Beginning in January - 18% Gratuity....

[Sammie]

Dizserver, I understand your frustration. I got frustrated by this entire situation too. I mean how many times do I have to post the same thing over and over to finally make a point. OrlandoMike and I both said on Friday that this was only DDE and parties of 6 or more and yet we still see people not grasping that idea even today.

The majority of people that post here have absolutely no idea of what goes on behind the scenes with Disney and they have no idea of the details that are part of union negotiations.

For example many are writing to Disney to complain about this change, due to the fact that this change is union negotiated those complaints are going to fall on deaf ears, at least for now.

But please do not let any of this get you down. Even though this is a very large Net forum, it is still a small percentage of actual Disney guests and I think you will see that most guests will not have the heated feelings you find here. They will simply go on as they always have, tipping according to industry standard and not caring about the change to the DDE.

Those that truly are bothered by the change, have the option of not renewing their DDE.

I have no problem at all with mandatory tipping as I expect to always get good service and even during the DDP included tip, we always left more than the 18%. If for some reason I experience a rogue server, then I certainly know how to deal with that unique situation at the time and not put all servers in that category.

I appreciate your dedication to your job and hope our paths cross one day while dining at Disney.

 

[ksumn1]

I have to agree that the ratio of informed guests to non informed guests is pretty large. For every 1 DiSer, there are 4 or 5 just book me a package and let's go type of guests. However, the value of the DDp has been diminshed by the appatizer being taken away and the gratuity added to OOP expenses. Now adding the gratuity to DDE is just making a larger portion of the informed guests unhappy and dissatisfied. It seems as though Disney is beginning to pull away from any type of loyalty program. (except DVC) When I planned my 1st trip I used the pre paid meal certificates and I had the Magic Kingdom Club for a room discount. Neither of these exist anymore. DDP took the place of the prepaid certificates, and the room discounts are not as widely offered as before. I'm sure this helps the bottom line, but it loyal customers begin to be disenchanted with WDW, it will have an adverse effect. Just seems like WDW is becoming more out of reach for your "average" family every year.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

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.

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.

so what would almost a 75% disapproval rate tell you?

i realize the disboards are not the end all be all, but thats a pretty large disapproval rating

 

[mefordis]

I would say to those who have a problem with the 18% added gratuity, perhaps the disney sit down dining experience isn't for you. The cost of eating at one of those restaurants is an added 18% gratuity, like it or not. If you don't like it, you don't have to go to that restaurant. Go somewhere else.

 

[CanadianGuy]

so what would almost a 75% disapproval rate tell you?

i realize the disboards are not the end all be all, but thats a pretty large disapproval rating

A bunch of factors there...

1. The original poll was created when some members thought this applied to every table service (and possibly even counter service) transaction... not just DDE table service transactions. So that skews the poll. Over 80% of the votes were recorded on the weekend before the policy was clarified. Even today, there is some ambiguity on what this change REALLY means.

2. A lot of people will vote one way in an internet poll where there are no repercussions.. but still go on vacation and do the exact opposite of how they voted because when it comes right down to it -- it's not a deal breaker for them.

3. The DIS is a 'hyper-informed' community of the frequent travelers to WDW. As a result, an opinion poll here is not at all useful on the population of ALL WDW travelers. It's a good indication for frequent travelers.. But that's about it.. it's an indication .. not a scientific poll.



Knox

 

[bicker]

so what would almost a 75% disapproval rate tell you?

That people are self-motivated so respond to surveys in a self-motivated manner. What matters is what people DO not what they SAY.

i realize the disboards are not the end all be all, but thats a pretty large disapproval rating

With respect, poll are meaningless. Absolutely meaningless. As CanadianGuy said, "A lot of people will vote one way in an internet poll where there are no repercussions.. but still go on vacation and do the exact opposite of how they voted because when it comes right down to it -- it's not a deal breaker for them."

 

[TDC Nala]

As far as the poll results, there are probably a number of DDE members who "disagree" with the decision (that is, don't really like the idea of the automatic gratuity), but will continue to use the DDE card.

