First Solo Trip in October

StageTek · May 21, 2018

brad813 said:
It also depends on where you eat, and each card is good for up to 10 people in your party. There are a lot of things to consider.
<>Just good to know what options you have.

I agree. There are a lot of things to consider. And again, I thank you for letting me know about this option.

As a solo traveler I can't seem to make it pay. As I pointed out, it seems to start paying for itself after 75 to 100 meals - 150 meals if the average price of each meal is $45 - 75 meals if the average price of each meal is $100. So you are right again; it does depend on where you eat. I'm thinking I will do closer to 20/25 days over the year so this option looks like a poor choice for me.

Looks like a great deal for you with all your mini-trips. Glad you found something that works for you!

Disneylover1970 said:
I was thinking I had to wait until it was closer to my vacation to buy my AP, but it’s my understanding that I can buy it now and the year doesn’t start till the first time I use it? Is this correct?

Yep! I got mine in December (2017) before the price went up and will activate it this coming September.

brad813 · May 21, 2018

StageTek said:
I agree. There are a lot of things to consider. And again, I thank you for letting me know about this option.

As a solo traveler I can't seem to make it pay. As I pointed out, it seems to start paying for itself after 75 to 100 meals - 150 meals if the average price of each meal is $45 - 75 meals if the average price of each meal is $100. So you are right again; it does depend on where you eat. I'm thinking I will do closer to 20/25 days over the year so this option looks like a poor choice for me.

Looks like a great deal for you with all your mini-trips. Glad you found something that works for you!

Yep! I got mine in December (2017) before the price went up and will activate it this coming September.

Not sure it will since I am not yet an AP holder, but I research things to death. I am doing what you did on my AP, but upgrading to an AP from a six day ticket right before the next price hike

Disneylover1970 · May 21, 2018

I was debating on purchasing a AP, but I have 2 trips coming up, October and next February and it’s the most economical way, with 2 trips, 6 ticks( with park hopper)

loves to dive · May 21, 2018

Disneylover1970 said:
So it’s best to go to YC to photograph BW?

I was thinking I had to wait until it was closer to my vacation to buy my AP, but it’s my understanding that I can buy it now and the year doesn’t start till the first time I use it? Is this correct? And I have to pick up my AP at a park information desk?

Yes, you can buy it any time you want, it starts the day you activate it at a park. I usually go to a ticket booth to activate mine, I find they usually have shorter lines than guest services. Make sure they give you the card, you use it for your discounts and it will also work as a ticket if you don't have your magic band.

loves to dive · May 21, 2018

brad813 said:
It also depends on where you eat, and each card is good for up to 10 people in your party. There are a lot of things to consider. I am buying my AP in January and will probably get a TIW card because I do tend to favor table service and take a lot of mini-trips. Three trips this year alone(granted one is post cruise), but really there are a few ways to save. The AP has it's own discount, plus you can get a dining plan with room only(by calling) once you have an AP. Just good to know what options you have.

You will start paying for the TIW after you have spent $750. That only applies if you spend that $750 in places you wouldn't get the 10% AP discount. TIW will work for alcohol and AP won't and it will also work at a few QS places the AP won't. We got one a couple of weeks ago and even eating at one place that had the AP discount and eating at a few places that didn't give either discount, we broke even in one trip but we go to a lot of lounges.

brad813 · May 21, 2018

Disneylover1970 said:
I was debating on purchasing a AP, but I have 2 trips coming up, October and next February and it’s the most economical way, with 2 trips, 6 ticks( with park hopper)

September, October, January(when I get the AP), probably again in April/May, and then again for F&W and maybe December........and fitting in an international trip sometime in there hopefully. I have a lot of free time and travel helps me clear my head. I also keep a Busch Gardens/SeaWorld pass so it kinda makes sense for me to go to Orlando whenever I can.

