Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[goofy4tink]

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.

I have to agree. I used to use the DDP, but when they dropped the automatic gratuity, I stopped using it. Now, it's barely a month after I get my new DDE card and find that they are adding the gratuity to it. I guess those servers have to get their 18% one way or the other. It looks like more counter service or making meals in our villa. Man, I hate cooking on vacation!!! DDE is much less of a value if I have to pay what Disney has decided I have to pay. 18% for a buffet? Nope, not happening. I have had more buffet meals in WDW than I can count and only one time did I feel that the service warrented more than 15%..that server got 20% but he really deserved it.
Time will tell just how this all shakes out. I was so hoping that they weren't going to add gratuities to DDE....I gambled back in Sept and I've lost. Not a lot granted but still, the choice has been taken away from me. I'm not going to gripe and grouse over a few bucks, because that's all it's really going to be for me..the difference between 18% and 20%, but those servers that would have gotten 20% will lose that 2%. Small minded? Maybe, but it's the principal.

 

[Kies99]

OK, I too, just got the same email. And it really makes me MAD!!! As a former waitress I know what it's like to "work" for your tips. I don't like being "FORCED" to tip everyone the same amount! I tend to actually tip 20% - 25% in most cases. However, if I have crappy service...I definately tip accordingly. As usual we are trying to "be politically correct" and rewarding bad waiters and waitresses so we don't "OFFEND" anyone. I think this policy stinks and I will definately be eating in my room more than I used to. Glad I'm a DVC owner and I have that option still!

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS!! If it's bad service, don't tip and then complain. Only way to get things to change is to hit them in the wallet. This is a ridiculous policy.

 

[SnowWtch]

This makes the DDE look more appealing. I usually tip 10% and it can go up or down from there depending on the experience. However, if you get 20% discount with DDE then the 18% won't be a big deal b/c you'll actually get a 2% discount guaranteed. That might make up for the change since we're AP and go so often. I didn't want to spend the money on the DDE but it's looking better now. We usually pay full price for everything so even a 2% discount would be better than nothing.

 

[keys2kingdom]

I think Keys is about to break out in a disney medley......

As my great-grandma used to say 'I feel a spell coming on'.......

 

[spooky1]

A tip is something a server should EARN via good service - it should NEVER be automatic !!!

I will take this into consideration in the future and will NOT be making future reservations - we usually have at least 5-6 sit down dinners every trip we make - looks like Disney will be the ones losing out here, not I!

Maybe bad service will end up with a charge back on the credit card leaving the restaurant with NO money!

Must be another union decision forcing Disney to implement this greedy BS? In the end they will lose out - I cant see the "majority" of people taking to this idea.

 

[BarleyJack]

That's where auto tips bother me. I only rarely tip less than 20% anyway, but I don't like not having the option to tip less when service is poor, and I don't like a system that puts the burden on me to spend precious (and expensive) vacation time tracking down a manager to voice my complaint. It just makes poor service that much worse, because not only does it detract from the experience of that meal, it also eats into the rest of the day if I don't just want to let it go and pay an undeserved gratuity.

meet us at KFC......you can tip as much as you want, and they'll be grateful !

 

[paulh]

No actually I was not going to tip. We are on the ddp and they took off gratuities. Well its their problem not mine. I planned on walking out of each restaurant with the attitude that I will never be there again, so they can't spit in my food the next time for not tipping.
And of course I am joking.
I do intend to tip, but don't like having 18% shoved down my throat. Like the poster above said, since when would tip $40 to refill a few drinks at a buffet? I feel 10% is enough at a buffet. Some would disagree, but that is what I feel is appropriate at a buffet.

I`f anyone tryed to walk out without paying gratuity on meal plans just added to room charge (yes i know you were jesting)
Good job £ is still climing againt $ at this rate will be 25% discount anyway.thank god for the credit crunch
Overseas folk dont tip as much as usa folks if at all
Paulh

 

[hunters mom]

ok so i called disney dining for myself to hear what they had to say. the cm was not aware of this change and put me on hold to talk to sup. she said that yes this is the new policy as of jan 1 08 and will be for all guests redardles of how they pay. dde,dp,or just plain old fashioned cash. i have no prob giving a 18 or 20 % tip when we get good service. i do not like it being an automatic tip. will this change our dining options possiably but not likely. k that was my 2 cents.