 

[JerJan]

As far as the poll results, there are probably a number of DDE members who "disagree" with the decision (that is, don't really like the idea of the automatic gratuity), but will continue to use the DDE card.

As soon as my DDE card expires in August 2008....it will NOT be renewed. Yes, I will use it until then because I have already paid for it. Had I known this would be or become the policy I would NOT have purchased the card. Like I said before, this is a SERVICE CHARGE....nothing else! I do not want to be dictated as to how much I "TIP" anyone...... that should be my choice based on the type of service that I received. And yes... I worked as a waitress for many years in South Florida and I know what it's like to have to EARN YOUR TIPS!

 

[Paul in CT]

As far as the poll results, there are probably a number of DDE members who "disagree" with the decision (that is, don't really like the idea of the automatic gratuity), but will continue to use the DDE card.

I am one of them. I still consider the DDE a good deal and will likelysave even more because we generally left the 20% savings for our server.

 

[fatcat04]

As soon as my DDE card expires in August 2008....it will NOT be renewed. Yes, I will use it until then because I have already paid for it. Had I known this would be or become the policy I would NOT have purchased the card. Like I said before, this is a SERVICE CHARGE....nothing else! I do not want to be dictated as to how much I "TIP" anyone...... that should be my choice based on the type of service that I received. And yes... I worked as a waitress for many years in South Florida and I know what it's like to have to EARN YOUR TIPS!

No criticism of you meant as I totally understand your frustration but considering this is probably the first step in eliminating the DDE card, that is exactly what they want folks to do. Then they can plead, "Well interest in the program just dropped unexpectedly so we decided to retire it. Have a Magical Day!!" and that will be that.

I DO NOT like this change in policy BUT I will keep buying and using the DDE as long as it keeps garnering any discount above and beyond which I could get with my AP or DVC membership.

(Imagine Mrs. Fatcat standing on her computer desk DDE card in hand, waving it above her head)

"They can have my DDE card when they pry it from my cold dead hands!!! Towanda!!"

 

[Paul in CT]

No criticism of you meant as I totally understand your frustration but considering this is probably the first step in eliminating the DDE card, that is exactly what they want folks to do. Then they can plead, "Well interest in the program just dropped unexpectedly so we decided to retire it. Have a Magical Day!!" and that will be that.

I DO NOT like this change in policy BUT I will keep buying and using the DDE as long as it keeps garnering any discount above and beyond which I could get with my AP or DVC membership.

(Imagine Mrs. Fatcat standing on her computer desk DDE card in hand, waving it above her head)

"They can have my DDE card when they pry it from my cold dead hands!!! Towanda!!"

I believe that the changes to the DDP plan are truly aimed at reducing interest in it because I think the changes to it (same price but no tip included??) are far more unacceptable than the automatic 18% gratuity to the DDE.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Since the question of the 18% gratuity being applied to just DDE guests or all has been answered, this sticky is being released.

Thanks everyone for the lively discussion.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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

How many times are you going to go into a table service restaurant and order JUST a glass of soda pop (glasses of water still being free and 18% of $0 is, well, $0)? The average price of a glass of pop in a TS restaurant is $2.00. Eighteen percent of that is $.36. Deduct the 20% DDE discount and add in the tip, you're paying $1.96 for that soda.

 

[Sammie]

A bunch of factors there...

1. The original poll was created when some members thought this applied to every table service (and possibly even counter service) transaction... not just DDE table service transactions. So that skews the poll. Over 80% of the votes were recorded on the weekend before the policy was clarified. Even today, there is some ambiguity on what this change REALLY means.

2. A lot of people will vote one way in an internet poll where there are no repercussions.. but still go on vacation and do the exact opposite of how they voted because when it comes right down to it -- it's not a deal breaker for them.

3. The DIS is a 'hyper-informed' community of the frequent travelers to WDW. As a result, an opinion poll here is not at all useful on the population of ALL WDW travelers. It's a good indication for frequent travelers.. But that's about it.. it's an indication .. not a scientific poll.



