Dining plan speculation that I have heard for 2008~

[smileyk8]

Please do not see poggs as the typical UK visitor, he (she) is not (btw most of us do tip the bell boy etc over here)

I totally agree Amyrin, most of UK visitors do tip along US guidelines. I had hoped that those who don't are just unaware of the US practice- quite sad that that's not the case. Any waiters out there pls don't hate us all!!!!

 

[gina2000]

My point is, Bicker, that it's easier to tip once whether through a shipboard account, in person, in cash or via credit card rather than multiple times throughout a trip if you are on a perceived all inclusive vacation. I'm certainly aware that shipboard account tipping through the cruiseline is a relatively new innovation. I'm also aware that tipping once is easier than figuring out a tip for 7 TS meals in multiple parks on multiple days. For me, it's no problem. For the person looking for ease and convenience, it may be one as is evidenced by a few of the comments we've read over the last month or so. I can't tell you if it displeases or displaces 1% or 91% of the DDP users. Only time will tell that.

Oh, and for the record, the "when you settle up" refers to the shipboard account for incidentals. Those casual drinks are always settled via shipboard account.....at least they've been for over 25 years on every cruiseline I've ever been on. Note the paragraph the comment appears in.

 

[Leanne1977]

I totally agree Amyrin, most of UK visitors do tip along US guidelines. I had hoped that those who don't are just unaware of the US practice- quite sad that that's not the case. Any waiters out there pls don't hate us all!!!!

We are from the UK and always tip a minimum of 15-20%. We have never had cause to tip lower than this amount and wouldnt dream of tipping 5%-10%.

We had the greatest server off-site. She was an elderly lady and was waiting tables at around 10pm! She was fab and great with the children. Our meal only came to around $30 but we tipped her around $15-$20 and she was so, so pleased.

A great lady and we always remember her.

So please people from the UK follow the customs of the US.

 

[Amyrlin]

We are from the UK and always tip a minimum of 15-20%. We have never had cause to tip lower than this amount and wouldnt dream of tipping 5%-10%.

We had the greatest server off-site. She was an elderly lady and was waiting tables at around 10pm! She was fab and great with the children. Our meal only came to around $30 but we tipped her around $15-$20 and she was so, so pleased.

A great lady and we always remember her.

So please people from the UK follow the customs of the US.

I think the majorty of us do tip correctly (asuming reasonable service), it is just that there are a few people for some reason of thier own do not. It is not just UK, there have also been others, from the US and elsewhere that have said they will not tip correctly.

I even read one post, a while ago, where someone said (Not UK.... but not going to say what nationailty) that they would not tip the right amout as they were not going back there so it did not matter if they stiffed the servers!

If they do take the tip off I do pity the servers, so many poeple wil have got used to gratuities being included, so may not relaise, also if you have the feeling al your meals are paid for it wil take extra effort to carry the cash for gratuntities with you. I can see the anaology with the cruse line, but as you can usually tip at the end for everything (or almost everything) that does make it easier.

I suppose we will have to wiat and see, but if it is removed the wait staff wil have a great deal of sympathy from me.

 

[RiversideGal]

I called DIsney Dining this morning to start booking my ADR's for our January trip after mistakenly being told today was my 180 days out! I wasn't able to book them..I have to wait for Thursday...but I got some interesting info. The person I spoke with said they were just getting the info for the new 2008 packages and she told me the following:

The "basic" Dining Plan was pretty much the same as it has been, but no longer includes an appetizer or the gratuity. She said most people either ordered an appetizer or a dessert, but not both, and Disney was modifying the plan to reflect thisl.

Much like the current Premium/Platinum plans, there was still going to be a plan which includes dining and recreation, and would include gratuity.

Here is the interesting part....

A new "deluxe" plan for Dining only which would include table service meals 3 times a day (including an appetizer with the evening meal) PLUS two snack credits daily. She said this plan would not include gratuity.

And she is still saying there would be up to a 40% saving "depending"....she encouraged me to call back to reservations as if she had the info, "they" should have it......

So, just to be my nosy self, I called back to Reservations, and was told to call back weekly....

F.Y.I No tours, dinner shows ( Hoop De Do), or La Nouba are available to be booked for 2008 yet.....there are no schedules available as per the Itinerary Planner I spoke with...

So we still wait.... At least I have my room only rezzie!

 

[Lewisc]

Talk about "spin control". Most guests posting said they were encouraged to order appetizers and desserts by the server even if they didn't want them.

She said most people either ordered an appetizer or a dessert, but not both, and Disney was modifying the plan to reflect thisl.