 

[crisi]

I don't think it's necessary to express your glee about people finding it hard to afford Disney restaurant prices.

I admit I'm a little disgusted that people apparently COULDN'T afford the tip, are making reservations anyway, and are apparently just intending to stiff their servers. (And I'm no fan of tipping, but that is the way the system works).

If Disney puts in mandatory tipping and it keeps these lowlifes from booking meals they can't properly pay for (because properly paying for a meal includes a tip), good for them!

 

[disneyfan55]

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!!

 

[Sammie]

The e-mail I received said "regardless of party size".

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

 

[fires_grumpy]

I only have 2 things to say about this whole thing. " I only hope that we never lose site of one thing that it was all started by a mouse" AND ENDED BY AN 18% GRATUITY.



But you know what I`m still going to go to WDW. It`s THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON THE PLANET.We live in the USA a great country where we can complain about this. So less air it out and go to WDW and have fun as we always dooooooo.

 

[keys2kingdom]

Is there anyone not as lazy as me who would care to go back through the thread and tally up how many conflicting answers we have heard so far? I'm not being a smart aleck, anyone up to the challenge?

Several people have actually made calls, let's add them up on both sides. Just for fun.

 

[Colleen27]

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?

It is a big deal to some because we believe that automatic tips lead to poor service. If a waiter is making the same 18% whether he is always available for prompt refills and other needs or completely absent through the entire meal, why would he put the extra effort in? Many will, because they have a work ethic and take pride in their work, but some won't when they can make the same money for half the effort. And when the tip is automatic, the only way a customer can voice displeasure with poor service is to speak with a manager, which can be a time consuming process that few people will bother with, especially when they're on vacation.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I read another thread about this, but not all of the replies here. I think we need to repost the official word.

Here's an opportunity to clear current confusion without reading all of the replies.

TRUE OR FALSE: An 18% gratuity will be applied to the bill at TS restaurants regardless of how you pay.

 

[OrlandoMike]

I read another thread about this, but not all of the replies here. I think we need to repost the official word.

Here's an opportunity to clear current confusion without reading all of the replies.

TRUE OR FALSE: An 18% gratuity will be applied to the bill at TS restaurants regardless of how you pay.

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

 

[cguill]

OrlandoMike --- you are saying that DisneyKevin is wrong ??? No offense, but I will go with what he says for now ...

 

[keys2kingdom]

I read another thread about this, but not all of the replies here. I think we need to repost the official word.

Here's an opportunity to clear current confusion without reading all of the replies.

TRUE OR FALSE: An 18% gratuity will be applied to the bill at TS restaurants regardless of how you pay.

We don't know, it's the mystery of the day. One of life's big questions. OK not really but it certainly has been fun.

 

[Colleen27]

meet us at KFC......you can tip as much as you want, and they'll be grateful !

LOL! I'd take a lot more than a mere 18% to get me to KFC. There's one just up the road from me, and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been there.

Actually, I think I have *less* issue with an automatic tip at Disney than I do in the real world, because I've had far, far fewer service issues at Disney than we've encountered elsewhere. But there is nothing worse than that 18% automatic tip on large parties at our local Applebees... We go in there pretty often as a couple and have always had okay-to-good service, but both times we were in there with a group large enough to have that auto tip, we didn't even see our waitress between ordering and getting the bill.

 

[crisi]

I read another thread about this, but not all of the replies here. I think we need to repost the official word.

Here's an opportunity to clear current confusion without reading all of the replies.

TRUE OR FALSE: An 18% gratuity will be applied to the bill at TS restaurants regardless of how you pay.

UNKNOWN.

It is possible the DDE communication was the first communication and communication will follow for everything else.

It is possible the DDE communication was the ONLY communication and this will only apply to DDE.

It is possible that the supervisors at Disney Dining, much less the CMs, have not yet been informed of an upcoming change to policy - and therefore can't answer the question any better than anyone here.

It is possible that there is NO upcoming change in policy other than what was in the DDE newsletter to apply to DDE members - and therefore nothing for the DD CMs to be informed of.

At this point people are simply making bets. And we probably won't get GOOD answers until people return in January.