Hollywood & Vine and Le Cellier and Gratuity

[disneybound31]

IMHO, I think we have a troll - where is the OP? OP, did you or did you not understand before your trip about the not included tip?

 

[BriarRosie]

IMHO, I think we have a troll - where is the OP? OP, did you or did you not understand before your trip about the not included tip?

I interpreted the post as, "I didn't know that this year the tip wasn't included until I saw the suggested tip amounts on the bottom of the bill, so it came as a total shock. I would have rather known about it up front and have the DDP cost go up so I could have budgeted for the tips ahead of time."

So I believed the factor was, they bought DDP again, because it worked great from them when tips were included. The OP sounded like he felt bad that he couldn't provide better tips, and the server made him feel lower than dirt for that.

I feel bad for them, since it's not like you can just switch to counter service after pre-paying the DDP. Well, you can, but you'd be throwing away any value you get from the DDP. Frankly, I am surprised I haven't read more stories like this.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I think $150 (about $18 an hour) is great pay for a waitress. What makes the waiters in one resteraunt better then others at Disney? why don't they pay a wage? if I were working at lets say trails end I'd be really upset that people at coral reef were going to get a bigger tip.Sure they aren't getting dr's wages but in canada that pay is great(my dh get's $14 an hour). I tip acordingly. I also tip to what I can afford. I go ti pizza hut dine in and I only leave $5 tip sometimes a $2 on a $15-30 bill and i only leave 5 at chinese all-you-can-eat no matter how much the bill comes too.geez I have no Idea why waiters would worry about the amount they get it all evens out rightI'm going to be tying to pay the right amount of $$ but if the survice suck well....($10 is a good tip

I agree that $10.00 is a good tip. All the server did for the $10.00 was refill glasses!! I would do that for $10.00. I also don't think it is right for some of the waiters to get more just because they are lucky enough to work in a place where the prices are higher. We always tip 18%-20% depending on service, but it does not always make me happy!!

In April we dealt with the servers standing and looking over our shoulders as we filled in the tip amount. It was intimidating, and we will leave cash from now on, as we leave the table. It is just so uncomfortable to use the CC# and get another receipt to sign, and the server knows how much you are leaving because they have to have a signature for your CC.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Every tip board I read seems to bring out same response every time. There's certain people that jump in and say "If you can't leave 18% or more you SHOULD NOT eat at a restaurant!"

In the mid 90's I worked as a server in a beach resort tourist filled area and sometimes I was happy to get 10% off a table! Let me make it clear, I was an excellent server! Drinks never went empty, dirty dishes were removed immediately, and you always had what you needed!

Not me personally, but a lot of people I worked with knew if a table said they were from OHIO, NC, WV, or Canada forget about it. They never tip worth a hoot! If your table was from say Boston, Jersey, or NY kiss their *** because the money would be good! Do you all realize servers do this? Most of them judge you when you sit down. Now you know why they start off by saying, "So where are you folks from?"

And ya know that movie "Waiting"? I've seen that kind of stuff and way worse while working in the service industry. Servers are not always poor white trash, hard working, money hungry starving mommy's. Most of the ones I worked with just went in to earn enough $ for their next high! I also conclude from many tip threads people think that servers are poor people that only work 15 hours a week and make $2 an hour.

I chose to be a server because I made GREAT money! Yes, $2.13 an hour! Yes, tip outs to stoned bussers and stupid food runners that once or twice delivered raw food to my tables! No, I did not get a paycheck that amounted to anything. Benefits? I had my first son while working at HRC. The total for his birth w/ their insurance? $10! Yep, $10! As a matter of fact every job I ever had waiting tables offered benefits, some better than others, but all offered them. And as far as being taxed on food sales? The Gov expects you to claim on average 8%. If you don't claim @ 8% they might check you out. Believe what you want but at WDW they make far more than 8% after all tip outs!

Back to the OP and anyone else that goes to WDW...if you can not afford to tip those suggested amounts or just don't feel like it, THAT'S OKAY! You don't have to leave a dime and you don't have to feel bad about it! (I'd feel bad but that's because I know what kind of work it was and what I had to deal with back when I did it!) You still don't deserve to be dissed by the server, nor does anyone on the Dis board need to put you down because they tip 55% and you don't. Nobody cares that my family leaves 20%. Why should they? Do what you want to do! It all averages out in the end and a good server will make good money! (Now you might end up with some extras in your next meal if you happen to get that servers boyfriend the following night but that's a chance you have to take! )


I think it's mean to suggest to a family (that can only afford Disney during such events as free dining) to skip their table service if they can't tip 18%. A lot of people say this on these boards! That's so wrong! Who are we to tell someone to NOT go out and eat!!!??? 15%, not 18% is the expected tip to be left for good service. 10% on a buffet (even though they work harder sometimes!) Anything better than good would go up from there! I agree that WDW has extremely inflated price for the food they have but it's a theme park and that's how they do it! Lonestar Steakhouse is way better than Le Cellier any day of the week! Olive Garden kills Mama Melrose's! I also agree that it's extremely unprofessional and RUDE for WDW to allow these servers to present these suggested tip receipts with someones food. It's insulting!

