Using TIW for alcohol at Epcot

[MaybeMaybeline]

On the fence about TiW and if it makes sense for my upcoming trip. Just looking on some input for which of the dining locations in Epcot have a stand alone bar that would be suitable for just having a drink or even which restaurants wouldn't give you the side eye for just ordering drinks. Although I suppose any real savings is eaten up in the gratuity that would be added at those locations? Still a seat and AC might make it all worthwhile.

 

[HopperFan]

www.tablesinwonderland.com

First you have to see where you can use it. We like to do drinks with an appetizer or two. We are getting to where we'd rather do that than eat a large meal.

 

[JoWilly]

We use the card every chance we get. So much so that we rarely dine at a place that doesn't accept it. But to your point from my experience it pretty much covers the tip, but it takes away the need to do the math.

 

[Hopefully]

We are a party of 3 adults and also get the basic DDP. We have recouped our TiW purchase price in appetizers and adult beverages. We may find that it will be our 2nd trip this year with cost increase.
The Rose & Crown Pub in the UK, Tutto Gusto in Italy & La cava del Tequilla in Mexico are 3 beverages locations. Spice Road Table has a bar area as well as a nice outdoor seating area where you could also get a " small plate" appetizer. Personally I think most TS restaurants in Epcot would expect you to order more than just a drink I'd you made an ADR for a table.
But other than the BOG at MK, all parks have bars/ lounges you can order an adult beverage from. In AK we enjoy the Dawa Bar & Yak & Yeti has a bar area. In DHS the Tune In Lounge at 50's PTC is fun as is the outdoor lounge at Hollywood Brown Derby.
All resorts also have Bar/lounges.
Enjoy

 

[supersnoop]

I was staying at the Boardwalk and had to run back to my room from Epcot. My father came along for the walk, and on our way back, we stopped at the ESPN club to grab a couple beers. I used my TiW card to get the discount, and we got the beers in plastic cups, which we drank while walking back to Epcot. No issues there.

I've used the TiW a few times at the Poly, where I buy my wife that drink that comes in the pineapple. At the Tambu Lounge, I think they had to get a manager to run the discount, so that took a little longer.

 

[bumbershoot]

The savings are only eaten up if you weren't planning to tip to begin with.

Otherwise you have the cost of the drink plus tip (which would have been spent anyway) minus the TIW discount.

 

[TeresaWen]

We use the card every chance we get. So much so that we rarely dine at a place that doesn't accept it. But to your point from my experience it pretty much covers the tip, but it takes away the need to do the math.

and you are STILL saving 20% - you would tip without the card too!

 

[Barbydoll8]

On the fence about TiW and if it makes sense for my upcoming trip.

Many will tell you that TIW at the current cost has a close to break even point of about $750. If you think you'll spend more than $750 in 12 months on food and alcohol then it's worth it. If not, then don't do it.
A lot of the free standing bars do not take it but the places inside normally do. The lounges in the hotels normally do but the outside kiosks in Epcot do not. I know cause DH drinks around the world and I always ask.
I keep a spreadsheet with what was spent and what was saved to see if TIW is worth it. Since the price went up so much, this might be the last year for us to use it.

 

[AngiTN]

On the fence about TiW and if it makes sense for my upcoming trip. Just looking on some input for which of the dining locations in Epcot have a stand alone bar that would be suitable for just having a drink or even which restaurants wouldn't give you the side eye for just ordering drinks. Although I suppose any real savings is eaten up in the gratuity that would be added at those locations? Still a seat and AC might make it all worthwhile.

I see this comment all the time. I don't think I can wrap my head around that thinking. Do people not tip otherwise? I know we do. So the savings is 20%, more often since when we tip manually we tend to round up vs. exactly 18%. I suppose if you aren't a tipper then yeah, it doesn't save you much.

