TIW + Free Dining- help me with my math please

[linzjane88]

I know this has been asked here before because I have read it but I can't find the thread anymore. Forgive me if it is somewhere I missed. Anyways....

Trying to calculate which combination (if any) makes for the best deal eating at signature table service restaurants. Deciding between free dining/ free dining with upgrade to DxDP/TIW on it's own/TIW with a dining plan. Let's say my meal costs $100 in food covered by the dining plan with an additional $20 for alcoholic beverages. What will my out of pocket be, assuming a 20% tip? I keep coming up with $44 but I don't think that is right. The 18% automatic gratuity added on with TIW is what is confusing me. Does that only factor in on the non-dining plan portion of the bill? Oye.


We have annual passes and are going 12/15-12/20 and staying offsite but also have April trip and a 9/9-9/18 booked on a bounceback with free dining at POR. I keep toying with the idea of cancelling it in favor of booking offsite but despite how little sense "free" dining makes financially, I really enjoy Disney eating and the sense of gluttony that comes with the dining plan . Then I think 'instead of cancelling, why don't I upgrade the dining plan?! Appetizers, desserts, entrees to my hearts content'. I need to put it on paper so I see just what a poor choice that is cost-wise.

 

[HopperFan]

If we forget about tax.....based on my experience with this -
You should get two bills; one for DDP and one for the drinks.
You will have to add tip on DDP bill and TiW bill will be automatic.
$100 food + $20 drinks = $120 - assume you tip 18% for the dinner plus the mandatory 18% for drinks = $21.60 total
$100 food covered by DDP
$20 drinks - 20% TiW discount = $16
$21.60 tips + $16.00 drinks = $37.60

 

[kastoney]

Not being able to comprehend that much math, I've found we are are always better off with TiW. We typically share an appetizer (or forego altogether) and do entrees and sometimes dessert, so for us the dining plan just doesn't work but that 20% off is pure magic. Especially when you consider the two credits for the signatures. Plus we may or may not be lushes so the 20% off of the adult beverages makes it even more worth it

 

[HopperFan]

Not being able to comprehend that much math, I've found we are are always better off with TiW. We typically share an appetizer (or forego altogether) and do entrees and sometimes dessert, so for us the dining plan just doesn't work but that 20% off is pure magic. Especially when you consider the two credits for the signatures. Plus we may or may not be lushes so the 20% off of the adult beverages makes it even more worth it

Either way it can take the pinch out of those bills for sure! I agree, we did Free Dining for years and it just got to where it wasn't saving us money. TiW saves us money and calories.

 

[linzjane88]

If we forget about tax.....based on my experience with this -
You should get two bills; one for DDP and one for the drinks.
You will have to add tip on DDP bill and TiW bill will be automatic.
$100 food + $20 drinks = $120 - assume you tip 18% for the dinner plus the mandatory 18% for drinks = $21.60 total
$100 food covered by DDP
$20 drinks - 20% TiW discount = $16
$21.60 tips + $16.00 drinks = $37.60

Thank you! I started thinking about it more and came up wth that number too. Eek, not looking good for the Dining plan Deluxe even with the TIW (does it ever? )

Not being able to comprehend that much math, I've found we are are always better off with TiW. We typically share an appetizer (or forego altogether) and do entrees and sometimes dessert, so for us the dining plan just doesn't work but that 20% off is pure magic. Especially when you consider the two credits for the signatures. Plus we may or may not be lushes so the 20% off of the adult beverages makes it even more worth it

I figure we probably will be too. I just keep trying to justify the dining plan. Maybe I should just admit to myself I like "feeling" like I got away with something. My bill is 147$? Well here, swipe this magical band (no pun intended). Oh look it's free!

I may be a lush but I am a cheap one. I buy vodka and a few select mixers to keep in my room. I refuse to spend 11$ on a drink that may or may not be decent. (I'm aiming that one at you Nine Dragons!).

Random story: I forgot my current drivers license on our last trip, accidentally grabbing my expired one. Nevermind that it has my face and DOB *and* I am 27 ....ya can't buy many drinks with "invalid ID". I had to resort to sending my husband for drinks or, if we were at a TS, waiting for him to order a drink. If he didn't get carded then I would try and order. I kept waiting for Disney Security to drag me out and ban me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So you now need to spend about $750 to cover the cost of the card if you are a passholder or DVC member. If you are a FL resident, it is about $875. Plus with all the blackout periods, we don't buy it anymore. At $35 or $50 it was worth it.