Tables In Wonderland vs DDP

[itutorfortravel]

We are going to do a split stay at WDW this summer. Some ppl mentioned on another thread that if we do this we should NOT do the dining plan. In the case of a split stay, do you think the Tables In Wonderland would be worth the money? We will be doing a sit down meal each day and will be at WDW for 8 nights. Thanks!

 

[auntfrannie]

I prefer the TiW over the dining plans.

* TiW gives you a discount on your alcoholic beverages
* Sometimes I prefer to order a couple of appetizers instead of an entrée; can't do that on the DDP
* Sometimes I don't want dessert
* TiW is good for a year so I can use it on return visits
* The DDP is just too much food

 

[lucyem]

It depends. You need to factor in the ages of your party, the types of sit down meals, how you eat etc. Some people do split stays and only get DDP for one part of the stay.

These days in general you will be better off with TIW, especially if you get a second trip out of it. But really it is best to run the numbers. Take a look at menus and figure out what you might eat etc.

We used to get TIW as DDP never worked out for us. Especially for the all the reasons the previous person mentioned. These days we eat at sit downs so little that even TIW does not work out.

 

[ljcrochet]

Look at the menus of the places you are thinking of eating at. Think about what you would order if using TIW vs DDP. Try to really think about it. Would you be happier just getting an app and a salad? Are you going to get an alcoholic drink?

Good think about a split stay is if you wanted you could do the DDP for only part of the trip.

DDP makes sense if you had young kids and would order the same thing. My girls will be 9 on our next trip. We are going with TIW. This way they can share an adult meal if they want to, not locked into kids meal. Also DH and I can share a dessert instead of each getting one.

 

[drusba]

The TIW costs $100 and is good for between 12 and 13 months, e.g, buy it in March and it is good until April 30 of the next year. You therefore need to spend at least $500 during that time to break even with the 20% discount.

For eight table service, dinner meals at WDW you are likely to spend more than $500 and thus get beyond the break even point. The discount applies to both meals and alcoholic beverages. DDP does not apply to alcoholic beverages. If you are doing only eight nights in a 13 month period, it will likely be a close issue whether TIW, with its break even point, is better than DDP, and DDP would probably win if you do not drink alcohol, but it really will depend on what restaurants and meals you actually intend to do with TIW or DDP. If you get to use TIW for two trips, it usually is the better bargain. Be aware that they automatically add an 18% tip at any table service and buffet meals for TIW, which 18% is based on the undiscounted price of the meal and drinks.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thx for the feedback!

We are going for 8 nights this summer and we typically do a sit down meal each day. We will likely do one signature restaurant during this time as well.

We are going to go back to Disney at the holidays and would try to go back again in the spring or early summer, hopefully early enough to use the TiW maybe even 3 times.

I didn't see a lot of quick service places on the list of restaurants. But would we get a discount with our AP's and DVC memberships on those types of eateries?

I like the fact that you can be flexible with what you order and that you can share desserts, etc. Sometimes with the meal plan I feel like I have to order everything it includes when I really don't need or want that much food. Also going in the summer I can see our not wanting to eat as heavy as we do on the winter trips...

Last question, how is payment handled? If we are staying onsite, does it just go on to our bill? Or do we have to pay at the restaurant for each individual meal? And can we use Disney gift cards to pay for our meals? I often get them at Target with my RedCard and Pharmacy discount so I would possibly be able to say even more that way

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Thx for the feedback!

We are going for 8 nights this summer and we typically do a sit down meal each day. We will likely do one signature restaurant during this time as well.

We are going to go back to Disney at the holidays and would try to go back again in the spring or early summer, hopefully early enough to use the TiW maybe even 3 times.

I didn't see a lot of quick service places on the list of restaurants. But would we get a discount with our AP's and DVC memberships on those types of eateries?

I like the fact that you can be flexible with what you order and that you can share desserts, etc. Sometimes with the meal plan I feel like I have to order everything it includes when I really don't need or want that much food. Also going in the summer I can see our not wanting to eat as heavy as we do on the winter trips...

