Coral Reef auto-tip question

[Rabbit_Fan]

I am a bit confused, esp. since this never happened to me before.

DH, DS, and I had dinner a couple of nights ago at Coral Reef. We had the DDP, but since ds wanted to order off the kids meal, we asked if we could pay OOP and save the credit for another meal. The server said sure.

When the bill came though, I was a little surprised to see that the server added the 18% tip to the bill for the kiddie meal.

I fully intended on leaving a tip, but I didn't expect the tip to be added on to the bill ahead of time.

I know it's added on to the DDP credits, so that's expected, but I didn't think they could automatically add 18% for the kids meal. There were only 3 of us at the table, so I don't see it fitting auto gratuity for larger groups.

All of the times we paid OOP without the dining plan in the past the tip was at our disgression -- I am curious as to why it wasn't this time? Is it a new polciy that all guests pay a mandatory 18% even if not using DDP credits??

 

[kaytieeldr]

It is absolutely, 100% standard - and has been since at least some time last year - to add an 18% gratuity to any out of pocket purchases while using the Dining Plan. It's got something to do with Guests assuming they didn't have to tip at all on the DDP, even for utems not covered under (or paid via) the DDP - such as alcohol, specialty drinks, additional sides, and, yes, ANY out of pocket food/meal.

For the record - Guests are NOT currently paying any gratuity when using the DDP. The tip is NOT "added on" to the DDP credits (seriously - work out the numbers) - it is paid by Disney. Period

 

[eam]

That is outrageous! What if your server was not a quality server?

Sorry, the DDP was good while it lasted, but after 2008 we won't be dining or staying at DW. There are too many other options for a vacationer in Orlando.

 

[Rabbit_Fan]

That surprises me, but I guess there's always something new to learn
Like I said, I intended on tipping, but was surprised that it was automatically added. I thought it was a glitch but I guess not. That sort of is disappointing that they can guarantee 18% even on OOP purchases regardless of service. Granted a tip on a kiddie meal isn't much, but still, I would have liked to have the option to choose for myself.

Thanks for filling me in on how it works on OOP purchases while using the DDP.

Just to clarify though ... they cannot automatically add a tip if there is a party less than 6 and no one on the party is using the DDP, correct? No, I am not trying to weasel out of a tip I am just trying to be informed

 

[kaytieeldr]

Right. And if service didn't warrant an 18% tip from you (I realize you're not complaining about the service you got, this is just general advice), discuss the issue with a restaurant manager before paying.

 

[Speedemon21]

That is outrageous! What if your server was not a quality server?

Sorry, the DDP was good while it lasted, but after 2008 we won't be dining or staying at DW. There are too many other options for a vacationer in Orlando.

Yes I agree, when we go to WDW in August of 2008, we will be a party of six. My husband, two kids and two sisters. I am in no way a cheap tipper, I know the tips are the servers bread and butter, but I think that if it is automatically added, then that lets them off the hook for superior service cause they will be getting paid no matter what. Am I wrong in thinking this?

 

[eam]

Yes I agree, when we go to WDW in August of 2008, we will be a party of six. My husband, two kids and two sisters. I am in no way a cheap tipper, I know the tips are the servers bread and butter, but I think that if it is automatically added, then that lets them off the hook for superior service cause they will be getting paid no matter what. Am I wrong in thinking this?

No, you are not wrong in thinking this.

My husband and I went to Disney World in Oct. 2005, the DDP was just getting started. Food was great, but service was not. I still would have tipped, but not 18%.

 

[travelmaniac02]

I'd rather give a tip to a server who's done his job really well. What if you didn't get what you paid for? Does it mean you're obliged to pay?

 

[gigi1313]

unfortunately yes...

it's very similar to what a lot of non-wdw restaurants do when you are using a gift cert or buy one/get one coupon... they include the tip on the ORIGINAL total so that they don't only get tipped on the part of the meal you are paying for... unfortunately, a lot of waitstaff have been stiffed because of things like this (and the ddp, for add-on items) and restaurants in general are becoming pro-active...

 

[aubriee]

Something else to keep in mind if you are dining with someone else on the DDP, is that everyone at that table will be charged an 18% tip even if you pay on separate tickets. This happened to me twice last year. I was dining at Crystal Palace with some fellow DISers. One lady had the DDP. I used my DDE card and just glanced at my ticket to see how much my 20% discount was, as that's what I usually tip. I dined with that same lady at 'Ohanas a few nights later and again just glanced at the ticket to see what the 20% DDE discount would be, so I would know how much to tip. I didn't realize until I got home and was looking at my receipts that I had been charged an automatic 18% gratuity at both of those meals, because one of my dining companions had used her DDP. I round up tipping 38% at both of those meals (the 18% they automatically added on, plus the 20% I would have normally tipped) .

This coming Dec I'll be dining with some fellow DISers again who will be on the DDP while I'll be using my DDE card. I'll be prepared this time and knowing I'll be getting 18% added to my bill automatically I'll probably be tipping just a few dollars more to bring it up to 20%.

