18% Gratuity as Standard....

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Just picked this up from Allearsnet:

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/restnews.htm

I hope this doesn't affect service as the staff know they will get their tip either way. Some of us have the bottle to ask for it to be removed if service is below standard, but also a lot of people just go away grumbling as they are embarrassed to make a scene.

 

[EllieJ]

Ithink this is bad news. The servers will know they are assured of their gratuity no matter what.

I haven't been to WDW for 2 and a half years , and I can honestly say I have seen a decline in the standard of service ,whether or not this coincides with the Dining Plan or not I don't know.

We had a really bad server at Chef Mickey's dining as a party of eight , and our servers' gratuity was going to be almost $40.

I did ask to see the Manager to get the gratuity removed , and I will continue to do so if this is going to be standard across the board.

 

[Merylj]

We`ve used the dining plan on our last few trips and we have always had great service even though the tip is included (for now!) and have often tipped more for exceptional service.
I wouldn`t hesitate to ask to have the tip removed for bad service though!

 

[Sammie]

The change "only" affects those using the DDE card and parties of 6 or more, no one else.

 

[Merylj]

The change "only" affects those using the DDE card and parties of 6 or more, no one else.

Not according to Debs site!

 

[paulh]

this is cusing big debate on ddp board.to me looks like they have added 18% to everones bill on any meal plan,or paying cash
Think this is to make the meal plnas look more atractive even thought they have removed appitizer from the standard ddp and you have to pay gratuity
Paulh

 

[Frances999]

We usually tip 20-25% anyway, so this will save us money. However, I too am worried about the possible decline in service quality.

The change "only" affects those using the DDE card and parties of 6 or more, no one else.

I don't think that is true - I was just speaking with WDW and was told that the 18% gratuity will be added automatically to the checks of all parties (irrelevant of party size or whether they are using DDE).

 

[wayneg]

I always tip around 20% for good service in Florida BUT I will not eat anywhere that imposes a automatic gratuity, Just a personal thing of mine I won't be told what to add on.
Once I had a server write on my bill 18% tip is expected, I left 10% and wrote on I would have left 20% if you had not asked.
I would rather them add 18% to the menu prices then say something like gratuity is optional but not expected.
Just my opinion, 100% Offsite for me in future if it comes in.

 

[Frances999]

Just my opinion, 100% Offsite for me in future if it comes in.

Not a matter of if, Wayne - from the sounds of it it's already confirmed for January 2008 introduction.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

I always tip around 20% for good service in Florida BUT I will not eat anywhere that imposes a automatic gratuity, Just a personal thing of mine I won't be told what to add on.
Once I had a server write on my bill 18% tip is expected, I left 10% and wrote on I would have left 20% if you had not asked.
I would rather them add 18% to the menu prices then say something like gratuity is optional but not expected.
Just my opinion, 100% Offsite for me in future if it comes in.

Totally agree with you there Wayne. We will be eating offsite if they impose this too!

 

[wayneg]

Because of rising cost of onsite dining we have done it less and less every year, so wont make a big difference to us. Where we had the odd meal on site now means all offsite.
I would think they would be trying to attract diners not turn them away but they must think its going to work.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

At least I do not need to work out percentages on holiday,

 

[mikki.young]

If it is just DDE card then why add service charge when including it on DDP led to poorer service so they removed it.

If it is all TS then they lied about reducing cost of DDP.

If it is all TS then does anyone expect excellent service with a guaranteed tip?

 

[gavvy]

I dont see what the problem is with this, means I dont have to work out the tip! I normally tip 20-25% so can actually see some servers loosing out with this.

It is being added as part of this years settlement with the Unions.

If service is poor I will ask a manager to remove it no big deal to me. Not going to change where I eat, and for a lot of brits who may be in america for the first time and unfamiler with the tipping culture it will make their life a lot easier.

 

[syko]

I received this email today:

Greetings from the Disney Dining Experience Team!

As 2008 quickly approaches, you will begin to see some exciting new developments for the Disney Dining Experience Membership Program. You asked and we listened! Effective November 11, 2007, you will no longer have to wait 3 – 6 weeks to receive your permanent membership card(s).

