Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[GEB@okw]

Why complain? If you don't like the policy then do go to the restaurants. At least you know ahead of the time what's expected. Stop complaining and stay home. Don't go to Disney. These boards seem like it's all complaints. Anybody have something good to say?

 

[mommylicious]

I have a question. Back when they announced the changes to the DDP for 2008 and people started complaining that they were not including gratuity on the DDP didn't some people report that when a CM called them they were told that the reason for the change was because people were upset with the fact that the DDP paid the tip and they could not control the amount that was given to the server? Basically that Disney made the change at the request of customers who wanted to be able to make the decision as to how much to tip. That was why they took it out of the DDP, or so they say, right? So now they are still forcing an 18% tip but instead of having it included in the DDP, now it comes out of the guest's pocket. So how did the change in the DDP accomplish anything other than improving Disney's bottom line?

I know they are a corporation and $ drives all decisions. It just irks me that they couldn't come right out and say it was the bottom line that forced removing the gratuity rather than attempt to disguise it as being part of "listening to the wishes of their guests" and then effectively eliminating the choice anyway.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just wondering if the Amount of food cost will be actual or a percentage of the the DDP costs. I had read before our trip this past Sept (when the tips were included) that some restaruants gave the wait staff 18% of the actual while some only gave the 18% on a prorated portion of what the DDP TS was valued at. Just wondering, I really not sure if my example is 100% correct, but I did read this. Thanks!!

At this point the automatic gratuity is only for those using a DDE card. This is for parties of all sizes.


For the DDP, they will charge an 18% gratuity for parties of 6 or more. This will be on the cost of the food. They also reserve the right to charge an 18% gratuity on items not covered by the DDP (Alcoholic beverages, appetizers, etc)

 

[Minnie's Mate]

The e-mail I received said:
"We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support."

I copied and pasted this directly without changing anything. I read this to mean that it applies to everyone since it doesn't say that it applies to DDE members only. I don't see how the union negotiations would have excluded non-DDE customers since the DDE customers are a relatively small group. I would really think that there will be such an uproar if it is just DDE customers that the managers will spend all of their time going from table to table to address this issue that they won't have time to do anything else. I can see that Disney will reverse this policy in quick order if this is the case. I also can't see that DDE members would accept being single out for such a discriminatory policy if it does pertain to DDE only.

I also will have a problem the first time I buy a bottle of water in Toontown and am charged a gratuity for the cashier taking my money after I've reached into a barrel of ice and dug it out!

 

[Tricia1972]

I have a question. Back when they announced the changes to the DDP for 2008 and people started complaining that they were not including gratuity on the DDP didn't some people report that when a CM called them they were told that the reason for the change was because people were upset with the fact that the DDP paid the tip and they could not control the amount that was given to the server? Basically that Disney made the change at the request of customers who wanted to be able to make the decision as to how much to tip. That was why they took it out of the DDP, or so they say, right? So now they are still forcing an 18% tip but instead of having it included in the DDP, now it comes out of the guest's pocket. So how did the change in the DDP accomplish anything other than improving Disney's bottom line?

I know they are a corporation and $ drives all decisions. It just irks me that they couldn't come right out and say it was the bottom line that forced removing the gratuity rather than attempt to disguise it as being part of "listening to the wishes of their guests" and then effectively eliminating the choice anyway.

According to Disney literature, the DDP gratuities remain the same. The gratuity is no longer included with the plan, and it is up to the party to tip their servers. the only time that an 18% gratuity will be added for parties of 6 or more on the DDP.

This is the last official word from Disney.

The email that went out to DDE customers today is poorly worded and is causing some confusion, but because it only went to DDE customers, and nobody on DDP received mailings stating otherwise. I still think this is DDE only, but time will tell.

 

[disneynutz]

I have a question. Back when they announced the changes to the DDP for 2008 and people started complaining that they were not including gratuity on the DDP didn't some people report that when a CM called them they were told that the reason for the change was because people were upset with the fact that the DDP paid the tip and they could not control the amount that was given to the server? Basically that Disney made the change at the request of customers who wanted to be able to make the decision as to how much to tip. That was why they took it out of the DDP, or so they say, right? So now they are still forcing an 18% tip but instead of having it included in the DDP, now it comes out of the guest's pocket. So how did the change in the DDP accomplish anything other than improving Disney's bottom line?

I know they are a corporation and $ drives all decisions. It just irks me that they couldn't come right out and say it was the bottom line that forced removing the gratuity rather than attempt to disguise it as being part of "listening to the wishes of their guests" and then effectively eliminating the choice anyway.

Pretty smart mouse.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Yes for DDE users, wasn't the email about DDE?

It's not like they can e-mail every potential dinning customer that might come to Disney World after Jan. 1. DDE members just happen to be a group that has given them our e-mail address and have a good chance of dinning at a table service restaurant after Jan.1.

 

[Tricia1972]

I heard that when they made changes to the DDP last year they sent cards in the mail to those with the DDP.

I'd assume that if this is the case, and they are changing plan that they'd need to inform the DDP customers also.

