Burning with Curiousity about DDP 2008

[BuffaloGal]

If only you could have told the waitstaff at all the restaurants!

LOL! I already work at 2 on a regular basis.... I can't possibly be in all of them! But thanks for the vote of confidence in my brains!

 

[Lisa0503]

Alright, alright.... I'll help you all out.....
Any questions? Fire away!

Thanks for all your great info BuffaloGal. I do have one question. I typically leave a cash tip when dining out because I am under the impression that if I leave Cash, the server doesn't have to 'report all of it' and then pay all the taxes as they would if I charged the tip. Is this the same at WDW? Would cash benefit the servers or doesn't it really matter if I charge the tip?

Thanks!

 

[just another guy]

I thought I would be the one to save the day with info, but buffaloGal hit it head on. I spend abut 15 minutes on the phone with a server, and thats exactly what they said

As to what one person said about the staff not know how to handle the new system, thats pretty common. Disney sent their manager to a class where they sat back, and watched a power point presentation. The server I talked to said they had a 20 page print out of all the slides, with text. Thats sorta helpful, but still left lots of unanswered questions. Since the computer updates didn't go into effect until 1/1/08, there was no way for the servers to get a hands on feel for it until they get to work, and have to deal with it. Its basically a "here ya go, hope ya catch on quickly!" type deal.

Thanks for all your great info BuffaloGal. I do have one question. I typically leave a cash tip when dining out because I am under the impression that if I leave Cash, the server doesn't have to 'report all of it' and then pay all the taxes as they would if I charged the tip. Is this the same at WDW? Would cash benefit the servers or doesn't it really matter if I charge the tip?

Thanks!

Yeah, cash is still great. Just write cash on the line where you can write in the tip

 

[RxforDisney]

... can you also settle the tip on your room charge? And is it easier to do it that way that with a Disney gift card (which I can apply to my account at the resort if it speeds things up at the restaurants).

I have the same question. Anyone know?

 

[just another guy]

I have the same question. Anyone know?

Yup, its just as easy, either way. I'll explain it from the top.

Lets pretend its a family of 3, and a $100 bill. The server drops off the check. You are on the DDP, and its mid Feb, so don't even worry about how grat was included on the 07 plan. The bill will be for $100, and tell you that 18% is $18, and 20% is $20. There will be a blank to write in a tip, and then a blank for the total at the bottom. If tipping in cash, just write cash. If plastic, write in whatever tip you see fit. We will use $20 for this example. Write the tip for $20, and the total for $120 then. Put your room card in the black book. If putting the tip on the room(and you obviously have room charging abilities), you're done. If putting the tip on any other form for plastic, put that plastic in the book as well and give the black book to the server. When the server swipes your DDP card, it will ask the server what the guest tipped. The server types in $20. The meals are now gone, but there is a $20 balance remaining on the check. The server then swipes whatever form of plastic the tip is going on. Lots of paperwork will spit out, a couple autographs from the guest, and the guest will be on their way.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That no sharing rule makes no sense! Popcorn is even listed in the brochure and you can share that! Actually, unless it's one-bite, you can share virtually anything!

Sure, pretty much anything could be shared - from the popcorn to a soda to an apple - but apparently Disney has decided, for snack credit purposes, that these are single-serving items (just wait until they look at that Coke bottle and realize the serving size is only eight ounces )

 

[n2mm]

Wow, the poor servers. Only Disney could take something so simple and make it so complicated. Glad I opted to not get the DDP for our trip this month. I'll happily use my DDE card and get the auto-tip. This sounds like it is really causing the servers alot of paperwork and time. I wonder how the 2007/2008 ddp folks are doing with all of the changes. I guess we'll be reading stories from them soon too.

 

[moparop]

Guess I need to plan longer for our TS meals now. Now I wish weren't going in January. At least by March most of the glitches should be worked out!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

Yup, its just as easy, either way. I'll explain it from the top.

Lets pretend its a family of 3, and a $100 bill. The server drops off the check. You are on the DDP, and its mid Feb, so don't even worry about how grat was included on the 07 plan. The bill will be for $100, and tell you that 18% is $18, and 20% is $20. There will be a blank to write in a tip, and then a blank for the total at the bottom. If tipping in cash, just write cash. If plastic, write in whatever tip you see fit. We will use $20 for this example. Write the tip for $20, and the total for $120 then. Put your room card in the black book. If putting the tip on the room(and you obviously have room charging abilities), you're done. If putting the tip on any other form for plastic, put that plastic in the book as well and give the black book to the server. When the server swipes your DDP card, it will ask the server what the guest tipped. The server types in $20. The meals are now gone, but there is a $20 balance remaining on the check. The server then swipes whatever form of plastic the tip is going on. Lots of paperwork will spit out, a couple autographs from the guest, and the guest will be on their way.

Thank you -- this is very helpful!

 

[just another guy]

This sounds like it is really causing the servers alot of paperwork and time.

Yup, I was told the servers are now spending more time at the computer because of this. Image a party of 9, split into 4 separate checks, each with kids and adults, and then the the tips added to other forms of plastic. The server would be swiping 12 different card, plus organizing 10 feet of paperwork.

I wonder how the 2007/2008 ddp folks are doing with all of the changes.

