Tables in Wonderland or Dining Plan?

[Pirates4me]

I would appreciate any thoughts on the Tables in Wonderland versus the Dining plan. Good, bad or indifferent.

 

[TDC Nala]

No one answer fits everybody.

Do you make several trips a year, eat mostly at table service, prefer to order outside the course designations (such as, you like to have two appetizers and no dessert) and purchase adult beverages? If so, TIW would probably be best.

If you're doing one trip, like to eat at counter service just as much as table service, don't purchase adult beverages or buy them sparingly, always or almost always order dessert, and like the idea of having most or all of your meals prepaid, a dining plan is for you.

Travelers over major holidays may prefer the dining plan - TIW has blackouts on major holidays and is still subject to the holiday surcharges on buffets.

 

[Uno Mas]

We prefer TIW because the adult beverages are discounted and that's a big deal for us. Plus, we hate to make ADRs and be tied down by where we have to be to eat every day - we don't eat nearly as much as is available through the dining plan and prefer to play it by ear. We've never had a problem finding a table that way - we just know that we are not going to be able to eat at "exact meal times" and that's better anyway, we like to play it by ear.

 

[amyngary]

I'll be watching this thread for words of wisdom since I too need to make that decision soon. I am planning to do the math sometime, but was hoping someone could give us a rule of thumb

Thanks for asking!

 

[GazerBeam]

I have been happier with DDE/TiW. We've had multiple trips per year, so we already had the AP. The $60 or $75 for DDE/TiW isn't terribly expensive. If you had to pay extra for an AP that you were only going to use over a one week trip, then it might not make as much sense. (unless you're a FL resident).

The nicest thing about it is the flexibility. You don't worry about what to order to maximize value. You order what you want. Don't want dessert, that is fine, no loss, or order one to share. We also don't feel obligated to have CS meals if we aren't in the mood. DDE/TiW doesn't cover (many) of these, so we're more likely to order one meal and share it, or just snack through out the day.

It doesn't hurt that it covers (alcoholic) drinks as well.

GB

 

[Rip]

Unfortunately, there really is no rule of thumb. In some cases TIW works out better, in other cases, the DDP. However, if you run the numbers from your own habits and the DDP comes out ahead - you can buy TIW and use it for anything at the TS meals not covered. This tends to be what we do, as we're more apt to get an appetizer and split an entree, plus we're both drinkers. We get more TS meals this way with the DDP, and still get our 20% off on drinks.

 

[snykymom]

I found a major benefit to TiW over the DDP this last trip - I got sick for my last two days. Just a cold, but it affected my appetite. I appreciated that I didn't feel obligated to go to a restaurant, and I wasn't concerned that I'd "wasted" the money I prepaid for meals I couldn't eat.

Just a thought.

 

[Faldred]

On the whole, I would tend to lean toward TiW (if you qualify) over DDP. With caveats.

With TiW, there's a lot more flexibility involved -- you don't have to use a set number of a certain type of meals, feel like you have to order top-end items and desserts every time just to get to the most value. And if you like an adult beverage with dinner, TiW covers that, too.

The drawbacks are that you would need to use the card enough over the period that it is valid to make it worth the up-front cost, and that some DDP locations don't take TiW (but then again, the reverse is also true). TDC Nala also mentioned the blackout periods, which can be an issue depending on when you're traveling.

All else being equal, the only reason to choose DDP or DxDP over TiW is if the dining plan exactly (or at least, really, really closely) matches the way you really want to be ordering.

 

[Crystal_27]

I'm having the same internal debate about whether or not to get the TIW or DxDDP for our Christmas, 2010 trip. We'll be at the parks for 14 days, and I've been able to allocate all of my credits in my pre-planning. However, the total for the DxDDP would come to somewhere around $2,300 for the three of us, and I just wonder if we would come close to that using the TIW card, especially since we'll likely be visiting Universal for a couple days during the trip (although I'm planning on eating dinner at Disney even on our Universal days). Still, I do like the convenience of having the DDP and I love being able to order dessert with every meal. Plus, there are no black-out days, undesirable times for dinner shows, or surchages on the DDP like there are on the TIW. I seem to go back and forth constantly, but at least I have over a year to make a decision.

 

[Pakey]

For my husband and I, we much prefer the TIW.

1. Discounts on alcohol. Big deal to us since we like to split a bottle of wine with our nicer dinners.

2. Pays for itself quickly if you dine at Victoria & Alberts, which we try to go to every trip.

3. We are not locked into the appetizer/entree/dessert routine when we eat. Sometimes I just want an appetizer, or maybe we will split one appetizer and then I'll order another for my entree.

4. We are not huge fans of the desserts offered at WDW and every meal plan provides them.

5. Our most recent trip, we took our children and their families, 11 of us total and got the Dining Plan for everyone to make it easier since we would not always be dining together. We wasted so many credits because 3 of the party got very ill and didn't eat for 2 days. There is no savings on the Dining Plan if you have reasons to miss those prepaid meals.

We have done Deluxe Plan twice and Regular Plan once. We have found the TIW works best for how we dine.

 

[disneystick]

I was trying to figure this out myself. So I printed out the menus from all the places we would like to eat at and pretend ordering. The DDP always comes out saving us money...but then we also have the TiW card and we use that to pay for what is not on the dining plan that we like to add on...couple of drinks or app. here and there. But then again we really like our sit down meals. So we use both at the same time.

 

[Pirates4me]

Thanks for all the great responses. Still p in the air on what to do. Here is our scenario.

Family of four, me, DW, 12 yeaar old DD and 2 year old DS. I love the TS meals, usually order what I like and hardly ever have an adult beverage. I am not a big fan of CS meals and love to have a nice breakfast. DW also likes a nice TS meal, enjoys a glass of wine and we usually split a dessert. Appetizers sometimes but not always. DD doesn't like anything but chicken nuggets and fries and the DS eats well but how much can a two year old really eat. DW has already mafe all of our dining reservations for our upcoming trip in November. We have used the DDP plan before and liked it but I am hesitant to do spend the money when I don't think its worth it for the kids. I'm leaning towards the TIW despite the up front cost. Again any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tractortippin]

I know there is a list of places on the DDP...is there a list of places that you are able to use TIW?

If there is a list and someone can tell me where to find it that would be great!

 

[patsal]

I know there is a list of places on the DDP...is there a list of places that you are able to use TIW?

If there is a list and someone can tell me where to find it that would be great!

Pretty much it is all Disney owned restaurants that are full service, CS at AK and CS at the food courts of resorts that do not have a TS location. I do know that it does not include Teppan Edo.