Tables in Wonderland (TIW) Questions - wine, HDDR, etc.

[vinotinto]

I'm considering getting an AP for our next trip, and as part of the calculations, I'm trying to decide if purchasing a TIW would be beneficial.

Questions:
1. Wine by the bottle- I see there's a 20% discount including alcohol with TIW. Does that include bottles of wine? Are there any exclusions on the alcohol?

2. HDDR- I see that TIW is available for the last HDDR seating and AP discount is available for *any* time. Is it only specific seating categories? Since I would not have the AP or TIW when I make my HDDR reservation and would need to pay for the full price up front, would I then get reimbursed the day of the show? Or is it possible to get reimbursed by calling after I have the AP/TIW?

3. Restaurants not listed - I read somewhere that Maria and Enzo's now takes TIW. Are there any restaurants not listed officially that now take TIW or give a discount to AP?

TIA!

 

[HelenParr]

I'm considering getting an AP for our next trip, and as part of the calculations, I'm trying to decide if purchasing a TIW would be beneficial.

Questions:
1. Wine by the bottle- I see there's a 20% discount including alcohol with TIW. Does that include bottles of wine? Are there any exclusions on the alcohol?

2. HDDR- I see that TIW is available for the last HDDR seating and AP discount is available for *any* time. Is it only specific seating categories? Since I would not have the AP or TIW when I make my HDDR reservation and would need to pay for the full price up front, would I then get reimbursed the day of the show? Or is it possible to get reimbursed by calling after I have the AP/TIW?

3. Restaurants not listed - I read somewhere that Maria and Enzo's now takes TIW. Are there any restaurants not listed officially that now take TIW or give a discount to AP?

TIA!

I can help with some of this, based on recent, personal experience. And having TIW for years.

Wine: if you are at a restaurant that accepts TIW, the discount does apply to bottles of wine. I have not encountered an exception, which doesn’t mean there are not exceptions, but we’ve done a bottle of wine with TIW discount, dozens of times. Scores perhaps.. We also use it at Tune In lounge, Hollywood Derby lounge, Nomad lounge, Il Mulino lounge, and Crews’s Cup, on top of table service locations. It really does works for food and alcohol. We keep track to be sure it makes sense financially, and it always does. Obviously YMMV depending on number of trips and what you eat and drink.

Hoop Dee Doo: we always book online and then go to the window at the show on day-of and they are able to credit back the discount. I’ve tried by phone and it worked only one of three times, so I now just go to the window. It’s quick, almost never a line, and the CMs are well-versed in how TIW works. It takes less than 5 minutes. I am not sure about categories, but we always try for Cat-1 because we enjoy the floor (and like the show at 8:30, which works for TIW). I’ve never used AP discount at HDDR.

We have several times been given the discount at restauarants that are not listed. We always ask, and show both TIW and AP. If the place is not on the TIW list, I’m prepared to be told “sorry”.

 

[gharter]

We have APs and the TiW card. It really depends on where and what you eat as to whether it makes sense to have both.
In general, if you don't have an AP card, you need to spend $750 to break even. With and AP (due to the 10% discount at may restaurants, but not alcohol), the breakeven is closer to $1500.
For us, we go twice a year for a week each time and easily save money. But we like to go to the Signature restaurants, have wine with the meal and go to some of the lounges.
Depending on if you are driving, with TiW, you also get free Valet parking.