DDE Automatic 18% tip!

[CanadianGuy]

Thanks Sammie = I'll make the change.

 

[cgcruz]

I don't know if this has been mentioned... But its funny that WDW felt the need to take out the gratiuity from the DDP because it cost them too much. Yet, they find it perfectly acceptable to force customers with DDE to leave 18% tip. Like the lack of quality of TS restaurants wasn't bad enough! Does WDW just not want guest to eat at their restaurants?!

Wouldn't be surprised if soon enough they force all guest to leave a mandatory tip. I guess i'll be having more off-site meals.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NOT FROM DIS ADMIN NOR IS IT FROM THE PARENT SITE ... WDWINFO.COM. THIS INFO COMES FROM MY OWN PERSONAL CONTACTS IN WDW FOOD & BEVERAGE. MIGHT BE WRONG, MIGHT BE RIGHT. PROBABLY WON'T KNOW FOR SURE TILL MONDAY.

The information I'm getting from my Food & Beverage contacts has stressed this is FOR DDE CUSTOMERS AND PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE.

According to my sources -- which may or may not be 100% correct, but I'm betting they are, cuz they usually know this stuff -- this is for DDE customers only parties of six of more...

And does not affect DDP or credit/cash customers with no discount.

More news as events warrant. Film at 11.

Knox

This just HAS to be right. It doesn't make any sense that the DP be included. I was just sitting here thinking about the people who have purchased the DP for 2008 who DO NOT visit the Dis or any other website. Can you imagine them suddenly getting this bill for the 18% at the end of the meal? They are going to say "no, I'm on the dining plan. I shouldn't have a bill" and the server is going to say "oh, that's for my tip. Disney say's you have to give it to me".(?) I'm sure this is what those people will look like... It all just feels like such a slap in the face. I know how to tip. I do not need Disney or anyone else telling me how to do so, or demanding I do it.

 

[PeterPan68]

If you're a DDE member, which I am, you're still saving money...If you don't have the DDE and your bill is, lets say, $75 and you leave a 15% tip your total would be $86.25.

If you are a DDE member and your bill is $75, with the automatic 18% tip and the 20% discount, you bill is going to be $73.50.

You still saved $12.75.

Just my example of how you're still saving money...It's not really a big deal to me because I have always tipped between 15 and 20% anyway.

 

[apostolic4life]

And the second thing is to the Executive Chef: do you hold your people responsible in front of the diner? If you do, I commend you, most won't. They will discipline at a later time, because it usually is not feasible to send your sous chef out in the middle of dinner, but that still leaves the server to deal with the patron face-to-face.

My method is very simple: if the mistake is made I do not humiliate my workers in front of the guest since this would not accomplish anything , but I (or my sous chef) will make a trip to the table to speak with the guest to ensure the food comes out correctly this time. This often reassures the guest and allows us to get face time with our guests. As it has been said before "the buck stops here"; I am ultimately responsible for my employees and their actions. Now, if I have to take the hit in front of the customer, then my employee will owe me.......often times this pays out in the form of doing some extra grunt work. If they continue to make mistakes, then i cut their hours for one pay period. This often makes them realize the error of their ways.

 

[kt-scarlett]

According to my sources -- which may or may not be 100% correct, but I'm betting they are, cuz they usually know this stuff -- this is for DDE customers only parties of six of more...

Knox

I am getting conflicting replies from various WDW contacts on just what this 'service charge' applies to. I just want to point out that the quote above is in direct opposition to what Disney informed DDE members. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size.

So which is Disney doing? All transactions? Just DDE? Just parties of 6 or more?

My head hurts.

 

[punkin]

I don't like it. It is not a question of money. I usually tip the full 20% I save anyway. It is a question of service. If the service was lousy, I want the option of showing my displeasure with a lower tip.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

I don't know for sure, but it sounds like various reports are confirming it's for the DDE. Once people get into an uproar like they are now (I'm not blaming them), Disney may reconsider. Especially if people start taking their business off property.

 

[Scraper]

I don't like it. It is not a question of money. I usually tip the full 20% I save anyway. It is a question of service. If the service was lousy, I want the option of showing my displeasure with a lower tip.

This is Disney you will still have this option. Ask for the manager tell them your service was no good. They will remove the tip. If my service is good I have no problem with the tip. There are those people who do not tip good service much at all and can make the server less likley to provide the same service to others in the future.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

Yay! It will save us money! we always tip 20% or more of the total before the dde discount ,so unless the service is exceptional thats all they'll get!

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

I am just amazed that so many are taking it out on the waiters and waitresses in a way. So many have said they will not add to the tip even for great service where they may have before. It is not the waiters and waitress' desision to have this policy, yet they are the one that are paying for it. So their employers don't pay them much hourly, letting the custemers supliment thier pay. and the customers will not give extra for exceptional service due to their employers policy


I for one will give extra for exceptional service. Not thier fault thier employers are implimenting this policy.

I don't blame anyone for being upset, I am not to happy with this policy either.

 

[DebbieB]

The waiters and waitresses will be fine. Getting 18% on all bills will probably leave them ahead of the game. Keep in mind Disney restaurant prices are inflated to start with, so they will still be making far more than non-Disney waiters in similiar jobs. For example, at the Crystal Palace dinner ($27.99), with 18% they get $5 per adult. If I'm there with 3 friends, that's a $20 tip for 1 table. I've never felt the need to add more than that.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I am getting conflicting replies from various WDW contacts on just what this 'service charge' applies to. I just want to point out that the quote above is in direct opposition to what Disney informed DDE members. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size.

So which is Disney doing? All transactions? Just DDE? Just parties of 6 or more?

My head hurts.

