Tables in Wonderland (TIW) vs. basic Disney Dining Plan (DDP) About This Page:

[Ariel&Alice]

I am trying to figure out the route to go for our upcoming trip. We can get a TIW card and save 20% off sit down meals and alcohol throughout WDW. We rarely feel the need for desserts and purchase more alcohol probably than dessert. I'm also thinking most counter service food will be shared since portions are usually so large.

My main thing is that I just wanna know from someone who has experienced both the BDDP and TIW. what worked best for your family? How were the savings?

[Sandy_N]

I am guessing it is for the 5 of you in the picture? If so, you may want both depending where you eat. If you have character meals, the kids are a steal on the BDP. You could still by TIW for your drinks. Since you are at 173 days, I am guessing you have your reservations. It really depends. I would look at the menus and calculate it as best you can. If it was just the two adults it sounds like TIW would be the way to go but the kids make a big difference

[hdnj79]

I like the TIW; it does not tie you down to keeping a dinner reservation at a restaurant like the DDP does; and if you eat at place like the 50's Prime Time in HS or The Plaza at MK, the meals are cheaper here plus the 20% discount; for the DDP to eat at these place, especially if you are not dessert eaters, it doesn't make sense... also, take into consideration the initial cost of the TIW and make sure that you will eventually make up that difference in the discount; you have to give an 18% tip when using the TIW and if you only use the card two or three times during the trip, it may not offset the cost of the card

[MelissaL]

When both of our kids were under 10, the basic Dining Plan saved us money. Once my son was over 10, we did better with Tables in Wonderland. With kids, if you do a lot of buffets the dining plan is a great deal -- we did a lot of buffets when my son was 9 because kids' meals were not enough for him. Once he reached 10 and had to pay adult prices anyhow, we did fewer buffets.

On our last trip, a benefit of Tables in Wonderland was that my 7-year-old daughter was not restricted to the kids' menu -- a couple of times she ordered an adult appetizer (flatbread, cheese plate) instead of an entree. In a five-day trip, we easily spent the $375 we needed to break even on the Tables in Wonderland card, and we didn't even order alcohol. I calculated that the dining plan would not have saved us money at all with what we ate and where (but if we were on the dining plan, we would have eaten at one fewer table aervice restaurant so we didn't have to pay for a meal out of pocket).

[stillgoofy]

We have had the TIW for years and have saved alot of money, even though we don't even do tons of sit down meals (maybe once every day or two). It's nice to have the flexibility of going many places. It is also good at some QS locations like Pizzafari & Flametree BBQ in AK and also food courts at resorts that don't have sit down restaurants like the Values, POFQ and SSR. We also have a rental car with us each time and you get free valet parking with the TIW at resorts when going for meals. That comes in handy on really hot days in huge parking lots like Beach Club or Boardwalk.

[chezp]

I price both options up for each vacation to work out which will be cheaper for us. That's what I find the best way of working out which is best for us.