Tables in wonderland card

[cedricandsophie]

Just a quick note about the Tables in wonderland card available to DVC members and florida residents. It costs $100 for a year and is invaluable to us. Gives a 20% discount at most of the nice table service restaurants and includes alcohol. So at a place like California Grill you can easily save $40 or more for the cost of 4 people with wine. We renewed it in March when we there last. Used it 10 nights for dinner and a couple of lunches. It more than paid for itself. We are going to Vero in August Before the member cruise and you can use it there. We will be back at Disney in December and again next march, it is good until April 2025. Have to say for us it is a great alternative to a dining plan with a lot more flexibility but only if you like going to the nicer restaurants. Also used it at the castle for dinner and at the Hoop De Doo review at Fort Wilderness. You can buy at any guest services in the parks or at a Downtown Disney. We only learned of it two years ago from another couple we happened to meet. It is good for up to 8 people at a time I think...maybe even more.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I meant it is good until 2015. Sorry about the typo.

 

[n2mm]

Yes we love our card too. We've had one since 2005. Just to add it is good for a party of 10. Also you get free valet parking at resorts you are dining at. You just need to show the valet desk your dining receipt. Also good at some QS locations at some resorts that don't have TS available. Also at QS at the AK

 

[Chellymouse]

DDP dumped for TIW in 2009 and we haven't looked back! Saved way more $$ than dining plan and no more paying OOP for apps or forced to eat dessert!

 

[js]

We use it too.
Last year, contrary to what is published, we also were able to use it for my ds's HS baseball team and we were a party of almost or just over 20 people.
We were in DTD restaurant not Bongos but where they have great bar and margarittas (can't think of the name) and they let us use the card there for one bill, WOW! We all were drinking (well adults) and stayed there after dinner while the boys walked around. That was a HUGE savings.
But, we also used for our other trips that year and the savings were great (although we usually eat at signature and nicer restaurants).
I am going to purchase the card again this year in September, there for 8 nights, again for 2 nights in December before a cruise and probably back in March for my ds's baseball trip. I love the TiW card, especially since we usually have a few drinks or bottles of wine with dinner.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We've had a TIW card for more years than I can count. There's no question that it's the best deal for us and our eating habbits. Even with the price increase and additional restrictions, it still pays for itself over and over again.

It's also so much more convenient, now, that the servers themselves can apply the discount. In the past, having to wait for a manager could take quite a while at some restaurants.

 

[drusba]

As long-time AP cardholders, we have had the discount card since it started when it was called the Disney Dining Experience card. We spend much more per year than the minimum needed to break even ($500 when purchase price is $100). Also, the "one year" card is actually good for more than 12 months, e.g., if you purchase any time in April, it is good until May 31 of the next year. We would lose money with the Disney Dining Plans and always come out better with TIW, including because we do not use things that we would need to use with a DDP, e.g., we usually have breakfast in the room, most often skip lunch, are not big on snacks, and do most of our food spending at restaurants at dinner.

Nevertheless, even though it is a good deal now, I have concerns that Disney has started down the path of ultimately rendering the TIW card valueless like it has done with discount programs before. Only a few years ago, AP owners could get it for $50, then it went to $75 and 2013 to $100. Moreover, Disney is adding new restrictions effective Aug 2014, removing Victoria's and Albert's and designating a lot of new no use days for certain popular restaurants, Chef Mickey's, O"Hana's, Park Fare, Cinderellas Table, Akerhus and Le Cellier. I sense an old Disney pattern has begun and we will see more and more restrictions each year while the price continues to rise, with the result that it will become a discount in name only in the not too distant future.

 

[MissFitt]

I think I will purchase one this year -- there will be 4 adults and seven kids for a weeklong stay. I certainly think we will make good use of it with those numbers!

 

[wendybeth75]

we bought one last week. We came out $80 ahead (saved $180 altogether). I also loved that we could use it at Flame Tree!

 

[McCoy]

Hi,

I am curious if anyone could confirm a question I have about the Tables in Wonderland card. I am fairly sure I will be buying one this weekend. I understand that the rule is that the card holder must pay for the meal. However, on a future trip next month, there will be four of us staying in a suite, and the credit card for charging privileges will be in another party member's name (not related/different last name/etc.).

So, if we go to dinner, the TiW card is in my name, will it be a problem for me to charge the meal to our room, which would mean the other person in my party is paying for the meal in actuality? From what I have gathered, it would appear this shouldn't be a problem, but I was just hoping someone might be able to confirm.

Thank you in advance for any info!