If they checked in for 2007, then 2007 rules apply to them. So if the Petersons check in on 12/31/07 for 20 days, their tips are included all 20 days.

 

[fumipappa]

Yup, its just as easy, either way. I'll explain it from the top.

Lets pretend its a family of 3, and a $100 bill. The server drops off the check. You are on the DDP, and its mid Feb, so don't even worry about how grat was included on the 07 plan. The bill will be for $100, and tell you that 18% is $18, and 20% is $20. There will be a blank to write in a tip, and then a blank for the total at the bottom. If tipping in cash, just write cash. If plastic, write in whatever tip you see fit. We will use $20 for this example. Write the tip for $20, and the total for $120 then. Put your room card in the black book. If putting the tip on the room(and you obviously have room charging abilities), you're done. If putting the tip on any other form for plastic, put that plastic in the book as well and give the black book to the server. When the server swipes your DDP card, it will ask the server what the guest tipped. The server types in $20. The meals are now gone, but there is a $20 balance remaining on the check. The server then swipes whatever form of plastic the tip is going on. Lots of paperwork will spit out, a couple autographs from the guest, and the guest will be on their way.

wait a minute, I am a bit confused.
Are you getting the bill BEFORE the food is served if you are using DDP?
Do I have to set tip amount before we eat?
I am reading your comment wrong way, but your statement is saying

The server types in $20. The meals are now gone, but there is a $20 balance remaining on the check.

It sounds like people types in $20 as tip BEFORE meal is served...
Could you clarify for me?? Thanks

 

[just another guy]

wait a minute, I am a bit confused.
Are you getting the bill BEFORE the food is served if you are using DDP?
Do I have to set tip amount before we eat?
I am reading your comment wrong way, but your statement is saying

The server types in $20. The meals are now gone, but there is a $20 balance remaining on the check.

It sounds like people types in $20 as tip BEFORE meal is served...
Could you clarify for me?? Thanks

No,the server drops the check off when ever you ask for it, of when they see fit(such as you finishing desert). By "meals are now gone" I mean when the server swipes your DDP card, the meals are no longer on the check in teh computer.

 

[fumipappa]

No,the server drops the check off when ever you ask for it, of when they see fit(such as you finishing desert). By "meals are now gone" I mean when the server swipes your DDP card, the meals are no longer on the check in teh computer.

Thanks!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

No,the server drops the check off when ever you ask for it, of when they see fit(such as you finishing desert). By "meals are now gone" I mean when the server swipes your DDP card, the meals are no longer on the check in teh computer.

Would it be out of line, expecting things will take longer, to ask for the check when the dessert orders are placed? Seems like they could be settling the check while we are finishing our meal and still get back to wherever we were sooner.

 

[just another guy]

Would it be out of line, expecting things will take longer, to ask for the check when the dessert orders are placed? Seems like they could be settling the check while we are finishing our meal and still get back to wherever we were sooner.

You are NEVER out of line asking for the check. In fact, most servers like that. Its one less thing they have to worry about. Right now, servers are still learning the system, finding flaws, etc. With time it will get a little faster. I don't want it to sound like a 20 minute process. Today it might take a server an extra minute at a computer. That server may have to wait in line behind two other servers who are doing the same thing. So, worst case, it may slow them down 2-3 minutes. 95% of the time a 2 minute delay is no big deal, but if a guest suddenly wants to be out the door 5 minutes ago, it may cause a little unhappiness.

 

[timandlesley]

We were on the 2007 plan, but had a lot of snacks to use up on January 1st that were left over from the week. We were told that as of January 1st any snack item (even if it is under $4.00) that was not a single serving was no longer a snack credit. No bags of candy from Goofy's Candy Co. No bags of cotton candy. Anything that could be shared, or was family size was not included. It was really confusing and took almost 45 minutes for them to figure out what we could, or could not have with a snack credit. We ended up with a bunch of bakery items.

So does anyone else have more snack credit info? What are they allowing now?
Lesley

 

[n2mm]

We were on the 2007 plan, but had a lot of snacks to use up on January 1st that were left over from the week. We were told that as of January 1st any snack item (even if it is under $4.00) that was not a single serving was no longer a snack credit. No bags of candy from Goofy's Candy Co. No bags of cotton candy. Anything that could be shared, or was family size was not included. It was really confusing and took almost 45 minutes for them to figure out what we could, or could not have with a snack credit. We ended up with a bunch of bakery items.

So you were on the 2007 DDP, but you had to follow the new guidelines for the 2008 DDP. I bet it was confusing. Did you still get your appetizer and was your tip still included after 2007 ended?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Geez, bummer about the snack credit thing changing! I can see it from Disney's point of view--nobody eats an entire box of donuts for a snack (well, almost nobody!).

Seriously, I'm really beginning to wonder if the 2008 DDP is going to be worth it for our next trip. Will stay tuned as the kinks are worked out...

 

[Pirate's Princess]

I'm glad I'm going to the bank today and bringing cash to tip. Do I still have to write a %, or just cash? I plan on a $30 meal to leave $5-6, just because it's easier.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I asked in another thread (can you believe there's more than one thread on this topic? ) and apparently you can write anything you want on the tip line to indicate that no tip should be added to the check total.

Do NOT put a percent on that line, or it's likely that you'll be tipping twice.