DVC and Dining Plan - Is it worth it?

[Leshaface]

You do not have to have an AP to get the TIW but it cost more.

There was a time when DVC members could segment their stay by having a different room reservation number for different days of the same visit, but still stay in the same room the whole time. DVC eliminated that last year; it was some sort of computer loophole that was closed.

Now, the only way to "segment" your stay and have DDP on only certain days of your visit is to change room types within a resort or change resorts entirely, such as a split stay. For example, we have a trip coming up with 4 nights at AKV followed by 5 nights at BLT. We could have the dining plan for either one of those stays without having to do it for the other. But, it would have to be for the entire length of the 4 nights at AKV or 5 nights at BLT.

As a PP noted, the TIW can be purchased as a DVC member without having an AP. It is $75 for AP holders and $100 for DVC members. You can purchase it upon arrival at any of the guest services windows at the parks. You will need your DVC membership card and a picture ID to make the purchase.

Okay thanks for this information. I'm pretty sure there were tons of thread regarding segmenting, but the search engine wasn't working yesterday at all for me.

Someone had also said you have to spend $400 a year on food to make it worth it. We would only be able to go once a year, but know that we will be dining at Signatures and Table Services for three adults for 6 or 7 nights, with one of those nights possibly eating at V&A's. Would the TiW be worth it in this case?

 

[Kidanifan08]

Okay thanks for this information. I'm pretty sure there were tons of thread regarding segmenting, but the search engine wasn't working yesterday at all for me.

Someone had also said you have to spend $400 a year on food to make it worth it. We would only be able to go once a year, but know that we will be dining at Signatures and Table Services for three adults for 6 or 7 nights, with one of those nights possibly eating at V&A's. Would the TiW be worth it in this case?

We are two adults and a 5 yo, and we spend anywhere from $80 - $120 per table service. With 3 adults, you should have no problems spending enough to make TIW worth it. Since it is $100 for DVC members, and you get 20% off, you need to spend $500 over the week to break even. The discount covers alcoholic beverages as well. There is an automatic 18% gratuity added to the bill, which just makes things easier, IMO.

 

[Leshaface]

We are two adults and a 5 yo, and we spend anywhere from $80 - $120 per table service. With 3 adults, you should have no problems spending enough to make TIW worth it. Since it is $100 for DVC members, and you get 20% off, you need to spend $500 over the week to break even. The discount covers alcoholic beverages as well. There is an automatic 18% gratuity added to the bill, which just makes things easier, IMO.

Thank you very much Kidanifan

 

[mecanterbruy]

Is there a web page or thread that lists the participating restaurants on the TiW plan? DW and I have been reading this tread together and wonder whether this may be a good idea for our family on the next trip. Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

Is there a web page or thread that lists the participating restaurants on the TiW plan? DW and I have been reading this tread together and wonder whether this may be a good idea for our family on the next trip. Thanks!

Here is a link:

Tables in Wonderland

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I guess I'm in the minority here.... we have used the DDP for the past several years. And we plan to use it for our upcoming trip. It's very true that every year we've seen it become less and less beneficial for us. I was a little disconcerted when I found out that they've upped the price for a reuseable cup that we'll rarely use....

Our family consists of me, hubby, DD20, DD20, DD18 and DD7. So, as you can see, we're a pretty big family with older children. The fact that we can order anything, including a drink and dessert, with no regard to price really makes it feel like a vacation for us. And it fits for us nicely since we like to eat breakfast in our room, eat one CS and one TS each day. Plus, my girls LOVE that they can get a snack and order a dessert.

Now, do I know with an absolutely certainly that we're saving TONS of money? No. I prefer to look at it as a prepayment of our meals. But, after we've returned, I've crunched the numbers and found that we have saved a fair amount. But, when I look at our normal habits of my daughters sometimes sharing meals, few or no desserts, drinking water, etc. We come out about the same. For us, in the end, it comes down to what makes us feel like it's a vacation.

I haven't really looked very closely at TiW, but since we do like to frequent CS meals for time-sake, and it doesn't include snacks, I'm not sure it would work out as well for us. Although....the money saved on alcoholic drinks does sound sweet.

Either way, Disney has some great food!! No matter how you pay for it!!

Kim

 

[Chellymouse]

We're 2 "grown kids" and we've also abandoned DDP in favor of TIW. We usually get adult beverages or at least sodas with our meals. DH and I prefer apps to dessert and the savings is way better than on TIW than with DDP. Another plus with TIW is that we aren't forced to make dining ressies every single night. If we decide to just grab something or try to do a walk up at a less crowded restaurant we do. We also don't worry about ordering the most important thing on the menu anymore either.