18% Gratutiy

[CanadianGuy]

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.

The only problem with this logic is that this change only affects DDE card members. And the DDE card is presented at the END of the meal, so how is the server to know that "they will get their 18% tip no matter what" ??



Knox

 

[lilyv]

The only problem with this logic is that this change only affects DDE card members. And the DDE card is presented at the END of the meal, so how is the server to know that "they will get their 18% tip no matter what" ??



Knox

Well, I think they will get around this by specifically asking patrons, "Are you using any type of Disney Dining plan tonight?" If one chooses not to tell, I suppose they can. But, when the check comes, it might be awkward to whip out the card, and ask for your 20% off, and then they'll go back and add your 18%.....I can see all sorts of shuffling around before the final (usually credit card) bill is presented to be signed for.

For me, it's just too much trouble. I'd rather just have a normal, uncomplicated dining experience.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

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

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.

At this point, there is NO evidence that diners will be asked about the DDE prior to being seated, or ordering. Therefore, the server will have no knowledge that their tip is guaranteed, therefore the auto grat could not be blamed for poor service.

The people with potential cause for complaint would be the large parties - it's obvious (from a simple head count) that THESE diners' checks WILL incur the automatic 18% charge.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

I guess I don't get your logic. It's not as if there's an automatic eighteen dollar fee added to the check if you use the DDE card. Eighteen percent is 18% - of whatever amount the diner spends. How is the policy change not fair to small parties?

Well, I think they will get around this by specifically asking patrons, "Are you using any type of Disney Dining plan tonight?"

As far as I know, the DDE isn't any type of Disney Dining Plan. It's a discount card. No, it's not semantics. I realize neither of these applies to Disney, but the DDE is comparable to the Entertainment book coupons, or even the restaurant.com certificates. Neither of those is a plan - it's simply a discount.

So, anyway - does anybody have any DDE membership information? Isn't there any type of "subject to change" disclaimer?

 

[lilyv]

I guess I don't get your logic. It's not as if there's an automatic eighteen dollar fee added to the check if you use the DDE card. Eighteen percent is 18% - of whatever amount the diner spends. How is the policy change not fair to small parties?


As far as I know, the DDE isn't any type of Disney Dining Plan. It's a discount card. No, it's not semantics. I realize neither of these applies to Disney, but the DDE is comparable to the Entertainment book coupons, or even the restaurant.com certificates. Neither of those is a plan - it's simply a discount.

So, anyway - does anybody have any DDE membership information? Isn't there any type of "subject to change" disclaimer?

I do hope you're right-that they won't ask. I actually would answer yes, if I was asked that question and I was on DDE. I suppose Disney could eliminate the "semantics" if the question was revised to: "Will you be using any Disney Dining Plan or Dining Experience tonight?" With that question, the patron would have to answer yes. Why does this matter? I just think in addition to the 18% gratuity, Disney is also really interesting in turning tables much quicker. (Hence the no more appy's for DDPers). All the shuffling at the end of a meal won't appeal to Disney, IMO. They will want to have the patron properly billed from the start, without a lot of revisions. Get 'em in and get 'em out....

 

[LovinOKW]

The reply from Disney was this..as we all know:

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
***************
But my question is this...what are the "other dining experiences where gratuities are included" They were taken off DDP as of Jan. 1, so what's left? You can't include dinner packages for Candlelight, Fantasmic, etc. I don't understand what they are comparing to.

Maybe I missed this in one of the many, many, many, lol, threads so if someone has an answer, I'd appreciate it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But my question is this...what are the "other dining experiences where gratuities are included" They were taken off DDP as of Jan. 1, so what's left? You can't include dinner packages for Candlelight, Fantasmic, etc.

You - more accurately Disney - can, if the gratuity is included in the cost of those dining experiences. Somebody else (in I forget which thread) referred to some of the Food & Wine Festival events.
This clarification e-mail is actually very carefully worded, especially where it states, "... other dining experiences where gratuities are included." It's not saying THAT the gratuity is included with other (unspecified) dining experiences, but that the change brings the DDE in line with other situations WHERE there's an auto-grat.

 

[Masonic Mouse]

Yes it is a surcharge because you have no choice and as such it subject to sales tax. at least in CT. If I go to a lounge and order a drink will I be charged? What will they figure the tip on? I assume the food cost before surcharge. I tip 20% but if I am being charged I'll leave it at that, or will I? I feel this is just another erosion of the AP. Mine goes Bye, Bye on Feb 18 And I am not renewing. You can tell me only so many times that it is raining out before I catch on.


Jeff

 

[jpeka65844]

If you really want to be coy about it, when a server asks "Are you on the DDP or DDE?" I could say "I'm not sure yet, we'll see what the final bill comes to." That way you can make them think that you'll use it depending on the $$ you spend and their gratuity is NOT automatic!

In March, we were always asked whether we were on the DDP. None of the service was outstanding, per se but we ate in REALLY high-traffic places: CM's, Le Cellier, CP's and the servers were always HOPPING, just not always to our table....they weren't out catching a smoke if you know what I mean.....

 

[toothdoc]

I thought the reason Disney was taking the gratuity out of the dining plan was to allow people to tip based on service. This really seems like the dining plan becomes worse of a bargin as Disney makes changes to other policies. I do not mind tipping for great service, but if I remember Pete's comments correctly he starts at 15% and then up or down based on service. I agree this should be the norm, not required. Maybe this was also in the negotiations with park employees that they would get a guaranteed tip. This will now limit my TS ADR's. Also at a buffet does any server really deserve 18%? Disney needs to rethink this one.

 

[pschnebs]

I'm going to throw in an extreme point of view (that isn't mine, BTW) here...

