Tiw ?

[Nanajo1]

As PPs said mouse perks.com has a great breakdown of discounts,also all ears has discounts on the menu page.

 

[tjkraz]

One other question, is there anyone who still thinks that the dining plan is an option when you can get these discounts?

The problem I have with the dining plans is that you basically need to talk yourself into dining at the MOST EXPENSIVE restaurants and eating the MOST EXPENSIVE entrees in order to justify the cost. And you need to factor in the dessert with every meal. (If not for the dining plan, who in the world eats 2 desserts every day of their life?!?!)

If you're spending $60 (!!!) per person, per night for the dining plan, you simply cannot use one of your Table Service meal credits toward a $12 traditional breakfast platter at Olivia's or Kouzzina. If you do that, by the time you add-in the $5 snack and $15 counter service meal, you've spent $60 to consume less than $40 worth of food.

Instead you are pretty much obligated to use your credits toward things like the $40 3-course Prix Fixe menu (with Creme Brûlée) at Chefs de France or the $35 steak at Whispering Canyon.

There was a time when the DDP was priced such that you could still use table service credits for cheaper items or meals like breakfast, or skip the desserts, and still come out ahead. But rarely is that the case anymore.

These days Disney Obesity Plan might be a better name.

 

[JWG]

The # of discounts have expanded quite significantly as of late. We just made 4 reservations for an upcoming trip and 3 of the 4 have a 10-15% DVC discount. The 4th ('Ohana) does not.

That diminishes the value of the TIW card for sure. Unless you want to take advantage of the special events or eat at Disney a lot, it's hard to justify any of the "special" programs.

I agree with the above. The DDP is great for convenience ant that's about it. Unless you eat a lot and are a foodie.

The 18% gratuity added to TIW purchases is a detractor if you do any of the buffets. I'm not cheap by any means, but I really can't justify an 18% tip on a buffet.

 

[nalajms]

The 18% gratuity added to TIW purchases is a detractor if you do any of the buffets. I'm not cheap by any means, but I really can't justify an 18% tip on a buffet.

I often feel the opposite. Why would you tip more at a TS than a buffet? It's not like the waiter is cooking the food. They order and bring it to your table. That's only part of their job. They also take plates away, bring drinks, anything else you might need. If anything, we use more plates at a buffet

And what about the AYCTE family style dining like Ohana's? Is that considered a buffet with regards to tipping?

TIW still comes out better w the 18% tip on buffets. A $100 bill becomes $80. Add in 18% tip and 6.5% tax is $19.60. Total bill ($99.60) is still less than the original, though the breakeven would take a lot more meals. It's really meant for locals and AP holders who dine frequently.

(If not for the dining plan, who in the world eats 2 desserts every day of their life?!?!)

Me, me, me! But only on a Disney vacation where I know I'll walk off the extra calories.

 

[chalee94]

I often feel the opposite. Why would you tip more at a TS than a buffet? It's not like the waiter is cooking the food. They order and bring it to your table. That's only part of their job. They also take plates away, bring drinks, anything else you might need. If anything, we use more plates at a buffet

Miss Manners would agree with you:

"Miss Manners would dearly love to help you save a buck, but...tip [buffet wait staff] as you would the help in an ordinary restaurant.

If it is so much work for you to fill your dinner plate yourself, why do you go back and do it so often? Miss Manners saw you."

 

[tjkraz]

Me, me, me! But only on a Disney vacation where I know I'll walk off the extra calories.

That's a common sentiment (even my wife has used it) but it's probably not true--particularly for DDP buyers eating those desserts and snacks.

If you walked an aggressive 12 miles per day at 3 mph (which represents 4 total hours of nothing but walking at a moderate pace), you'd only burn about 1200 calories.

To compare, 4 hours of office work burns about 400-600 calories. An individual with a desk job isn't burning calories at a markedly higher rate on their vacation strolls through the Disney parks. Those who are on their feet all day for work (healthcare workers, waiter/waitress, retail, etc) may not burn any added calories in the parks.

Unless your diet already consists of 1/3 lb bacon cheeseburgers, frequent buffet visits and other entrees in Disney-sized portions, the walking probably isn't enough to compensate for the added caloric intake.

 

[buzzrelly]

I see Mama Melrose on the list of TIW discounts…does anyone know if this includes the F! dining package?

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

I see Mama Melrose on the list of TIW discounts…does anyone know if this includes the F! dining package?

I don't think it does.

 

[SuperRob]

Miss Manners saw you.

You'd think Miss Manners would have a thing against liars.

 

[SuperRob]

I see Mama Melrose on the list of TIW discounts…does anyone know if this includes the F! dining package?

The Tables in Wonderland site says that it's not valid for the Fantasmic! Dining Package.

 

[boxer]

The mouseperks.com website that was quoted earlier, was a good site that showed who accepts what.

