DDE Automatic 18% tip!

[Luv2Roam]

DH and I have always viewed the 20% discount as basically paying for the tip. This really doesn't impact us one way or another. Actually we should be getting off tipping less as we judge the tip by the discounted amount. (Say if our discount was $10.04, we would tip $10.)
If for some reason the discount was incorrect, then yes the server was under tipped by us.
But really I just view this automatic tip as less haggle for us.
IF I had bad service, that would be an issue between management and us. So far this has not been the case at WDW.

 

[TDC Nala]

I read this to mean gratuities have been added to all dining plans.

This is probably not correct. When they refer to other dining experiences, they may not be referring to the Disney Dining Plan. There are special events to which DDE members have access, for which a set gratuity is charged.

 

[plutolovr]

Essentially, the DDE card will only save you 2% now. 20% DDE discount but you pay automatic 18% tip, so net savings of approximately 2%. I had debated buying the DDE with an AP, but I don't think it would be worth it now.

This makes no sense to me. You are still saving 20%. If you were tipping based on the discounted amount, then that's wrong. I always look at my bill, see how much came off with the discount. Say the bill was $100 and they took off $20, then I leave a $20 tip. There is nothing to figure out here and it's fair. I would never tip based on $80, it's not the server's problem that I used a discount.

 

[IloveDMB]

Essentially, the DDE card will only save you 2% now. 20% DDE discount but you pay automatic 18% tip, so net savings of approximately 2%. I had debated buying the DDE with an AP, but I don't think it would be worth it now.

Not true. If your bill is $100 and you tip 20% (which is the norm around here) your total is $120.

Now with DDE, your original bill of $100 would be discounted to $80, witht he 18% gratuity this brings your total to $98 (assuming you don't add anything extra)

$120-$98 = $24

24 dollars is 20% of $120. So you are still saving 20%!!!

I don't know where people are getting this "only saving 2%" from. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's that hard to understand.

 

[CoPirate]

wow. lots of people whove never been servers here...

they are implementing this because most people do not realize it is etiquette to tip off of the original amount, not the discounted one. This way, servers still make money.

I dont understand those of you who are upset, if youd tip that much anyway, who cares, and if you were planning on skipping out on your tips to save a few bucks, you're now forced to think about that server whos trying to make a living. IMO its not a big deal.

 

[agnes!]

It appears that the following, utilizing current policy and new announcements, will be assessed an automatic gratuity in 2008 on WDW table service dining and at lounges.

1) Bookings at dinner shows (luau or Hoop de Doo) or special events (i.e. Food and Wine Festival prepaid culinary events).
2) Disney Dining Experience members (regardless of party size) – 18%.
3) Disney cast members using a cast discount, where available – 18%.
4) ALL parties of 6 or more – 18%.

If your party doesn’t fit the above categories, then current known policy is that you will NOT be assessed an automatic gratuity.

Exactly - I think that's pretty much what I posted on another thread. The 18% service charge will now be charged on
ALL dining parties of 6 or more
*and*
ALL DDE dining parties, regardless of size.

I think Uncleromulus might be incorrect in his reply to JediGalvatron.

agnes!

 

[TDC Nala]

Hey Aggie,

I think Uncleromulus may be referring to the e-mail notification that caused this whole mess. THAT was intended only for DDE members.

But you're correct that Disney's already put out that all parties of 6 or more, however they pay and no matter if they use a discount or not, are going to be assessed the 18%.

 

[triplefigs]

Not true. If your bill is $100 and you tip 20% (which is the norm around here) your total is $120.

Now with DDE, your original bill of $100 would be discounted to $80, witht he 18% gratuity this brings your total to $98 (assuming you don't add anything extra)

$120-$98 = $24

24 dollars is 20% of $120. So you are still saving 20%!!!

I don't know where people are getting this "only saving 2%" from. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's that hard to understand.

Have they said for certain the tip is on the full amount or the discounted price? For a $100 dinner, $18 tip = $118 and then the 20% discount for a total of $94.40 or actually 5.6% savings over the full price of the meal in this case. I did a spread sheet and it is around the 5-6% for every price I tried (full price for the meal without tip). You are right, it would be 20% savings over the total amount including tip. So, it still may be a good deal for us to get the DDE card for our Feb trip as we have a ton of TS meals planned. We were debating the DxDDP vs the DDE vs OOP.

