18% Gratutiy

[calypso*a*go-go]

The whole restaurant situation at WDW is driving me nuts! First of all, how much profit do you think is actually made on a meal? I mean really, look at how much a steak costs at any of the onsite restaurants compared to what that same meal would be elsewhere. I know there's a lot of overhead, but what would it take to actually give the servers a decent wage so they aren't so dependent on tips. Is it finances...or just politics?

 

[Madi100]

Disney is pushing the dining plan. They've just taken the tip off and decreased the price by one dollar. For repeat customers to the dining plan, to get a bill that just has a tip in it, is going to be offending. We do the dining plan so we don't budget for meals. We do tip about 20% normally. But if someone brings me a bill for the "tip", I'm not going to be too happy. And for those on the dining plan, that is what the bill will consist of, the tip.

How can you charge a tip??? I just don't get it. I tell you what, the service had better improve. While most CMs walk around with a pocket full of pixie dust, the servers seem to want to set a record for how many people can sit at each table in one night. I think that in order to include that charge the service needs to be out of this world, and I'm sorry, as much as I love Disney, it's just not there.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

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?

I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this but I've been following this thread for the past couple of days and personally don't understand what the big uproar is all about.

For those that have used the DDE card in the past, do you not normally leave a tip anyways??? If so, then nothing really changes other than you not having to calculate a tip - it will be automatically calculated for you. You still get your 20% off as you did previously. As OKW lover said, depending on the amount of your tip, you may actually be saving money.

As for the 18% tipping at a buffet, yet it is a bit more, but again, if you don't like the policy, don't eat at a buffet. There are plenty of other restaurants at each of the Disney parks to choose from.

The bottom line is if people are that opposed to mandatory tipping, then don't use the DDE card or renew it when it expires.

Bonny

 

[kaytieeldr]

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%?

Well, how much were you going to tip?
If you weren't going to leave a tip, then yes, you're only saving 2%.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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!

$100-20(20%)=$80+18(18% on $100)=$98+6.50(6.5% on $100)=$104.50

The discount is on the amount before tax and"gratuity". The tax and "gratuity" are figured on the amount before the discount.

 

[raidermatt]

For those that have used the DDE card in the past, do you not normally leave a tip anyways??? If so, then nothing really changes other than you not having to calculate a tip - it will be automatically calculated for you.

By definition, the tip is a way to express your satisfaction with the service you received. While it is still possible to leave extra tip for extraordinary service, the right to leave less for poor service is being taken away by this change.

Yes, you can, and should, complain to a manager if you truly get poor service. But that doesn't change the fact that the entire tipping system is based on the customer having control over the amount.

As for the 18% tipping at a buffet, yet it is a bit more, but again, if you don't like the policy, don't eat at a buffet.

That's pretty dismissive.

Can't anyone express displeasure about something they don't agree with?

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

That's pretty dismissive.

Can't anyone express displeasure about something they don't agree with?

Of course...we're up to 9 pages of people expressing their displeasure. Can't I offer a differing opinion?

 

[thunderbird1]

Of course...we're up to 9 pages of people expressing their displeasure. Can't I offer a differing opinion?

Not while you've got fans waiting for an update on your TR, you can't! C'mon--we want to see the insides of the HHN houses!

For the record, while I do understand those who are upset about the change because of the principle of it, I agree with you. Maybe I'm getting old and complacent, but I find it difficult to muster outrage at something that isn't actually going to change the bottom line.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Not while you've got fans waiting for an update on your TR, you can't! C'mon--we want to see the insides of the HHN houses!

For the record, while I do understand those who are upset about the change because of the principle of it, I agree with you. Maybe I'm getting old and complacent, but I find it difficult to muster outrage at something that isn't actually going to change the bottom line.

Just wait until we see the changes next year! After this gets shoved down our throats....what do you think will come next?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Sorry but I'm one of those who automatically tip's 20% on the total bill (plus tax and bottles of wine) THEN rounds up I'm happy that they've lowered my bill plus made it simpler. No wasting time doing the math.

If Disney is willing to risk an uproar and negative publicity then my guess is the servers have been stiffed too often. I'm sure management has gotten a ton of complaints from servers who gave there all only to walk away with pennies for cheap or clueless people.

