help me to decide DDP or TIW?

wen-tom

spit spot!
Joined
Sep 16, 2006
Messages
1,116
I can't figure out whether I will be better off on the dining plan or not. I have tried to calculate rough costs but my brain is frazzled :sad2:

We are in WDW for 3 nights, then 3 night cruise, then 9 nights back in wdw.

3 adults and we have no car so don't want to venture off site for food. We have always done the DDP on previous trips, more because it is easy than because we need it i guess :confused3

we do like a table service meal every day although DH is not fussed about deserts and would rather have a starter most of the time. We may have a glass of wine with some meals but not always.

We also usually have a counter service meal at 11am ish as we're not big breakfast eaters.

I have never done TIW before and can't figure out which would be the best value for us. I am considering just paying OOp for the first 3 nights, and adding the DDP to the last 9 nights. Obviously TIW would be used for the 1st 3 nights too.. :confused3:confused3:confused3

Help me please...:rotfl: I am driving myself crazy
 
I can't really help you out, I've been going over prices trying to decide the same thing. I'll be anxiously waiting for other peoples responses.
 
I can't really help you out, I've been going over prices trying to decide the same thing. I'll be anxiously waiting for other peoples responses.

isn't it awful! i have changed my mind a hundred times!
 
If you can get free dining it's a no brainier. DDP. For three adults eating a TS everyday though, especially if you prefer starters and an alcoholic drink the Tables in Wonderland card will definitely give you more freedom. If we don't get free dining I would pay the DDP amount onto a ore paid credit card, get TiW and have the freedom. The more alcohol you drink, the better value it becomes.
 

we're DVC so no free dining for us :sad1:

I was thinking the same thing about putting the dining plan money aside..

I have never used the TIW card before so I guess I'm just worried that I will end up spending more than I would with DDP (although from my calculations It would be pretty much equal :confused3
 
As 3 adults unless you would eat dessert with every meal (both CS & TS) my guess is TIW would be better.

We don't eat a dessert at CS so rough cost is around $10- $13 leaving around $35-40 for a TS which is unlikely on a regular basis. Throw a signature in there and it's even more difficult. Most nights we also have alcohol with dinner and like character breakfast which are at most $30.

I like TIW as I know I will get a discount on our TS dining. We also will share a drink at lunch and if we are not hungry will share food with DD at CS by getting 2 meals or 1 adult, 1 child and an extra burger or whatever with no side and it is still enough for us to eat.
 
we're DVC so no free dining for us :sad1:

I was thinking the same thing about putting the dining plan money aside..

I have never used the TIW card before so I guess I'm just worried that I will end up spending more than I would with DDP (although from my calculations It would be pretty much equal :confused3

We have never spent more on TIW than the DDP. I have done that many spreadsheets and not once has DDP when having to pay ;)

Don't forget hotel bars also accept TIW if you go for a drink - all adds up :thumbsup2
 
If it helps, we are DVC too. We are staying onsite for just 6 nights this year and I considered adding the DDP for our stay. We are 2 adults, 1 child and our eating habits are similar to yours in that we rarely eat breakfast (possibly a pastry or snack first thing), usually eat a CS meal late morning and a TS meal in the evening. We DO like desserts and usually would order a dessert but probably not an appetiser. I would usually have a cocktail/mixed drink with dinner but DH usually doesn't.

The conclusion I came to is that we WOULD save money with the dining plan, IF we ate 6 evening (TS) meals on site during our stay. However, what I did when I calculated it was based it on what/where we would eat IF we had the DDP. Then I looked at where we actually WANTED/PLANNED to eat and what we would order and came to the conclusion that the DDP wouldn't actually save us money. The only thing it would do is allow us to order what we wanted, regardless of worrying about cost. That and the fact that our DS, 9, is an adventurous eater who rarely orders off kids menus here at home and would definitely not fancy what WDW consider to be exciting fare for kids, persuaded us that the DDP is not for us.

As far as TIW is concerned, if you are staying for 14 days OR plan to return within the year AND plan to eat a TS meal on night pretty much every night, then I would say it is probably worth it. If we had been staying at WDW for the full fortnight we would have purchased the TIW card and we definitely plan to buy it next October as we will have a full week there and be going back in June the following year.
 
ok, thanks guys :thumbsup2 I think you have helped me to decide to give the TIW a try!
 
for somebody who was already confused now i want to know what is a TIW?????????????????????????????????:confused3
 
bex7583 said:
for somebody who was already confused now i want to know what is a TIW?????????????????????????????????:confused3

Tables in Wonderland card - it gives 20% off food & drink at TS locations. Cost $75 for AP holders or $100 for FL Residents and DVC members.

www.tablesinwonderland.com
 


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