18% Gratutiy

[lunabkat]

After being a waitress for umpteen years and now a maitre d', i leave a 20% tip for great service any way so no big deal. This is probably in response to those who tip 10% or less because some people are:

A. a great big pita and cheap to boot;

B. stuck in the 70's and/or

C. clueless

The messes some people make while eating out is truly disgusting and far more common than you might think. The kids are allowed to play with salt, pepper, sugar and anything else they can get their hands on. They smear butter and anything else they can squish all over the place, some are even allowed to draw on the appetizer plates with crayons. I wholeheartedly agree that most of you nice people should be allowed to pay what you think is deserved. It is the "others" who make earning a decent wage difficult. And, frankly, anyone who has to fish dirty silverware out of goopy plates, topped with their napkin for crying out loud, while trying to dump out whatever junior has decided to mix up in his/her glass (pepper in the champaign glass anyone?), while also taking care of:

Oh , and could we have water, Oh could we have water all around instead
Oh, could we have more napkins, Oh I didn't realize they were MASHED potatoes, the coffee is too hot, too cold, could I have decaffe tea with lemon instead, could we have more straws, oh, i didn't know the chicken was GRILLED, he will only eat PEANUTBUTTER, I am "allergic" to onions/mushrooms/chicken/fish/beef/beets/milk/gluten/peanuts.........
Oh, could we more butter, milk, ketchup, no ice, more ice, another straw/fork/bread, etc.

Deserves at least 18%.

Of course, this is one after the other, not simultaneously so you make about 50 trips around for this particulartable, joy!

ALL from ONE table, and then THAT table says they have had poor service because you actually DO HAVE more than one table...And then they leave you nothing on a 200$ bill...happens more often than you think and it stinks just as much as having a "bad" waiter...

So again, for all of you nice people, I am sorry, but blame all the neanderthals and their misbegotten youths because THAT is the source of the problem.

 

[lunabkat]

After being a waitress for umpteen years and now a maitre d', i leave a 20% tip for great service any way so no big deal. This is probably in response to those who tip 10% or less because some people are:

A. a great big pita and cheap to boot;

B. stuck in the 70's and/or

C. clueless

The messes some people make while eating out is truly disgusting and far more common than you might think. The kids are allowed to play with salt, pepper, sugar and anything else they can get their hands on. They smear butter and anything else they can squish all over the place, some are even allowed to draw on the appetizer plates with crayons. I wholeheartedly agree that most of you nice people should be allowed to pay what you think is deserved. It is the "others" who make earning a decent wage difficult. And, frankly, anyone who has to fish dirty silverware out of goopy plates, topped with their napkin for crying out loud, while trying to dump out whatever junior has decided to mix up in his/her glass (pepper in the champaign glass anyone?), while also taking care of:

Oh , and could we have water, Oh could we have water all around instead
Oh, could we have more napkins, Oh I didn't realize they were MASHED potatoes, the coffee is too hot, too cold, could I have decaffe tea with lemon instead, could we have more straws, oh, i didn't know the chicken was GRILLED, he will only eat PEANUTBUTTER, I am "allergic" to onions/mushrooms/chicken/fish/beef/beets/milk/gluten/peanuts.........
Oh, could we more butter, milk, ketchup, no ice, more ice, another straw/fork/bread, etc.

Of course, this is one after the other, not simultaneously so you make about 50 trips around for this particulare table, and you can have more than one of these at a time, joy!

ALL from ONE table, and then THAT table says they have had poor service because you actually DO HAVE more than one table...And then they leave you nothing on a 200$ bill...happens more often than you think and it stinks just as much as having a "bad" waiter...

So again, for all of you nice people, I am sorry, but blame all the neanderthals and their misbegotten youths because THAT is the source of the problem.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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.

I called WDW-DINE, the CM actually has a DDE. I asked specifically about counter service and buffets......I was told EVERY PLACE that accepts DDE would automatically add the "gratuity"

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

And, once again, you are 100% correct!!!

 

[clombardi]

After being a waitress for umpteen years and now a maitre d', i leave a 20% tip for great service any way so no big deal. This is probably in response to those who tip 10% or less because some people are:

A. a great big pita and cheap to boot;

B. stuck in the 70's and/or

C. clueless

The messes some people make while eating out is truly disgusting and far more common than you might think. The kids are allowed to play with salt, pepper, sugar and anything else they can get their hands on. They smear butter and anything else they can squish all over the place, some are even allowed to draw on the appetizer plates with crayons. I wholeheartedly agree that most of you nice people should be allowed to pay what you think is deserved. It is the "others" who make earning a decent wage difficult. And, frankly, anyone who has to fish dirty silverware out of goopy plates, topped with their napkin for crying out loud, while trying to dump out whatever junior has decided to mix up in his/her glass (pepper in the champaign glass anyone?), while also taking care of:

Oh , and could we have water, Oh could we have water all around instead
Oh, could we have more napkins, Oh I didn't realize they were MASHED potatoes, the coffee is too hot, too cold, could I have decaffe tea with lemon instead, could we have more straws, oh, i didn't know the chicken was GRILLED, he will only eat PEANUTBUTTER, I am "allergic" to onions/mushrooms/chicken/fish/beef/beets/milk/gluten/peanuts.........
Oh, could we more butter, milk, ketchup, no ice, more ice, another straw/fork/bread, etc.

