In 2008 Im going with a party of 7 do I HAVE to give 18% gratuity

[qanita92]

In August my family and I went to Disney World and it was absolutely wonderful and we especially LOVED the buffets so we are planning to go to all buffets as part of our table service credits. Since we are a group of 7 do we HAVE to give 18% gratuity when we go in 2008? Even though it is a buffet. (By the way, we are in seperate rooms so its two set of packages but same table).

 

[jjk1107]

In August my family and I went to Disney World and it was absolutely wonderful and we especially LOVED the buffets so we are planning to go to all buffets as part of our table service credits. Since we are a group of 7 do we HAVE to give 18% gratuity when we go in 2008? Even though it is a buffet. (By the way, we are in seperate rooms so its two set of packages but same table).

Yes, you will have the 18% gratuity.

 

[JimMIA]

Yes, you will have the 18% gratuity.

I think this is right.

It doesn't matter how many rooms are represented, or how you are paying for the meals. If there are six or more in your party, regardless of how you are paying, an 18% gratuity will be automatically added to your bill.

 

[jjohnson]

Jim is right. It doesn't matter if you are on the DP or not. If you are more than a party of 5 the 18% gratuity will be added to your bill.

 

[qanita92]

Thank You SOOOO MUCH for all the help!

 

[amaley01]

For our next trip , we want to hook up with another couple (on DDP) for supper (total 4 adult & 2 kids).

When I made our ADR's, I was told if we wanted to eat together it would have to be under one reservation regardless of the method of payment (split bills). Also, the rep indicated that when we check-in to notify them & the waiter of the payment method that there should be 2 separate bills (DDP or not)

Will they add 18% to both bills?
We will have to wait and see what happens in January

 

[Allegro]

For our next trip , we want to hook up with another couple (on DDP) for supper (total 4 adult & 2 kids).

When I made our ADR's, I was told if we wanted to eat together it would have to be under one reservation regardless of the method of payment (split bills). Also, the rep indicated that when we check-in to notify them & the waiter of the payment method that there should be 2 separate bills (DDP or not)

Will they add 18% to both bills?
We will have to wait and see what happens in January

Yes they will add gratuity to both bills. The spirit behind this new charge is to ensure that a server waiting on a large party doesn't get stiffed. Many restaurants have this rule in place. In this regard Disney isn't special. You could have 6 people paying 6 bills; if you sit together each bill will get charged the 18% gratuity.

Think about it, if they didn't do it this way it would be pretty easy for people to get around -- and people would get around it. For instance it is unlikely that 8 people are sharing one room but if they sit down for a meal together they are going to get charged for the gratuity.

 

[JimMIA]

The spirit behind this new charge is to ensure that a server waiting on a large party doesn't get stiffed.

This is correct, except that the rule is not new. Disney has had a policy of adding 18% gratuity for large groups for years. The only change in 2008 is that the threshhold dropped from 8 to 6 in the party.

The automatic gratuity for parties of 6 or more applies no matter how you are paying.

If you are using the DDE card, however, an automatic 18% gratuity will be added no matter how many people you have.

Eventually, I wouldn't be surprised to see WDW add a gratuity to ALL TS checks. If they do that, 15% would probably be enough to protect the servers and those of us who tip more than 15% could always add to the automatic tip.

 

[TLSnell1981]

How long has 18% been added to buffets for large groups?

 

[TDC Nala]

For the past few years (can't say when it started), there has been an automatic gratuity added to the bills of parties of 8 or more at table service restaurants including buffets.

Next year, that party size goes down to 6 (I don't consider 6 to be a large party, but apparently this is part of the conciliation allowed to the union that opposed removing the included gratuity from the DDP).

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

So, we ate at a buffet for thanksgiving (in our hometown, not Disney), with 6 in our party. The waiter informed us when he brought the check that the gratuity of 15% was already added into the bill - total of 14.65. That amount was exactly what he got, and he would have been better off if he did not have to add the gratuity onto our bill. There is just something about being told that the bill is a certain amount, gratuities included. My point is that we always tip way more than 15% (depending on the service) and this particular waiter would have gone away with at least $20.00 tip under other circumstances (us choosing the amount of the tip).

 

[bicker]

The difference between 15% and whatever you would have given was as likely as not made up by the fact that all the large parties he has served recently being forced to tip at least 15%.

 

[antkim]

So, we ate at a buffet for thanksgiving (in our hometown, not Disney), with 6 in our party. The waiter informed us when he brought the check that the gratuity of 15% was already added into the bill - total of 14.65. That amount was exactly what he got, and he would have been better off if he did not have to add the gratuity onto our bill. There is just something about being told that the bill is a certain amount, gratuities included. My point is that we always tip way more than 15% (depending on the service) and this particular waiter would have gone away with at least $20.00 tip under other circumstances (us choosing the amount of the tip).

OK...I am sorry. Are you saying that he was deserving of $20 but you chose to stick with the $14.65 "because there is just something about being told that the bill is a certain amount"????? I just don't understand your reasoning??The waiter was working on Thanksgiving day and he gave you decent service (so much so that you WOULD have given $5 more) but you were ticked about the resturant policy so you took it out on the server??? Sorry but that is just wrong. I would have felt terrible leaving less than what was deserved.