It has been confusing -- but mostly on the message boards.

On the DIS, so far at least, admin have posted what I am told is the correct policy.. which is..

NEW GRATUITY POLICY: Beginning on January 1, 2008, DDE will have 18% gratuity added to all transactions regardless of party size.

.. ALL Disney Dining Experience Transactions ONLY. (not Disney Dining Plan etc)

AND...

ALL parties of six or more regardless of how you pay. They already did this before.. except it was parties of eight or more. This has been reduced to six.

Is that more clear? There has been an ocean of conflicting information on this but AllEars while noting it has received conflicting information, leans towards this explanation as well.

So for now, it appears (pending further clarification from Disney on Monday) that...

ALL DDE transactions and/or any group of six or more are subject to this change.

If you're a party of four paying by cash or credit with no discount.. for example.. you are not affected by this.

I hope this helps.


Knox

 

[RachelTori]

Guess they're getting lots of emails. I just got an email from DDE re "Clarification of changes":

"Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.

If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team"

(I hadn't even sent them an email!)

 

[laalaa]

Ok so my views on this subject might be slightly biased because I am a waitress, not at Disney, but at a local restaurant here in the UK.

Here are a few things Id like to say

1. I think it sucks that they are adding on a tip to all bills if thats the case.

2. I 110% agree with automatic adding of a tip on large parties, as they as generally more work, can leave more of a mess, and a server may be looking after 1 large table instead of 4 regular ones. Therefore they are loosing out on x4 tables worth of tips

3. If i was being automatically charged an 18% per cent tip and the serivce wasnt up to that then Id be more inclined to bring it up with a manager than if the tip wasnt added, as i would tip less if working out my own tip

4. My view also might be skewed due to the fact that i am from the UK. Tipping here is not as common place as it seems to be over in the USA. If tippin is common place with you all, then i dont see the need to for automatic tipping.

Sure sometimes as a server, i have my "off" days where Im not on the ball, and i expect to be tipped less. It keeps my service up to scratch my having to work for tips.

However, can I just add that it is soul destroying when, as a waitress, you look after a large table that doesnt leave an appropriate tip. If i have a large table in my section at work, i dont have any others. Often large tables stay longer, make more mess, can be more demanding.

I recently looked after a large table of 30. I can hand on heart say I gave the best serivce i possibly could. I ran round giving refills constantly, fetching more napkins, etc. I spoke to them about the local area, where to go at night, directions to attractions etc. They left my area of tables in such a mess it took two garbage bags to clear it. They left me £0.95, which is about $1.80! I could have cried!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

It has been confusing -- but mostly on the message boards.

On the DIS, so far at least, admin have posted what I am told is the correct policy.. which is..



.. ALL Disney Dining Experience Transactions ONLY. (not Disney Dining Plan etc)

AND...

ALL parties of six or more regardless of how you pay. They already did this before.. except it was parties of eight or more. This has been reduced to six.

Is that more clear? There has been an ocean of conflicting information on this but AllEars while noting it has received conflicting information, leans towards this explanation as well.

So for now, it appears (pending further clarification from Disney on Monday) that...

ALL DDE transactions and/or any group of six or more are subject to this change.

If you're a party of four paying by cash or credit with no discount.. for example.. you are not affected by this.

I hope this helps.


Knox

You seem to be misinformed as several calls to Disney have resulted in the same answer this policy will be for all table service restaurants in Disney World and for ANY method of payment, not DDE only.

 

[Nbtstatic]

You seem to be misinformed as several calls to Disney have resulted in the same answer this policy will be for all table service restaurants in Disney World and for ANY method of payment, not DDE only.

Did you miss the new email from the DDE team?

"Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.

If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team"

 

[cleo]

If you knew what Disney wait staff make as their hourly wage, you wouldn't begrudge them an automatic 18% on table service using the DDP.

Many restaurants, including fine dining locations, add an automatic gratuity to the bill on parties of 6, 8, 10...whatever number they choose. It isn't anything new, and with the way servers are tipped (or not) in Orlando would make your jaw drop. Some tips are fantastic, but an awful lot are not.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Well said!!! Here is my thought. I carry a credit card in the parks. I have to sign for the amount charged. Normally there is a line for a tip, then add for a grand total, then sign. If this automatic tip is listed separately (which it better be) and the service didn't warrant it then instead of adding I will be subtracting, then signing. If they charge my card more, then I dispute the charge and the restaurant doesn't get paid by my credit card company.

Now will this determine if I eat table service at Disney, absolutely. Will I choose to eat in my room more, absolutely. However I also see the silver lining about getting reservations but I am not happy that the cs restaurants will become a longer wait than the rides!!

I agree with the previous poster saying if the servers hate the pressure of their job then find a new one.
Sorry but I see this automatic tip thing a bad deal for the restaurants.

Flame me if you must be it won't change my point of view.

Its actually not that easy, you may have a problem with self writing in a amount and thinking your card wont be charged. I have chased patrons outside who try not signing a credit card slip they try this all the time so they can dispute it without a signature. We also have video so if they trying saying it was not them, they can actually go back and find the video of the parton at our establishment. Its simple if you don't get good service and you really feel they don't deserve the 18% then get the management over to your table. I actually don't mind my job most of the time I have waited on some really wonderful people. We have lots of regulars that feel like family...

 

[ntsammy5]

I am disappointed in this thread. Listening to all the whining about an automatic 18% gratuity, even when most people claim to be giving at least 15% is a travesty. I hold to my initial premise that many are not leaving an appropriate tip at all. When people spend thousands on a vacation and are complaining about $18 on a $100 dinner - $3 more than they claim they are tipping now, something is wrong. Me thinks they doth protest too much.