TIW Card at Christmas time

[tgropp]

I have seen all the threads on the pros and cons of the TIW card but was wondering if anyone sees the benefit of using it at Christmastime. I know that there are $4-$6 holiday meal surcharges and the card is also not applicable on the 24'th and 25'th of December. I am thinking that this may be one time of the year when the TIW card will not be of much use to me.

 

[vicki_c]

I'm not sure what the surcharges have to do with anything, you still get 20% off. It's only a few days that you can't use it for, so it still was way worth it to my family when we went at Christmas. Just like at any other time of the year, you need to calculate how much you think you will be spending using the card and then see if you hit the break even of $500.

Edited to correct my break even number.

 

[jimim]

I'm not sure what the surcharges have to do with anything, you still get 20% off. It's only a few days that you can't use it for, so it still was way worth it to my family when we went at Christmas. Just like at any other time of the year, you need to calculate how much you think you will be spending using the card and then see if you hit the break even of $375.

+1

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[tgropp]

I'm not sure what the surcharges have to do with anything, you still get 20% off. It's only a few days that you can't use it for, so it still was way worth it to my family when we went at Christmas. Just like at any other time of the year, you need to calculate how much you think you will be spending using the card and then see if you hit the break even of $375.

Maybe my math is off but my thinking: Meal at Bomas
TIW card

Meal: $42.59 (with holiday surcharge)
Tip: $8.10 ( I Allways tip 18% before any coupons or discounts)
Tax $2.04 ( on $34.00 after 20% discount)
Total: $52.73 Less 20% on $42.59 = $8.50
Bill for 1 person with TIW card is $44.17


With the meal plan

$38.33 ( No holiday surcharge with DDP)
No taxes
Tip. $7.00
Total bill for one person on DDP is $45.33



The savings on my meal for 6 people that meal is $6.96. Factor in a minimum $12 counter service meal, snack and resort mug and the rest of the cost of the meal plan is well paid for in savings. Then my Christmas eve (Chefs de France) and Christmas Day dinner (Whispering Canyon) with no discount at all seems to be not much savings. Our eight restaurants that we will be visiting are Bomas, Chefs de France, Whispering Canyon (Twice) Tutto Itallia, Teppan Edo, O'Hanas and Akershus ($55.37 which is the price of the days meal plan) I cant see any significant savings at this time of year. If someone could prove me wrong, I would be forever grateful as I LOVE to save money at WDW.

 

[vicki_c]

Your first post did not mention that you were trying to compare it to buying the DDP, only that you didn't think TiW was worth it at Christmas time.

 

[tgropp]

Ooops...sorry. There are plenty of threads debating cost effectiveness of doing TIW or the meal plan and I forgot to mention about comparison to the meal plan. At any other time of year the TIW card would work for me but since we mostly go in the later part of december, I am losing some benifits of it. Thanks!

 

[dmoore22]

Something to also consider is that the TIW discount includes adult beverages which DDP does not. So, depending upon your dining habits, that can tip the scales toward the benefits of TIW over DDP during the holidays.

 

[gatorgirl02]

You should also note that TIW is not accepted at Teppon Edo, as this is owned by a third party (not Disney).

 

[erionm]

You should also note that TIW is not accepted at Teppon Edo, as this is owned by a third party (not Disney).

There are a number of non Disney owned locations that do offer the TiW discount. Tutto Italia and Via Napoli are both owned by the Pantina Group and offer the discount. Most of the restaurants at Downtown Disney at the West Side are not Disney owned and they offer the discount.

http://tablesinwonderland.com

 

[bumbershoot]

Just like at any other time of the year, you need to calculate how much you think you will be spending using the card and then see if you hit the break even of $375.

The TIW cost was changed this year, so $375 isn't accurate anymore. For APs and DVC owners it's $100 to buy the card now.



OP, will you be buying anything off the plan? Any alcohol? Appetizers, etc? Will you be going back inside of a year from buying the card? If so, it might be worth it for the incidentals on this trip (unless the trip is truly only over Eve and Day) and then full use on the future trips.

 

[vicki_c]

The TIW cost was changed this year, so $375 isn't accurate anymore. For APs and DVC owners it's $100 to buy the card now.

OP, will you be buying anything off the plan? Any alcohol? Appetizers, etc? Will you be going back inside of a year from buying the card? If so, it might be worth it for the incidentals on this trip (unless the trip is truly only over Eve and Day) and then full use on the future trips.

Thank you, I knew that, I even just posted that $500 in a different thread! I will correct my original post.