18% service charge for 6 people or more?

[Lil ole moi]

I was just looking at food porn (sigh... ) and noticed at the bottom of the menu at Coral Reef (in small print)...."an 18% service charge is added for parties of 6 or more". My question is...my DBF and I (we're going to be on DDP) will be meeting friends (4 of them) for dinner one night at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Does anyone know if this service charge will be charged - I'm not liking this! What's the deal?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, it will be charged - proportionally to each party, if you're getting separate checks.

 

[septbaby]

If you are a party of 6, even if the 6th is a baby in car seat, 18% is added. This isn't nearly unique to Disney it pretty common restaurant practice. Begin checking the bottoms of menus at places at home too.

 

[Pumbaa_]

The auto gratuity used to be (prior to this year) added to parties of 8 or more. It is now parties of 6 or more.

Check your receipts, the gratuity will be added and you can add to it if you want to increase to a higher percentage or leave it as is.

Hope you and your friends have a great dinner at WCC!

 

[frannn]

Sorry to jump on your thread, but just realized we will have the same issue in Sept, when we meet our friends for dinner at Kona. I don't have any problem with the tip being added, I just don't want to tip double by accident.

 

[TheresaNY]

Yes, it will be charged - proportionally to each party, if you're getting separate checks.

We will be 2 families of 4 each....2 seperate checks. Does that mean we will each have 9% added to our seperate check?

 

[septbaby]

We will be 2 families of 4 each....2 seperate checks. Does that mean we will each have 9% added to our seperate check?

No you will each have 18% added.
First family bill is $100, $18 added.
Second family is $100, $18 added.
Total of $36 added, which is 18%of $200.

 

[TheresaNY]

DUH !! Thank you ! That makes a bit more sense !

 

[septbaby]

This is a no Duh zone, ask away!

 

[TheresaNY]

This is a no Duh zone, ask away!

Aww schucks ! That is so nice ! Thank you !!

 

[disnut8]

The "suggested" tip of 18% is automatically added to any party of six or more. As stated, this is getting to be the norm for any restaurant, not just Disney World. It doesn't matter if your bill is split or if yo put down two different credit cards, the "suggested" tip will be clearly marked.

Now, if you have received less than average service, then by all means ask to speak to a manger and have the tip removed. And if you think you received above average service, leave more (you can just write in more on the bill or leave cash).

One reason that this policy is very good. If you have received less than average service and want the tip removed, the manager will ask you why. And then you will tell him/her. And then the server will immediately know. And the behavior you found to be less than average will be corrected immediately. Instead of you walking away and being mad.

In the OP's original situation, there are two people meeting four more. One or the other group might not even believe in tipping. So that server might get less just because of the beliefs of that entire party. In another situation, I believe there were going to be three groups of two. All getting the same service but there could be different amounts left for a tip. So what is the server going to think? He/she messed up for two people but not for all six?

Personally, let the United States finally pay their restaurant servers at least minimum wage and do totally away with the tipping. Problem solved for everyone and no more debates.

 

[septbaby]

Personally, let the United States finally pay their restaurant servers at least minimum wage and do totally away with the tipping. Problem solved for everyone and no more debates.

At this point in our social development we will receive way below acceptable service and see much higher prices. To be able to pay at 50% or 33% of minimum means owners/managers can keep enough help around to deal with surges and lulls in the business. If guest expect similar prices they'll get 2/3rds or less servers to do so. We are not ready to do this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No you will each have 18% added.
First family bill is $100, $18 added.
Second family is $100, $18 added.
Total of $36 added, which is 18%of $200.

Thanks for explaining it CLEARLY (note to self: No more posting when you haven't got time to write full sentences!)

 

[septbaby]

Thanks for explaining it CLEARLY (note to self: No more posting when you haven't got time to write full sentences!)

No problems in a previous life I was a Mathlete...lol