DDP gone BAD

[tiger4me2]

I never thought about this either. We will be a party of 9, so I know the 18% tip will be automatic, but what are you supposed to do if the service is bad?

I guess the only thing to do is speak to a manager during the meal or before you pay the bill.

Agree with you if you get bad service talk to a manager. If you are to the OP a party of 6 or more which it sound as if you were they do charge 18% tip. Should have taken it up with managers at both places. MHO. I understand where you are coming from but if I get lousy service any where I ask for the manager not wanting my meal for free just correct the problem. My view only

 

[catne]

The auto-tip on large groups has nothing to do with the DDP, nor is it just a Disney invention. Every restaurant we've ever been in, everywhere across the country, from Pennsylvania to Alaska, has had some policy posted stating there is an automatic gratuity added to the bill for groups of "5 or more", "6 or more", some are even "8 or more"...the # varies on how many people make a large group, and the auto-tip amount varies from 15 to 20%, but this automatic tipping is a standard restaurant practice nationwide, union or no union. And since it's stated in advance, when you are seated as a large group, you are agreeing to pay that amount. As many PP have stated, if you have bad service, you speak up while the bad service is occurring so it can be corrected while you are there (or so the management has an opportunity to comp you, or to adjust the tip.) However, to just walk out without paying the full bill in this situation, in most places, is the same as not paying the bill for the food. Legally, the restaurant can charge your credit card because you agreed to pay for the service. If you did not receive the service you agreed to pay for, you must protest before the final transaction (paying the bill.) If you don't want to make a fuss in front of the grandchildren, then pay the bill, including the tip. If you don't think you should owe it, then go ahead and make the fuss...politely...that'd be a good life lesson for the grandchildren.

 

[imthatgirl]

i have never once eaten in a restaurant where the tip was added to the bill, no matter how many people were in the party. in fact i work at UNO in MA and you could come in with 25 people and we would not add the tip to the bill, ever.

but because i want to eat at disney i do except the added 18%, i have no choice. but i do expect service for that.

 

[Krmrr]

Sorry, I will not accept bad service, at Disney or anywhere else. If something is not going right, I speak to the attending waitstaff and say: "Our glasses have not been refilled" if I can't find the waitstaff, I find the manager or whoever seems to be in charge. I once had a meal at Le Ruths in New Orleans (now Ruth's Steakhouse chain) it had 5 stars. I went up to the owner, did not know it at the time, and complained that it had been 15 minutes since a waiter last appeared at our table. From that point on, a sip of tea brought a refill, the bread basket was always filled and the rest of the meal was superb.

Why put up with a bad experience? Why award bad service? I'm too old and have to work too long for my money to throw it away. I've left a $2 tip for a $1 coke, because the waitress took the time to make me feel good about being there. That's ok, I doubt that she thought she'd get more than a quarter maybe it made her day, she made mine.

Stand up! Demand the service you're entitled to! You're going to be paying for it, get what you pay for!

Enjoy Life!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I had similar things happen in January.
Next year there will be 3 DDP plans..
DDP Lite - 2 CS, 2 snacks and a refill mug for $26/day
DDP - the same way it was before 2008 for about $50/day
DDxP - Same as it is now for about $87/day.

I think Disney realized this just didn't work.

When did Disney say this? Is this a rumor?
I have heard some rumors but none of them will include the tip again from I am hearing.

 

[DVC Sadie]

All parties of 6 or more will have the 18% gratuity added to the bill.

I will be so glad when the DP adds the tip into the cost of the plan so the wait staff will get their tips. (yeah, I know that the DP and parties of 6 or more are two different things). Maybe WDW needs to increase the costs of the DP 20% next year.

The problem is, many families who do not know what is or is not included between ANY of the plans and have no idea they will be charged for 6 or more.

 

[MandM-Mom]

hmmm... first post!

Troll?

 

[momatater]

I had similar things happen in January.
Next year there will be 3 DDP plans..
DDP Lite - 2 CS, 2 snacks and a refill mug for $26/day
DDP - the same way it was before 2008 for about $50/day
DDxP - Same as it is now for about $87/day.

