Dining Plan versus Tables in Wonderland

[bobbiwoz]

Agreed unless you go to Baham Breeze! We've been known to go there more than once a day!

See, we all are different! Viva la Difference!

 

[dianeschlicht]

See, we all are different! Viva la Difference!

LOL! Absolutely! I just can't get enough of those Caribbean salads and ice teas at that place!

 

[IknowDoYou?]

I don't see anyone factoring in the cost of the TIW...yep, it pays for alcohol, but since even two persons still have the 18% gratuity (which you don't on the DDP, although we tip 20% normally)...you still need to spend enough to off-set the original $60 per card.

Another benefit of it, though, is that the card is usable over multiple trips, so long as they're within 12 months+ (the end of the 12th month). So if you're able to make more than one trip with it, you have to calculate the $75 cost over your total savings.

 

[dmoore22]

Another benefit of it, though, is that the card is usable over multiple trips, so long as they're within 12 months+ (the end of the 12th month). So if you're able to make more than one trip with it, you have to calculate the $75 cost over your total savings.

This alone has made TIW very cost effective for us compared to DDP.

 

[BrerNashville]

Do you still pay full freight on counter-service meals (other than at AK)? It seems like that's where we'd end up spending whatever savings I got from the Table Service discount.

 

[Sammie]

Honestly, I agree with that looking at menus and making comparisons. We have found that paying out of pocket is the least expensive for us.

If you are going to make multiple trips during the year then TIW might save you some money but it didn't for us.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do you still pay full freight on counter-service meals (other than at AK)? It seems like that's where we'd end up spending whatever savings I got from the Table Service discount.

Food courts at some of the resorts (value and moderate) honor the TIW card. We've brought the DGC over to the Pop food court for that discount and to show them the icons at that unusual resort. They loved the experience.

 

[Chuck S]

Food courts at some of the resorts (value and moderate) honor the TIW card. We've brought the DGC over to the Pop food court for that discount and to show them the icons at that unusual resort. They loved the experience.

We often drive over to POP for a lighter supper, using the TiW.

 

[IknowDoYou?]

Do you still pay full freight on counter-service meals (other than at AK)? It seems like that's where we'd end up spending whatever savings I got from the Table Service discount.

I'm sure this isn't very helpful (my apologies), but what we ended up doing was having a snack during the day, and a slightly early dinner. That way we didn't over-stuff ourselves and we were sure to have enough room for a great meal at night. So with that said, we never hit a counter-service location.

 

[disney212]

I have 2 college age kids so the DDP is awesome for us,they use all the snack credits and hit the buffets where they are available. Last trip we kept tabs on what we would have spent without the DDP, we saved over $300 with DDP, the "kids" chose our desserts, which we didn't eat, and then had them boxed, they ate those as a snack in the room. I would say it has to depend on the eating habits of your party. There is never too much food with my crew!

 

[dizzneebabe]

We saved about $250 the past two trips NOT doing the DDP. Even with our two teenage boys (who eat constantly), we came out ahead. We ate a sitdown every night (but one, I think) and didn't pinch pennies. We also prefer an appetizer to a dessert at most meals, so that's another reason why we like TIW. Plus, we didn't feel like we were losing money having a TS for breakfast.

But...it's all in the planning. Having been to WDW several times and knowing our dining habits helped us to estimate our costs and make that call.

 

[dcfromva]

I know this has been discussed before but I could not find it.

We are going to VWL for 8 days over Thanksgiving. I already have a Tables in Wonderland card but is the Dining Plan a better deal for four adults?

Any thoughts?

Either way we are planning on one big meal and one counter service meal per day.

Thanks

This may not be a big deal since you are going to be there for 8 days, but there is no TIW discount available on Thanksgiving Day itself.

(Discount not available on the following dates: New Years Day 1/1/11, Mother's Day 5/8/11, Easter 4/24/11, Independence Day 7/4/11, Thanksgiving 11/24/11, Christmas Eve 12/24/11, Christmas Day 12/25/11 and New Years Eve 12/31/11)

Tables in Wonderland link

 

[DizGirl20]

Just got back a few hours ago from a week at Kidani and did a quick analysis on our dining costs. We ALWAYS do DDP but went with TIW this trip. It was myself, DH, and our 2 DDs (ages 10 & 13). My DD13 eats like an adult. DD10 not so much. After running some "rough" numbers, I calculated we saved approx. $150 by going with TIW vs. DDP. However, we did spend a day at Universal and there were a few times where DD10 ate off the kids menu. So...... my final conclusion was that had we spent that Universal day at Disney, it would have come out to about the same!

Check out this thread I posted. I more or less asked the same thing about DDP vs TIW: http://www.disboards.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=26257

 

[RobPickles]

I have done every calculation known to man when it comes to DDP/TIW/OOP costs and in the end it comes down to how your particular family eats.

Every family will have a different result and the only real way to tell which is best for your family is to do each type of trip and see which works best for you.

 

[sznk]

Do you still pay full freight on counter-service meals (other than at AK)? It seems like that's where we'd end up spending whatever savings I got from the Table Service discount.

Artist's Palette (counter service) at SSR accepts TiW. decent selection of sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, snacks, etc.
you can eat there or get it to go. we are very fond of it and often go there for breakfast or lunch, even when we're staying at a DVC resort other than SSR. 20% off and no tipping allowed

 

[dsneygirl]

TiW works better for our family as well. Often we will just split an app or get 2 apps and 1 entree or I'll split something with DS. We also enjoy a cocktail now and then.

Last trip we had late night snacks and drinks in the territory lounge for the first time ever and could use it for that.

 

[rentayenta]

I really enjoy having a salad or soup with no dessert and so DDP doesn't work. We did use it when the CP was included, but now that's 2 TS meals, we just don't bother with DDP. I do have TIW and it works fine for us. We also like eating at Cali Grill at least once a trip, so that's 2 TS's too.

This is my style too. I also rarely drink soda so the included drink isn't a bonus for me.

We'll be getting the TiW card for our next trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

This is my style too. I also rarely drink soda so the included drink isn't a bonus for me.

We'll be getting the TiW card for our next trip.

Yes, even at Buffets I'm likely to get water with my meal.
The TIW is also good at VB and we're treating the family to the breakfast with characters in about a month!

 

[dmoore22]

We have both too. We just did a comparison to what we eat versus what we would save in TIW. Once I included the 18% tip with TIW, we ended up a bit ahead with DDP. Once I added the QS with mugs, we saved $60 more on the mug totals... Good luck!

??????? The 18% tip is automatically added to TIW. The tip is not automatically included with DDP unless otherwise noted, or for groups of 6 or more. It has been the gratuities that are the difference that made TIW to be more cost effective for us over DDP.

 

[ilovepete]

We have both too. We just did a comparison to what we eat versus what we would save in TIW. Once I included the 18% tip with TIW, we ended up a bit ahead with DDP. Once I added the QS with mugs, we saved $60 more on the mug totals...

Good luck!

I'm not understanding this? How does it including the tip become a disadvantage to you? Are you tipping less than 18%/not tipping? That is all I can figure. Just confused!