gratuity included in bill, what if I don't agree?

[DanenRox]

With a party of 6 on the DDP I am aware that the gratuity will be automatically included in our bill. We've been to Disney enough to know that sometimes service is very good....sometimes it's not. Am I bound to this 18%(I assume) gratuity, or is it a "suggestion".

 

[BCV513]

I think you're pretty much bound to it. If service is really atrocious for some reason (and I highly doubt it will be) I'm sure you can ask for a manager and negotiate it. Otherwise, I think it's 18%

We have DDE, and it's now gratuity included. We found it much easier. We never knew if we should tip before or after the discount. And we usually tip more than 18%. So including it actually saved us money.

 

[pixiedust23]

You are pretty much bound to it. If it really bothers you, split up your party into the separate tables.

 

[Tricia1972]

As others have suggested you are bound to it.

You can find a lot of tipping information, including information about automatic gratuities, in the Official Tipping Thread in this forum. You can find it here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1870320

 

[honeymo78]

If you are having a problem with service, either say something to the server or please notify a manager before you get your bill. Hopefully the problems will be corrected before your meal ends or the management will be ready to adjust the tip amount. I would not wait to get the bill with the included gratuity and then go running for a manager. If the problems are great enough to warrant no tip, or significantly less tip, you really shouldn't be waiting to the end of the meal to have them addressed.

 

[pixiedust23]

And this is common in many restaurants, not just in Disney. I normally see it for parties of 8 or more, but it's still there. So that people don't stiff the server, b/c large tables are a great deal of work. Also you will find it often times in tourist locations, as there are a great deal of Europeans as well, and their tip is generally included in their bill.

 

[checkwriter]

I'm going to disagree with the previous posters. If the service you received does not warrant the gratuity that is applied, ask to see the manager, explain what went wrong, and tell him or her what gratuity you believe to be appropriate. A "gratuity" is not and cannot be mandatory. A "service charge" could be, but I don't believe they're calling this a service charge.

As a former bartender, I have no interest in stiffing any waiter, and usually tip at or about 20% for good service. But I did have a situation not too long ago (not in WDW) where I was paying for a large party (12 or 14 of us, so the gratuity was automatically applied), the service was terrible, and I advised the manager what our problems were and that my 10% tip was all the waiter was going to get. He was very understanding and I had no problems with it. (I don't think I've EVER not left anything for a waiter or waitress.)

That said, I understand this is one of those topics that seems to arouse the passions of many, and about which reasonable people can disagree strongly. So I'm prepared to be flambeed and fricasseed . . . .

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It can be adjusted, but waiting to the end of the meal is not going to be received as well as addressing the problems more point in time.

 

[Pumbaa_]

As Tricia mentioned above, there is a tipping thread for all questions about tipping. I hope this thread answered your questions, if not, please direct your questions to the tipping thread

thanks!