Guest Relations locations at Epcot®, MAGIC KINGDOM® Park, DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park, Disney-MGM Studios, DOWNTOWN DISNEY® West Side, and DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Marketplace will now be able to print permanent Disney Dining Experience membership cards for immediate use. This service is designed for existing and new members. Cards produced at the Guest Relations locations will be printed on paper stock similar to the annual pass tickets.

The Disney Dining Experience office will still be available to take applications for current and new members, via the phone, fax or mail for those who do not want to take advantage of the in-park service. Membership cards ordered through the Disney Dining Experience office will be received within 2 - 3 weeks of purchase.

All Guests who have ordered their Disney Dining Experience membership cards prior to November 11, 2007 date will have to pickup their temporary cards at the main entrance Epcot® Guest Relations. Your permanent card will be sent through the mail and arrive in 3-4 weeks from the date of purchase.

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!


The Disney Dining Experience Team

 

[paulh]

what i posted on the big debate about page 9


When a disney CM phoned me acouple of months ago regarding the 18% gratuity for next year i was told:-
1.if on the DDP/DDDP everyone from 1 person up will have to pay a 18% gratuity on the full value of the meal
2.if on the DDP and want an appitizer you will have to pay cash for it plus the added 18% gratuity
3.partys of 6 or more paying cash will have to pay an added 18% on the full price of meal
4.If using the DDE card an 18% gratuity will be added to the full bill before any discount aplyied
5.partys of 1 to 5 paying cash for a meal can tip what they want
This was in responce to an email i sent them regarding the removal off appitizer and tip from ddp next year
Looks to me they have changed number 5 to inline with rest
Guess we will be eating more ofsite rather than poor service TS onsite
Have yet to here if they are adding 18% to CS meals but thats a bit rich if they do
Paulh

I think the above will still aplly number 4dde card 18% was told to me in sept,i also read it in the new union contracts(unable to find link to it arrr)But to us should`nt a thing as 10 at a TS tip will be 18% anyway
Paulh

 

[Cyrano]

This is an interesting point. What if you do pay cash and decide you don't want to tip 18%? Even if it is 'added on' to the check already what's stopping me from paying less (or more) to reflect the actual tip I want to pay.

Is a Disney restaurant manager going to chase after me if I don't pay the full amount of what is presented to me? Legally I am only responsible for the amount of the food - are they going call the Orlando Police if refuse to pay the full 18%?

I guess I just hate the idea of being told what I 'have' to tip. Everyone who knows me knows I am very empathetic to the plight of the Disney Cast Member and their salary struggles. I in no way want to 'cheat' anyone out of a decent wage or tip - but the idea of making me pay a certain amount really rubs me the wrong way.

This is one of the things I hate about the Disney Cruise - how your gratuity is already added to all alcohol and soda purchases made at a bar. Even if you order soda through room service the gratuity is added.

It will interesting to see how this actually plays out.

John

Concurs with my own views regarding the issue on tipping, so apologies to John for "stealing" his post

 

[mikki.young]

Some folks on other boards have had responses to their emails to disney - looks like it only applies "if Guests are members of the exclusive Disney Dining
Experience". Gives a whole new meaning to the word exclusive!

 

[paulh]

Some folks on other boards have had responses to their emails to disney - looks like it only applies "if Guests are members of the exclusive Disney Dining
Experience". Gives a whole new meaning to the word exclusive!

if you look at my previous post the auto 18% will be added only if your on any meal plan,using dde card 1 person up and partys of 6 or more if paying cash.when disney phoned me regarding this i asked would i be presented with 2 bills if on ddp and ordered an app next year,was told one bill with app on and bill with 18% gratuity for said app and food ordered on ddp.this was lso mentioned in the new contract disney and the union signed.the 18% for dde users was headlined there so there just informing custormers now what will take into force jan 1st.me will wait then when its all confirmed(theve not anouced dvc at comtemp but we know its going to happen)if on a meal plan or using dde disney have your info on recored so no chance of walking out without paying
Paulh

 

[willibobs]

If the 'tip' of 18% is now going to be implemented as they say it is, then why do they not just include it in the prices of the meals in the first place so that people can see what they are about to pay. I will not be going anywhere where they tell me how much to pay in a tip. People have different opinions but that is the way I feel.