DDE Automatic 18% tip!

[mickeysgirl17]

I also just read about this and I am extremely dissappointed. I went to several websites for information. Allearsnet says that they heard it was for the Disney dining experience but then 2 other different sources confirmed that Disney is adding 18% tip to all table service meals for everyone starting Jan. 1, 2008.

I assumed they did this because servers may get upset when guests don't tip them. Guests may still think that tips are included in the DP and now they won't be able to not tip.

This is outrageous to me and very upsetting. Not only was I upset about the the Dining plan removing tips, but now they are adding automatic tips to all TS meals! I really enjoyed not having to bring extra money for meals.

I recently booked the deluxe dining package for next year and now I'm reconsidering due to the quantity of restaurants I will be visiting. I have no intention of paying 18% gratituity to a server who doesn't provide excellent service. I feel as though we should decide how much a server should get based on the service we recieve. If I received perfect service, I would have no problem paying the 18% or more, but if not, I don't see why I should be forced to pay. I only think that this will cause servers to slack off in service.

 

[dbriggsq]

I've just had the email from the DDE people today.

I have problems with tipping because I'm from the UK. Forgive me but I work for a company, do a fair days work and get a fair wage, and I don't really see why I should pay the wages of an employee who works for Disney, surely Disney should pay those wages.

Yes I do leave a tip at a restaurant because it's expected but to be told I have to really irks.

The bottom line is Disney should pay their employees a decent wage and not expect their customers to pay their wages for them. When you work out the cost for the food and the wine (with a significant mark up) they easily earn enough from me (usually a party of 7) to pay their employees a decent wage.

 

[praline3001]

So you guys are saying that the CM who throws down a couple of drinks at a buffet TS will get just as much of a mandatory tip as a CM who works at a traditional TS where they have to SERVE everything and check on the guest?

Ok all this debate is rather interesting but I do have a question...
Will the 18% be put on a bill? What if we are doing the DDP? Will we get a bill for the tip alone?

I don't want to have to ask the CM... "hey is your tip on here?"
At the same time I don't want to accidently tip our usual 20% and then find out later we were billed 18% on top of the 20% we gave

I have been brought up that discussing a tip with the server or at the table was rude and kind of trashy. I guess its my good southern manners

But shoot not sure what to do now

We (99% of the time) leave a 20% tip as its easier to figure up at the table

I hope if the 18% is mandatory they have it written on a bill somewhere so I don't have to bring a calculator with me!!

 

[Wanna go to Disney?]

Heidi..I've always wanted to know....Do the servers really get this added gratuity or do hotels and restaurants "skim" a percentage?

Everywhere that I have worked never asked for a kickback. I suppose that could happen when servers pool their tips. I wouldn't work at a venue that did that. I felt fully competent in my own abilities and accepted what I got on my own merits.

Although as I look back, in my younger years, the manager of the bar that I worked for would count my tips. If he took anything, I wouldn't have known. As an older person I wouldn't put up with that.

I can't think of many servers who would put up with the public being forced to pay a gratuity, that we can all agree should go to the server, and letting a portion go to the house. I would hope it doesn't happen, but I have never seen it.

It's a passionate subject and just from the varied replies here you can just imagine the differences in what folks leave for tips. Apparently, we who do tip well don't come close to closing the gap for those who just don't agree with tipping, or who wish to cling to their own belief system over tipping a standard of some sort. I have my own belief system for many things and I can be passionate about them, but to my knowledge they don't effect anyone ability to eat well. LOL

Heidi

 

[Wanna go to Disney?]

I've just had the email from the DDE people today.

I have problems with tipping because I'm from the UK. Forgive me but I work for a company, do a fair days work and get a fair wage, and I don't really see why I should pay the wages of an employee who works for Disney, surely Disney should pay those wages.

Yes I do leave a tip at a restaurant because it's expected but to be told I have to really irks.

The bottom line is Disney should pay their employees a decent wage and not expect their customers to pay their wages for them. When you work out the cost for the food and the wine (with a significant mark up) they easily earn enough from me (usually a party of 7) to pay their employees a decent wage.

