Disney Dining and 18% gratuity

[horse11]

We are a party of 7 and will be on the Deluxe Dining Plan. How does the Gratuity work? sinc
e the plan is supose to save you money then if you would pay OOP would you be charged 18% on the discounted price of the meal or what it would cost OOP. I like to know ahead of time what to budget for the tips on our meals.

 

[morethananyonex]

You'll be charged 18% of your total. The DDP doesn't discount prices at restaurants, it provides you credits to use at the restaurants instead of paying cash. You're charged gratuity on the cost of the meal, which is the same whether you're on the DDP or not, provided you order the same meal. You pay it after your meal, it is not prepaid like the DDP.

Did I answer your question? Not really sure I understood it. Do you know how the dining plans work?

 

[summermac]

That's one of the downfalls of DDP. To feel like you're getting your money's worth you order UP, thereby increasing your automatic gratuity if your party is large enough. Just another reason we go without DDP!

 

[horse11]

You'll be charged 18% of your total. The DDP doesn't discount prices at restaurants, it provides you credits to use at the restaurants instead of paying cash. You're charged gratuity on the cost of the meal, which is the same whether you're on the DDP or not, provided you order the same meal. You pay it after your meal, it is not prepaid like the DDP.

Did I answer your question? Not really sure I understood it. Do you know how the dining plans work?

Not really. I am still learning the ropes. What is included in the DDP? Are you limited to what you can choose of the menu?

 

[horse11]

You'll be charged 18% of your total. The DDP doesn't discount prices at restaurants, it provides you credits to use at the restaurants instead of paying cash. You're charged gratuity on the cost of the meal, which is the same whether you're on the DDP or not, provided you order the same meal. You pay it after your meal, it is not prepaid like the DDP.

Did I answer your question? Not really sure I understood it. Do you know how the dining plans work?

We are kind of stuck getting it since we are treating my parents for watching our children while we are at work. They save us a small fortune. If I did not get DDP they will insist on paying for the meals. I plan on nipping that in the back end right away. We went with the Deluxe since it is my parents first time at Disney restraunts. They have been to the parks once before but ate fast food there. I really want to treat them and not make them feel they have to choose the cheapest thing on the menu. If they know it is paid up front they will have the comfort of getting what they want. It is also our childrens first trip ever. I would like to do some of the theme restraunts. If I pay for it up front I am less likely to be cheep and tell them," no honey no desert today". Our next trip will be way different.

 

[morethananyonex]

Not really. I am still learning the ropes. What is included in the DDP? Are you limited to what you can choose of the menu?

You said you're on the deluxe dining plan, correct? The plan that costs about $100 per person per night? Or is your plan about $58 per person per night?

The deluxe dining plan costs about $100 per person per night, and it gives you 3 meals per night that can be either sit down (table service) or quick service restaurants. It also gives you 2 snack credits per night to use, and a refillable resort mug. This plan gives you one appetizer, entree and dessert per credit at each meal (not breakfast).

The regular dining plan costs $58.66 a night and it gives you 1 TS, 1 QS and 1 snack per night. You also get the mug here too. This is the plan that is given with the free dining discount, unless you're staying at a value resort. This plan gives you one entree and dessert per credit at each meal (not breakfast).

Guests with a dining plan are not limited in what they can choose on the menus. If you are on the deluxe dining plan, you're pretty much free to eat wherever you want. You'll have 3 credits a day that can be used anywhere. Certain more expensive TS restaurants take 2 credits instead of one. In order to actually save money on this plan (or not lose money), you need to be prepared to eat tons of food, and not eat at QS restaurants. Most people recommended a brunch at a breakfast buffet and then a signature dinner (which are the TS restaurants that take 2 credits) in order to maximize the credits but still be able to eat.

If your goal is to save money, don't use a dining plan. You can spend much less money on food if you pay OOP and eat the way you want. Dining plans will only save you money if your family eats in the style of the dining plan and if you eat at restaurants that allow you maximize your credits.

That was really long and rambly. Sorry.

 

[horse11]

You said you're on the deluxe dining plan, correct? The plan that costs about $100 per person per night? Or is your plan about $58 per person per night?

The deluxe dining plan costs about $100 per person per night, and it gives you 3 meals per night that can be either sit down (table service) or quick service restaurants. It also gives you 2 snack credits per night to use, and a refillable resort mug. This plan gives you one appetizer, entree and dessert per credit at each meal (not breakfast).

The regular dining plan costs $58.66 a night and it gives you 1 TS, 1 QS and 1 snack per night. You also get the mug here too. This is the plan that is given with the free dining discount, unless you're staying at a value resort. This plan gives you one entree and dessert per credit at each meal (not breakfast).

Guests with a dining plan are not limited in what they can choose on the menus. If you are on the deluxe dining plan, you're pretty much free to eat wherever you want. You'll have 3 credits a day that can be used anywhere. Certain more expensive TS restaurants take 2 credits instead of one. In order to actually save money on this plan (or not lose money), you need to be prepared to eat tons of food, and not eat at QS restaurants. Most people recommended a brunch at a breakfast buffet and then a signature dinner (which are the TS restaurants that take 2 credits) in order to maximize the credits but still be able to eat.

If your goal is to save money, don't use a dining plan. You can spend much less money on food if you pay OOP and eat the way you want. Dining plans will only save you money if your family eats in the style of the dining plan and if you eat at restaurants that allow you maximize your credits.

That was really long and rambly. Sorry.

