Tables in Wonderland Card

[Drince88]

I don't think the AP discount at WDW applies to alcohol, either.

One 'hidden cost' isn't really an additional cost, but they do (generally) add 18% tip on the bill.

And last time I was there, they didn't accept it at Yak&Yeti, but they did have a smaller AP discount.

[Eighty8Keys]

We purchased our TIW card for our December 2008 trip. At the time the cost for the card was $60. There were two of us on this trip and neither of us drinks alcohol. By day 10 of our 15 day trip we saved enough to pay for the card. By the end of the trip we saved $103.33. We were able to use the TIW discount at all seven of our table service meals, two counter service meals at Flame Tree BBQ, and regular visits to the food court at Pop Century.

We used the card again for a 10-day trip in November 2009. This time there were four of us. We used the card at seven table service restaurants, Flame Tree BBQ, and multiple trips to the POFQ food court since our rooms were very close by. We saved $162.32 on this trip.

All together we saved $205.65 after deducting the $60 cost of the card. We loved the freedom and flexibility of being able to eat where and what we wanted without worrying about using up dining credits. It was definitely worth it.

In 2008 we averaged $25 a day per person for food, including tax and tip. In 2009 the average increased a bit to $29.00 per person, but still below the cost of the DDP.

[cstephens]

One 'hidden cost' isn't really an additional cost, but they do (generally) add 18% tip on the bill.

Yes, the 18% tip is apparently part of the program. We've just been adding more to get to what we'd normally tip if need be.

And last time I was there, they didn't accept it at Yak&Yeti, but they did have a smaller AP discount.

They don't accept it there because the restaurant is actually owned and operated by an outside company (Landry Restaurants, who also own and run Rainforest Cafe), not Disney. We got a 10% discount with our AP.

[texasgal]

We are a family of 5, with the oldest child required to buy an adult meal, and middle child sometimes wanting to buy an adult meal. We loved the freedom of not having to use the exact formula of 1 entree, 1 drink, 1 desert. We don't eat deserts at every meal, and on top of that we were celebrating middle child's birthday, and almost all of the places brought him a free desert anyway. Also with the price of alcohol we wouldn't have bought any, but having a 20% discount helped a little and allowed DH to have beer a few times. We also enjoyed some appetizers a few times.

We paid for our card in our first 3 sit down meals which were Whispering Canyon, Biergarten, and Akershus. We actually only did 7 sit down meals in 11 days, but it was definitely worth it. We also enjoyed using it at POFQ for beignets one day.

The more people in your family, and the longer the stay the quicker it pays for itself.

[Avacrand]

I bought one last December when I started my annual pass. (I bought the AP the previous August before that years price increase but didn't activate them until December.) What I did was used the 60 points I had on my Disney VIsa to purchase the TIW card, so the card cost me 15 in cash. In which case it paid itself in one visit. I used it several times in December even on my mugs and any waters I bought at POP. It adds up. Then I used it for our week long visit in April; I will use it one last time in December when we go again for a weekend. Well worth it if you dont have dining. Especially if you stay at one of the values because then you can use it in the food court.

[danyoung]

Well, my eating and dining habits while in the World are pretty well known, and the TiW card is tailor made for me! I usually do table service dining every night, and quite often do the signature restaurants like the California Grill. So this card can easily clear me $20 in a single meal. Multiply that by 5 or 6 nights in a trip, and 3 trips in a year, and I come away way in the green on this. I've used it at several of the bars in the World, including the Rose & Crown in Epcot, the Tune In Lounge in the Studios, and Mizner's in the Grand Floridian, and I have never even felt a hint of a problem with this card. It really should be warmly greeted, as at least an 18% tip is included when you use the card. Of course I tip a bit higher than this, especially at the bars, but you need to be careful not to totally double tip by forgetting about the 18% already there.

I'm always an AP holder, I never do the DDP, and I ALWAYS use the Tables in Wonderland card!

[wishiwasthere]

Good to know Yak and Yeti will at least give me 10% discount with my AP!

[Drince88]

It MAY have been just 10% off the entrees, not the whole bill - but things like that change all the time, and I think it's been close to two years since we ate there. But there WAS a discount (and every little bit helps!)

[mom22gls]

You will probably save enough to cover the cost of the card in 3-4 days. The card can also be used at some counter service places, and food courts. I used it at the food court at POFQ, and also at the Flame Tree BBQ at AK. Because you don't tip, it's a greater, substantive, savings at those places. You can also use it at some places that don't serve whole meals. I've used it for afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. It's worked out very well for us.

