Disney dining plan will NOT include grat in 2008

[MBELSANTI]

This is a link to another thread I just read on this topic stating that tips will be included next year:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1458550

I guess it depends on which thread one reads.

Interestingly, the news reports I'm reading show the union representing food servers endorsed the new contract. (see http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...7jun07,0,97902.story?coll=orl-home-headlines)....

As for tipping - I think those traditionally tipped are getting a bad rap, perhaps, because of the exploding number of "TIP" jars found everywhere....and I do think it IS uniquely American (spoken as an American, mind you ) I never remember having to tip for an ice cream cone, or my take-home pizza, etc....now the jars are all over the place.

It's not that the wait staff doesn't deserve it (when the service is good) it's that other areas of life are getting some folks a bit tipped-out!

I totally agree Since when do I need to tip when buying my morning cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts LOL

 

[mickeysaver]

I can honestly say that I will not be doing the dining plan in 2008 or beyond if they are not including the tip and if the price of the DDP doesn't go down to account for the loss in value.

I have never used the DDP before, but we opted to do it for our upcoming trip in October/November of 2007. I can honestly say that I would change my package booking to a room only if the DDP changes were to take place before 2008. This is because for us, knowing that at least an 18% tip is included is part of what makes this very valuable for us during our stay at the F&W festival. Our focus this time is on Food & Wine more than rides and shows. In case there is any doubt, I have every intention of augmenting the tip that the DDP allows for, when excellent service is given.

With the exception of trying to kill off 2D animation, this has got to be one of the dumbest ideas that Disney has ever had. Maggie

 

[IggyLans]

AND THE BULLY PART IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO COME FOR FREE DINING

Gee, thanks alot. Making me feel really good right about now. BTW, I have no problem with the tip being taken out out of the DDP. It will give us more freedom to decide and tip accordingly to the type of service received.

 

[eeyoresnr]

Excuse me, but the more you post comments like this, the less sympathy you are getting. First free dinners are rude, bullies who have never eaten out in public and free loaders who shouldn't complain about the service they get, because they're getting their meals for free. Now your criticizing foreigners. It sounds like you really don't like the people you serve very much. I hope all servers don't think the way you do about their customers.

well said! sounds to me like if Disneyserver knows you are on the free dining plan you automaticaly get crappy service. and from the post I have read on other threads it sounds to me like maybe Disney servers don't have to give great service to people on the dining plan as they know they will get 18% anyways. maybe Disney should come up with a tip card that lets the DDP customers rate their service and tip according to that. then everyone might get equal service.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We decided about 3 trips ago that we come out WAY better with DDE than we do with DDP, and we always tip the 20% DDE discount back to the server. If this change offsets some of the negatives brought about by DDP (overcrowding, rude servers because they are guaranteed a tip, limited menu options, etc.) then I am all for it!

For the first time we managed to snag free dining for August, but I have no plans to be rude to anyone, and I made my ADRs at 180 days out so I won't be griping that I don't have a table.

 

[IggyLans]

I have no plans to be rude to anyone, and I made my ADRs at 180 days out so I won't be griping that I don't have a table.

THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[eeyoresnr]

AND THE BULLY PART IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO COME FOR FREE DINING

Gee, thanks alot. Making me feel really good right about now. BTW, I have no problem with the tip being taken out out of the DDP. It will give us more freedom to decide and tip accordingly to the type of service received.

I don't know about you but I hope I never get Disneyserver for my server

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Dang.

 

[penjen]

Disneyserver- I’m very offended by the comments that you have made throughout the thread. You sound like maybe you need to find a new ‘profession’. It doesn’t sound like you are too happy. We go on vacation to be happy and hopefully the servers are happy too. To take it out on the people you serve (directly or indirectly) is not very professional. I will not be involved in trying to get your easy 18% back. You are on your own my friend.

 

[eeyoresnr]

Disneyserver- I’m very offended by the comments that you have made throughout the thread. You sound like maybe you need to find a new ‘profession’. It doesn’t sound like you are too happy. We go on vacation to be happy and hopefully the servers are happy too. To take it out on the people you serve (directly or indirectly) is not very professional. I will not be involved in trying to get your easy 18% back. You are on your own my friend.

I'm with you

 

[GreatLakes5]

DISNEY TOOK IT AWAY THEY TOLD THE UNION IT WILL BE NON NEGIOTABLE , WE WERE LUCKY TO GET SOME STUFF FROM DISNEY, THEY DO NOT CARE FOR US SERVERS.

It is widely reported in business news circles that the food servers' union ENDORSED voting for the contract as offered.....

 

[IggyLans]

I don't know about you but I hope I never get Disneyserver for my server

No kidding...

 

[Tigger1]

We tip out food runners, and bartenders, and some locations bussers, and the expo and the grat we currently receive on the DDP goes on our paychecks after we share with the backup cast members that help present your food...

Disneyserver

Tips are a taxable as they are wages.

Having food runners, and bartenders, bussers, allows the server to serve more guest, which means more tips.

I worked in many fine restaurants. Very few customers were rude.
If one was rude I would try to help them have an enjoyable dinner, resulting to a change in attitude. That was my job, in my opinion.

If you feel your customers are so rude, try teaching a subject that students do not like, and here it is not your job to make them happy, the job is to make sure they learn.

My advice to you is find a different job.

