Disney World Tables in Wonderland is a great way of getting a discount on dining at Disney World if you are a Florida resident, Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club Member. Formerly known as the Disney Dining Experience, Tables in Wonderland gives card holders a 20% on food and beverage purchases at most Disney World restaurants.
Photo by armadillo444
Surprisingly the 20% discount also includes alcoholic beverages when you use your Tables of Wonderland card.
The Tables in Wonderland is a significant discount and those eligible should definitely consider if the $100 annual cost of the card is a good choice. The cost is $125 for Florida residents who are not annual pass holders. Disney Tables in Wonderland is open to those eligible aged 21 and over. You have to show proof of eligibility at Guest Services locations to purchase the card.
Each Tables in Wonderland card is good for food and dining purchases for up to 10 guests per card. You can get a second card at a cost of $50. Also if you lose your card you will be charged $50 for a replacement.
Depending upon the way that you dine at Disney World it may be that the Tables in Wonderland card is a better deal than the Disney Dining Plan if you are staying at a Disney resort. You do not need to be staying at a Disney resort to use your Tables in Wonderland membership.
There are blackout dates when you cannot use the Tables in Wonderland discount. For 2014 this is Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Sadly Victoria and Albert’s will no longer accept the Tables in Wonderland card from August 1st 2014 onwards. This is of course a significant benefit cut as the prices in Victoria and Albert’s fine dining restaurant in the Grand Floridian are high.
There are also new blackout dates for select restaurants which were introduced in 2014. The ever popular Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare buffet, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Princess Storybook Dining, Ohana, the buffets at Chef Mickey’s, and Cinderella’s Royal Table all have new blackout dates for 2014 and beyond: November 23rd to 29th 2014, December 21st to 27th 2014. In 2015 the current extra dates for these locations are March 8th to April 4th, and May 31st to June 20th 2015.
Tables in Wonderland card holders can also get free valet parking and standard parking at Disney resorts. Parking at the Disney parks is also free after 5pm.
An automatic 18% gratuity is added to all checks with Tables of Wonderland dining. Some people do see this as a drawback and take the view that therefore the discount is minimal. However most guests will tip more than 15% in any event so you are still getting the 20% discount. We just don’t see how this is an argument that the Tables in Wonderland discount is in effect just 2%. It just doesn’t add up as you would be giving a tip anyway.
There are sometimes special events which are only open to Tables in Wonderland card holders.
Is the Tables in Wonderland card worth buying? It depends upon how you dine at Disney World. If you are going to spend more than $500 if you are a Passholder or DVC Member or $625 if you are a Florida Resident then the Tables of Wonderland card starts to pay for itself. It can be a better deal than Disney dining if you eat predominantly at the full service restaurants (although it can also be used at select Quick Service Disney dining locations too).
The Tables of Wonderland membership is of course a completely different structure to the Disney Dining Plan. Firstly the Disney Dining Plan can only be purchased if you are staying in a Walt Disney World Resort. The Disney Dining Plan is more restrictive as you have certain credits and you are only able to choose an entree and dessert from non buffet restaurants. So which gives the best value depends very much on your own individual circumstances.
Have you ever been a member of Tables of Wonderland?
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