Thanks! I will check that out

 

[buzzrelly]

The Tables in Wonderland site says that it's not valid for the Fantasmic! Dining Package.

Aw…that's too bad! Oh well, I see some of our other choices are on there so we may go ahead and get it. I am traveling this June with a party of 6. We have ADRs at Crystal Palace, Rose & Crown, and The Plaza, in addition to the F! dining package. I think with even just those three ADRs, 20% would still save us more than the $100 fee, right?

I have another question…we will be going back in April 2015 so our TIW card would still be good for that trip, correct? But my mom REALLY likes the DDP and wants to get it for that trip. Would this be a total waste of money? We usually end up paying for at least a couple of meals OOP…namely Cinderella's breakfast, and The Plaza. If we still had TIW, we could save off of those as well. Any advice?

 

[nalajms]

Aw…that's too bad! Oh well, I see some of our other choices are on there so we may go ahead and get it. I am traveling this June with a party of 6. We have ADRs at Crystal Palace, Rose & Crown, and The Plaza, in addition to the F! dining package. I think with even just those three ADRs, 20% would still save us more than the $100 fee, right?

If you have 6 adults in your party, then those 3 ADRs would most likely cost more than $500, which is breakeven.

Would this be a total waste of money? We usually end up paying for at least a couple of meals OOP…namely Cinderella's breakfast, and The Plaza. If we still had TIW, we could save off of those as well. Any advice?

Your TIW card should be good till July 2015. We often use it in conjunction with DDP. DDP is only a waste of money if you feel that way. I think spending $50 on a Mickey track suit for my 4yo is a waste of money, but grandma still buys it every year .

 

[buzzrelly]

If you have 6 adults in your party, then those 3 ADRs would most likely cost more than $500, which is breakeven. Your TIW card should be good till July 2015. We often use it in conjunction with DDP. DDP is only a waste of money if you feel that way. I think spending $50 on a Mickey track suit for my 4yo is a waste of money, but grandma still buys it every year .

Thank you! I thought I was crazy for even considering using both (TIW and DDP)! I'm glad I'm not the only one! Grandmas do some crazy things for their little loves, don't they?! Sweet!

 

[Geomom]

But my mom REALLY likes the DDP and wants to get it for that trip. Would this be a total waste of money? We usually end up paying for at least a couple of meals OOP…namely Cinderella's breakfast, and The Plaza. If we still had TIW, we could save off of those as well. Any advice?

Tip: Even if you're on the DDP, you can use TIW for anything not included with DDP--alcoholic beverages, appetizers, etc--so make sure you show them the TIW card even for your DDP places! We had both (TIW from a previous trip) for a Thanksgiving trip with my Dad as TIW isn't valid on Thanksgiving and we were doing the Candlelight Processional which we didn't mind using 2TS on. TIW was useful for our alcoholic beverage purchases...and having used TIW that April with a party of 8 for 5 days, we had broken even a long time ago!

 

[nalajms]

Tip: Even if you're on the DDP, you can use TIW for anything not included with DDP

Exactly! If you get the regular DDP and go to CRT (which is probably not the best use of 2 credits), you can break out the TIW and get the discount In this case, I would book at breakfast CRT, that ways you can maximize your TS credit at dinner.

 

[buzzrelly]

Exactly! If you get the regular DDP and go to CRT (which is probably not the best use of 2 credits), you can break out the TIW and get the discount In this case, I would book at breakfast CRT, that ways you can maximize your TS credit at dinner.

Thanks. I like that idea. We usually do end up paying OOP for CRT, so 20% will be nice!

 

[SuperRob]

I have another question…we will be going back in April 2015 so our TIW card would still be good for that trip, correct? But my mom REALLY likes the DDP and wants to get it for that trip. Would this be a total waste of money? We usually end up paying for at least a couple of meals OOP…namely Cinderella's breakfast, and The Plaza. If we still had TIW, we could save off of those as well. Any advice?

Yes, it should still be good. My wife and I are going back in April as well, and we'll be getting TIW in September, fully anticipating using it on both trips.

If it were my choice, I'd skip the DDP and just go with TIW. The flexibility to order anything you want, and from more restaurants, is great. DDP I've found to be nice for the convenience, but you're either overpaying or overeating. TIW you will get 20% off whatever you order, so even if you're just not that hungry, you're don't feel like you need to eat or order just to squeeze value out of the plan.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks. I like that idea. We usually do end up paying OOP for CRT, so 20% will be nice!

So you know, when you book CRT you'll pay in full. Then when you get there you show them the TIW card, and you'll get a refund that's almost (but not quite) 20% off. It's not quite 20% because the photo is included in the total, and you don't get the discount off of the photo.

 

[JWG]

I just realized that the DVC dining discounts are better than the AP discounts... Surprising...