Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[TDC Nala]

This email was sent to DISNEY DINING EXPERIENCE MEMBERS. I haven't seen anything that would make me believe it applies to anyone else.

 

[mars315]

Here is a quote from an e-mail I received from the DDE today:

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.

Cheers!

That "Cheers" was from the DDE people. I am not sure how I feel about that, even though I "know" that in many resort lacations, such as the Cayman Islands, they add 18% to EVERYTHING.

Thoughts everyone?

Michelle

 

[crazytp93]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1633503

 

[frayedend]

Not exactly breaking news. We've been talking about it all day. There are a few threads about it.

 

[Paul in CT]

I don't like Disney telling us how much to "tip". Furthermore, it is no longer a tip or gratuity if it is automatically added on. It will now be a service charge. In any case, it will likely save us money since we always tip the 20% that we saved with the discount. Now only the great servers will get the 20% or more.

The downside will be if the servers get complacent since they are now guaranteed at least 18%. Only time will tell.

We have one more trip in December with the DDE before the policy changes. I just ordered my new DDE a few days ago.

 

[sweetp267]

I am siding with TLC. Most of the posters on this thread are getting their panites in a bunch over nothing.

IF YOU ARE A DISNEY DINING EXPERIENCE MEMBER, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY CHARGED 18 PERCENT FOR GRATUITY ON THE COST OF YOUR TABLE SERVICE MEAL STARTING JANUARY 1 2008.

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY OTHER GUESTS EATING AT A TABLE SERVICE RESTAURANT. ONLY DISNEY DINING EXPERIENCE MEMBERS!

Sorry about the caps. I did that to get your attention and to try to resolve any confusion or panic.

 

[mdoc]

I don't understand why guests with DDE are being singled out for the automatic gratuity. For the most part it won't affect us even though we have DDE, as we always tip 20% or more (including at buffets) unless the service is quite poor. That said, I do not agree with a mandatory 18% tip. I want the ability to NOT tip that amount for poor service without having to go through the hassle of finding a manager and wasting precious vacation time.

 

[Tony-NJ]

I believe it only went out to DDE members. I got it and it was quite clear toi me. Personally I have no issue at all with it. We usually tip a minimum 20%. The DDE discount made it easier for us to figure the tip. Even at a buffet, those folks bust their buts. I think it's a great idea.

Of course if you feel you received very poor service, then speak to a manager.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I just got this email as well, I took it to mean EVERYONE too. This is really going to have some people up in arms if it truly does apply to everyone at every table service location. I don't think it means any of the counter service locations since there is no line item on their receipts for a tip, and they have never required one before. But I'm sure it will appy at the bars/lounges.

Speaking for myself the automatic gratuity won't bother me, I usually leave around 20% so this will make it easier for me. If I really feel the service doesn't warrant 18% then I'll speak to a manager about it. Otherwise I'll just go with the flow. Saves me 2% and I don't have to bother with even the simplest math.

I also agree, 18% is fair; but if the service is bad, ask for the manager. I have never had bad service for a TS meal, in fact, the servicers have been too attentitive if anything.

 

[Tricia1972]

I believe it only went out to DDE members. I got it and it was quite clear toi me. Personally I have no issue at all with it. We usually tip a minimum 20%. The DDE discount made it easier for us to figure the tip. Even at a buffet, those folks bust their buts. I think it's a great idea.

Of course if you feel you received very poor service, then speak to a manager.

I agree on all counts.

 

[sandybobandy]

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!

Haha! You crack me up.

The 18% part doesn't bother me...I just don't like being forced to do anything with my money on vacation.

 

[frayedend]

" Not exactly breaking news. We've been talking about it all day. There are a few threads about it."

Gee, I'm so sorry. I didn't see the posts, which I thought would be near the top of this board. No reason to laugh at me though, except, if you are just that kind of person. Yeah, I think you are rude. EOD.

My apologies. I was not laughing at you, just laughing at the subject. I thought it was funny because there is a 22 page thread that I have been posting on since early this morning. It has usually been at the top and there are other threads on the topic also. I did not mean to offend you.

 

[wezee]

I agree that the email was prolly meant for DDE only. We are on the DDDP next year and have not rec'd any such email. Tho....I have no prob. with an across the board 18%. Very rarely do we ever experience a server who does not deserve their 18%, buffet, 1TS or 2TS meals.

 

[ElizabethB]

That's a nice interpretation Sweetp267, but it is just that -- your interpretation. It is most definitely not what the e-mail said. The e-mail said nothing about the automatic gratuity being limited to DDE member purchases. I think it is merely a preview to the announcement that the same rule will apply to those using DDP as well as to those paying OOP.

We shall see . . . .

 

[profdsny]

A couple of things: I recall a CM mentioning this a month or so ago and being abused by some people, partly because they didn't believe him.
Also, talked to a CM server a few weeks ago who brought it up. Apparently servers are not thrilled by this at all. YOu would think that they would stand to make a bit more money on this, but partly most think they stand to lose because people usually tip more. Now people will just leave it at the 18%.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't see the confusion. This email was sent only to DDE members. It should apply only to DDE members. Now folks are getting conflicting information from Disney, which isn't unusual.

I am with the group that believes, as has been previously anticipated, that DDE members are the target of this change, NOT every TS diner.

 

[drew64]

Many servers will lose a smany of us tip more than 18%. Also, though Disney can add the service charge automatically, they legally have to remove it if you insist.

 

[wezee]

At the risk of being boo'd off this thread........I do not feel that an 18% gratuity is asking too much. Tho we do tend to frequent many 2TS, I do not remember a server that did not earn their gratuity. There were some locations that I did not relish the food served, but that is not the servers fault.
Deep down, after reading all the negative vibes, on this board, about tips, I may inderstand why WDW is setting a gratuity standard. Maybe there are too many people leaving little to no tip. IMO only, but WDW or at home we usually tip 20%.

 

[nbodyhome]

I don't understand why guests with DDE are being singled out for the automatic gratuity. For the most part it won't affect us even though we have DDE, as we always tip 20% or more (including at buffets) unless the service is quite poor. That said, I do not agree with a mandatory 18% tip. I want the ability to NOT tip that amount for poor service without having to go through the hassle of finding a manager and wasting precious vacation time.

I expect that a lot of people tip on the discounted amount.

 

[nbodyhome]

I am with the group that believes, as has been previously anticipated, that DDE members are the target of this change, NOT every TS diner.

Remember that the discussion was here months ago, Disney adding a tip onto DDE. I think that will be the outcome. Again, they made a point of changing the mandatory tipping also from 8 people to 6. Why would they do that if they planned to make it mandatory for everyone?

It just doesn't make sense to me that they'd make tipping mandatory for everyone. I think that Disney gave a concession to the servers, I expect a lot of people don't tip well on the DDE.