 

[yesmylove]

What would happen in the case where Disney added on the 18% and you did not feel that the service was worth that amount and only paid a tip of 15%.
What will they do, chase you down as you are leaving the restaurant? You may feel that your service was poor and not worth the 18% wether you have 6 or 2 people, dining plan or not.
Just wondering!

 

[Lzylitnin]

So you mean when my parents meet my DH, DS, and I for dinner at Puck's in DTD for dinner and we use a TS credit, parents pay OOP, they will still be charged an 18% automatic gratuity? My Dad won't like that.

It may end up cheating the server out of a bigger tip, if the service warrants it. He'll be offended and not tip additional.

Then it will happen again at Kona Cafe the next night!

 

[just another guy]

That sort of is disappointing that they can guarantee 18% even on OOP purchases regardless of service.

The main reason for this was people stiffing servers on bars drinks like 2 years ago. People on the DDP were told that gratutity was included on their meals, which is true. They got use to just eating there they wanted, signing a slip, and being on their way. Lets say the Peterson family of 7 rings up a nice 100 bar tab while on the diving plan. That server depending on location, owes the bartender $10 for making those drinks. The Petersons are use to just signing their name and being on their way, thus they do that for the bar tab as well. MANY servers were getting screwed like this.

 

[just another guy]

So you mean when my parents meet my DH, DS, and I for dinner at Puck's in DTD for dinner and we use a TS credit, parents pay OOP, they will still be charged an 18% automatic gratuity? My Dad won't like that.

It may end up cheating the server out of a bigger tip, if the service warrants it. He'll be offended and not tip additional.

So your dad will screw over the server for simply following company policy, one he could be fired for, if not following? If the service is awesome, your dad can simply toss down a couple more dollars on top of the 18%. Nothing hard about that.

 

[Lewisc]

What would happen in the case where Disney added on the 18% and you did not feel that the service was worth that amount and only paid a tip of 15%.
What will they do, chase you down as you are leaving the restaurant? You may feel that your service was poor and not worth the 18% wether you have 6 or 2 people, dining plan or not.
Just wondering!

Suppose you didn't think the food was worth the $80 shown on the check and you only want to pay the $60 you thought the food was worth? Guests don't get to pay less then the check that's presented to them, including any applicable service fees/gratuities unless a manager agrees to an adjustment. Guests that complain about the food, and send it back after taking a bite or two can usually get the food removed from the check. Guests that complain to a manager, during the meal, will get better service or an adjustment.

Your check will have a total, your credit card or room charge will be probably be billed for the correct amount, even if you crossed off the total. Guests who leave without paying all or part of the bill do get "chased down".

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Something else to keep in mind if you are dining with someone else on the DDP, is that everyone at that table will be charged an 18% tip even if you pay on separate tickets. This happened to me twice last year. I was dining at Crystal Palace with some fellow DISers. One lady had the DDP. I used my DDE card and just glanced at my ticket to see how much my 20% discount was, as that's what I usually tip. I dined with that same lady at 'Ohanas a few nights later and again just glanced at the ticket to see what the 20% DDE discount would be, so I would know how much to tip. I didn't realize until I got home and was looking at my receipts that I had been charged an automatic 18% gratuity at both of those meals, because one of my dining companions had used her DDP. I round up tipping 38% at both of those meals (the 18% they automatically added on, plus the 20% I would have normally tipped) .

This coming Dec I'll be dining with some fellow DISers again who will be on the DDP while I'll be using my DDE card. I'll be prepared this time and knowing I'll be getting 18% added to my bill automatically I'll probably be tipping just a few dollars more to bring it up to 20%.

How many people were at your table including infants when you were all charged the 18% On or off plan?

 

[Lzylitnin]

So your dad will screw over the server for simply following company policy, one he could be fired for, if not following? If the service is awesome, your dad can simply toss down a couple more dollars on top of the 18%. Nothing hard about that.

From his perspective, the establishment/server is screwing him by adding the 18%. Let's say the server didn't derserve it? Let's say they never refill drinks, check to see if the order is OK, etc because they are already guaranteed the tip? Or let's just say they suck! He should not have to pay a mandatory 18% tip just for the option of eating with his daughters family who is on DDP if he doesn't think the waiter deservers it! KWIM?

 

[Lzylitnin]

At least the 2008 DDP will solve this problem!

 

[Lewisc]

At least the 2008 DDP will solve this problem!

Automatic 18% service fees will be added to all parties of 6 or more and to all guests taking advantage of a DDE discount. In addition the "out of pocket" check for DDP guests will still include the automatic 18% service charge. I'm not sure how a "problem" is solved.

 

[just another guy]

Automatic 18% service fees will be added to all parties of 6 or more and to all guests taking advantage of a DDE discount. In addition the "out of pocket" check for DDP guests will still include the automatic 18% service charge. I'm not sure how a "problem" is solved.

You forgot the biggest problem. If guest on the DDP are not tipping 15-20%, servers will start to drop their service levels for other DDP guests, and more complaints will be coming in. I see the grat being back on in 09.