Of course, this is one after the other, not simultaneously so you make about 50 trips around for this particulare table, and you can have more than one of these at a time, joy!

ALL from ONE table, and then THAT table says they have had poor service because you actually DO HAVE more than one table...And then they leave you nothing on a 200$ bill...happens more often than you think and it stinks just as much as having a "bad" waiter...

So again, for all of you nice people, I am sorry, but blame all the neanderthals and their misbegotten youths because THAT is the source of the problem.

As a person who waitressed for MANY years, I am confused by the part I highlighted in blue. Dealing with the things you listed is your job. If people didn't need things from you, the restaurant wouldn't need wait staff.

You described the hectic pace of waiting tables very well. I realize that at times it can be completely overwhelming. Fortunately, most customers are wonderful. That helps a great deal when you are feeling stressed out.

I don't believe, however, that showing up at work means you should automatically get an 18% tip. Sometimes, you need to handle difficult situations with grace in order to earn your money. That's true of most jobs.

 

[agnes!]

Tomorrow should be interesting. Would folks please post any updates on this or any of the other threads?

agnes!

 

[bytheblood]

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

 

[DisneyRN51207]

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.

Not happy about being forced to tip at a buffet where all I am provided with a drink and usually for my table to be cleared off (key word usually). As a current DDP user, I never minded because I didn't feel like it was coming directly out of my pocked. DH and I usually end up making out rather well on the pre-2008 DDP. Upset that DDP has changed so much and were considering DDE for 2008, but now not so sure.

We have friends that were down and at at a DTD restaurant (Raglan Road) on their DDP. They had terrible, service and when inquired about it, the CM said that since he was only making $4 off of their meal since the DTD restaurants don't get the percentage for DDP like the on-property meals he wasn't thrilled to take care of them. Our friends said they had terrible service as well a an attitude from him throughout their meal. Everywhere you go for TS the first thing that they ask is if you are on DDP or not so that they always know about their tip before they even see you.

I sort of feel like for those who have been utilizing DDE that it is a kick in the teeth. People get that plan because they're going to eat on property and many locals use it and eat there frequently as well. Do you think that they will change it when they realize that they lose business? Do you really think that they will lose money?? I'm not so sure that they will. I don't know what the ratio of cash meals vs. DDP and DDE are....

I know that when I eat as a large group and my tip is already included, I don't add more and don't anticipate adding in WDW if they are auto-tipping.

 

[lilyv]

So if you pay cash, and just say no to any Disney diner deal, will you be allowed to tip as usual? (assuming your party is 5 or less...)

 

[agnes!]

So if you pay cash, and just say no to any Disney diner deal, will you be allowed to tip as usual? (assuming your party is 5 or less...)

That is my understanding, but who know what tomorrow will bring...

agnes!

 

[TDC Nala]

So if you pay cash, and just say no to any Disney diner deal, will you be allowed to tip as usual (assuming your party is 5 or less...)

Currently anticipated for 2008: If you are on the Disney Dining Plan (regular or deluxe) or paying cash you will be charged an automatic gratuity if there are 6 or more in your party.

If you are a DDE member you will be charged an automatic gratuity no matter what your party size is.

 

[Charleyann]

If you save 20% using DDE card and then you are required to pay 18% of that back in tips, then you are really only saving 2%? So why would a person purchase the card ? You pay $65 for the card or is it $60?

Personally I don't agree with this. A tip is supposed to be rendered for providing good service. Why tip someone for buffets when you are providing your service save drinks? Also, automatically charging you 18% is putting the cart before the horse. It should not be Disney who decides good service. It should be the customer and it should be the customers right to pay what they want to pay!

This is suppose to be a free country. This is Discreetly communism!

Charleyann

 

[wilde_oscar]

so this one time, at the rumor mill, someone said something, then a lot of people thought it was true.

 

[fakereadhed]

This is suppose to be a free country. This is Discreetly communism!
Charleyann

No one is forcing you to buy the card, or go on vacation at WDW for that matter.