Thanks for the read! Have a Magical Night! XOXO

 

[kaytieeldr]

And as far as being taxed on food sales? The Gov expects you to claim on average 8%. If you don't claim @ 8% they might check you out. Believe what you want but at WDW they make far more than 8% after all tip outs!

Well, not exactly. The IRS requires the employer to withhold 8% of a server's total checks. The IRS expects servers to claim 100% of their earnings (just as everyone else must).

 

[kaytieeldr]

I also agree that it's extremely unprofessional and RUDE for WDW to allow these servers to present these suggested tip receipts with someones food. It's insulting!

What would be acceptable to you? Tip cards, showing the suggested amount for each dollar-spent range at three/four different rates?
You think 20% is too high for a buffet? I don't, at Disney, but that's my opinion - but I ask because, if you think 10% is fair... simply divide the 20% suggestion in half.

 

[BriarRosie]

You think 20% is too high for a buffet? I don't, at Disney, but that's my opinion - but I ask because, if you think 10% is fair... simply divide the 20% suggestion in half.

I thought the good servers at buffets busted their butts to get all the dirty dishes cleared and drinks refilled, so I always thought they deserved more than 10%. I totally agree with your comment that 10% isn't high enough.

On the flip side, I never thought a server who took the order and did drink refills deserved that much, if the food was brought to us by the "runner". Granted, the tips are probably shared among themselves, but it makes the original server look like he/she isn't doing as much work for us. (And yes, I still tip 15-20% regardless.)

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

What would be acceptable to you? Tip cards, showing the suggested amount for each dollar-spent range at three/four different rates?
You think 20% is too high for a buffet? I don't, at Disney, but that's my opinion - but I ask because, if you think 10% is fair... simply divide the 20% suggestion in half.

Let me start by asking, where all have you waited on tables? How did you like doing the job? Did you make good money while waiting on tables? If you prefer not to answer, that's okay.

Employers are NOT REQUIRED to hold a certain amount of your sales percentage! Not in the state of SC anyway! At the end of the night you claim what you make. You are taxed on what you claim! If someone honestly claims every dime they make they will pay taxes on that amount. Servers know they will get burned if they don't make it look legit so they claim at least 8% to look "honest". I can't imagine anyone ever claiming what they really make! Even if every single tip was left on a charge that still would not the actual take home amount and whose to say you don't tip out extra?

Never should anyone put anything in a bill that says "suggested tip amount". That's so thrashy, and extemely insulting! A "Gratuity Not Included" stamp would work just fine across the sales slip if they must do someting. People KNOW they're expected to tip. Those from others countries know how it works, they choose to not do it. When you call to make DDP ADR's they remind you that tip is not included. I was also told this during booking and every document I got said the same thing so I feel that's pretty clear! Some people just don't tip a percentage but rather a dollar amount. It may not be right to you and me but I refuse to tell them to STAY HOME because they're not able to afford a WDW tip! Some people can't afford those tips!

Have you ever been to a dinner show like Dixie Stampede or Medieval Times? Do you tip on the entire ticket cost? This is where it gets tricky. Some of that money is going towards entertainment, some towards the meal. Same kind of scenario. A character meal is a LOT more than say WCC's all you can eat skillet. Why? Because you're paying for the entertainment. Maybe some people feel as though 10% is good enough on such meals for that reason! I can see how one would think that. Plus around Holidays those things suddenly go up what $4-$5 or so. Why is that you think? Pancakes and eggs cost the same to make around Christmas too!?

One last thing, did I say I tip 10%? No, I did not. I actually said my family leaves on average 20%. That's not my point. My point is, everyone is different and they have their own points of view. I will not suggest to anyone to skip a meal because they simply can not afford a tip. I will not judge someone that leaves 10% on a buffet. I won't sit with them either! However, at the same time I feel WDW is going about the "tipping policy" in an odd insulting way! I also think that many of the tables that would have left $10 might get and leave nothing!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

On the flip side, I never thought a server who took the order and did drink refills deserved that much, if the food was brought to us by the "runner". Granted, the tips are probably shared among themselves, but it makes the original server look like he/she isn't doing as much work for us. (And yes, I still tip 15-20% regardless.)