Disneylover1970 · May 22, 2018

The TIW doesn’t seem like a great deal, if you have to buy it for $150 and you’re only getting a discount? Maybe I’m misunderstanding the benefits of the TIW

Skippyboo · May 22, 2018

Say your meal is $100 with TIW you get 20% off so $80 Plus 18% for tip: total $94.4

With 10% discount +18% tip, it’s $106.20. So you saved around 11 bucks. But the card cost $150. $750 of table service is the break even point to recoop the card cost with the discount. It’s might not be worth it for a solo diner but if you have a larger group that drinks alcohol then it probably is because the card covers up to 10 people and discounts alcohol which an AP discount doesn’t.

brad813 · May 22, 2018

Disneylover1970 said:
The TIW doesn’t seem like a great deal, if you have to buy it for $150 and you’re only getting a discount? Maybe I’m misunderstanding the benefits of the TIW

Whether it is a great deal or not depends on the person. For me, an average table service, before tip, is $50-$60, but I tend to buy the higher priced menu items like duck and lamb, plus an appetizer and drink. For breakfast it would be around $35. I do three meals a day in the parks and favor table service. On top of that, I also meet up with other people on the board from time to time for drinks or a meal. You could see how I would break even easily in those circumstances. You have to decide whether it would be worthwhile for you to have it given your personal circumstances. As I mentioned before, there are basically three options to save money on food with an AP. Those are the AP discount, the Disney Dining Plan(if you have a room booked on property), and the Tables In Wonderland card. Choose the best option for you, but the Dining Plan does have to be purchased 48 hours before your trip, and AP holders have to call in to get that added to their room only reservation. The stipulation for the dining plan for AP holders is that you become subject to vacation package rules.

richmo · May 22, 2018

As a solo traveler, it would take many meals to get to the break even point on TiW. That break-even comes a lot faster as the size of your party increases.

Also, when considering TiW, keep in mind that many table service restaurants have a 10% discount without TiW if you have an AP (but, as mentioned in an above post, I don't believe the 10% applies to alcohol), so that makes it even harder for a TiW card to make sense. But it does work for some...you would need to do some research to see which eateries TiW covers, those just the AP covers, do the math, and decide.

brad813 · May 22, 2018

richmo said:
As a solo traveler, it would take many meals to get to the break even point on TiW. That break-even comes a lot faster as the size of your party increases.

Also, when considering TiW, keep in mind that many table service restaurants have a 10% discount without TiW if you have an AP (but, as mentioned in an above post, I don't believe the 10% applies to alcohol), so that makes it even harder for a TiW card to make sense. But it does work for some...you would need to do some research to see which eateries TiW covers, those just the AP covers, do the math, and decide.

Exactly. For me, it may make more sense than someone who doesn't really drink as much as I do or eat pricier menu items. I often choose menu items I can't get at home, or even restaurants with cuisine I can't get at home. On property, that tends to be some of the pricier options. The way I would do the math is to actually figure up a sample food budget based on what appeals to you on the menus and see which way you would come out ahead with the three options you would have. Keep in mind, with the AP you may be able to get a room discount so staying on property is certainly an option, which would give you access to the dining plan as well. All three ways give you some savings on food if done correctly, it's just doing the math to understand which is your best option.

StageTek · May 22, 2018

Disneylover1970 said:
The TIW doesn’t seem like a great deal, if you have to buy it for $150 and you’re only getting a discount? Maybe I’m misunderstanding the benefits of the TIW

I think I have been misunderstanding the benefits, too, so I have taken brad813's and richmo's advice and done the math. I can't make it work for a solo traveler.

I called (waited for far too long...) and confirmed they take the 20% from the full price but not the tip - pretty standard.
A $60 meal - 20% = $48. The mandatory 18% tip is $10.80 so the total you pay for a $60 meal is $58.80. A saving of $1.20.
You pay $150 up front. $1.20 ÷ $150 is 125.
If you eat 125 meals at $60 you hit the pre-payment. So every meal after 125 you're saving about a dollar.

A $35 breakfast saves $0.70 - a $100 dinner saves $2. Can't see how one would break even on this.

Again taking Brad's advice I have decided it would not be worthwhile for me to have given my personal circumstances. I will not be eating 100 table service meals during the year. For me, I'll take the 10% AP discount on my $60 meal, add a 20% tip and pay $61.20 ($2.40 over the TIW). I'm not paying $150 for the discount AND giving a good server a good tip.

Now back to Disneylover1970's solo trip: Where are you staying?

Disneylover1970 · May 22, 2018

StageTek said:
I think I have been misunderstanding the benefits, too, so I have taken brad813's and richmo's advice and done the math. I can't make it work for a solo traveler.

I called (waited for far too long...) and confirmed they take the 20% from the full price but not the tip - pretty standard.
A $60 meal - 20% = $48. The mandatory 18% tip is $10.80 so the total you pay for a $60 meal is $58.80. A saving of $1.20.
You pay $150 up front. $1.20 ÷ $150 is 125.
If you eat 125 meals at $60 you hit the pre-payment. So every meal after 125 you're saving about a dollar.

