18% Gratutiy

[thunderbird1]

At what point during your entire dining experience do you present the DDE card, or inform your server that you'll be using it? If (as seems standard) it's at the end of the meal, how does an automatic 'gratuity' affect the service you get?

Excellent point. While servers do generally ask, and we generally offer, whether we're on the DDP, that's so everyone knows what we're entitled to on the plan. But when we use our DDE card, I never bother mentioning it until I'm presented with the check. But not because I'm worried about getting bad service (I'm not), just because there's no reason to until the end of the meal, just like there's no reason to state whether you'll be paying by cash, credit card or room charge.

And put me down in the category of DDE users who see this as a money saver, since I'd typically just leave the 20% they took off as my discount.

 

[ADP]

The 18% gratuity (service charge) will not be that big of a deal to me unless the service is absolutely terrible and I start getting asked at the beginning of my TS meals whether I have a DDE card. If this happens I will have a big problem with this new program.

With the free valet parking and other benefits the DDE offers I still think the card/membership has a lot of value to it.

 

[agnes!]

So, let me get this straight...

*the automatic 18% service charge will be assessed on ALL parties of 6 or more, regardless if they are DDE, DDP or cash/credit card-paying customers. It WILL NOT MATTER how you are paying, the size of the dining party is what matters.

*the automatic 18% service charge will also be assessed on ALL DDE Table Service dining parties (including buffets and Character Meals), regardless of the number of diners.

Is that it?
agnes!
PS - I doubt we will be leaving any more than the now-automatic 18% service charge.

 

[TiggerTails57]

It looks like a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul......now that the DDP no longer includes the tip.
We are very good tippers, I just don't like being told to tip 18% on something that is OPTIONAL!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, let me get this straight...

Yes, you have it exactly right.

 

[starwood]

According to Kevin on page 1 of this thread

This new 18% gratuity will be across the board. It will be added to each and every check at all Disney restuarants regardless of party size or whether you are using a DDE card or not.

This will not include counter service restaurants or carts.

This information comes directly from the folks at the Disney Dining Experience and Guest Relations.

 

[DisneyKevin]

This is information was supplied by the folks at the Disney Dining Experience office who generated the email originally.

This information also came from Guest Relations, the Disney Dining folks and a manager at one of the restaurants in Epcot.

As for Disney being a large operation and cast members not knowing what they are talking about and giving their opinion on any given topic....would that be acceptable in any other business you frequent?

How would you like to call your insurance carrier with a question and have them take their best guess at the answer or just give an opinion?

Or your favorite department store? Or your pharmacy? Or appliance store? Or the airline of your choice?

I understand the outrage at this ridiculous service charge idea but I cant understand the complacency and excuse making that occurs when Disney continues to give out unreliable information as fact.

If you are going to write to Disney with a complaint...I think that should be included in the list.

Kevin

 

[kaytieeldr]

But Kevin's responses are two days old. Since then, the facts have been clarified by a second e-mail sent to DDE members; at least one Disney server; and several posters who have contacts at Disney World (management, food & beverage, etc).

Facts:
18% gratuity will be added to the checks of all diners using the DDE discount, regardless or party size. It has been noted (and should continue to be so) that the server does not know if the diner is using the DDE until it's time to present the check. Therefore, there can be no poor, or percieved poor, service due to this change to the Disney Dining Experience.
18% gratuity will be added to all parties of six (down from eight) or more, regardless of payment method

 

[TLSnell1981]

But Kevin's responses are two days old. Since then, the facts have been clarified by a second e-mail sent to DDE members; at least one Disney server; and several posters who have contacts at Disney World (management, food & beverage, etc).

Facts:
18% gratuity will be added to the checks of all diners using the DDE discount, regardless or party size. It has been noted (and should continue to be so) that the server does not know if the diner is using the DDE until it's time to present the check. Therefore, there can be no poor, or percieved poor, service due to this change to the Disney Dining Experience.
18% gratuity will be added to all parties of six (down from eight) or more, regardless of payment method

I just got off the phone with Disney dining....the new 18% service charge will be added ONLY to DDE. It will be added ANYWHERE DDE is accepted. INCLUDING BUFFETS AND COUNTER SERVICE!

 

[TiggerTails57]

COUNTER SERVICE?????

So who gets the tip?

The person who cooked it?

The person who wrapped it?

The person who took my money?

The person who ate it?
Oh wait that's me!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I just got off the phone with Disney dining....the new 18% service charge will be added ONLY to DDE. It will be added ANYWHERE DDE is accepted. INCLUDING BUFFETS AND COUNTER SERVICE!

I agree with TiggerTails. They're still wrong. The only place that MIGHT be an arguable issue would be Pepper Market - since there is already a mandatory 10% tip on ALL purchases.

 

[TDC Nala]

The following, utilizing current policy and new announcements from DDE, will be assessed an automatic gratuity in 2008 on WDW table service dining (NOT COUNTER SERVICE but including buffets) and at lounges.

1) Bookings at dinner shows (luau or Hoop de Doo) or special events (i.e. Food and Wine Festival prepaid culinary events).
2) Disney Dining Experience members (regardless of party size) – 18%.
3) Disney cast members using a cast discount, where available – 18%.
4) ALL parties of 6 or more – 18%.

If your party doesn’t fit the above categories, then current known policy is that you will NOT be assessed an automatic gratuity. Yet.

 

[agnes!]

