Looking for Table in Wonderland Opinions/Info

[Inkmahm]

I just want to verify something...

I can buy a TIW card at Guest Services (any park?) correct?

I have MYW passes that I need to upgrade to AP's and I figured that I will buy the TIW card at the same time. Can I do this?

Yes.

 

[Inkmahm]

Humm. Then I think I will just stick with the DDP. I like the suggested gratuity a lot better than the built-in gratuity. Some of the wait staff at WDW restaurants are really awful and some are really good. I'd rather tip based on service. Thanks!

Really? You decrease the tip often enough that having a built in tip would keep you from getting the savings of the card?

I actually save money now that they put an 18% tip on automatically. I would always use the 20% discount amount as my tip amount previously and sometimes add to that. I still do that if a waiter brings me a check without the 18% there automatically.

 

[kristenrice]

Yes.

Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

TIW isn't valid for the Fantasmic Dinner package or the Candlelight processional, so when we go in December that's the only time we would even consider the DDP and we do both of those special packages.

I like the fact that it could be used at the Food Courts in the Values, because we may stay at one one or two nights a year, and I enjoy some of those entrees. I like the ribs at Flame Tree Barbecue and that's included too!

Bobbi

PS. I had been annoyed when they added the 18% gratuity, because before once or twice I've had a buffet server whom I didn't think would have deserved it, but since it's been added, we can honestly say that we've been pleased enough at every meal and usually more than just pleased.

 

[kaffinito]

Really? You decrease the tip often enough that having a built in tip would keep you from getting the savings of the card?

I actually save money now that they put an 18% tip on automatically. I would always use the 20% discount amount as my tip amount previously and sometimes add to that. I still do that if a waiter brings me a check without the 18% there automatically.

Yes. Since I tip based on service not on existence, then the TiW won't work for me. If I get really great service then I tip accordingly. If I get really crappy service then I also tip accordingly. For example we had two meals at Raglan Road last August. The first server was just fantastic. He was the best waiter I have ever had anywhere. He got a really large tip commensurate with his service, in the area of about 30%.

The second was really horrible. It took 15 minutes after our meals were served for her to bring me silverware. My food was cold and I was a little peeved. I never did get the coffee I ordered, and my boys never got ketchup. There was no way I would tip her anything over 8 or 9 %.

Also, the math doesn't add up. For a bill of $100.00 that comes to $80.00 with the 20% discount. Then they add on an 18% tip ($14.40) and a total bill of $94.40. So $100.00 - $94.40 brings the savings to $5.60. That means that to pay for the $60.00 card it would take a little over 10 meals to break even. On an 8 day trip that would mean we would have to have at least two days with two TS meals. Not to mention that I would have to pay the 18% even for really crappy service!

 

[erionm]

If you think the service does not deserve the automatic 18% gratuity, ask for a manager. Ask that the auto gratuity be removed and explain why. If management doesn't know the service is bad, nothing will be done about it.

 

[Disney Spaz]

We haven't bought the card in a couple of years, since the automatically added gratuity. They don't add it at Flame Tree and other CS places do they?

 

[jimmytammy]

We like it. We have been using it since they began offering it to AP holders. Dont reallu recall any restrictions much to speak of. Only thing I dont like about it now, they automatically add 18% gratuity. In most cases, we get great service, and we would have left 20% cash, but those isolated cases where you get so so service, I would leave 15%. This is the only downside.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Has anyone had any experience using it with groups that are different family's? When we go in Oct we will have 3 different family's (us, another couple and a mom with 2 kids) so we would need the ability to put dinner on 3 different cards. Is that possible?

 

[TLPL]

you mean different bills?? or Key to the world card as in using dining plan?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was under the impression that the holder of TIW had to pay the bill. We have except one time, DCuz had a gift card. The meal was for DAunt's 80th birthday...we asked if the gift card with a different name could be used and it was. So, maybe it depends on the server, manager. Generally, if it's really Dutch treat, we divide up the bill afterwards.

Bobbi

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

That is what I thought, one bill, one credit card. We are the only ones that will have a key to the world card as the 7 of us are sharing one 2br unit!

Thanks for the help!

 

[culli]

Ok this may seem like a stupid question.......but it says 18% added to all transactions regardless of party size. But does this 18% get added to the food court places and other non "service" type places too?

 

[HayGan]

Also, the math doesn't add up. For a bill of $100.00 that comes to $80.00 with the 20% discount. Then they add on an 18% tip ($14.40) and a total bill of $94.40. So $100.00 - $94.40 brings the savings to $5.60. That means that to pay for the $60.00 card it would take a little over 10 meals to break even. On an 8 day trip that would mean we would have to have at least two days with two TS meals. Not to mention that I would have to pay the 18% even for really crappy service!

Actually, your savings is more than the $5.60. If you did not have the card your total would be $100 + $18 = $118. With the card, your total is $80 + $14.40 = $94.40. With the TIW card you would save $23.60 meaning in less than 3 meals you have more than paid for your TIW card.

As for changing the amount of tip, if you receive bad service, you should speak to a manger. This should be done not only to adjust the amount of gratuity but also to make the manager aware of the service.

If you have excellent service, you are always free to leave an additional amount. If I have an automatic gratuity on a bill and I want to leave additional money for the server, I always do it in cash as sometimes (I'm not sure if this is the case in WDW or not) the server doesn't receive their tips at the end of the day but rather a few days (or week later). Gives them a little something extra in their pocket that day to take home and remind them of what a great job they did!

 

[Inkmahm]

Also, the math doesn't add up. For a bill of $100.00 that comes to $80.00 with the 20% discount. Then they add on an 18% tip ($14.40) and a total bill of $94.40. So $100.00 - $94.40 brings the savings to $5.60. That means that to pay for the $60.00 card it would take a little over 10 meals to break even. On an 8 day trip that would mean we would have to have at least two days with two TS meals. Not to mention that I would have to pay the 18% even for really crappy service!

I'd say your math is bad. I count the full $20 discount on a $100 bill as "savings" earned by the card becuse I'd be paying a tip anyway. Instead of paying $120, I"m paying $100 with tip. The only way your math works is if you pay no tip at all normally and the card is "forcing" you to pay a tip.

I say we save $20 per meal on a $100 meal so for just DH and I, it is ony about 3 dinners before the card is paid for. We eat at Signature restaruants most of the time for dinner and sometime lunch, too.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ok this may seem like a stupid question.......but it says 18% added to all transactions regardless of party size. But does this 18% get added to the food court places and other non "service" type places too?

No it doesn't. I used the card at Flame Tree BBQ and Pop food court and there were no charges added. I did wonder myself about that.

Bobbi

 

[WDW Freak]

We'll be getting the TIW card for the first time at the end of this month. I was planning on buying it in person the first morning we go to a park, which will be MK. My question is, can I buy the TIW card at the same time that I activate my AP exchange voucher at the ticket window outside of the park, or do I have to take my AP inside to guest services to get the TIW card? I'd prefer to take care of everything while waiting outside for the park to open rather than waste precious early morning time getting the TIW card at the inside guest services.

Thanks,

 

[DebbieB]

A friend of mine had her AP activated at the International Gateway, she used the booth on the left. She had to walk over to the booths on the the right (guest services) to get her TIW because the ones on the left were tickets only. Both were outside the park.