Hey Florida locals, Disney World Passholders, and Disney Vacation Club Members! This post is for you!

Okay, technically this post is for anyone who wants to learn more about the Tables In Wonderland membership card and how it helps you save moolah at lots of Disney dining locations.

Before we get started, we’ve got to let you all know that Tables In Wonderland card sales have been suspended until further notice. The following information is to help you study the benefits and downfalls of this membership to see if it’s an investment you may want to make in the future when these cards are available to purchase again.

(We know, it’s tricky to keep track of what’s available and what’s not nowadays — but we’ll always try our best to point you in the right direction!)

No, Really. What IS The Tables In Wonderland Membership?

So we’ve already established that Tables In Wonderland is a:

A) Membership card 

B) Available for purchase exclusively to Florida residents, Disney World Annual Passholders, and Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members

But what does it *DO*?

Tables in Wonderland gives cardholders 20% off of many (over 100!) Disney World dining locations. This includes discounts on food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). It also gives exclusive dining offers (like special events) to cardholders multiple times throughout the year.

When Tables and Wonderland membership cards are available for purchase again, you can go to any Guest Relations location on Disney World property (ie: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs) and make the purchase there. (And for locals, just don’t forget to bring a valid Florida state-issued ID to prove you’re a Florida resident.)

If you’re an annual/seasonal passholder *or* DVC member, make sure to bring those cards, too! (You’ll also need a valid photo ID, but it doesn’t have to be Florida state-issued — as long as you have a current seasonal/annual pass or DVC membership card, you could be from Arkansas or Idaho or wherever else and you’d still be good to go!)

You can also call (407) 566-5858 and make your purchases over the phone (but you’ll still need proof of residency/passholder information/DVC membership).

See all the restaurants that accept Tables In Wonderland HERE!

Important Deets To Remember

Let’s say you become a Tables In Wonderland cardholder. Awesome, right?

Totally. So you decide to celebrate by making an advance dining reservation for your whole travel party at a participating restaurant. (A card works for up to 10 guests, including yourself.) Great fun. But — uh-oh — it seems you’ve gotten called into an emergency Zoom call with your boss and you’re not going to make it to your reservation! Rats!

Can your party still use your membership card without you? Unfortunately, no.

If you’re a member, you can’t just lend a friend and/or family member your Tables in Wonderland card if you can’t make it to a reservation. You MUST be present for it to work. The membership card name needs to match the credit card name being used to pay for the meal. 

You know what that also means? Everyone in the party MUST be under the same check for the discount to work. If you’re wanting to split the bill with your party members, have your group either Venmo you the money or give you cash at a later time.

What was our experience using an expired Tables In Wonderland membership card? Click HERE to find out!

What If I Have To Prepay For A Reservation?

Some restaurants or dining experiences will require you to prepay for a reservation. (For instance, Tables in Wonderland members may receive the discount at the late show for Spirit of Aloha at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.)

Never fear! You can still use that handy-dandy Tables In Wonderland card of yours! Just make a reservation like you usually would (AKA: Pay the full amount and don’t sweat it). When you get to the restaurant, show your Tables In Wonderland membership card right off-the-bat so the Cast Member knows to take 20% of your bill at the end of the meal. These kinds of details are always subject to change, though. Sometimes calling in to book and let a Cast Member know works as well!

What About Parking??

The Tables In Wonderland membership card gives you complimentary parking at the Disney World parks! Wahoo! Okay, it gives you complimentary parking with *limitations.* But, hey, we’ll take it.

Here’s the catch — the complimentary parking is for DINING PURPOSES ONLY! You can’t just book a reservation for, say, Le Cellier Steakhouse (excuse us while we drool over the thought of Poutine) and stay at EPCOT the rest of the day without paying for parking.

To use the Tables In Wonderland’s free parking benefits, you’ll need a valid dining reservation and park ticket beforehand (and your TIW card, of course). Free parking is good for one car and one car only, and will not be available during the Tables In Wonderland blockout dates. (We’ll talk about those next.)

If you have a dining reservation before 5PM you’ll need to pay for parking per usual. After your meal, head over to Guest Services for your reimbursement. (If you end up staying longer than 3 hours in the park, you will not be reimbursed.) If you have a dining reservation after 5PM, cool beans. Just flash that membership card to the Cast Member at the front gate and head on in — no payment necessary!

And note that, when dining at a Disney World Resort hotel, the membership includes valet parking when dining in a restaurant at that resort. Just remember that complimentary parking requires a valid dining receipt.

Thinking about taking a car on a Disney World vacation? Read THIS first!

Blockout Dates?

We told you we’d talk more about blockout dates for Tables in Wonderland, so here ya go!

Blockout dates currently include:

• Mother’s Day
• Easter Sunday
• 4th of July
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day

Again, blockout dates are subject to change, so double-check on the status of your membership over at TablesinWonderland.com or call the number we listed earlier. (Here it is again: 407-566-5858.)

The Tables In Wonderland membership card also doesn’t work toward special dining packages, dining experiences, Resort Refillable Mugs, EPCOT Festival Marketplaces, or merchandise. You can’t use it with other discounts, either. 

Want to learn more about Disney dining? Click HERE!

So… Is It Worth It?

Here’s the biggest question of them all — is the initial cost worth it?

The previous cost of a Tables In Wonderland membership card was $175 for Florida locals and $150 for DVC Members and Disney World passholders. When the membership returns, the prices could change.

This card is only good for one year. You must purchase a new card after your membership expires if you want to continue using the discounts and be included in the special membership offerings. THIS is why the membership is only available for locals, DVC Members, and Passholders — it doesn’t make sense financially to offer this card to guests who only make it out to the parks once, maybe twice a year.

But if you frequent the gates of Disney World often, this could definitely be a tempting offer that could start helping you save money after just a few meals.

If you have a spouse or partner, you may also wish to purchase a secondary card for an additional $50.00. (Note: your spouse or partner must live at the same address as you and be over the age of 21.) If your spouse or partner is present at the restaurant, then both your cards combined will cover up to 20 people, including both members. (Did someone say “birthday extravaganza??”) 

That’s all fine and dandy, sure, but don’t forget about those extra hidden fees. 18% gratuity is added to parties of all sizes at table service restaurants. (Not at quick-service locations, though!) And if you lose your card? That’s a $50 replacement fee. Yikes!

Just take the time to weigh out the pros and cons and see if this is the right fit for you. You’ve got time to consider it, as Tables In Wonderland is suspended for new members for the foreseeable future. But we love keeping you posted on all the reopenings and returning experiences around Disney World, and will let you know the latest scoop on Tables in Wonderland as soon as the info becomes available!

What is Disney World doing for current Tables In Wonderland members? Click HERE to find out!

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Have you used a Tables In Wonderland membership card before? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Tables in Wonderland in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.