18% Gratutiy

[Sammie]

Actually I don't know that Disney mishandled it. I never took the email from DDE, to mean anyone but DDE. After receiving clarification about it only being DDE and parties of 6 or more, I shared that.

As to what anyone else thought, you can have 100 people read something and you are libel to get 100 different opinions of the same message.

Everyone has to remember that not everyone that answers the phone at Disney Dining, or Disney Guest Relations knows everything. As vast as Disney is, it would be impossible. Those answering the phones only know what is in their computer and if you ask them anything other than what is in the computer, they are only going to give you their personal opinion on it. Which again will differ from CM to CM.

Basically this was a decision made during contract negotiations and unless you ask someone familar with all aspects of that, you are not going to get accurate info.

At worst the email was vague but not necessarily misleading or wrong. These are not proposed changes, these changes were decided in contract negotations and would have to be changed again only thru the same channels. This is not something Disney has leverage with.

 

[mickeywho?]

So it reads as though the DDE office has been receiving some complaints already. Did you see the latest email?

Here it is...

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.

If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

 

[mickeywho?]

The way I understand it (see if anyone can follow my logic!)
Any TS dining using DDE card will have the 18% added automatically as would all other dining experiences including DDP. The DDP just no longer pays the tip for you - you now have to pay that on top of the DDP fee. So everyone has 18% added on top of their food/drink bill.
*Whether the DDE discount comes before or after the added fee (yes - i would call it a fee if it is not by choice) I'm not sure of but it is for all TS meals.
*DDP guests only have this fee when they have a party of 6 or more.
*Would cash guests have this added if they have 5 or less in their party? (Meaning if you do not use a DDE card and are not on the DDP do you have a choice in the amount you tip? How is that fair?)
I think there will be a lot of emails and phone calls to guest services until this is cleared up!

 

[cobbler]

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included.

Ok, if this is taking effect in January, might I ask what other dining experiences have gratuities included? The DDP will not have it anymore.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Ok, if this is taking effect in January, might I ask what other dining experiences have gratuities included? The DDP will not have it anymore.

I noticed that little part too. I hope that isn't a hint that they are going to do it!

As of now, I'm happy that the DP is not included in this.

 

[mickeywho?]

I'm thinking they mean dinner shows, Food and Wine Festival special events, DDE events, etc. They may even be including group dining in that reference.

And while I know that DDP no longer includes the tip - you do have to pay on top of your credit covered food bill. You just have a choice in your amount if you are in a party of 5 or less.

 

[wvgoofyfan]

I am a solo traveler. Because my husband is gone (over the road truck driver) I treat myself to a nice meal out here around town once or twice a week, and to a nice lunch out at least twice a week. If I'm solo, I always tip unless the service is so atrocious that a tip is not warranted in any way.

Many service people think because I'm a single female, they are not going to get a tip, and I've had some pretty bad service.

But I worked my way thru college "slinging hash", as we called it then, and I know what tips do for any waiter/waitress. But to automatically add the 18% before I've even ordered my dinner irks me to no end.

Guess I will be eating a lot of food at POP and other resorts food courts. No way, am I paying 18% for bad service. The only TS ADR I'm keeping is Boma. The rest I'm cancelling.

It's a shame they are not adding more CS to the DDE card. They're getting an email from me~! For sure!

 

[mickeywho?]

I think that's what is really bothering me about this. We no longer have a choice in how we show we are "grateful" for our servers hard work.
We generally tip 20% - when the food is bad we speak to a manager but don't lower the tip to the server - when the service is bad we lower our tip. If the service is above and beyond we do not hesitate to tip more. With this new policy where is the choice? This is no longer a gratuity - it's a service fee.
At this point I'm annoyed enough to plan on changing our bills to reflect what we believe is the appropriate tip to be paid on each meal - to he** with Disney's policy.

 

[Paul in CT]

Actually I don't know that Disney mishandled it. I never took the email from DDE, to mean anyone but DDE. After receiving clarification about it only being DDE and parties of 6 or more, I shared that.

