Need Disney Math Help AP/TIW vs OOP vs DDP

[Krissy562]

Here's the deal:
This is our 12th trip, and I've always been able to find whatever info I need on Dis, without asking for help - I finally have a dilemma I can't solve.

I'm not sure how to come up with enough info to do the math on this situation, so I thought I'd bring it to the experts:

Assumptions:
There are 3 of us in the party; 2 adults, 1 child (who is turning 9 soon; that may be relevant)

We have a Buy 4 get 3 free reservation for with a 7-day base ticket to go with it. For Feb 20-27 I plan on adding to that if need be once we decide what direction to head. We are actually coming in 2 days early (Priceline res at Grand Cypress for 18th and 19th) and planning on adding a day to the end of our POFQ stay.

I also have leftover 9 day tickets for each of us with hopping from the same promotion from the previous year (we already had our tickets when the promotion came out).

We've done the DDP a couple of times, and generally unless we use 2 TS options for a dinner show, it seems to be too much restaurant eating for us. Also, we've found that the "beverage" bill seems to be much higher because of all that restaurant eating.

So...
If you were me - would you
1. Upgrade one (or more) of the tickets to an AP and get a TIW card? DD and I will possibly take a quick trip right before school starts if so.
2. Add DDP to current reservation
3. Pay OOP for meals and just use the existing res and save the kid tickets for another trip.

We will do enough restaurant eating to justify DDP if we buy it, since we have a HDD reservation. A LeCellier Res and a Boma res. I'm sure I could come up with a few more that we'd be happpy with.

I'd appreciate any input!
Kris

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I think you have to look at how your family eats & how often you visit/plan to visit.

You need to spend about $375 on meals to break even. After that it's money in your pocket.

For us, the DDP is not a good value. To be honest, I really question whether it's a good value for anyone but that's another topic

We get much more value from TIW (which, don't forget, applies to alcohol as well and is accepted at most lounges/pool bars in addition to TS spots).

Plus, if you upgrade to an AP in order to get the TIW you will also now be eligible for AP rates on hotel as well as a 10% merchandise discount at World of Disney (among some others at DTD).

 

[Krissy562]

We get much more value from TIW (which, don't forget, applies to alcohol as well and is accepted at most lounges/pool bars in addition to TS spots).

Plus, if you upgrade to an AP in order to get the TIW you will also now be eligible for AP rates on hotel as well as a 10% merchandise discount at World of Disney (among some others at DTD).

OK - Both good points; and really even though I'm not positive we'll be going back before next year to make a second use of the A/P, I think the one thing holding me back from the DDP is that we have to pay more just because it's during the busy season. It might be a psychological thing. That just bugs me. By the way, it just occured to me that the menu prices may be more too... is that the case?

Assuming that I go for the upgrade to A/P option, which ticket would you upgrade and when (sorry if this is now posted in the wrong place) my old 9 day, or the current 7-day?


Thanks,
Kris

 

[lllGurulll]

What the heck is TIW?

 

[Krissy562]

What the heck is TIW?

Tables in Wonderland
New version of Disney Dining Experience

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Here is a working example, using $100.00 as the original bill to make the math show up easily. Note this is for Table Service. At Counter Service there is no gratutity added.

100.00 - Original Amount
*20.00 - Discount
*80.00 - Subtotal
*18.00 - Gratuity Added based on $100
**5.20 - Sales Tax on $80
103.20 - Final amount charged, takes into consideration discount, gratuity and tax.

Without TiW Discount (and still figuring 18% Gratuity)

100.00 - Amount of Bill
*18.00 - Gratuity
**6.50 - Sales Tax on $100
124.50 - Total

$21.30 - Savings using TiW Card.

(Note - At Victoria and Albert's the added gratuity is 20% instead of 18%.)
* Ignore the asterisks; they are there only so the columns/numbers line up properly.

 

[twinklebug]

Here's the deal:
1. Upgrade one (or more) of the tickets to an AP and get a TIW card? DD and I will possibly take a quick trip right before school starts if so.
2. Add DDP to current reservation
3. Pay OOP for meals and just use the existing res and save the kid tickets for another trip.

Kris: Option #1 sounds like the best one, but not as a money saver

I agree it all depends on how you dine. Look at the time of year, what you want to do and if you already intended on returning for a second trip. The TIW card makes a ton of sense if you already have an AP, but to go and upgrade just to get it may not.

Side note: I have had the card for 2 visits now and have learned that some (not all) servers will see the card at the start of the meal and will then proceed to ignore us for the remainder. It seems as though they know their tip is already calculated so don't have to work for a good one.... and I'm not demanding, I just expect the basics.

 

[mickeysmate65]

I could have written your post! Every trip I go through the same debate- even our upcoming June trip. We have DVC so we actually go to Disney a few times each year. DH and I have the regular AP with DVC discount. In December I did purchase an AP for DS since he will be with us in June. We'll get DD's PH tickets for our June stay only.