I just got off the phone with Disney dining....the new 18% service charge will be added ONLY to DDE. It will be added ANYWHERE DDE is accepted. INCLUDING BUFFETS AND COUNTER SERVICE!

Which number did you call?

I also just spoke to a WDW Dining CM. For what it's worth, she quoted the November 10th/6PM e-mail (which I already and only knew about from the DIS, since the DDE office can't seem to find me) and insisted that this most recent e-mail was a complete clarification. *However*, that particular e-mail did not directly address the implication that ALL dining parties of 6 or more (regardless of affiliation) will be assessed the new service charge.

She did state that the 18% service charge will NOT be assessed at counter-service locations.

I hope that a complete clarification of this pending change will be forthcoming from the WDW and the DDE suits.

agnes!
PS = Hmmmm...maybe everyone EXCEPT Disney Dining Plan participants will be assessed this service charge.

 

[TDC Nala]

Which number did you call?

I also just spoke to a WDW Dining CM. For what it's worth, she quoted the November 10th/6PM e-mail (which I already and only knew about from the DIS, since the DDE office can't seem to find me) and insisted that this most recent e-mail was a complete clarification. *However*, that particular e-mail did not directly address the implication that ALL dining parties of 6 or more (regardless of affiliation) will be assessed the new service charge.

She did state that the 18% service charge will NOT be assessed at counter-service locations.

I hope that a complete clarification of this pending change will be forthcoming from the WDW and the DDE suits.

agnes!
PS = Hmmmm...maybe everyone EXCEPT Disney Dining Plan participants will be assessed this service charge.

Agnes, that email is intended as a clarification for DDE members. It's not surprising they don't mention the party of 6 rule. If you are a DDE member it won't matter if you have 1 or 6 or 37 in your party, you're going to be charged the automatic gratuity.

And yes, DDP users will be assessed the autograt - but only if there are 6or more persons in the party.

 

[agnes!]

The following, utilizing current policy and new announcements from DDE, will be assessed an automatic gratuity in 2008 on WDW table service dining (NOT COUNTER SERVICE but including buffets) and at lounges.

1) Bookings at dinner shows (luau or Hoop de Doo) or special events (i.e. Food and Wine Festival prepaid culinary events).
2) Disney Dining Experience members (regardless of party size) – 18%.
3) Disney cast members using a cast discount, where available – 18%.
4) ALL parties of 6 or more – 18%.

If your party doesn’t fit the above categories, then current known policy is that you will NOT be assessed an automatic gratuity. Yet.

Thank you. It seems that many are missing #4.
agnes!

PS - Actually, I interpret #4 to mean that Disney Dining Plan (DDP) participants will also be assessed this service charge if they have 6 or more in their dining party.
Just wait for the fun to hit the fan if I'm correct...

 

[agnes!]

Thanks, Nala.
I guess the fun will hit the DDP fan now.

agnes!

 

[Simba22]

I expect to tip good service and always do..…but if I am being forced to tip ALL service good or bad….then I am going to expect EXCELLENT service each and every time and will be very vocal when I receive less than the service level I am being forced to reward.

This is no longer a tip or a gratuity…it is now a service charge and should be called exactly what it is.

See, this is the kind of stuff that makes me mad! We were on the DDP on our October trip, where the 18% gratuity was included. We thought the DDP was great the way it was but there were a lot of people who complained about lousy service being rewarded with an 18% tip. Now they changed it for 2007 so that the gratuity is NOT included on the DDP, but they are STILL forcing us to leave 18%. Do they WANT people to eat at their TS restaurants or not??

 

[TDC Nala]

See, this is the kind of stuff that makes me mad! We were on the DDP on our October trip, where the 18% gratuity was included. We thought the DDP was great the way it was but there were a lot of people who complained about lousy service being rewarded with an 18% tip. Now they changed it for 2007 so that the gratuity is NOT included on the DDP, but they are STILL forcing us to leave 18%. Do they WANT people to eat at their TS restaurants or not??

Currently the policy for 2008 is: they will only "force" you to leave 18% tip on the Disney Dining Plan if your party consists of six or more persons.

And wait until they find out that infants, although they are not charged to eat, count toward party size.

 

[My WDW Happy Place]

In my case, this will reduced the total amount I spend in tips during my trips to Disney. I am really only upset at the policy for being applied to buffets. I normally eat 1 meal at Crystal Palace and 1 at Boma during my trips. However, at both locations the glasses are empty and the used plates are usually stacked on the table during the entire meal. Does this service deserve the same tip percentage as a "Signature" restaurant at Disney? I don't think so. Like many others, I also fall into the category of giving back the 20% that my DDE card saves me on group TS meals. However, I do eat solo at many restaurants in Disney. At these dinners I usually tip 35-40% just because of the "guilt" I feel from using a table that could have brought the server more tips from a larger group. I appologize in advance to my future disney servers, but in opposition to the mandatory 18% service fee I will tip that amount and no more.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I have mixed feelings about this new policy.

We eat at TS usually once a day while we're at WDW and with two 10 day trips and a 16 day trip each year that adds up. We usually tip at least 20% and while the service varies, we've never had service we would consider to be poor. Practically speaking adding a mandatory 18% will save us a bit of money which is not a bad thing.

The emotional side of me admittedly does get a bit ticked off at Disney taking away my right to decide what is or is not an appropriate tip. I can't help but think if Disney is so concerned with their servers receiving proper financial compensation they should raise their wages and leave gratuities as a bonus for excellent service.

Just my .02

Lee