DDP, Do you still tip?

[olbear]

The reason I said it was bad for both sides, in regards to guests mainly, is that some friends I know who had used the DP have said they feel the service itself has gone down. Now I for one am not sure it is because of the DP persay. I have noticed it not being as good as it was for quite a while.

I'm not exactly sure why the servers that I spoke to were unhappy with it. I did not dig to find out. The few I spoke to just said they didn't like it. Oh, one did say because it has pushed out some of the nicer dishes they used to serve that are missed by many regulars. That is the only comment that was mentioned to me from servers.

Hope that clears up my prior comments.

Blessings,.
Winnie

 

[bicker]

There is bad and good in all things. For many folks, though, I believe if they had to weigh Dining Plan versus no Dining Plan, they're happier that the Dining Plan is available to them. Of course, we'd all like to get more for less, but that's not typically one of the options.

 

[JenC025]

I wonder if the servers don't like the plan because it puts their tips in their checks and they have to claim them all. Since I imagine tips given as cash over 15% ( i think) is like getting paid under the table.

 

[honeymo78]

technically any tip must be reported cash or otherwise (I know that isn't what always happens) and I'm pretty sure that there is an assumed amount of tips that is reported/tax must be paid on.

I have heard that instead of having the cash tip to spend right then, they have to wait for it - but wouldn't you have to wait if the tip was on a credit/debit card too?

 

[TinkELGEE]

Hi,
Just back from 6 nights of free DDP. We were chatting with our favorite server, who has been there for almost 20 years, and we learned something interesting.

She had just found out that the servers at LeCellier only get a set tip of $3.50 per couple. NOT the entire 18% like they do at Biergarten. She said that both sets of servers were floored to find that out. The LeCellier staff could not believe that anyone was getting the full 18%. The Biergarten staff couldn't believe that they did not get it at LeCellier, especially as popular as it has become.
I felt better that we had given our server an extra tip there, she deserved it. That might explain some of the inconsistencies of service reports from LeCellier. If they get a flat tip of only $3.50, why work harder? It may be causing just a little bit of animosity between restaurants.
I cannot comment on any other of the restaurants, but I believe my source was telling the truth.

Anyone else know about this?

 

[bicker]

technically any tip must be reported cash or otherwise (I know that isn't what always happens)

But it should, and anyone who pays taxes on the entire income shouldn't feel bad about others having to do so as well.

and I'm pretty sure that there is an assumed amount of tips that is reported/tax must be paid on.

8 percent of receipts or actual, whichever is higher.

 

[bicker]

She had just found out that the servers at LeCellier only get a set tip of $3.50 per couple. .... Anyone else know about this?

I wouldn't believe it, based on a little foundation as you've been provided.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

technically any tip must be reported cash or otherwise (I know that isn't what always happens) and I'm pretty sure that there is an assumed amount of tips that is reported/tax must be paid on.

I have heard that instead of having the cash tip to spend right then, they have to wait for it - but wouldn't you have to wait if the tip was on a credit/debit card too?

I've never worked at Disney, but have worked in plenty of restaurants in the past. Most places required you to claim a minimum of 10% of your sales in tips. Sell $1000 worth of food and drinks, and you only claim $80 in tips, and the restaurant will allocate an extra $20 for you. Sell $1000 worth of food, claim $100 and have $120 in credit card tips? Again, $20 allocated for you, you won't know they claimed if for you until you get your paycheck stub. (I say stub, because no good server should every get a check unless they live in CA where they get minimum wage) Credit card tips? We always got them that night, you just count out at night, and take the CC tip money out of the cash you are turning in that you collected for meals.

 

[DebbieB]

I've used the dining plan twice and didn't tip extra, I wouldn't say anyone did an "extraordinary" job. Most of the meals were character buffets, I think 18% is plenty for that. In June, it was my 12 year old niece and I, they were getting about $10 for bringing drinks and clearing plates for the 2 of us. Disney's prices are so inflated, 18% is probably the same as 30% anywhere else.

The tip is clearly marked on the receipt you sign, wouldn't it be illegal to only give $3.50 and keep the rest?

 

[zima-cheryl]

Most places required you to claim a minimum of 10% of your sales in tips.

It has been a few years since I waited tables, but we too had a "minimum" we had to claim for tips. So you can't get all of it "under the table" as someone mentioned in an earlier post.

DH & I tend to tip a little extra. Of course we usually order drinks & extras -- the dining plan only tips based on the package...not any extras you might get. You absolutely s/tip on additionals (assuming you feel the service warrants it).

When we were there in August we asked a waitress @ Ragalan Road. She said she got $3.80/person at the table for dining plan. And out of that she had to cover the bussers & host. Someone told me later each restaurant sets its own rate.

In general we always tip generously unless the service is just awful...I think because I used to wait tables I'm more sympathetic to the servers now.

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

I did not tip extra on the DDP this summer, however it never occurred to me that the waiter did not get the full amount on the ticket! I have another question, do you tip on just the food/drink amount or do you tip on the total bill including the tax? Does Disney have extra taxes?