A $35 breakfast saves $0.70 - a $100 dinner saves $2. Can't see how one would break even on this.

Again taking Brad's advice I have decided it would not be worthwhile for me to have given my personal circumstances. I will not be eating 100 table service meals during the year. For me, I'll take the 10% AP discount on my $60 meal, add a 20% tip and pay $61.20 ($2.40 over the TIW). I'm not paying $150 for the discount AND giving a good server a good tip.

Now back to Disneylover1970's solo trip: Where are you staying?

I’m staying at Pop Century. Last 2 trips stayed at Riverside(loved Alligator Bayou on the first trip, but second trip was Acadia and didn’t care for it). This last trip we left the room at 8am and returned 9pm, so it was just a place to sleep. Two of us are going next February and will probably do Pop Century. I’m not doing a DDP, I tend to do a combo of Counter and Table.

StageTek · May 22, 2018

I'm considering POP in the future. First trip was ASMo, second was ASMu - enjoyed both. Since then it's been moderates (mostly POFQ). Three of us stayed at the Cabin's in January. Great for three adults.

I did the DDP when I got it free as part of the package, but haven't done it since. Did the math on that, too, and it saves me so little that I just pay out-of-pocket.

You're a photographer; what camera do you use? On my upcoming trip I'm breaking out my old 35mm Minolta to shoot film for the first time in a long time.

Disneylover1970 · May 22, 2018

StageTek said:
I'm considering POP in the future. First trip was ASMo, second was ASMu - enjoyed both. Since then it's been moderates (mostly POFQ). Three of us stayed at the Cabin's in January. Great for three adults.

I did the DDP when I got it free as part of the package, but haven't done it since. Did the math on that, too, and it saves me so little that I just pay out-of-pocket.

You're a photographer; what camera do you use? On my upcoming trip I'm breaking out my old 35mm Minolta to shoot film for the first time in a long time.

You’re going ‘old school’. Are you going to develop your own photos too?
I have a Nikon D7500, Nikon 35mm f1.8, 16-80mm f2.8-4, 70-300mm, Rokinon 8.5 fisheye and Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, hoping to add a 80-700 f2.8 or f4 before October. I was just looking up how to take a tripod with me. I think I’m just going to travel with a carryon bag and camera backpack

Last trip we did counter service plan and came back with 37 snacks between the two of us.

brad813 · May 22, 2018

Disneylover1970 said:
I’m staying at Pop Century. Last 2 trips stayed at Riverside(loved Alligator Bayou on the first trip, but second trip was Acadia and didn’t care for it). This last trip we left the room at 8am and returned 9pm, so it was just a place to sleep. Two of us are going next February and will probably do Pop Century. I’m not doing a DDP, I tend to do a combo of Counter and Table.

Pop Century is a great resort. When I was there with a friend last month we stayed in Pop Century. Can't speak for the other values but the rooms are nice. 60s Building is directly behind the lobby, with the 50s building to the right and 70s-90s to the left. You can also walk over to Art of Animation for their food court if you like.

StageTek · May 22, 2018

Disneylover1970 said:
You’re going ‘old school’. Are you going to develop your own photos too?
I was just looking up how to take a tripod with me.

Years ago I had a small dark room – but no longer. Living in Los Angeles there are still a few places that will develop and print film. A few years back I took it on a Utah trip and got some amazing black and white pictures in the National Parks. I kinda miss shooting film.

I'm a Nikon user, too. Have you looked into GorillaPod?

Disneylover1970 · May 22, 2018

StageTek said:
Years ago I had a small dark room – but no longer. Living in Los Angeles there are still a few places that will develop and print film. A few years back I took it on a Utah trip and got some amazing black and white pictures in the National Parks. I kinda miss shooting film.

I'm a Nikon user, too. Have you looked into GorillaPod?

Film is definitely the ‘real deal’. No I have not looked at Gorillapod, any particular one? I have a MeFoto Roadtrip Aluminum, that I was planning on taking. Thank you

RADOPT · May 24, 2018

I have the same dates as you do and am staying at POPs for most of the time, so maybe we will run into each other. Waiting for August 25th to roll around to get FPs.

Disneylover1970 · May 24, 2018

Do you usually get a park hopper when you go solo? I’ve never gotten a park hopper, because one park is usually 10-12 hr day.

First Solo Trip in October

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.

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