Tables in Wonderland worth it?

[SuperRob]

Currently trying to figure out how to keep costs down for our trip in September, and I'm budgeting as if we'll do the dining plan. I figure that's as good a way to budget as any, so we have some money saved up.

Tables in Wonderland looks pretty compelling, but I already get a 10-20% discount in a lot of places as either DVC Member or Disney Visa cardholder. By my estimate, I'd have to spend at least $1000 on food & beverages just to pay back the $100 cost of Tables in Wonderland.

Is there something I'm missing? Just trying to figure out if we should factor the cost of that into our budgeting. If they weren't taking the V&A discount away before we take our trip, it would be a no-brainer, but now it's really hard to tell. The discount on alcohol is nice, but my wife rarely drinks, and I only slightly more.

Has anyone in a similar situation run the numbers to see which works better for them?

 

[heynowirv]

Rob,
if you spend 500.00 you get your money back. It also includes alcohol if you you enjoy spirits.No other discount ,at least not DVC or Ap's include alcohol that i know of.
Last week my wife and i spent 5 nights at WDW. Our meals were California Grill- Approx 200.00 .Victoria &Alberts -almost 500.00,Monday we ate leftovers,,,yum.And our last night Via Napoli-Pizza ,Sangria-60.00,and a few others drinks and snacks that also were TIW discounted, also another 50.00=
About 800.00 right there we got 160.00 in discounts. And that was just this 1 quick trip.Also keep in mind that not everywhere you eat will give you a DVC discount.
So yes IMHO it's well worth it.

 

[rkold]

We also really like TiW, much more so than the 2 dinning plans we've tried. My Mom, who often travels with me, really enjoys having an alcoholic beverage with dinner. We also like the freedom to skip dessert and order an appetizer instead, or to just let DD eat off our plates rather than ordering a full meal for her. We're also all vegetarian, and if you look at the menus, you quickly see the vegetarian options tend to be the cheapest main courses on the menu. Even with character meals, it became hard to justify the ~$55 per person per day for a meal plan.

TiW also gives discounts pretty much every sit down restaurant and many quick service at AK. I have the Visa (and plan to renew my AP as well) and from what I remember neither give discounts at character meals or California Grill. In our case, we tend to do at least 2 character meals per trip. We also tend to go to WDW 2-3 times a year, so TiW works for 2-3 trips, vs a meal plan which needs to be bought for each trip.

 

[disneynutz]

Currently trying to figure out how to keep costs down for our trip in September, and I'm budgeting as if we'll do the dining plan. I figure that's as good a way to budget as any, so we have some money saved up.

Tables in Wonderland looks pretty compelling, but I already get a 10-20% discount in a lot of places as either DVC Member or Disney Visa cardholder. By my estimate, I'd have to spend at least $1000 on food & beverages just to pay back the $100 cost of Tables in Wonderland.

Is there something I'm missing? Just trying to figure out if we should factor the cost of that into our budgeting. If they weren't taking the V&A discount away before we take our trip, it would be a no-brainer, but now it's really hard to tell. The discount on alcohol is nice, but my wife rarely drinks, and I only slightly more.

Has anyone in a similar situation run the numbers to see which works better for them?

Until you plan your eats, check prices and compare discounts, you won't know.

Bill

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The TiW can be purchased by Florida Residents, DVC Members, and Annual Passholders. It gives a 20% discount on food and beverages (including alcoholic) at most tables service and some quick services location on WDW for up to ten people at a time. When you purchase it, the card is valid for the remainder of the current month plus 13 full months.

Here is a working example, using $100.00 as the original bill to make the math show up easily. Note this is for Table Service. At Counter Service there is no gratuity added.

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*20.00 - Discount
*80.00 - Subtotal
*18.00 - Gratuity Added based on $100
**5.20 - Sales Tax on $80
103.20 - Final amount charged, takes into consideration discount, gratuity and tax.

Without TiW Discount (and still figuring 18% Gratuity)

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*18.00 - Gratuity
**6.50 - Sales Tax on $100
124.50 - Total

$21.30 - Savings using TiW Card.

(Note - At Victoria and Albert's the added gratuity is 20% instead of 18%.)
* Ignore the asterisks; they are there only so the columns/numbers line up properly.

For the complete list of locations and the rules, go to www.tablesinwonderland.com which is the Official Disney site.

