Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[Eeyore's Pal]

I have nothing truly new to say, but I hate missing out on a good debate.

I have reread the email from DDE at least 5 or 6 times. In my opinion, the 18% gratuity will be an across property policy change regarding gratuity, exactly as stated. Pay with DDE or pay cash, and you're going to pay an 18% gratuity.

Again, in my opinion, the 2008 DDP brochure was carefully worded to take this policy change into account. It is likely that the brochures went to print before the 18% policy was locked in, so Disney chose their words so that if the gratuity became mandatory it could be invoked for DDP too.

What does all this mean to me (and all DDE cardholders)? In my opinion, nothing. I always tip at least 20%, even at buffets. Oh yeah. We're now going to have figure out that extra 2% (or more) all by ourselves. Luckily all our cell phones have calculators.

So why did Disney take this controversial step? You can find the answer(s) right here on this board, within this topic!
Too many guests were doing one or more of the following:

• Stiffing/undertipping the servers because they don't understand the US tipping system.
• Stiffing the servers because they have some personal belief that tipping is evil.
• Undertipping because they are not aware of the etiquette of tipping on the undiscounted amount.
• Undertipping/stiffing the server because they failed to accurately calculate their vacation budget.

I was very sad to see the numerous comments about how the mandatory 18% gratuity would save you money. You used to tip 20%, but you're going to cut back to the minimum Disney has set for you? Why?

We will happily renew our DDE card in January, pay the mandatory 18% gratuity, and add on to reach our usual minimum of 20%. If we run into bad service -- and everyone does now and then -- I'll take it up with the restaurant manager.

 

[disphoto]

I don't like automatic tips. Why call it a tip? I know I will not tip more than 18% now. I usually tip 20%, but now I won't add anything to my bill. This takes away all incentive for wait staff to do a good job. It is always blamed on 'those who don't tip' or 'don't tip enough'. Leaving a low tip these days means you are cheap, wait staff don't equate it with poor service anymore.

 

[familyS]

tikibirds, I had the same question the first time I read the letter. Tipping CS now? What if I just get a "free" cup of ice or ice water from a CS? What is 18% of free? and it goes on and on...

I suspect that the person who wrote the letter is a new writer/marketing employee and distributed it without getting the appropriate internal approvals. There are just too many unanswered questions for management to have knowingly let this letter be distributed.

Hopefully management will correct the problem by sending out a clearer letter ASAP. (They are probably having legal and marketing personnel review a new letter as I type .)

 

[Tricia1972]

Here's another quote now added on her site.



"IMPORTANT NOTE: Several Cast Members have contacted AllEars® to say that this is only for Disney Dining Experience Card users. However, the information we verified this morning from 2 different sources stated it is for all Table Service. We are continuing to check on this. "

GMTA, we read and posted the same thing at the same time.

 

[cjsmith]

Name this staffer, I'll call them.

Sure, I'll be happy to post our friends name and phone number for you. Do you want his cell or home number? And then maybe he can just get in trouble for me posting something on here.
Are you kidding me?!!

 

[medalla74]

I'm on hold right now for a CM who has no idea what I am talking about!!! She just told me that she couldn't find anyone to give her the right answer and maybe I should call back in a few days when everyone was aware of it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[frayedend]

I just called them and was told it was for everyone, not just DDE...She asked two separate supervisors/reservations managers to find out.

They really need to get their act together. I was told the total opposite, as were others. Again, until an official written policy comes out, no one will really know. Managers are known to be wrong more often than others

 

[cguill]

Ut-oh, now the plot thickens - which is it folks, just DDE or everybody ???

 

[Sammie]

it only affects DDE and parties of 6 or more

 

[boomhauer]

Sure....it'll save me money...because I generally round up on a 20% tip for good service--and higher for great service (not that I can't leave extra for great service if it's still given to me).

I'm just afraid the service will be long gone.

I feel the same way. Like others, I don't care for automatic gratuity. I may not use the card at Planet Hollywood on principle alone. I like dining there, but most of the servers are awful.

So you get the total, they tax 18% of that, then take 20% off for the discount?

