Gratuity to be removed from DDP!!

[dman11]

I would not pay for DDP if the gratuity was not included. Yes I like the convenience of using the DDP but if I had to carry around enough cash for 100% of the tip I would not buy the DDP. I always tip extra if the service warrants it. However, we would just not eat as many TS meals, which in the long run would probably end up saving us money anyway. The only reason we are doing a TS every day is because we have the DDP. We're usually a "play it by ear" type of family that would rather stop to eat at a place that is easy than worry about ADR's on our vacation.

Yeah the TS meals are nice but the lower value, and what I feel would be a backhanded 18% increase in the price, would not be worth it to us. We would still do a CM or 2 but I guess it would make it easier to get ADR's if they did this because I doubt that we would be the only ones eating less TS meals.

 

[Lewisc]

There have been numerous servers that verified the gratuity for Disney owned restaurants is based on the menu price of the food that's ordered. At least some of the non-Disney owned restaurants, including Chefs de France, base the gratuity on the approximatly $26 Disney pays the restaurant.

I doubt the servers are getting 18% tip now with the DDP.
WDW is probally guessing (at the most) $25 per TS credit. THat leaves $4.50 for the server.

 

[DreaminDisney]

I would not pay for DDP if the gratuity was not included. Yes I like the convenience of using the DDP but if I had to carry around enough cash for 100% of the tip I would not buy the DDP. I always tip extra if the service warrants it. However, we would just not eat as many TS meals, which in the long run would probably end up saving us money anyway. The only reason we are doing a TS every day is because we have the DDP. We're usually a "play it by ear" type of family that would rather stop to eat at a place that is easy than worry about ADR's on our vacation.

Yeah the TS meals are nice but the lower value, and what I feel would be a backhanded 18% increase in the price, would not be worth it to us. We would still do a CM or 2 but I guess it would make it easier to get ADR's if they did this because I doubt that we would be the only ones eating less TS meals.

I totally agree with this!
But I'd still call and make the ADR's.

 

[KKB]

I doubt the servers are getting 18% tip now with the DDP.
WDW is probally guessing (at the most) $25 per TS credit. THat leaves $4.50 for the server.

A waiter from Capt. Jacks said that the CMs actually DO like DDP...busier restaurants & more consistent tips.

Too bad....it's always about more $ for the company, isn't it?

I could see making "free" DDP pay tip...(oh, hope I didn't open a can of worms there.... )

 

[WendyisDarling]

Last year when deciding to purchase DDP, we went through menus and chose what we would order if paying OOP (we would never get both an appetizer and a dessert). It was under the cost of the DDP, but when we added in the tip, the story changed. Only then was it a bargain for us. Of course, when we used the DP we did enjoy the apps and dessert, but not necessary. Sure our bills totaled more than what the DP cost, but that was only because of the freedom the DP gave us.

Planning an '08 trip, but will have to do the math again to see if we will come ahead. Doesn't seem likely.

If true, I agree this is too bad for the servers. If people still use the plan, there are still a lot of people who only tip 15% (and some who don't even abide by that). A lot of us won't use the DP and the bill will be lower, so the tip will be less.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I doubt the servers are getting 18% tip now with the DDP.
WDW is probally guessing (at the most) $25 per TS credit. THat leaves $4.50 for the server.

Disney doesn't have to "guess" at the check. It's printed and computerized. I do NOT doubt that the servers are getting 18% of the ACTUAL check. The DDP does not tip servers on the value of the credit used, but rather on the published cost of the meal.

 

[kaddjr]

I don't know that will would be on the DDP if they do this. I will keep receipts when we are there in July and run the numbers to see if it would work for us.

 

[auntie]

Have a trip Planned for May 19th ...this is the first including the Dining Plan. We are a party of 5...all adults(at least in price!). Guess this will be the first and last time for the Dining Plan...don't think I'd bother again if it wasn't including the gratuity. On a table of 5 adults...may as well just pay out of pocket. I also would not choose to visit(and have cancelled a trip) during the so called free dining promotion.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I will be curious to see IF there is a bounceback program this Free Dining period to find out if the tip is going to be included in that package.