Knox

Totally agree and I am sure many that are upset, are upset in nature only, don't have the DDE card, never did and never will. As they are not FL resident or AP holders but just like to join in and bash Disney any chance they get over a perceived wrong.

 

[Tricia1972]

I am a DDE holder and voted I don't care. I don't see that I've lost any freedom other than now I'll have to talk to a manager before leaving a lower tip.

We always tipped 20% and now we may just leave it at 18% unless the service is exceptional.

Either way I was eating at TS restaurants, and either way I was going to leave a tip.

 

[dqpowell]

I am a DDE holder and voted I don't care. I don't see that I've lost any freedom other than now I'll have to talk to a manager before leaving a lower tip.

Well, that's the whole point, isn't it? I don't think most people mind leaving a good (18-20%) tip for good service. But the whole point of a tip is that it is at the discretion of the diner. You shouldn't have to go to the trouble of talking to a manager about whether you can deviate from the norm on something that's supposed to be up to you in the first place.

In any case, the easiest solution would be to simply pay in cash and leave whatever tip you deem appropriate, or none at all if it's warranted. You have no LEGAL obligation to tip what they tell you to tip.

David

 

[Bracho]

Along time ago, I remember going to a dining room that had the tip added to the bill and the service was not that great at all.. I saw a friend that worked there and I asked her what the problem was and she looked at me and said..."I get my tip no matter what kinda service I give so I don't do much more then I have to. Why work hard if I get the same as those that do give 110%."

I was shocked when I heard this but I was glad my friend was honest about it. Look I live and work in Las Vegas.. a city run on tips and by unions. I have heard more then one time of bad service at one of the bigger rooms here and people complaining, the manager might and I do mean "MIGHT" give them a break on the bill but there isn't much they can do with the union employee that gave the bad service to begin with. Sad but true.

I don't like being told I "HAVE" to tip 18% or 20% although most of the time I do tip that or a little more if the service is wonderful but for bad service I leave a dollor and tell the waiter or waitress they gave us bad service plus they were lucky to get a dollar and on the way out talk to the manager... 2 weeks later I'll go back and the same waiter is there doing the same thing they had done to us because there money is automatic.... what a shame!!!

I leave for WDW in 8 days for my 16 day trip.. It will be interesting to see how my trip goes with dining... Have a good one everyone!!!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

On the flip side, buffet workers may have to "pre-bus" a table many times over (that means clear finished plates and empty drink cups from the table). I know I may go up to the buffet 4 or 5 times, getting a little bit each time. That's 5+ plates the server clears for me, and if Im on a different schedule than the rest of the table - well you can imagine a buffet server could be clearing something off the table every single time they even walk by - makes for lots of long walks to the kitchen/dishroom. As such, I have been told that buffet serving is not as easy as it seems, but I cant speak from personal experience.

We completely agree with this statement, and more. What about when guests ask for ketchup, lemon, extra creamer for coffee? I think buffet servers often work even harder. Guests take more and don't finish it, so the cleared plates are heavier and messier. In a buffet setting, some parents don't monitor their kids as closely, and that's even more mess to be cleared from the table.

A buffet in WDW is not the same as Old Country Buffet. I can understand why someone would resist a mandatory tip at that establishment. On the other hand, I cannot understand why someone went there in the first place.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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 confused by this. If you receive $500 dollars in tips...why are your checks only $50? If they are only $50 because you are tipped out in cash by the restaurant (I know many are) you would still have your credit card tips reported to the IRS for you. You would be responsible to the IRS for your own taxes....not your employer.

 

[k5thbeatle]

...The whole idea of a mandatory tip is beyond stupid. It's not a tip for good service it's just anther added fee. Grrr! I do tip, and well, but being forced to so at a set amount makes me grate my teeth in disgust. Must be nice to just be handed 18% of every bill regardless of whether you actually did anything to deserve it.

Well said!