Automatic 18% gratuity

[vt_disney_fan]

We are hoping to go during free dining (if offered this year). We have "technically" a party of 6, but that includes an infant who won't be eating and isn't on the plan, and won't even honestly be in a seat, but will probably be held.

How will our party be counted, for purposes of the auto gratuity? We won't have 6 eating, or even be occupying 6 seats - will they still charge the auto gratuity?

Do you know if the gratuity is charged pre-tax or post-tax? If it's post-tax, can a complaint be made, as it should be pre-tax?

Sure wish the dining plan included tips still... me and the other thousands of people who love free dining!! :)

[kaytieeldr]

It is pre-tax.

And, six = six.

[TDC Nala]

All persons at the table count toward party size, including infants and persons who aren't ordering or eating. You're a party of six.

[paulh]

if on a dinning plan,be it one person or twenty you will be charged an 18% gratuity
Only if paying cash and less than six will there not be an auto tip
Paulh

[TDC Nala]

if on a dinning plan,be it one person or twenty you will be charged an 18% gratuity
Only if paying cash and less than six will there not be an auto tip
Paulh

This is only applicable to Disney Dining Experience members, not the Disney Dining Plan. These are two different programs. Parties of less than 6 on the Disney Dining Plan will not have an automatic gratuity added (in 2007 they DID have one added to the cost of any OFF-PLAN items ordered by dining plan guests...not sure how that one gets handled in 2008).

[n2mm]

It is pre-tax.

And, six = six.

Yep, like you said. We know for sure as we had our 2 grandbabies with us in August, 2 yo and 3 months old and both were counted at every TS meal.

[Marcy Mouse]

What if you are two parties of four sitting together.
AT the end of the meal 4 ts charged to one card(or room) and 4 ts charged to the other.

Just curious - And what about buffets.

[faindrops27]

What if you are two parties of four sitting together.
AT the end of the meal 4 ts charged to one card(or room) and 4 ts charged to the other.

Just curious - And what about buffets.

If you make your dining reservations together. You will be counted as 8 even with separate rooms, even sitting at two separate tables. Even at buffets. Automatic gratuity is added.

If you make separate dining ressies. You would not be charged.

[bigbabyblues]

What if you are two parties of four sitting together.
AT the end of the meal 4 ts charged to one card(or room) and 4 ts charged to the other.

Just curious - And what about buffets.

I think if you're two parties of 4 sitting TOGETHER you'd be a party of 8, the way they count it.

If you have 2 different ressies (different names) for 4 people each, then probably not.

[kaytieeldr]

If you're two or more parties sitting together but paying separately and there are six or more of you, total, each party's check will have the auto-charge added. Since you're sitting together, you're one party for seating/accounting purposes.

If you are that group, or one large party, seated at separate tables but with the same server, again, the auto-charge will be added.

If you are that group or the one large party and are seated at separate tables of fewer than six people each, and you have different servers, no auto-charge.

Make sense?

[vt_disney_fan]

Doesn't make sense to count non-eaters (i.e. infants) into the party size, as the server doesn't have to "service" 6 people, only 5. However, complaining about it does no good, so I digress...

As to the auto-tip. Suppose I have no add-ons, and order only what I'm allowed to under the plan, so I have no other expenses except for the auto-ripoff (er, I mean tip). How is that handled? Do I get 2 bills - one showing the value of the meal (pre-tax), and another one for me to settle with either cash, CC or room key? B/c I can tell you right now, if the service sucks, I ain't paying 18%, I'll dispute the charge. No free ride just b/c I have 5 people plus an infant.

[mkycrzy1971]

To those of you that have experienced the new 2008 plan:

When ordering something extra (or not included in the DDP) I know they charge you the automatic 18% gratuity...does that go so far as to automatically add the 18% to your DDP items (with a party of 4), or do you still have the option of paying the % you wish? For those of you wondering....no, I am not trying to get out of my tip...I usually tip 20% for satisfactory service and most of the time 25% for exceptional service...just want to be prepared. Thank you!