No problem I guess I knew most of that but was not sure you if you could order anything on the menu so thank you for explaining that. I guess the only other question I have is does it include an app and desert? I realize it is not the most cost effective way to go but as mentioned we are treating my parents whom would fight me for the bill and attempt to pay for it. If they think it is included in our trip they can feel comfortable ordering what they want to. I just have to make sure I don't let them see the gratuity bill.

 

[horse11]

Ok the more I think about this the more I am still confussed. If we can order anything on the menu including a appetizer, a entree ,and a desert and you can choose 3 TS if you want then $100 seems low. For example: I chose Coral Reef which is 1 TS. Let say I chose:
Coral Reef Sriracha Shrimp as my app $12.99
Grilled New York Strip Steak as my Entree $32.99
The chocolate Wave as my dessert $8.49
Then we are talking $54.47 before my drink. Does that mean I only have $45.53 (or less if you also pay for your drinks) to spend on my remaining two meals? I swear I thought I saw some where if you get the DDP that you save up to %20 on your meals which makes sense if you do the math. So my question is if you are saving %20 do you pay the gratuity on what you would have spent before the discount or for the total on what it would cost you if you did not have the disney dining plan. I hope that makes sense. It did in my little mind LOL!!! I may be missing the boat completly here which would not surprise me.

 

[sharonabe]

Ok the more I think about this the more I am still confussed. If we can order anything on the menu including a appetizer, a entree ,and a desert and you can choose 3 TS if you want then $100 seems low. For example: I chose Coral Reef which is 1 TS. Let say I chose:
Coral Reef Sriracha Shrimp as my app $12.99
Grilled New York Strip Steak as my Entree $32.99
The chocolate Wave as my dessert $8.49
Then we are talking $54.47 before my drink. Does that mean I only have $45.53 (or less if you also pay for your drinks) to spend on my remaining two meals? I swear I thought I saw some where if you get the DDP that you save up to %20 on your meals which makes sense if you do the math. So my question is if you are saving %20 do you pay the gratuity on what you would have spent before the discount or for the total on what it would cost you if you did not have the disney dining plan. I hope that makes sense. It did in my little mind LOL!!! I may be missing the boat completly here which would not surprise me.

You're over thinking it. Yes, the DxDDP costs you just over $100 per night, but then you don't have to worry about how much anything costs when you order. You get 3 TS credits per night and it doesn't matter how much you "spend" at each meal.

So, if you could do your Coral Reef meal three times in one day, you would end up saving over $50 for that day.

 

[mom2of2]

Regardless of whether you pay OOP or DP you will get a bill at the end of your meal. It will have all the prices on it and the gratuity will be based on that. You can either charge the grat to your room, pay cash or use another credit card, gift card, redemption card. The 20% is not always true, it's a marketing thing. You COULD save money if you order the most expensive items on the menu at each meal and on the deluxe plan it's a lot of eating!!

 

[lorie13]

The Deluxe Dining Plan (3 TS per day) is going to be a lot of food and unless you are really big eaters you are probably not going to be able to eat what is on the plan ever day. We have done the regular dining plan a few times and even that is a lot of food where my husband and I would share a plate for some meals (not the buffets of course). At the end we always have a lot of snack credits left, which thankfully you can use for Disney Treats (like the rice crispy Mickey heads etc...) and take them home with you.

The best way to make the Dining Plan work for you is to pre plan where you are going to eat and have reservations there. Of course eating at places like Ohana's, Boma's, Chef Mickey's, Akershus will save you money on the dining plan, others may not if you do not order the most expensive item on the menu. Since you have so many TS you could do a few of the signature dining which take 2 TS.

As for tipping, the way your bill will look is that all the items will be listed on the first receipt with the tip added on the entire meal, then on the 2nd receipt will list the credits used for each of the meals and a 0 beside the items, the tip will stay the same. At the end you will have to pay for tip and any alcoholic drinks and any items which are not part of the plan, which like was stated previous can be charged to your room, paid in cash or another credit card.

If you are trying to not let you parents see it I would just charge it to the room, maybe even talk to your waiter privately, tell them your plan and ask that it be handled discreetly. I am sure they will accommodate you.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's no guarantee that you will save money on any of the dining plans. Read the advertising, all it says is that you CAN save money. Not that you definitely will.

You pay the gratuity on the menu cost of the meal - on what you would have paid for the meal if you had ordered it off the menu. Not on the cost of the dining plan, or what you think the dining credits are worth.

You also have to decide if you are going to definitely want 3 table service meals per day. Takes lots of time away from the parks, especially for first-timers.

 

[JW9DVC]

With large parties, make sure you feel that you receive the proper service in the first place. Although you will receive a bill for your tip based on what you purchased, you have many options.

Upgrade the tip amount, have the tip split between members of your dining, and you can always speak with someone regarding the tip amount to get it lowered if exceptional service was not given.

We have a whole section on tipping as well. Have a great trip!! JW

 

[horse11]

Thanks to all of you. That makes it crystal clear. It will work out that we will only be eating twice a day and may have two extra that we can use for a breakfast some where. I choose the deluxe due to picking out some signature dining as well as a dinner show. I chose DDP in the first place because of making it confortable for my parents to choice what ever they would like to eat. I want to really treat them and not really concerned about saving money on the food. We were going to stay at the Poly but since they are doing so much construction we are now staying at CBR. We have saved quite a bit of money switching as well as getting the spring sale so I choose to upgrade our DDP to deluxe. I just have to see now if we would be better off downgrading and pay OOP on some of them instead. But at least I know what we are faced with as far as the tiping is concerned. Thank you all very much!!!