Who uses the DVC dining discount?

[DizMagic]

all the way. we have thoroughly loved our Tiw over the last 5 years we have been AP members. however, we tend to eat at the higher end restaurants and i do enjoy a nice glass of wine or two with dinner.

i think if we were not planning on eating out like that in the future, i might try to save the $75. but so far it fits our family's needs best.

 

[hakepb]

Now I'm wondering the same thing. So do we spend the $75 to get 20% off meals and drinks at most everywhere? Or not spend the $75 and get a bunch of 10%, 15%, 20% offs at certain places for mostly lunch with our DVC and AP?

I am certain it is possible to dine cheaper with DVC and/or AP than TiW, but you are working with a more limited selection of times and restaurants. (And some overstate TiW savings by not calculating DVC/AP discounts they would get anyway)
If the DVC or AP selection works for your preferences, the go for it. In the end, discounts are a function of your preferences and math.

 

[hakepb]

If Chef's de France still has their lunch special, that's only $20.00 or so, then with the discount...what a way to go

What i remember for one of their specials:

Grilled Cheese
French Onion Soup
Baguette
Dessert

We just always flash all of our cards and say: Which one's best?

Ohhhh, that sounds good!
I had a dinner there once, and only thought the entree was decent, but it included what may of been the best mashed potatoes I ever had in my life (I am sure they used a proper amount of heavy cream and imported French butter ). With that butter, I can only imagine a spectacular grilled cheese.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

So whats better? DVC? TiW? AP?

That's the problem. It depends on which restaurant and which meal. The DVC restaurant discount is difficult because it varies by restaurant and in some cases is only valid for certain times of day. (Most are for lunch.) At some locations, the DVC discount only applies to certain items on the menu.

Unless you carry your Portable Perks around with you, it's easy to forget there might be a DVC discount at the particular restaurant you're at.

I try to remember to ask about every possible discount, but often forget. For the mostpart, if you have a TIW, it's going to be the best dining discount. If the restaruant doesn't accept that, then ask about DVC, Disney Visa, Annual Pass, AAA, etc.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We just always flash all of our cards and say: Which one's best?

I actually made up a laminated card once year that said,

Which discounts apply here?
Tables in Wonderland
DVC Member
Disney Visa
Premium Annual Passholder
D23
Department of Defense
AAA

Of course remembering to take it out and use it was the biggest challenge.

 

[Hunclemarco]

Grilled Cheese from Chef's de France... Sorry the pictures are so big. I think the discount for DVC was 20% for lunch there. (November 2010)

 

[princessdawn2011]

Just checked DVC perks, most are 10% off lunch. Not too many choices anymore either

 

[DVC Grammy]

I usually take advantage of the DVC discount at the Swolphin resorts, especially if I'm at the BW or BC. I enjoy the restaurants there and that 20% off is great!

 

[supersuperwendy]

After much thought I think TiW might be best since it can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner correct depending on the restaurant? So if for instance we want to have breakfast with Lilo and Stitch at 'Ohana it's 20% off...then that afternoon I want some grapefruit cake from Brown Derby it's 20% off and that night we want to pig out at The Biergarten it's 20% off on the food and my husband's enormous beers?! I think with the way we eat this could be great. So if I just want onion rings and soup at Sci Fi it's 20% off?! This seems way better then an entree and dessert constantly on the DDP. Our kids are now adults on the DDP and there's NOWAY they can eat $45.99 worth of food in one day. And the baby is too little for the DDP, but oh boy she can eat! I'm thinking I'm gonna like this card!

 

[CarolMN]

I usually take advantage of the DVC discount at the Swolphin resorts, especially if I'm at the BW or BC. I enjoy the restaurants there and that 20% off is great!

Us, too!

We also use it at Picabu (Dolphin) to buy some snacks and to go food for the room.

 

[rocketriter]

We use the discounts wherever possible. Years ago we tried the dining plan. Too much food, and our kids developed a taste for lobster and prime rib that cost us a fortune after the trip ended. With the discounts, we just order what we want and enjoy watching the price drop.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I am certain it is possible to dine cheaper with DVC and/or AP than TiW, but you are working with a more limited selection of times and restaurants. (And some overstate TiW savings by not calculating DVC/AP discounts they would get anyway)
If the DVC or AP selection works for your preferences, the go for it. In the end, discounts are a function of your preferences and math.

One of our preferences is alcohol. One you figure that into the equation, nothing really comes close to TIW. A few high end bottles of wine can offset the entire price of the card.

MG

 

[VLee]

I remember TIW card is usually good for at least 12+ months, depending on which day of the month you buy it? If we purchase it on May 26, it should be good until June 30 of 2012....does anybody know for sure?

 

[shoes99]

I remember TIW card is usually good for at least 12+ months, depending on which day of the month you buy it? If we purchase it on May 26, it should be good until June 30 of 2012....does anybody know for sure?

We purchased our TIW card on 3/3/2011 and it is good until 4/30/2012.

 

[JimC]

TIW is our primary discount. DVC and AP are back ups.

 

[supersuperwendy]

So it can be used for breakfast? Also...what happens of we buy it then don't renew our APs? Can you use the TiW card with expired passes?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

So it can be used for breakfast? Also...what happens of we buy it then don't renew our APs? Can you use the TiW card with expired passes?

You TIW is good for a year after you buy it. It has its own expiration date on the TIW card. They don't ask to see the AP when you use the TIW.

 

[PBader]

If you look at www.restaurants.com for the 32830 zipcode there are several restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin and also House of Blues in Downtwon Disney. Most of the time there is a 70 or 80% discount code. Currently it is Plate for 70% off. It makes a $25 GC only $3. You just need to read the fine print on them and they never expire