[disneygal65]

You are only charged an automatic 18% if there is 6 or more in the party, regardless of dining plan or not. And infants do not count towards the 6 in the party. I confirmed this with Disney a few weeks ago as I was making our ressies for Sept dining. I agree that it shouldnt be automatic tipping. Tipping should always be based on the level of service and if they apply an auto tip and I dont feel the level of service was up to par then I would say something, but 99% of the time at Disney the service is outstanding and well worth the 18% tip and many times more.:flower3:

[Lewisc]

Unfortunately CMs sometimes give out incorrect information. At least one poster in this thread confirmed, from personal experience, infants are included in the "head count".

The search function isn't very good, my memory is at least one poster quoted (or linked) the section of the union contract that spelled out the policy.

Like it or not many restaurants are imposing an automatic service charge, tip really isn't the correct term, for smaller groups.


You are only charged an automatic 18% if there is 6 or more in the party, regardless of dining plan or not. And infants do not count towards the 6 in the party. I confirmed this with Disney a few weeks ago as I was making our ressies for Sept dining. I agree that it shouldnt be automatic tipping. Tipping should always be based on the level of service and if they apply an auto tip and I dont feel the level of service was up to par then I would say something, but 99% of the time at Disney the service is outstanding and well worth the 18% tip and many times more.:flower3:

[Superspectral]

What if you are two parties of four sitting together.
AT the end of the meal 4 ts charged to one card(or room) and 4 ts charged to the other.

Just curious - And what about buffets.

Your server can divide the check into as many parties as you want (for example 4 on DDP and 2 OOP, or 4 on one DDP and 2 on another DDP) to be settled seperately. The 18% autogratuity is then split proportionally based on the non-DDP total.

FWIW, the server always gets a 3% service charge from Disney on any DDP charge, so they are actually getting 21% service charge, 18% paid by the customer, 3% by Disney. For OOP they would only get the 18% service charge.

[poohluvrs]

We'll be a party of 6, our family of 4 & the grandparents, we have seperate rooms & DDPs, can I make all the ADRs for all 6 of us & the wait staff just charges through our 2 DDPs, I realize the 18% is automatic...thanks!

[n2mm]

We'll be a party of 6, our family of 4 & the grandparents, we have seperate rooms & DDPs, can I make all the ADRs for all 6 of us & the wait staff just charges through our 2 DDPs, I realize the 18% is automatic...thanks!

Yes it's not a problem at all. We dine with friends who have their own ddp credits and you just need to tell the server at the beginning, who is on what account.

[poohluvrs]

Yes it's not a problem at all. We dine with friends who have their own ddp credits and you just need to tell the server at the beginning, who is on what account.

Thanks:flower1:

[TDC Nala]

And infants do not count towards the 6 in the party. I confirmed this with Disney a few weeks ago as I was making our ressies for Sept dining.

Unless something has changed, you were given incorrect information. Infants do count toward party size. They are not required to purchase a meal though.

[mom2my3kids]

We are hoping to go during free dining (if offered this year). We have "technically" a party of 6, but that includes an infant who won't be eating and isn't on the plan, and won't even honestly be in a seat, but will probably be held.

How will our party be counted, for purposes of the auto gratuity? We won't have 6 eating, or even be occupying 6 seats - will they still charge the auto gratuity?

Do you know if the gratuity is charged pre-tax or post-tax? If it's post-tax, can a complaint be made, as it should be pre-tax?

Sure wish the dining plan included tips still... me and the other thousands of people who love free dining!! :)

You have to be joking me right?? You would really make a fuss over a few pennys?? Do you realize how petty that sounds, before or after is it really that big of deal?

[angelmav]

You have to be joking me right?? You would really make a fuss over a few pennys?? Do you realize how petty that sounds, before or after is it really that big of deal?

Few pennies? Thats a pretty trivial way of putting what is an expensive tip on a party that size.

[DiszyDean]

IMO (and just personal opinion), if you receive good service, you should be tipping 18% anyway so under those conditions, I think it would be a mute point.

