Disney dining plan will NOT include grat in 2008

[Disneyserver]

we have been told that we can tell the guests on the ddp that the gratuity is no longer included so I am sure the servers will do that and no one will have the excuse that they thought the grat was included , plus there will be a tip card saying no grat was added to your bill, and there will be a suggested 18% and 20% amount so people know what to tip on there total

 

[laura001]

I can honestly say that it will definitely make me think twice about whether the plan is worth it for us or not once we have to include the gratuity.

I would say that we will probably go back to our old style of dining instead of doing the DDP, which was eating one very nice TS meal every second day (like CG, HBD etc.). For us the DDP is still economical for us even if we don't use every credit, one of the main reasons is because of the tip being included, plus the fact that we don't have to worry about bringing the cash etc. It is nice to have it all done ahead of time, so convenience really pays for itself.

One more thing, I really don't like the fact that Disney is basically raising the price of the DDP by dropping the 18%, it is dirty pool on their behalf (IMHO), if they wanted 18% more for the DDP they should just charge it!

 

[kribit]

I always wondered how much Corp took from the 18% and how much actually went in the servers pocket.

A very good friend of mine served tables during college at Cap n' Jacks years ago and I remember her complaining that people would come from other countries and wouldn't leave a dime, so I suppose the dining plan assists in ensuring that people are paid for their hard work. It's much easier to include it for those countries that their culture doesn't tip.

I hope it all works out, but I'll continue to tip 20% for great service.

 

[2forMe]

Eek so they are going to increase the price and remove the tip.. well DDP will not be for me then. I cannot imagine paying 20-25 for my little ones.. no way.. boo Disney!!!

The DDP will be around 40-45 dollars a day for an adult 10 or older and 20-25 for a child under 10 and not Include a Tip, and if your a party of 6 they will present u a seperate check for the gratuity for the server, the DDE card u need to pay for that card, and it gets u 205 off for a year for under 80 dollars and will include 18% grat effective Jan 1st 2008 The DDE card is not valid on major Holidays ..

As you can see the cast members and the guests are getting screwed in disney's money making tactics.

Read your stock Numbers, Walt Disney World posts 7-8 billion dollars in profit each quarter, Walt disney himself would be shocked with what they have done to his dreams

 

[Disneyserver]

Ok, I am getting a little concerned over all this hype. To be completely honest, I think this is bogus. I think the person giving us this information is unrelible and exagerating. Some of the statements seem to be rather silly and inconsistent. Please, my friends, don't panic over one person's rumor. Don't get concerned, frightened, or worried. Plan your vacation like normal, buy the DDP, enjoy the resteraunts, and wait for anything official before changing. It seems to me, if I was to make some outlandish statement and swear it to be fact, then people would believe me and start the complaints immediately.

Just my opinion on what I perceive.

Have a great day.

lol, like I have all day making bogus remarks, Disney will not post anything to the guests till they have a plan to go through this smoothly, thats why these boards are here so you can hear things from cast members first and not have to wait to read about it.... So please stop with the hating

 

[AUTimmy]

AND THE BULLY PART IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO COME FOR FREE DINING, SOME OF THEM IN THEORY HAVE NEVER EATEN AT A FULL SERVICE RESTUARANT EXCEPT MAYBE A FAST FOOD BREAKFAST PLACE,..

And you think people want to tip you after hearing this?

 

[goofy4tink]

if anyone wants to purchase one of these cards you can call 407.566.
5858 To buy it, They are backed up on them now, so don't wait till the last minute to buy them, and starting Jan 1st 2008 auto 18% grat will be added to the first total on your bill , But not until then unless your a party of 8 or more

And don't forget you have to be either a Florida resident or an AP holder to buy one! And they are always backed up...it would be senseless to buy one now for future use. They end a year (plus one month depending on the date you order it) from your order date. Who in their right mind would order one now for a trip more than 3 months down the road.

 

[Disneyserver]

I always wondered how much Corp took from the 18% and how much actually went in the servers pocket.

A very good friend of mine served tables during college at Cap n' Jacks years ago and I remember her complaining that people would come from other countries and wouldn't leave a dime, so I suppose the dining plan assists in ensuring that people are paid for their hard work. It's much easier to include it for those countries that their culture doesn't tip.

I hope it all works out, but I'll continue to tip 20% for great service.

yes the guests from other countries are horrible tippers if they tip at all, the english are the worst, and the irish, and canadians if they tip at all its 5% and they all know we live off tips, its there excuse not to tip well because of the rep they have had for many years, and they dont read tip cards even if u put it right on top of there bill

 

[mom2my3kids]

And you think people want to tip you after hearing this?

I will have to say that around tax season, you get all kinds of people who normally can't afford to eat at a restaurant come in and stiff you or leave a 1.00 so I can see where she is coming from. But during free dining tips are included so I don't see where the problem is..

 

[micksterlee]

Are there not other restaurants in the area you can work at ? I don't want to be rude but if I had as much experience as a server as you do and I was this unhappy with my current situation I would move on.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I will do the dining plan next year but 18% is vastly too much for a tip. Why don't the servers try and get a proper wage. I would rather food cost be increased so that the staff get a decent wage rather than rely on tips.

