TIW Card

[pennilessinpa]

My family of 5 will be there soon. We've done DVC discounts, AP discounts, DDP. This time we were going to try TIW card.

Two questions:
1. When/Where should we buy it? There? In advance? Advantage to either?

2. Has anyone ever bought it and were sorry that they did?

 

[Tara]

My family of 5 will be there soon. We've done DVC discounts, AP discounts, DDP. This time we were going to try TIW card.

Two questions:
1. When/Where should we buy it? There? In advance? Advantage to either?

You can buy it at any Guest Services window at the parks or Downtown Disney. I don't think there's any advantage to buying it ahead of time -- it's just one more thing to remember to bring with you! (And if you forget it, you can't just get a new one - you have to pay $50.)

2. Has anyone ever bought it and were sorry that they did?

I've used it on 3 trips now and have nothing but positive things to say about it! We got it when it was still just $60 (now it's $75 for AP holders) and it paid for itself in 2 dinners (Jiko, California Grill). We were there last week and didn't save quite as much as before since we went to California Grill on Mother's Day and that's a blackout day. However, we did save about $70 on our other 4 meals. (and we only had 5 meals out the whole week) The great thing about it is that it's a flat 20% discount on your meal, including alcohol. There's no worrying about adding on an appetizer or feeling like you have to order certain ways or eat a lot to get your money's worth. There's no counting credits. Just a simple, straightforward discount. It isn't good everywhere, but we've never eaten anywhere it isn't accepted.

 

[piglet75]

I would highly recommend the card, but only if you tend to eat at a lot of table service restaurants. We purchased TIW on our recent trip to the World, and like the previous post said, it paid for itself within just a few meals, and it's good for 13 months so we'll be able to use it on our next couple of trips as well before we have to renew it. Because an 18% gratuity is automatically added, it's essentially paying for your tips.

Oh, and we were on the trip with another couple, and every single server we had was willing to split the checks between us and still apply the 20% discount to the second check. I think technically all diners are supposed to be on the same check to get the discount, but we didn't run into any servers that even batted an eye about applying the discount on the separate checks.

 

[bonybroad]

Hey Penniless! I'm in Butler! Howdy neighbor!

 

[pennilessinpa]

Hey Bonybroad, we're the Westmoreland County Penn Township, but it's good to hear from a neighbor just the same!!

 

[gkrykewy]

Love the card! Bought it last year at $60, and going to use it again for our 10-day trip in August. Of those 10 days, we'll probably have 8-9 TS meals, so it becomes a great deal. I'll definitely buy it again, even at $75, when we next get APs.

One thing to note is that is also works for the Boma buffet breakfast

 

[M5ward]

We bought it in October, 2008, and our 2009 October trip will be the third trip on that same card. Even though the price has gone up, I would absolutely buy it again. It paid for itself in a couple of meals. We usually travel with one of our kids and their family, and the TiW discount is good for up to 10 people. I also enjoy an adult beverage (or two or...) with my meals which are also included in the discount.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

We bought APs for the first time this year, and decided to purchase TIW card as well. We got it in Epcot (to the left of the ball, and we had to show proof we were an AP holder or Florida resident). The PP is correct, we paid $75.

Based on our eating habits, I would buy it again in a second. We usually eat at 4 sit down dinners on a week long visit. On our last trip, we ate at Boma, Cinderella's Royal Table, Nine Dragons, Fort Wilderness Lodge, and Mama Melrose's. We got 20% off at each. With those discounts, along with other discounts here and there, we paid for the card that visit. Our next 3 trips will just be icing on the cake.

In case you're not aware, 18% gratuity is automatically added to the card. Since we tip 15 - 20% anyway, depending on service, that was a non-issue for us.

As for purchasing in advance, I would wait till the last minute, and buy it when you're down there. We purchased ours in April, and it will expire at the end of May.

Lastly, here's a link with more information:
http://allears.net/din/dde.htm