Dining Plan/Tables And Wonderland

[Laurasw1977]

Ok quick question. Going back to Disney for our 30th trip in November. Trying to figure out if we are doing the AP Room only rate or the AP Room plus dine. My biggest issue is the tip part of meals. I don't personally feel that I should be forced to pay a certain percentage if the service wasn't up to par. Which way gives you the ability to put whatever tip you want on it? I understand you can ask the head service person to change the amount but I prefer not having to go through all that cause it can be a headache. So should we do the tables and wonderland or the disney dine? I have done the Math for everything else but stuck on the tip part.

 

[Tiger926]

Tables in Wonderland - fixed 18% tip on everything

Dining Plan - leave whatever tip you like

Tiger

 

[java]

How many are in your party- if 6 they add it on anyway. TIW saves you on alcohol too so that always wins in our book!

 

[Tiger926]

How many are in your party- if 6 they add it on anyway. TIW saves you on alcohol too so that always wins in our book!

Yes, you are correct about that.

I didn't mention it above, as all parties over 6 people are auto tip at Disney, just like you mentioned, regardless of how payment is taken.

Tiger

 

[Laurasw1977]

Only 4 in our party. Hmmm decisions decisions. I do love the tables and wonderland card because of adult beverages but hate that tip is automatically put on there. I like having the ability to decide if a server was worth the 18%. When tip was included on dining plan few years back, service wasnt usually as good cause server knew they were getting tipped already.

 

[java]

If it helps- we are a party of 6 so they know it's a fixed tip amount. This past trip we had some of the best service we ever have had before. (of course that could be tied to my teenage daughter.......)

 

[Marionnette]

Only 4 in our party. Hmmm decisions decisions. I do love the tables and wonderland card because of adult beverages but hate that tip is automatically put on there. I like having the ability to decide if a server was worth the 18%. When tip was included on dining plan few years back, service wasnt usually as good cause server knew they were getting tipped already.

I understand where you are coming from. A required tip is not a gratuity and I prefer to decide whether the level of service merits an 18% (or more) tip. However, the rules of the TiW are spelled out for anyone who wants to purchase it. So you buy it with the knowledge that you will be expected to pay an 18% gratuity. Since I routinely tip 20% (easy math) and will tip even more for exemplary service, I have no problem with the amount.

There are other discounts available. If you have an AP, there are some dining discounts (mostly for lunches). If you are DVC, you're also eligible for small discounts. And if you have a Disney Visa, they have just added a few discounts for using your card. None of those require you to pay a tip.

As to your last comment, I found no decline in the level of service when the tip was included in the dining plan. In fact, most servers were very helpful when it came to getting the most from your credits. The higher your bill, the bigger their tip was.

 

[DisneyEater]

I don't tell them I have the card until after the meal is over so I don't worry about them not trying for a good tip.

 

[Fire14]

In my experience I've gotten great service with TIW card, granted they didn't know I had card until end of meal. I actually got my worst service while on DDP at CRT!!! WE are not a hard bunch to handle but to see server once during entire meal is lacking.

 

[tenaseewalker]

Do what we do and don't tell them you have the TIW Card until they bring you the bill. The best thing about TIW is if you go back within the year you'll get 20% off your next vacation too.

 

[Laurasw1977]

I like the idea about waiting till end of meal. Never considered that.
Weve seen it all.... One year we even had server change her tip to 100.00..... Thankfully we caught it when we got home. I remember last trip we were at Chef Mickeys and server was plain rude..... Took half hour to get the tip off there. Turns out table next to us was doing the same thing.