Are we sure we won't be billed for the 18% gratuity with DDP in '08?

[lisabelll]

I know everyone is excited that they will be able to decide what kind of tip to leave but I have been wondering if we will be billed for it. We used the DDP on our trip a couple of weeks ago. While we ate at Hollywood and Vine I decided to splurge and get the the Mickey glow drinks for $5.99 each. When we received our bill it had all the totals on it. I got out $13 to cover the cost of the 2 drinks and tax and our KTTW card. I left DH to wait for the bill to sign and took the girls to the restroom. When we were done DH told me that the waitress came back and said we still owed $1.xx, come to find out the extra we had not included was an automatic 18% gratuity on the cups. Normally I would have left the tip on the table when we signed the receipts but they actually came back and told us we "owed" the money and it was for the gratuity.

Maybe it was just because the DDP already included the 18% and so it just charged us automatically for the 18% on the cups too. I'm not sure, but now it just makes me wonder if when they bring me back my receipt to sign next year on DDP if there will be an automatic 18% gratuity we owe???

I don't have a problem tipping. Matter of fact we tipped over the 18% because of excellent service at 2 buffets. I was just wondering...

 

[OKW Mom]

While dining at Narcossie's on the DDP I found the 2 glasses of Wine and 1 Mojito were charged with an 18% gratuity automatically. This is a stipulation of the DDP -
Will we be charged an automatic 18% on parties 7 or fewer next year when the DDP does not cover gratuity? I do know parties of 8 + will have the automatic 18% added.

 

[just another guy]

I'm not saying anything as in 08, but up until then, if you are on the DDP, anything you order at a restaurant not included on the DDP gets the 18% added to it.

I will say that I know in 08, it is parties of 6 or more that will automatically be charged 18%, as well as all DDE users.

 

[kaytieeldr]

just another guy is correct. It has been the practice/policy since at least some time in 2006 (probably as of 1/1/06) that an 18% gratuity is added to the bill for ANY items paid out of pocket when one is paying for the table service meal with Disney Dining Plan credits.

Are we sure we will not be automatically charged an 18% (or any) gratuity in 2008? As long as we are parties of five or fewer, NO tip will be added to the bill - unless you're using the Disney Dining Experience card, which is entirely different from the DDP.

 

[pepperw23]

just another guy is correct. It has been the practice/policy since at least some time in 2006 (probably as of 1/1/06) that an 18% gratuity is added to the bill for ANY items paid out of pocket when one is paying for the table service meal with Disney Dining Plan credits.

Are we sure we will not be automatically charged an 18% (or any) gratuity in 2008? As long as we are parties of five or fewer, NO tip will be added to the bill - unless you're using the Disney Dining Experience card, which is entirely different from the DDP.

That is good to know. I personally do not mind tipping one bit. I tip 15% for okay service, but tip a little more for outstanding service, but I don't like it added to my bill. Not sure why it bothers me since I am tipping anyway. But for some strange reason it does. lol

BTW: GOOD LUCK IN VEGAS!!!!!! We went to Atlantic City last week and broke even, I hear Vegas has better payouts though.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

If they add it to the bill they darn well better change the name to "service charge" since in no way is any mandatory charge a "TIP"

 

[just another guy]

If they add it to the bill they darn well better change the name to "service charge" since in no way is any mandatory charge a "TIP"

It says gratuity included.

Definitions of gratuity on the Web:
-a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

pepper ITA with you. I have no problem tipping but I do have a problem getting a bill for the tip. I feel like I should be in control of how much I tip based on the service I was given.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I think larger parties will automatically be charged but if they start charging everyone for the tips on the DP, then I will no longer get the dp as I would like to tip according to how good the service was.

I loved the tip being included in the dp though. We didn't have to carry any money for food at all last year but I hope they let us have the choice to leave the amount of tip we want to leave.

 

[ElizabethB]

Use of the Disney Dining Experience does not cause the automatic 18% gratuity to be added. We use our DDE card often and have never been charged an extra 18% gratuity.

It is added when a DDP (not DDE!) user has ordered extra in addition to those included with the Dining Plan. That is when they charge a mandatory 18% on those additional items purchased to supplement DDP.

Actually, I think it is highly likely that an automatic 18% will be added to the bill when using DDP next year -- unless someone actually has facts (not rumors or opinions) to support a different outcome.

 

[just another guy]

Use of the Disney Dining Experience does not cause the automatic 18% gratuity to be added. We use our DDE card often and have never been charged an extra 18% gratuity.

Not yet, but as of the first of the year, you will be charged 18%.

Actually, I think it is highly likely that an automatic 18% will be added to the bill when using DDP next year -- unless someone actually has facts (not rumors or opinions) to support a different outcome.

Um, no! Trust me, all the servers, and many of the guests all want this, but it won't happen. When myself and others leaked this info months ago, it would often get locked down as some were calling it a rumor. Its long past that stage. Its a fact now, until disney says otherwise.