However, if you do not receive good service, there is an avenue for the patron to take to have the tip reduced. Speak to the manager. The manager can and in most cases will reduce the percentage of an auto-grat if a complaint is made about the service and you specifically request it.

[kaytieeldr]

The manager can and in most cases will reduce the percentage of an auto-grat if a complaint is made about the service and you specifically request it. Well, a legitimate complaint - not one trumped-up JUST to get the service charge reduced :teeth:

[tiggersmom2]

I honestly thought I lucked out by having a party of 5 this trip with my infant! LOL, it makes it easier for me to figure out the tip!:goodvibes

[wildeoscar]

And, six = six.

and we wonder why the kids these days can't do math, I had no clue... 6 = 6

And now I know.
:smile:

[bkhibiscus]

whoops

[Lewisc]

Hi all. Just got back today, and the 18% is clearly optional. In fact the server at the Cape May Cafe breakfast actually said to me "you're going to ignore that 18%, it's too much for a buffet...". They have suggested 18% and 20% tips and not once did anyone act awkwardly about it, although the Cal Grill and 50's PT servers did not seem to be happy having to enter the tip.

This thread is concerning the automatic 18% tip for parties of 6 or more. This tip is added on to all groups, DDP as well as guests paying cash.

[jenfur]

I have new question. We will be a party of 9, maybe 14. I know we'll get the 18% charge, but I really don't want to be paying it all by myself (cause I make the ressies and handle the cards). Will the check still be split into two tickets if there are different rooms. That way I can pay for my room and DB can handle his?

[Surr]

Hi all. Just got back today, and the 18% is clearly optional. In fact the server at the Cape May Cafe breakfast actually said to me "you're going to ignore that 18%, it's too much for a buffet...". They have suggested 18% and 20% tips and not once did anyone act awkwardly about it, although the Cal Grill and 50's PT servers did not seem to be happy having to enter the tip.


It was not optional for my party of 7 on two checks in January. We were charged 18% at every TS restuarant. The only ones that bothered me were the buffets. The thing the servers had to do was take drink order, and keep them filled, and the service was always bad. should have, but didn't complain. Overall we were having a good time, and didn't want to get worked up arguing with a manager. $15 to $30 for not refilling drinks is a bit much though even if the service was good.

[mom2my3kids]

It was not optional for my party of 7 on two checks in January. We were charged 18% at every TS restuarant. The only ones that bothered me were the buffets. The thing the servers had to do was take drink order, and keep them filled, and the service was always bad. should have, but didn't complain. Overall we were having a good time, and didn't want to get worked up arguing with a manager. $15 to $30 for not refilling drinks is a bit much though even if the service was good.

Its because the food is so expensive at Disney, heck I would never pay these kind of prices outside of Disney. A expensive meal in our family is getting to go to Roadhouse Steakhouse twice a year and our bill for the family of 5 runs around 60-70 dollars.

[JimMIA]

The issue of gratuities really doesn't have much to do with what any of us think is right, or what we are used to paying in restaurants at home. It is what it is.

Disney restaurants are overpriced about 20% or so, but eating in them ensures reasonable quality (if not much variety) and usually very good service -- as opposed to cabbing offsite to Olive Garden or Burger King. The prices are what they are.

An automatic gratuity is quite common at destination resorts. Disney's union contract specifies an automatic 18% gratuity for all parties of six or more, regardless of method of payment. It also specifies an automatic 18% gratuity for all parties using the DDE discount card, regardless of the size of the party. That's a legally-binding agreement that Disney signed, and that's what the gratuities are.

If a customer does not feel the gratuity is warranted, they can certainly speak to a manager. Realistically though, the default answer is going to be that the gratuity is dictated by labor contract, announced on the menu, and that's just the way it is.

There are no mysteries about the gratuity; it's specified all over the place (DDP brochures, menus, etc.). If an automatic gratuity is published as restaurant policy, and we then eat a meal there...we've agreed to the gratuity.

The sensible thing to do is to recognize the realities of the situation, and plan accordingly.