Grrr...TIW vs DDP??

[cruisingmom1977]

So....I finally have all of out ADR's scheduled, I've finally talked DH into the dining plan since I want to do a bunch of character meals and I'm feeling pretty good about my decisions when I come across info re: TIW. We are traveling with my inlaws (who are AP holders and can get TIW for $100). All of our ADR's take TIW and I realize that if we are willing to forgo deserts and snacks (which we don't really want/need anyway) we can actually add two extra character meals PLUS counter service breakfast on two days and still save money. (Not to mention the discount on alcoholic beverages which will prob cover the cost of the card all by itself). Any thoughts? Has anyone used TIW instead of DDP? Was it easy? Also, we booked HDDR out of pocket but I thought I read somewhere that TIW can be used for the late show (which might be too late for us but I'm curious). Thanks for any insight/experiences!!!

 

[davedmaine]

This is a no-brainer -- TIW!! The DDP is for suckers; you will not save money on it. For some reason, people here think if you book character meals, you should be on the plan, but that's just not true. I've yet to see a case where you'd save money by being on the plan -- in any circumstance. Once you figure in the extra gratuities and subtract all the crap you wouldn't eat to begin with (desserts at QS, seriously?), you're coming out behind.
With TiW, you eat what you want and you get true 20% savings. You don't feel the need to buy the most expensive thing on the menu just to maximize the plan. Plus, you get the discount on booze too..

 

[purple figment]

While the dining plan does work for some families it looks like TiW is a better option for yours since you aren't interested in desserts or snacks and you are also planning to purchase adult beverages. We've used both and while it's nice not to worry about menu prices when using the dining plan, it was also nice to look at a menu and choose items without regard to the parameters of the dining plan.

Depending on where you are planning to have your CS breakfasts, there are only a handful of CS venues that are included in TiW. A few TS venues don't take TiW (La Hacienda, Yak & Yeti, Teppan Edo and lunch at BOG come to mind) as well as any special dining events, such as the Fantasmic! Dining Package. You can check the TiW website for the list of restaurants that are included:
http://tablesinwonderland.com/

 

[shocker]

Just be careful that TIW adds the gratuity automatically, we made the mistake of adding gratuity to one our meals so ended up tipping 40% at one of our meals. Luckily we were staying onsite and our front desk was able to "fix" the problem.

 

[MrInfinity]

The DDP is for suckers; you will not save money on it. For some reason, people here think if you book character meals, you should be on the plan, but that's just not true. I've yet to see a case where you'd save money by being on the plan.

We are saving $156, or about 10% on the DDP. Our DDP price is $1496, vs OOP for the same meals would be $1652 (including tax everywhere and tip at ByBBQ). Ppl should do a simple spreadsheet and figure out for themselves what the relative costs are!

(TIW on our upcoming trip, if we were even eligible -- which we're not, would exclude our two most expensive meals -- the Galactic Breakfast and Jedi Mickey Buffet, plus two more for being on Mothers Day).

 

[cruisingmom1977]

Thanks everyone!! All of our TS meals take TIW and even "paying full price" for all of our CS (figuring an average of $15.00 a meal) we come out way ahead. Our original plan was to make a couple of breakfasts in our room but if we switch plans we can eat CS for breakfast (on the days we aren't doing character breakfasts) and its still a couple dollars cheaper. Also, we are a party of 6 so they are adding on the tip regardless. Since we have two small children (2 and 4) and it will be my responsibility to get them up, dressed and packed everyday, I just don't want the added burden of cooking and cleaning up breakfast on top of it.

 

[davedmaine]

We are saving $156, or about 10% on the DDP. Our DDP price is $1496, vs OOP for the same meals would be $1652 (including tax everywhere and tip at ByBBQ). Ppl should do a simple spreadsheet and figure out for themselves what the relative costs are!

(TIW on our upcoming trip, if we were even eligible -- which we're not, would exclude our two most expensive meals -- the Galactic Breakfast and Jedi Mickey Buffet, plus two more for being on Mothers Day).

The preplanning spreadsheet you've done, I'd argue, is an illusion. People base their costs on what the DDP provides, not what they'd actually eat. Are you not changing your dining behavior to fit the plan? Would your entire family be eating desserts at QS restaurants? Are you opting for the steak just because it's the most expensive thing on the menu? Are you going to be one of the people rushing around the gift shop on your last morning trying to use up your snack credits? (that's spending money to save money)
I'd be interested to see your spreadsheet.
Like I've said, I've reviewed dozen of plans, and not once did paying OOP not make more sense than the DDP.

