Tables in Wonderland - 2014 Changes

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Saw this on another forum but haven't seen it here yet - TIW has quietly introduced some new terms on its website.

Validity Dates:

**Victoria & Albert’s will honor Tables in Wonderland discount through July 31st, 2014. As of August 1st, 2014 the restaurant will no longer participate in Tables in Wonderland.

*Beginning August 1st 2014, 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey’s, ‘Ohana (Dinner Only), Cinderella’s Royal Table, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, and Le Cellier Steakhouse will be subject to the additional blockout weeks of: November 23-29, 2014; December 21-27, 2014; March 8-April 4, 2015; May 31-June 20, 2015.

Blockout dates for Tables in Wonderland are Mother’s Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Tables in Wonderland is valid for one year from date of purchase.

So V&A will no longer accept TIW, and some of the more popular restaurants will be blocked out during 9 busy weeks (in addition to the normal blockout dates).

Your thoughts?

 

[TDC Nala]

Well that's interesting...but I might still get it as I am generally not traveling to WDW during those weeks, nor am I particularly interested in those restaurants. Will have to see if they jack up the price again.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I'm not usually there those weeks, but still, kind of crummy. TIW is pretty much the best deal Disney gives you so any cutting of the benefits stinks.

 

[OKW Lover]

Looks like I'll have to plan one last visit to Vicky & Al's Diner before July 31, 2014.

The traditional holiday blockout dates never bothered me since we avoid the parks on those days anyway. The new blockouts however will impact us. I suspect TiW will still be worth it for us since we will be living in FL soon and we like Signature dining so it won't take much to get payback.

 

[cdtommie]

Looks like we need to get our final V&A visit in by 7/31/14. No TIW, no V&A's visits for us.

 

[Fratthouse]

Didn't Tables In Wonderland used to be for 13 months? Now it's just a year? That's a bummer - we go in September every year, so I was hoping to buy one that would cover both our 2013 and 2014 trips. It might still be a good deal, but definitely not as much as when it was 13 months. Ugh.

 

[bumbershoot]

Didn't Tables In Wonderland used to be for 13 months? Now it's just a year? That's a bummer - we go in September every year, so I was hoping to buy one that would cover both our 2013 and 2014 trips. It might still be a good deal, but definitely not as much as when it was 13 months. Ugh.

That wording has been there before. They've never spelled it out that it's 13 months. It's been something done because they still have mail order for them, and they mail a live card. But I, in my massively INexpert opinion, think the 13 month thing will be going by the wayside; I know I've never planned on it, personally.

 

[EspositoScoresOTR]

Looks like we need to get our final V&A visit in by 7/31/14. No TIW, no V&A's visits for us.

Bummer, our next trip won't be until after these changes, meaning V&A is even further above our budget.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Well that's interesting...but I might still get it as I am generally not traveling to WDW during those weeks, nor am I particularly interested in those restaurants. Will have to see if they jack up the price again.

Wow, I forgot about the price increase (we haven't renewed since last summer). Even if the price doesn't increase further, we won't be renewing. Most of these restaurants aren't ever on our list, but it seems like Disney is making it harder to break even with TIW.

At Disneyland, AP holders automatically receive a 10-15% dining discount - it's valid practically everywhere except Napa Rose. WDW's system is becoming too much of a hassle in comparison - not only do you have to worry about breaking even, but now you have to make sure your restaurant choices aren't blocked out (or risk being blindsided by a non-discounted bill).

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

These changes are a bummer, because I am a teacher, so I ONLY travel at those times!!

 

[mare1203]

There's only 6 restaurants on that list affected during the additional blackout dates. Plus, there's only one signature and Le Cell is the one that most people on this board seem to equate to the least value in signature. With so many other restaurants at Disney I don't think it would be very hard to still make it completely worth it, even if you are going during the blackout weeks.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

We will still get the card. We will be traveling during the March/April blackout dates until DD graduates high school because of Marching Band commitments but this change will not effect us other than we will probably not attend a restaurant that is blacked out. I am sure this is what Disney is going for. There are plenty of other good places to eat on Disney property in our opinion.

Hopefully in the future these restaurants will not be excluded all year. But I can see it coming, look at the ADR CC Hold it has expanded.

 

[buckeev]

Well that stinks! Disney just took about $300/$400 outta my pocket for our 2014 trip...

Well, at least it'll make me rearrange a few things. Ah well...it's not as if we aren't used to price increases every year...and not just with Disney.