Tables in Wonderland goes up in price

Sunday, December 2, 2012 Chip 9 Comments

Tags: discounts, Disney Dining, Savings, Tables in Wonderland Price increase, TIW

Tables in Wonderland is Disney’s version of a paid discount card. You can use it at most Table Service Restaurants and is a good alternative to using the Disney Dining Plan. TIW membership includes Theme Park restaurants like The Crystal Palace and Pizzafari, Character Dining, and even upscale Resort restaurants like California Grill. Join this culinary club which boasts a buffet of benefits. It’s the ultimate food lover’s feast.

BENEFITS INCLUDE

20% discount on all food and beverages, including alcohol, at over 100 participating Theme Park and Resort restaurants (discount is valid for a party of up to 10 Guests including the member)
Complimentary Resort Valet and Theme Park parking for dining purposes
Invitations to members-only special events, such as happy hours, dessert parties, dinners and many more!
And more!

We have been members for years and when I read the price increase yesterday I was upset and debating if it is worth it to be honest.

Here are the details:

$125 for Florida Residents
$100 for Annual / Seasonal Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members
Add a second membership for your spouse or partner for only $50 more!

To purchase a Tables in Wonderland membership, visit Guest Relations, located at all four Theme Parks and Downtown Disney. You must be 21 years old or older to purchase. Add a second membership for your spouse or partner for only $50 more!

This is a $25 increase from previous years. At what point does this become a waste of money? Many people have asked me if this is even worth it at all considering when you use it you get a 20% discount but you still have 18% gratuity on your check so basically you are only saving 2% off your meals. So that is up to you to decide if it is worth it for you and your family. Even if you do the Disney Dining Plan you will still have to pay the 18% tip out-of-pocket.

Chip’s Tips – Our $400 Disney Gift Card Giveaway would help pay for those tips

So I need to sit down and do the math and see if it is still worth it for us or not. Let us know in the comment box below if you will continue to use TIW or just pay out-of-pocket for everything.

Using a Disney Visa Rewards Card to save for your next Disney Vacation (chipandco.com)
When Less is More for Your Little Ones at Disney World (chipandco.com)

Chip (6719 Posts)

Chip is owner of and webmaster of Chip and Co - Your source for Disney Park News, Planning Tips, Giveaways, and More. When he is not writing about Disney News, or Planning Tips, you will find him counting down the days to his next Disney World Vacation. Watch for him at the 2013 D23 Expo or over on the Chip and Co Facebook Page.

Posted in: Deals, Dining Plan, Disney Deals and Discounts, Food, News, News, Parks & Resorts, Tips &Tricks, Walt Disney World Tags: discounts, Disney Dining, Savings, Tables in Wonderland Price increase, TIW

http://www.facebook.com/jbarriger Jenny Barriger

If the break even point is around $500 then I’ll still get one for our next trip. We’ll be there for a week, so we’ll definitely pass that cost in food.
Powell Golfer

I’m not much good at math but here goes…I calculated the break-even point at $500. I usually leave an 18-20% tip anyway so that’s not really a factor for us. For 2 people, $500 is about 5 meals in EPCOT table service locations. I think it’s still a good deal for us but will see how this year goes. We live in OH & have an annual pass. The meal plan isn’t much help since gratuities and alcohol aren’t covered. The Tables in Wonderland does include alcohol purchases.
http://www.facebook.com/brenda.parish.54 Brenda Parish

I didnt even know what this was until I read the article. Thanks~!
Becky

Ugh. I’m going to do the math again for our trips this year. I still think it will be worth it this time, but it’s a little frustrating that it’s such a big increase!

But I’m not sure who is saying the 18% gratuity negates the 20%… when you go out to eat anywhere you should always leave the tip based on the original bill (why punish your server for your using coupons and gift cards? ). That statement would only be true for people that plan to leave $0 tips and don’t want to be forced to leave one with the automatic gratuity, so basically just really rude people. Think about it this way: A $100 check saves you $20, but you pay $18 in gratuity, so you pay $98 total. Without TiW, you still have a $100 check and unless you’re a jerk, an $18 tip, totaling $118. Still a savings of $20.
http://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.kusak.5 Elizabeth Kusak

I think it just depends on how often you use it as to when it becomes a waste of money. If you use it 10 or more times a year then you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. If you’re only using it twice, then maybe don’t get it. They’ll keep increasing the price as long as people keep buying it!
Linda kennedy

Can’t wait to see the changes at WDW on my next trip!
erica knighten

Thanks for keeping us up to date with all the latest info Chip& co.
jo

It sounds like all of us need to do the math on this one.
http://www.facebook.com/jbarriger Jenny Barriger

I’m disappointed too and I’ll have to do the math on this one. We’ve always done the DDP, but this year we are getting annual passes so I was happy to only pay $75 instead of the $100 we would with our DVC membership. I guess now there really isn’t much of an AP perk there.