Avoiding Gratuities While on Free DDP

[gotksgirl]

We are a family of 6 (with one under 3) and only fit into one moderate - Port Orleans Riverside. Well we could pay more for a family suite at a value, but that seems silly. So anyways we really like the quick service dining plan, but obviously the free dining plan with a moderate is the regular plan that includes 1 Table Service.

So I was looking over the brochure, and it looks like we could use 2 TS credits each for 3 things (2 shows and Cinderella) and have gratuities included. We would be billed an automatic 18% at regular TS meals from what I read (party of 6). Running numbers, a meal would cost at least $20 in gratuities which is ridiculous in my mind. So I was thinking of booking 2 dinner shows that include gratuities and converting the rest of the TS to QS. Am I crazy? We could share QS meals, so using the extra TS for the shows is not that big of a deal for us.

It seems like no one else is bothered by the gratuities. Anyone else agree?

 

[vicki_c]

Gratuity threads are not permitted except for a dedicated sticky at the top of the dining boards. But it is a cost of dining out and as such, no, it doesn't phase me.


As to whether your plan makes sense, I couldn't say. You would have to determine if the premium you are paying for your room (since you are paying rack rate to get FD vs. possibly using a different room discount) is less than any money you might be throwing away by not using all your credits for TS meals and I guess factoring in any savings you would be getting by not paying gratuities.

It's not something I would consider to avoid paying tips. It doesn't sound like it would work out in your favor, at first glance.

You should also include the large time factor for those dinner shows and the ease (or not) of getting to those locations and how that impacts your park plans. I've done both shows and CRT but never both shows in the same trip. The luau generally gets mediocre reviews although we thought it was okay.

 

[TDC Nala]

Here's the tipping thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2300858

This is where all gratuity discussions should go.

As far as the question: If you're getting free dining, just use the TS credits for counter service if you don't want any TS restaurants. Then it will work exactly like you had the quick service plan. You can do CRT or dinner shows if you want to do them but I wouldn't do them solely because I didn't have to pay any extra gratuities. Just use the TS for CS.

If you weren't getting free dining, you'd probably just buy the quick service plan anyway.