Is Table in Wonderland still worth it?

[Capo]

Hi All,

We're in an interesting situation and need your advice. We were originally going to be buying a TIW card for an upcoming trip since we were planning on getting annual passes. Now, with the recent AP promotion of increased discounts to 20% in many cases, is TIW still worth it?

It looks like most restaurants will have at least the 10% AP discount and many (45) will have a 20% AP discount through September. We have 2 major trips planned over the next year and possibly a minor one mid year. The 2nd major trip will occur after Sept 2017 so it looks like the 20% on food will be gone by then.

Net/net - is it still worth $150 bucks with this change?

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[hedberg1661]

Hi All,

We're in an interesting situation and need your advice. We were originally going to be buying a TIW card for an upcoming trip since we were planning on getting annual passes. Now, with the recent AP promotion of increased discounts to 20% in many cases, is TIW still worth it?

It looks like most restaurants will have at least the 10% AP discount and many (45) will have a 20% AP discount through September. We have 2 major trips planned over the next year and possibly a minor one mid year. The 2nd major trip will occur after Sept 2017 so it looks like the 20% on food will be gone by then.

Net/net - is it still worth $150 bucks with this change?

Thanks for your thoughts

Does the new AP discount include alcohol on the 10-20%? If not, I saw TIW is still worth it. If it does then I need to review the list of where the 10 is good and where the 20 is good. You bring up a very valid question.

 

[mar7967]

The new AP discount does not include alcohol. The answer to "is it worth it" depends entirely on your eating/drinking habits. Keep in mind that at a price of $150, you need to spend $750 (at 20% off) to make TIW pay for itself. So, if you aren't going to spend $750 on alcohol or at places that do not offer any AP discount, TIW is worth it. You would need to spend $1500 at at places that offer a 10% AP discount but 20% TIW discount to make it worth it if you only did that.

This doesn't include free valet with TIW. If you plan to use it, you can factor that in.

I determined it isn't worth it for me, because I already know where I plan to eat, and looked online and found average meal prices at those places. I compared the discounts I'd get with an AP vs with TIW, and found that by spending $150 on TIW, I'd save $40 -not worth it I am not a big alcohol drinker, and don't care about the valet, so I did not factor that into my math.

Hope this helps!

 

[hedberg1661]

The new AP discount does not include alcohol. The answer to "is it worth it" depends entirely on your eating/drinking habits. Keep in mind that at a price of $150, you need to spend $750 (at 20% off) to make TIW pay for itself. So, if you aren't going to spend $750 on alcohol or at places that do not offer any AP discount, TIW is worth it. You would need to spend $1500 at at places that offer a 10% AP discount but 20% TIW discount to make it worth it if you only did that.

This doesn't include free valet with TIW. If you plan to use it, you can factor that in.

I determined it isn't worth it for me, because I already know where I plan to eat, and looked online and found average meal prices at those places. I compared the discounts I'd get with an AP vs with TIW, and found that by spending $150 on TIW, I'd save $40 -not worth it I am not a big alcohol drinker, and don't care about the valet, so I did not factor that into my math.

Hope this helps!

So is this AP discount going to be a permanent thing? Or...do we think this will be a short lived perk?

If it is permanent...I think that may spell the end of TIW.

 

[mar7967]

So is this AP discount going to be a permanent thing? Or...do we think this will be a short lived perk?

If it is permanent...I think that may spell the end of TIW.

It's not permanent. It's a 45th anniversary promotion and ends 9/30/17.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/passholder-benefits-and-discounts/anniversary/

 

[hedberg1661]

It's not permanent. It's a 45th anniversary promotion and ends 9/30/17.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/passholder-benefits-and-discounts/anniversary/

Great info! Given this I will still get a TIW card as I visit far too often and to many locations not listed.

Correct me if I am wrong but there was a time when a regular AP got the regular discount but a "premium" (or whatever they called it back then) got a higher discount right?

Heading down for food and wine in a week and can't wait!

 

[Eddie]

Great info! Given this I will still get a TIW card as I visit far too often and to many locations not listed.

Correct me if I am wrong but there was a time when a regular AP got the regular discount but a "premium" (or whatever they called it back then) got a higher discount right?

Heading down for food and wine in a week and can't wait!

If I remember correctly the, "Premium Pass" got 20% off in a lot of the Disney shops on Merchandise but they changed that to the 10 % a few years back. I am not sure but do not think you got 20% of meals but 10% but i could be mistaken on that.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I think every pass got the same meal discounts. At Disneyland they used to have higher discounts for the Premier pass (the one that works on both coasts) I think. Don't know if they still do.