 

[AngiTN]

We are a party of 3 adults and also get the basic DDP. We have recouped our TiW purchase price in appetizers and adult beverages. We may find that it will be our 2nd trip this year with cost increase.
The Rose & Crown Pub in the UK, Tutto Gusto in Italy & La cava del Tequilla in Mexico are 3 beverages locations. Spice Road Table has a bar area as well as a nice outdoor seating area where you could also get a " small plate" appetizer. Personally I think most TS restaurants in Epcot would expect you to order more than just a drink I'd you made an ADR for a table.
But other than the BOG at MK, all parks have bars/ lounges you can order an adult beverage from. In AK we enjoy the Dawa Bar & Yak & Yeti has a bar area. In DHS the Tune In Lounge at 50's PTC is fun as is the outdoor lounge at Hollywood Brown Derby.
All resorts also have Bar/lounges.
Enjoy

Do all of those take TiW? Other than Yak and Yeti. I know they don't (but they do an AP discount)
I'm not sure I've ever asked at Tutto Gusto or Rose and Crown (bar side)

 

[Hopefully]

Do all of those take TiW? Other than Yak and Yeti. I know they don't (but they do an AP discount)
I'm not sure I've ever asked at Tutto Gusto or Rose and Crown (bar side)

Rose & Crown Pub does. I have not tried at Tutto Gusto, but I expect it would

 

[TeresaWen]

Rose & Crown Pub does. I have not tried at Tutto Gusto, but I expect it would

Tutto Gusto does. We have been many times - last time in December. We save quite a bit there

 

[AngiTN]

Anyone know about LaCava? That's a must do stop for DH and I's trips

 

[Praying Colonel]

www.tablesinwonderland.com

First you have to see where you can use it. We like to do drinks with an appetizer or two. We are getting to where we'd rather do that than eat a large meal.

Us, too. We'll sometimes get a couple of apps & drinks, or split an app/split an entrée/split a dessert & drinks. Although the TiW value has been reduced in recent years, the flexibility of TiW makes it better for us than DDP.

 

[Lady Marie]

On the fence about TiW and if it makes sense for my upcoming trip. Just looking on some input for which of the dining locations in Epcot have a stand alone bar that would be suitable for just having a drink or even which restaurants wouldn't give you the side eye for just ordering drinks. Although I suppose any real savings is eaten up in the gratuity that would be added at those locations? Still a seat and AC might make it all worthwhile.

DH and I love to grab cocktails at Rose and Crown using TIW and take it to go. Never had a problem -- never looked at it like we were odd. We've even stuck around for a few rounds if we felt inclined. We once used it at the tequila bar, but never the wine place in Italy, although from what I gathered it should be the same experience.

Word of warning: check the website to see if the place accepts the card right before you go.... cost myself an extra $50 plus the not-free-anymore valet cost from tea at the GF being removed from the list and I didn't know

 

[plutolovr]

Anyone know about LaCava? That's a must do stop for DH and I's trips

No La Cava does not take TIW.

 

[Jestocost]

Spice Road Table does now take TiW, on the other hand.

 

[MaybeMaybeline]

[QUOTE="Word of warning: check the website to see if the place accepts the card right before you go.... cost myself an extra $50 plus the not-free-anymore valet cost from tea at the GF being removed from the list and I didn't know [/QUOTE]

Almost did this in October. Fortunately we happened to mention it when we were parking and the valet helpfully pointed out that Mizner's accepts TiW and that we could just order a soda and present the receipt. We ended up getting cocktails but I'd rather spend my $25 on booze than parking.

 

[MaybeMaybeline]

I see this comment all the time. I don't think I can wrap my head around that thinking. Do people not tip otherwise? I know we do. So the savings is 20%, more often since when we tip manually we tend to round up vs. exactly 18%. I suppose if you aren't a tipper then yeah, it doesn't save you much.

Yes of course I tip. I meant simply when ordering alcohol at an outdoor kiosk vs a table service restaurant or bar. I don't necessarily feel that counter service deserves a 20% tip and in this scenario I would probably be going in solely for the reason of using TiW vs not using it at a counter so the need for additional tip would negate any savings.

 

[AngiTN]

Yes of course I tip. I meant simply when ordering alcohol at an outdoor kiosk vs a table service restaurant or bar. I don't necessarily feel that counter service deserves a 20% tip and in this scenario I would probably be going in solely for the reason of using TiW vs not using it at a counter so the need for additional tip would negate any savings.

Yeah, if you change what/where you want to eat just to use the TiW then it negates the savings. Sort of like how using a coupon to buy an item just because you have a coupon doesn't save you money. You should only use discounts for your normal purchase habits.
Same goes for Dining Plan.
But most people don't do that with TiW. They purchase it to save on meals already planned at TS locations. So in those times it doesn't negate the savings.