When is TIW worth it?

[Bephus]

We are newly season passholders so FD isn't really an option for us since I would rather use a room discount and have more flexibility for dining choices. Anyway, if I get the TiW card at the discounted rate (I think it is $100) how much do I need to spend on TS meals for it to be worth it? A typical day in the park would include one TS meal and snacks (DH is a Mickey bar nut). I bring in other healthy snacks, water bottles for each family member and we eat breakfast before we go into the parks. I like the idea of having time every day to sit down and relax outside of the bustle of the crowds so we tend to eat at off times (4:00 for dinner, 10:30 for lunch, etc). So at ~$35 per adult and ~$20 for DS3 and DD1 to share when will the % discount even out? I think we will be visiting a total of 10-15 days annually. TIA!

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

We are newly season passholders so FD isn't really an option for us since I would rather use a room discount and have more flexibility for dining choices. Anyway, if I get the TiW card at the discounted rate (I think it is $100) how much do I need to spend on TS meals for it to be worth it? A typical day in the park would include one TS meal and snacks (DH is a Mickey bar nut). I bring in other healthy snacks, water bottles for each family member and we eat breakfast before we go into the parks. I like the idea of having time every day to sit down and relax outside of the bustle of the crowds so we tend to eat at off times (4:00 for dinner, 10:30 for lunch, etc). So at ~$35 per adult and ~$20 for DS3 and DD1 to share when will the % discount even out? I think we will be visiting a total of 10-15 days annually. TIA!

We are also new AP holders...and very excited about it too
FD makes *zero* sense for us, as we usually mix our stays with DVC points and a room discount code. We also usually go during F&W, so we partake in Party for the Senses, and Sweet Sundays -- so again, FD - not a smart choice.

Now TIW -- we have used via my parents (they have been AP holders), and we'll be using on our own now, as recent AP holders. It makes a huge difference, especially since we do table service almost exclusively, plus we always do V&A -- which the savings there, alone, pays for the bill. TIW helps out tremendously with alcohol, and I love the 18% set gratuity.

I think you'll find it was a good choice.. and by the way, it is $75 bucks for an AP holder....

 

[Bephus]

Awesome!! I couldn't remember how much it was. I am thinking it is the way to go for our family. Can I get it at the park or do I need to order it online to get the discount? We are going Tuesday and I want to start using it then.

 

[ancestry]

You have to spend $375 in table service meals to recoup the $75 cost of the TIW card.

I believe the card can be purchased on site at any guest services location -- or so I've been told anyways. I, myself, will be upgrading to an annual pass and plan on purchasing the TIW card in May. When I asked here on the boards I was told I could purchase it at any guest services location at the parks.

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

I ordered ours online, and we'll pick up in Downtown Disney. I would call them, and then pickup DTD when you arrive. I pasted some info below, may be helpful -- >>

Here is some info:
MEMBERSHIP AND CARD INFORMATION: Call the office at (407) 566-5858, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern, or email WDW.Tables.In.Wonderland@disney.com

You can also visit Guest Relations at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdrom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Downtown Disney to purchase a Tables in Wonderland card.

Here is a good link:
http://allears.net/din/dde.htm

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

You have to spend $375 in table service meals to recoup the $75 cost of the TIW card.

That sounds about right... it is worth the purchase alone if dining at V&A, which costs at least $300 ...

Keep in mind, TIW can only be used at V&A in the main dining room.

All other dining then after that - were in the bonus section : ))

 

[SusieBea]

We purchased ours at DTD guest services for $75 in March when we were there for 2 nights with the intent of using it for a family vacation w/ 6 people for 7 nights in September. In March, we ate at Flying Fish, Turf Club, Grand Floridian Cafe, and the Captain's Grill in the YC. My husband says we saved $65 during that trip alone. We're eating at Fulton's Crab, Sanaa, Coral Reef, Narcoossees and the Calif Grill in September. I really think it'll be well worth the money.

 

[Bephus]

Thank you so much for the info. I ended up calling TiW and I can get it from MK guest services very easily when we turn in our SP vouchers since all our info will already be available to the CM. I definately think we will get our $ worth since we like TS meals and we are planning on doing some character meals this year for the first time since we have young kids now.