Did you know those "food runners" (in most cases) are servers that are near the line when your food comes up. The kitchen sends your food out ASAP so it doesn't get nasty under the heat lamps. The guy that drops off your food may be a server from the section in the back. Meanwhile your server is getting his table some refills on drinks. When you work in a busy restaurant it's uncommon to get your own tables food to take out each time. That's why they call it teamwork!

 

[maxiesmom]

If you reduced your tip that once because you found the service to be lacking, that is one thing. But to prepare in advance to under-tip because you did not budget properly is pretty rotten.

People need to keep in mind too that part of the reason the tip is no longer included on the DDP is that there were so many complaints about bad service, people assumed the wait staff were slacking because they knew they would get their tip no matter what. Now Disney just makes tip suggestions (which are great for those of us who suck at math), and people still have to complain and find fault.

 

[Aristomommy]

I would take offense if at any restaurant (Dining plan or not) someone calculated my tip for me. I am capable of figuring out 20% (our usual good service tip) from the total. When we had the DDP before the changes, I knew how much our food cost even with the tip included. I wouldn't mind if the receipt reminded me of the change, but to put a dollar amount on there is tacky.

I agree with OP that I wouldn't tip 20% on a buffet, especially if I was hearing that conversation and she refilled my drink once. Those type of places that waitstaff can handle more tables since patrons get their own food and a smaller tip will average out to same.

 

[Castle crazy]

We don't tip 20% at a buffet either. There will be 6 of us on our upcoming trip and I was just informed when finishing off my ADRs that there will be an automatic 20% tip included because of the party of 6. Where we are from you have to have 8 or more before the tip is included. And, our 6 is 4 adults and 2 children. So we cancelled all but a few of our table service meals and we'll do the rest as counter service. We added it up and the automatic tip could easily have added up to over $400.00. I'd rather spend the money at WDW.

 

[maxiesmom]

We don't tip 20% at a buffet either. There will be 6 of us on our upcoming trip and I was just informed when finishing off my ADRs that there will be an automatic 20% tip included because of the party of 6. Where we are from you have to have 8 or more before the tip is included. And, our 6 is 4 adults and 2 children. So we cancelled all but a few of our table service meals and we'll do the rest as counter service. We added it up and the automatic tip could easily have added up to over $400.00. I'd rather spend the money at WDW.

Just wondering, but how much will cancelling those meals really save you? Wouldn't you have tipped anyway? Even if you only tipped 15% instead of 20% (and Disney adds 18%, not 20% btw) you wouldn't be saving that much. And you could always have your tip adjusted down. I just think that is a rather rash response to something that is not that big of a deal, cost wise.

 

[buckinrutt]

IMHO, I think we have a troll - where is the OP? ....QUOTE]

Funny. No, I am not a troll, but am now a former lurker. I hardly post to any internet forums for the very reasons contained in the replies to my concerns. It can become a back and forth thing (debate) and I haven't the time nor the patience for lectures or misrepresentations when they occur. I do, however, appreciate the constructive tips.

I've been going to Disney World since 1981. My parents carried us as kids and my wife and I continue the family tradition each year. I can honestly say that in all my years of visiting Disney I have really never had a complaint. However, this trip is the exception for the reasons stated.

What I posted here was shared with one of the cast members conducting a survey at one of the locations. I felt like she understood my points as evidenced when she read them back to me word for word. So Disney will hear it in the survey and, I suppose, read it here.

From some of the comments in this thread and others it seems that my experience is not necessarily unique. I hope Disney is listening.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would take offense if at any restaurant (Dining plan or not) someone calculated my tip for me. I am capable of figuring out 20% (our usual good service tip) from the total.

But not everyone is you. Plenty of people are math-challenged; while, sure, Disney could calculate more percentages on the receipt as a service/choice, the amounts provided ARE merely suggestions. If you (or I) can calculate 20%, or 13.75%, or whatever, great - but lots of people can't, or won't (vacation syndrome)

 

[kaytieeldr]

We don't tip 20% at a buffet either. There will be 6 of us on our upcoming trip and I was just informed when finishing off my ADRs that there will be an automatic 20% tip included because of the party of 6.

Well, 18% - but yeah, because of your party size.

If your service is legitimately not worth an 18% tip, you can address the issue with a restaurant manager and have the amount/percent reduced - but the most effective time to address poor service is while it is being (or, well, technically, not being) experienced; not at the end of the meal, after the check has been presented.

