TIW cards

[teacher2525]

Are these cards really worth it? We are going in August and we are a family of 5 and I am unsure if we should purchase this card or not we have dining discounts through our DVC membership

 

[disneynutz]

That all depends on you and how you eat. For many, 20% off on food and drink for $60 can save you money, especially if you can travel more than once in the year. You need to do what we do, and take the time to look at food prices and see if the TIW will work for you.

 

[Chuck S]

If you, as a family of 5, enjoy table service meals, it won't take long to rack up $300 in meals at WDW. After that initial $300, to offset the $60 purchase ($60 is 20% of $300) then you'll be saving 20% (or about the amount of the tip) on every table service meal. It can add up quickly.

The DVC discounts are mostly 10% and have more restrictions (many are lunch only), and usually do not include alcohol.

 

[cslittle999]

You don't say if you will have an AP (which you need to get the TIW card). Chuck's calculations for the savings would be true if you were already buying APs (or at least one AP). Remember to factor that in to any calculations.

As well it can be tricky when you have different tickets in your party. For example if everyone else have MYW tickets with WF&M (or whatever the acronym is now) you need to account for the admission to the water parks for the person with the AP.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting the TIW card. It can generate a great deal of savings but you need to carefully calculate the cost of acquiring the card.

 

[mopee3]

Another thing I really like about the TIW card, Valet service at GF or any resort not a DVC resort, costs you nothing. In other words Valet service for free, minus the tip . Eating at Citricos for dinner and staying at OKW? Climb into your auto, drive up to the front for Grand Floridian, give them your keys and it’s off to dinner. Lets see, last time I checked, Valet service at GF is about $10. Doesn't take long to get the $60 back.

 

[mopee3]

If you, as a family of 5, enjoy table service meals, it won't take long to rack up $300 in meals at WDW. After that initial $300, to offset the $60 purchase ($60 is 20% of $300) then you'll be saving 20% (or about the amount of the tip) on every table service meal. It can add up quickly.

The DVC discounts are mostly 10% and have more restrictions (many are lunch only), and usually do not include alcohol.

Chuck I was lying in bed last night and I had a brain thought, or something unmentionable. As I understand the TIW card, when you use it the servers automatically add an 18% gratuity. If so doesn't that wipe out all but 2% of the 20% savings.

So I would actually have to spend $3,000 on just food to break even for paying the $60 for the card?
I know my math must be off somewhere, can you show me where it is?

M

 

[jimmacmn]

As I understand the TIW card, when you use it the servers automatically add an 18% gratuity. If so doesn't that wipe out all but 2% of the 20% savings.M

It is a fact that they add the tip, however, unless it is your custom to "STIFF" the servers, it still works out as a savings. We bought a TIW card over MLK weekend and the meal for 4 we had at Narcoose's on the last night paid for most of the card not to mention the other meals we put on the card. I'll be using the card late next month for a guys golf trip for four days and in October DW and I will be taking two other couples for 5 days so it will more than pay for itself.

Because of the number of visits in the 12 month period the AP made a lot of sense so that didn't need to be factored into the decision.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Chuck I was lying in bed last night and I had a brain thought, or something unmentionable. As I understand the TIW card, when you use it the servers automatically add an 18% gratuity. If so doesn't that wipe out all but 2% of the 20% savings.

So I would actually have to spend $3,000 on just food to break even for paying the $60 for the card?
I know my math must be off somewhere, can you show me where it is?

M

Do you not tip at all? It's true that we would mostly give an 15 - 20% tip, so we just don't include the tip in figuring out our savings.

Bobbi

PS. The first year we had the card, DH took care to include everything we bought with it. The tip wasn't included in the bill at the time, but he did take that into account in the records. This is our 3rd year with the card, and it's been a definite savings for us.

 

[AKV707]

We almost always tip 20%. So we use the TIW, get the 20% off and just stil pay the 20% tip. For example, if the check is $100 we use the TIW and pay a total of $100. We save $20 or 20%. We pay for it in 2 or three dinners. Saved big at the Flying Fish.

 

[mopee3]

Do you not tip at all? It's true that we would mostly give an 15 - 20% tip, so we just don't include the tip in figuring out our savings.

Bobbi

What I do is add the 18-20% to the charges or just use the suggested amount for tips. But while I have the card and haven't used it yet, will do so in JUST 6 days, it still seems to me if you are saving 20% and are automatically charged 18% you are only saving 2%.