 

[pixarmom]

We're new AP holders, too! We really loved using TIW for our last trip. We did all the math based on our family's eating habits and the fact that we have two pre-teen "Disney adults" and a pre-schooler. We previously used the dining plan when all our kids were actually "kids" for Disney Dining plan purposes, and it was just OK then - we probably saved money on the kids' dining plan, but not on the adults.

But here's what made TIW worth it for our family:

1) We try more TS restaurants for lunch in addition to dinner. It's a great break from the parks in the middle of the day, and very cost effective based on our eating habits.

2) We like to order soup, salad or appetizers instead of entrees. Or sometimes we split entrees. I don't eat a whole lot, nor do our pre-teens, so it gives us a lot of flexibility that we didn't have on the dining plan.

3) We rarely eat dessert at the same time as our meal (and definitely not at lunch) so we ended up with lots of unused desserts on the dining plan.

4) My husband and I also like to order wine or beer with dinner, which is covered by TIW.

So all those factors made TIW a great deal for us, especially as compared with the dining plan. The math is different for everyone, but it worked out in TIW's favor for us.

 

[Golf4food]

Thank you so much for the info. I ended up calling TiW and I can get it from MK guest services very easily when we turn in our SP vouchers since all our info will already be available to the CM. I definately think we will get our $ worth since we like TS meals and we are planning on doing some character meals this year for the first time since we have young kids now.

Greetings from across the river in East Arlington/Ft. Caroline.

Enjoy your SPs and TIW. We do (well, SPs anyway - we're going to get our TIW in two weeks).

 

[fairyprincess1]

We got ours a few weeks ago & we pretty much paid for it on our first trip - so our next trip, we are into the savings ... Note that if you are staying at a Value Resort (I can't wait until my son will go to sleep in a standard hotel room, so I don't need a family suite at ASMu) that you can use TIW at the food courts there - not many people do because the CMs couldn't believe when my TIW gave me the discount on our adult beverages but it did


We had the deluxe plan last year & found that we had way too much food - for us this is a better way to go!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

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 gratutity added.

100.00 - Original 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 - Amount of Bill
*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.

 

[sissy_42]

I didn't realize Florida residents were eligible for TiW! If my trip next year goes as planned I'll be sure to get one as I'll be taking my DBF and his parents to Victoria and Albert's!

 

[Tara]

Don't forget -you get free valet parking at resorts that offer valet when you dine there and show your TIW card.

 

[BriarRosie]

I didn't realize Florida residents were eligible for TiW! If my trip next year goes as planned I'll be sure to get one as I'll be taking my DBF and his parents to Victoria and Albert's!

The cost for Florida residents who don't have an annual pass: $100. If anyone has the annual pass, they should mention that and pay only $75.

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

I didn't realize Florida residents were eligible for TiW! If my trip next year goes as planned I'll be sure to get one as I'll be taking my DBF and his parents to Victoria and Albert's!

In fact...when TIW was DDE, at one point, it was only available to FL residents. So glad it is now AP holders !!!!

 

[ICan'tWait]

Can't resist asking... Can a family with an AP buy a TIW for someone else that doesn't have an AP?

 

[NOLA_Tink]

We used our Disney Visa reward dollars to pay for our TIW card & it was totally worth it for us! We stayed at value resorts to use it at the food court for breakfast & the occasional value resort lunch/dinner. We were also able to use it at POP to buy a refillable mug.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Can't resist asking... Can a family with an AP buy a TIW for someone else that doesn't have an AP?

No. The name on the TiW card has to match the name on the AP.

And, if the user is asked for identification and the name on the identification does not match the name on the card, the card will be confiscated and voided in the system.

 

[DisneyMim]

We just renewed ours last week and think it's worth it even on the dining plan. It's good for drinks, and we use ours for some meals that we pay out of pocket. And yes as another poster said it's good for valet parking too. Remember that's $12 a pop. We've had it for a number of years now and even thought the price has gone up a little (it's now $75) we feel it's still a good deal. In the long run, you have to think it over and decide for yourself, think what you plan of "action" is going to be.

Enjoy The Magic!!