Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[mickeywho?]

I posted this on another thread but I'll move it here since you all seem to have found out a bit more than me.

The way I understand it (see if anyone can follow my logic!)
Any TS dining using DDE card will have the 18% added automatically as would all other dining experiences including DDP. The DDP just no longer pays the tip for you - you now have to pay that on top of the DDP fee. So everyone has 18% added on top of their food/drink bill.
*Whether the DDE discount comes before or after the added fee (yes - i would call it a fee if it is not by choice) I'm not sure of but it is for all TS meals.
*DDP guests only have this fee when they have a party of 6 or more.
*Would cash guests have this added if they have 5 or less in their party? (Meaning if you do not use a DDE card and are not on the DDP do you have a choice in the amount you tip? How is that fair?)
I think there will be a lot of emails and phone calls to guest services until this is cleared up!

 

[k5thbeatle]

This is a terrible decision. What is the motivation for a server to provide exceptional service? They receive 18% for just showing up? I know many were probably getting "stiffed" by the cheap _ _ _ es, so I understand their reasoning, sort of, but this is a terrible solution imho!

 

[barndweller]

DDE prior

Bill=$250
-20%($50)=$200
+18%($36)=$236

DDE now

Bill$250
+18%($45)=$295
-20%($59)=$236

 

[Nbtstatic]

DDE prior

Bill=$250
-20%($50)=$200
+18%($36)=$236

DDE now

Bill$250
+18%($45)=$295
-20%($59)=$236

Right, but on your before scenario, that 18% was at your discetion, and now it's automatic. It's not that folks aren't wanting to tip, it's the idea of it being forced at certain level not related to actuall performance.

NB

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I think it has never been the price for me....so doing the math is great, but it is not about the price vs savings thing. It is the forced gratuity that I have a problem with. I like to make my own decisions concerning tipping for services...

It was my choice, I would usually just take the total amount of the bill before the deduction, figure out the 20% and give it back.

 

[Ember]

According to Wikipedia:

"A tip (or gratuity) is a payment to certain service sector workers beyond the advertised price. The amount of a tip is typically computed as a percent of the transaction minus taxes.[1] These payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry. Though by definition a tip is never legally required, and its amount is at the discretion of the person being served, in some circumstances failing to give an adequate tip when one is expected would be considered very miserly, a violation of etiquette, or unethical."

I agree whole heartedly with this definition. Particularly the part about "a tip is never legally required, and its amount is at the discretion of the person being served."

The whole idea of a mandatory tip is beyond stupid. It's not a tip for good service it's just anther added fee. Grrr! I do tip, and well, but being forced to so at a set amount makes me grate my teeth in disgust. Must be nice to just be handed 18% of every bill regardless of whether you actually did anything to deserve it.

 

[mickeywho?]

Right, but on your before scenario, that 18% was at your discetion, and now it's automatic. It's not that folks aren't wanting to tip, it's the idea of it being forced at certain level not related to actuall performance.

NB

That's exactly what is making me feel uneasy.
As far as I can tell the only ones that will have a choice in how they would like to tip are those not using the DDE and parties with 5 or less.
We usually tip 20% but leave 10% when we've had poor service (not often but it does happen even at Disney). Now it looks like we'll have to speak to a manager when this happens or just change the amount on the bill.

 

[TDC Nala]

I posted this on another thread but I'll move it here since you all seem to have found out a bit more than me.

The way I understand it (see if anyone can follow my logic!)
Any TS dining using DDE card will have the 18% added automatically as would all other dining experiences including DDP. The DDP just no longer pays the tip for you - you now have to pay that on top of the DDP fee. So everyone has 18% added on top of their food/drink bill.
*Whether the DDE discount comes before or after the added fee (yes - i would call it a fee if it is not by choice) I'm not sure of but it is for all TS meals.
*DDP guests only have this fee when they have a party of 6 or more.
*Would cash guests have this added if they have 5 or less in their party? (Meaning if you do not use a DDE card and are not on the DDP do you have a choice in the amount you tip? How is that fair?)
I think there will be a lot of emails and phone calls to guest services until this is cleared up!

When they say "dining experiences" in that email I don't believe they are referring to DDP.

The folks in the DDE office are involved in planning a lot of other events like the food and wine festival special events, and exclusive DDE events, that they believe DDE members may be familiar with since they are most likely locals or annual passholders. These events generally are priced including the gratuity.

If you are using the DDP (which means you are most likely NOT using a DDE card) you will be charged an automatic 18% gratuity if you have 6 or more persons in your party.

Of course I'd be interested to know what happens if you are on the DDP, but you order an alcoholic beverage and use DDE to pay for that. I am assuming that you will be charged the autograt only for the beverage (unless there are more than 5 in your party).

 

[Paul in CT]

Great news, glad I won't be subjected to this crap policy while using DDP.

