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Tables In Wonderland - The Disney Dining Plan Alternative


 
Everyone is always looking for a way to save money during their Walt Disney World Resort Vacation.  Since Dining is expensive at Disney World, saving money while having the Dining experience you want is important.  There is an alternative to the Disney Dining Plan that may be attractive for Florida Residents and Disney World Annual Passholders.  It is called the Tables In Wonderland discount.

 
Tables In Wonderland Discount
The Tables In Wonderland card entitles the user and up to 9 others in his/her party to receive a 20% discount on ALL food and drink (including alcoholic beverages).  There will be an automatic 18% gratuity ( 20% at Victoria & Albert's) added to your bill regardless of your party size.

 
In order to purchase the Tables In Wonder Card you must either be a Florida Resident or a Disney World Annual Passholder.  The cost for one year is $100 for Florida Residents and $75 for Disney World Annual Passholders.

Advantages:

  • Everything is included in the 20% discount including alcoholic beverages.
  • No minimum purchase to use the card.
  • Total flexibility in what you order.  You use the normal restaurant menu and order your meal.  If you want an appetizer, no problem 20% discount.  You are not required to order any structured meal, like the Disney Dining Plan (non-alcoholic beverage, entree, desert).  You order and pay for only what you want.
  • Same discount at "regular" Table Service and Signature Table Service Restaurants like Flying Fish Cafe, Narcoossee's, and Victoria & Albert's.
  • Discount also applies to Swan & Dolphin Restaurants: Todd English's bluezoo, Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Kimonos, Shula's Steak House.
  • Applies to groups of up to 10!
  • 97 Restaurants located at the Walt Disney World Resort and 3 at Disney's Vero Beach Resort accept the card.
  • Special Disney World Dining opportunities are presented to Tables In Wonderland cardholders during the year.  One recent one included a themed dinner inside the Great Movie Ride attraction.
Disadvantages:
  • Only available to Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.
  • For the most part only gives discounts for Table Service Restaurants.
  • 18% gratuity is automatic.
  • Must pay either $75 or $100 to get Tables In Wonderland card.  That means if you are an Annual Passholder you need to purchase $375 in food just to break even.
  • Only makes sense if you are traveling with a large group or taking 2 or more trips per year.
  • Disney Dining Plan is usually a better deal if you have children in the 3-9 year old range.
Tables In Wonderland Restaurants
Fortunately there is a long list of restaurants that accept the Tables In Wonderland discount.  Here is the current list of 100 restaurants (subject to change):

 
Resort Based Restaurants
  • 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 - The 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 – Belle Vue Lounge, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, ESPN® Club, Flying Fish Cafe, Kouzzina by Cat Cora
  • 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 – Crockett's Tavern, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (9:30 p.m. show only), Trail's End Restaurant (Excludes take out shop)
  • 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 (excludes Chef's Table and Queen Victoria Room)
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort – Olivia's Cafe
  • Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course – Sand Trap Bar & Grill
  • 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 – French Quarter - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, Scat Cat's Club
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside - Boatwright's Dining Hall, River Roost
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort – The Artist's Palette, The Turf Club Bar & Grill; Turf Club Lounge
  • Disney's Vero Beach Resort – The Green Cabin Room, Shutter's, Sonya's (Excludes Sunday Brunch)
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge – Artist Point, Territory Lounge, Whispering Canyon Cafe
  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort – Ale and Compass Lounge, Captain's Grille, Crews Cup Lounge, Yachtsman Steakhouse
  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort – Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Kimonos, Shula's Steak House, Todd English's bluezoo, Garden Grove

 
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, Via Napoli

 
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 – Flame Tree Barbeque, Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Tusker House Restaurant

 
DOWNTOWN DISNEY – Marketplace - Cap'n Jack's Restaurant, Fulton's Crab House

 
DOWNTOWN DISNEY – Pleasure Island – Paradiso 37, Portobello, Raglan Road" Irish Pub and Restaurant

 
DOWNTOWN DISNEY – West side – Bongo's Cuban Café, House Of Blues® (Excludes Sunday Brunch), Planet Hollywood®, Wolfgang Puck Café

 
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – ESPN Wide World of Sports® Grill


Great Alternative To The Disney Dining Plan
At Only WDWorld we are still big fans of the Disney Dining Plan.  It provides a great option, especially for that once a year trip.  The Tables In Wonderland is a very attractive alternative to those Disney World Annual Passholders who are making multiple trips during the year. 

The great thing about the Table In Wonderland card is that although you can call 407-566-5858 option 2 and order the card over the phone, the best way is to purchase the card at Guest Services at any of the 4 Disney World Theme Parks.  It is easy to do and you get your card right away.  (A couple years ago this process was much more painful.)

If you are a Disney World Annual Passholder take the time to consider this alternative and you may end up saving quite a bit of money.

3 comments to "Tables In Wonderland - The Disney Dining Plan Alternative"

  1. Joel says:

    Is the 18% gratuity added before or after the discount?

    If before, then it doesn't seem like you are saving very much other than the tip. Essentially you are paying $100/$75 in order to save the tip and 2%.

    I leery of programs that automatically tip, too. I think it removes the incentive for the staff to serve well if they are guaranteed a good tip. I almost always give a tip, but I vary the amount based on service rendered.

    That was one of the things I used to dislike about the DDP. We got terrible service almost everywhere when we were on the DDP when the tip was included.

  2. Man! As much as I have wanted to go, I have never been to Disny World... :(

    On that note, however, you blog offers up practical information for those who are able to vacation at Disney World.

    Thanks!

  3. I am just wondering if this promo still runs as of today? Got to avail this!

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