Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney's Dining Experience) - RESOLVED

Discussion in 'Trip Reports & Member Reviews' started by RedOctober25, Feb 20, 2009.

  1. RedOctober25

    RedOctober25 Member

    Does anyone have the current incarnation of the Disney Dining Plan (Tables in Wonderland). I was wanting to find out if it was worth the price. After reading the fine print it looks as if even though I save 20% off food and beverages I am charged an 18% gratuity (ie... only a 2% savings per use). Just wanted to know what everyone else thought.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2014
    RedOctober25, Feb 20, 2009
    #1
  2. mPower

    mPower Member

    Re: Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney's Dining Experience)

    We purchased ours last April and have used it on three trips. I've never had the gratuity problem!
     
    mPower, Feb 20, 2009
    #2
  3. Deniz

    Deniz Member

    Re: Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney's Dining Experience)

    It winds up being more than a 2% savings because I think the 18% gratuity is on the 20% discounted price (i.e., if the total bill is $100, you would be charged $94.40 [$20 discount, so bill is $80. 18% of $80 is 14.40, so a total of $94.40 with a savings of $5.60] versus a flat 2% discount would leave a total bill of $98 or $2 savings). Or, if it helps, it is almost like you get 20% off, but they add a 15% gratuity on the original bill for gratuity.

    Of course, I am sure if you had bad service or want to add more or less you can always speak to someone in the restaurant to change it for you. I have some current version of the card with that new arrangement, and it's worked out fine because it doesn't really change what I would have done anyway. It just forces someone to have to take a little more initiative if they don't want to tip (I personally think this might have been a response to the increase in foreign travelers in the past few years because of the low rate of the dollar who are not used to tipping as much as Americans.)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2014
    Deniz, Feb 20, 2009
    #3
  4. Grumpwurst

    Grumpwurst Member Staff Member

    Re: Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney's Dining Experience)

    Having spent quite a few years working tables in a fine dining restaurant in a hotel that got frequent foreign traffic I can say that not only do foreign tourists forget to tip (or tip poorly) but so do locals.

    Those people who dined there who lived nearby often tipped badly too. I don't know where that mentality comes from.

    I'm a weird one though. We go to a restaurant where we go so often they start giving us free food. For example, they never charge us for our drinks or dessert. Every now and again, they comp our entire meal. When they give us free stuff we'll tip on the original, non-discounted amount. When they give us the meal for free, we leave a tip in the amount of the original meal.

    The waiters that are on the receiving end of this definitely remember us
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2014
    Grumpwurst, Feb 20, 2009
    #4
  5. Tim

    Tim Administrator Staff Member

    Re: Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney's Dining Experience)

    i've had the DDE for the past 3 years and had nice success with it. i find the service is MUCH better vs. the dining plan, which i had mixed results with. i had horrid service and great service with the dining plan, but DDE has been more consistent. as far as only saving 2% goes, you are saving much more than that when you figure your discount covers your tip and a bit more, so it's more like 22% but that is not exactly proper math (ie. 50% off plus take another 10% does not equal 60%... you know what i mean...)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2014
    Tim, Feb 20, 2009
    #5
  6. RedOctober25

    RedOctober25 Member

    Re: Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney's Dining

    Thanks for all the input everyone. It gives me a lot of information that i was unaware of.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2014
    RedOctober25, Feb 20, 2009
    #6

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