I was confused about the saving too, but you would tip anyway, so you are still saving at least 20%. I think where the confusion is. We are so used to tipping after the meal that anything automatically added to the bill itself seems like extra cost rather than a tip for the server.

FWIW, tipping on the old DDP felt weird since it was included. Felt like skipping out without tipping. I would much rather have had them reduce the cost by 18% and tip myself, which would be 20%. Not happy about the $1 price reduction in 2008 though, but leaving my own tip is a plus.

 

[OKW Lover]

If you save 20% using DDE card and then you are required to pay 18% of that back in tips, then you are really only saving 2%? So why would a person purchase the card ? You pay $65 for the card or is it $60?

You're not comparing apples to apples. Your comparison needs to consider that you would have tipped on the full amount if you didn't have DDE. The savings remains at 20% if you typically tip 18%. If you typically tip 15%, then your savings is lower. OTOH, if you typically tip 20%, then your savings is actually greater.

 

[Disney8704]

Forgive me if this hasd been asked already, OK, so let me get this straight. This mandatory 18% tip is JUST for DDE only. So if its just me and DH paying cash or credit card, NO DDE, we wont be hit with the 18% tip right?

 

[agnes!]

Forgive me if this hasd been asked already, OK, so let me get this straight. This mandatory 18% tip is JUST for DDE only. So if its just me and DH paying cash or credit card, NO DDE, we wont be hit with the 18% tip right?

Correct. For you and your DH, dining together, there will be no mandatory service charge. HOWEVER, all dining parties of 6 or more WILL be assessed the automatic 18% starting January 1, 2008.

I haven't seen any updates from this morning though, so who knows...

agnes!

 

[Tine731]

If you save 20% using DDE card and then you are required to pay 18% of that back in tips, then you are really only saving 2%? So why would a person purchase the card ? You pay $65 for the card or is it $60?

Personally I don't agree with this. A tip is supposed to be rendered for providing good service. Why tip someone for buffets when you are providing your service save drinks? Also, automatically charging you 18% is putting the cart before the horse. It should not be Disney who decides good service. It should be the customer and it should be the customers right to pay what they want to pay!

This is suppose to be a free country. This is Discreetly communism!

Charleyann

A 2% savings is not really correct. It may not be a good deal for some but for my family it is still a good deal. You always had to tip. Here is an example in the most basic form...

W/out DDE.......meal cost $100. + 18% tip = $118.

with DDE.........meal cost $100. - 20% DDE = $80. plus 18% tip (on original bill w/out discount) = $98.

It is a $65 fee to join but we justify the cost with just 1 visit. We will actually save a little more because we are 20% tippers. Since Disney wants to force 18% tip on us we will stick with that.

Now, having said all that I DO have a problem with 18% at a buffet. I am not sure how we will handle this.

 

[agnes!]

A 2% savings is not really correct. It may not be a good deal for some but for my family it is still a good deal. You always had to tip. Here is an example in the most basic form...

W/out DDE.......meal cost $100. + 18% tip = $118.

with DDE.........meal cost $100. - 20% DDE = $80. plus 18% tip (on original bill w/out discount) = $98.

It is a $65 fee to join but we justify the cost with just 1 visit. We will actually save a little more because we are 20% tippers. Since Disney wants to force 18% tip on us we will stick with that.

Now, having said all that I DO have a problem with 18% at a buffet. I am not sure how we will handle this.

I am confuzled. The way I had understand this change is...
w/out DDE......meal costs $100 + tip + taxes = $118 (+ taxes)
With DDE........
meal costs $100 + 18% service charge($18) + taxes(not sure about this figure, but let's say it's $10) = $128 - (20% of $128) = $102.40
(I'm sure I probably have misunderstood WDW's accounting with the taxes & where the discount is assessed within the chain of events.)

My head hurts. I need some more coffee.

agnes!

 

[Kurby]

Where we live - the "tip" is generally 15% which is the same as what our tax used to be so it was easy to figure out what to leave - we just took the tax and rounded up or added accordingly

if they increase the dddp or ddp an extra 18% they are adding a tip on service that doesn't get a tip ie the counter service so that really isn't right either.

i don't know what the answer is.

i liked not having to bring money down (we're in Canada and would have to change it) because the fees on credit cards to change the costs are higher then buying US dollars before we come down. So when the tip was included in the DDP it was so eash for us. and with the exception of one night at Coral Reef where our server complete forgot we were there, our service was always wonderful.

i'm at 6's and 7's about this. while i like being the one to say what i'll tip and will tip according to the service i receive i liked not having to worry about it when it was included.

i guess if they att 18% to the cost of the DDDP we'll just have to make sure we have table services for every meal and not just breakfast and lunch.