Based on the current pricing, the following is the break-even point for menu pricing (assuming you will routinely give an 18% tip):
AP Holder or DVC Member ($100) is $469.48
Resident (not AP holder) ($125) is $586.85
If you also add a Spouse Card ($50), add an additional $234.74
The three amounts above take into consideration that the Sales Tax is also discounted.

 

[luv2sleep]

We eat mostly at quick service locations and hand no alcohol. It's just me and a child. Is it worth it for us?

 

[OKW Lover]

We eat mostly at quick service locations and hand no alcohol. It's just me and a child. Is it worth it for us?

Probably not. TiW is only valid at TS restaurants unless the park/resort doesn't have a TS restaurant. In reality that means that it would only be good for you at AK and the value resorts.

 

[Sur]

Try this out, it helped us figure it out. We were intending to go to Victoria and Alberts during the second use of TiW next year, but the discount was discontinued, so it became not worth the hassle (especially since we have other discounts with annual pass and DVC owners):

http://seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon#!dining-plan-calculator/cxc0

Just fill out the spots in the excel sheet and it gives a great estimate of your costs in various ways (TiW discount, Disney dining plan, out of pocket, etc. ).

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Yes, it is worth it. We get one ever other year and always get more than our moneys worth, we get at minimum 2 trips per year on one TIW card. We usually tip 20% so if nothing else it saves us the tip.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes, it is worth it. We get one ever other year and always get more than our moneys worth, we get at minimum 2 trips per year on one TIW card. We usually tip 20% so if nothing else it saves us the tip.

Be aware that if you want to tip more than 18% you can always add additional gratuity when making a card payment.

 

[OKW Lover]

Be aware that if you want to tip more than 18% you can always add additional gratuity when making a card payment.

Or just leave additional cash.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Currently trying to figure out how to keep costs down for our trip in September, and I'm budgeting as if we'll do the dining plan. I figure that's as good a way to budget as any, so we have some money saved up.

Tables in Wonderland looks pretty compelling, but I already get a 10-20% discount in a lot of places as either DVC Member or Disney Visa cardholder. By my estimate, I'd have to spend at least $1000 on food & beverages just to pay back the $100 cost of Tables in Wonderland.

Is there something I'm missing? Just trying to figure out if we should factor the cost of that into our budgeting. If they weren't taking the V&A discount away before we take our trip, it would be a no-brainer, but now it's really hard to tell. The discount on alcohol is nice, but my wife rarely drinks, and I only slightly more.

Has anyone in a similar situation run the numbers to see which works better for them?

The DVC discounts are fairly limited, with the 20% options at fewer than 5 restaurants and almost exclusively at lunch. The Disney Visa discounts are even more limited, with the only Epcot restaurant being Biergarten. I think your $1000 spending estimate may be a little inflated. The TIW has only a few excluded locations (Y&Y being one of our regular stopping places with no TIW discount). TIW also includes adult beverages, which we take advantage of at virtually every TS. You can also use the TIW at the lounges at the various DVC resorts, which is nice if you want to have a nightcap back at the resort.

The real saving with TIW comes when you can get more than one trip out of one card. We generally get 16-20 days use out of one card, which easily makes it the best discount option for my family. Keep in mind that the TIW currently expires about 13 months after the date of purchase. We bought our last one on 7/18/2013 and it expires 8/31/13. That gives us plenty of time to get value out of the card, since we are planning a visit in late July 2014.

I am a little bummed that V&A is ending in August. We have never dined there, and it does not look like it will work out for our July trip.

 

[CaptHomer]

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*20.00 - Discount
*80.00 - Subtotal
*18.00 - Gratuity Added based on $100
**5.20 - Sales Tax on $80
103.20 - Final amount charged, takes into consideration discount, gratuity and tax.

Without TiW Discount (and still figuring 18% Gratuity)

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*18.00 - Gratuity
**6.50 - Sales Tax on $100
124.50 - Total

$21.30 - Savings using TiW Card.

Based on the current pricing, the following is the break-even point for menu pricing (assuming you will routinely give an 18% tip):
AP Holder or DVC Member ($100) is $469.48
Resident (not AP holder) ($125) is $586.85
If you also add a Spouse Card ($50), add an additional $234.74
The three amounts above take into consideration that the Sales Tax is also discounted.

Chesire, I always looked at it as a $100/20% = $500 break even. I never thought of it saving 20% of the tax. It is really a 21.3% savings. Thanks for pointing that out.
You have great information and knowledge as always.

