. My daughter and I will be visiting OKW for 7 nights in July. My husband will be joining us mid week for a few nights. I was planning on getting DDP. Then I got to thinking....will I have to pay for my husband for the same length of time as me even though he won't be there? Then I really got to thinking that maybe we should get the TIW. We usually eat at an even mix of signature and TS restaurants. We usually wouldn't order an appetizer for each one of us and also a dessert, but of course we do with the deluxe plan.

We also have March 2013 booked for 9 nights and would be able to use the card then also. Any suggestions or opinions? Thanks

 

[Missyrose]

TIW, it will give you the flexibility you need and also will probably provide you a bigger savings. Plus, you'll get two trips out of it. If you're used to the DxDP, you should probably break even on your first trip and you're second trip will be all savings.

 

[ELMC]

TIW, it will give you the flexibility you need and also will probably provide you a bigger savings. Plus, you'll get two trips out of it. If you're used to the DxDP, you should probably break even on your first trip and you're second trip will be all savings.

I agree. If you do the math, DDP is mostly about convenience and less about savings. TiW is a straight 20% savings off of just about everything you eat. Plus, if you add in the flexibility aspect, TiW wins hands down.

 

[BrerNashville]

TiW is a straight 20% savings off of just about everything you eat.

And drink. If you have a couple of bottles of wine with a couple of dinners, you've about paid for the TIW card right there.

 

[majortom1981]

IN my opinion if you do a table service meal every night tables in wonderland ends up the same as the dinning plan.

Keep in mind TIW is a mandatory tip of 18 percent so if you always tip 18 percent then you are only saving 2 percent on table service.

We normally get the dinning plan and this past january decided to get TIW and with the tiw fee, it came out to the same price as if we just would have gotten the Dinning plan

So unless you do a lot of drinking TIW might not be cheaper.

 

[LauraLea]

Keep in mind TIW is a mandatory tip of 18 percent so if you always tip 18 percent then you are only saving 2 percent on table service.

I don't understand your math here. If I always tip 18% with or without TIW, then with the TIW I will be saving 20%. Only way it is just a 2% savings is if you typically never tip.

Laura

 

[tjkraz]

Keep in mind TIW is a mandatory tip of 18 percent so if you always tip 18 percent then you are only saving 2 percent on table service.

Yeah, that doesn't make any sense at all. The only way your discount drops to 2% (comparatively speaking) is if you DO NOT leave a gratuity when paying cash or on the DDP.

The mandatory 18% gratuity isn't doubled. You aren't expected to leave an extra 15-20% on top of the 18%. The 18% IS the tip.

As for whether DDP or TIW works better, it all depends upon the dining habits of the group involved. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Make a short list of the locations you wish to dine and see whether DDP or TIW is a better fit.

 

[Missyrose]

IN my opinion if you do a table service meal every night tables in wonderland ends up the same as the dinning plan.

Keep in mind TIW is a mandatory tip of 18 percent so if you always tip 18 percent then you are only saving 2 percent on table service.

We normally get the dinning plan and this past january decided to get TIW and with the tiw fee, it came out to the same price as if we just would have gotten the Dinning plan

So unless you do a lot of drinking TIW might not be cheaper.

The main difference is you have to order one of the most expensive things on the menu to get value from the dining plan. With TIW, you get the 20 percent off anything and everything (including alcohol, which isn't included in the DDP).

If you do the actual math, you save quite a bit more than 2 percent (assuming you're not someone who leaves their waiter/waitress without a tip). Here's the chart Cheshire Figment has posted on the Theme Parks board:
Here is a working example, using $100.00 as the original bill to make the math show up easily. Note this is for Table Service. At Counter Service there is no gratuity added.

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*20.00 - Discount
*80.00 - Subtotal
*18.00 - Gratuity Added based on $100
**5.20 - Sales Tax on $80
103.20 - Final amount charged, takes into consideration discount, gratuity and tax.

Without TiW Discount (and still figuring 18% Gratuity)

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*18.00 - Gratuity
**6.50 - Sales Tax on $100
124.50 - Total

$21.30 - Savings using TiW Card.

(Note - At Victoria and Albert's the added gratuity is 20% instead of 18%.)
* Ignore the asterisks; they are there only so the columns/numbers line up properly.

 

[BrerNashville]

I have found that if I plan on eating at a lot of character meals, getting the ddp will save money (my 4 year old does not eat $25 worth of chef Mickey food, even at a 20% discount). I've got three kids who really don't like to eat (except Mickey ears of course). So, short trip with some character meals, it makes sense. Otherwise, the 20% discount and not feeling like I have to eat a defrosted carrot cake for every meal "because I paid for it" is a much better deal for us.

 

[juncker]

One plus about TIW is that you probably will save on calories. With DDP you'll probably always order one of the most expensive entrees and follow it with dessert. With TIW, you can decide to just call an appetizer or just a sandwich as your meal and skip dessert if you aren't that hungry. My main complaint about DDP is that it makes me feel like I'm at an all you can eat buffet and darned if I'm not going to get my money's worth. I don't need that.

My vote is for TIW and order only what you want. (I'm not saying to skip dessert every night while you're on vacation though).

 

[majortom1981]

The main difference is you have to order one of the most expensive things on the menu to get value from the dining plan. With TIW, you get the 20 percent off anything and everything (including alcohol, which isn't included in the DDP).

If you do the actual math, you save quite a bit more than 2 percent (assuming you're not someone who leaves their waiter/waitress without a tip). Here's the chart Cheshire Figment has posted on the Theme Parks board:
Here is a working example, using $100.00 as the original bill to make the math show up easily. Note this is for Table Service. At Counter Service there is no gratuity added.

