Do the changes in the DDE make you want the DDP?

[ducklite]

Not just DDE and DDP but cash meals as well according to today's email from DDE indicated. See the quote here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1633448

I'm trying not to sound like I'm irrationally defending The Mouse, but I don't have a real problem with this. Servers get stiffed all the time by people who are ignorant of the need to tip (other countries handle tipping differently), cheapskates or those who simply make a mistake ("didn't YOU leave the tip?")

Unless the service is terrible, we always start around 20%--even more for excellent service. So this doesn't really impact me at all.

If our service is notably poor, I'll ask for a manager and get the tip removed. It's that simple.

I can understand objecting on principle alone, but this really shouldn't hit anyone in the pocketbook since they should be aware of the expectation to tip going in. If it causes a downturn in service I'll address that with management and ultimately vote with my wallet by going elsewhere.

I could have written this post. I just don't see what the big deal is.

I'm assuming those who are complaining about tipping 18% are the ones who have been stiffing the servers all along.

We'll add an additional gratuity on top of the 18%, because unless the service is really blow expectations, we always leave at least 20%. And if the service is subpar, we'll do what we always do and speak to a manager and ahve the tip adjusted accordingly.

 

[bobbiwoz]

How can this mean that people must tip if they are on DDP? I thought this is only ensuring that people on DDE will leave a tip, which I am pretty sure everyone did before...and mostly at least as much as the discount.

Bobbi

 

[DVC Mike]

Back to the OP, no, I don't see why the changes to the DDE (automatic charge of 18% gratuity) would in any way make the DDE less valuable to me, or why that would cause me to consider the DDP.

 

[nhdisnut]

We look at the DDE as saving us our tip money since we always tip 20% anyway, unless the service is horrendous. I will still add on a couple of extra dollars even if they charge me the 18%, but I know I'm a bigger tipper than some.

This is my thinking exactly!

As far as the DDP vs. DDE, we beleive that the DDE will be less expensive for us in the long run - not to mention the fact that we simply ate way too much with DDP! With DDE we can pick and choose what we want (and not feel that we all have to have a dessert to ourselves, for example).

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Back to the OP, no, I don't see why the changes to the DDE (automatic charge of 18% gratuity) would in any way make the DDE less valuable to me, or why that would cause me to consider the DDP.

According to this quote from the e-mail

"We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support. "

Does this also pertain to CS? If so, this does affect the value of DDE.

 

[kapeman]

I guess I don't get this logic.

Let's say hubby and I go to California Grill and spend $250 without the DDE. They add an 18% tip and we spend $295.

We spend $65 on the DDE and have the same meal - they add the tip off the $250, but subtract the 20% discount. We now spend $245 on our meal. We've still saved $50 on a single meal. Do that over the course of a vacation, and the DDE can more than pay for itself. Basically, the DDE now covers your mandatory tip.

You're right, I didn't do the math. I just subtracted 18 from 20.

 

[dvc at last !]

What changes ?

 

[crisi]

I'm assuming those who are complaining about tipping 18% are the ones who have been stiffing the servers all along.
.

We don't stiff servers, but I find the concept of tipping to be poorly thought out and mandatory tipping to be abhorent. If it is part of the cost of providing the service, build it into your cost of goods sold and the price of your product.

What tipping does is moves the cost of providing the labor - and the RISKS associated with a slow night - from the restaurant to the server. And I'm a little sick as well of waiters who argue that my 18% tip is required on my $250 dinner because they EXPECT to get stiffed by other tables so they really don't make all that great money anyway or because Tuesday night is slow. Its like some tax on doing the right thing.

 

[DisneyRN51207]

Could you please elaborate here - how is it now easier to acquire?

Thanks!

The DDE card is now available at the parks rather than sending away for it and waiting through processing and such.

 

[ducklite]

According to this quote from the e-mail

"We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support. "

Does this also pertain to CS? If so, this does affect the value of DDE.

How? DDE isn't accepted at CS places? How would a quick service place now charging a gratuity affet teh value of DDE?

 

[BCV23]

How? DDE isn't accepted at CS places? How would a quick service place now charging a gratuity affet teh value of DDE?

It is accepted at a few CS....the value food courts as well as POFQ and Artist Palette at SSR. Also at some CS in AK although we'll have to see if that changes once Y&Y opens.

