Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[nbodyhome]

I don't think that the tip was removed due to bad service, I think it was a cost cutting move.

I also don't think the appetizers were removed due to lack of quality in the food.

 

[raidermatt]

My question is...what does that have to do with the DDP? People are posting that they will cancel the DDP if this automatic gratuity comes to fruition. I am just trying to figure out why it matters if you are on the DDP or not? If you intend on eating TS meals (DDP, DDE or cash), this gratuity change affects you the same?!?!?

You're right, the impact would be the same.

The only thing I can think of is that some will not want to eat as much table service if the gratuity change is across the board. So if you don't want to eat TS, you would not want the DP.

Of course with the HUGE increase in the effective price of the Dining Plan for next year, I'm not sure why anybody wants it, but that's another discussion...

 

[raidermatt]

I don't think that the tip was removed due to bad service, I think it was a cost cutting move.

I also don't think the appetizers were removed due to lack of quality in the food.

Agreed, both were cost-cutting moves.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

Why doesn't Disney just start paying wait staff a living wage and institute a no tipping policy. Now that the tipping decision has been removed from me, the customer, this smacks of a payroll subsidy being instituted against the guest to offset the fact that Disney does not pay a fair wage to its employees.

I know how tipping works and the tradition it has in the USA, but there should be a quid-pro-quo that relies on good service to secure the gratuity. The word is "GRATUITY" it implies I give something out of gratitude for something, such as good service.

I realize if they went to a higher wage that food prices would go up, but at least I wouldn't feel like my pocket was being picked.

And for the record, I typically tip 20% and the service has got to be pretty terrible before I will downgrade my tip (wife was a waitress once). Now though, I won't be leaving the other 2%. (good call Disney)

 

[hammie59]

I like most, am totally annoyed by this. Not because it's 18% since we normally tip at least 20. I don't like that it's forced upon us throwing out the need for the waitstaff to actually perform their job properly. Disney is really starting to peeve me off. First they mess with the 2008 dining plan, which I didn't even know had changed until after I booked my package. And now this. Next we'll be busing the dang tables.

Well, I suppose I shall suck it up, having no real choice in the matter, appreciate the "discount" on my gratuity and demand a manager if the service is below par.

 

[Sammie]

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.

And that is why the email only pertains to DDE, as it was only addressed to DDE. I agree it should have been clearer but when you mail a specific email to a certain group that information does not pertain to everyone, only that group. If it was not shared publically there would be no confusion, as only those affected would have the information.

Much in the same way that emails go out to AP holders. That info does not affect anyone but AP holders even if it does not state that, it is understood.

 

[spooky1]

Well, I suppose I shall suck it up, having no real choice in the matter

You do have a choice - dont go to Disney and/or do not make any sit down dinner arrangements at Disney restaurants.

 

[hammie59]

You do have a choice - dont go to Disney and/or do not make any sit down dinner arrangements at Disney restaurants.

OH PLEASE!

 

[spooky1]

... or just don't bother to read your receipt before you sign it.

Thats actually happened to me before - wasnt paying any attention and paid both an automatic tip (which I was unaware of) PLUS another 20% ... when I seen the charge on my statement I was like what the heck?

Ever since then, when I sit down at a restaurant I look the menu over - if it states theres an automatic gratuity - I DO consider walking and have done so on a few occassions depending on my mood.

Give me good service and you will get a good tip - heck I have actually tipped 50%+ before - I have also left just a 'tip' - a written explanation as to what they can do to improve their chances of a tip in the future!

 

[MermaidsMom]

I remember the days visiting Disney I could not afford to eat at more then counter service meals, then the food programs came along and I guess we all started feeling me could afford to eat at nice set down places and now we see it almost impossible to just stop by and do a set down meal, it would seem to me Disney is taking a chance that people won't care if they have to budget an addition $100 or so for tips. Most the places we eat at are buffets and I find it very hard to accept being charged $18 or so $ for a tip of maybe leaving me a glass of tea if you even get that offered to you. I am thinking we are going to have to go back to counter service meals. I can't help but wonder if this will drive people off site to eat or maybe back to just counter service meals.

Does this mean that you don't tip at buffets? Using the example of the Cape May Cafe, our family probably goes through 5 or 6 plates each and we each get our drinks refilled 2 or 3 times. The servers clear our plates and keep the tables clean, refill our drinks, bring out any extras we may need, help with hi-chairs, etc. At a full service restaurant they bring out 1 plate for each course per person and maybe a dessert. Although we may walk up to get our own food, I don't see a whole lot of difference between the two restaurant types and we always tip equally at both places. It's probably a little harder to keep the buffet restaurant cleaner and the people happier than a regular restaurant.