Nb

Are you kidding? The DDP now costs the same as previously (or is it more?), but it does not include the tip any longer. How is that better than DDE? I'll take the DDE anytime with the 20% discount on the entire meal and no restrictions on what I can order.

 

[TDC Nala]

Are you kidding? The DDP now costs the same as previously (or is it more?), but it does not include the tip any longer. How is that better than DDE? I'll take the DDE anytime with the 20% discount on the entire meal and no restrictions on what I can order.

Actually the DDP price was lowered a bit for '08.

I will be sticking with the DDE myself, and only ordering as much as I can eat.

 

[LovinOKW]

I posted this on another thread but I'll move it here since you all seem to have found out a bit more than me.

The way I understand it (see if anyone can follow my logic!)
Any TS dining using DDE card will have the 18% added automatically as would all other dining experiences including DDP. The DDP just no longer pays the tip for you - you now have to pay that on top of the DDP fee. So everyone has 18% added on top of their food/drink bill.
*Whether the DDE discount comes before or after the added fee (yes - i would call it a fee if it is not by choice) I'm not sure of but it is for all TS meals.
*DDP guests only have this fee when they have a party of 6 or more.
*Would cash guests have this added if they have 5 or less in their party? (Meaning if you do not use a DDE card and are not on the DDP do you have a choice in the amount you tip? How is that fair?)
I think there will be a lot of emails and phone calls to guest services until this is cleared up!

I just hung up with Disney Dining and asked the CM if she knew about this. She said the first she heard of it was when a travel agent had called yesterday to ask about the e-mail they received. She said this applies only to DDE card holders. She said people on the DDP would no longer have gratuity included and that leaves them to tip what they please. So my thought is maybe Disney is trying to discourage people from buying a discount card (ha-ha) and are looking to discontinue the program. Maybe they figure if the p-off enough people, they won't renew or purchase then they can say the program is no longer needed. But regardless, you're still getting a discount. It's just a forced amount of tip now.

 

[rluey29]

now its only 2% discount.

 

[ShaneV]

DDE prior

Bill=$250
-20%($50)=$200
+18%($36)=$236

DDE now

Bill$250
+18%($45)=$295
-20%($59)=$236

The 20% wont take off the total from the tip
Bill $250
+18%(45)-$295
-20% of food cost($50)=$245

But is should have been tipped like that before.

Not a fan of them choosing the amount theyll be gettng less from me at 18%

 

[vegas_mickey]

I just found this on another board and it clarifies that it is only for those with DDE......

I got this about a half hour ago from the DDE team:

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.


If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I think the thought process is: When a tip is at your discretion, it is not part of the bill. It is an extra. Therefore, you saved 20%. And then added some back, from a different part of your budget. Now the tip is part of your bill and you only save 2%.

I don't know about others, but this isn't my way of thinking. Like Pumbaa mentioned, I see it as saving 2%, because we always tipped the 20% we saved. Now that they are adding 18%, that's what we'd tip. That would equal a 2% savings above what we used to save, after tipping, using DDE.

 

[Tiger926]

I just found this on another board and it clarifies that it is only for those with DDE......

I got this about a half hour ago from the DDE team:

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.


If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team

This email is much more specific to DDE, but this new email still doesn't say that this new gratuity policy is only for DDE patrons. Again, I wonder why the first email mentioned a Walt Disney World Resort "...across property policy change"? If it's only for DDE patrons, then I would think it would have read, "DDE gratuity policy will now be in effect as of January 1, 2008."

Tiger

 

[angelmav]

There is another point in here that has been mentioned but only skimmed over, I assume because it doesnt apply to many. Last year, it was a parties of 8 or more in the TS we ate at that were required to tip 18% (Even buffets), since we were a party of 13 we got hit everywhere. Its now been scaled down to parties of 6. Again, this probably doesnt hit too many posters, but I believe its worth adding.

 

[rt2dz]

I don't know about others, but this isn't my way of thinking. Like Pumbaa mentioned, I see it as saving 2%, because we always tipped the 20% we saved. Now that they are adding 18%, that's what we'd tip. That would equal a 2% savings above what we used to save, after tipping, using DDE.

Oh, I agree. That is how I see it for me personally. But what I was referring to was the people who say it is "now only a 2% savings"

 

[smfnj]

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.

We've had the DDE card for several years and have never been asked about it when making a reservation.

Steve

 

[TDC Nala]

DDE has confirmed that its current announcement of policy change applies only to DDE members. They also cleared up the fact that it won't apply to counter service locations.

It can only be speculated that Disney intends to hit every table service diner, DDE, DDP or cash, no matter what size the party, with an automatic gratuity. We are going to have to wait until Disney makes an announcement about anything other than DDE to find out if it's so.

So far, all we know is that parties of 6 or more will be charged an automatic 18% gratuity. If the speculation is true and they intend to implement the gratuity for all diners, they will have to rescind the party of 6 rule.