The DDP brochure says that gratuities will be charged to parties of 6 or more. This would be a big change to the DDP. We'll have to see if notification comes out to the DDP customers.

 

[nbodyhome]

According to the 2008 dining plan it says:

Gratuities are not inculded unless otherwise indicated. An 18% gratuity will be added automatically for parties of 6 or more. A gratuity may also be added automatically for ordered items that are not included in the Disney Dining Plan (eg. alchoholic beverages).

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...agespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/08Dining.pdf

See, I remember them changing the 8 to a 6. So why would they want to differentiate if they were doing an across-the-board automatic gratuity?

 

[Tricia1972]

it only affects DDE and parties of 6 or more

Right, and since I am both DDE and a party of 6 or more, the change doesn't really affect me.

We tip 18% anyway, so I really don't care about the change personally.

 

[nbodyhome]

False.

Gratuity will be added to the following.

DDE discounted checks
Parties of 6 or more regardless of the form of payment
CM discounted checks

This is what I understood a number of months ago.

 

[Disneyof3]

DDP or not...the 18% will be automatically added. I am not sure what having or not having the DDP has to do with it? Unless, of course, you only plan on eating off-site or CS.

To no one in particular: If you are on the DDP, why is this a big deal? Were you not intending to tip?

The Big Deal ... A tip is earned by the server based on their level of service to the customer. The word GRATUITY reflects the customer's GRATITUDE to the server for the way they have treated those that they served. A tip should never be expected. This will lead to a decline in the level of service. "It doesn't matter because I'm getting a tip no matter what I do!!!!"

Yes I intend to tip. Those that deserve a little extra will certainly get it. Bad service, bad attitude, bad food = bad tip!

 

[DisneyKevin]

for those that have been long time members here, you know I never, ever post rumors. If I am not sure, I don't post.

Many of you will remember all the heated threads about dining credits and the use of children's credits to buy adult meals. For months I said, Disney will change this and they did.

The same source is saying that this only affects DDE, and parties of 6 or more. The confusion stems from the fact that DDE sent out this email which is not very clear, but actually what is causing the problem is with all things Disney, different departments having no idea what the other is doing. You have Food and Beverage, you have Disney Dining and Guest relations and no one is on the same page.

Believe me, time will tell and you will see that this is only going to affect the DDE and parties of 6 or more. Unless of course Food and Beverage decides after today, to change it again.

But as of today, it is only DDE and parties of 6.

According to Disney...this is not true

 

[Tricia1972]

According to Disney...this is not true

Is there an official word out there other than the email that was sent to DDE customers only, about changes to the DDE card and plan?

 

[Nbtstatic]

According to Disney...this is not true

And yet according to Disney it is true (we called).

I suggest relaxing a bit until some clarification can be issued.

 

[BeckWhy]

False.

Gratuity will be added to the following.

DDE discounted checks
Parties of 6 or more regardless of the form of payment
CM discounted checks

I just called the reservation line... and I know they don't always have the correct information... but after she put me on hold for 5 minutes she came back and explained that the 18% was only for DDE and parties of 6 or more.

 

[crisi]

I have a question. Back when they announced the changes to the DDP for 2008 and people started complaining that they were not including gratuity on the DDP didn't some people report that when a CM called them they were told that the reason for the change was because people were upset with the fact that the DDP paid the tip and they could not control the amount that was given to the server? Basically that Disney made the change at the request of customers who wanted to be able to make the decision as to how much to tip. That was why they took it out of the DDP, or so they say, right? So now they are still forcing an 18% tip but instead of having it included in the DDP, now it comes out of the guest's pocket. So how did the change in the DDP accomplish anything other than improving Disney's bottom line?

I know they are a corporation and $ drives all decisions. It just irks me that they couldn't come right out and say it was the bottom line that forced removing the gratuity rather than attempt to disguise it as being part of "listening to the wishes of their guests" and then effectively eliminating the choice anyway.

Yeah, right, and in 2001/2002 when they got rid of Early Entry (the precursor to todays Extra Magic Hours) it was really because guests were really telling Disney they didn't like it but they did want more characters.

(They got rid of EE in the wake of 9/11 and down tourist times, and brought in a Character Caravan that brough characters to the resorts in the morning. I actually liked the characters in the resorts in the mornings - it was perfect timing for my kids being the right age - but the explaination was somewhat unbelievable. In fact, I wish they'd bring back the Character Caravan - but leave the EMH intact).

 

[sjaakie]

I`m on the dldp nad no E mail for me (yet)

 

[nbodyhome]

I called Disney, and was told she received an email (the agent) saying there was no official information. I think in the end, it will be for DDE. (and the parties of 6 or more).

 

[steven_&_daniel]

We are considerate tippers. That said, would someone please explain why the percentage of the tip/gratuity keeps increasing every few years? (not just here but everywhere) Since the price of the meal increases with inflation, the tip/gratuity would automatically be increasing proportionately. So why is the percentage increased as well?

Will we eventually be paying 30%, 40%, 50% tip/gratuity?