is it worth it? AP with TIW and DP

[vinmar4]

Hello,
this will be our third time going to WDW, we always get the DP but never got the AP or the TIW card. We are having dinner every day for 10 days at the TS restaurants. Now, sometimes we order some alcoholic drinks 1-2. I know that we still need to pay for gratuity and we are going to be a party of 6 with 3 adults and 3 children. In your opinion, is it worth it to get the TIW card?
thanks so much!

 

[Kidanifan08]

You could use TIW for appetizers as well, since these are not part of the standard DP. There are a few counter service restaurants at AK that take TIW as well (eg Flame Tree BBQ). Other threads about TIW indicate that you need to spend about $350 to make the cost of the card worth it.

We had the TIW the last time we went along with free dining. It was a little bit of a nuisance to have them process the discount for just 2-3 adult beverages per meal. It was worth it to us to get TIW this year, since we are going to be at WDW two more times and will be paying cash for our meals.

 

[goofy4tink]

Since you know where you are eating already, sit down and run the numbers. Figure what it will cost each day to do the dining plan for each person so that it covers all the food you will eat. Don't forget to add in the gratuity you will be paying oop with the ddp. Then, run the numbers for each meal...forget about any gratuities since they will basically be covered by the TiW discount. Yes, tips are added automatically to your bill but I think of it as a wash...20% discount with TiW and 18% gratuity added..so I'm basically saving 2%.
After you figure out your costs each way, see which way is better for your family.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We did the DDP for 2 trips...once with family and once with just the two of us. We kept very close tabs on what we ate each time, and also what we spent.

Hands down, the TIW card and paying OOP was MUCH cheaper for us than the DDP. We saved over $200 when we paid OOP with the TIW card over what we would have paid if we had used the DDP on that same trip. We find the DDP doesn't fit our dining style well either. We almost never eat at counter service places because of food additive allergy. We mostly use the table service places, but that means we waste a lot of counter service credits. On top of that, the DDP gives you an entree and dessert only, where we prefer appetizers to desserts.

 

[vinmar4]

thanks,
I already tried to put the numbers together comparing OOP vs the DP. Im looking at the TIW as the way to pay for gratuity really.
I came ahead 300.00 with the DP not counting the tips.
my question was if its worth it to pay for the TIW and use it with the DP. Or how is the best way to use them together.
we are getting some appetizers as we are getting the deluxe DP some days.
thanks

 

[TDC Nala]

Use the TIW only if you plan to purchase at least $375 in eligible food and beverages over the course of 13 months. Since you are sold on using DDP and some days will be on deluxe DDP you would be using the TIW only to pay for alcoholic beverages and other off-plan items (probably not for appetizers though as you will have deluxe DDP). If you do not spend enough, the membership will not even pay for itself. (the membership costs $75 for annual passholders). You have a lot of people but only the three adults are even eligible to purchase the alcoholic beverages.

 

[vinmar4]

Thanks a lot, that makes it easier for us to make a decision.
We are getting the DDP because we are planing on using the CS for luch every day and then the TS for dinner, I dont like to cook during vacation
we are getting some stuff like cereal , milk and OJ for the kids and maybe some snacks for the resort days, for the pool but that's as far as I will go as far as cooking
thanks again