Debating DDP vs TIW for 8 people

[RMAMom]

DH and I are taking our 4 adult children and 2 DGC to WDW for 9 nights. I have booked 9 TS mostly character buffets for our trip.
DH and I are AP holders and have a TIW card. The TIW is coming out a little better than DDP.
I would like to make sure I am correct in my thinking that I can use the TIW card for 7 adults and 1 three year old (we have another child but he is only 12 months so he will probably share and we'll order him a glass of milk)

Also, I am pricing the meals from allears. Are they usually accurate with the prices they have posted or is there another site I should be using.

Anything else I am missing?

Thanks for any help or insight you can give me. I am a little nervous about this, DH and I have gone with the DDP but I have never gone with a crowd without it.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can use TIW for the cardholder and up to 9 other persons, which would definitely work for your party. Everything that you want discounted would be on one bill though. They might split the bill and still apply the discount, but that's the exception, not the rule. 7 adults, one child, one infant, doing lots of buffets, I'd stick with the TIW unless you're going during blackout dates.

 

[geek+nerd]

Don't forget that alcohol is also discounted with TIW, so if members of your party plan on having adult beverages, you are definitely better off with it!

 

[RMAMom]

When I add this up what is the tax added to buffets and sit down meals? Does it vary from place to place?

I have added it up but haven't included the tax because I don't know what it is.

 

[Disney Princess]

I'm sorry, but I do not know the answer to your tax question. I do, however, agree that TIW sounds like the better deal for your group. When you eat at the non-buffets, you'll have the option of ordering whatever you want. You can share some appetizers and share some desserts instead of making everyone have an entree and dessert. Alcohol is included in case anyone in your party will have some. The TIW allows for flexibility which I think helps in a large group.

Good luck!

 

[Cafeen]

When I add this up what is the tax added to buffets and sit down meals? Does it vary from place to place?

I have added it up but haven't included the tax because I don't know what it is.

The tax rate on meals in (almost) all of Disney is 6.5%.

At the All Star Resorts and WWOS the tax rate on meals is 7.0% (These locations are in a different county than the rest of WDW and that county imposes an additional 0.5% of some county-based tax).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The basic Sales Tax rate in Florida is 6.0% and is on most goods and services. The counties have an option, by vote of their residents, to add a surtax of 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% to the state rate.

Orange County, which is most of WDW, has a surtax of 0.5% so purchases (including meals) are taxed at 6.5%.

Osceola County, which has the All-Stars Resorts and Wide World of Sports in it, has a 1.0% surtax so purchases at those locations are subject to a 7.0% tax.

In addition, counties are allowed to have a tax on transient lodging. In both Orange and Osceola Counties it is 6.0%, so all lodging except the All Stars is 12.5% while the All Stars, in Osceola County, is 13.0%.

Mike (CPA Retired)

 

[RMAMom]

Thank you everyone for your help. I am leaning towards the TIW card, I'm off to finalize my calculations to see what the difference would be.

 

[Krissalee]

I agree with using the TiW card.

My mom and dad took their 3 daughters (including me!), 3 son-in-laws, and 4 grandchildren (ages 4,3,2,1) to WDW in February. We used my TiW card and it was fantastic. We ordered what we wanted, plus drinks, and it was all discounted. We weren't tied to a dining plan, so we could eat the way that was best for us.

 

[Pumbaa_]

The best part of TiW is it allows you to be flexible. If you want to skip a meal or someone is not well,t here are no credits to deal with