It's no wonder that Disney must change their policy if there are alot of people who are not tipping their servers based on the rationale that a buffet server doesn't need a tip because people get their own food. I personally resent having a tip forced upon me because I already tip at least 20 percent at all meals, but if others aren't doing the same then maybe this is what has to happen. And based on some of the grumpy folks I've encountered there are no doubt some people who will use ANY excuse not to tip a server.

 

[Brian Noble]

A mickeybar says this is nothing other than a poorly worded email message, meant to cover DDE transactions only.

 

[SaveTheSeaTurtles]

Hi,all.

I called Disney today after receiving my email which states like many others have 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."


When I called, I was told that it applied to ALL table service restaurants, effective Jan 1/08 and DID NOT apply only to DDE card holders. According to the CM I spoke with - she said that we "just happened" to be one of the first groups of mailouts with the information and that all table-service restaurants would add the gratuity to the bills for all guests (regardless of party size!)

***Perhaps they will have the information written on the bottom of all the menus or something? (like they do now for parties of 6-8 or more in many restaurants, not just WDW)

Wow - I am not pleased with this. I always tip but I am very opposed to being "forced" to tip at all restaurants. The DDE card is not going to have any advantage cost-wise any more.

 

[bicker]

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

Let's see.... the gratuity has been 15% for as long as I've been eating in restaurants, so I don't see it hitting 30% (much less 50%) within even my entire lifetime.

 

[steven_&_daniel]

Let's see.... the gratuity has been 15% for as long as I've been eating in restaurants, so I don't see it hitting 30% (much less 50%) within even my entire lifetime.

I remember when 10% was considered standard. Then it became 15%. Now it is headed toward 20%. I'm not saying it is a rapid change. I'm just noticing that it is, in fact, increasing over time. Apparently the fact that the price of the meals (and thus the tip) has been increasing with inflation doesn't seem to make a difference. At what percentage point do you think it will stop?

 

[LSUDis]

After reading all of these posts, I believe that I have a solution.

Someone with a DVC villa or FW cabin, who can cook, can prepare meals for all of us, charge a lower rate, and guarantee "No tipping allowed."

They'll make enough money to pay for themselves a cooking-free vacation whenever and where-ever they want.

Tailgating cooks are especially invited to take us up on this offer! We'll all win! I'm sure that we have some cooks out there who can bake circles around some of the Disney chefs!

 

[nbodyhome]

Posters elsewhere are getting back emails from Disney saying it is DDE only. The last person I spoke with also said that. It wouldn't make sense for them to spell out that tables of 6 or more have an automatic gratuity if they were planning to do it for everyone.

 

[marlynnp]

The DDE card is not going to have any advantage cost-wise any more.

So, you mean to say that you used the DDE card and didn't leave tips????

 

[TLSnell1981]

Does this mean that you don't tip at buffets? Using the example of the Cape May Cafe, our family probably goes through 5 or 6 plates each and we each get our drinks refilled 2 or 3 times. The servers clear our plates and keep the tables clean, refill our drinks, bring out any extras we may need, help with hi-chairs, etc. At a full service restaurant they bring out 1 plate for each course per person and maybe a dessert. Although we may walk up to get our own food, I don't see a whole lot of difference between the two restaurant types and we always tip equally at both places. It's probably a little harder to keep the buffet restaurant cleaner and the people happier than a regular restaurant.

It's no wonder that Disney must change their policy if there are alot of people who are not tipping their servers based on the rationale that a buffet server doesn't need a tip because people get their own food. I personally resent having a tip forced upon me because I already tip at least 20 percent at all meals, but if others aren't doing the same then maybe this is what has to happen. And based on some of the grumpy folks I've encountered there are no doubt some people who will use ANY excuse not to tip a server.

I am a tipper, heck...I ask if they are allowed to accept tips if there are no tip jars out. I'm not really upset at the service charge(I mean gratuity)being added to the check.....I'm a much better than average tipper. I think most people are unhappy with their "freedom" to decide how much their server deserves as a gratuity. There are many reasons why people do or do not tip and the patrons at WDW are a very diverse group. My arguement is...the servers KNOW going into their jobs that part of their income is related to their performance...at least it used to be.

Everyone keeps blaming Disney....do you really think this uproar benefits Disney? It's the unions that contracted this for their members....and not all of them are happy.

 

[CarolA]

Everytime I have made and ADR they ask if you have the DDE, so yes they do know that you have the card before you even sit down.

I have never been asked. Only if I Have the DDP.

However, I ate two weeks at France for lunch. I was a walk in. They did not know that I had DDE.

 

[nbodyhome]

I never get asked DDE, only DDP.