Anyone still buying the DDE card?

[AKV707]

I get that some are not going to renew on principle. But we are still saving $$, which is why we all bought the DDE. I have been thinking about this. If people who tip 15% on average were tipping 15% on the discounted check, the server was getting less than 15%. By adding the 18% of the full value, the servers will get on average a more fair percentage.

It just seems to me that if I don't renew on principle, all I will end up doing is spending more money. Sorry, saving $$ in this case is more important than standing on principle that I do not want a tip included that is actually smaller than what I normally tip.

 

[Donald is #1]

I see it now as 22% savings as opposed to 20%. We always leave AT LEAST 20% tip. I have always looked at the card as essentially a free tip. a pretty decent savings!

Same here. Plus, we will use it for half off at PI this year.

Me too! I normally tip 20% unless the service was bad. So I will still be getting the DDE card.

 

[uncw89]

Hi,
This is slightly OT, I am going in April and I can't decide whether to get the DDE or the DDP. We are eating at O"hana's, Crystal Palace. TeppanEdo,Cape May, WCC and chef Mickey's. With the DDP I would have to pay for one meal OOP. We usually do the Dining Plan, but i wasn't sure if this would be the better way to go.
Thanks!

 

[TwingleMum]

We have AP's. How do we get DDE cards? How far inadvance should we order?? We are going in April. I had one a couple of years ago and forget the specifics.

 

[Bobump]

What was R & C Issue ??? If you do not mind me asking !!

 

[goofy4tink]

We just returned from a MLK extended weekend trip and found a couple of issues with the new auto-tip policy. The first, and most easily dealt with, was when checking in with the host/ess. They would ask if we were on a dining plan. The first couple of times we said that we were using the DDE and we saw a notation on the table slip that the seater would leave for the server. At least one of our servers seemed to take advantage of the auto-tip, it's hard to say for sure. Our solution to this was to classify the DDE as not a "plan", answer no to the host's question, and present the card with our payment.
The second problem was a bit more troubling and had to do with how well Disney communicated the change in policy. Some of our servers mentioned the automatic gratuity, while most of them did not. Of those who did not, some spread the slips showing the details of the bill for easy viewing while some folded the detail sheets and showed only the signiture slip with the total and a space for gratuity. If you didn't know the policy it would be normal to double tip. The worst offender was a server at 50's Prime Time who ommited the detail sheet showing the tip already added from the folder altogether. In the cases where the server mentioned the policy we thanked them for mentioning it and left a small extra amout. Those that didn't had to make do with the 18% which saved us from the 20% or more that we tipped on our own.

You know, I had almost forgotten a similar experience. We were there from Jan 12-18..using DDE at all table service meals. At the end of each meal, the CM would bring out the bill, I would hand over my room key and my DDE card. Almost every single time, the 'adjusted' bill came out with everything nicely noted...the old amount, the new, adjusted amount, the auto gratuity of 18%...so it was easy to be sure all was right.
But, on our last day, we ate at Goofy's Beach Blast Breakfast. The server brought out the bill, I gave the appropriate cards. She returned with a new bill, that had only the amount due on it. No where did it state that the 20% discount had been taken, or the tip included. It was just a regular, old style bill. So...I called her over and questioned her as to whether or not the discount had been taken..oh yes she said. When I asked her why I didn't see the discounted total or the included tip, she replied that they don't do it that way anymore. Ah....they certainly did the previous night. Now, I'm not saying this server was trying to pull a fast one, but I can only imagine how many times someone may have added a tip to a bill that already had a tip included. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Luv4Disney]

This is good to know, as we plan on purchasing it in May. Hopefully they'll work out the kinks, but just in case... Thanks!

 

[AKV707]

It is good to know. I will be sre to check all of the checks in the future.

 

[DisneyWalkerGirl]

I found it really odd that after all I had read on these boards that in 8 days of dining in Dec we didn't have the 18% added even 1 time!

We got the detailed bill everytime after we presented our card, so I am sure of this. In every case, our servers benefited as we always tip 20% for good service. As others have said, I wonder when this will become truly the standard?

I will continue to renew, standard or not. We have never used the DDP as for us it is way too much food, so this is my way of saving more $ for the fun stuff!