I'm also very curious as to whether this pertains to counter service as well.

 

[BarleyJack]

They really need to get their act together. I was told the total opposite, as were others. Again, until an official written policy comes out, no one will really know. Managers are known to be wrong more often than others

I asked to speak to a superviser directly, and I was told the opposite. Frankly, I hope it is for everyone. I hope everyone eats OFF-site ! I'll upload some KFC coupons....

 

[paulh]

Ut-oh, now the plot thickens - which is it folks, just DDE or everybody ???

easy everone will pay an auto gratuity(not a tip)of 18% at TS meals
not at CS meals or on snacksThink reason this is being aplyed is to make the meal plans more attractive

 

[cguill]

off site --- here we come, get ready Orlando restaurants

 

[familyS]

I posted this on the DDP board, but will post it here , too

The email letter sent to DDE card holders leaves too many unanswered questions. Tipping CS now? What if I just get a "free" cup of ice or ice water from a CS? What is 18% of free? and it goes on and on...

I suspect that the person who wrote the letter is a new writer/marketing employee and distributed it without getting the appropriate internal approvals. There are just too many unanswered questions for management to have knowingly let this letter be distributed.

Hopefully management will correct the problem by sending out a clearer letter ASAP. (They are probably having legal and marketing personnel review a new letter as I type .)

 

[cjsmith]

GMTA, we read and posted the same thing at the same time.

LOL!!!

 

[Sammie]

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.

 

[Tiger926]

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. Logically, if this were only for DDE users, than the wording wouldn't read as such - the DDE office is kindly informing DDE users that we are now going to be subject to this new tipping policy as it's an "...across property policy change". As DDE users, we fall into this across property change. If it were only for DDE users, then I don't believe it would read "across property policy change," but a DDE policy change, KWIM?

Regardless of whether this has been worded in error or not, as some people are reporting after calling Disney Dining today, the words are pretty clear from what I'm reading with my English teacher hat on. It makes no logical sense for this to be just DDE (I know that's what most of you are hoping for, but from a textual reference, that's not what the words are saying) as they would have no reason to mention that it's an, "..across property policy change." It's pretty clear to me, based on what I'm reading that as of Jan. 1/08, regardless of party size we are all subject to an automatic 18% service charge (I don't consider it a tip, as tips should be based on level of service, as determined by the patron). Now we have to see how long it takes Disney to brief the Dining CMs who are fielding lots of anxious phone calls from guests today - you think they would have done that before sending out the email!

If there has been an error (which I don't believe there has been), then perhaps Disney should hire us English teachers to write their memos for them.

Tiger

 

[timben]

I'm jumping into the fray!

I've heard that as Americans, we are conditioned to pay a tip, but not all countries do this. Disney has a lot of international visitors who might not be aware of the need to tip unless it is listed on the bill.

I actually think that a mandatory tip would help ensure than the waitstaff was not "stiffed" due to a lack of knowledge of American customs.

Well over here in Europe i.e. Austria where I live it is absolutely common to pay tip in restaurants and taxis and so on. However tip is never part of the actual salary of a worker. Which means it is an additional goodie for him to make more money if the guests are content. If not then not. I would never accept a bill which tell's me how much tip I have to pay.
At least not at home.

greetings timben

 

[BarleyJack]

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.

I wonder if your source is aware of cjsmith's source......the plot does thicken...and the characters build.

 

[keys2kingdom]

If you have any questions about whether on not this affects your DDP, call 1-407-WDW-DINE. <this is a recording>

Jack, I know you called WDW-DINE but I wouldn't necessarily trust that either, I'm reserving judgement until an official announcement. (Or lack of one by 1/1/08).

I can't tell you how many times I've been given a zillion different answers to the same question when you ask different CMs. Half the time I'm convinced they just tell you what you want to hear to get you off the phone and keep their call times low. Or they don't really know the answer so they make one up.

I hope it works out in your favor and you don't have to end up at an offsite McDonald's for all your meals, or worse yet Applebee's. I might join you at Mickey D's but Applebee's is the spawn of the Devil.