TiWc, buy or don't buy?

DisFanJen

Disney Phreak
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Sep 3, 2011
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Getting the Tables in Wonderland card is usually a no brainer as my partner and I are both foodies and we eat at a few resort restaurants where we valet the car, so the discounts add up.

This year not so much.

We're at WDW in just a few weeks and there is an AP deal for the 45th that means that some restaurants that we have ADRs for already give us a 20% discount before applying the TiWc (and as the discounts don't stack, the TiWc does nothing).

After sitting down and much mathing, it works out that we will have 6 meals that the discount will help with (only 10% extra mind as our AP would give us 10%) and 3 valets so the total comes to around a saving of $115, less than the cost of the TiWc.

However my partner and I love the Boma breakfast, just love it, and in our past 5 trips there hasn't been one time where we haven't done an extra walk up (well, same day ADR) on top of our normal ADRs, sometimes two or three.

As we will valet each time and get the extra 10% discount on top of our AP each time we do this we're looking at an extra $28(ish) saving for each visit.

So one extra takes it to $143, two visits to $171. And then we are saving. Not much but saving.

Then add to that the convenience of the card meaning it just plumps the tip on and I don't have to work it out (I always tip 18% unless it's bad service, though I know some ppl only tip 10% in a buffet), and it leaves me in a bit of a quandary.

Right now buying the TiWc isn't a good choice. I'm paying more than I save, so I'd be throwing away $35, but like I said we usually always go to Boma once or twice extra once we get to WDW...

So, what to do?


Oh, I'll just add, I know some people say you need to treat it as only a 2% saving because of the auto gratuity but like I said, I'd tip 18% unless things were bad, and if they were you can actually ask the manager to lower or remove the auto gratuity if you wish (or increase of course, those guys work hard!).

So IHMO it should be considered a 20% not 2%, because, well, who'd want to stiff the servers?
 
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I agree with you - it is a 20% savings. I always tip at least 18% - if the server is good I will tip 20%-25%. I don't know if I would buy it for that little savings - especially if you don't do 2 more Bomas. By the way we LOVE Boma breakfast also - so sad to say that we just found that out. We always did Boma dinner and now Boma breakfast is our favorite. We are a family of 6 and usually travel with 8 to 10 so for us the TIW is always a huge savings. I would pass this time in your case - that 20% savings is great. Enjoy our trip - I am thinking of the food at Boma now. Yum!
 
Getting the Tables in Wonderland card is usually a no brainer as my partner and I are both foodies and we eat at a few resort restaurants where we valet the car, so the discounts add up.

This year not so much.

We're at WDW in just a few weeks and there is an AP deal for the 45th that means that some restaurants that we have ADRs for already give us a 20% discount before applying the TiWc (and as the discounts don't stack, the TiWc does nothing).

After sitting down and much mathing, it works out that we will have 6 meals that the discount will help with (only 10% extra mind as our AP would give us 10%) and 3 valets so the total comes to around a saving of $115, less than the cost of the TiWc.

However my partner and I love the Boma breakfast, just love it, and in our past 5 trips there hasn't been one time where we haven't done an extra walk up (well, same day ADR) on top of our normal ADRs, sometimes two or three.

As we will valet each time and get the extra 10% discount on top of our AP each time we do this we're looking at an extra $25(ish) saving for each visit.

So one extra takes it to $140, two visits to $160. And then we are saving. Not much but saving.

Then add to that the convenience of the card meaning it just plumps the tip on and I don't have to work it out (I always tip 18% unless it's bad service, though I know some ppl only tip 10% in a buffet), and it leaves me in a bit of a quandary.

Right now buying the TiWc isn't a good choice. I'm paying more than I save, so I'd be throwing away $35, but like I said we usually always go to Boma once or twice extra once we get to WDW...

So, what to do?


Oh, I'll just add, I know some people say you need to treat it as only a 2% saving because of the auto gratuity but like I said, I'd tip 18% unless things were bad, and if they were you can actually ask the manager to lower or remove the auto gratuity if you wish (or increase of course, those guys work hard!).

So IHMO it should be considered a 20% not 2%, because, well, who'd want to stiff the servers?


This is WAY too much math for a vacation o_O

If it were me, and I was struggling this hard to make the math work, then I'd just skip it. Honestly, if I end up paying a LITTLE bit more in the end, my peace of mind is totally worth it.

I skipped the TIW last trip because it was just four of us and we aren't drinkers and didn't have a lot of TS planned. Next time I will get it because there will be seven of us and plan to do a lot of buffets, etc.

Make your life simple and skip it.
 

If it were me, and I was struggling this hard to make the math work, then I'd just skip it. Honestly, if I end up paying a LITTLE bit more in the end, my peace of mind is totally worth it.

For me it's not trying to make the math work so much as letting my head rule the roost for once.

If I wasn't thinking, well if I'm honest it's not a good deal this time I'd just go for it to get that warm fuzzy feeling of having a DVC, AP, and TiWc all at the same time. ;)
 
I am a planner too…it's my favorite thing to do! BUT…when you're trying THIS hard to justify the cost of the TIW then you're working too hard! Life is too short!

Just my opinion, but I would skip it and then I wouldn't have to worry about the 2% tip or valet parking, etc. Then maybe you could just focus on having FUN on your vacation :D
 
I think it would depend on whether you get refreshing adult beverages. If not, it's probably not worth the cost, if so it would be since the AP doesn't cover those.
 
I think it would depend on whether you get refreshing adult beverages. If not, it's probably not worth the cost, if so it would be since the AP doesn't cover those.

Agree with this, alcohol factors in.

Thoughts -

Are you saying you are only making one trip, that this would be the only time you would use TiW? Unless you are using the card much more than you described I can't imagine for one trip, barely breaking even it is worth it ... since you don't pay extra for the AP discount.

My card is ready to expire the end of the month after a trip. I am probably not going to get a new one since I can use the AP Discount if needed on a spur trip. I can book where it's offered those trips. I will renew TiW on my next bigger trip ... delaying the expiration date, not losing time.

I like TiW because there are more restaurants, all with 20% and it includes alcohol. The AP discount has been great at some QS locations not covered on the AP discount.
 


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