 

[TDC Nala]

We don't tip 20% at a buffet either. There will be 6 of us on our upcoming trip and I was just informed when finishing off my ADRs that there will be an automatic 20% tip included because of the party of 6.

18%, not 20%. If they said 20%, that is incorrect.

 

[perla75]

I think $150 (about $18 an hour) is great pay for a waitress. What makes the waiters in one resteraunt better then others at Disney? why don't they pay a wage?

Well, to answer these questions, there actually is a difference amongst waiters in signature or upper scale type vs casual TS restaurants. When you go to a signature or upper scale type restaurant (at WDW or anywhere), you actually have a TEAM of servers waiting on you-including a server, back waiter (food runner), busser, and in some cases a bartender. What many people don't realize is the tip that the customer provides is divided amongst ALL of these team members who are assisting in your meal's service throughout your evening. The servers must divide a certain percentage of that tip to each of these team members.

If a customer fails to leave a tip or leaves very little tip, the server is still obligated to pay these other team members a set amount and have to do so OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS. So, by choosing to not leave a proper tip because you cannot afford it, you actually just passed the buck and made your server pay your tip. Why should it be the server's fault that a person cannot afford to properly tip? The server did not decide the prices of the food, the server did not decide the tipping customs in this country, and the server (hypothetically in this situation) did their job.

So, I ask the OP: If you KNEW you couldn't afford to go out to eat in a table service restaurant, why did you do so in the first place????? There are plenty of CS places to eat in WDW.
Now, I don't think that servers should have been obnoxious (if the conversation was accurate as perceived), but I don't blame them for being really annoyed at the situation. They just worked hard to provide you with service (whatever the nature of the service might have been in each situation), and that poor woman raising her kids just had to fork out her kid's lunch money to pay for your extravagant meal.

Going out to eat is a luxury-you do it if you can afford it. I am the first to admit that we cannot afford to go out to eat that often. We are well aware of this-therefore, we don't do it very often. In WDW, we eat at alot of CS places for dinner. We treat ourselves to some TS restaurants, making sure we can afford to pay the bill plus an appropriate tip.

I'm not sure exactly why our country has a system where servers receive "tips" (that are actually service charges) instead of a regular salary, but that's just how it is for now, so if ya want to play the game, you need to follow the rules. and if you don't like the rules, than no one forced you to play the game in the first place. You are free to find alternate options to eat that are more suitable for your budget.

I'm sorry, but it just amazes me how often I hear on here people who are so strange about tipping/providing a service charge. Why wouldn't you budget this into your meal planning?? In our country, tipping is just a part of a table service experience AND expense. I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand


Tip what you feel is appropriate for that service or level/type of service provided. But please don't base your tip on what you can afford. Lowering a person's tip because you just knowingly spent beyond your means is just plain rude.

 

[perla75]

I recently read that Disney wait staff make between $100 - $140 THOUSAND per year.

Could you post the source where you read this?

 

[mskayjay]

I waitressed for years in The Hamptons and we never, ever, ever would dream of telling someone how much to tip us unless it was a private party and then a gratuity was added to the entire catering bill to be split among the serving staff for the event. If the host chose to tip higher, he could. I never got rich waitressing but I enjoyed it and worked my butt off.

That being said, I do not believe that a buffet service should be tipped out like a table service meal or anywhere close to it. The waitress is acting more in the capacity of a bus person, neither taking meals, checking on the preparation of the foods, quality, etc. They are filling drinks and clearing your dirties.

I also think listing a "suggested tip" on the bottom of a receipt is totally tacky. I personally would much prefer to have a small card left on the table stating that as a reminder to their guests, WDW would like to remind diners on the DDP that gratuities are no longer included with the dining plan. Period. End of it. No tip this or tip that. There is one club we go to in Palm Beach Gardens that upcharges all of their items by 18% and tacks that cost on to each thing. So for example, when I order a beer, Tom the waiter tells me my drink is $5 including the 18% gratuity. I think an 18% tip for reaching over to the cooler, grabbing and pouring me a cold one is nuts but that is how they do it.

What really bugs me is that if I am at a bar and order a cocktail, I will leave the bartender a few dollars per round as a tip. If I am at WDW, there is already a higher than average markup on liquor and now if you are at a table they want you to tip 18-20% more for the cocktail. Ouch! It can be very shocking when you add up expected tipping. I usually split out the food from the liquor and come up with two amounts that I then add together. The problem is when you have places that pool tips or waitresses have money taken from them to tip out the bartender based on the drink orders they've served to. No easy answers.

Bottom line everyone needs to do what they think is best for them. Tipping is not a required thing, amounts are only suggestions, and everyone needs to respect each person's threshold for what they deem appropriate.