And here's the proof that this is going to hurt the servers.....

The servers at Disney aren't the only ones being paid less than minimum wage, it's the norm in this country. I don't think the servers can lobby for a nationwide culture shift.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Disneyserver, I want to apologize here in public if I've misread your motives or intentions. Cyberspace can be a lousy place to communicate. I have to dig deep to find one molecule of cynicism in my body, but I'm just a little wary of rumor, even from reliable sources, especially when I've found what is probably an honest mistake on your part.

I'm going to content myself with a "we'll see" attitude. I wouldn't be counted among those who'd condemn whatever takes the place of Tusker House, or who'd try to get reservations at Yak & Yeti without even seeing a menu.

So, again, I'm sorry if I was off base. And ... we'll see. When it's official, I'll make adjustments accordingly, and not borrow trouble.

 

[Disneyserver]

I will have to say that around tax season, you get all kinds of people who normally can't afford to eat at a restaurant come in and stiff you or leave a 1.00 so I can see where she is coming from. But during free dining tips are included so I don't see where the problem is..

Disney has rumored to us this year 2007 will be the last year for free dining in august and september , and the dining plans will change and the format will change and the price will remain the same or increase , yes until 1/1/08 grat will be 18% on meal plans, so august and september are not tax season , last time i checked it was at the beginning of the year was tax season.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

OP- What is the logic behind adding 18% grat to DDE guests? Are they less likely to tip than other OOP full price guests? We just tipped the discount when we used it (20% of the *original* bill).

 

[dannyh23]

I think the servers will suffer significantly lower tips if this change happens.

I totally agree with that point. There is *no way* that a server will be able to beat an 18% automatic tip on the most expensive menu items over 3 courses.

The "DDP with automatic 18% tip" goose that laid the golden egg for servers has now left the building, thanks the agreement that a majority of the Disney union agreed to. No one FORCED the union to agree to the "new deal".

I have dined many, many times at Disney -- both on and off the DDP. Until now, I have never noted the slightest difference in service based on how we were paying for the meal.

I have not had bad service either. I totally agree with that point. But... there have been plenty of posts on here that report bad service. There have also been plenty that say they've had excellent service, regardless of DDP or not.

Take away the automatic tip, and I guess we will see what happens, but we can look at what happened before. People ate, and most people tipped. Maybe all didn't tip 18%, maybe some tipped 15%, maybe some tipped 20%, maybe some stiffed servers. Maybe some people stiffed servers that did a excellent job, maybe some still paid 20% to server that did a bad job.

I always tip good service at least 20%. I know plenty of people that don't. I know a person who tips $2 at every place they go.... then after they walk away we put more on the table!

And because of the previous history of the DDP, they can rationalize their boorish behavior by saying, "Oh...I thought the tip was INCLUDED like it always used to be. ( )"

We're assuming that they weren't told about tips not being included when buying the plan, when checking in, when being served, and when the bill comes with the little white card. If someone still acts boorish, nothing a server can do can change that. Like you said, that's just human nature!

 

[Lewisc]

Several long time posters, who are servers at WDW, confirmed those changes were present in the contract that was just voted on.

This is not the first time this topic has ben posted here and each time it solicits lots of feedback.

Just want to point out that the person posting this information just joined the DIS and this looks like the only postings fromt hat person. But the person seems quite knowledgeable about the DIS.

Take this for what its worth, but until it is OFFICIALLY announced by Disney, it isn't fact.

 

[wolverine2010]

If the price of the DDP goes up from what it is now w/tips included is disney keeping the old tip amount and rate increase???...How much of a increase would that be in total???

 

[Disneyserver]

OP- What is the logic behind adding 18% grat to DDE guests? Are they less likely to tip than other OOP full price guests? We just tipped the discount when we used it (20% of the *original* bill).

and we know this a majority of the dde guests tipped us the whole 20% they got off the bill, but it was Disney who threw in the auto grat for dde card to make us less mad about the removal of the ddp grat, which we didnt like this idea, but we are a small part of the union, and most everyone else works for an hourly wage and when they hear the word RAISE they vote yes without reading completely into it, yes the contract passed by 380 votes, and people besides servers will get a raise the price of health insurance will be raised so the raise they just voted for is being used to pay for higher insurance, we have a lot of international non english speaking cast members who take the advice of the union leaders and they all reccomended a YES vote

 

[Disneyserver]

If the price of the DDP goes up from what it is now w/tips included is disney keeping the old tip amount and rate increase???...How much of a increase would that be in total???

it will either stay the same or will be increased in price, but it will not be lowered, and yes the 18% grat will no longer be part of the ddp plan in the new year

 

[Luv'sTink]

yes the guests from other countries are horrible tippers if they tip at all, the english are the worst, and the irish, and canadians if they tip at all its 5% and they all know we live off tips, its there excuse not to tip well because of the rep they have had for many years, and they dont read tip cards even if u put it right on top of there bill

Why would they know you live off your tips? From my understanding the US is the only country that tips so high a percentage.

My in-laws would be pissed to find out you think they are cheap because they always tip more than 5%, more like 20%. I think that was a slam at Canadians. they are a huge guest base.

I have also seen supposed servers on the Dis saying they don't the 18% anyway, It can't be both ways.