I think Disney realized this just didn't work.

When did Disney say this? Is this a rumor?
I have heard some rumors but none of them will include the tip again from I am hearing.

I was wondering the same thing?? Where did this info come from?? Rumor??

 

[DVC Sadie]

hmmm... first post!

Troll?

Troll maybe but I hope not!

 

[livndisney]

I will not accept bad service. If a server is giving bad service they can expect a bad tip (if at all). If I encounter bad service at WDW I will speak to a manager. If the service is not improved, I will not be "bullied" into paying 18%.

I do not make a habit of complaining of nothing. But I am not paying for service I did not get. If I wanted to deal with a grump, I could have my DF bring me food for nothing LOL.

 

[JLKennedy]

Absolutely speak to the manager, AFTER you get your food, don't want a "present" in your foods. It happens everywhere, even Disney!

I am a vocal person and will speak up in a split second if I have to. That being said, we are going with a total of 13 people, we're all eating at the same places, but with 3 separate ADR's, so we don't get hit with the 18%. We've noticed at home that when you are the "auto" tip criteria, the service is severely lacking b/c they know they're making the money anyway, but I will speak up if it deems necessary.

As for buffets, we will all be eating at 1 buffet and I still am not sure a buffet for 13 warrants 18%, knowing that I am "A" type personality and it is NOT unusual to see me stacking plates, bagging trash in a small baggie (so no one has to touch grimey food mess) and picking up food from the floor that my 3 year old will inevitably throw. I do a lot of the work for the server, so, we'll just see how it goes. But I will ask for a mgr. if the plates aren't replenished, etc. I wouldn't wait until I got back to my resort to try and resolve.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Sorry you had a stinky experience. I would have been mad too. I don't understand why my tip is automatically included in the bill just because we are a family of 6. That annoys me to no end. I am a good tipper but I don't like anyone telling me what to tip. I used to waitress and we had the option of adding the tip or not. I never added the tip and always got more than if I added it in. If a server is good they deserve a tip. If they stink then too bad so sad. I would have sent my party outside and talked to the manager and told them that the service was subpar.

 

[DVC Sadie]

No, DP did not go bad.

I think what may have happened is that you purchased the DP when the tips were included and you had less than 6 people on the DP. Now you may be shocked because the DP no longer includes ANY tips.

You may not have been aware that ALL parties of 6 or more have a auto gratuity of 18%.

I am basing my response by the thread title.

 

[Allison]

No, DP did not go bad.

I think what may have happened is that you purchased the DP when the tips were included and you had less than 6 people on the DP. Now you may be shocked because the DP no longer includes ANY tips.

You may not have been aware that ALL parties of 6 or more have a auto gratuity of 18%.

I am basing my response by the thread title.

I also don't get what this has to do with the dining plan.

 

[DiszyDean]

Absolutely speak to the manager, AFTER you get your food, don't want a "present" in your foods. It happens everywhere, even Disney!

I am a vocal person and will speak up in a split second if I have to. That being said, we are going with a total of 13 people, we're all eating at the same places, but with 3 separate ADR's, so we don't get hit with the 18%. We've noticed at home that when you are the "auto" tip criteria, the service is severely lacking b/c they know they're making the money anyway, but I will speak up if it deems necessary.

As for buffets, we will all be eating at 1 buffet and I still am not sure a buffet for 13 warrants 18%, knowing that I am "A" type personality and it is NOT unusual to see me stacking plates, bagging trash in a small baggie (so no one has to touch grimey food mess) and picking up food from the floor that my 3 year old will inevitably throw. I do a lot of the work for the server, so, we'll just see how it goes. But I will ask for a mgr. if the plates aren't replenished, etc. I wouldn't wait until I got back to my resort to try and resolve.

It is an interesting dilemna. You get about half of the people who think the tip should be included so that Disney pays for the "cruddy service" and not the patron and the other half who think that the tip should not be included because it causes the "cruddy service" as they perceive that the servers will not work as hard for a guaranteed tip.

