Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[TLSnell1981]

I averge about 1 or 2 double-tips a week on DDP right now. A clear double tip is when the gratuity is say $15, and they leave $15 cash as well.

To be honest, as a server, it makes me feel better when someone who has included gratuity (DDP or large party of 8 or more) leaves me like $3-$4 extra. I know they aren't "double-tipping" but rather saying "well-done, here's a tad bit extra as a thank you". That is a good feeling.

If you pay your check witha credit card (unlike DDP), the copy you sign will clearly say "GRATUITIES INCLUDED" just above where it will say "tip optional". It will be very hard to miss this when signing the bill and thus "double-tipping" will be very very rare on DDE, unlike DDP. As an example, I have never been double-tipped by a party of 8 or more who payed by credit card, nor by a cast member who recieved their discount with the auto-gratuity.

Of course, next year, DDP double-tipping will be non-existent.

I haven't said this because it's a little selfish on my part, but I like seeing the smile, nod ...whatever...when a server sees my big tip on the check. I like them knowing how much I appreciate the service they have given me. I don't like pooling of tips like a lot of places do...I feel a server should keep what they've earned. I still tell people verbally when I have received outstanding service, but I know they appreciate the money. Leaving a few extra dollars on top of the service charge that is to be imposed.. takes away from this..I still have the biggest problem that DDE is being singled out.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

And that's really what it all comes down to -- the 18% is legitimize by nothing more than the fact that folks pay it and come back. There can be no more clear communication to Disney that they're doing the right thing.

doing the right thing? talk about confused

just because people dont leave or stop coming as frequently immediately doesnt mean its the right thing to do

 

[sjdisneywedding]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. It's like me saying that it is my boss' fault that we're developing our product using old technology. He's making his decisions for his reasons. I'm making my reasons to stay at the job for my reasons. It's all about personal responsibility.

actually thats not really true

a boss works for their boss and up the line for the company as a whole

a union should be working for the members

 

[agnes!]

I think a lot of folks will be really using the fridges in their rooms instead of getting some drinks at the hotel lounge.

I think a lot of people will not be leaving *any* extra on their dining checks now.

And I am so glad ( )
that DDP had the included tip removed supposedly because of guest surveys (btw, which guests did the suits talk to?) and
DDE now has a mandatory service charge added.
And all this was somehow to consistently align all the various WDW dining options?...

agnes!

 

[disneynutz]

Maybe the problem is you have a union "representing" you that doesn't care about you....otherwise your voice wouldn't be diluted by every other position that's lumped together.

I wasn't aware that any union cared about their members. The union only cares about making money from their members. I have been involved with unions as a member and as company management. As a member you pay thousands in union dues and don't see much for it. As a manager meeting with the union they would say. "give us something so we can walk away looking good".

 

[Dizserver]

I will not respond to you by using the same type of verbage you have against me. I think you have proven my point for me. You have responsibility by being a member of the union plain and simple. Disney has to make sure these tips appear on the paychecks or they have to make up the difference themselves. This has a lot more to do with some servers will not report their tips. I worked years ago in payroll for a very large national company...my job consisted of exactly that.

Maybe the problem is you have a union "representing" you that doesn't care about you....otherwise your voice wouldn't be diluted by every other position that's lumped together.

Agreed, union problems for sure.

My apologies for harsh wording.

The reason for my emotionally-charged and harsh wording is because of the logical conclusion from posts from you and bicker - namely that servers "share responsibility" for the changes. Whether intended or not, you and bicker's comments have very clearly come across as "if you don't like the new policies, then stiff your servers. After all, they wanted it this way."
Yeh, I know you didn't say that per se, but that is the logical conclusion from reading your posts. I don't think you were saying "the servers are responsible for this mess, let's tip them more."

I would hate for anyone to read a message board, get the idea that negative changes were the wishes of the servers, and then say "I'll show those mean servers and stiff them". This is my livelihood here.

Servers are not celebrities, yet because of Disney changes it seems the DISboards "tabloids" feel open about discussing us. When I see something inaccurate and damaging, I feel compelled to correct that, just as much as I would if the National Enquirer made up a bogus story about me.