 

[Tricia1972]

I found it really odd that after all I had read on these boards that in 8 days of dining in Dec we didn't have the 18% added even 1 time!

We got the detailed bill everytime after we presented our card, so I am sure of this. In every case, our servers benefited as we always tip 20% for good service. As others have said, I wonder when this will become truly the standard?

I will continue to renew, standard or not. We have never used the DDP as for us it is way too much food, so this is my way of saving more $ for the fun stuff!

The auto gratuity began on January 1, 2008 so you wouldn't have seen it yet in December.

Regarding the reported 'hiding' of the auto gratuity, the servers who may be inclined to do this or who have been reported as doing this wouldn't have had any motivation for doing this until Jan 1.

 

[BaBeeCee14]

I would be interested to see which servers are upfront and tell me that the auto gratuity has been added.

 

[ntsammy5]

As already mentioned, an auto gratuity of 18% for bar service and for buffets is deemed by many to be excessive. I agree with that, it is too much for just bringing a drink, but I still renewed because we don't eat at buffets much and I'll put up with it when I actually sit at a bar for a period of time (the R&C issue).

 

[Donald is #1]

Hi,
This is slightly OT, I am going in April and I can't decide whether to get the DDE or the DDP. We are eating at O"hana's, Crystal Palace. TeppanEdo,Cape May, WCC and chef Mickey's. With the DDP I would have to pay for one meal OOP. We usually do the Dining Plan, but i wasn't sure if this would be the better way to go.
Thanks!

I would take a look at the menus for the places that you are eating and then select representative meals for your trip. Then add up the costs of those meals plus your counter service meals and snacks. Don't forget to include tax but apply the appropriate DDE discount. If your total comes up less than the cost of the DDP when you include the cost of the DDE card, then get the DDE card instead. For me, my current analysis is showing that I will save more with the DDE card than the DDP.

We have AP's. How do we get DDE cards? How far inadvance should we order?? We are going in April. I had one a couple of years ago and forget the specifics.

You can know get them at Guest Services at the parks and DTD. I plan on stopping at DTD on my arrival day during my May trip to activate my AP plus get my DDE card.

 

[Lesia]

My card has expired, but when we go back in July, I plan on renewing. I normally just left the discount as the tip, so this will be cheaper.

 

[TDC Nala]

Hi,
This is slightly OT, I am going in April and I can't decide whether to get the DDE or the DDP. We are eating at O"hana's, Crystal Palace. TeppanEdo,Cape May, WCC and chef Mickey's. With the DDP I would have to pay for one meal OOP. We usually do the Dining Plan, but i wasn't sure if this would be the better way to go.
Thanks!

You should take into account that you can't use DDE at Teppan Edo, but you can use the dining plan.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

The waitresses do more work with the buffets!!! They are always picking up your plates. They must come to your table 4 or 5 times or more. We always leave 20% or more off the total bill( not the pre-tax amount) The 18% is a savings and I tipped 20% anyway. I didn't know that people tip 15% amount any more. I'm glad they set the tip to protect the wait staff.

 

[angelmav]

The waitresses do more work with the buffets!!! They are always picking up your plates. They must come to your table 4 or 5 times or more. We always leave 20% or more off the total bill( not the pre-tax amount) The 18% is a savings and I tipped 20% anyway. I didn't know that people tip 15% amount any more. I'm glad they set the tip to protect the wait staff.

Your a plant right? Pulling my leg perhaps? Tounge in cheek maybe.....

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Sorry I'm not a plant or a waitress Just don't tip under 20%. I think 15% is outdated JMHO

 

[i3utterfli82]

I am surprised people still tip 15% (and even less)...I really don't see how 18% is such a big deal, and I think Disney should do it across the board. There are many countries whose tipping policies are not the same as ours and I am sure there are MANY times servers get less than they deserve. There is more to waiting tables than what you see.

 

[i3utterfli82]

And as far as bar drinks go, a $6 beer would have you leaving $1.08 with the added 18% gratuity...are you seriously saying you don't tip your bartenders a buck a drink anyway? What do you leave them .50? or nothing?