 

[hansel1]

Talk about "spin control". Most guests posting said they were encouraged to order appetizers and desserts by the server even if they didn't want them.

I have to agree. We always ordered an appetizer, but never really wanted the dessert until prodded into it by our server. "you really should try ____, you've already paid for it".

 

[RiversideGal]

Talk about "spin control". Most guests posting said they were encouraged to order appetizers and desserts by the server even if they didn't want them.

When we were at WDW in September 2005, and on the Dining Plan...we found the same thing...that the servers encouraged us to order apps and desserts. I had heard also the customers were encouraged to "add on" to their meals, ie., lobster tails, etc. I think this might have been done to increase the gratuity that was figured out for the server based on the cost of the meal..... I suppose the new plan would discourage "going over the top" if the customer were responsible for the tip, wouldn't it. Another thing that makes ya go hmmmmmmmm....

 

[paulh]

ok someone clarfy for me,next year if we do ddp dont get and app.when wait staff then comes with bill there will be a slip for the tip 18% as stated in lot of posts.
Whats to stop me from just getting up and not paying?Where dos it state i have to tip?If you have to tip this says to me its part of the price so why wasnt it inclueded?
Think this will happen a lot as people will pay for ddp and assume everthing is inclueded.Me i will tip accordind to service not what is presented to me on a slip as i would find this insulting if not begging
Paul

 

[global_mom]

ok someone clarfy for me,next year if we do ddp dont get and app.when wait staff then comes with bill there will be a slip for the tip 18% as stated in lot of posts.
Whats to stop me from just getting up and not paying?Where dos it state i have to tip?If you have to tip this says to me its part of the price so why wasnt it inclueded?
Think this will happen a lot as people will pay for ddp and assume everthing is inclueded.Me i will tip accordind to service not what is presented to me on a slip as i would find this insulting if not begging
Paul

OK - so the questions are: guests are used to the tip being included so they might accidently get up and leave w/o paying a tip? AND will there be a pre-set tip amount included on your bill?

I would think that the servers would do a pretty good job of reminding guests that the tipping part of the DDP has changed. They do work hard for their money and should be paid accordingly, level of service taken into account.

I would hate to see someone not leave a tip but if it is not automatically calculated on the bill then it seems that that could happen (accidentaly I'm sure).

 

[hansel1]

ok someone clarfy for me,next year if we do ddp dont get and app.when wait staff then comes with bill there will be a slip for the tip 18% as stated in lot of posts.
Whats to stop me from just getting up and not paying?Where dos it state i have to tip?If you have to tip this says to me its part of the price so why wasnt it inclueded?
Think this will happen a lot as people will pay for ddp and assume everthing is inclueded.Me i will tip accordind to service not what is presented to me on a slip as i would find this insulting if not begging
Paul

 

[JimMIA]

ok someone clarfy for me,next year if we do ddp dont get and app.when wait staff then comes with bill there will be a slip for the tip 18% as stated in lot of posts.
Whats to stop me from just getting up and not paying?Where dos it state i have to tip?If you have to tip this says to me its part of the price so why wasnt it inclueded?
Think this will happen a lot as people will pay for ddp and assume everthing is inclueded.Me i will tip accordind to service not what is presented to me on a slip as i would find this insulting if not begging
Paul

Well, this is a rumor about a rumor...but...

Servers have reported here to expect some type of slip, card, whatever which will say a) the gratuity is NOT included in your bill or DDP, and b) the tips calculated for this meal are 18% = x, 20% = x, or something like that.

The purpose being to let the diner know the tip is not included and doing the math for them to "make it easier."

I don't find it either insulting or begging, but I understand your feeling. I have no doubt that many diners -- especially prior DDP diners -- will ignore it and stiff the server...some for spite, some just because they're cheap and they can.

[ETA: If there are six or more people in your party, an 18% gratuity will be added to your check. I'm not sure how they will work that on DDP -- maybe just give you a bill? Don't know. I assume they would notify you of the 18% being added at the time of ordering.]

 

[BCV23]

RiversideGal, did the CM give you info on the price of the "deluxe" package? Is tax included on the basic and deluxe?

 

[familyS]

for the update RiversideGal.
If they are training the CMs, Disney is a little closer to releasing the package/plan information to the public

 

[Nancyg56]

Well, this is a rumor about a rumor...but...

Servers have reported here to expect some type of slip, card, whatever which will say a) the gratuity is NOT included in your bill or DDP, and b) the tips calculated for this meal are 18% = x, 20% = x, or something like that.

