Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[Tricia1972]

Denise, that's exactly what I've been thinking all day long.

When the DDP automatic gratuity was taken away from the servers, Disney had to give them something in return. I think that they lowered the mandatory party size from 8 to 6 for everyone, and added an automatic gratuity of 18% for all those using the DDE card. This gave the servers something, when they took a little more away from them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

He also said that many servers are not thrilled when people are on the dining plans as they don't always tip well

Baloney. Guests on dining plans don't tip, period - because until 2008, THE TIP WAS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE PLAN. Tips will continue to be included in the Platinum and above (or is it below; the precious metals plans) even in 2008.

If it is true that they are mandatorily adding 18% gratuity to all parties at table service restaurants, do you think it is because of the concern many CMs have had regarding the removal of the gratuity to the DDP?

First, I don't believe any gratuity will be automatically added to any check other than as already stated (while the DDE card holders are being officially notified now, this is actually one of the conditions the unions voted for back in July); and, the frontline CMs have no say in instituting a mandatory anything. According to the reported contract negotiations, Disney will evaluate the DDP/tip change in 2008, and may consider changing it in 2009.

1 with appitiser with added 18% and one with a surgested 18% for ddp
reply was bill with appitiser and 18%for whole meal

ENTIRELY different from mandatory tip on the courses INCLUDED in the Disney Dining Plan.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can't afford 18% tip with every meal. That's not right. A tip is not supposed to be madatory. Now service will suffer b/c the waiter/waitress will know that regardless of how they do their job they're getting a nice tip at the end.

Could you please explain what you mean by "can't afford 18% tip with every meal"? Can you only afford it with some meals? Or is the unconfirmed-except-DDE 'mandatory' tip percent too high period? The difference between 15% and 18% is $3 per $100 - simply order a little less, or slightly less expensive food, to make up the $3. As for service suffering, that's been a standard complaint here on the DIS, since the tip-inclusive DDP went into effect. If that WERE true (and I never experienced it), how would 2008 differ from any of the past three years?

I guess I'm confused as to why people are confused? The quote that we were sent in our emails, says it all:

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.

As an English teacher, it is pretty plain to me that this tipping policy will take place at every restaurant, regardless of using DDE, DDP or OOP.

Well, let's see... what preceded "We would also like to inform you..."? It seems that it was information entirely unrelated to any gratuity; therefore, the introduction to this information send to DDE members appears to apply solely to, well, DDE members.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm still reading it as applying only to DDE at this point, since the DDP has its own wording about when a gratuity is or isn't automatic.

Not to mention, there's NOTHING in writing, ANYWHERE, about Disney's policy regarding out of pocket payments, period.

Is KFC on the DDP?

No, but I think you can get chicken strips almost anywhere...

DDP or not...the 18% will be automatically added.

No, it will not. The e-mail went to DDE holders ONLY. The 18% gratuity will be added to DDE holders only (and only when using the DDE card) effective 1/1/08,

Mickey Fliers --- I would never tip 18% at a Buffet --- sorry, no can do, as I said before with 5 people the Buffets can get over $200 and I will not give almost $40 for a few drink refills ...

So it's okay with you that your empty plates will pile up on the table? Also, afaik, the most expensive buffet is $28.99, or $145 for five people.

I understand that. 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?!?!?

No, it doesn't. If I'm paying the tip, I get to determine the tip.

 

[hammie59]

I never get asked DDE, only DDP.

wait, i thought DDP and DDE meant the same thing. i must have missed something (i am new to this)

*newsflash*- nevermind. i just looked it up on their site. dde is florida res. discount. got it.

 

[nbodyhome]

Denise, that's exactly what I've been thinking all day long.

When the DDP automatic gratuity was taken away from the servers, Disney had to give them something in return. I think that they lowered the mandatory party size from 8 to 6 for everyone, and added an automatic gratuity of 18% for all those using the DDE card. This gave the servers something, when they took a little more away from them.

Yes, that is what I remember. Taking the tips off was a big deal on the DDP, servers made a good income off that. I think not having the tips on will hurt the servers. So in concession, the DDE and group size was changed to include automatic gratuities. I'm not sure it will be enough to make up for not having the tip on the DDP. And having them say that it's for everyone now would conflict with their current info (which says that parties of 6 or more will have an automatic gratuity).