 

[Disneyserver]

It is widely reported in business news circles that the food servers' union ENDORSED voting for the contract as offered.....

REMEBER THE UNION REPRESENTS EVERYONE IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE AND THEY GAVE THE COOKS AND THE QUICK SERVICE AND BARTENDERS A RAISE, THATS WHY THE CAST MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR, MAJORITY OF THE SERVERS VOTED NO....

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Honestly, Disneyserver, an individual with your experience and skills should be able to find somewhere in Orlando where you could make more money and be more content. I hate to see anyone in the state you seem to be in. I'm saying this in earnest, and not as a personal devaluation of any sort. If you're that angry at Disney, is this the forum to express that anger?

 

[septbaby]

Who are we to you tell another PERSON to earn respect? Everyone should be respected. You lose respect, not earn it. If you come to the table thinking the server has to earn respect, you are both people, should he/she think the same about you? Don't judge someone because of their job or better yet what you think of their job. Guests that think as your described make the server job less appealing, so those great people who want some respect with their job choose not do the server job. Then you get people who either don't want the jobs or aren't very good at them. What would your Disney vacation be like if you didn't have servers, bellpersons, drivers, custodians, you get the picture. Those folks do jobs that you value. Respect the fact that they are working, paying taxes and helping our families enjoy our vacations.

As for removing the 18% from the plan, be honest many guests will feel like they already paid for dinner with the plan and will likely skip or skimp on the tip. If you are on the DDP unless you pay OOP for someone's item or order alcohol, you don't even need to reach for your wallet. Will people really reach for a wallet at Chef Mickey's breakfast? We'll justify the low/no tip and save the money for something else Disney. That is fine for the company, but come on how many of us make $3-4/hr or even $7-8/hr. If the DDP is a good deal as many have stated on the board, then its OK to pay the 18% gratuity. In today's situation most are raving about how much they saved and the server is getting a fair tip too.

I am with you on adjusting my tip based on the level of service, and do so, but if you can get the server/manager to see what the issues are/were and get them resolved that gives the next diner a chance at a better experience, the server can improve and keep paying taxes and taking care of his or her family. If someone can't do the job, fire him or her, I do it regularly, but give him or her a chance, tools and coaching first.

Disneyserver, thanks for sharing and I'd be pleased sit at your table.

 

[Tigger1]

Dreamfinder

I think the OP is upset that DDP will not include tip. This means that Servers will depend on what the guest leave for a tip which also depends on the service.

With the DDP, if a server worked 5 hours, serving 40 customers total, earned $9/customer for tip (based on 18% tip for $50 per meal ( appitizer, entree and desert)), that would come to $360 in tips that day.



Many posters here stated that they would still leave a tip, actually some mentioned leaving 20%.

 

[EmptyCinema]

ITS TRUE JIM, THE INCREASED NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS COME DURING FREE DDP SEASON AND WE ALL SAY WHY THEY COMPLAINING SO MUCH?? THEY GOT IT FOR FREE...

ALSO I HAVE BEEN WITH DISNEY A VERY LONG TIME BEFORE THE MEAL PLANS WERE AROUND, AND BEFORE DISNEY LOWERED THE PRICES SO THAT ALL PEOPLE OF ALL INCOME BRACETS CAN ENJOY DISNEY AND ITS ATTRACTIONS. WE USED TO DO VERY WELL WHEN THERE WAS NO MEAL PLANS AND PEOPLE TIPPED US JUST FINE, AND ALOT LESS COMPLAINTS AND HEADACHES, THE DDP HAS MADE MY POCKET BIGGER AND BUT I HAVE MORE HEADACHES THEN BEFORE, AND PEOPLE CANT EAT AT THERE FAV PLACES BECAUSE OF THE DDP AND THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE ON IT....

If you give bad service, they should complain. If I get bad service, I will mention it to the restaurant manager AND guest relations. Though I have never used DDP, I think this will improve matters greatly. Guests will be free to tip as needed... those that receive bad service can leave little or no tip, those with great service can leave a large tip

 

[Dorisk3]

As to all that said that they didn't want Disneyserver as your waiter/waitress- get a life! We all have a right to a better workplace- that is what a union is for- and we have rights to complain about where we work. Let's face it- we're all a little biased here on the disboards- someone once said if the mouse kicked sand in your kid's face- you'd say the kid had it coming!
The argument of 'well if you don't like it- get another job!' is just plain ignorant. There are folks who are employed as servers at Disney- that is what they do for a living- and they don't want to get screwed by their employers- just like all of us in our own jobs. The fact is - if this is all true - Disney is going to stiff the waiters to end up paying for other increases in benefits. I think wait staff know more about the psychology of people than anyone- there will be many people that play dumb or just want to economize by not tipping properly- and the waitstaff will be forced to pay the price.
I wish for all of us that enjoy the DDP and enjoy the amount of money we save- that this change won't happen or this is an untrue rumor. But in the meanwhile attacking Disneyserver about his/her choice in profession is just senseless.

 

[septbaby]

I'm not upset, just my two cents of what I think will happen. If Disney is removing the tip, they believe otherwise. Normally we reach for our wallets, but on the DDP we don't HAVE to. I will leave less than 18% at a buffet, I'm serving myself!

I'll try to have less angst in my post as I am really looking forward to my trip, DDP and all.