The purpose being to let the diner know the tip is not included and doing the math for them to "make it easier."

I don't find it either insulting or begging, but I understand your feeling. I have no doubt that many diners -- especially prior DDP diners -- will ignore it and stiff the server...some for spite, some just because they're cheap and they can.

[ETA: If there are six or more people in your party, an 18% gratuity will be added to your check. I'm not sure how they will work that on DDP -- maybe just give you a bill? Don't know. I assume they would notify you of the 18% being added at the time of ordering.]

I agree with you. I understand why there might be some sort of "reminder" for "convenience" but I imagine that there are going to be quite a few people who will just ignore the gratuity.

I am not one of those who felt the the DDP affected the overall level of service but I would bet that if there are enough people on the plan who do not tip appropriately in the future, there may be servers whose priority may not be those on the plan.

Do you remember when the 2007 DDP details were released? For some reason I thought it was around August, but I am not sure.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I imagine official word for US travelers can't be too far away.

Assuming the rumors come to pass --

So many said how the DDP was so/too much food. (And normally how often does each person at the table order an appetizer for themselves?)
In addition, as someone else mentioned, not providing an appy would turn the tables around faster, thus helping eliminating an overburdened ADR system.
So I can see that as a possibility.

The tip elimination I think will be the real impact. I too could see service for those on DDP going downhill if too many diners stiff servers.

I can also see where Disney got rid of that if the system was also being overused between credit/portion sharing, servers ringing up in error, excessive ordering per person (ordering the most expensive or servers pushing the most expmsive items and add-ons), etc.

Also, take away the appys and people are less likely to share.

Whatever changes there may be, I am sure there are multiple reasons for. Each will have to decide what works best for their group, as with any change to anything.

DDP prices could be increased. However other changes might relieve other issues too.

 

[Praying Colonel]

ok someone clarfy for me,next year if we do ddp dont get and app.when wait staff then comes with bill there will be a slip for the tip 18% as stated in lot of posts.
Whats to stop me from just getting up and not paying?Where dos it state i have to tip?If you have to tip this says to me its part of the price so why wasnt it inclueded?
Think this will happen a lot as people will pay for ddp and assume everthing is inclueded.Me i will tip accordind to service not what is presented to me on a slip as i would find this insulting if not begging
Paul

Nice Guy Eddie: C'mon, throw in a buck!
Mr. Pink: Uh-uh, I don't tip.
Nice Guy Eddie: You don't tip?
Mr. Pink: Nah, I don't believe in it.
Nice Guy Eddie: You don't believe in tipping?
Mr. Blue: You know what these chicks make? They make _____.
Mr. Pink: Don't give me that. She don't make enough money that she can quit.
Nice Guy Eddie: I don't even know a _____________who'd have the _______ to say that. Let me get this straight: you don't ever tip?
Mr. Pink: I don't tip because society says I have to. All right, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I'll give them something a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it's for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doing their job.
Mr. Blue: Hey, our girl was nice.
Mr. Pink: She was okay. She wasn't anything special.

 

[bicker]

My point is, Bicker, that it's easier to tip once

I'm sorry I'm just not communicating what I'm saying very well. I'm saying that the Dining Plan is in some ways like the included food on a cruise ship. And on a cruise ship, the tips are separate, not part of your quoted cruise fare. So it makes sense for the Dining Plan to separate out the gratuities as well. I hope that makes sense this time!

 

[bicker]

Talk about "spin control".

I think that's unfair. These people aren't elected officials. They're explaining their changes in the most appropriate manner possible given the circumstances. Keep in mind that often, if you don't like the answer, the problem might have been either with the question, or with asking the question. We, as customers, aren't entitled to any answers to the question, "Why?" yet often it seems that many customers feel entitled to such answers.

Most guests posting said they were encouraged to order appetizers and desserts by the server even if they didn't want them.

I think you missed the point (though, I cannot imagine how you did so). In those cases, it was the server advocating folks over-order, perhaps to boost the server's gratuity. Yet Disney's management could very readily have reliable information indicating that guests didn't care for some food, or more properly, didn't value having so much food, as part of the offering.

 

[bicker]

Whats to stop me from just getting up and not paying?Where dos it state i have to tip?If you have to tip this says to me its part of the price so why wasnt it inclueded?

It is really part of our culture's social contract. Folks are, of course, able to transgress against the reasonable expectations placed on them, if the so choose, but why even speculate about that? It seems so base. As mentioned before, why would anyone take out their upset against circumstance or against Disney on the server!?!? Are there really many people so quick and willing to be so unfair to someone working hard to make ends meet?