 

[luckyman_apd]

We found it VERY worth it. I took my wife to Victoria & Alberts for our anniversary. That meal alone the card paid for itself. That is why after next August, Victoria & Albers will no longer be a TIW participant. That trip we stayed at SSR at the card is good for food at the Artist Palate as well....Really a QS type meal, but we were able to use the discount. We've used it TOWL and Rose & Crown pub at Epcot. You cant use it for drinks at the kiosks around the world at Epcot, but if you go in to the Rose & Crown, it works. It has easily saved me double what I paid for it, and we have a 10 day trip next summer to use it. But each person is different and everyones spending habbits ar different. You must do the math for your own preferences to truly decide if it's worth it.

 

[SuperRob]

The reason why I said $1000 in spending to make up the difference was the assumption that we would only eat at places with a DVC/Visa discount otherwise. So we're really only saving an additional 10% over those rates, which we have to pay $100 to do.

Unfortunately, with our piddly number of points, this will be our only trip to WDW until 2016 for our 5th Anniversary, so we can't spread out the savings to two trips. We'll likely only have park entry for five of our eight days, too, so it's looking less and less like TIW would save us enough to make it worth while. Thanks everyone for their feedback, though!

 

[bumbershoot]

The reason why I said $1000 in spending to make up the difference was the assumption that we would only eat at places with a DVC/Visa discount otherwise. So we're really only saving an additional 10% over those rates, which we have to pay $100 to do.

But is that how you are planning your trip? WILL you ONLY eat at the places where you have the DVC or Visa discounts?

http://allears.net/pl/disc_dining.pdf

When I look at the restaurants where we normally eat, the DVC and AP discounts (not including Visa because we only have the debit, and I'm going ot get my rewards for our non-Chase CC or just use giftcards) barely cover them. The TIW discount does. So we go with TIW. For the few that overlap, I just ignore them, not worth my time.


QS restaurants included in the TIW:

Value resort foodcourts including the great one at AOA
Sassagoula Floatworks at POFQ (beignets, anyone?)
Artist's Palate at Saratoga Springs
QS at Animal Kingdom PARK


Also usable at lounges, so if you go to Territory Lounge and have a beer and share some fondue, you can use the card. Tasty treat.


From the Disney Visa site:

Just use your Disney Visa® Card or Disney Rewards® Redemption Card at the locations below and mention this offer to receive the discount.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge:

Jiko (see restrictions)
Sanaa

Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort:

ESPN Sports Club
Flying Fish Cafe (see restrictions)
Kouzzina by Cat Cora

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:

Shutters at Old Port Royale

Disney's Contemporary Resort:

The Wave

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground:

Trail's End Restaurant

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort:

Citricos
Grand Floridian Café

Disney's Old Key West Resort:

Olivia's Cafe

Disney's Port Orleans Resort:

Boatwright's Dining Hall

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:

The Turf Club Bar and Grill

Disney's Wilderness Lodge:

Artist Point (see restrictions)
Whispering Canyon Cafe

Disney's Yacht Club Resort:

Captain's Grille

Disney's Hollywood Studios®:

The Hollywood Brown Derby
Hollywood & Vine

Epcot®:

Biergarten Restaurant

 

[lucyem]

Really you have to run numbers and look at how your family eats.

We eat less and less TS, if we eat on property at all and we are not big alcohol drinkers. The last two years TIW has not been worth it for us. But this year with the PAP, having a studio, and three trips scheduled we bought one again. We ate four TS meals and 2 CS meals that took TIW. There are 4 of us, 2 adults/1 disney adult child who eats like a bird/1 child. We had another adult for 1 meal. We easily broke even before the last day.

 

[georgeat]

And if you are going to WDW during the holiday season TIW has four black out dates 12/24 12/25 12/31 and 1/1. Sometimes that can make the card less useful. (although I have used one for the last 6 years at Christmas time)

 

[mouse]

We have been purchasing the TIW card for years. We just purchased a new one a few weeks ago & were warned that, beginning next year, there are going to be more block out dates around busy times. The CM wanted to make it very clear that we know about these changes. Just something else to keep in mind. I remember when the cards(formerly known as DDE) were only $50.

 

[nezy]

Can you charge it to your room with the MB or would you need to use a credt card or just show ID when using the TiW car? Website seems to repeatedly mention ID and user must be present-not an issue just wondering about actual use process.