Disney Dining Experience card change?

[dizneekim]

I just called to order a DDE card for our Dec. trip, and there was a new bit of information on the opening phone message. Starting in Jan 08, there will be an 18% gratuity automatically charged, regardless of group size, when using the DDE card. I asked the young lady for clarification. She said that when we use our DDE card, we will be charged an 18% gratuity. I said, "So I'm paying $65 for this card to get a 2% discount?" She confirmed. I asked if I was not using the card if the 18% would be automatically charged, and she said, "No, not unless your party was 6 or larger. But most people leave at least a 15% tip anyway."

Yes, we do usually leave a 15-20+% tip according to service, but I don't like the idea of having it decided for me. We used to think of the DDE and the tip as pretty much a wash; now it just doesn't seem to be worth getting the card. Am I missing something here, or having a mommy moment? Thoughts, please. Thank you!

 

[tinkandpan]

I guess it depends on whether or not you used to tip before or after the discount. If you tipped based on the final bill before discount, nothing would discount wise (in fact our servers will be making less with this change since we nromally leave 20 percent.) I think there are a lot of people who tip on the discounted amount and perhaps the servers are missing out. I do plan on causing a fuss if service is stinky since I hate being told what i need to tip. You can see the above thread regarding this topic.

 

[JennyDrake]

PLENTY of people, including me are NOT happy about it.

 

[Pumbaa_]

scroll through a few pages, there was a very large thread when the news was announced. Current DDE holders received an email.

We will not rehash the issue, you are not alone in feeling like you hate being told what to tip.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Disney also announced a new 'look' for the DDE cards in 2008 that was kinda lost in all the bru-ha-ha.

The new cards will not have the raised numbers and will look more like traditional ticket media with a special DDE front side graphic.

They will come in the tyvek ticket material or in a laminate card (like a room key) style with a magnetic stripe on the back.

All the info for the card holder including name and expiration date will be printed on the back -- again - similar to ticket media.

Just FYI.

Knox

 

[Pumbaa_]

I did miss that Knox in all the brouhaha (I love that word)

thanks for the news

 

[dizneekim]

Thank you for your replies. I finally looked back thru the pages and found the original thread-not sure why it didn't come up on my original search. After some figuring, DH and I think we will still come out ahead with the DDE card. I suppose what really bugs me is that the choice of the gratuity has been taken away from us, unless we choose to pay more or fuss to the manager to pay less. I feel as if our honor has been insulted. Anyway, vacations and good eating will go on.

 

[Straughn]

Is the 18% gratuity being added based on the price before or after the DDE discount? Like tinkandpan, we have always tipped 15-20% on the pre-discount price. Since Disney has decided to do the math for me, I will go with their numbers, unless the service is tremendouly good and then I will add more. I still look at the DDE discount as basically covering the tip.

 

[Brian Noble]

Almost certainly before---when getting a discount on a meal, it is customary to tip on the full value, not the discounted price.

 

[jarrdisney]

If a server is really that bad, then complain. They would have no problem accommodating you.

 

[shellybaxter]

In considering all of the times that I've used the DDE card (many, many times) I can only think of one time I've tipped less than 20% plus. My service has always been excellant, with only one exception. I did speak to the manager that meal and I believe she would have removed an auto tip if I had asked as she agreed the service I received was sub-par.

So I believe I will continue to recieve the same value from the DDE card as usual, maybe a bigger value as I plan to leave the tip as is for general good service. Additional tips will only be given if the service is excellant and above the norm.

I'm not really upset with the changes at all. I will, however, be upset if service drops because of the auto tip. I will definately be speaking with a manager and Disney Guest Services if this happens to an extent that I deem unappropiate.

 

[simpilotswife]

So the gratuity is just for DDE members?

*whew* cause I was gonna be a very unhappy person.

 

[noahdove]

Ok, I am a little confused. Please explain the difference between ddp, and dde..or isn't there any? thank you in advance

 

[shellybaxter]

The DDP - or Disney Dining Plan is a pre-paid meal plan that is available if you stay in a Disney hotel, purchasing the dining plan and tickets with the room as a package. The DDP allows a certain number of dining credits for both counter service and table service meals.

The DDE - or Disney Dining Expirience is a 20% of discount card that is good at most sit down and some counter services restaurants (good for both food and alcohol) and can only be purchased by Florida residents and Annual Passholders for around $65.00

 

[offkilterfan]

The main issue I have with this is that it stated that the automatic 18% gratuity for the DDE will put it line with other Disney Dining plans, but in 2008 the gratuity will not be included in the DDP. This is being changed because the level of service had gone down because the servers knew that if you were on the DDP, they were going to get their 18% gratuity no matter what kind of service they gave. Now, on the DDE, if they said it was being added because people were tipping off the discounted price, I would have had less of an issue with it. Like others, if the service is good we tip 20%, so the server will miss out, but if it's bad then we tip less, which I believe should be our choice. Plus, I don't like the automatic gratuity on lounge tabs, especially with specialty drinks that cost as much as an appetizer and take less time to make.

With all that said, we probably will still come out ahead.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

scroll through a few pages, there was a very large thread when the news was announced. Current DDE holders received an email.

We will not rehash the issue, you are not alone in feeling like you hate being told what to tip.

Just wanted to say that not all current DDE holders got an email. We didn't. I have had my card since about July. The first I heard about it was on here.

 

[Christopher5927]

Just wanted to say that not all current DDE holders got an email. We didn't. I have had my card since about July. The first I heard about it was on here.

No email for me either.
This is obviously Disney's way of getting rid of the card. Fewer people with buy it, then they can say there is no demand for it and get rid of it.