 

[Shorty82]

It is based on the full amount which is the proper way of tipping discounted meals.

 

[Funwith4kids]

Even though we don't eat @ TS places in the World (we eat at better quality and variety offsite), we disagree with automatic 18% gratuity. We are a family of 6 and have come across policies at restaurants automatically charging 18% for our family. Most times the service is different (not as good) compared to the table next to us where there are less people because the server is working for the money where it is automatic with us.

However, @ Disney it is a necessary evil because of the marketing of the dining plans offering "free" or discounted meals. According to a friend of the family working @ Disney, servers have seen different clientele with dining plans who do not appreciate and reward good service. As a result, there is some considerable employee engagement issues across the server staff.

IMO, Disney should scrap the dining plans (at least free and discounted deals) and let supply and demand rule service and payment.

 

[apostolic4life]

Tipping is a factor in trip planning and certainly in the vacation experience and it is an appropriate topic for a travel forum. Not all cultures are aware of or understand the tipping culture in the US, making discussion about tipping a vital educational tool as well. It directly benefits wait-staff when the custom of tipping is understood and it is highly appropriate to aid in that education though a travel forum's posts.

Let's keep the discussion to the change in policy rather than making it a debate about tipping or server wages.

Mea Culpa......I have aided to the slightly off topic line of discussion, but when discussing the "why" of the policy it will naturally progress to the base issue of server wages. In today's world, tipping a server is really the practice of supplementing low hourly wages.

Just my two cents.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Just another way to penalize larger families. I have no problem leaving a good tip. I am not happy to be told what I have to leave.. especially for bad service.

 

[My WDW Happy Place]

Has anyone really thought about the amount of money these servers are bringing home? Because of the inflated food prices at Disney, 18% of their gross sales is a large amount of money. Based on conservative estimations... a server at some place like Artist Point could make about $140,000.00 a year.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Has anyone really thought about the amount of money these servers are bringing home? Because of the inflated food prices at Disney, 18% of their gross sales is a large amount of money. Based on conservative estimations... a server at some place like Artist Point could make about $140,000.00 a year.

Where do I pick up an application????

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

I wonder how people would react if Disney were to announce that all prices at TS restaurants would be increasing by 18%; however the practice of tipping in restaurants would no longer be allowed.

Then Disney could simply re-route that 18% addition to the waitstaff. My guess is that people initially would complain about the increase in prices, but, in time would take "advantage" of the fact that they would save on tipping.

Would you choose not to eat at LeCellier b/c your $20 steak was now $23.60? or because Your $2 soda was now $2.36.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I agree with the person who questioned why we tip a % instead of a per item or per person basis. Why, at the same restaurant, does my waitress deserve more money because my food costs more? For example, at Le Cellier:

Heirloom Squash Ravioli = 17.99, 18% tip would be $3.24
However, if I ordered 14 oz. New York Strip Steak for $29.99 their tip would be $5.40. That's for one plate, no service. Just carrying it to me. Is it really harder to carry the steak to me than the ravioli? The ravioli probably even weighs more! I have never understood why this makes sense or why people are ok with it. I'm glad I live in CA!

 

[melomouse]

wow. lots of people who've never been servers here...

they are implementing this because most people do not realize it is etiquette to tip off of the original amount, not the discounted one. This way, servers still make money.

I don't understand those of you who are upset; if you'd tip that much anyway, who cares, and if you were planning on skipping out on your tips to save a few bucks, you're now forced to think about that server who's trying to make a living. IMO it's not a big deal.

ITA!

I'm amazed that folks also feel that it is the guest's job to question the salaries of servers, as if we never want to think anyone serving us on vacation could make equal or better to our own families!!~

I'm so suspicious now and I am realizing for the first time that many - even on the DIS - under-tip regularly. While I tend to resent "mandates" also - and who doesn't? - I think folks are less up in arms here about the mandate than that someone is finally enforcing a usual and customary gratuity rate across the board!

