TIW vs DDP

[kellymaples]

We will be at BLT April 9-16 with 5 adults and 3 kids. We usually get DDP but don't need all those desserts and prefer appetizers. It will be a busy time of year with possible seasonal price increases at restaurants. Any insight as to which would be best, TIW or DDP?

 

[Missyrose]

We will be at BLT April 9-16 with 5 adults and 3 kids. We usually get DDP but don't need all those desserts and prefer appetizers. It will be a busy time of year with possible seasonal price increases at restaurants. Any insight as to which would be best, TIW or DDP?

I personally like the freedom of TiW. The discount comes off everything: appetizers, alcoholic beverages. Then you don't have to worry about maximizing the value of a dining plan credit. If you just want an appetizer for dinner? Go for it! With as many people as you have in your party, TiW could end up saving you a good bit more than the DDP.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The TiW can be purchased by Florida Residents, DVC Members, and Annual Passholders. It gives a 20% discount on food and beverages (including alcoholic) at most tables service and some quick services location on WDW for up to ten people at a time. When you purchase it, the card is valid for the remainder of the current month plus 13 full months.

Here is a working example, using $100.00 as the original bill to make the math show up easily. Note this is for Table Service. At Counter Service there is no gratuity added.

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*20.00 - Discount
*80.00 - Subtotal
*18.00 - Gratuity Added based on $100
**5.20 - Sales Tax on $80
103.20 - Final amount charged, takes into consideration discount, gratuity and tax.

Without TiW Discount (and still figuring 18% Gratuity)

100.00 - Original Menu Amount
*18.00 - Gratuity
**6.50 - Sales Tax on $100
124.50 - Total

$21.30 - Savings using TiW Card.

(Note - At Victoria and Albert's the added gratuity is 20% instead of 18%.)
* Ignore the asterisks; they are there only so the columns/numbers line up properly.

For the complete list of locations and the rules, go to www.tablesinwonderland.com which is the Official Disney site.

Based on the current pricing, the following is the break-even point for menu pricing (assuming you will routinely give an 18% tip):
AP Holder or DVC Member ($100) is $469.48
Resident (not AP holder) ($125) is $586.85
Both of the above take into consideration that the Sales Tax is also discounted.

 

[MinnieLee]

We love our TIW. We have purchased one every year since it started and although the price has gone up considerably since that time, we still like the freedom of ordering what we want and not worrying about using up our credits. Also, having it include alcholic drinks is an added plus. At the price of the DDP, even with the TIW "membership" fee, we definitely feel it's worth it.

 

[bostonminnie]

We've done both, but prefer TIW for the flexibility. The one downside is that there are very few counter service locations in the park that accept it. That being said, we still feel like we saved more money using TIW.

 

[shortypots]

DDP used to be a good deal, but it is not flexible at all. You have to get an entree and dessert and a NA beverage. We much prefer the TIW and we make it worth it even in 1 trip because we go to Signature dining on a lot of trips. Doesn't take us long to make it worth it to us because we have a bottle of wine or multiple drinks with every meal!

 

[luvformickey]

We love TIW! We've used the DXDDP before, but it was way too much food and there was so much stress is trying to be sure we got our money's worth. Now that our kids are older (DS is 11 and therefore a Disney Adult), paying the adult price for the DDP for him wasn't economical for us. He still likes to order off the kid's menu sometimes, and often we even split an entree so TIW allows us so more flexibility. And, we like to enjoy an adult beverage (or two) with dinner so a little extra savings there is always a great thing! We've used it the last 3 years and won't ever go back!

 

[AmyB2006]

I've never done DDP because I do the math and it never seems like it's going to save money, plus we don't order dessert. With DDP if you don't get dessert you're really not maximizing the benefit. Like you we much prefer appetizers and drinks!!

TIW sounds like the way to go for you. We love it!

 

[MouseMomx2]

We did the DDP in the beginning, but no more. It just isn't a value, plus you are stuck with the plan's ordering limitations (no appetizers, must get a dessert, etc.) The TIW is a far better deal, IMO, and allows us to order just what we would like. It is also good on alcoholic beverages so that's a bonus.

 

[Dean]

We will be at BLT April 9-16 with 5 adults and 3 kids. We usually get DDP but don't need all those desserts and prefer appetizers. It will be a busy time of year with possible seasonal price increases at restaurants. Any insight as to which would be best, TIW or DDP?

