TIW Break even point?

mom2taylorandemily

Not so patiently waiting our next trip to Disney..
Joined
Jun 14, 2006
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Ok, I keep seeing this $750 breakeven pointfor the TIW card vs DDP, can someone please explain this to me? Where is the number derived from? I am intelligent but can figure this out for the life of me . Thank you.
 
The breakeven isn't compared to DDP, it's a breakeven on the purchase price of the TIW and the savings it provides. It costs $150 and provides 20% savings. At $750 spent you would have saved the $150. The number really isn't that clear-cut though as those getting TIW typically have AP or DVC discounts anyways so really it would require a greater amount spent before getting to breakeven (as they would already have 10% discount at many places).
 
The breakeven isn't compared to DDP, it's a breakeven on the purchase price of the TIW and the savings it provides. It costs $150 and provides 20% savings. At $750 spent you would have saved the $150
and it’s all gravy after that. The deciding factor for us, we are generally always 5-6 and on vacation we have cocktails and wine, since the bus does the driving. The bar tab can at times be equal to or even more than the food! :rolleyes: 20% off of alcohol that no AP or DVC discount covers!
 
and it’s all gravy after that. The deciding factor for us, we are generally always 5-6 and on vacation we have cocktails and wine, since the bus does the driving. The bar tab can at times be equal to or even more than the food! :rolleyes: 20% off of alcohol that no AP or DVC discount covers!

We normally wouldn't even come close to making it work with just 3 of us (non-drinkers). Doing a trip in December with 7 (not sure if the others drink at all....very little if they do) but I'm pretty sure we will give it a go this time.....and then try to get another trip with the normal 3 of us to enjoy more gravy! :)
 

The breakeven isn't compared to DDP, it's a breakeven on the purchase price of the TIW and the savings it provides. It costs $150 and provides 20% savings. At $750 spent you would have saved the $150. The number really isn't that clear-cut though as those getting TIW typically have AP or DVC discounts anyways so really it would require a greater amount spent before getting to breakeven (as they would already have 10% discount at many places).

Ok, thank you, now for my next question. We are a family of 4 adults, we are DVC, Disney Visa and most likely AP this year. With those discounts available to us, would it make sense for us to get TIW? We usually eat in the room for breakfast most days, 1 QS and 1TS per day. We don’t always get dessert and sometimes we share them. So is TIW beneficial to us? Or should we save the $150 and use the other discounts?
 
Ok, thank you, now for my next question. We are a family of 4 adults, we are DVC, Disney Visa and most likely AP this year. With those discounts available to us, would it make sense for us to get TIW? We usually eat in the room for breakfast most days, 1 QS and 1TS per day. We don’t always get dessert and sometimes we share them. So is TIW beneficial to us? Or should we save the $150 and use the other discounts?

Have a look at what you would normally spend, where it would be, and how many days you'll be there....compare the 10% discount vs the 20%....also account for alcohol at the full 20% as well as any restaurants that only discount TIW. If you will save more than $150 with TIW then go for it.
 
Ok, thank you, now for my next question. We are a family of 4 adults, we are DVC, Disney Visa and most likely AP this year. With those discounts available to us, would it make sense for us to get TIW? We usually eat in the room for breakfast most days, 1 QS and 1TS per day. We don’t always get dessert and sometimes we share them. So is TIW beneficial to us? Or should we save the $150 and use the other discounts?
We can’t tell you definitely. As @JETSDAD said you need to look at what you will spend. You have to do that investigation yourself.
We - 3 adults do save. But we enjoy adult beverages on vacation when Disney is driving
 
I figure the break even point is $1500 if you're DVC/AP/Disney visa. It might be less than that if you drink lots of booze. For me, it's hard to do in a year because I travel solo with my kid and we don't spend that much and as much as i'd like to, I go easy on the booze. If I had more adults or took more than one trip in a year I'd get there a lot more quickly.
 
As mentioned, its a lot more complicated. If you have no other discounts, then the rough break even point is $750. 20% of 750 is 150. You must realize that with TIW, there is an automatic 18% gratuity added to your bill. you can not tip less than that, if you normally did. You also get discounts on alcohol purchases in restaurants and lounges/bars. You also get free valet parking, if you have a car that you drive.
If you have an AP or a DVC member, then you have a 10% discount for many of the same restaurants, but not alcohol or valet parking.
It is roughly figured that with an AP or DVC card, you need to spend closer to $1500 to break even.
We try and time our APs and TIW card to cover 3 trips over about 12 months and we easily save money with TIW. The one year that they had a 20% discount with the AP was the TIW card not worth it for us.
YMMV. Ultimately you have to do the math with what you expect to spend and what other discounts, if any, you have.
 
Keep in mind the DDP is not a good comparison as it's not designed to save money except in certain cases. You'll just have to do estimates yourself by checking menu prices.
 
For the year for food and drink, if you'll spend

less than $750 -- not worth it;
more than $1500 -- worth it;
between $750 and $1500 -- might be worth it depending on drinking habits, valet charges, alcohol purchases, AP/DVC discounts.
 












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