McCoy

 

[erionm]

Hi,

I am curious if anyone could confirm a question I have about the Tables in Wonderland card. I am fairly sure I will be buying one this weekend. I understand that the rule is that the card holder must pay for the meal. However, on a future trip next month, there will be four of us staying in a suite, and the credit card for charging privileges will be in another party member's name (not related/different last name/etc.).

So, if we go to dinner, the TiW card is in my name, will it be a problem for me to charge the meal to our room, which would mean the other person in my party is paying for the meal in actuality? From what I have gathered, it would appear this shouldn't be a problem, but I was just hoping someone might be able to confirm.

Thank you in advance for any info!

McCoy

The restaurants don't know what name is on the CC on file with the resort for room charging.

 

[lawgator]

I think I will purchase one this year -- there will be 4 adults and seven kids for a weeklong stay. I certainly think we will make good use of it with those numbers!

Yes you should certainly save some money! I'm buying one tomorrow for the first time on the phone by calling the number at the Tables in Wonderland website, www.tablesinwonderland.com . We have a Victoria and Alberts reservation for May 25 (The TIW discount will only be honored at V & A until July 31). I guess basically the TIW discount will pay for the 20% tip that is added on there. They will mail it out to me for free and by purchasing tomorrow (May 1) it will be good until the end of June, 2015. The woman I spoke with on the phone last month from Tables in Wonderland said it would arrive in plenty of time for our May 25 ressie if I order tomorrow. I used my Target Red Card to buy 2, $50. Disney gift cards with a 5% discount, so should get it for $95. total. We have more Disney reservations for November, December, and January with family so will be able to benefit from it a lot. We'll buy a stack more of the Target Disney gift cards to use when we pay to make our savings 25% for meals and drinks which is pretty nice.

 

[McCoy]

The restaurants don't know what name is on the CC on file with the resort for room charging.

Thank you very much! Just wanted to confirm it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[gfyjny]

We're going to WDW in June and planning on getting TIW.
I was told that I can't buy now and would have to wait until I check in on our first day when we check in. Is this true? We would normally get DDP but going to try TIW this trip.

 

[erionm]

We're going to WDW in June and planning on getting TIW.
I was told that I can't buy now and would have to wait until I check in on our first day when we check in. Is this true? We would normally get DDP but going to try TIW this trip.

From the TiW website:

How to Purchase:

• If you are a Disney Vacation Club Member, visit any Guest Relations location at a Walt Disney World® Theme Park or Downtown Disney® area to purchase your Tables in Wonderland membership. Please present your Photo ID and your DVC Membership Card.
• If you are a Florida Resident or Annual / Seasonal Passholder, visit any Guest Relations location at a Walt Disney World® Theme Park or Downtown Disney® Area to purchase your Tables in Wonderland membership. Florida Residents and Annual / Seasonal Passholders may also purchase over the phone. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery when purchasing by phone.

http://tablesinwonderland.com/

 

[SuperRob]

Moreover, Disney is adding new restrictions effective Aug 2014, removing Victoria's and Albert's and designating a lot of new no use days for certain popular restaurants, Chef Mickey's, O"Hana's, Park Fare, Cinderellas Table, Akerhus and Le Cellier.

This is a real bummer. A single meal at V&A's easily paid for the card. And of course, we're going in SEPTEMBER, so we just miss being able to use it.

 

[Dee77]

Can anyone who has purchased the TIW card recently confirm that it is good until almost 13 months later? I read a different thread a while back saying it was now showing an expiration date 365 days from purchase. TIA

 

[DVC Jen]

can TIW be used on the Fantasmic dinner package at Mama Melrose or is it not covered because it is well the Fantasmic dinner package?

..nevermind found the answer to my own question. It can not. oh well

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We're going to WDW in June and planning on getting TIW.
I was told that I can't buy now and would have to wait until I check in on our first day when we check in. Is this true? We would normally get DDP but going to try TIW this trip.

This is true for DVC. To be honest, though, the ability for AP holders and Florida residents to buy it in advance isn't that great of a perk. Unlike a ticket voucher, the TIW cards that are issued by mail are active on the date Disney mails them. By the time you receive the card and arrive for your trip, you've used a significant portion of the card's effective dates.

Just plan your first table service meal for your trip at either Downtown Disney or one of the theme parks. That way, it's convenient to get the card on your way to the restaurant.

 

[DVC Jen]

Ugh this totally messes up my plans... unless..

We will be off site for 2 nights going to Universal. However one of those days we wil be in DTD. Can I purchase it while at DTD even though we don't check into our DVC resort until two days later?