DDE email just arrived

[wildernessDad]

We always tip at least 20%, unless the service is really bad. I will NOT add more tip now, as I do not like this new policy. I guess that servers will not miss my 2+% when they will be picking up an automatic 18% on every bill. I wonder if this new policy is reflected in Disney's wage arrangement with serving staff?

The cm's that I talked to about the new DDP were worried that they wound not receive a proper tip from guests under the new plan. Looks like Disney took care of their concerns. So I do not think that this was due to their labor agreement directly.

 

[Sammie]

I don't want to argue over this with anyone. Food and Beverage was not even aware that DDE was sending this email. They are now and after reading it, the upper management of F/B realizes how it could be misunderstood.

Their communications team is working on getting the info out, as of right now, it only affects the DDR and parties of 6 or more, which is their new standard for large groups.

Time will tell, if this is correct.

 

[Sammie]

i don't believe this is the case....here, again, is the last section of the email sent earlier today....

"We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support. "

And if you read that as pertaining to the DDE audience it is correct. What Disney forgets is this, they send an email to a specific group, in this case DDE card holders and they make a statement that is correct for that group. However when you take that email and share it on forums such as this, suddenly it becomes more confusing.

Basically all the emails says is that if you are using the DDE, then you will be charged the 18% across property at all food and beverage locations regardless of how many in your group are using the DDE.

 

[DVC Mike]

And if you read that as pertaining to the DDE audience it is correct. What Disney forgets is this, they send an email to a specific group, in this case DDE card holders and they make a statement that is correct for that group. However when you take that email and share it on forums such as this, suddenly it becomes more confusing.

Basically all the emails says is that if you are using the DDE, then you will be charged the 18% across property at all food and beverage locations regardless of how many in your group are using the DDE.

Until there is some official clarification from Disney, I agree with Sammie's interpretation that this notice was intended only for DDE card holders, and is in reference to meals you get using the DDE discount.

 

[psu4glory]

However when you take that email and share it on forums such as this, suddenly it becomes more confusing.

Basically all the emails says is that if you are using the DDE, then you will be charged the 18% across property at all food and beverage locations regardless of how many in your group are using the DDE.

if you have sources close to the issue that are clarifying what was said in this email, then i believe you. however....

1) the email does NOT say that "if you are using the DDE, then you will be charged..." it DOES say that "the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size." if this was meant to apply to only DDE transactions, then it was very poorly communicated and is unclear.

2) the mere sharing of this information on the DIS boards does nothing to confuse the issue - if anything, it helps to clear it up when folks like you that have "sources" can clarify.

 

[Sammie]

if you have sources close to the issue that are clarifying what was said in this email, then i believe you. however....

1) the email does NOT say that "if you are using the DDE, then you will be charged..." it DOES say that "the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size." if this was meant to apply to only DDE transactions, then it was very poorly communicated and is unclear.

2) the mere sharing of this information on the DIS boards does nothing to confuse the issue - if anything, it helps to clear it up when folks like you that have "sources" can clarify.

My point was if an email is mailed to you personally then the info contained it means that it affects you. However if you share that info with others they might think they are included too, which they would not be.

I totally agree it was very poorly communicated and unclear and Food and Beverarge is aware of that. DDE just did not feel that anyone other than DDE card members would read the email.

For example if you were a zebra and you belonged to the Zebra Dining Club and you got an email from the ZDC that stated that the Club was having a get together at a specific location. If you shared that on a public forum that is read by lions, you are going to have problems.

the email was sent to DDE and therefore anything said in it, pertains only to DDE. That should have been made clearer but I think they thought it was understood.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I don't want to argue over this with anyone. Food and Beverage was not even aware that DDE was sending this email. They are now and after reading it, the upper management of F/B realizes how it could be misunderstood.

Their communications team is working on getting the info out, as of right now, it only affects the DDR and parties of 6 or more, which is their new standard for large groups.

Time will tell, if this is correct.

Hey Sammie I trust you are correct about the dining group it effects, but that email also says regarless of party size

so is that a screw up too where it should be parties of 6+

 

[BCV23]

Hey Sammie I trust you are correct about the dining group it effects, but that email also says regarless of party size

so is that a screw up too where it should be parties of 6+

I don't think that is a mistake at all. For DDE bills an automatic gratuity will be added regardless of party size.

I think as Sammie indicated we just have to read that email as directed to DDE users (since that is to whom it was sent) and not extrapolate beyond that.

 

[Sammie]

Hey Sammie I trust you are correct about the dining group it effects, but that email also says regarless of party size

so is that a screw up too where it should be parties of 6+

The tip will be added to "all" DDE users regardless of party size.

