Coral Reef auto-tip question

[zaxmom]

I would hardly call getting the already added on 18% screwing the server. That is standard. At most restaurants, in the real world - not WDW, it is up to the server's discretion whether or not to add it on to large parties. It is their gamble, and when they do it, they are pretty much telling you that you do not look like you know how to tip. Sometimes I say something like "Oh, I see you added the gratuity already, too bad" in a joking way. Both myself and DH are in the foodservice industry. WDW is probably a whole different story, though.

 

[Lzylitnin]

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.

The gratuity is not included with the DDP for 2008. I will have the opportunity to decide how much to leave. There is only 3 in my party 99% of the time at WDW. We don't go frequently enough anymore to justify a DDE card. Plus it may be solved by my not using the DDP next time.

I've worked in the food industry before and have great respect for good service and show that by tipping well.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would hardly call getting the already added on 18% screwing the server. That is standard. At most restaurants, in the real world - not WDW, it is up to the server's discretion whether or not to add it on to large parties.

Are you sure? Somewhere on every menu I’ve seen in the last few years is stated something to the effect of “an automatic __% service charge will be added to parties of X or more”. That doesn’t appear to leave the issue up to the server’s discretion.

 

[KelsiesMommy]

OK, this may be dumb, but why not just pay servers (or housekeeping, what have you) more and abolish the whole tip thing all together? Then maybe they'd be actually getting a "fair wage"? It just astounds me that pro athletes and entertainers make SO much money to entertain us, but those people who clean up after us, serve us, TEACH our children, don't get paid what they're worth.

OK, vent over...

 

[just another guy]

I would hardly call getting the already added on 18% screwing the server. That is standard. At most restaurants, in the real world - not WDW, it is up to the server's discretion whether or not to add it on to large parties. It is their gamble, and when they do it, they are pretty much telling you that you do not look like you know how to tip.

WRONG!

Any company could be sues for discrimination for that. Disney server DO NOT have an option when to include the grat. They follow the strict rules that are in place, or they can, and will be fired. Disney doesn't mess around with stuff like that.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

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.

True a 18% charge will be added to parties of 6 or more but not true that out of pocket charges will include an 18% tip, how can they add an 18% tip to the paid portion of a bill if the DDP portion tip amount is left up to the diner, and if non DDP diners are not charged a TIP either?

 

[just another guy]

but not true that out of pocket charges will include an 18% tip, how can they add an 18% tip to the paid portion of a bill if the DDP portion tip amount is left up to the diner, and if non DDP diners are not charged a TIP either?

Yeah, I've seen a couple people mention this. I don't know where they got it from, but if its disney's site, its just some left over text from the 07 plan they forgot to delete. In 07, if you bought some beers while on the DDP, yes, grat was added to the beer's bill. In 08, no grat what so ever will be added to families of 5 or less.

 

[paulh]

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.

the problem will still be there,alcohol will warant an 18$ tip(says so in 2008 broucure)as are partys of 6 or more or using dde card.your telling me they wont put 18% tip on any apps that are ordered
Paulh
and i fully expect they will give you a prefered silp for 18% for ddp part of meal

 

[zaxmom]

Are you sure? Somewhere on every menu I’ve seen in the last few years is stated something to the effect of “an automatic __% service charge will be added to parties of X or more”. That doesn’t appear to leave the issue up to the server’s discretion.

I'm sure. Does not mean it is true in every restaurant. Of course, this was back when most places only added on 15%, maybe nobody does it anymore. A lot of servers took the gamble and hoped for more.

 

[aubriee]

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

At 'Ohanas there were four of us and at Crystal Palace I believe there were 7 or 8 of us.

 

[Lewisc]

It's contained in the 2008 brochure and it's not "left over text".
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...agespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/08Dining.pdf

Last page FAQ

Yeah, I've seen a couple people mention this. I don't know where they got it from, but if its disney's site, its just some left over text from the 07 plan they forgot to delete. In 07, if you bought some beers while on the DDP, yes, grat was added to the beer's bill. In 08, no grat what so ever will be added to families of 5 or less.

 

[Lzylitnin]

Gratuities are not included unless otherwise indicated. An 18% gratuity will be added automatically for parties of 6 or more. A gratuity may also be added automatically for ordered items that are not included in the Disney Dining Plan (e.g. alcoholic beverages).


How can they decide to add the 18% gratuity to ordered items not included on the DDP, but let me decide what to tip on my meal? That seems odd to me.

 

[Lewisc]

Gratuities are not included unless otherwise indicated. An 18% gratuity will be added automatically for parties of 6 or more. A gratuity may also be added automatically for ordered items that are not included in the Disney Dining Plan (e.g. alcoholic beverages).


How can they decide to add the 18% gratuity to ordered items not included on the DDP, but let me decide what to tip on my meal? That seems odd to me.

The search function doesn't work great but I think that is a requirement of the union contract. An automatic tip is added to the out of pocket check when a guest is using a meal plan. That didn't change.

 

[just another guy]

The search function doesn't work great but I think that is a requirement of the union contract. An automatic tip is added to the out of pocket check when a guest is using a meal plan. That didn't change.

They started adding grat to non DDP items pretty much because people thought the tip will included, so when they rang up $40 in bar drinks, they wouldn't leave a tip. Thats why they started adding grat to non DDP items. In 08, grat is not included on the DDP. It makes NO sense for grat to be included on non DDP items. Yes I saw the link that supposedly says it will be, but I won't believe that until the servers I know tell me so in 08. It still seems like a misprint to me.

 

[Lewisc]

They started adding grat to non DDP items pretty much because people thought the tip will included, so when they rang up $40 in bar drinks, they wouldn't leave a tip. Thats why they started adding grat to non DDP items. In 08, grat is not included on the DDP. It makes NO sense for grat to be included on non DDP items. Yes I saw the link that supposedly says it will be, but I won't believe that until the servers I know tell me so in 08. It still seems like a misprint to me.

The link says tips will be charged, you first questioned where this information came from. It's not "leftover" languages from the 2007 brochure, as you first claimed, since it specifically addresses tips not being included on the DDP. This is consistent with what was done in 2005-2007. A table included guests on the dining plan and guests not on the dining plan, getting seperate checks. Guests not on the dining plan had the automatic gratuity added to their check, even if the table size was less then 8.

Disney can always change the terms of the plan but we should plan on the terms that are contained in the official brochure as being accurate.

The union contract spells out the conditions under which an "automatic tip" is added to the check. I'll speculate the "leftover" language is in the union contract that may require an automatic gratuity on out of pocket checks if the meal is being paid for by a dining plan.

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

This new DDP is giving me a headache.

If/When I return to Disney I am just going to order CS. No confusion there.

If I do order TS, I will tip what the service warrants. If I am charged an automatic gratuity and I don't think the service warrants it, I will (and have) discuss the issue with management to have it removed and tip accordingly. Money talks - the servers will get the point and actually work for their gratuity.

 

[Lzylitnin]

This new DDP is giving me a headache.

If/When I return to Disney I am just going to order CS. No confusion there.

If I do order TS, I will tip what the service warrants. If I am charged an automatic gratuity and I don't think the service warrants it, I will (and have) discuss the issue with management to have it removed and tip accordingly. Money talks - the servers will get the point and actually work for their gratuity.

This is what I'm hoping for!!! I just want good service, and don't want to be told what I HAVE to tip, let me decide what the service is worth.

Maybe Disney should just increase their employees pay to a living wage and forgo tipping altogether! (one can dream )