 

[Lisa F]

the break even point is no longer $750 because with being able to get meals at most TS places for 10% off, the differential is only 10% not 20%. So $1500 is a more accurate break even point and even more if you go to many restaurants where you get the 20% off.

Some of that can be made up with alcohol. I would average $10 per drink and see how that figures into it as well. My guess is it may not be worth it but if you are there long enough it may become worth it over time, esp if you drink a lot.

 

[mar7967]

the break even point is no longer $750 because with being able to get meals at most TS places for 10% off, the differential is only 10% not 20%. So $1500 is a more accurate break even point and even more if you go to many restaurants where you get the 20% off.

Some of that can be made up with alcohol. I would average $10 per drink and see how that figures into it as well. My guess is it may not be worth it but if you are there long enough it may become worth it over time, esp if you drink a lot.

That's why I said this: "You would need to spend $1500 at at places that offer a 10% AP discount but 20% TIW discount to make it worth it if you only did that."

 

[loves to dive]

Worth it is subjective as others have pointed out, you need to do the math. You also need to look at the places that are giving the 20% discount, if you plan on eating at other places (the list was very small for TS and there were only 2 on there that we eat at) you need to look at the TIW list to see if they are listed there. Remember, not everywhere gives a discount on either/or both lists. The AP discounts tend to be only for Disney owned restaurants, which rules out a lot of WS. Factor in alcohol, it can add up. Heck last year my son, DIL and I ate one meal that was around $300, that was before the price went up and the AP discounts were 20% so we got our money's worth early. Who knew when you were in school and your teacher insisted math was important it would end up being so on vacation? Hate it when those teacher's are right.

 

[manning]

the break even point is no longer $750 because with being able to get meals at most TS places for 10% off, the differential is only 10% not 20%. So $1500 is a more accurate break even point and even more if you go to many restaurants where you get the 20% off.

Some of that can be made up with alcohol. I would average $10 per drink and see how that figures into it as well. My guess is it may not be worth it but if you are there long enough it may become worth it over time, esp if you drink a lot.

I believe the break even point is $750. When you use TIW You have to spend $750. 20% of 750 is 150, the price of TIW

 

[Disneylover99]

I believe the break even point is $750. When you use TIW You have to spend $750. 20% of 750 is 150, the price of TIW

But that's no longer a valid way of thinking about its worth (for food) since all TS restaurants are now 10% off and some are 20% off with your AP. That $750 break even point is only valid if you're factoring in valet parking (if you use it), alcoholic beverages and a possible 10% discount off of food.

 

[smcabee]

Really depends on where you eat and if you prefer alcoholic beverages. Several restaurants are on this promotion that are not on TIW and there are several restaurants on TIW that are not on the AP promotion. Really need to do the math at your preferred restaurants to see if its worth it.

 

[Tiffany]

Also, isn't the AP discount only for the AP holder? TIW is good for the card holder plus 9 and includes alcohol.

 

[Jen_G]

I was wondering this myself after the AP discounts were released. For me, the deciding point was the fact that the annual pass didn't include a discount for the Hoop De Doo Revue, while TiW had 20% off the late showing. Since I'm planning to treat my party of 5 to a night there, the $70+ the TiW card will save me is what made me decide to go for it.

 

[cigar95]

My original comment was incorrect - deleted so as not to mislead anyone.

 

[Disneylover99]

I was wondering this myself after the AP discounts were released. For me, the deciding point was the fact that the annual pass didn't include a discount for the Hoop De Doo Revue, while TiW had 20% off the late showing. Since I'm planning to treat my party of 5 to a night there, the $70+ the TiW card will save me is what made me decide to go for it.

I thought Hoop de Doo was eligible for 10% off with the AP for earlier shows.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Just another quick question to through in here. Is Shula's or other Swalphin restaurants included in AP discounts and is Valet parking included at DS?

 

[ggdvc]

The other thing to look at is how many trips will you get out of the TIW card? I've been able to time my trips so that I can use TIW twice before it expires. My trip last month was the 2nd one on my old card, so I made sure to add up what I saved to help me decide if I'll get it again next year. For 3 of us and an 8 day trip, we ate at 10 TS restaurants that took the card (including a couple of breakfasts), we saved just over $100. This was on top of what we saved last year (4 people/7 days, but it was probably similar, if not slightly higher)

So you really do need to look at your dining/drinking habits, other discounts available, how many trips you'll be taking before the card expires, etc and decide if it will be cost effective for you or not.