And that's the problem. Our servers don't get paid well from a wages standpoint. Yes, Disney, and Disney of all places should implement a better system I agree. I have often thought that if Walt could return right now he would love to see that his dream was carried on, yet would be very disappointed in some of the direction that Disney has taken.

I wish I had more faith in the thought that people can change the system, because I don't believe it can happen especially when it comes to big money and business. Disney as a corporation is not going to say, "Let's pay you all better and ease up on the customer's" when, if it ain't broke don't fix it. It's broke for the server's and it's broke for we consumer's, but it works great for the employer of the servers.

They get to work you to death, and abuse you, all for the fact that you are fortunate enough to work for them. It's not a good system I agree, but I feel the servers get disciplined for the whole deal.

Again my own 02
Heidi

 

[praline3001]

I want to make sure its clearly marked that they are doing this 18% tip thing.

There is a good reason
This past year (local place) my DH and I took out our entire family for dinner... The bill was around $300. He left $60 (20%) on the table.
When we got in the car and noticed the bill, they had added an 18% tip to the total but didn't tell us anything. We ended up tipping almost $120 and the services wasn't all that great to start with!!!

I wonder how many people might do this not realizing they were already charged for the tip?

It might make for some VERY happy CM's

 

[apostolic4life]

My wife and I always tip appropriately to the service received. Normally it is between 15-20 percent. If we have outstanding service it will be higher, if it is bad service we go lower. We always tip because we are fully aware of the lower hourly rate they receive as my wife has worked as a server before.

I feel the argument about servers getting a "fair wage" rings a little hollow. At any given WDW restaurant an average server will probably see at least 3 tables per hour. If the average table spends $100 (I know this is low based on WDW prices) it will translate into a tip of $18 per table. Now, if the tip is mandatory the server receives $54/hr on top of the "less than minimum wage" Disney pays them. If the tip is not mandatory and only one table pays the 18% tip they still make a better hourly rate than most skilled professions (i.e. nurses, dental assistants, chefs, etc.).

Is the work they do difficult, yes. Are they run to death sometimes by customers who do not appreciate them, absolutely! Should they wine about how little they make, no.

Do not be fooled to think of servers as being shortchanged for their work, as they are very well compensated for the work they do. Another "benefit" many servers forget to mention is the lack of fully reporting their income to the IRS. Most servers will never report all of their collected tips for tax purposes; actually most report the credit card tips only and never report cash tips.

Like I said, they do work hard, but let's not be fooled into thinking the servers at WDW are not making good money. Why else would they be able to lure servers to travel from their home nations to work in the restaurants in Epcot.

Maybe they should be more concerned with how much money the union representing them is collecting for dues.

Flame Suit is on and zipped up........flame away!!!

 

[praline3001]

My wife and I always tip appropriately to the service received. Normally it is between 15-20 percent. If we have outstanding service it will be higher, if it is bad service we go lower. We always tip because we are fully aware of the lower hourly rate they receive as my wife has worked as a server before.

I feel the argument about servers getting a "fair wage" rings a little hollow. At any given WDW restaurant an average server will probably see at least 3 tables per hour. If the average table spends $100 (I know this is low based on WDW prices) it will translate into a tip of $18 per table. Now, if the tip is mandatory the server receives $54/hr on top of the "less than minimum wage" Disney pays them. If the tip is not mandatory and only one table pays the 18% tip they still make a better hourly rate than most skilled professions (i.e. nurses, dental assistants, chefs, etc.).

Is the work they do difficult, yes. Are they run to death sometimes by customers who do not appreciate them, absolutely! Should they wine about how little they make, no.

Do not be fooled to think of servers as being shortchanged for their work, as they are very well compensated for the work they do. Another "benefit" many servers forget to mention is the lack of fully reporting their income to the IRS. Most servers will never report all of their collected tips for tax purposes; actually most report the credit card tips only and never report cash tips.

Like I said, they do work hard, but let's not be fooled into thinking the servers at WDW are not making good money. Why else would they be able to lure servers to travel from their home nations to work in the restaurants in Epcot.

Maybe they should be more concerned with how much money the union representing them is collecting for dues.

Flame Suit is on and zipped up........flame away!!!

