tables in wonderland

[spiceycat]

though this was $80 last year,

the AP site is saying it is now $75.

so did they lower the price because not enough ap owners were buying it?

it is definitely better than $80 - but still $5 above my budget for it.

 

[RobDoc]

It was $75 last fall when we renewed our TIW card. I have not heard of any further increase yet. Prior to the $75 fee, it was $60. It is still lower than the rate for FL residents though.

 

[toniosmom]

Is it really worth buying this card? I haven't considered it in the past because we cook a lot in the villa, but we're staying in a studio for 10 days next year and I'm thinking it might be a good idea.

How much is the discount at the restaurants?

 

[erionm]

Is it really worth buying this card? I haven't considered it in the past because we cook a lot in the villa, but we're staying in a studio for 10 days next year and I'm thinking it might be a good idea.

How much is the discount at the restaurants?

The discount is 20% on food and alcohol. You get the discount at most table service locations and a few counter service locations. They will add an 18% gratutity at all table service locations. The break even amount is $375 in dining and alcohol.

 

[RobDoc]

The TIW discount is 20% and even includes alcoholic beverages. With the cost at $75, your break even point is at $375. you can use it for everyone in your party up to 10 guests. For a 10 day trip you should be able to get some benefit.

 

[JimC]

Other important considerations:

TIW gets you invited to some really unique dining opportunities (although they are often pricey).

TIW is not valid on Mothers Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The selection of restaurants is quite impressive, but not universal. There are locations that the AP or DVC discount is the better or only option, although it is a very small list where this is true.

 

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

Other important considerations:

TIW gets you invited to some really unique dining opportunities (although they are often pricey).

TIW is not valid on Mothers Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The selection of restaurants is quite impressive, but not universal. There are locations that the AP or DVC discount is the better or only option, although it is a very small list where this is true.

So at Christmas time, the only black out dates would be 12/24 and 12/25 (and 1/1 if someone was staying that long)?

We had this one year and it was a great deal, but we were able to go to Disney 2x that year. I'm not sure how good of a deal it would be for us unless our 2011 trip was in November as we don't have APs right now (but could get them in Dec this year when we go)...sorry - thinking outloud, lol...

 

[Muhlenberg]

For those who are wondering if it's a good deal... It's a good deal IF you normally eat at table service restaurants. Breakeven is $375, and we usually achieve that after a couple nights, depending on who's with us. This card is good for at least 13 months (expiration date is usually the end of a month, I think), and I've gotten 3 trips out of one already. It suits our needs better than the dining plan.

 

[n2mm]

Yes, $75 last year. The first year they offered it it was $50 because we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of DL.

If you go often it is worth it. My card expires in June, but we have used it on 10 trips this time. Each trip was 7 to 14 days long and the parties were anywhere from 2 of us to 12 of us, so I got my use out of it. I will buy another one for my late September trip as I have 5-6 trips planned during the life of that card.

 

[jdg345]

Yes, $75 last year. The first year they offered it it was $50 because we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of DL.

If you go often it is worth it. My card expires in June, but we have used it on 10 trips this time. Each trip was 7 to 14 days long and the parties were anywhere from 2 of us to 12 of us, so I go my use out of it. I will buy another one for my late September trip as I have 5-6 trips planned during the life of that card.

In case you were wondering, I am available for adoption.

 

[LSchrow]

In case you were wondering, I am available for adoption.

ditto
10 trips with an average of 10 days each would be about 3 months of vacation
10 trips of 14 days each equates to almost five months of vacation - there isn't even a smilie for the amount of happiness just that thought brings!!!

ahhhh, well......hard work builds character, so i guess i'll just remain a character instead of totally blissful for five months a year

 

[n2mm]

ditto
10 trips with an average of 10 days each would be about 3 months of vacation
10 trips of 14 days each equates to almost five months of vacation - there isn't even a smilie for the amount of happiness just that thought brings!!!

ahhhh, well......hard work builds character, so i guess i'll just remain a character instead of totally blissful for five months a year

Not really 5 months, though it sounds nice -- looks like 11 weeks on my last TiW card. I actually counted and I used my last TiW card for only 8 trips (not 10 as I counted wrong). We are cutting back in 2011, so only doing longer trips less times to save on airfare. So we are looking at 10 day in January, 14 in May, and 14 in October. Some family members have bets whether I stick to this plan, though it doesn't take too much for me to be swayed. (I'm actually trying to save some of my DVC points as we are planning on going the entire month of January in 2012, but still have to save some points for my 2 weeks in May and 2 weeks in October.)

I got my TiW card in May 2009

May 2009 (14 days) party of 6
July 2009 (7 days) party of 2
August 2009 (7 days) party of 10
October 2009 (7 days) party of 6
December (WDW & Cruise)(9 days) party of 4
January (11 days) party of 2
March (7 days) party of 2
May (14 days) party of 6

 

[Corinne]

We usually have two 7 or 8 day trips over the course of a year. We like eating at TS restaurants and normally tip 20% so for us it works.

 

[TDC Nala]

I believe it was $80 for Florida residents who are not annual passholders. Now it's $100.

Went from $60 to $75 for annual passholders.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Another benefit is that valet parking is free at resorts where you're dining. Just show your TIW card when you park, and your receipt when you pick up.

 

[n2mm]

Another benefit is that valet parking is free at resorts where you're dining. Just show your TIW card when you park, and your receipt when you pick up.

Yes, I forgot this part. We use it for free valet parking whenever we eat at the GF. It's a pain to park there in the self lot. We are always asked for the receipt after dining, so remember to keep it.

 

[ccigliano]

(I'm actually trying to save some of my DVC points as we are planning on going the entire month of January in 2012, but still have to save some points for my 2 weeks in May and 2 weeks in October.)

The entire month. I'm so JEALOUS!!! Have a great time!!

 

[SamSam]

We consider TIW to be worth the price because we eat at table service restaurants and usually have wine with our evening meal.
However, hold on to your card. I left mine laying on a resort restaurant table on our last trip; the next day when I realized what had happened it couldn't be found and it cost $50.00 to replace it. Rediculous!

 

[Marshay]

We are planning to purchase the TIW card for our first time in July, and for our trip next May.

As I understand, TIW offers 20% off all food -- including appetizers, desserts and kids meals, right?

Sometimes I just rather do soup, an appetizer and dessert so I was thinking TIW would work out better for us than the dining plan.

 

[Anal Annie]

It was $75 last fall when we renewed our TIW card. I have not heard of any further increase yet. Prior to the $75 fee, it was $60. It is still lower than the rate for FL residents though.

We bought it when it was still $60 but once it went up it became to much of a stretch for it to be worth it for us. We like to eat at a few places that don't take it (Wolfgang Puck & T-Rex in DTD to name a couple) so it started to take too much planning to get our money back on it.