2008 DDP so far for servers

[TLSnell1981]

Well, I guess I'm one of "those" people because in the past, not at Disney, if I've paid for a meal on a credit card and left a tip in cash I've never written anything on the tip line of the receipt. I've just left the tip on the table and I've never had a server ask me how I would be tipping. I can see if you are a party of 6 or more at Disney and you leave the line blank than the server will ask because it's mandatory, but honestly, I don't think that servers should be asking that if it's not a mandatory tip. I think I'd be inclined to leave less if a server seemed pushy about their tip. I realize that servers get paid less per hour because it's assumed (in the industry) they'll make some up in tips, but IMO, a server should never assume a tip is coming. I used to be a server and I understand how hard of a job it can be, but I still disagree with asking for your tip.

In most cases you do not see a gratuity line until after you have paid. The gratuity line is on the bill when they (Disney waitstaff) ask for payment. Maybe, some aren't looking at the check before they settle.

I seldom leave cash for gratuity while on vacation. I just don't care to carry cash when I'm getting on and off rides, etc. If you lose your KTTW or CC at least it can be replaced. I really don't see the big deal that a server has to wait for their paycheck to receive their gratuity. Most people don't get paid every day...they have to wait for their paycheck. I think some like cash because they do not have to claim all of it to the IRS.

 

[Brian Noble]

Maybe, some aren't looking at the check before they settle.

I rarely do---except for maybe glancing at the total quickly.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to use the plan this summer.



TACKY, TACKY, TACKY

I bet they pulled this crap each time they dined.

Hopefully Karma will catch up with them. Maybe a stomach bug will put the breaks on their vacation.

You know when stuff happens like this at work, I just say KARMA is going to get them..Shame Shame

 

[JimMIA]

I'm glad it hasn't been the horror show some were expecting (including me).

You're always going to have that one stray family who doesn't really belong in a nice restaurant. It's too bad, but it goes with the territory -- and to some degree, with DDP.

 

[paulh]

why not write "paying cash" in the space for the tip.then no kneed for any aurquard questions.server will see this and will know they wont be stifed and no need to raise the subject
Paulh

 

[bbangel]

I have a feeling I'm going to be in one of those troublesome parties. A group of people from the DIS meeting for dinner. I invision some will be on DDP, some won't, all of us will be paying separately. And will our group have the automatic gratuity added even though we are paying separately?

 

[Cinders Mum]

we always tip in cash, some time ago it was explained that the tips can take up to 2 months to hit the servers pay packet, and that is a serious amount of cash for the corporation to be sitting on earning $$$.

So we give the server the money on the day they earned it.

Val
xx

 

[JimMIA]

I have a feeling I'm going to be in one of those troublesome parties. A group of people from the DIS meeting for dinner. I invision some will be on DDP, some won't, all of us will be paying separately. And will our group have the automatic gratuity added even though we are paying separately?

If there are six or more in your party, the automatic gratuity will be added, no matter how you are paying or how many checks there are. This auto gratuity has nothing to do with how you are paying the check.

 

[angelmav]

we always tip in cash, some time ago it was explained that the tips can take up to 2 months to hit the servers pay packet, and that is a serious amount of cash for the corporation to be sitting on earning $$$.

So we give the server the money on the day they earned it.

Val
xx

Its always been my understanding that these are paid on the next pay period from whats been posted here. I would think that there is something seriously wrong with a company that holds onto an employee's wages for that long.

JimMIA, while the furor at the restaurants may be dying down, I wonder what kind of feedback they are actually getting on all this (management level). I imagine thats where there hearing the brunt of this as 'most' will just pay up and not cause a scene. I know they are constantly looking for feedback, especially after a change, and how I would love to be a fly on the wall for that discussion!

 

[TLSnell1981]

we always tip in cash, some time ago it was explained that the tips can take up to 2 months to hit the servers pay packet, and that is a serious amount of cash for the corporation to be sitting on earning $$$.

So we give the server the money on the day they earned it.

Val
xx

The buisnesses don't sit on the money. It can take a week or more for the money to be received....and then it is applied to the appropriate person. They aren't automatically given cash for a CC transaction.

How many people are paid on a daily basis?

 

[Dizserver]

I also have the same question since we are probably going to be one of those PIA families when it comes to tipping because we are a party of 10. My parents are not on DDP (so seperate cheque) and our family of 8 is split into to resort rooms (so 2 different KTTW cards for DDP) Add to that the fact that many of our ADR's had to be made for 2 tables because of our party size so we may have more than 1 server from the sounds of it. I cash the best way for us to go as well???

Yes, absolutely bring cash. This way, when gratuity is added because of your party size (and also split as you are in multiple rooms), you can leave the cash to cover it all and not have to swipe your resort ID or Visa card multiple times.

If you are a "simple" party, lol - meaning one room key covers the whole meal, then it is equally simple to use either cash or swipe the guest ID or credit card.

Happy dining!

 

[Dizserver]

Well, I guess I'm one of "those" people because in the past, not at Disney, if I've paid for a meal on a credit card and left a tip in cash I've never written anything on the tip line of the receipt. I've just left the tip on the table and I've never had a server ask me how I would be tipping. I can see if you are a party of 6 or more at Disney and you leave the line blank than the server will ask because it's mandatory, but honestly, I don't think that servers should be asking that if it's not a mandatory tip. I think I'd be inclined to leave less if a server seemed pushy about their tip. I realize that servers get paid less per hour because it's assumed (in the industry) they'll make some up in tips, but IMO, a server should never assume a tip is coming. I used to be a server and I understand how hard of a job it can be, but I still disagree with asking for your tip.