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*20.00 - Discount
*80.00 - Subtotal
*18.00 - Gratuity Added based on $100
**5.20 - Sales Tax on $80
103.20 - Final amount charged, takes into consideration discount, gratuity and tax.

Without TiW Discount (and still figuring 18% Gratuity)

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*18.00 - Gratuity
**6.50 - Sales Tax on $100
124.50 - Total

$21.30 - Savings using TiW Card.

(Note - At Victoria and Albert's the added gratuity is 20% instead of 18%.)
* Ignore the asterisks; they are there only so the columns/numbers line up properly.

You also have to add the price of TiW itself. Also if you say buy a water during the day which could be a snack on the dining plan.

We ate at jiko and sanaa 3 times which added to the price. It al ldepends on where you like to eat.

 

[fmer55]

The math has been done a million times on here. If you have AP, break even on the TIW is in the 375 range i believe. THis debate always makes me shake my head, why do people feel they have to order the most expensive thing to make DDP work? I would always view DDP as a convenience of not going OOP during a trip. TIW wins hands down every time if you merely eat and DRINK what you want. The reason I emphasize drink is because drinks, too are included in TIW, now maybe i am tipping my hand, and i know some people don't drink, but if you like to have even a few drinks it works out tremedously.

I am rambling, basically my view is this:

If you are the gluttonous type and are trying to beat Disney out of a few bucks and want to high five your family for stuffing yourself more than you ordinarily would, then by all means DDP.

If you want to eat what you want to eat, when you want to eat, where you want to eat TIW will definately pay for itself and then some

 

[tjkraz]

If you want to eat what you want to eat, when you want to eat, where you want to eat TIW will definately pay for itself and then some

Respectfully, I would add about a dozen footnotes to that. TIW is only valid for a handful of Counter Service locations. For folks who eat frequent counter service, travel in a small party, have short trip(s) planned, eat lightly, don't drink a lot of alcohol, etc., TIW isn't a great match.

At the same time DDP can work well, particularly if folks have several children age 9 and under in their group. Compared to menu prices of buffets / character meals, the child DDP price is a steal.

Depending upon one's dining plans, DVC members can save quite a bit simply by steering themselves toward locations which offer a DVC discount. Places like Via Napoli, Chefs de France, Olivia's, The Turf Club and many more offer 10-20% discounts for members without having to pay the $75-100 TIW fee.

There just isn't a simple answer. Depends upon the makeup of the group, duration of trip, other future trip plans, dining habits, etc.

 

[fmer55]

Respectfully, I would add about a dozen footnotes to that. TIW is only valid for a handful of Counter Service locations. For folks who eat frequent counter service, travel in a small party, have short trip(s) planned, eat lightly, don't drink a lot of alcohol, etc., TIW isn't a great match.

At the same time DDP can work well, particularly if folks have several children age 9 and under in their group. Compared to menu prices of buffets / character meals, the child DDP price is a steal.

Depending upon one's dining plans, DVC members can save quite a bit simply by steering themselves toward locations which offer a DVC discount. Places like Via Napoli, Chefs de France, Olivia's, The Turf Club and many more offer 10-20% discounts for members without having to pay the $75-100 TIW fee.

There just isn't a simple answer. Depends upon the makeup of the group, duration of trip, other future trip plans, dining habits, etc.

All very true, i guess it is my disdain for the DDP as a whole that is shining through

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

Wow, thanks for all of the feedback. When we do go deluxe, we normally don't eat 3 meals a day. Almost always we have a signature meal and one other TS meal in a day. We are slowly coming to the realization that we've 'been there, done that' and we really don't need to go to Cali Grill, Jiko, Flying Fish, etc...every single trip. I enjoy a couple of drinks with my meals, but my husband is not a drinker and will maybe have a couple the entire trip. The biggest advantage to the TIW as opposed to the DDP is that our 8 yr old would much rather order off of the adult menu and cannot with the plan. I think we will give the TIW a try in July. Thanks again.

 

[Dean]

Wow, thanks for all of the feedback. When we do go deluxe, we normally don't eat 3 meals a day. Almost always we have a signature meal and one other TS meal in a day. We are slowly coming to the realization that we've 'been there, done that' and we really don't need to go to Cali Grill, Jiko, Flying Fish, etc...every single trip. I enjoy a couple of drinks with my meals, but my husband is not a drinker and will maybe have a couple the entire trip. The biggest advantage to the TIW as opposed to the DDP is that our 8 yr old would much rather order off of the adult menu and cannot with the plan. I think we will give the TIW a try in July. Thanks again.

Maybe I missed it skimming through but yes, you will have to pay for your husband for the entire nights of the reservation. You could change unit types or resorts and get the DP for part of your stay to avoid that requirement. As noted by Tim, the specific situation determines what's best including restaurant choices and meal types. IF you plan, the Dlx plan is likely the best potential savings for as subset but the TIW is likely the best choice for most people in this situation. Also as noted, there are other discount options including both DVC and AP and if these fit your circumstance, simply taking advantage of those can be the best savings for many.

majortom1981, I'm assuming you're saying that you only save 2% with TIW because the tip is mandatory but as others have pointed out, that assumes you wouldn't tip otherwise. I realize the other, but less likely, interpretation of your post is that you normally tip 20% rather than 18%. My personal focus for tipping is a starting point of 20% before discounts for TS restaurants so I'd add an appropriate amount in that situation if deserved. For buffet's I wouldn't add routinely, mainly because 18% is over tipping per guidelines for buffet's anyway though I realize that those at Disney are not traditional buffet's and are somewhere in between from a service standpoint. The other issue is that the standard for ETOH is generally 15%.