[Caldercup]

The Disney Dining Experience (now referred to by Disney as the "Tables in Wonderland") is generally a good deal, especially if you tend to enjoy table service meals and spend any time in the lounges on property. Also, I believe they can be used in the food courts at resorts that DO NOT have a table service restaurant. I know I was able to use mine at POFQ and at POP over the years.

In terms of the gratuity, just keep in mind that you are probably going to be tipping anyway (right...!) so the 20% is still a 20% savings regardless. The difference might be if you are consistently a 15% tipper, then you'd be tipping more than you used to.

For me, I'm generally a 20% tipper, so the automatic 18% is actually less than what I'd normally tip and is an "additional" savings.
Eileen

PS - just to clarify, the TIW card only gives you the 20% off at Table Service meals (not any counter service) and is not accepted at some of the restaurants not owned by Disney -- Yak & Yeti table service is one of them, but they do give a 10% (I think) discount for AP holders off the entrees.