Lastly, this has nothing to do with not reporting tips. Credit card tips are automatically reported. Gratuity tips are automatically reported. That is 90% of our tips right there. We are required to enter an amount for our cash tips as well. If I have $500 in credit card tips for the week and owe $100 in taxes and benefits, but my paycheck is only $50, Disney can't give me a negative paycheck. So yes, they need us to have at least a little gratuity each week. Not related to us reporting cash tips though.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I wasn't aware that any union cared about their members. The union only cares about making money from their members. I have been involved with unions as a member and as company management. As a member you pay thousands in union dues and don't see much for it. As a manager meeting with the union they would say. "give us something so we can walk away looking good".

The unions exist because the members keep them there.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Agreed, union problems for sure.

My apologies for harsh wording.

The reason for my emotionally-charged and harsh wording is because of the logical conclusion from posts from you and bicker - namely that servers "share responsibility" for the changes. Whether intended or not, you and bicker's comments have very clearly come across as "if you don't like the new policies, then stiff your servers. After all, they wanted it this way."
Yeh, I know you didn't say that per se, but that is the logical conclusion from reading your posts. I don't think you were saying "the servers are responsible for this mess, let's tip them more."

I would hate for anyone to read a message board, get the idea that negative changes were the wishes of the servers, and then say "I'll show those mean servers and stiff them". This is my livelihood here.

Servers are not celebrities, yet because of Disney changes it seems the DISboards "tabloids" feel open about discussing us. When I see something inaccurate and damaging, I feel compelled to correct that, just as much as I would if the National Enquirer made up a bogus story about me.

Lastly, this has nothing to do with not reporting tips. Credit card tips are automatically reported. Gratuity tips are automatically reported. That is 90% of our tips right there. We are required to enter an amount for our cash tips as well. If I have $500 in credit card tips for the week and owe $100 in taxes and benefits, but my paycheck is only $50, Disney can't give me a negative' paycheck. So yes, they need us to have at least a little gratuity each week. Not related to us reporting cash tips though.

I am starting to see one of the points I wanted to make.....if I had just stated it.....it wouldn't have been as powerful or thought provoking.

THE UNION ISN'T DOING YOU ANY FAVORS. YOU ARE NOT BEING HEARD!

PS Apology accepted.

 

[Tricia1972]

While I appreciate the thought provoking posts about the union, it seems like we are a little off topic. Disney Union and services they are providing or aren't providing for Disney employees is a different thread I think. I'd hate for this thread to get closed for being off topic.

Has anyone gotten any official word from Disney today that contradicts what people were getting over the weekend? That this is for All DDE Transactions at TS or a Lounge, and all parties of 6 or more at TS locations?

 

[DisOrBust]

What they did wrong is made a bad business decision based on what was once the company's motto of quality and guest satisfaction above all. My own organization based it's own "quality/satisfaction" on what was learned at the "old" Disney Quality University.

The servers are a small minority in the Union and their concerns were disregarded by the majority. A direct result I'm sure is unsatisfied servers.

Guests who have done the DDP in the past are now, on the most part, dissatisfied.

First time DDP guests who have done their research 6 months prior or using internet sites will be dissatisifed when they get there and find out the appy is gone as well as the tip and will take it out on the next best CM, the server.

The net result is more dissatisfied guests then when it all started. This from a company who would hand out TShirts for service recovery when it rained. "No Guest leaves unsatisfied." That motto is gone.

Wether this all shakes out as bad money decisions we will have to see. I know in my small corner of the world none of those going in 08 are using the DDP and are planning meals offsite. Trip planning has gone from using ME and staying on property to renting a car and visiting US and SW again since "we're eating offsite that day anyway."

 

[bicker]

just because people dont leave or stop coming as frequently immediately doesnt mean its the right thing to do

There is no other means of a company deriving useful guidance about their offerings than watching customer behaviors. Time and time again it has been shown that customers will say whatever they think will drive a company towards doing what they want the company to do. Only their actual behaviors show their true feelings. Only their actual behaviors serve a useful information for making decisions about how things should be.

a union should be working for the members

I don't disagree with that, and if the union isn't satisfying the workers, the workers should leave that union. Either way, the point was that the workers decided to associate themselves with that union.

 

[agnes!]

I just spoke to both DDE and Disney Dining.

Yes, the 18% service charge is for all DDE parties at TS locations, regardless of size.

The CM who answered the Dine Line(my call was a roll-over call, she did not normally answer Dining questions) was very surprised when she checked PS/ADRs with a start date of January 2, 2008...