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Once I hear about confirmation of all of this, I plan to write to disney to let them know how ridiculous I think this is. Disney should not be deciding how much tip we should be giving or if we should be giving a tip at all.

To me, tipping is a little something you give as a thankyou for the server making your meal enjoyable and for good service. I don't understand why disney should force everyone eating at their restaurants to pay 18% tip regardless of the service.

The customers should have the privelage of deciding the type of tip the server deserves. We are the guests after all and we like eating on property but they need to understand that we don't have to eat at their restaurants. I for one, may start eating offsite due to the changes.

I have no problem tipping but I do have a problem with Disney making me pay 18% tip even if service is poor.

It's also not fair to the servers who work extra hard to make a guest have a wonderful memorable meal compared to a server who doesn't care because they will get their automatic tip anyway. They will both get the same tip and I don't think that's right. I have read the reviews here on the dis many times and many complain of bad service. So, in the event that we had a server who took forever, didn't give drink refills and was rude, we would still have to give them that 18% tip they didn't deserve and now they will continue to treat all the guests in this manner because it won't make a difference in their earnings. Those of you saying you don't care about the change or are for it, I don't see why you would want to tip a server who would act this way and you also are enforcing their behavior by paying them a tip and to continue to do this to more guests. Now if we decided on the tip, the servers would work hard for a better tip and therefore, we would all get better service.

 

[nbodyhome]

wait, i thought DDP and DDE meant the same thing. i must have missed something (i am new to this)

Disney Dining Plan - you know that one. DDE - Disney Dining Experience, which is something that many passholders and Florida Residents have. We pay for the card, and then get a 20% discount at most table service and some counter service on property. DDE cardholders are the ones who received the email.

 

[kaytieeldr]

However, the e-mail WENT only to DDE members. Given that it was posted several months ago that this SPECIFIC change was being instituted as part of the new (aka current) union contract, and is now reinforced by official notification by Disney TO only DDE members - the change applies only to DDE members.

 

[Sammie]

wait, i thought DDP and DDE meant the same thing. i must have missed something (i am new to this)

DDP is Disney Dining Plan
DDE is Disney Dining Experience (card) which gives card holders 20% at certain locations.

And actually Disney is considering a new name for one, as they feel they are too similar and could be confusing, you think so.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

DDE=Disney Dining Experience, a discount card/program available to florida residents and Annual Pass Holders

DDP=Disney Dining Plan, a per person, per night, prepaid dining plan add-on to a Disney Vacation Package or to a Disney vacation Club stay

 

[nbodyhome]

So it's okay with you that your empty plates will pile up on the table? Also, afaik, the most expensive buffet is $28.99, or $145 for five people.
.

I waited tables many years ago. Buffet work was often just as hard as regular restaurants. More plates to clear, which usually also meant more drink refills (more food, more beverages with the food!) We usually tip 25% or so at Trails End, our two favorite servers on property are there. And they earn it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Years ago, we used to eat at Hometown Buffet. My mom, who worked in a restaurant (granted, in the office ), would tip a dollar per person per "course". If we got up once, she'd tip $2 PP. If we got up four times, $4 each. She stopped inviting my brother after a while because she was tipping more than the meal cost.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I don't like this for a couple of reasons. One, I feel like including an 18% gratuity on the bill is just a way for Disney to get out of paying their hard working waiters and waitresses a more reasonable salary. It's like they're saying, "Hey, you get an automatic tip, so why should we have to pay you more of a salary?" I don't like that at all.

If it's just for DDE folks, that doesn't seem fair to them. Kind of like, "You get a discount, so we are going to force you to tip at a set level, but people not getting a discount don't have to." Maybe it's just me, but I don't like seeing a group singled out, even though I'm not a DDE carrier, nor will I ever be one.

