Tables In Wonderland

[hjgaus]

We are thinking of using this for our DVC split stay(BCV/Vistana/BCV) since we won't be doing DDP. So anyone use and do you like it? Is it worth it if you cannot use for Holidays? Is the 20% worth it since the PAP's are less? We still plan on cooking light in the villas but thought this might be a better way to go since we will also be staying off property! Thank you for any comments or advice!

 

[nursie]

We saved a bundle with our family of 8. Most of the Table Service restaurants accept the card, I made sure I checked the list before booking reservations.
Gratuity is added to your bill 18% which I actually liked so I didn't have to add it up myself , We used it for Signature TS like Le Cellier and Character meals as well for a huge savings. We are going to do Hoop Dee Doo Revue this next trip and will get 20% off our ticket there.
What I also like is my 10 & 11 yr olds can eat off the kids menu or we can have my younger ones split a meal vs Dining Plan where you prepay for kids who have itty bitty appetites.
We also liked that TiW included alcohol beverages....big plus for parents with 6 kids who need a magic potion to survive vacation with their cherubs who sometimes have not so heavenly attitudes.

 

[bumbershoot]

Check out tablesinwonderland.com to see all the restaurants you can use it at. It includes the Value food courts, Sassagoula at POFQ, and the QS at Animal Kingdom (park), too! And I'm missing one. I always forget one! Check out the website. Good info.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We are thinking of using this for our DVC split stay(BCV/Vistana/BCV) since we won't be doing DDP. So anyone use and do you like it? Is it worth it if you cannot use for Holidays? Is the 20% worth it since the PAP's are less? We still plan on cooking light in the villas but thought this might be a better way to go since we will also be staying off property! Thank you for any comments or advice!

The DVC member cost for TIW is $100. That means that you would have to spend $500 on meals just to recoup your costs. If you anticipate spending more than that during the 12 months that the TIW is valid, then it is worth it.

You can purchase the card at any GS and it becomes activated the day you buy it, so you do not want to buy it in advanceof your arrival. I believe that it actually expiresone year and one month after the purchase purchase day, so you technically get almost 13 months of use. We try to use it for two trips, which more than covers the cost for us.

Regarding the holidays, here are the black-out dates from the website:

Mothers Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

It would seem that you could still get value from the card, even if spending some time at WDW during the holidays. Perhaps if you were there 12/24-1/1 only it may be difficult to recoup the cost.

As noted, there are some CS locations that accept the card and several of the lounges at the resorts accept it, too.

 

[MSUmom]

Well worth the extra cost. Just got back and when we couldn't use it New Years Day and New Years eve, it was very noticeable. I have teenagers who live for their steak dinners and my husband enjoys his appetizers and an adult drink. TIW really pays for itself.

 

[erionm]

Well worth the extra cost. Just got back and when we couldn't use it New Years Day and New Years eve, it was very noticeable. I have teenagers who live for their steak dinners and my husband enjoys his appetizers and an adult drink. TIW really pays for itself.

I used TiW card on NYE at Sci-Fi Diner at DHS. I forgot about the blackout dates and I guess the server and manager must have also.

 

[drusba]

We have it. As noted above at a $100, you need to spend $500 to break even during the year. We spend more than that easily since we are there close to 30 days a year. Just note that they automatically add an 18% tip at any restaurant. That tip is based on the non-discounted meal and drink cost. The "holiday" restriction is solely for the designated holiday, note the day before or after.

 

[dsanner106]

We make very good use of ours and had done some compare and contrast analysis with the DP before buying it. the TIW is a better value for us and we only rarely add the DP now on trips.

D

 

[erionm]

Just note that they automatically add an 18% tip at any restaurant.

They only add gratuity automatically at Table Service locations. Automatic gratuity is 20% at Victoria & Albert's.

There are some CS locations (mostly at Values & Animal Kingdom Park) that offer the TiW discount and they don't add an automatic gratuity. Artist Palate at SSR also offers the TiW discount.

 

[hjgaus]

THANK YOU all for your help! This trip will certainly be different for us but looking forward to a little change! We have spent the last 2 years with DLR AP's & use the 15% discount for MOST meals ALL the time (20% on chocolate covered pretzels @ the candy shops LOL) so even saving a buck here or there is important to us!

 

[shortypots]

My DH and I always spend at least $1000 per trip on Dining so it makes sense for us to have the TIW. It can be a little bit of a hassle with having to wait for a manager, but it is worth it in the long run.

 

[BLeeS]

We are renting DVC points from a member...is it possible to buy a TIW card through the member? If the member doesn't have a TIW card, can they buy it (we pay them) and then they "loan" it to us?

 

[bumbershoot]

We are renting DVC points from a member...is it possible to buy a TIW card through the member? If the member doesn't have a TIW card, can they buy it (we pay them) and then they "loan" it to us?

No. It's in the name of the person that paid for it. Even a spouse can't use the card, though you can buy a spouse a card in their name for $50, I believe.

You can buy the TIW card as a FL resident, an AP holder, or a DVC member (the last one is the newest category).

 

[psimon]

Am I wrong or essentially does the TiW card pay the tip? It's so close... they take off 20% and then add back 18%.

Am I missing something?

thanks....

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[erionm]

Am I wrong or essentially does the TiW card pay the tip? It's so close... they take off 20% and then add back 18%.

Am I missing something?

thanks....

---Paul in Southern NJ

With TiW:
Meal $100
Gratuity: $18 (pre-discount)
Tax: $5.2 (after discount)
TiW discount: -20
Total: $103.20

Without TiW:
Meal: $100
Gratuity: $18
Tax: $6.5
Total: $124.50

 

[LisaS]

Am I wrong or essentially does the TiW card pay the tip? It's so close... they take off 20% and then add back 18%.

Am I missing something?

You save a bit more since the tax is based on the discounted amount. Here's an example assuming your meal cost $100 (pre-tax, pre-tip) and you would normally tip 18% without TIW. I can't remember what the meal tax is so I'm using my best guess of 6.5%.

  Without TIW    With TIW
  -----------    --------
Meal:  100.00       80.00
Tip:    18.00       18.00
Tax:     6.50        5.20
       ======      ======
Total: 124.50      103.20


Savings with TIW: $21.30 (17.1% savings off total bill)

 

[psimon]

You save a bit more since the tax is based on the discounted amount. Here's an example assuming your meal cost $100 (pre-tax, pre-tip) and you would normally tip 18% without TIW. I can't remember what the meal tax is so I'm using my best guess of 6.5%.

  Without TIW    With TIW
  -----------    --------
Meal:  100.00       80.00
Tip:    18.00       18.00
Tax:     6.50        5.20
       ======      ======
Total: 124.50      103.20


Savings with TIW: $21.30 (17.1% savings off total bill)

Thanks....

So 17.1% is close to the 18%.... so it is approx the tip.... which is fine. More in my pocket is always a good thing!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[MrShiny]

It is worth noting that a few counter service restaurants take TIW. These are generally at resorts that don't have table service (but not always). At these, there is no tip (mandatory or otherwise).

Also, it includes alcohol at most WDW lounges and at the resturants that it covers.

 

[lovin'fl]

And it's actually good for longer than 12 months...we 1st used ours on 12/20/11 and it's still good through our entire 1/25-30/13 trip (expires 1/31/13....I lucked out ). I am guessing they give you until the end of the 13th month.

 

[dpuck1998]

Thanks....

So 17.1% is close to the 18%.... so it is approx the tip.... which is fine. More in my pocket is always a good thing!

---Paul in Southern NJ

Actually you are saving more than the tip. Tip was 18 in that example and you saved 21.30