Oh Oh, wait the light bulb is starting to glow. Since I am going to pay the 18-20% tip anyway.......... Wow the bulb is really......... Oh wait I see the light..go into the light!

Some of us are older and the elevator doesn't go all the way up all the time. And sometimes not at all!!

So just one more quick question bobbie , how do you get the quote's in the box?

Moe

 

[jimmacmn]

So just one more quick question bobbie , how do you get the quote's in the box?

You need to have the Quote=***** with [ at the beginning and ] at the end of the first quote statement you want in the box as well as a /QUOTE at the end of the statement you want in the box with the brackest [] around that also. It looks like you did not have the one at the end of your quote statement.

 

[wildernessDad]

I must get use to that new name.

I think it's worth it if you like going to signature restaurants. It beats using 2 table service credits.

 

[pakhowe]

I also am cosidering the dining card for an upcoming trip. One thing I noticed is that if we were to use it for counter service, where we normally would not tip, a tip is added anyway. This does decrease the savings. I guess I need to figure out how many table service meals we are likely to have. The card does include alcohol which is nice,

 

[allshookup]

I also am cosidering the dining card for an upcoming trip. One thing I noticed is that if we were to use it for counter service, where we normally would not tip, a tip is added anyway. This does decrease the savings. I guess I need to figure out how many table service meals we are likely to have. The card does include alcohol which is nice,

The TIW card is accepted at most TS restaurants in the parks & resorts & a few at DTD, but they are also accepted at the CS locations listed below & because they are considered CS, they do NOT charge the 18%:

All-Star Music Resort
Intermission Food Court

All-Star Sports Resort
End Zone Food Court

All-Star Movies Resort
World Premiere Food Court

Shutters at Old Port Royale

Everything Pop Dining

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

Artist's Palette

Pizzafari

Flame Tree Barbecue

Restaurantosaurus

 

[teacher2525]

Chuck I was lying in bed last night and I had a brain thought, or something unmentionable. As I understand the TIW card, when you use it the servers automatically add an 18% gratuity. If so doesn't that wipe out all but 2% of the 20% savings.

So I would actually have to spend $3,000 on just food to break even for paying the $60 for the card?
I know my math must be off somewhere, can you show me where it is?

M

I originally had that thought about the tip being added and then I realized that I tip 20% anyway so it is still a savings. Now I have to do the math and decide what is the best deal the TIW card, the meal plan or a combination of both because the meal plan is just to much food for 15 days

 

[spiceycat]

Another thing I really like about the TIW card, Valet service at GF or any resort not a DVC resort, costs you nothing. In other words Valet service for free, minus the tip . Eating at Citricos for dinner and staying at OKW? Climb into your auto, drive up to the front for Grand Floridian, give them your keys and it’s off to dinner. Lets see, last time I checked, Valet service at GF is about $10. Doesn't take long to get the $60 back.

like that part too!!!

 

[auntsue]

Was there free valet parking with the DDE card? I know I was charged $10 last year when we went to GF for dinner, but if it's free, that was my fault as I never showed the card.

My DDE card doesn't expire until May so I won't be getting the TIW for this upcoming trip.

 

[Chuck S]

Was there free valet parking with the DDE card? I know I was charged $10 last year when we went to GF for dinner, but if it's free, that was my fault as I never showed the card.

My DDE card doesn't expire until May so I won't be getting the TIW for this upcoming trip.

Yes, you need to show the DDE/TIW card and a dining receipt for free valet.

For table service dining, be sure to check the final receipt, although they are supposed to, they do not always add the gratuity automatically. Rule of thumb, if the final total of your bill is about the same after the discount as before the discount, the gratuity WAS added. If there is a substantial difference, it was NOT, and you need to add a gratuity.

 

[Melani]

And do you get the full 20% at those CS?

The TIW card is accepted at most TS restaurants in the parks & resorts & a few at DTD, but they are also accepted at the CS locations listed below & because they are considered CS, they do NOT charge the 18%:

All-Star Music Resort
Intermission Food Court

All-Star Sports Resort
End Zone Food Court

All-Star Movies Resort
World Premiere Food Court

Shutters at Old Port Royale

Everything Pop Dining

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

Artist's Palette

Pizzafari

Flame Tree Barbecue

Restaurantosaurus

 

[Chuck S]

And do you get the full 20% at those CS?

Yes! We often drive over to POP for a light dinner, and use the TIW for our discount.