But I would guess that is just an oversight in the email as the vast majority of DDE restaurants & lounges will be affected.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think if this is true (18% added for DDP and for cash meals) a lot of people on the DDP are going to be in for a very rude surprise.

The DDP when tip was included was a great deal - we just used it for the first time.

The DDP when tip wasn't included wasn't a great deal to ethical people, but we all know that not every single person intending to use "free dining" is 100% ethical - not everyone was going to tip 18% - some people were going to stiff their servers - others were going to walk away from feeding four people at LeCellier and leave a $10 bill on the table.

Now they can't stiff their servers, so you have a $40 DDP, order $50 worth of food at dinner, and have a $9 tip that you need to pay for - right there up front.

I suspect Disney finally realized that many DDP users were not going to tip - there was going to be a lot of "oh, it was included last year, I didn't know" - some of it from people who truly did not know about a change and some of it from people not interested in letting any more money than necessary leave their pockets. There was going to be a lot of underestimating because who pays attention to prices when on the DDP?!

Disney ALWAYS realized this would happen! I was blasted by a few posters a while back for saying the DDP changes were actually price "increases". They weren't going to not include tips and allow patrons to not include it voluntarily. This all has to do with the most recent union contracts.

This now forces the servers to report ALL their tips to the IRS. I bet many of them are unhappy about this.

 

[AKV707]

We usally tip 20% so this won't affect us at all and we will stick with the DDE. This year's DE has already paid for itself and then some. A 20% discount is stll a 20% savings.

 

[Sammie]

The change only affects DDE at full service and parties of 6 or more, it will not affect counter service.

 

[kdzgon]

I believe you can now go to any guest relations in any park, DTD, etc., the day you arrive and pick up a DDE card. You will no longer have to call 4 - 6 weeks ahead of time and wait to get the card.

Thanks for the clarification - guess I was thinking "easier" referred to qualifying (AP of Fl res only), not ordering. Duh, me!

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

The DDP was never appealing to us and I think taking away the gratuity makes it less appealing. We've found the DDE card gives us a better discount. As far as adding the 18% tip to the DDE, I really don't have a problem with that. We always just took the 20% discount and gave it back to the server anyway.

 

[Sammie]

The DDP was never appealing to us and I think taking away the gratuity makes it less appealing. We've found the DDE card gives us a better discount. As far as adding the 18% tip to the DDE, I really don't have a problem with that. We always just took the 20% discount and gave it back to the server anyway.

Which Disney probably knew happens most of the time with DDE anyway and felt most would still be coming out 2% ahead.

All of this was decided during contract negotiations this summer.

 

[edk35]

Well we all know how THESE TIPPING THREADS GO...but I must say that I surely hope that our service doesn't go down hill because now the servers are guaranteed their tip NO MATTER WHAT so to speak. 90% of the time we get great service but even at WDW we have on occasion not gotten good service. So the automatic tipping thing does concern me to an extent. I consider myself a good tipper and just because I have concerns about this change does not in anyway mean I am the type of person to STIFF the server.

 

[PinkTink63]

I don't think this is any big deal, because we leave at least an 18% tip. We usually have good service, so they would get that anyway. I will be unhappy if, because they know they are getting the tip regardless of their service, the service level declines!

 

[frogman]

I could have written this post. I just don't see what the big deal is.

I'm assuming those who are complaining about tipping 18% are the ones who have been stiffing the servers all along.

We'll add an additional gratuity on top of the 18%, because unless the service is really blow expectations, we always leave at least 20%. And if the service is subpar, we'll do what we always do and speak to a manager and ahve the tip adjusted accordingly.

Your assuming wrong, but that is the danger with stereotypes and assuming, isn't it?

The forced gratuity (actually service charge) will save my family money, as like tjkraz we start at 20% and go up or down from there based on the server's 'performance' (Remembet they are CMs too!).

What I object to, is the loss of freedom. Being told what to do, because others don't. (Weither because of cultutal differences in tipping, cheapness, accidental error, or some other reason, I don't know, nor do I choose to judge).

But, believeing that human nature is what it is, service will surely go down, as 18% is guarenteed wheter you hussle, or chat with friends in the kitchen. This will hurt the great waitstaff financially, and reward the 'bottom of the barrel' without any improvement in their service, that is what I object to.