My fiancee is absolutely, dead set against tipping. Her feeling is that the expectation that a patron pay ANY tip unless the diner receives superior service is nothing but an excuse for the restaurant to get away with paying the waitstaff lower wages and pretend their prices are lower than they really are, so she won't leave a tip. Needless to say, this leads to some pretty uncomfortable experiences for me when we go out and she pays...

To put it mildly, she's not happy about DDE implementing a mandatory gratuity. As far as she's concerned, Disney's just taken back most of her discount.

As weird as it makes me feel when she does this, I'll give her points for an interesting argument. Why don't restaurants just hike the prices 18%, pay the staff with that extra money and make it clear that a tip is only to be left if the diner feels that they've received superior service? At least the bill would be a more honest reflection of what the meal actually costs, and we wouldn't need to have discusssions like this one.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Please tell your fiancee that FEDERAL minimum wage (which, granted, can be superceded by individual states' minimum wages) for restaurant servers is $2.13 an hour.

Ask your fiancee - if she only had to pay her employees X dollars an hour, would she instead pay them a reasonable (i.e. living) wage?

Also please ask her why, given that she KNOWS all this - low wage + tips - why she bothers patronizing ANY business with this practice? By the way - California is one of the states that requires restaurants to pay servers the ACTUAL minimum wage. I think it's what, about $6.50 now? So a full-time server would earn just over $13,000 per year - total. But at least nobody 'has' to tip in California restaurants.

And, there are other (payroll tax) costs to the employer when they raise wages. An 18% raise in pay could translate into a 25% or higher increase in the food prices. And that increases the tax the consumer pays.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I do not mind tipping for great service, but if I remember Pete's comments correctly he starts at 15% and then up or down based on service. I agree this should be the norm, not required. Maybe this was also in the negotiations with park employees that they would get a guaranteed tip. This will now limit my TS ADR's. Also at a buffet does any server really deserve 18%?

I'm relatively certain 18% was chosen because (1) most people tip between 15% and 20%; (2) the average tip is therefore 17.5%; and (3) Disney rounded up to the next whole number. As for 'does a buffet server really deserve 18%', I don't see why not. While they may not take your food order, they still do a LOT of work for each table. Now, if your used plates pile up and you never get drink refills, yes, you have an issue - which, for DDE users, must be addressed with the restaurant manager.

 

[OrlandoMike]

My fiancee is absolutely, dead set against tipping.

I gotta ask!

Do you patronize a particular place over and over on a regular basis? Like say the same Applebee's once or twice a month? If so you may want to rent her the movie "Waiting".

 

[jvnoledawg]

*

 

[mom2my3kids]

Put a little mini-whiteboard on your table, and write the number 18 on it. Say nothing. During the meal, cross out the 18 and put a 17. Then do the same and put a 16. Then maybe put it back to 17. Then really freak them out and put a 23. Then end the meal on a 12.

OK, I've never done this, but always thought it was funny.

And yes, I waited tables. And I knew that if I gave good service I would get more tip than the other guy. That's what makes free enterprise so great - the market pays me what I am worth.

And you know what, it wasn't the guest's responsibility to supplement my income. Eventually, I got tired of the variables and decided to quit.

See, I have the right to quit, if I don't like getting stiffed.

I will agree with one thing, the better service you give the better tip. If I was waiting on you I don't think you would like where I told you to stick your little white board. In the years I have been serving I have never had anyone do anything like this and they don't want to do this to me. To the person who says his fiancé does not tip unless extraordinary service, I think I would secretly put money down or flat out refuse to go out to dinner with her unless she fairly tips. My husband tips very well for good service he realizes this is how I help support our family. Now in saying this I don't agree with the mandatory tipping, give me good service and I tip more then 20% of the bill.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I gotta ask!

Do you patronize a particular place over and over on a regular basis? Like say the same Applebee's once or twice a month? If so you may want to rent her the movie "Waiting".

OMG I love that show, I was telling my mom about it the other day..LMAO Most of its true, other then the putting stuff in the food. I have NEVER seen anyone do anything like that..

 

[kscottiemom]

about the changes Disney makes. They take $1.off the dining plan, remove the appetizer, and add the tax and tip. Now this change to the "experience" program to put it in line with other programs...WHICH other programs, please.

And service can be hot or cold. We waited 10 minutes, yes TEN, before someone approached us for luncheon at the Yacht, and wound up getting our own soda refill at Chef Mickey after our server seemingly disappeared.

About complaining to a manager-sometimes, NOT ALL THE TIME, but sometimes I just prefer to stay quiet and not make a bad situation worse. I love my "Mouse" memories, the good, the bad, and the ugly (the day I had to wear Mickey yellow slippers around the park because of blisters).

 

[toothdoc]

It was my understanding Disney took gratuity off the dining plan because they had complaints of bad service. The waitstaff had no incentive to be good becuase they were getting a guaranteed 18% from dining plan guests. This decision appears to fly in the face of that logic. Meaning the dining plan change was only to put more money in DISNEY's pocket. This change was not for better service. Anyone think we will receive better service once the wait staff is guaranteed 18% with everyone that walks in the door? I am for free enterprise a great server should be rewarded. On our last trip, even though we had the dining plan there were several occasions were additional tip was added to servers who went above and beyond.

 

[DisneyFans4]

The only problem with this logic is that this change only affects DDE card members. And the DDE card is presented at the END of the meal, so how is the server to know that "they will get their 18% tip no matter what" ??



Knox

This is not true. They ask you up front if you are using the DP or the DDE. When you ask for the bill then they ask for the card. During our trip in August even when I made dining ressies over the phone they asked if I was using the DP or DDE. Trust me, they want to know everything up front.