Tables in Wonderland worth it?

[wisbucky]

On the subject if TIW is worth it I am debating on that as well. DH and I travel to Disney 3-4 times a year also. We eat out at table service approx. 3 times during our trips. We normally only save between $6-$10 each time. So that is at the most $30 each time but I dont think we really save that much each trip. I have feeling we break just about even. With the price having been $60 I thought confidant that we were at least breaking even and maybe even saving more. But now that the price is raised to $75 I have to seriously give it more thought. I also noticed that the 20% does not come off of drinks just the plate we order. With that said our renew time is up and with our October trip coming up I am not sure we will renew. DH thinks we are better off just eating in our rooms and bypassing Disney dinners.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Do you need to pre-order it and then pick it up when come down there, or can I just walk up to the booth outside MK when I get there and purchase it with my annual pass (which I also need to get at some point!).

Forgive me for also hijacking this thread, but it seems there are people "in the know" here who can help me out! This will be my first time with an AP and first time with TIW, and I'm trying to figure out how to go about getting both of them, I want to maximize how long they're valid for.

We are arriving for our visit to Bay Lake Tower on October 29. If anyone can help me out, I'd appreciate it!

I am fairly certain that you can walk up and buy both of these things simultaneously, but for your confidence in the situation, it might be better to order both ahead of time. If I am not mistaken (and somebody correct me if I am), when you order an AP you actually receive a voucher in the mail that you take to Guest Services when you arrive. They activate it and give you your actual AP on that date. So I think you could order the AP voucher and the TIW ahead of time, and then go with your voucher and TIW confirmation number and get both cards on the same day when you arrive. Having it all arranged and paid for ahead of time might be nice, so all you have to do is pick up when you arrive.

One thing I've noticed, and I'm not sure why this is, but they seem to give you a longer time on your TIW card than they do on your AP. Maybe other guests can tell their experiences, but the TIW expiration date almost seems random to me. Once when we got one it was good for 13 months, and this time it is good for almost 14 months.

 

[vicki_c]

I also noticed that the 20% does not come off of drinks just the plate we order.

Alcoholic drinks are definitely included in the TiW discount, so I think your statement is incorrect.

If you use the TiW, EVERYTHING on your bill is discounted 20% at participating locations. The tip is based on your non-discounted amount though.

 

[wisbucky]

Alcoholic drinks are definitely included in the TiW discount, so I think your statement is incorrect.

If you use the TiW, EVERYTHING on your bill is discounted 20% at participating locations. The tip is based on your non-discounted amount though.

I have four receipts in front of me and the coke and ice tea were not included. Only the plate. Total bill before tax was $42.98. Total discount was $7. It shows it on the receipt that the plate of food is discounted not the drinks. If it were all included the total discount would of been $8.60.

 

[CharmedLife]

I have four receipts in front of me and the coke and ice tea were not included. Only the plate. Total bill before tax was $42.98. Total discount was $7. It shows it on the receipt that the plate of food is discounted not the drinks. If it were all included the total discount would of been $8.60.

Hmmm, I definitely need to figure this out before making this decision. The alcohol being included is the selling point for us and if it's not we may need to make a different plan. We've done a lot of comparison between doing the DDP and the TIW and that was a key difference in our savings. Not that we're planning on bingeing or anything, but even having one drink with dinner adds up with 4 adults so the 20% discount resulted in a big savings for us.

Nice to hear from a fellow Badger!

 

[CharmedLife]

I am fairly certain that you can walk up and buy both of these things simultaneously, but for your confidence in the situation, it might be better to order both ahead of time.

Do you know where I order them from? Can Member Services do that for me?

 

[3guysandagal]

I have four receipts in front of me and the coke and ice tea were not included. Only the plate. Total bill before tax was $42.98. Total discount was $7. It shows it on the receipt that the plate of food is discounted not the drinks. If it were all included the total discount would of been $8.60.