Might be possible that it will be included with the bounceback but not when it is announced next year.

Just a thought. Might be flawed, but it is still MY thought.

Slightly Goofy (who will go DDE if no tip is included)

 

[blondinkaya]

Quick question from this knowledge impaired person: What's "bounceback?"

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Starting in January 2008, Disney is planning on removing the gratuity from the dining plan. This means that on top of what you are going to be paying for the plan, you are going to have to come up with the gratuity to tip your servers as well. Right now a family of four eating in a table service restaurant usually has a gratuity of around $20-$30 that is included. If this goes through, that extra expense will now be the guests responsibilty. So add an extra $200-$250 when you figure out the price of the plan. Needless to say, this is not going over well with the servers, and I assume it won't go over well with the guests either.

Where did you get this info? I'm sorry, but I am very skeptical. I hope you are not just trying to stir the pot here.

 

[goofy4tink]

Where did you get this info? I'm sorry, but I am very skeptical. I hope you are not just trying to stir the pot here.

I believe the OP got the info through a union rep at a meeting...I don't think there's any pot stirring happening.

I sat here, reading and thinking about this....it amazes me that so many feel it just isn't a good deal if you have to pay a gratuity on top of the $38 per day. I figure that only one meal a day is subject to a tip...dinner. Let's say the total for dinner is $150. The tip would be $30 at 20%. Spread that out between 4 adults (figured on 4 adults in the party) and it comes to an addtl $7.50 a day per person. That is just not enough to sour me on the whole thing. Now, would I use the ddp if there were no gratuity? Probably not. But, I have a DDE card as well, and have spent hours trying to get the most bang for my dining buck. This August I will use the DDP....it is only about $40 more than the DDE costs would be, and I like the convenience of it.....and I get to have counter service lunch rather than lunch in my room!!!
There have been posts after posts saying the DDP 'dumbed down' the menus and made it hard to book ADRs. Now, we've gone the other way. Although I know there are going to be many people who feel the addtl gratuity charge will prevent them from using the DDP, there are going to just as many people that are going to be happy to see this change. Based on what I've just read, the restuarants are going to be easier to get into.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I believe the OP got the info through a union rep at a meeting...I don't think there's any pot stirring happening.

I sat here, reading and thinking about this....it amazes me that so many feel it just isn't a good deal if you have to pay a gratuity on top of the $38 per day. I figure that only one meal a day is subject to a tip...dinner. Let's say the total for dinner is $150. The tip would be $30 at 20%. Spread that out between 4 adults (figured on 4 adults in the party) and it comes to an addtl $7.50 a day per person. That is just not enough to sour me on the whole thing. Now, would I use the ddp if there were no gratuity? Probably not. But, I have a DDE card as well, and have spent hours trying to get the most bang for my dining buck. This August I will use the DDP....it is only about $40 more than the DDE costs would be, and I like the convenience of it.....and I get to have counter service lunch rather than lunch in my room!!!
There have been posts after posts saying the DDP 'dumbed down' the menus and made it hard to book ADRs. Now, we've gone the other way. Although I know there are going to be many people who feel the addtl gratuity charge will prevent them from using the DDP, there are going to just as many people that are going to be happy to see this change. Based on what I've just read, the restuarants are going to be easier to get into.

I still have to have proof - anybody can say anything on these boards, and until proven true it is a rumor - no reason to stress over it yet. Some seem to have accepted this as gospel truth and are reacting with fear and anger, just wait and see what the true situation is.

 

[KilleriMac17]

This was actually posted a few weeks ago on another Disney website. But, on that website the person who posted it, stated that it was not Disney that wanted to do this, but in fact it was a Union that DID NOT represent the waiters/waitresses that was trying to get it forced through. a few people who are waitstaff at disney hadn't heard about it, but stated how they did like the dining plan and did confirm they got 18% of the actual bill and stated how they were worried if this went through because they would lose lots of tips with people who thought they were still included, and couldn't see why a union(especially one that doesnt represent them) wanted to get rid of it.

