OK, I’ve been reading the whole thread and am posting all my thoughts in one post to save the thread. I’ve been writing as I’ve been reading, and a lot of my thoughts have been posted by others, so much of it I won’t repeat. Some I will.
Yes, it was an email sent out to DDE card holders only, but what is Disney going to do? Email everyone in the world? These are the people they KNOW dine at Disney. As far as DDP goes, gratuity isn’t included in your pre-pay amount, doesn’t mean they won’t add it. Just because they dropped it from your pre-pay amount didn’t mean they didn’t expect you to still tip. Allearsnet is reporting confirmation from multiple Disney officials (but since some CMs—not decision making, in-the-know types—, and we all know how every CM is always in the loop from the loop get go, are saying it’s only DDE, they are keeping the “reportedly”), it’s for all table service restaurants, regardless of payment method. But, yes, there are other sources saying that it is DDE only. Some are going on just what has been definitely presented, others may not have the same level of sources…
If this isn’t across the board, that’s pretty rotten. You’re going to tell me that the table next to me can have the exact same number of people, order the same things, and have a choice to tip 10% for rotten service while I have to tip 18%?!? And, let’s say the service is mediocre, 18% v. 15% ?!? And the poor server, if service is excellent I’ll only leave 18% and the table next to us will leave 20%. It just doesn’t seem that this is good in any way, except for one person here and there depending on the situation. And it is possible that adding this to ALL customers and not just DDE customers, per union negations, because of the singling out of a group, happened after the brochures were printed. It would fall under the “we reserve the right to change…” clause every company puts out for these types of things. Additionally, Disney might be saying DDE only now, until other official releases come out. Wouldn't be the first time.
This ticks me off. I was greeter, then a server and then a manager. When I worked for tips, I worked hard. And, yes, some people just didn’t tip. But the majority did. I know what it is like to make $2.13 an hour, and I tip well for good service—18-20+%. And I always tip on the pre-discounted amount. I’ve been on the other end. I made decent money doing it. But when I receive rotten service, I don’t tip well. Tips aren’t for the restaurant, they are for the server. And every rotten service experience does not require a manager visit. The server knows when their service was rotten, and they know when they get rotten tips why. But now, as someone pointed out, you will have to waste valuable time to get a manager and get the gratuity removed. Do I expect it to happen often? No, at least I hope not, but once is too much. Although, I do have more substandard service at WDW than I do anywhere else in the country. Mainly, it is the principal of the thing. Even as a big believer that if you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to eat at that restaurant—make a different choice.
And tipping 18% for buffet service is ridiculous. In all the times we’ve eaten at Disney, I have rarely had good buffet service. Drink orders are hard to place and receive; refills even harder. Pre-bussing doesn’t happen a whole lot. No one is getting my order, checking to make sure it is OK, etc. Also, 18% on a bar bill isn’t standard. If all you’re having is drinks, $1 per drink is standard. That usually is more than 18%, but sometimes not. Like someone pointed out, a pitcher would count as one drink and therefore, $1 tip, not an 18% thing. Also, buffet stations tend to be larger and the turn-n-burn rate is much, much higher.
This will not dissuade me from DDE cards. It’s still worth it. Especially if this change is FOR EVERYONE!! But I don’t like auto-grats. Even as a server I didn’t like it; I often made more without it. Yes , some—a very small select few—will leave extra, but most just leave what the restaurant will tell them is fair. I generally made more without an auto-grat. The theory behind grating large parties is that they take a lot of extra work and time, more free refills to fetch, more dishes to pre-bus, etc., and most people would tip at the lower end of acceptable.
More on the principal comments: I did know many servers who didn’t care what type of service they gave auto-grat tables; they were happy with what they were getting and knew they were making money regardless. It didn’t mean they gave bad service, just not-much-effort service. They knew the majority of people wouldn’t take the time to talk to a manager. And, trust me, managers don’t care about a few tables complaining of service; they aren’t going to re-train a server. They don’t care. No server, even the best, can give perfect service every time. And if a server isn’t making money because of consistent poor service, they leave on their own. Under normal circumstances, it takes care of itself. Managers will get annoyed, and more overall restaurant downfall will occur if they are dealing with tables complaining. It’s a waste of a manager’s time.
I don’t care about the “calculator”. I can calculate most tips in my head without one. Not saving me any time. And I do need to agree that this would help servers with international visitors since so few other countries actually do “tip.” And honestly, waiting on those who simply don’t believe in tipping, is part of the job. Not a good part, but one of its pitfalls you accept when you choose to wait tables. Kind of like varicose veins and people who think server = servant. And the tip of 18-20% as standard has been in place in all large metro areas for over 10 years. Smaller towns, maybe not so much. I think some people just aren’t as good as tippers as they think.
If you are a 15% tipper, and hey that’s fine, then maybe you want to re-think the DDE card next time around. You’ll get to tip 3% less (and on large checks, or multiple checks, that adds up—I won’t deny or ignore that) and you won’t have to shell out the $65 to get the card. It might be more profitable—haven’t done the math, so I don’t know for sure—to forego the DDE card. Disney will be the only loser there, and maybe, depending, the server.
it is only DDE, it is only for parties of 6 or more, and it is only at table service.
I'm sorry you guys! I originally posted ealier today, not seeing the original Looooonnnnggg post about it. Then when I started reading this post, I didn't read alllll of them, and I got cornfused. Sorry!!!
The explanations they feed their customers crack me up. 
If posts on the DIS over the past few months are any indication, I can see why WDW would make the change. It appears many people don't tip appropriately, when given a choice. I really don't understand why this only includes DDE, which it sounds like is the case. Somehow, I doubt that those with DDE avg. tipping less than those on the DDP.