We used ours in May and (alcoholic) drinks were DEFINATELY included, and the discount actually shown on a seperate line.
Why they were not included on yours, especially Coke and Ice Tea, I do not know.
What I did notice, at the Rose and Crown at least, was that the discount was WRONG on our bill (too little).
I brought this up to the manager, she went back and ran it again, and it was again wrong.
She then credited us a dessert to bring the bill down to what the price should have been, and the discount still read the same $$, but was now about 21%.
She could not give me an answer as to why it happened, and apologized for the miscalculation, but did try to remedy it at least.

READ YOUR RECEIPT AND DO THE MATH!!!

Oh, and we bought our AP's and TIW card all at once at the MK booth on our first day, but our expiry was exactly 12 months away.

 

[CharmedLife]

We used ours in May and (alcoholic) drinks were DEFINATELY included, and the discount actually shown on a seperate line.
Why they were not included on yours, especially Coke and Ice Tea, I do not know.
What I did notice, at the Rose and Crown at least, was that the discount was WRONG on our bill (too little).
I brought this up to the manager, she went back and ran it again, and it was again wrong.
She then credited us a dessert to bring the bill down to what the price should have been, and the discount still read the same $$, but was now about 21%.
She could not give me an answer as to why it happened, and apologized for the miscalculation, but did try to remedy it at least.

READ YOUR RECEIPT AND DO THE MATH!!!

Oh, and we bought our AP's and TIW card all at once at the MK booth on our first day, but our expiry was exactly 12 months away.

Thanks so much for that verification. Sounds like I need to make sure the bill is right! I'll definitely be going forward with getting the card on this trip, we're trying it for the first time. Thanks again!

 

[Marshay]

We used ours in May and (alcoholic) drinks were DEFINATELY included, and the discount actually shown on a seperate line.
Why they were not included on yours, especially Coke and Ice Tea, I do not know.
What I did notice, at the Rose and Crown at least, was that the discount was WRONG on our bill (too little).
I brought this up to the manager, she went back and ran it again, and it was again wrong.
She then credited us a dessert to bring the bill down to what the price should have been, and the discount still read the same $$, but was now about 21%.
She could not give me an answer as to why it happened, and apologized for the miscalculation, but did try to remedy it at least.

READ YOUR RECEIPT AND DO THE MATH!!!

Oh, and we bought our AP's and TIW card all at once at the MK booth on our first day, but our expiry was exactly 12 months away.

Hey, 3Guys!!

Did you guys order non-alcoholic drinks? Just wondering if there is a funny thing like only alcoholic drinks are discounted...

We're considering the TIW for our 2010/2011 trips.

 

[mjfox]

Thanks, we eat ~ 3 times per trip. so..........

3x3=9x an average of $10 per meal = $90 so save ~ $15. Worth it? I have to think about it. We do get discounts with DVC and annual pass. Right now I'm thinking not.

Beth

TIW is for table service meals. Where do you go for 3 people and a bill of just $50? ($10 savings) I have a bill of at least $65.00 with out desert or drinks (mixed).

 

[palhockeymomof2]

we love it..works great for us since we will be using it for 3 trips- 4-6 adults on each trip

 

[vicki_c]

TIW is for table service meals. Where do you go for 3 people and a bill of just $50? ($10 savings) I have a bill of at least $65.00 with out desert or drinks (mixed).

I believe Kendallkat has 2 people. She was doing 3 trips x 3 meals per trip = 9 x $10 savings per meal = $90.

 

[tecodis]

I would have to say "no" in my dining habits. I have the card but usually only use it two or three times during a visit. I've never really calculated it but I feel that by the time the automatic gratuity gets added, I don't come out much ahead from the annual membership fee. Mine expires in November but I really don't think I will be renewing since the price went up. The program has really taken a turn down for it's value since they changed to automatic gratuity.

I had an issue that pretty much sealed my non-renewal...