No flames from my end as I see your point. I live in New Orleans, hometown to some of the country's best places to dine. Many servers make nothing from the owners and make a KILLING on tips! In this town, with the right experience and the ability to deal with the public, servers can make a 100 grand a year. This does NOT mean I don't think they work hard or do not deserve a good tip. I also know NOT everyone makes this on tips LOL

I am sure the nicer TS servers bring home a pretty penny each night in tips.
I would guess the reason they added the automatic 18% is because very few (except on these boards) knew that the tip was no longer included on the DDP. Had I NOT read that on here, I would have gone on our trip and figured my DDP covered everything as it had in the past.

NOW that table of 3 .. the server will make $54 an hour. (If Disney doesn't take a cut of that) that same server will make over $400 in an 8 hour shift. At 40 hours a week that comes to over 2 grand a week. I don't think we can classify a disney server with the poor overworked gal who is trying to carve out a decent living working at Dennys. That is like comparing apples and oranges.

 

[Wanna go to Disney?]

My wife and I always tip appropriately to the service received. Normally it is between 15-20 percent. If we have outstanding service it will be higher, if it is bad service we go lower. We always tip because we are fully aware of the lower hourly rate they receive as my wife has worked as a server before.

I feel the argument about servers getting a "fair wage" rings a little hollow. At any given WDW restaurant an average server will probably see at least 3 tables per hour. If the average table spends $100 (I know this is low based on WDW prices) it will translate into a tip of $18 per table. Now, if the tip is mandatory the server receives $54/hr on top of the "less than minimum wage" Disney pays them. If the tip is not mandatory and only one table pays the 18% tip they still make a better hourly rate than most skilled professions (i.e. nurses, dental assistants, chefs, etc.).

Is the work they do difficult, yes. Are they run to death sometimes by customers who do not appreciate them, absolutely! Should they wine about how little they make, no.

Do not be fooled to think of servers as being shortchanged for their work, as they are very well compensated for the work they do. Another "benefit" many servers forget to mention is the lack of fully reporting their income to the IRS. Most servers will never report all of their collected tips for tax purposes; actually most report the credit card tips only and never report cash tips.

Like I said, they do work hard, but let's not be fooled into thinking the servers at WDW are not making good money. Why else would they be able to lure servers to travel from their home nations to work in the restaurants in Epcot.

Maybe they should be more concerned with how much money the union representing them is collecting for dues.

Flame Suit is on and zipped up........flame away!!!

Run to death by nasty customer's is only half of it. The hierarchy in the kitchen and management is a whole other subject. If you make a mistake, the kitchen brutalizes you! If the kitchen makes a mistake the customer brutalizes you.

Don't forget that servers must be there at least an hour before their shift to do their set up duties, and must stay 1-2 hours to clean up.

You want us not to be fooled, I ask you not to be fooled into thinking it's like the old days where servers didn't have to claim their tips. My friend, times have changed. The tax man is now aware of the benefits that servers used to have and now require the establishments to claim taxes for the servers. They base it on what the servers gross bill was. So, if you had customers that totaled $2000 in sales the govt can say, "Well you at least got 10% therefore you DID get 10% and we are taxing you on that."

What if you didn't get 10%? Now you have to pay tax on money you did not make. Trust me, it's not like it used to be. Don't be fooled into thinking it is.

Heidi

 

[stitchlover]

I will be interested to see how they bill for the 18%. We are on DDP and I have Disney Dollars set aside for all our tips for our upcoming trip. I don't want them to add the tip to my KTTW...I want to be able to pay for my meals with my KTTW and then leave my Disney Dollars for the tip.

I know I can simply pay that money before they charge my debit card back at the hotel...but that is a pain. I want a bill showing me what the tip so i can pay that separate and they can bill my DDP on my KTTW.

This could become a pain.

 

[Starburst]

My wife and I always tip appropriately to the service received. Normally it is between 15-20 percent. If we have outstanding service it will be higher, if it is bad service we go lower. We always tip because we are fully aware of the lower hourly rate they receive as my wife has worked as a server before.