Agreed, but as a server we have to, and here is why.

The way the Disney computer people have set it up, you have to enter the non-cash tip at the time we swipe your resort ID to use the DDP credits. If we do not enter a tip, we cannot charge a tip - the check is closed out.

So, if you are planning to leave a $10 tip on your charge card, but didn't know to enter the tip, and the server just runs your card without asking, then you know longer can charge a tip. You either have to leave cash or you don't tip. What if you intend to tip but didnt bring cash??

This is where the awkwardness comes in - the server is not technically "soliciting", but rather informing you that IF you plan to leave a tip via charge card, it MUST be entered at the time the resort id is swiped - can't be done later. Blame Disney IT/Computer squad I guess.

Here's how I've been wording it to my tables who leave it blank "Hi, so sorry to do this, I feel very tacky. However, under this new dining plan, the gratuity is not included. If you wanted to leave a tip to charge to the resort ID or a credit card, the system makes me enter that amount at the time that I swipe your ddp credits. Agai, so sorry to ask that, I feel tacky." I usually walk away to give them some privacy and space, and they either enter an amount or write cash, or they just tell me "cash" or whatever.

Again, the first week, it happend at our restaurant that servers didn't inform guests of how the computer works, the server just swiped the card and entered "$0" as the tip amount, and then the guest would ask "now how do I charge the tip to my credit card?" Whoops, too late! That is why we ask, albeit sheepishly.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Dizserver - I still think it would be more appropriate for the restaurants to post a sign stating this.(about adding the tip) I still can't believe so many people don't look at what is actually charged to them on their check!

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Agreed, but as a server we have to, and here is why.

The way the Disney computer people have set it up, you have to enter the non-cash tip at the time we swipe your resort ID to use the DDP credits. If we do not enter a tip, we cannot charge a tip - the check is closed out.

So, if you are planning to leave a $10 tip on your charge card, but didn't know to enter the tip, and the server just runs your card without asking, then you know longer can charge a tip. You either have to leave cash or you don't tip. What if you intend to tip but didnt bring cash??

This is where the awkwardness comes in - the server is not technically "soliciting", but rather informing you that IF you plan to leave a tip via charge card, it MUST be entered at the time the resort id is swiped - can't be done later. Blame Disney IT/Computer squad I guess.

Here's how I've been wording it to my tables who leave it blank "Hi, so sorry to do this, I feel very tacky. However, under this new dining plan, the gratuity is not included. If you wanted to leave a tip to charge to the resort ID or a credit card, the system makes me enter that amount at the time that I swipe your ddp credits. Agai, so sorry to ask that, I feel tacky." I usually walk away to give them some privacy and space, and they either enter an amount or write cash, or they just tell me "cash" or whatever.

Again, the first week, it happend at our restaurant that servers didn't inform guests of how the computer works, the server just swiped the card and entered "$0" as the tip amount, and then the guest would ask "now how do I charge the tip to my credit card?" Whoops, too late! That is why we ask, albeit sheepishly.

If that's how it works than I can totally see how you would have to inform the diners about tipping, but what an awful position for Disney to put the servers in. Obviously, the IT techs don't care because they aren't the one that will have to do the asking. Thanks also for the advice on large parties/multiple cheques and tables. I will definitely come prepared with cash for tipping now that I see how complicated it can get. Seriously though, I still find it hard to understand how with all of the computerized magic in the attractions Disney can't figure out a simple method for cashing out the dining plan in the restaurants.

 

[praline3001]

Thanks Dizserver for clearing up the very confusing tipping stuff!!!

I will just sign over the deed to my house for a tip

Seriously, you have helped a lot of people on here understand the process. That helps you guys out when we tourist show up. The more who know, the better it will be for you.

Can you say where abouts you work? I am going to be there in 2 weeks and since I am on the deluxe plan ... hell we are eating at every joint

Oh and we DO tip 20% hahahahaha

 

[marianas00]

Thank you for the perspective. I have never been as nervous about Disney Dining as I am this trip. To be honest, the dining experience at Disney is one of the reasons my family got hooked. I'm hoping that nothing happens to ruin our dining enjoyment this time. We also are great tippers because both me and my husband have been servers. Thanks to all of you cast memebrs that make Disney restaurants special places for families to create wonderful memories.

 

[BruTamUK]

If I write the amount on the check then, and have it billed to my room card, do I then get a receipt to show how much tip has been charged?
With cash tips you know how much you are tipping exactly. What I'd be wary of is extra being added to my card. It would be hard to trace back at the end of my vacation.
I'm not saying I don't trust servers, but I have been ripped off before (not in Disney).
Bruce.

 

[stitchlover]

Dizserver-

Is there any hassle for you as a server if I tip with Disney Dollars? I have put aside enough Disney Dollars to tip up to 20% on all my table service meals. I would like to use the Disney Dollars but don't want to create a problem for you guys.

THANKS!

 

[wendylovesdisney]

No flames here please, but honestly, even though I DO tip and appreciate being informed this info, it will make me crazy that my server will keep reminding me or asking me about a tip. It just seems for lack of better word distasteful and I think Disney could be doing this different. Yuck.

 

[pinkerbell]

wendy,
I may be wrong as this does seem confusing, but I think the server will only mention it if no tip is left when they collect the check, I think, if we know to write it in, in advance, they will take the check, process it with tip, and no mention will be made, or if paying by cash, write, tipping in cash, and again, no mention made... Just the way I understand it, please let me know if I have this wrong as I want to know the right thing to do when I go...
thanks and good luck to all of us