 

[bicker]

I believe that the servers do get the full amount of the tips. Those that claim otherwise are probably either pulling your leg, our refusing to acknowledge that they're obligated to share their tips with other service folks, like bussers or food runners.

I aim to tip the amount before tax, though sometimes it is harder to find that number on the receipt, so if the service was good, I'll tip on the amount with the tax included, giving the server a more generous than standard tip.

 

[ReneeA]

We typically tip 20-25% when out to eat. Disney is only giving them 18%...we wouldn't want to treat those servers any differently than we would an non-Disney waiter, so we add in $5-10 to bring it up to what we feel comfortable with.

I honestly don't care what others do...we do what WE as a family feel is best.

 

[honeymo78]

I too am suspicious of any set amount being paid rather than the actual 18% being provided, although surely some goes to the busperson, etc like in many other restaurants. Seems to me to do something otherwise would violate some type of labor law, particularly when the customer and server can view the receipt stating the amount of money that is included as a tip. It would also seem that in this case Disney is not performing its obligations under the package to the customer since the package purports to provide the server with an 18% gratuity. While the DDP is subject to change, I still don't think this practice, without some sort of communication to the guest that a particular tip is no longer included would allow disney to ignore that provision.

 

[Tikitoi]

We tipped at every restaurant on our last trip, and we were on the Dining plan. But I am rethinking it for the next time we go, because they do tell you to sell the DP that the tip IS included.

 

[castleri]

It has been stated on other threads that tips for non Disney owned and operated restaurants are based on the amount the DDP pays that restaurant which is in the $22-25 range. This would somewhat account for the set amount per person that these servers quoted. The Disney owned and operated places pay the 18%. Don't know if this is true or not but have read it several times in different locations just can't find them now.

 

[eblack0409]

The tip is included on the DDP.......we don't give additional tip...

 

[k5thbeatle]

Thanks for all the great replies.

My next question is;

What's the motivation for wait staff to provide superior service? They're getting 18% regardless (which is good and fair) so why go above and beyond? Add to this that the DDP seems to be making the restaurants busier which means a bigger load per waiter/waitress.

It's a known business principle that out of volume, price, and quality you can have 2 of the 3 but not all 3. IMHO DDP seems to focus on volume and price leaving quality lone man out. When quality suffers that's bad.

 

[bicker]

Keep in mind that in much of the Western world, servers provide superior service without any expectation of gratuities on the patron. While I agree that our system is better, in that the person with the most direct knowledge of the quality of service (the patron) having control over the vast majority of the server's compensation, it is not the only way superior service can be provided.

 

[BuffaloGal]

I hesitate to post, but I want to clarify some things here.

I am actually a server at a WDW owned signature restaurant. You all seem to have a lot of misconceptions about our jobs, so I want to clear things up.

As far as I know, at all WDW owned restaurants, servers do get thier 18% gratuity.
Out of this, we tip bar staff (you can't see them at most of the restaurants, but they are there) an approximate 7% of our alcohol sales and Server Assistants an approximate 3% of our food sales. This varies a little, but it's a good average for you.

MOST of the servers that you are seeing are part time. Even a full timer would have to be working their fool butts off to cross the $50k mark. Less than a 1/3 of servers are full time.

I, personally, make an amazingly consistant amount of money each night. On busy nights, the magic suffers, so per tip average is less. On slower nights, pixie dust abounds and I make upwards of 20% at almost every table. The "but we are all ordering 3 course meals so check average is higher" thought doesn't really hold all that true, either. Our check averages are almost the same because most people on the plan only order soft drinks... no wine, no specialty drinks, etc.

At least at my restaurant, it would be nearly impossible to not claim 90+% of your tips anyway. Disney records all of your credit card tips and your gratuities. In the last 3 months, I may have handled $1000. I don't mean in cash tips. I mean $1000 worth of cash as paid to me by guests for meals. We don't deal in much greenery. Most people room charge or use their charge cards at WDW. I might get an average of $5 in cash tips per night. That's probably a high estimate.

Why do servers dislike the dining plan?
Yes, it is in part because part of your tip money gets held until payday. Servers don't count on their paychecks because they are nearly non-existant. Many of my collegues have large percentages of their paychecks going to United Way or the stock purchase program, so when a large portion of their tip money ends up being gratuity, it really can effect their budget.

Another reason is what I mentioned above... it effects the pixie dust. A lot of diners that would usually only use counter service are sitting down for meals. Yes, there are people who come to Disney World partly for Dining. But the free Dining plan tends to send us those who come for the attractions. The food was free. They are going to go eat it. They don't want to spend 2 hours with me in my restaurant. It's nearly impossible to get them in and out with a 3 course meal in less than 90 minutes. Servers also get double and triple sat more frequently. Once you get double sat, it's going to continue to happen all night because our tables turn at similar rates.... especially with DDP users because they are all ordering 3 courses.
So basically, we are running around trying to do a balancing act, not getting to enjoy our jobs like we usually do and providing what even WE feel is sub-standard service.

Do I think you should tip extra? It's up to you. I just want your decision to be an informed one.

Have a magical day!