dining plans

[lab6148]

anyone know about getting dining plan w/annual pass? is tables of wonderland better?seems like less choices to eat

 

[Metro West]

 

[pepe of ohio]

We're really not into dining plans....don't care for the ADR's and TS meals...scheduling meals 180 days out doesn't work for us and the plans don't save us anything....

I looked into the TIW card....won't get any return back on card purchase until you eat up $375.00 of food.....then you get your, I believe 20% off,....again I couldn't see us eating that much...not into TS restaurants...but thought we would use it on consecutive trips....but opted out on the card...

Might work for some, but the places it can be used....didn't pan out and didn't want to run our vacation by the places that accepted the TIW card...

 

[Gracie Lou Freebush]

I know it looks like I'm new here but I've been lurking on these boards for quite a few years and I've been to WDW several times.

You can get one of the dining plans if you have an AP. You just have to make your reservation into a package when you have an AP discount on the room. Just ask for the Annual Passholder Package with Dining.

TIW costs $75 for AP holders. You get a 20% discount off of your bill at certain restaurants. That includes some CS locations. The down side is that they automatically add an 18% tip at the TS restaurants, but if you generally tip at least that amount it doesn't make a difference.

There are a few things that I prefer about the TIW card over the dining plans.

1. Dessert is at your discretion when you're using TIW. You get it whether you want it or not when you're on the dining plan.
2. Alcohol and specialty drinks are not included in the dining plans but they are included when you use TIW.
3. Appetizers are not included in the DDP and table service meals are not included in the QSDP.
4. You control your costs when you use TIW. Your dining plan costs are fixed.
5. You break even after you have spent $375 on dining with the TIW card. That's like 5 character meals for a family of 4 with small kids, even fewer meals with a larger family or one with more Disney adults.
6. The TIW card is good for a whole year. The dining plan expires at midnight on the day that you check out.
7. You don't have to stay in a Disney hotel to use the TIW but you have to if you want the dining plan.

I think that TIW works better for my family but it may not be the same great deal for you. I guess that you really need to think about how you like to dine and then check how the costs would work out for you both ways.

 

[DisGirl1971]

As the pp stated, you can purchase the DDP with an annual pass, the only time you can't get the DDP in regard to being an AP holder, is if you are trying to book a FREE dining discount - the AP won't work there.