The policy applies for parties of ANY size. This is the email I received from DDE today:

Dear Paul,

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.


If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I have the DDE card and I dont like this at all. I mean if I have bad service and then have to give them 18%
I agree with Kevins post from the beginning its a service charge

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

One person mentioned this, but I will again...

What about the BUFFETS??? Usually we don't tip AS MUCH at a buffet.

Yet the buffets at WDW are about as expensive as other TS's -

so we're going to be "tipping" the same amount of money for a buffet vs. a 'real' TS....yet all the server has to do is fill drinks and take away dirty plates.

This doesn't seem right to me.

Before - people complained about bad service w/ the DDP and thought it was because the server KNEW their tip was coming....NOW we're back to that. The server KNOWS their tip is coming, so they now don't have to make any extra effort to make the experience exceptional.

 

[Sammie]

yes Paul that is what I said, DDE and parties of six or more.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

One person mentioned this, but I will again...

What about the BUFFETS??? Usually we don't tip AS MUCH at a buffet.

Yet the buffets at WDW are about as expensive as other TS's -

so we're going to be "tipping" the same amount of money for a buffet vs. a 'real' TS....yet all the server has to do is fill drinks and take away dirty plates.

This doesn't seem right to me.

Before - people complained about bad service w/ the DDP and thought it was because the server KNEW their tip was coming....NOW we're back to that. The server KNOWS their tip is coming, so they now don't have to make any extra effort to make the experience exceptional.

Maybe one of the podcasts can include a segment on places just off property.

I'm not going to sit thru mediocre food and then have to wait to have the bill adjusted my the manager when the service is stinky (BTDT this past summer) and it sounds like there might be quite a line.

 

[Tine731]

One person mentioned this, but I will again...

What about the BUFFETS??? Usually we don't tip AS MUCH at a buffet.

Yet the buffets at WDW are about as expensive as other TS's -

so we're going to be "tipping" the same amount of money for a buffet vs. a 'real' TS....yet all the server has to do is fill drinks and take away dirty plates.

This doesn't seem right to me.

Before - people complained about bad service w/ the DDP and thought it was because the server KNEW their tip was coming....NOW we're back to that. The server KNOWS their tip is coming, so they now don't have to make any extra effort to make the experience exceptional.

I totally agree. Am I the only one not thrilled to pay 18% at a buffet?

 

[jpeka65844]

I'd be curious about the buffet question too. I'd be curious to see if buffet CM's make the same $2-something an hour that the other TS CM's make.

When I waited tables years ago at a buffet restaurant, I made $6 an hour. If I got tipped, fine. Usually I did b/c people would rack up $30-$40 in alcohol.

Does anyone know?

 

[starwood]

Well I don't have the DDE card but I'm amazed. They eliminated the gratuity on the DDP because they SAID it was that people wanted the freedom to tip based on service received (and only lowered the cost of the plan by a $1.00 - who tips $1.00). Now they are saying the DDE people don't deserve the same consideration to tip on service received?????

 

[OKW Lover]

Please let WDW know how you feel about this change. Send an email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com with wording in the subject line about DDE and 18% gratuity - it will get to the right people.

Disney needs to know how many people really don't like this change. Your feedback is important.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Please let WDW know how you feel about this change. Send an email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com with wording in the subject line about DDE and 18% gratuity - it will get to the right people.

Disney needs to know how many people really don't like this change. Your feedback is important.

Done!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I have sent an email as well......I do not like being forced into a gratuity, I like to make my own choices..

 

[kaytieeldr]

Actually I don't know that Disney mishandled it. I never took the email from DDE, to mean anyone but DDE. After receiving clarification about it only being DDE and parties of 6 or more, I shared that.

The policy applies for parties of ANY size. This is the email I received from DDE today:

Dear Paul,

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size

Yes - that's exactly what Sammie said.

Before - people complained about bad service w/ the DDP and thought it was because the server KNEW their tip was coming....NOW we're back to that.

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?