I feel the argument about servers getting a "fair wage" rings a little hollow. At any given WDW restaurant an average server will probably see at least 3 tables per hour. If the average table spends $100 (I know this is low based on WDW prices) it will translate into a tip of $18 per table. Now, if the tip is mandatory the server receives $54/hr on top of the "less than minimum wage" Disney pays them. If the tip is not mandatory and only one table pays the 18% tip they still make a better hourly rate than most skilled professions (i.e. nurses, dental assistants, chefs, etc.).

Is the work they do difficult, yes. Are they run to death sometimes by customers who do not appreciate them, absolutely! Should they wine about how little they make, no.

Ditto. Many of us work hard to be able to afford our WDW vacations, and being "told" to give X number of dollars on top of rather large bills to begin with isn't great customer service. Almost of us acknowledge and realize that servers are working hard for us, and will recognize that in a tip. Is it really worth it to alienate customers from using the TS restaurants in an attempt to ensure EVERYONE tips?

Gratuity can not be mandated, nor can a certain percentage be demanded from customers. We've been in situations where tips have been automatically calculated for us. In every situation we've had them remove it BASED ON PRINCIPAL - a tip is an acknowledgement for good service, a thank you for hard work which is earned and not given freely.

What will we do in the future? The same thing. Have it removed from the bill. Tip on what we think is appropriate, not a pre-determined amount that may have nothing to do with the service received.

Before I get flamed for this, my DH and I live in NYC, eat out often (at least 1-2x week), and generally tip between 15-20%. We had awful service at a brunch recently and we still tipped 13%. Despite a very high cost of living, the overwhelming majority of restaurants wouldn't even try to force a tip on their customers, even with having a very large number of foreign guests coming to NYC. What WDW is doing isn't a common practice in most areas of this country, which is probably part of the reason it isn't going to be received well...

 

[silverarrowknits]

I am really angry about this. I have a DDE card and I don't like being told what to tip, especially since I tip based on the original bill. I almost always tip 20%. I have tipped less however when service was very poor. I can count on one hand how many times this has happened (none of these instances were at WDW too), but I don't like management deciding that I will always get amazing service. If service is poor in the future, I will ask to talk with a manager. I hate to be confrontational about the whole thing, but I refuse to have to reward poor service because of an automatic tip.

 

[mom2my3kids]

From what I have read its just the DDE card, but I could be wrong. Listen if you don't get good service, and you are forced to tip 18% then you should get the manager and complain.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

From what I have read its just the DDE card, but I could be wrong.

Most people who call the DDE number are being told that it's for all guests, not just those using DDE. But there is a small bit of confusion. Even AllEars is getting mixed signals, as they state on their site:

This is reportedly for ALL table service locations regardless of whether you are using a Disney Dining Experience card or not.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Several Cast Members have contacted AllEars® to say that this is only for Disney Dining Experience Card users. However, the information we verified this morning from 2 different sources stated it is for all Table Service. We are continuing to check on this.

 

[apostolic4life]

Run to death by nasty customer's is only half of it. The hierarchy in the kitchen and management is a whole other subject. If you make a mistake, the kitchen brutalizes you! If the kitchen makes a mistake the customer brutalizes you.

Don't forget that servers must be there at least an hour before their shift to do their set up duties, and must stay 1-2 hours to clean up.

You want us not to be fooled, I ask you not to be fooled into thinking it's like the old days where servers didn't have to claim their tips. My friend, times have changed. The tax man is now aware of the benefits that servers used to have and now require the establishments to claim taxes for the servers. They base it on what the servers gross bill was. So, if you had customers that totaled $2000 in sales the govt can say, "Well you at least got 10% therefore you DID get 10% and we are taxing you on that."

What if you didn't get 10%? Now you have to pay tax on money you did not make. Trust me, it's not like it used to be. Don't be fooled into thinking it is.

Heidi

Like I tell my servers (yes, I am an Executive Chef) if your job is so terrible you can leave......simple as that.

If you make a mistake during your shift, you should have to take the heat for it......who should be responsible for your error??? If the kitchen makes an error, be assured the person responsible will be held accountable. Like I said, if your job is so terrible you can quit!!! No one is holding you in chains to a job that is so terrible. My bet is you have realized how good the compensation is and have decided it is all worth it.

