Is TIW worth it?

[Gnomester210]

Family of 6 (2 adults, one 20 yr old, two 18 & one 14) going three times (7 days each visit) to WDW this year. We've done the dining plan before but find ourselves overwhelmed by how much food we feel we "have to eat" in order to get what we paid for. This year, we're going to mix it up by doing a combo of bringing some groceries (mostly breakfast & snack food) and doing maybe 3-4 sit downs & several quick serves each visit. Having never used TIW before, could someone who has used this let me know if under this scenario TIW would save us money? Thank you!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Two threads below this one.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3367940

 

[Chip n Dale's Dad]

TIW works for us. Just look at my crew for my justification! It usually covers the tip, which is quite a bit for us! We usually do 7-8 sit-down meals that qualify under TIW. It more than makes up for what we paid for it. Good luck!

 

[luckyman_apd]

TiW costs you $100. Then it saves you 20%. So basically if you spend $500 in food, the card pays for itself (that's food eligible for TIW discount). Someone did the math down to the penny, and I think the break even point is actually like $492 or something. 3 trips of 7 days each? Most likely you will make it up and then save some....but only you know for sure based on your sit down eating habits. Also TiW also includes alcohol at sit down places and lounges like TOWL.

TiW also adds 18% automatic gratuity. I don't include this in the math because I would have tipped without the card. If anything....as a typical 20% tipper....it saves me another 2%.

 

[tidefan]

TiW costs you $100. Then it saves you 20%. So basically if you spend $500 in food, the card pays for itself (that's food eligible for TIW discount). Someone did the math down to the penny, and I think the break even point is actually like $492 or something. 3 trips of 7 days each? Most likely you will make it up and then save some....but only you know for sure based on your sit down eating habits. Also TiW also includes alcohol at sit down places and lounges like TOWL. TiW also adds 18% automatic gratuity. I don't include this in the math because I would have tipped without the card. If anything....as a typical 20% tipper....it saves me another 2%.

One thing to look at is certain restaurants now have TIW blackout dates, so if you are going at one of those times, you would need to consider that as well...

 

[WMorganS]

Works for us, but we consider the restaurants (and drinks at meals) a key part of WDW. We have a sit down meal at least once a day, usually more often than that. The only thing that bugs us is the in-park TS restaurants that do NOT take TiW. That's just irritating.

 

[Chip n Dale's Dad]

The only thing that bugs us is the in-park TS restaurants that do NOT take TiW. That's just irritating.

They figure they got you when you are already in the park. There is little incentive to the bottom line to provide a discount.

 

[luckyman_apd]

One thing to look at is certain restaurants now have TIW blackout dates, so if you are going at one of those times, you would need to consider that as well...

Very true....I completely forgot the TiW blackout on the 4th of July last year

 

[DebbieB]

Most in park restaurants are included. The thing that bugs me is most quick service is not included.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

 

[Chip n Dale's Dad]

That's what I thinking, but didn't type! Dodo me! Thanks DebbieB!

 

[WMorganS]

Most in park restaurants are included. The thing that bugs me is most quick service is not included. http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

Yeah, I wish QS restaurants took TiW too, or that the gave AP discounts, and that they'd bring back the 20% AP discount... I swear, we used to buy a LOT more junk when the AP discount was 20%! ;-)

 

[mom2rb]

I normally save enough to pay for my TIW card towards the end of my first trip. Between an AP and TIW the second trip of the year is pretty cheap.

 

[kshark1958]

TIW is definitely worth it. We will use it every time we go to WDW.This is a review I posted back in Sept 2014. DDP or TIW. Hope it helps

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3331124&highlight=tiw

 

[jo-jo]

Although I think for you with 6 adults and 10- 12 meals, TIW will indeed save you money. I just wanted to also mention for those on the fence with TIW, don't forget there are a few TS that give a 10% discount. Mostly breakfast and less popular locations, but it's still something.


We had taken a several trips with family using TIW. But this last trip, it made no sense to get TIW just for the two of us with only a few TS and our next trip more than a yr away. It sure was hard having to pay for the full tip at Cape May. You get so use the card.

 

[DizBub]

There a handful of QS places that do take TIW.

Flame Tree BBQ, Restaurantosaurus and Pizzafari in Animal Kingdom and all the food courts at the All-Star resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation as well at Artist's Palette at SSR. Plus there is no tipping at all so you truly save 20%.

 

[Anal Annie]

Family of 6 (2 adults, one 20 yr old, two 18 & one 14) going three times (7 days each visit) to WDW this year. We've done the dining plan before but find ourselves overwhelmed by how much food we feel we "have to eat" in order to get what we paid for. This year, we're going to mix it up by doing a combo of bringing some groceries (mostly breakfast & snack food) and doing maybe 3-4 sit downs & several quick serves each visit. Having never used TIW before, could someone who has used this let me know if under this scenario TIW would save us money? Thank you!

Definitely yes, it's worth it with 3 7-day trips and that many adults!! We are just a family of 3 and find that with 2 trips / year we can get our money back and then some. Usually not by the end of the first trip but by mid-way thru the 2nd trip. We don't do TS every day - but like 4-5 times per trip. You will probably make it back during your first trip with that many in your party. You just have to make sure when you plan your TS meals that you go to places that take it (for example Teppan Edo and Yak & Yeti do not because they're not Disney owned & operated).

 

[jerseyduke]

I do 2 trips per year, with 2 adults only, (almost all sit down meals) and it is totally worth it.

I can not compare it to the dining plan, I have never done that.

But, as noted, at 500$ it pays for itself.

Note, your gratuity gets added automatically, 18% of the original bill, so it kind of works out to 100$ is pre-paying ALL your gratuity.

I am buying a new one on my next trip tho, without question.

But look at the site, see if you will spend 500 at the places listed over the next 12 months.

Things I like about it:

You arent "paying for anything" if you go off property for a day or two. Also, on an short, spur of the moment trip, you got it without buying the dining plan.

 

[WMorganS]

As I said before, we love TiW, but not because it saves us money. We spend way more *because* of the TiW card.

 

[JPDtheJD]

We are going to be 2 families dining every meal. We planned to buy a TiW and each family pay separately using our one TiW since we are the ones eligible to buy. Is this possible?

 

[supersnoop]

We are going to be 2 families dining every meal. We planned to buy a TiW and each family pay separately using our one TiW since we are the ones eligible to buy. Is this possible?

The person whose name is on the card must be the one paying, per the terms of the card. If they see you exchanging cash, they've been known to deny the discount.