Last question, how is payment handled? If we are staying onsite, does it just go on to our bill? Or do we have to pay at the restaurant for each individual meal? And can we use Disney gift cards to pay for our meals? I often get them at Target with my RedCard and Pharmacy discount so I would possibly be able to say even more that way

Thanks!

You pay MS up front when you add it. I'd look at the menu's anticipating for all 3 trips. There really are very few discounts with the TIW for non TS options. A split stay can be an advantage because you could get the DP for one and not for the other or even different plans. Remember there are other discounts like DVC & AP. Some of the TS have come off the TIW discounts as well. For most people I think it's going to depend on where any kids fall as to what's best. For "adults" only it'll likely be cheapest for nothing and just use other discounts or for TIW (esp with ETOH). With kids in the 3-9 it'll likely be best with the basic DP IF you get the more expensive items and if not, the TIW or nothing here as well.

For us either nothing or the deluxe plan is best but we're doing several signatures and usually 2 TS per day most trips. Plus we arrive in time for lunch and leave after lunch departure day.

 

[catherines_mama]

We have pre-teens and have found TIW to work best. We can share meals, can't on DDP, it takes discount off apps, so you can have an app for your meal, that doesn't work on DDP AND alcohol has a discount. . My 9 yr old also likes to eat more than boring "kids meals" so DDP doesn't work.

When paying the bill just hand them the TIW, tell them you have it before you order. They'll come back with updated check. You can pay with anything, cash, gift card or MB back to your room.

Easy WDW website lists every discount at every restaurant (AP, Visa holder, TIW) so you can plan ahead.

 

[Kebova1]

If your tips for 8 TS would be over $100 it's worth it , that only a 12.50 tip a meal.

 

[Dean]

If your tips for 8 TS would be over $100 it's worth it , that only a 12.50 tip a meal.

I don't think the TIW would generally affect the costs unless one altered their tips, I don't. Also, if there were other applicable discounts, it would raise the break even amount.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

My DH and I are doing a split stay in October. We are specifically doing the split stay just to use the DxDDP one last time. We are staying 2 nights at AKV and 2 nights at BLT. We are doing the DxDDP for the first 2 nights and no dining plan for the last 2 nights. We are spreading the credits out over 3 days, eating at 3 signatures each night. We usually eat a quick breakfast in the room, then snack or get a CS meal for lunch. At dinner, we like an appetizer, entrée, and dessert each, so the Deluxe plan is best for us, paying OOP for lunch. After doing some figuring, even though we are planning on only 2 TS meals during the second half of our trip I have found that the TIW will be best (rather than just paying OOP as I had planned--even with DVC discounts) since we will be going back for 3 nights next year with our teenage sons. We plan on eating at 1 TS location and 2 signatures then (including the expensive Shula's and Fulton's).

So we will be doing the DxDDP for the first half and the TIW for the second half and TIW only next year. You really just have to run the numbers. I had a crazy chart that I used to see all the combinations using the DxDDP, OOP with DVC discounts, and TIW for each part of this year's trip and next year's trip.

I think you just need to look at menus like I did and do some figuring to see what's the best plan. Good luck with your decision!

 

[ljcrochet]

I found a cool site yesterday http://www.distripplanner.com/ that lets you put in were you would eat and it compares no dining plan, to DDP and deluxeDDP. Also if you have too many meals it tells you which ones to pay OOP for.

 

[nalajms]

You can use both. If you order anything outside of the DDP at a TS, the TIW will take 20% off. Our next trip, we'll be getting the QS plan and using TIW for TS for the first 2 days. It works out for us because we have little ones. Plus it's F&G at Epcot, and I already have a list of snacks I want to try, most of them are $5+.

 

[OKW Lover]

I prefer the TiW over the dining plans.

* TiW gives you a discount on your alcoholic beverages
* Sometimes I prefer to order a couple of appetizers instead of an entrée; can't do that on the DDP
* Sometimes I don't want dessert
* TiW is good for a year so I can use it on return visits
* The DDP is just too much food

Great points.

That really sums it up for Val & I