So far we've stuck with the TIW discount. Every trip I save receipts & keep a spreadsheet of our spending so I can see if I made the right decision. Every trip I find we do better with the TIW card. A few reasons for us:

-We tend to order appetizer instead of dessert.
-Even with DH and DS's hearty appetites we can't eat all the food on the plan
-DD and I tend to be lighter eaters: pastry for breakfast, maybe a light lunch, then TS dinner.
- I want flexibility! I am known to order an appetizer and two sides for dinner. In December, my 50's PT dinner was shrimp cocktail, GB and potatos. At Turf Club, I love their warm potato salad (name?), crab cake appetizer, and veggie. I wouldn't be able to order this way if I was on the dining plan.

You really have to sit down and think about how you eat when at Disney. We still manage to eat very well at Disney and save money with the TIW card. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Kathie

 

[Krissy562]

Thanks for the example and all the input;
Hmmm, I like the idea of the fixed tip actually, because DH tends to be an exceptionally heavy tipper. I've never gotten what I'd call "bad" service at Disney, so I'm ok with it. Do you have to show the card before the check come?

We've done the DDP three times: two were during the free dining promo, the most recent trip we paid for it. The last time was a struggle to use it all. We do like to eat, but even for us, this is a LOT of food. If the numbers make sense, my preference would be to do the ticket upgrade and buy the TIW card.

As an aside, can you buy the card on the spot (when the AP upgrade is done)?

 

[B-Ride]

IMHO, the Dining Plan works really well especially if you are "frugal" like me (okay, cheap is a better description). The great thing about the Dining Plan is I pick the meals I want and don't pay attention to the cost.

 

[tndisneyfan]

*18.00 - Gratuity Added based on $100
.

Is the gratuity for the TIW based on the before discount price or after the discount price. For some reason I thought it was based on the after the discount price. So I was thinking it would be $14.40 on $80 instead of $18 on $100. Or am I thinking wrong (which BTW is a very good possibility )

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As an aside, can you buy the card on the spot (when the AP upgrade is done)?

Yes. At any Guest Relations Office at a Park (inside or outside) or DTGD.

Is the gratuity for the TIW based on the before discount price or after the discount price. For some reason I thought it was based on the after the discount price. So I was thinking it would be $14.40 on $80 instead of $18 on $100. Or am I thinking wrong (which BTW is a very good possibility )

It is based on the pre-discount price but the tax is based on the after discount price.

And you can figure you save $21.30 for every $100 of menu price.

 

[disneyfan55]

Is the gratuity for the TIW based on the before discount price or after the discount price. For some reason I thought it was based on the after the discount price. So I was thinking it would be $14.40 on $80 instead of $18 on $100. Or am I thinking wrong (which BTW is a very good possibility )

The gratuity is on the non discounted amount, but the tax is on the discounted amt, so you save some there as well.

 

[disneyfan55]

I could have written your post! Every trip I go through the same debate- even our upcoming June trip. We have DVC so we actually go to Disney a few times each year. DH and I have the regular AP with DVC discount. In December I did purchase an AP for DS since he will be with us in June. We'll get DD's PH tickets for our June stay only.

So far we've stuck with the TIW discount. Every trip I save receipts & keep a spreadsheet of our spending so I can see if I made the right decision. Every trip I find we do better with the TIW card. A few reasons for us:

-We tend to order appetizer instead of dessert.
-Even with DH and DS's hearty appetites we can't eat all the food on the plan
-DD and I tend to be lighter eaters: pastry for breakfast, maybe a light lunch, then TS dinner.
- I want flexibility! I am known to order an appetizer and two sides for dinner. In December, my 50's PT dinner was shrimp cocktail, GB and potatos. At Turf Club, I love their warm potato salad (name?), crab cake appetizer, and veggie. I wouldn't be able to order this way if I was on the dining plan.

You really have to sit down and think about how you eat when at Disney. We still manage to eat very well at Disney and save money with the TIW card. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Kathie

We feel similar. I really don't order dessert or non alcholic drinks for that matter. When we have had free DDP (I wouldn't purchase since it doesn't fit our real needs) we end up with the drinks and desserts (many go uneaten back in the room) and have to pay a tip as well on them.

If you find yourself eating exactly as the DDP provides and you order many of the higher priced items, you will probably do better. For us TIW is a better fit. Disney has so many options with rooms/food/offers. I keep figuring out out stay in 2 weeks for dining/AP/750 giftcards/GP discounts!! They are trying to keep us on our toes and our minds sharp with all the figuring!!

 

[BriarRosie]

Side note: I have had the card for 2 visits now and have learned that some (not all) servers will see the card at the start of the meal and will then proceed to ignore us for the remainder. It seems as though they know their tip is already calculated so don't have to work for a good one.... and I'm not demanding, I just expect the basics.

Then I think you probably need to do the following next time you use the Tables in Wonderland card:

When the server asks, "Are you using the Disney Dining Plan?", you can say no without volunteering that you have TiW. You present the TiW card when you receive your check. The server will present you with the modified check just like you've always seen it. If the service was still sketchy, you can eliminate the possibility it was due to having the TiW discount.

As for the original poster, I wanted to add a few things.

Only one adult AP is required for purchasing the TiW card for $75.
Hoop De Doo Revue does not offer a discount on the early shows; only the 9:30pm show.
While the break even point is $375 in table service costs to break even on the $75 cost of the card, you don't get discounts on most counter service locations. You still have to pay OOP for those meals.