 

[bicker]

I doubt the servers are getting 18% tip now with the DDP.

You're mistaken. Disney's CMs are indeed getting 18% of the amount you order.

WDW is probally guessing (at the most) $25 per TS credit. THat leaves $4.50 for the server.

Only a few NON-DISNEY restaurants participating on the Dining Plan do that.

 

[bicker]

I'm not sure how Disney thinks this will benefit them in the long run.

I can imagine a few ways.

Disney probably recognizes that a very large number of guests value the Dining Plan (as it is currently offered) very highly. So effectively, Disney is underselling the value of the plan. That's just like flushing money down the drain. By effectively increasing the price, fewer guests may purchase the plan, but there will be a corresponding increase in revenue per customer. The trick is to find that sweet-spot, the perfect balance between price and patronage that yields the best results for the enterprise. If you give credence to any of the complaints about how crowded the restaurants are, or how hard it is to land the reservations you want, then you know that there is a chance that Disney would be better off with fewer patrons each paying more money, rather than with more patrons each paying less money.

Clearly participation in the dining plan will decrease as a result, but that is not necessarily a disaster.

Or may actually be part of the anticipated benefits of the change.

 

[bicker]

What about people like me that will be going for christmas and staying through the new year- say January 4th or so? Will I have to tip part of the time and not the other part?

Generally, changes to the program are effective on operations at a specific point in time, i.e., January 1. Your obligation may or may not be affected, but there will almost surely be a specific date after which receipts from all patrons will be allocated in accordance with the new way, again assuming that this rumor is true.

 

[bicker]

I believe the OP got the info through a union rep at a meeting...I don't think there's any pot stirring happening.

This rumor was first posted by a newbie without corroboration, and at that time, skepticism was warranted. I believe we have now heard from more than one of our more reliable CM contacts that this is at least a "real rumor" though of course it isn't clear, perhaps even to Disney, whether they're actually going to do it or not. FWIW, they could still just turn around and simply no longer offer the Dining Plan in 2008.

Although I know there are going to be many people who feel the addtl gratuity charge will prevent them from using the DDP, there are going to just as many people that are going to be happy to see this change. Based on what I've just read, the restuarants are going to be easier to get into.

Indeed. I think folks viewing this as a negative are just viewing it from their own personal perspective. They're not factoring in how it will affect other guests, perhaps many of whom have consistently and vigorously disagreed with them about whether the Dining Plan was a good thing to start with.

 

[dzorn]

I like the plan as it is and would not probably get it if tip was not included. We do eat a sit down meal everyday because my dd has food allergies. We paid for it last year are going for free dining this year. The free dining is the only reason we deciede to do WDW this year. Don't forget you are paying rack rate for your room. With tip included it was a good value without tip I think we could save money by using my AAA discount on the room and letting DD order anything she wants and by sharing an appetizer or meals at non buffet restaurants. We usually tip 20% for good full service at home. I do not tip the buffet we get at home 20% and would probably not do it at disney. I would also consider staying off site and renting a condo to make some of DD meals. We stay on site for convience, when the convience is gone it makes sence to go elsewhere. Hopefully this is just a rumor.

Denise in MI

 

[wilde_oscar]

Man that really sucks. I think a lot of people are going to find it hard to leave a 18% tip.

When I went to Capt. Jacks last year, 3 adults and 1 child, our bill would have been almost $200. I would have a hard time leaving a $35 tip for a waiter we saw a hanful of times, for food that wasn't that good and a kids meal that was inedible (and I complained to no avail).

I think the waiters are going to end up being stiffed.... by a lot of people.

The automatic 18% removes the incentive for good service. At this point enough epople have complained that DDP = bad service and yet they still get the tip. Removing the tip puts back the incentive for good service. Heck the first time we used DDP I didn't realize tip was included so that server got double tipped... further there were times we got such bad service I would not have tipped at all, and yet they got their 18%.

Unlike most, I am happy that the tip is being yanked, make the servers work for the money, instead of treating DDPers as second rate dinners.

DDPers of "the world" unite, have the tip removed for poor service.