Lastly, I won't like it if it's for everyone either because, as mentioned before by others, if it's bad service, I shouldn't have to hassle with a manager just to get my bill adjusted for that. I don't want to waste my precious park or relaxation time haggling with a manager unless it's just beyond imagination terrible. Here's a good example: Chef Mickey's breakfast this year, we had a pretty bad waiter. Showed up as soon as we got there, was downright unfriendly, poured the OJ, then brought my dad's coffee maybe 10 minutes later. We didn't see the guy at our table again for 45 minutes. We could see (at a distance) him at other tables with new people now and again getting their drinks, but when we would try and flag him down, he would look away. Plates piled up and up, and we finally asked other waiters and waitresses to please send him our direction. Other people in our area had the same issue. I saw my beloved Donald Duck a lot more than I saw our waiter. Long story short: My dad never did get his second cup of coffee, my mom and I never got more OJ. When he finally came back 45 minutes after we last saw him, we waited another 20 minutes for the bill. This was when he was also supposed to bring more OJ and coffee, but he forgot, and we didn't have time to wait again. We still tipped him because we know everyone has a bad day, but it wasn't 18%. I think it was around 13%. We didn't feel it was a situation awful enough to go to the manager or leave no tip, because as said, everyone has bad days. But that service was not deserving of an 18% tip. The bill was around $65. So, under this new rule if it is for all, we would have to give about $12 to someone who was that inattentive, unless we wanted to spend our already precious time haggling with a manager. Bad idea, if you ask me.

On the haggling with a manager note, we've had terrible service before at restaurants throughout the country but unless it was something beyond imagination that happened, we don't speak to a manager. In my lifetime, I can only remember myself or my family not tipping a waiter or waitress maybe 3 times. We tip closer to 20% most times, so we are not cheapskates by any means. I just hate the idea that I might have to waste my park time now just to not have to pay a lousy server an 18% tip. It's not even the money really, it's the principal of the fact. I think most waiters and waitresses will continue to work hard and do their best regardless, but you know there are those that will think how they do their job just doesn't matter because the tip's in the bag.

Just my 2 cents, but it seems like a bad idea all around to me.

 

[Rudy6]

So it's okay with you that your empty plates will pile up on the table?

I like it when they pile up - makes me feel like home.

 

[nbodyhome]

Years ago, we used to eat at Hometown Buffet. My mom, who worked in a restaurant (granted, in the office ), would tip a dollar per person per "course". If we got up once, she'd tip $2 PP. If we got up four times, $4 each. She stopped inviting my brother after a while because she was tipping more than the meal cost.

That is funny. That is a lot to tip also! I tip similar on most buffets as I do table service. The price is usually less, but the servers work hard.

 

[agnes!]

However, the e-mail WENT only to DDE members. Given that it was posted several months ago that this SPECIFIC change was being instituted as part of the new (aka current) union contract, and is now reinforced by official notification by Disney TO only DDE members - the change applies only to DDE members.

For the moment...

agnes!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't like this for a couple of reasons. One, I feel like including an 18% gratuity on the bill is just a way for Disney to get out of paying their hard working waiters and waitresses a more reasonable salary.

You would actually need to take that up with Congress. No sarcasm. Minimum wage for restaurant servers is half, or less, of the minimum wage.

But that's NOT the point of this thread

 

[SorcererDonald16]

You would actually need to take that up with Congress. No sarcasm. Minimum wage for restaurant servers is half, or less, of the minimum wage.

But that's NOT the point of this thread

I am aware that they can legally pay less than minimum wage to servers. My point is by making tipping at that level mandatory, they have one more reason/excuse to not increase what they pay the servers. And as for it not being the point of this thread, that was one of several beefs I have with this new policy and the shortest one at that; the length of my original post shows just how long of a beef I have with it. I need to learn how to be less long-winded, LOL.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I guess I just don't like the DDE card holders being singled out. DDP is also a discount and I'm sure just like with the DDE most people do seem to tip the average 20% now days, which is what we do (of the NON discounted bill), but there are those that I think abuse both the DDP and DDE system which HAS been mentioned several time quoting people who have made "smart" comments in the past about "getting out of" tipping good for reasons of just being sure they get the cheapest deal out of it.

Like I said, I think the majority of people do tip fine and it's too bad that either Disney has weird reasons for this or DDE holders are just taking the brunt of poor tippers using both the DDP and DDE.

As for us, I'm not all out "angry" or anything, but we'll save our 2%, I'm sure DH won't tip more than this even for better service. If they're going to tell me what to pay, then that's what they'll get.