DVC AP & Tables in Wonderland questions

[WDWorld2003]

We're going to purchase one AP for our trip in January to get the room discount at WL and possibly the Tables in Wonderland Card.

Do we need an active AP to check in with the AP at WL? I am getting conflicting information. I called the Tables in Wonderland and she stated all I needed was the voucher stating I was purchasing an AP. Everywhere else it states I need to activate the AP which means we would have to take the boat over to MK before we check in.

My second ? is the Tables in Wonderland discount worth it for just a few meals? We will probably do 4 or 5 dinners for 4 and a few counter service meals. No idea if we will be returning in the next year but the DDP is just way too much food.

Thanks for your help!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We've had the same confusing info about the AP discounts, but in the end, they DID take the voucher for our room discount the time we used it for that.

As for the TIW card...If you are doing 4-5 sit down restaurants, you will indeed save money. We usually find one dinner at Artist Point in Wilderness Lodge takes care of the cost of the card, and everything else is outright savings.

 

[kenny]

We've had the same confusing info about the AP discounts, but in the end, they DID take the voucher for our room discount the time we used it for that.

As for the TIW card...If you are doing 4-5 sit down restaurants, you will indeed save money. We usually find one dinner at Artist Point in Wilderness Lodge takes care of the cost of the card, and everything else is outright savings.

I want to go to dinner with you! What do you order or drink that you save $60 in one meal.

We bought the card this past trip. It saves you 20% so we typically saved between $10-$20 per meal. Depending on your party size you would probably save a little bit in 4 meals. Basically it saves you the tip. You save 20% but they automatically charge your 18% tip so it is pretty covers your tip per meal.

If you are buying the AP and going to return again it would definitely pay for itself. We bought ours last week and it is actually good through Dec 2009 so we are going to get 3 trips out of it.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

What do you order or drink that you save $60 in one meal.

One dinner (party of 8) at Bistro De france will cover the cost of the TIW card alone. Jiko (AKL), Yachtsman Steakhouse (YC/BC), California Grill (CR), Citrico's (GF), Narcoossee's (GF) are a few other restaurants off the top of my head which could also cover the card cost with a single meal, depending on what you order... I'm sure there are others as well.

We had been using the DDE card for a few years (since AP has been eligible). We tend to eat out nightly for 10-14 nights per trip, usually 2 trips annually so we save a significant amount of money by using the DDE (I cant get use to TIW).

 

[kenny]

One dinner (party of 8) at Bistro De france will cover the cost of the TIW card alone. Jiko (AKL), Yachtsman Steakhouse (YC/BC), California Grill (CR), Citrico's (GF), Narcoossee's (GF) are a few other restaurants off the top of my head which could also cover the card cost with a single meal, depending on what you order... I'm sure there are others as well.

We had been using the DDE card for a few years (since AP has been eligible). We tend to eat out nightly for 10-14 nights per trip, usually 2 trips annually so we save a significant amount of money by using the DDE (I cant get use to TIW).

My party of 3 has to do a lot of drinking! DD4 just can't keep up

 

[MinnieLee]

We're going to purchase one AP for our trip in January to get the room discount at WL and possibly the Tables in Wonderland Card.

Do we need an active AP to check in with the AP at WL? I am getting conflicting information. I called the Tables in Wonderland and she stated all I needed was the voucher stating I was purchasing an AP. Everywhere else it states I need to activate the AP which means we would have to take the boat over to MK before we check in.

My second ? is the Tables in Wonderland discount worth it for just a few meals? We will probably do 4 or 5 dinners for 4 and a few counter service meals. No idea if we will be returning in the next year but the DDP is just way too much food.

Thanks for your help!

We have the AP and the Tables in Wonderland card and it has paid for itself many times over. We also love the fact that is covers food AND alcohol. For 4 or 5 dinners you will definitely recoup your price of the card.

As far as the annual pass, the voucher shows that you paid for your AP and are going to pick it up. I assume that you are using the DVC discount on the AP so you would have to show you DVC card at guest services so the card could not be mailed to you. They take the voucher from you when you go to guest services so I am curious why when you check in the voucher would not be acceptable.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Unless you plan to purchase your TIW card by mail, you can activate your APs at the same time you purchase your card. You will need to go to Guest Services at one of the parks or DtD to get the TIW card (they aren't available at the resorts) which are the same locations for AP activation.

 

[Dean]

The TIW is certainly a great option for many. Just remember to compare apples to apples. In this case that means to keep in mind the other discounts you're giving up such as the direct AP discounts and the DVC discounts. It's still the best choice for many but there are other options to save money.