I'm actually expecting service to improve. Aren't most people less likely to leave and more willing to work at places pay better?

 

[3DisneyKids]

Yikes! I'm willing to bet we won't see this new policy around for long...too many folks will scream outrage....and we should.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this but I've been following this thread for the past couple of days and personally don't understand what the big uproar is all about.

For those that have used the DDE card in the past, do you not normally leave a tip anyways??? If so, then nothing really changes other than you not having to calculate a tip - it will be automatically calculated for you. You still get your 20% off as you did previously. As OKW lover said, depending on the amount of your tip, you may actually be saving money.

As for the 18% tipping at a buffet, yet it is a bit more, but again, if you don't like the policy, don't eat at a buffet. There are plenty of other restaurants at each of the Disney parks to choose from.

The bottom line is if people are that opposed to mandatory tipping, then don't use the DDE card or renew it when it expires.

Bonny

Hi Bonny--not flaming you at all, but just trying to explain what the uproar is all about. I am one of those folks who may actually save money on this as we usually tip 20%.

However, this takes away my free will. It forces me to tip for bad service and this is unacceptable, at least in this culture where there is a long established protocol for tipping.

Additionally, this takes away any incentive wait staff has for providing excellent service (other than intrinisic motivation). Mostly, we have only seen great service at all of the TS restaurants we have visited. However, we all know how hard of a time Disney has keeping everything fully staffed. With nearly 60,000 employees, it is hard to have the "best of the best" in every area of the World. Thus, a lack of qualified staff combined with a guaranteed good tip could easily mean a significant reduction in quality of service.

Hope this helps to explain the other side.

 

[dpuck1998]

My simple solution is to not use the DDE or DDP.

 

[lilyv]

My simple solution is to not use the DDE or DDP.

My solution, also.


DDP: The server may be: 1. Tipped on what the meal actually cost, 2. 1/3 of the daily DDP price, or 3. accidentally not tipped because the patron was confused by the rules. My opinion, only but most likely is option 2 or 3.
(And I guess with DDP you have to add in the difficult situations where patrons aren't happy with what they are "allowed" and are denied substitutions/changes-this can't be fun for servers.)

DDE: Server knows, no matter what they are guaranteed 18%. Much better for them than DDP, but is it better for the patron?

Cash: Server knows patron is not on a plan, that the patron expects a bill with the real total, and will (normally) add tip. Might be worth working hard for this table to increase good-will.

Of course, I could be totally wrong, altogether. Just my take on the current situation.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My simple solution is to not use the DDE or DDP.

The path of least resistance would be not to eat on property. I know what I have been told by WDW-DINE on three different calls, but others still don't believe it to be true.....that automatic "gratuity" will be imposed on ALL DDE and ALL TS, buffets and character meals over 5 guests. I guess we will find out for sure on Jan 1.

 

[lilyv]

The path of least resistance would be not to eat on property. I know what I have been told by WDW-DINE on three different calls, but others still don't believe it to be true.....that automatic "gratuity" will be imposed on ALL DDE and ALL TS, buffets and character meals over 5 guests. I guess we will find out for sure on Jan 1.

Actually we do that as well. I shop carefully for a rental car bargain, and that way we can eat some meals at Disney, as well as enjoy a few meals off site. It works out great for us, cost wise. (And when you compare the price of a bottle of wine from the grocery store vs the Disney shop price, well, that rental car saves us $$ yet again.)

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Not while you've got fans waiting for an update on your TR, you can't! C'mon--we want to see the insides of the HHN houses!

patience grasshopper ... it will be coming soon

For the record, while I do understand those who are upset about the change because of the principle of it, I agree with you. Maybe I'm getting old and complacent, but I find it difficult to muster outrage at something that isn't actually going to change the bottom line.

Exactly

Sorry but I'm one of those who automatically tip's 20% on the total bill (plus tax and bottles of wine) THEN rounds up I'm happy that they've lowered my bill plus made it simpler. No wasting time doing the math.

As do we, so we are also happy that things will be made much simpler.

Hi Bonny--not flaming you at all, but just trying to explain what the uproar is all about. I am one of those folks who may actually save money on this as we usually tip 20%.

However, this takes away my free will. It forces me to tip for bad service and this is unacceptable, at least in this culture where there is a long established protocol for tipping.

