Gratuity Question

[butterfly8]

This trip we have 2 families traveling together in a party of 7 so the tip will automatically be added to our checks. We have no problem tipping the 18% (or more) when we recieve adequate service. BUT... what if the server just completely drops the ball? What then? What recourse do we have?

 

[TDC Nala]

You would need to contact the restaurant manager and ask to have the tip reduced or removed, and explain why.

 

[butterfly8]

Can I just write "Cash" on the tip line and leave the appropriate tip on the table? I really hate to ruin the whole vacation vibe by talking to management.

 

[TDC Nala]

Can I just write "Cash" on the tip line and leave the appropriate tip on the table? I really hate to ruin the whole vacation vibe by talking to management.

Not if the tip is automatically added to your bill. This is in effect a mandatory 18% gratuity which you are being charged due to your party size. Only way to reduce it is to get a manager to do it.

I would think the vacation vibe would already be ruined if the service was that bad.

 

[cmwade77]

Well, I know in New York that they can't enforce an automatic tip, there was a big case about it that was on the news, I do not know if this holds true for Florida, but really, Management should know when the service wasn't up to snuff anyway, so that it can be improved.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And while I understand the concern (and, okay, haven't read too many dining trip reports ), I think the fear of unworthy service is pretty much unfounded.

At any rate, if you are experiencing poor or unsatisfactory service in a restaurant, at Disney or elsewhere, the BEST time to address it is while it's occuring - or not occuring, technically.

 

[DiszyDean]

The automatic 18% gratuity for parties of 6 or more is non-negotiable without speaking to a manager and added directly to your bill. By sitting down at the resteraunt, you have agreed to pay it. Not paying it is equivalent to "walking the check".

For the amount of times I have been in WDW, I cannot say there would be even one time where I would have felt like I would not have wanted to pay it. Good service all-around. Maybe some people are more picky than me, but I would think you would need a pretty darn good excuse to give the manager as to why you didn't want to pay the auto grat. Personally, I think people worry about bad service way too much and sometimes those concerns become self-fullfilling.

 

[Nancyg56]

For the amount of times I have been in WDW, I cannot say there would be even one time where I would have felt like I would not have wanted to pay it. Good service all-around. Maybe some people are more picky than me, but I would think you would need a pretty darn good excuse to give the manager as to why you didn't want to pay the auto grat. Personally, I think people worry about bad service way too much and sometimes those concerns become self-fullfilling.

I would agree with you. I have one instance of mediocre service and one where the service was not good. The tip was included that time but there was an additional tip added onto our bill for wine and cocktails. I did speak to the manager that time about the additional tip and that was subtracted. Honestly the service has been outstanding the majority of meals we have enjoyed, but than we go expecting that we will enjoy our entire experience and that also seems to be self-fulfilling.

 

[JimMIA]

The automatic 18% gratuity on parties of six or more, and all DDE card transactions, is a negotiated provision in Disney's contract with their employees. It is what labor lawyers call a "term and condition of employment."

The automatic gratuity is no secret -- it's on the menus, DDP and DDE brochures, and many other places. And as noted above, if you sit down to eat, you've accepted the automatic gratuity.

Since it's a contract provision and NOT just a restaurant policy, I would expect the managers to have some difficulty in reversing the tip.

They may have some way around that (the restaurant pays the tip instead of you, or something), but I don't know what it is. If they don't have a workaround, you'll just have to pay it.

 

[Disney Debbie]

It's a contract with Disney - not with me! I saw someone on another thread say they had the tip taken off or reduced at Boma due to poor service. So I know it can be done.

However - I've only once had poor service at WDW and that was at Big River. Other then that, I'd say most of my service has been exceptional. But like the reference to the self fulfilling prophecy - I go in expecting it to be good, I'm very friendly and respectful to the server and get the same treatment back.

 

[Think Pink Tink]

If we are a party of 6 will the CM leave a bill for the 18% gratuity and then we can pay cash or charge to our room????? I would rather pay the cash but I just want to make sure we have the option. We were on the DDP in 2006 when tip was included so this is all new to us. Thanks for helping...we leave in 12 days

 

[JimMIA]

If we are a party of 6 will the CM leave a bill for the 18% gratuity and then we can pay cash or charge to our room????? I would rather pay the cash but I just want to make sure we have the option. We were on the DDP in 2006 when tip was included so this is all new to us. Thanks for helping...we leave in 12 days

Yes. You can pay the tip in cash, with a credit card, or room-bill it.

 

[Bell30012]

I've always hated "mandatory" tipping amounts. I feel that I am usually a pretty generous tipper if the service is above average (usually 20-25%). However, a waiter/waitress that are just doing "their job" isn't going to score many points.

Even with the Disney Dining Plan, I've always tipped in addition to the plan (the tip was included before). I had one waiter at the Liberty Tree Tavern that actually went to another location to get my daughter an uncrustable that was grape rather than cherry. He got a great tip.

 

[ohiojoy]

Not if the tip is automatically added to your bill. This is in effect a mandatory 18% gratuity which you are being charged due to your party size. Only way to reduce it is to get a manager to do it.

I would think the vacation vibe would already be ruined if the service was that bad.

I hate how restaurants seem to think tip amounts are mandatory. I don't think they should ever be calculated and added automatically otherwise what's the point? I think 99.99% of people will always leave a fair tip for fair service, but they need the option to leave less if the service was over the top awful.

 

[HeidiGW]

Question:
Is a party of five plus a non-ordering or plate sharing one-year-old subject to the manditory tip?

 

[DiszyDean]

I hate how restaurants seem to think tip amounts are mandatory. I don't think they should ever be calculated and added automatically otherwise what's the point? I think 99.99% of people will always leave a fair tip for fair service, but they need the option to leave less if the service was over the top awful.

I think your 99.99% number of people leaving a fair tip for fair service is probably a little high. Servers get stiffed all the time and not just for poor service.