You misunderstood. I would not be purchasing a dining plan the whole time. I would only be staying on property for a day at each end, so those only be the dining plan eligible days. My arrival day I have plans for Sanaa and 1900 Park Fare, with plans for Kona Cafe and Tony's the next day. I have a friend who is traveling with me though we are paying separately. By my figures, that first night I would be saving $40.75 with the TIW card, but I would save $75 with the
Disney Dining Plan. I assumed a very likely adult beverage in with each meal, given that the 2018 plan does include them, so that I could compare as closely as possible. Of course, I don't have desserts added into the TIW figures since I don't really order desserts if I am paying out of pocket. I have taken every aspect of my eating habits into account in the math that I ran. My accommodation plan for my trip is April 21-22 on property, move off property for most of the week(since the other party has no wish to take advantage of EMH), then returning for another night on either April 27th or April 28th, depending on when I return home. I also know that I will be returning to Disney in September or October of 2018, and again early 2019(before my pass expiration) to combine a cruise and Disney vacation. I was asking the questions primarily to verify what I believed I understood was correct, and to gain clarification on some hazy issues. If I was staying on property the whole week, it would not be worth it, but for a couple of my more expensive days, I see there may be enough value in it.