For everyone else the tip will be added to parties of 6 or more. It used to be 8or more, now it will be 6 or more.

So basically you have two groups affected. Those with DDE and those with 6 or more in the group. No one else is affected.

Of course if you want to get really specific it will affect all groups of 6 using the DDE, the DDP and any other form of payment.

Just remember DDE and parties of 6 or more and you will be cover.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have DDE but haven't gotten the e-mail. I specifically do not like this at buffets...we just were at a buffet at Crystal Palace where the plates just kept piling up...no service at all. We chose to leave a tip, but if the tip had been added in, I would have balked.

Bobbi

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

Well a bit more of the shine has just come of the ole Disney apple. How far can Disney let the place slide before the natives get restless????

If this applies to Buffets, the servers should break out into fist fights for those cushy assignments.

 

[CarolA]

Hmm..

We seem to have two views.

1. Disney is world class so I ALWAYS tipped 20%

2. Disney didn't deserve the tip I am already giving them.

Neither of these seem to me to be good reasons to assume that this change is bad.

People have been stiffing Disney servers for years. And it appears service has been fine. So why is the fact that the server might not get stiffed an issue? Don't believe me... watch your fellow diners. As I indicated I have seen some great ones. "You don't tip in Britian so we don't tip at the Rose and Crown" comes to mind.... Family of five, five dollar tip and so on....

If you really object to your service charge because it wasn't justified ask for a manger. I have had to do that on a couple of business dinners at places. (Of course since we were entertaining clients we had already made our way to the manger discreetly to DEAL WITH THIS!)



Groups of over 8 have always had this charge, but I don't recall large outcrys of posts on "My service was horrid" DDP has been doing automatic tipping for YEARS and somehow most folks on here aren't posting "those servers are lazy and don't work" Hmm...

 

[JimMIA]

Neither of these seem to me to be good reasons to assume that this change is bad.

I'm not even sure this "change" is real...much less bad.

All of the chatter here today notwithstanding, I tend to trust Sammie's insights on stuff like this. My guess is someone just messed up and we all got excited over nothing.

Yet another reason why I wouldn't mind if Disney just instituted a 15% on all TS meals automatic tip. Those who tip more could still do so, and those who don't could either start having good manners or eat elsewhere.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Yet another reason why I wouldn't mind if Disney just instituted a 15% on all TS meals automatic tip. Those who tip more could still do so, and those who don't could either start having good manners or eat elsewhere.

FANTASTIC!!!
JimMIA for PRESIDENT!!!

 

[TLinden16]

Add me to the list of people who don't really like this. If this is an across the board thing, I really think they should have kept it at 15%

I usually tip in the 20% range, but when the tip is automatically included, I usually just round up to the next dollar. I don't like being told I have to tip. hehe.

 

[kdzgon]

My point was if an email is mailed to you personally then the info contained it means that it affects you. However if you share that info with others they might think they are included too, which they would not be.

...the email was sent to DDE and therefore anything said in it, pertains only to DDE. That should have been made clearer but I think they thought it was understood.

We have DDE and they had my email address (I double-checked today) but I did not get an email - the only way I learned of the changes was via public message boards.

 

[frogman]

i don't believe this is the case....here, again, is the last section of the email sent earlier today....

"We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support. "

And if you read that as pertaining to the DDE audience it is correct. What Disney forgets is this, they send an email to a specific group, in this case DDE card holders and they make a statement that is correct for that group. However when you take that email and share it on forums such as this, suddenly it becomes more confusing.

Basically all the emails says is that if you are using the DDE, then you will be charged the 18% across property at all food and beverage locations regardless of how many in your group are using the DDE.

Sammy I acknowledge your sources and your expertise, but your usually flawless logic fails (IMHO) for this reason. The DDE is not accepted everywhere, there are exceptions, but the email as quoted by psu4glory, states, "...an across property policy...." This could certainly be a poorly written email, but at this time, reading it, I have to agree with psu4glory and the others.

Hopefully you and your sources are right!

Can you share some more CRV info?

 

[jimmytammy]

I got this email. It gives me mixed feelings as I know many waiters dont get the tip they deserve as people may feel they are spending enough already, so they wont tip as much. But we tip 20% always unless service is really, really lousy. I hope this doesnt lead to waitstaff getting lax and know they will get a good tip no matter what. But I fear this is where it truly will lead, IMO.

 

[Granny]

Just got another one and started a new thread on it. But here it is to clarify the first one:

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

​

So there it is.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Please visit This Thread on the Restaurant Board for further discussion on the topic of gratuity. Thank you.