I dined at the Plaza Restaurant at the MK a few weeks ago. Before the check came, I realized I left my TIW card in the room. I decided to go to MK Guest Services to see if I could get a replacement or temporary card. After speaking to the front line CM and then a Manager, I was pretty much told that I had to pay the $50 "additional card" fee to get one. I was outraged! I can't believe if you loose your card they are going to charge you $50!!

It was lamely explained to me as being due to the fact that the servers don't scan it and anyone could just present it for a discount. I told them it seemed easily rectified by simply implementing a work policy having servers verify the name on the TIW card with an ID or credit card when presented. Anyway, the mgr said the only thing he could do is charge me for the card and then refund it if I presented the original card. I told him it wasn't worth the hassle.

My thought...I'm a passholder, a DVC member, TIW member and very frequent visitor. For that loyalty, they want to charge me that much just for a replacement card? Not very good loyal customer service in my mind.

 

[Marshay]

I've never really calculated it but I feel that by the time the automatic gratuity gets added, I don't come out much ahead from the annual membership fee.

I'm not trying to argue...just trying to understand your comment above.

So there is an 18% automatic gratuity added on to any meals using TIW, right? And this is 18% before the discount.

The places you normally use TIW are Table Service (although I know there are a few CS) and you would normally tip there anyway so I'm unclear how this would be an extra cost than if you didn't have the TIW.

We normally tip 20% when we go to a restaurant, so we'd actually be saving money if they only charge us 18%.

Have I missed something?

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm not trying to argue...just trying to understand your comment above.

So there is an 18% automatic gratuity added on to any meals using TIW, right? And this is 18% before the discount.

The places you normally use TIW are Table Service (although I know there are a few CS) and you would normally tip there anyway so I'm unclear how this would be an extra cost than if you didn't have the TIW.

We normally tip 20% when we go to a restaurant, so we'd actually be saving money if they only charge us 18%.

Have I missed something?

You haven't missed a thing, your logic is exactly correct. Unless, of course, the person who doesn't like the automatic tip wouldn't have tipped anything at all without being forced into it.

We have had the DDE/TIW card for several years and LOVE it. We eat TS every night and most lunches, too. We save a LOT with this card.

 

[Tara]

it. I've never really calculated it but I feel that by the time the automatic gratuity gets added, I don't come out much ahead from the annual membership fee. Mine expires in November but I really don't think I will be renewing since the price went up. The program has really taken a turn down for it's value since they changed to automatic gratuity.

Um...you don't tip at restaurants anyway???

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We are purchasing the TIW card for our upcoming trip, we figure with 6 of us dining we will save $12-15 per meal and that is not including if we buy alcohol. We have decided to forgo the dining plan and use this instead. We have two of our children considered adults, who will never eat $40.00 per day in food.

So I figure we will break even after 4-5 TS meals. We will also use it in Oct. when we are there.

 

[Marshay]

You haven't missed a thing, your logic is exactly correct. Unless, of course, the person who doesn't like the automatic tip wouldn't have tipped anything at all without being forced into it.

We have had the DDE/TIW card for several years and LOVE it. We eat TS every night and most lunches, too. We save a LOT with this card.

Got it!

 

[flipflopmom]

Great thread, we are also considering this for our first DVC trip, as our 10 year old that eats like a bird would be charged way toooo much for what she would eat, plus we like to do a character/buffet breakfast and a TS dinner most nights... Along those lines, does anyone know if Disney allows children over 10 to order from the kids menu???? Otherwise, I think we can order an appetizer or a salad for her in most places instead of an adult meal that she won't eat!

 

[twinklebug]

Just did the TIW card this last stay and I was impressed right off with how much it really saved me. 3 meals out: Crystal Palace ($18), Rose & Crown ($12) and Tepan Edo. Bad news, Tepan Edo wasn't a participant... but saved another $5 on Flame Tree BBQ (CS) and we'll be back in Feb. & again in June of '10.

The card gives you the freedom to eat where you want when you want & not worry about those dining credits you see people all over WDW dealing with, as well as the unfortunate servers who have to inform the guests that they don't have the credits available to them they think they do.