ALL DINING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW COMING UP WITH Automatic 18% "gratuity" (service charge) added to all dining parties of 6 or more propertywide (including buffets). The change is in the computer system for dining dates starting January 1st, 2008, it used to be automatically assessed for parties of EIGHT or more.

The CM did not know about it, she checked with her leads and they did not know about it, until she checked to see what the system is saying.

agnes!

 

[bicker]

What they did wrong is made a bad business decision based on what was once the company's motto of quality and guest satisfaction above all.

The "quality is free" and "satisfaction at any cost" philosophies are no longer valid assertions in the consumer-sector. Some speculate that those philosophies were casualties of the "save a buck no matter what" philosophy adopted by many consumers.

 

[Tricia1972]

I just spoke to both DDE and Disney Dining.

Yes, the 18% service charge is for all DDE parties at TS locations, regardless of size.

The CM who answered the Dine Line(my call was a roll-over call, she did not normally answer Dining questions) was very surprised when she checked PS/ADRs with a start date of January 2, 2008...

ALL DINING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW COMING UP WITH Automatic 18% "gratuity" (service charge) added to all dining parties of 6 or more propertywide (including buffets). The change is in the computer system for dining dates starting January 1st, 2008, it used to be automatically assessed for parties of EIGHT or more.

The CM did not know about it, she checked with her leads and they did not know about it, until she checked to see what the system is saying.

agnes!

Yes this is true, and it was expected (re parties of 6 or more). This change was noted in the 2008 DDP brochure. I assumed it was property wide and for those paying OOP and for those using the DDP. Just those paying OOP don't get a neat brochure notifying them of dining policies.

 

[Im_A_Princess]

Charging 18% on Buffets is crazy! Tipping somone for a glass of water or soda pop etc?

Tipping is thanks for a job well done! Mandatory graditudes is a charge....


Charleyann

I agree!
Where is the incentive for the server now?
We usually tip 20% for a good server.
A good server to me is one who you see every so often so if you have a request it can be told, Keeps your water and drinks full, clears plates every so often,... I do not think I ask for much to give 20%.
BUT...there are those rare times when you see your server 2 times. Once after you are seated and once when you get the check. This is not acceptable "good server" behavior.

 

[Tricia1972]

I agree!
Where is the incentive for the server now?
We usually tip 20% for a good server.
A good server to me is one who you see every so often so if you have a request it can be told, Keeps your water and drinks full, clears plates every so often,... I do not think I ask for much to give 20%.
BUT...there are those rare times when you see your server 2 times. Once after you are seated and once when you get the check. This is not acceptable "good server" behavior.

The nice thing about DDE is that the server doesn't know that you're using the DDE card until the end of the meal. Because of this I believe that every server will work just as hard for their tip. They won't know it's automatic until the end (unless you have a party of 6 or more - then everyone pays an auto 18% gratuity)

If service is bad enough, I would take a minute and notify the manager and have my bill adjusted (to reduce the tip)

 

[Im_A_Princess]

Tricia- That's true! Unless they are told to start asking a head of time.

There have even been times where DH and I will leave more than 20%. It just depends. We also have left a good tip when we rarely saw the person if we could tell they were having a rough day.

I just do not like being told I have to pay x amount.

Are there still food discounts for DVC and or Annual Passholders? Did they also get the tip notice?

 

[TDC Nala]

Are there still food discounts for DVC and or Annual Passholders? Did they also get the tip notice?

Being an AP holder and a member of DVC and DDE, I will say that I have received a notification only from DDE. There are still limited discounts available for AP and DVC.

As it stands now, if you are using any plan or discount other than DDE, no auto gratuity for you if your party is 5 or fewer people. A party of 6 or more would get an auto gratutity.

 

[jmagla]

Hi All,
We are at Disney on the DDP next August (4 of us), I am still confused as to whether we will have a mandatory charge of 18% added to the bill, or whether this applies only to those on DDE. Is there a definitive answer from Disney yet?

Cheers Michael

 

[TDC Nala]

Hi All,
We are at Disney on the DDP next August (4 of us), I am still confused as to whether we will have a mandatory charge of 18% added to the bill, or whether this applies only to those on DDE. Is there a definitive answer from Disney yet?

Cheers Michael

As it now stands, a party of 4 who are not using DDE would NOT have a mandatory added gratuity in 2008.

I think there are still some parties awaiting further clarification from WDW but that is what is indicated at this time.