 

[DOOM1001]

Has anyone really thought about the amount of money these servers are bringing home? Because of the inflated food prices at Disney, 18% of their gross sales is a large amount of money. Based on conservative estimations... a server at some place like Artist Point could make about $140,000.00 a year.

As somebody else said, there's obviously a lot of people who've never worked as servers here and don't truly understand how it works.I'm a former server and I'm not saying there are not a few,exclusive restaurants where a server could make $50,000-$70,000,but most restaurants servers are making $250-$600 a week so I don't know how you came upon this $140,000 figure.Remember that servers at least where I worked at and pretty much every other restaurant I know servers have to tip bussers,bartenders,food runners,sometimes hostesses.Where I worked at I pretty much knew I had to tip out 1/3 of my tips,so if a server is getting 18% from every table they could be walking with 12%.If the tip isn't included you could have days that you average 14-15% so you leave with 10% or less.The restaurant I worked at was probably the busiest restaurant south of Orlando in Florida and for a busy Saturday lunch shift I would sell $800-$1100,slower days could be $300-$700 so go ahead and do the figures on that and you'll see 95% of servers out there aren't making more than $30,000.

 

[apostolic4life]

ITA!

I'm amazed that folks also feel that it is the guest's job to question the salaries of servers, as if we never want to think anyone serving us on vacation could make equal or better to our own families!!~

I'm so suspicious now and I am realizing for the first time that many - even on the DIS - under-tip regularly. While I tend to resent "mandates" also - and who doesn't? - I think folks are less up in arms here about the mandate than that someone is finally enforcing a usual and customary gratuity rate across the board!

Actually I think the main point of contention here has been the fact of limited recourse for bad service. Few people here have had problems with leaving fair tips for service rendered, but being forced to tip a server at a higher percentage when service seems to be lacking is the problem. Tips are given based on how well a job is performed.....yes, they are part of the server's wage, so the server needs to perform to high standards to expect higher tip percentages. Requiring customers to pay 18% for service (good or bad) makes it more of a surcharge not a gratuity. Servers will not feel overwhelmed to provide the same great service if they know the tip is guaranteed to be 18%. It's not rocket science here.......human nature dictates many of us will do as little as possible if we know our wages or job security will not be affected.

And for anyone who is assuming I am not speaking from experience, I have served tables, swept floors, washed dishes and just about every other job in the food service industry while working my way to executive chef. That is why I feel so strongly tips should be earned not merely given!

Just throwing another two cents into the well.

 

[apostolic4life]

As somebody else said, there's obviously a lot of people who've never worked as servers here and don't truly understand how it works.I'm a former server and I'm not saying there are not a few,exclusive restaurants where a server could make $50,000-$70,000,but most restaurants servers are making $250-$600 a week so I don't know how you came upon this $140,000 figure.Remember that servers at least where I worked at and pretty much every other restaurant I know servers have to tip bussers,bartenders,food runners,sometimes hostesses.Where I worked at I pretty much knew I had to tip out 1/3 of my tips,so if a server is getting 18% from every table they could be walking with 12%.If the tip isn't included you could have days that you average 14-15% so you leave with 10% or less.The restaurant I worked at was probably the busiest restaurant south of Orlando in Florida and for a busy Saturday lunch shift I would sell $800-$1100,slower days could be $300-$700 so go ahead and do the figures on that and you'll see 95% of servers out there aren't making more than $30,000.

Again, why should a customer worry about how much you make for the year??? They are worried about how good the service rendered will be. If the service is good, the tips should be reflective of this (yes, I know everyone will not tip appropriately, but most will). As I stated earlier, if a server cannot survive on the wages they are getting, get a different profession, but most people who work as servers realize the pros of their chosen profession outweigh the cons so they usually keep their job.

and for the record I assure you I know what I am talking about when figuring out the average incomes of a server. I have to be able to project labor cost and staffing levels for my establishments. I do agree with you that $140,000 is not an ordinary income, but 30-40 thousand is not terribly out of line for a server in an average busy restaurant. In WDW though, I would bet the yearly income is a good bit higher than the average restaurant.


With this two cents I think I am up to two bits now.