As for the tax issue, don't think you are fooling anyone either. The IRS cannot require an establishment to tax you for money you did not make. Let's be honest, servers do not report 100% of their tips. They report the minimum they can get away with and not raise a red flag to the IRS. On the other hand everyone else in the restaurant has to report 100% of their income (i.e. dishwasher, line cook, manager, etc.).

Based on your assertion, servers are doing us all a huge favor by coming in before the customers and leaving after the clean up is done. Hmmm. Seems like it is just part of your job.....my chefs have to be in the restaurant 4-5 hours before service and often the late crew is there 2-3 hours after service, but do they complain.....no! I would assert to them the same thing as I have stated here......if the job is not worth it then quit.

Servers enter their profession knowing the risk vs. benefit ratio of the job. They are fully aware when they come to work they will usually make well above minimum wage every hour they are there (even factoring in the "extra hours" they put in before and after service ends). Unless the restaurant is dead or unless you are a really bad server you should make more money than the average school teacher. Sorry if I don't feel sorry for the plight of the maligned servers of WDW, but I am sure they will be just fine without my misplaced sympathy.

Just two cents from the top of the restaurant hierarchy.

 

[emilymad]

Do you think you could get the tip removed if you explained that you want to determine the amount? Most people wouldn't probably bother asking but I want to determine if the service was good or not!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I am in disagreement with the 18% automatically being added. I am normally very generous with my tipping but when I'm told what I must tip, that is a different situation. I would think that the CS serving as managers in these restaurants will be busy once this takes off, supporting their workers, while a dissatisfied customer is disputing the tip for the poor service and meal received. We as the guest must have a recourse for poor service.

 

[smfnj]

Look on the bright side...ADR's will be easier to get!!! Or, even better, we won't have to decide 180 days out where we will be and where we want to eat...we'll be able to walk up and get seated!!

My thoughts exactly while reading through this thread. Though I don't agree with Disney's tipping "edict" either, I do see a silver lining.

Ever since Free Dining and DDP have started it's impossible to get ADR's even during slower times. Many people who rarely ate at TS before are packing the TS restaurants. If this cutd down on the number of people using DDP, I'm all for it. Go ahead, flame me, I don't care....

Steve

 

[Cllong75]

I work in payroll for a hotel, and I can tell you that all room service, even if it's a glass of wine or a piece of cake is automatically charged 18% gratuity. But I can also say for our hotel, that if the service stinks you have every right to adjust that tip and noone can force you into paying it. I for one feel like 18% is fair, but if I get bad service you better believe I will throw the biggest fit until it's adjusted.

One reason many places do this is because servers are paid a percentage of minimum wage and if their wages plus tips don't equal minimum, the establishment has to pay the difference. This is one way of making sure that doesn't happen.

 

[Madi100]

I don't agree with tipping to begin with. Honestly, you have a job, and you do a good job because you are paid to do a good job. When we saw Sleeping Beauty she did an amazing job. She sat and talked to my daughter and was just wonderful. I didn't slip her a $5 when we left. I realize she gets paid more than a waiter/waitress, but I didn't set those standards. Charge me $2 more for a burger and pay the staff yourself. When they aren't doing a good job for you, you take care of them. I don't want to have to pay them extra based on how well they took care of me. I am walking into a restaurant with the idea that whoever waits on me will be doing a good job.

While I know cost of living goes up, so people need to make more money, etc. But, two years ago when we went to Cinderella's Royal Table we paid less money. Therefore, our server got less of a tip. Now, two years later, the server got a better tip, and the service hasn't improved. And, his service wasn't any better there then it was at 50s Prime Time Cafe, where we spent last money.

Disney should be the LAST place to impliment a mantatory tip. While we thoroughly enjoy our meals, we rarely feel like we should just be sitting there relaxing and enjoying our meal. It's more of a hurry up and eat so the next guy can see Mickey Mouse, too. Tipping is a pet peeve of mine. I tip, and I tip well, when it is deserved. I don't have a problem walking out of a restaurant and not tipping a person if they are the reason I didn't enjoy my meal.