Additionally, this takes away any incentive wait staff has for providing excellent service (other than intrinisic motivation). Mostly, we have only seen great service at all of the TS restaurants we have visited. However, we all know how hard of a time Disney has keeping everything fully staffed. With nearly 60,000 employees, it is hard to have the "best of the best" in every area of the World. Thus, a lack of qualified staff combined with a guaranteed good tip could easily mean a significant reduction in quality of service.

Hope this helps to explain the other side.

I do see where you're coming from and totally agree. Also, we have to keep in mind that if there is a time when the service is poor, then we need to speak up. I would not expect to pay a tip of 18% in this case, and would not hesitate to talk to the manager (or whoever else is in charge at that particular time) to explain the poor service received and ask that the tip be adjusted accordingly.

My simple solution is to not use the DDE or DDP.

Or eat off-site if you are able.


Bonny

 

[crystalcml]

My solution, also.


DDP: The server may be: 1. Tipped on what the meal actually cost, 2. 1/3 of the daily DDP price, or 3. accidentally not tipped because the patron was confused by the rules. My opinion, only but most likely is option 2 or 3.
(And I guess with DDP you have to add in the difficult situations where patrons aren't happy with what they are "allowed" and are denied substitutions/changes-this can't be fun for servers.)

DDE: Server knows, no matter what they are guaranteed 18%. Much better for them than DDP, but is it better for the patron?

Cash: Server knows patron is not on a plan, that the patron expects a bill with the real total, and will (normally) add tip. Might be worth working hard for this table to increase good-will.

Of course, I could be totally wrong, altogether. Just my take on the current situation.

Every year, we get the disney dining plan and from my knowledge at every table service meal the server was given a tip of 18%.

Now from my experience at about 7 table service meals last year only about 2 of them actually deserved the 18% or more. The rest were really poor services and if I have to pay 18% for those servers regardless how is this helping? I can tell you first hand that at 2 restaurants we were never brought drink refills and at a couple others we were so rushed I felt like I had to inhale my dinner. Now I know you guys insist on people telling the managers of the poor service but what manager is really going to care and what people really have time to complain about the service when they have cranky and tired children with them?

 

[DisneyFans4]

I sent an e-mail to guest services and said that adding the 18% automatically was not fair to a single diner or even a couple. It should stick to as it's always been, for 8 or more people because that is fair.

So now the servers won't care how they treat you because now they know they will get their 18% tip no matter what their attitude is. Some waiters/waitresses work very hard to get their tip and I think some work hard enough where they deserve more, but now to force the customer to give 18% isn't right.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this but I've been following this thread for the past couple of days and personally don't understand what the big uproar is all about.

For those that have used the DDE card in the past, do you not normally leave a tip anyways??? If so, then nothing really changes other than you not having to calculate a tip - it will be automatically calculated for you. You still get your 20% off as you did previously. As OKW lover said, depending on the amount of your tip, you may actually be saving money....

Yes, I do tip and generously as many others here had stated that they do. It isn't about the amount of the the tip. For me it is solely about taking away my freedom to chose if a tip is deserved and, if so, how much is deserved. I don't want someone telling me I have to leave a tip and how much I have to leave any more than anyone else does. To apply this policy to DDE patrons only is discrimination plane and simple.

The bottom line is if people are that opposed to mandatory tipping, then don't use the DD card or renew it when it expires.
Bonny

This is patronizing and a real cop-out!

As far as "stiffing" the staff and feeling so sorry for them. Let's look at that fictitious $100 TS bill for a minute. How many tables does a server serve? For argument let's say it's five. Meal rush ranges from about 11:30 until 2:00 and from about 5:30 until 8:30. Now if they only turn their tables once per hour, that's 2-1/2 times for lunch and 3 times for dinner: 5-1/2 times per shift. At 18% of that $100/table, that's $18X5=90/hour x 5.5 hours or, get this $495 per shift. Now, I realize that some tables will order less food (family of three for example) and some will order more and some will stiff their server and tip nothing. Still we are talking several hundred dollars per day that they work. I bet more of them make more than $1,000 per week than you would imagine. Not bad for a doing a low skilled job in the "Happiest Place on Earth"!

I would in no way hold this against any of the servers at WDW and never have, but I don't think it warrants forcing me to pay a minimum "gratuity" either!