Tables In Wonderland

[freshmanjs]

I disagree.

TiW literally doesn't buy you any difference in product or service at all vs. just going with no program. Zero difference. The only difference is price.

 

[gharter]

TiW literally doesn't buy you any difference in product or service at all vs. just going with no program. Zero difference. The only difference is price.

That has always been our experience.

 

[Disneykingofkings]

TiW literally doesn't buy you any difference in product or service at all vs. just going with no program. Zero difference. The only difference is price.

maybe or maybe not; having had DDE then TIW for many years, our last TIW expiring May 2021 due to COVID extensions, i have observed the following:

we have only eaten at table service restaurants, from character buffets to signatures, and when the CM first comes over and asks about any dining plan we might be on, we sense a little smile when we say 'only TIW'; maybe that's because they know they are guaranteed a minimum % tip, although we always give more; from my readings over the years, when the tip isn't included, which has been the case with certain plans over the years, CMs sometimes get disappointed with what is left on the table(bill) for them; does having TIW translate into better service? could be and i feel it does at times;

 

[freshmanjs]

maybe or maybe not; having had DDE then TIW for many years, our last TIW expiring May 2021 due to COVID extensions, i have observed the following:

we have only eaten at table service restaurants, from character buffets to signatures, and when the CM first comes over and asks about any dining plan we might be on, we sense a little smile when we say 'only TIW'; maybe that's because they know they are guaranteed a minimum % tip, although we always give more; from my readings over the years, when the tip isn't included, which has been the case with certain plans over the years, CMs sometimes get disappointed with what is left on the table(bill) for them; does having TIW translate into better service? could be and i feel it does at times;

You'd get the same smile if you had no dining plan. The smile you are seeing is because of "no ddp", not because of "yes TiW"

I think what you're saying certainly applies to a comparison of TiW vs. DDP. But, for TiW vs. paying out of pocket, I really don't think so. I don't know what the average tip is for out of pocket payers at signature restaurants, but I bet it's higher than 18%. I know that In my case, they get significantly less tip because of the automatic 18.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

You'd get the same smile if you had no dining plan. The smile you are seeing is because of "no ddp", not because of "yes TiW"

I think what you're saying certainly applies to a comparison of TiW vs. DDP. But, for TiW vs. paying out of pocket, I really don't think so. I don't know what the average tip is for out of pocket payers at signature restaurants, but I bet it's higher than 18%. I know that In my case, they get significantly less tip because of the automatic 18.

In my case, I wonder if they hear a non US accent, see the TiW card and smile with relief. I have definitely sensed a smile. I agree though that they also smile when they discover the absence of a dining plan. Why would that be? Tip issue again?

 

[freshmanjs]

In my case, I wonder if they hear a non US accent, see the TiW card and smile with relief. I have definitely sensed a smile. I agree though that they also smile when they discover the absence of a dining plan. Why would that be? Tip issue again?

I'm not a DDP user, so perhaps not the best person to answer, but I think it's because tip is not automatically included on DDP and people low-ball the tips because they don't have a clear $ amount they are spending for the meal like when paying out of pocket. I think servers generally dislike DDP, but I'm not sure what all the reasons are

 

[zombieScar24]

Makes me happy that we always made sure to tip well based on price, not having the DDDP. I feel for those CMs who got stuck with a subpar tip after great service.

New DVC and AP member, so I'm hoping TiW makes a return. But having just gone through a gauntlet of trying to book restaurants during Thanksgiving week, I agree that either the restaurants need to be humming at 100% or the return of DDP/180 day reservations needs to return.

 

[gharter]

Not looking for TiW to return before our October trip. Maybe next year.
Agree with hoping the remaining restaurants reopen as getting ADRs has been challenging