To DDP or TIW?

[Tiger926]

We have done both many times - just did Deluxe for 12 nights in May. We normally ate 2-3 TS meals per day, so we've tried the DDP the last few trips, but now for our next trip, we are back to TIW, and here are our reasons:

1. If someone gets sick, we won't be out credits/money as we would be with DP

2. More freedom with TIW card

3. Our kids are foodies, so we will order them adult meals to share as kids' meals aren't that great

4. We will be able to use our TIW over 2 vacations, although next year we will be subject to blackout dates as we are going on son's birthday on July 4th

We don't drink alcohol, so that isn't an issue for us. We are looking forward to having more freedom with the TIW card!

Happy eating, Tiger

 

[deedeetoo]

.. although next year we will be subject to blackout dates as we are going on son's birthday on July 4th

OK - tell me more about blackout dates. That is something I hadn't considered. Do they blackout just the holiday itself or do they black out days around the holiday too?

 

[Chuck S]

OK - tell me more about blackout dates. That is something I hadn't considered. Do they blackout just the holiday itself or do they black out days around the holiday too?

Just the holiday itself, and occasionally, depending upon the restaurant, they may still honor it, even though officially they are not required to do so.

 

[Dean]

I am surprised that more people don't find it to be an issue that you can't get a discount at counter service places with the TIW card in the parks. People keep saying how much more flexible the TIW card is, but I don't see it that way if you can't use it in the parks. With DDP, I can get something to eat no matter where I am.

Is there an AP or DVC discount at the counter service places in the parks?

As others have noted, there are few CS discounts other than the DDP itself. IMO, the CS choices can be make or break on the value of the DDP. A $7 HB meal compared to a $14 rib/chicken combo is a big difference or a $15-20 meal at Pepper Market is an even larger difference, esp if they'll let you get the smoothie as your drink (sometimes yes/sometimes no). With the TIW card (and often with just the AP & DVC discounts) we can eat two TS meals a day for less than the price of the DDP per day. Given we prefer TS and are not big CS people, that often works better for us.

The discounts for DVC and AP are sometimes 20%, not just 10% but often the AP discounts are not applicable on weekends. Thus depending on your restaurant choices, you may actually save less than a 10% discount compared to TIW. Or you may save more for other restaurant choices. Also remember that Safari club members get a free appy or 10% off at the RFC and T-rex, not sure about Y & Y at AK but would assume so there as well.