There are many variables. I'd take a sampling of your restaurant choices and likely orders and compare. 2 full days of representative choices should give you enough info. Variables include arrival and departure times, unit type(?2BR), age of kids, restaurant choices and preferences. I'd compare to the Dlx plan. TIW works for ETOH as well, the other issue is whether you could get any future trips out of the TIW membership. You may also want to look at the discounts you get with DVC and a pass without paying for anything.

 

[texasteacher35]

There are many variables. I'd take a sampling of your restaurant choices and likely orders and compare. 2 full days of representative choices should give you enough info. Variables include arrival and departure times, unit type(?2BR), age of kids, restaurant choices and preferences. I'd compare to the Dlx plan. TIW works for ETOH as well, the other issue is whether you could get any future trips out of the TIW membership. You may also want to look at the discounts you get with DVC and a pass without paying for anything.

IMHO, as an AP holder, I think the TiW gives more flexibility. I did a cost analysis of what our typical Disney vacation ends up costing us, dining-wise, and saw that we would save more by using TiW over DDP. You also have more options of how many table service meals you wants to having. I don't like being limited...if we want Le Cellier, CRT, and several other single TS's, it makes no sense to pay for DDP an Dave to waste 2 TS's on the first 2 restaurants...then we just have to pay Out of pocket for 2 other TS meals that we want to have.

We will be there for 15 nights starting Friday and I have 6 TS the first week, and when our friends join us for the second week, we have another 9 TS meals, so we need more than DDP would give us...because several are considered signature meals. Sometimes we eat less TS's and we do t have to worry about wasting the dining credits. You have to see what best suits your family. HTH

 

[Dean]

IMHO, as an AP holder, I think the TiW gives more flexibility. I did a cost analysis of what our typical Disney vacation ends up costing us, dining-wise, and saw that we would save more by using TiW over DDP. You also have more options of how many table service meals you wants to having. I don't like being limited...if we want Le Cellier, CRT, and several other single TS's, it makes no sense to pay for DDP an Dave to waste 2 TS's on the first 2 restaurants...then we just have to pay Out of pocket for 2 other TS meals that we want to have.

We will be there for 15 nights starting Friday and I have 6 TS the first week, and when our friends join us for the second week, we have another 9 TS meals, so we need more than DDP would give us...because several are considered signature meals. Sometimes we eat less TS's and we do t have to worry about wasting the dining credits. You have to see what best suits your family. HTH

As I noted, it depends on the specifics of the trip. For a single reservation 15 night trip it's far more likely the TIW will be a better choice. For a different trip or group, the DDP might be a better choice. And for another, nothing might be the best. For the DP options, it also depends on which one.

 

[texasteacher35]

As I noted, it depends on the specifics of the trip. For a single reservation 15 night trip it's far more likely the TIW will be a better choice. For a different trip or group, the DDP might be a better choice. And for another, nothing might be the best. For the DP options, it also depends on which one.

Exactly...agreed!!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

In your case, preferring appetizers over desserts, I'm sure TIW would be better. Most of the time that's true even for those of us who prefer desserts.
There is a really cool and easy free tool to run the numbers for each specific case. Go to the Restaurant section, look under dining plan section by using the search feature for "Dining plan calculator."

 

[TokyoSunrise]

We just returned from our trip with another couple. They used TIW and we used DDP. We ate together the entire trip. After seeing the flexibility and discounts of TIW, we are going with TIW our next trip. Cost comparison, TIW is a better deal for us.

 

[texasteacher35]

We just returned from our trip with another couple. They used TIW and we used DDP. We ate together the entire trip. After seeing the flexibility and discounts of TIW, we are going with TIW our next trip. Cost comparison, TIW is a better deal for us.

Yes, it provides HUGE flexibility, if you don't plan on eating one CS and one TS per day (on average)!! When you I regrade lots of character meals, signature meals, and what exactly you want to order while eating...appetizers/desserts...or sharing a meal here and there, it works out much better. Kids' meals are cheap, even at TS restaurants, so I don't see the savings with DDP versus TiW for us. Plus, with DDP, we end up with too many CS credits and I have to really watch and make sure we use all of me to really see the "savings". My DD18 and I share lots of CS meals, because we don't eat that much. So it's silly for us to have so many credits. If I had a bunch of teenage/preteen boys, I would definitely be looking at DDP more.