As I have frequented the board over the last several years I can say that I have seen many good and bad reviews on service. DDP or non-DDP, tip included or not, regardless of venue.

Sometimes, you just get a bad server, period. It is really just the luck of the draw sometimes and has very little to do with being on the DDP or not.

As far as "cash" customers getting more food than those on the DDP? Does anyone really think that there is some big conspiracy by Disney to dictate this ? Cmon.

I also agree that the time to complain about bad service or bad food is when the event is taking place. Just calmly ask to speak to a manager and explain your issue. I have never had a situation where a manager did not listen and make right whatever the issue was. Usually, going above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. Whether eating at an Applebees or a fancier place.

It sure beats either just accepting what you are given and/or not saying anything and just venting about it later.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I also don't get what this has to do with the dining plan.

Actually, I don't think it has anything to do with the DP but has more to do with expectations.

 

[DiszyDean]

Absolutely speak to the manager, AFTER you get your food, don't want a "present" in your foods. It happens everywhere, even Disney!

I am a vocal person and will speak up in a split second if I have to. That being said, we are going with a total of 13 people, we're all eating at the same places, but with 3 separate ADR's, so we don't get hit with the 18%. We've noticed at home that when you are the "auto" tip criteria, the service is severely lacking b/c they know they're making the money anyway, but I will speak up if it deems necessary.

As for buffets, we will all be eating at 1 buffet and I still am not sure a buffet for 13 warrants 18%, knowing that I am "A" type personality and it is NOT unusual to see me stacking plates, bagging trash in a small baggie (so no one has to touch grimey food mess) and picking up food from the floor that my 3 year old will inevitably throw. I do a lot of the work for the server, so, we'll just see how it goes. But I will ask for a mgr. if the plates aren't replenished, etc. I wouldn't wait until I got back to my resort to try and resolve.

By the way...even a party of 13 with 3 ADRs can be charged the auto-grat if you request to be sat together and are being waited on by the same server. In effect, that makes you one party no matter how many ways you split up the ADRs.

Most of my experiences with Disney buffets is that they are on top of their game. Usually your dirty plates are gone by the time you have the new one back to your table. Does that warrant 18%, maybe, maybe not, it is debatable.

 

[Kaler131]

Sorry, I will not accept bad service, at Disney or anywhere else. If something is not going right, I speak to the attending waitstaff and say: "Our glasses have not been refilled" if I can't find the waitstaff, I find the manager or whoever seems to be in charge. I once had a meal at Le Ruths in New Orleans (now Ruth's Steakhouse chain) it had 5 stars. I went up to the owner, did not know it at the time, and complained that it had been 15 minutes since a waiter last appeared at our table. From that point on, a sip of tea brought a refill, the bread basket was always filled and the rest of the meal was superb.

Why put up with a bad experience? Why award bad service? I'm too old and have to work too long for my money to throw it away. I've left a $2 tip for a $1 coke, because the waitress took the time to make me feel good about being there. That's ok, I doubt that she thought she'd get more than a quarter maybe it made her day, she made mine.

Stand up! Demand the service you're entitled to! You're going to be paying for it, get what you pay for!

Enjoy Life!

EXACTLY! Well said!

 

[Kaler131]

If I wanted to deal with a grump, I could have my DF bring me food for nothing LOL.

 

[LegoMom3]

........As far as "cash" customers getting more food than those on the DDP? Does anyone really think that there is some big conspiracy by Disney to dictate this ? Cmon.

I also agree that the time to complain about bad service or bad food is when the event is taking place. Just calmly ask to speak to a manager and explain your issue. I have never had a situation where a manager did not listen and make right whatever the issue was. Usually, going above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. Whether eating at an Applebees or a fancier place.

It sure beats either just accepting what you are given and/or not saying anything and just venting about it later.

Exactly. I, for one, would certainly not have sat there and accepted a basket of THREE onion rings. Obviously there should be more than that. But after the fact, it's too late!

And I have to agree with another poster who noted "first post" in regards to the OP (who has also since disappeared...). Servers grabbing your arm and "demanding their money"...? Really?

.