Dining plan or Tables in Wonderland

[Disney Dad Canada]

After hearing about Tables in Wonderland on the show, and having a DVC cast member explain it to me, I'm now confused as to whether to stick with the Dining Plan or with TIW.

The table services we're going to this trip are:

Boma, 1900 park Fare, 50's Prime Time, Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package, Le Cellier, Cape May, Chef de France, and Chef Mickey.

If I buy the TIW, will it still be good for our trip next March, or is it only good for 2010, and I have to buy another for 2011.

I could do without a dessert (Weight Watchers and all), so now I'm leaning towards TIW. Decisions decisions. Just when you think you have everything planned out ...

 

[tiggerbell]

Number of adults? Number of children? Nights booked?

I love planning and Disney Math!!!!!

 

[msteddom]

I have a Tables in Wonderland card and I have done the dining plan in the past. Here are some things you might want to consider:

1) The TIW card is good for one full year (actually, about 13 months), so yes, it would be valid on your next trip.

2) The TIW card is good for 20% off your entire bill including alcohol. So you have much more freedom to order what you want rather than having to stick to the dining plan format.

3) All the restaurants you listed participate in the TIW program.

I liked the dining plan when it first came out, but it ceased to be a good deal for men when they eliminated the appetizer and the gratuity. I really like the TIW card though! Hope this helps!



Melissa

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Sorry, three adults and 2 kids this trip, 4 adults and 2 kids next trip.

Do I only need 1 card for all of us, if we're all eating together?

 

[oc_tony]

Do I only need 1 card for all of us, if we're all eating together?

One card will cover your whole party, and you can still pay with any of the regularly accepted payment forms (cash, credit card, gift card, etc). We love TiW and used it when we had 2 trips planned within one year. We liked the flexibility of it. Sometimes we ordered alcohol, but often we didn't want dessert because we were so full. We had a party of 5 each time and it was a real money-saver for us.

 

[two-foxes]

Just making sure you have an annual pass...it is only available to AP holders or FL residents. The card is good for up to 10 people in your party, so you need be the only card holder, as long as you are all eating together.

I think it is worth it if you typically eat at signature restaurants or tend to order alcohol with dinner. We made up the cost of the card with one meal at V&A. We are NOT DDP fans, although we have gotten in for short trips in the past. As said before, TIW offers flexibilty on what YOU want, not on what you are allowed to order! We are certainly getting it for our two week trip in Sept/Oct and will easily make up the cost with 5 of us eating.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

If you pay cash for meals, are there sales taxes on top of the prices, as well as the tip? For the Dining Plan, I think you only have to pay for a tip if I recall.

 

[oc_tony]

Yes, I believe they add the sales tax, and I know they add an 18% gratuity automatically. Here is a link with more info that might be helpful.

 

[kaligal]

TIW.

Booking a room with the AP discount and using the TIW saves me more money.

Those dining plans are silly, time-consuming and save me nothing.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

I have DVC, so the room's taken care of. I'm leaning towards TIW, thanks all.

 

[katscradle]

We did the TIW last year for 2 trips and loved it.
As far as I am concerned this is the better deal.
I feel the same as a pp said it's what you want not what you are allowed.

 

[BriarRosie]

Since the cost of the card for annual passholders is $75, the break even point for the card would be $375 spent for meals. Anything over that, you'll start to see savings.

Cheshire Figment constantly answers this question with the math figured out. He writes:

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 gratutity added.

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

$21.30 - Savings using TiW Card.

Considering that there's a lot of flexibility of choices using the TiW card, I prefer it over the DDP.

 

[BillM99999]

+1 for TIW from another DVC owner. AP + TIW always beats out DDP in my calculations, and offers more flexibility as well.

 

[insoin]

Can you get a TIW discount at quick service places as well? What about the food courts at values?

 

[oc_tony]

Can you get a TIW discount at quick service places as well? What about the food courts at values?

See this link for a list of locations where TiW is accepted. You'll need to scroll down to the bottom of the page. Most are table service with just a few exceptions (i.e. Flame Tree).