 

[MrInfinity]

The preplanning spreadsheet you've done, I'd argue, is an illusion. People base their costs on what the DDP provides, not what they'd actually eat. Would your entire family be eating desserts at QS restaurants?

I agree most do, but I don't. I base them on what I'd actually eat. I factor in things like we'd only buy 2 sodas and 2 desserts and share them, not 5 of each. My estimate of a QS point is $13. I think that is pretty reasonable. That's enough for a typical $10 meal and $3 soda -- I don't plan on always eating at Flametree or buying QS desserts. I also only factor in the refillable mugs that we would buy (2) not how many we'd get (5).

Are you not changing your dining behavior to fit the plan?

Not at all. On this particular trip, we happen to have 7 points worth of buffets planned. Not because of the DDP... we picked our restaurants long ago (and added the SW when they came avail) then decided to do the DDP because we had so many character meals it made it worth it.

Are you opting for the steak just because it's the most expensive thing on the menu?

At TS places, I would typically order the steak, seafood, or lamb... as would my wife... but in this case our points are across the board buffets so this is not really a consideration.

Are you going to be one of the people rushing around the gift shop on your last morning trying to use up your snack credits?

No, we did that on our first trip cuz we were stingy w our Snack credits all along and paid OOP for anything not maximizing the snack value (mistake). On our 2nd trip, we learned to use them often along the way, which included tons of $4 smoothies. Thus I now peg snack credits at $4 not $5.

I'd be interested to see your spreadsheet.

Sure! Be happy to have the critique. If you can show me that it is overpaying to use the DDP I will be floored. I'll PM you. I do agree the DDP is more about prepaying and disconnecting from the expense later... and is usually not a savings, but for the right mix of meals (most particularly - character buffets) it can be.

TIW is also great (and I would consider it if I was eligible, which I'm not, which sucks)... as long as you don't need the blacked out restaurants or blacked out dates.

 

[kathie859]

The TIW card is great for us! We had the dining plan (free) in January when we traveled with 4 adults and 3 kids (one of which was a Disney "adult"). We don't eat dessert at lunch and find the portions so generous that snacks are usually not needed. Also, at dinner, I prefer an appetizer-not dessert. This past weekend, my DSis and I took a long weekend and used my TIW card and saved considerably considering the discount applies to adult beverages.

For the Disney visitor who goes once during the year, the DP may work, but for those who enjoy the occasional cocktail, don't eat a bunch of desserts and don't feel the urge to pick the most expensive item 'cause it's "on the plan", paying OPP with or without the TIW may be the better value.

 

[supersnoop]

The dining plan starts to make sense when you have children and do lots of character meals or buffets. Last I checked, the Akershus children's price is more than the entire daily cost of the dining plan. If you have "children" (by Disney standards), the dining plan starts to make more sense. Once the kids turn 10, you'll always be upside-down on the plan.

 

[aaarcher86]

While I don't think the DDP is for suckers since it definitely saves MY family money when we use it, I think the consensus is TIW is a better deal when comparing the two.

We always do the DXDP and *gasp* save money, but being eligible for TIW this trip we're going with that.

 

[MrInfinity]

Depending on where you are planning to have your CS breakfasts, there are only a handful of CS venues that are included in TiW. A few TS venues don't take TiW (La Hacienda, Yak & Yeti, Teppan Edo and lunch at BOG come to mind) as well as any special dining events, such as the Fantasmic! Dining Package. You can check the TiW website for the list of restaurants that are included:
http://tablesinwonderland.com/

Y&Y... Interesting. Just looking over the restrictions for fun... Just so happens that 6 of the 9 meals we have planned for our trip would be excluded.

2 for Mothers Day
1 cuz it's a Dinner Event
2 cuz they're Star Wars
1 cuz it's the Y&Y

Only 3 qualify. And of those 3, 2 of those are in the group that would have been excluded if our trip was in March or June. That's pretty restrictive...

 

[MillauFr]

I just wish the dining plan included a salad instead of a dessert. Who really needs all of those desserts?

 

[shocker]

I just wish the dining plan included a salad instead of a dessert. Who really needs all of those desserts?

This is sort of the problem with DDP, you find yourself wanting to swap a $9 dessert for a $9 appy instead, but can't do it. TIW gives you flexibility in what you order.