[danyoung]

Because you don't tip, it's a greater, substantive, savings at those places.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. The 18% tip is mandatory with the card, so I'm not sure how that can be considered a savings when you're definitely tipping, just not voluntarily.

[Leslie]

Dan, What's a Tables In Wonderland Card? Is it something that would benefit me in February somehow? Thanks Leslie

[danyoung]

TiW is a card that you can purchase if you have an annual pass. It costs $75 for a year's use, and gives you 20% off of all table service (and some quick service and food court) meals, including alcohol. As I and others have said, it'll pay for itself in just a few uses, and then go on to make your annual pass even more valuable as it continues to save you money!

[teri]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. The 18% tip is mandatory with the card, so I'm not sure how that can be considered a savings when you're definitely tipping, just not voluntarily.

Hmmmm... does it add a tip at the counter service restaurants? Because if not, then it IS a greater savings there.

[Cheshire Figment]

I am a CM and I get the TiW card every year. The CM dining discount has certain time restrictions which TiW does not, and sometimes while dining with friends or relatives there is wine or other drinks involved.

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 gratuity 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%.)


Tables in Wonderland List of ALL participating 2010 locations:

Walt Disney World Resorts

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort: World Premiere Food Court
Disney's All-Star Music Resort: Intermission Food Court
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort: End Zone Food Court
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Boma—Flavors of Africa, Jiko The Cooking Place, Sanaa, Victoria Falls
Disney's Beach Club Resort: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Excludes take out shop), Cape May Cafe, Martha's Vineyard Lounge
Disney's BoardWalk Resort: Belle Vue Lounge, ESPN Club, Flying Fish Cafe, Kouzzina by Cat Cora
Disney's Bonnet Creek Golf Club: Sand Trap Bar & Grill
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort: Shutters at Old Port Royale
Disney's Contemporary Resort: California Grill, Chef Mickey's, Outer Rim, The Wave
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: Maya Grill
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Late Show Only), Trail's End Restaurant, Crockett's Tavern
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: 1900 Park Fare, Citricos, Garden View Tea Room, Grand Floridian Cafe, Mizner's Lounge, Narcoossee's, Victoria & Albert's (Excluding Chef's Table and Queen Victoria Room)
Disney's Old Key West Resort: Olivia's Cafe
Disney's Polynesian Resort: 'Ohana, Kona Cafe, Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Late Show Only), Tambu Lounge
Disney's Pop Century Resort: Everything Pop Shopping and Dining (Excludes merchandise from shop)
Disney's Port Orleans Resort: Riverside: Boatwright's Dining Hall, River Roost French Quarter: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, Scat Cat's Club
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: The Artist's Palette, The Turf Club Lounge, The Turf Club Bar & Grill
Disney's Vero Beach Resort: The Green Cabin Room, Shutter's, Sonya's (Excludes the Sunday Brunch)
Disney's Wilderness Lodge: Artist Point, Territory Lounge, Whispering Canyon Cafe
Disney's Yacht Club Resort: Ale and Compass Lounge, Crews Cup Lounge, Captain's Grille, Yachtsman Steakhouse
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort: Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Kimonos, Shula's Steak House, Todd English's bluezoo

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Magic Kingdom Park: Cinderella's Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Crystal Palace, The Plaza Restaurant, Tony's Town Square Restaurant

Epcot: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Bistro de Paris, Chefs de France, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Nine Dragons Restaurant, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, San Angel Inn Restaurante, The Garden Grill Restaurant, Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia Ristorante

Disney's Hollywood Studios: 50's Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Tune-In Lounge

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Tusker House Restaurant, Pizzafari, Flame Tree Barbecue, Restaurantosaurus

Downtown Disney Marketplace: Cap'n Jack's Restaurant, Fulton's Crab House

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island: Portobello, Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant

Downtown Disney West Side: House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Wolfgang Puck Cafe

ESPN Wide World of Sports: ESPN Sports Cafe

[KJSJpipe]

Thanks for the list!!

[Leslie]

TiW is a card that you can purchase if you have an annual pass. It costs $75 for a year's use, and gives you 20% off of all table service (and some quick service and food court) meals, including alcohol. As I and others have said, it'll pay for itself in just a few uses, and then go on to make your annual pass even more valuable as it continues to save you money!

Thanks Dan, that take's care of me seeing how Im not a AP holder. YET