 

[TLSnell1981]

OK...I am sorry. Are you saying that he was deserving of $20 but you chose to stick with the $14.65 "because there is just something about being told that the bill is a certain amount"????? I just don't understand your reasoning??The waiter was working on Thanksgiving day and he gave you decent service (so much so that you WOULD have given $5 more) but you were ticked about the resturant policy so you took it out on the server??? Sorry but that is just wrong. I would have felt terrible leaving less than what was deserved.

Many servers have the option of not adding the gratuity because of this. They know if someone sees the gratuity is included they don't refigure and add on.(usually) Some people don't leave extra because they think they have "given" what is required by the management. I have a large family. The restaurants we frequent do not automatically add the tip because they know a bigger one is coming.

 

[antkim]

Many servers have the option of not adding the gratuity because of this. They know if someone sees the gratuity is included they don't refigure and add on.(usually) Some people don't leave extra because they think they have "given" what is required by the management. I have a large family. The restaurants we frequent do not automatically add the tip because they know a bigger one is coming.

I completely understand that it is an option to add the 15% on...I was a server for many years. I can also understand that a server may decide to add it on bigger tables ESPECIALLY on a holiday.The last thing you want is to get "stiffed" or get a bad tip on a day you would rather be with your family. My point is that the service they received for their enjoyable holiday family dinner deserved more $$$ in the posters eyes BUT since the server added the 15% in (to ensure a decent tip) they chose to punish this person because they did not like the fact that it was added. I don't think that is nice ANY day of the year and ESPECIALLY on a day of giving thanks!!! Not a very nice "thank you" in my book.

I guess I just do not see why people get upset. If the service was TERRIBLE and the tip was included then that would be cause to speak to the manager and try to get it taken off. In this case the poster said they WOULD HAVE LEFT MORE but didn't because they didn't like that the server added it on.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I completely understand that it is an option to add the 15% on...I was a server for many years. I can also understand that a server may decide to add it on bigger tables ESPECIALLY on a holiday.The last thing you want is to get "stiffed" or get a bad tip on a day you would rather be with your family. My point is that the service they received for their enjoyable holiday family dinner deserved more $$$ in the posters eyes BUT since the server added the 15% in (to ensure a decent tip) they chose to punish this person because they did not like the fact that it was added. I don't think that is nice ANY day of the year and ESPECIALLY on a day of giving thanks!!! Not a very nice "thank you" in my book.

I guess I just do not see why people get upset. If the service was TERRIBLE and the tip was included then that would be cause to speak to the manager and try to get it taken off. In this case the poster said they WOULD HAVE LEFT MORE but didn't because they didn't like that the server added it on.

I have also been in the restaurant buisness. Too many people want to be a server because they "think" it's "easy" money. Surprise! It's a hard job.
I have seen people "upset" when the gratuity is included because they feel offended. I have heard people say they guess the restaurant thinks they are too cheap to leave a good tip. As I posted earlier, some feel that is all that is required.( when gratuity is automatic) I believe good servers are actually getting the short end of the stick with this new policy...or maybe not. Do the servers at Disney "pool" their tips? This service fee may be making up the "pool" because of the less than satisfactory service given by some.

 

[antkim]

I have also been in the restaurant buisness. Too many people want to be a server because they "think" it's "easy" money. Surprise! It's a hard job.
I have seen people "upset" when the gratuity is included because they feel offended. I have heard people say they guess the restaurant thinks they are too cheap to leave a good tip. As I posted earlier, some feel that is all that is required.( when gratuity is automatic) I believe good servers are actually getting the short end of the stick with this new policy...or maybe not. Do the servers at Disney "pool" their tips? This service fee may be making up the "pool" because of the less than satisfactory service given by some.

I am not arguing the point of whether the tip should or should not be included. What I am saying is that the poster KNEW that the tip could have been more and would have been willing to leave more but chose NOT TO because they were mad that it was included. That does not warrant less of a tip. If the service was not good then they could have argued the automatic gratuity but this was not the case. Poster said they would have left more which means that they felt the service was deserving of a 20% gratuity. Why did they not leave the extra $5???

Automatic gratuity is not to meant offend the guest and the guest should not take it as such. IMO if the guest does get offended then that is just an excuse to leave less.

The service industry is not an easy profession and anyone that thinks it is will not do well. It is not easy taking care of 6 tables at a time and taking care of them well but if you are good at what you do then expecting a 20% gratuity is not setting your standards too high...at least not around here. 20% is the norm around here for good service.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I am not arguing the point of whether the tip should or should not be included. What I am saying is that the poster KNEW that the tip could have been more and would have been willing to leave more but chose NOT TO because they were mad that it was included. That does not warrant less of a tip. If the service was not good then they could have argued the automatic gratuity but this was not the case. Poster said they would have left more which means that they felt the service was deserving of a 20% gratuity. Why did they not leave the extra $5???

Automatic gratuity is not to meant offend the guest and the guest should not take it as such. IMO if the guest does get offended then that is just an excuse to leave less.

The service industry is not an easy profession and anyone that thinks it is will not do well. It is not easy taking care of 6 tables at a time and taking care of them well but if you are good at what you do then expecting a 20% gratuity is not setting your standards too high...at least not around here. 20% is the norm around here for good service.

It's quite obvious from the many pages on many different threads.....tipping is a highly emotional subject. It being emotional means there is no rhyme or reason to it. Just because someone shouldn't feel that way.....doesn't mean they don't. Most people aren't going to argue an automatic tip (even if service is sub-par) because they don't want to look cheap. The definition for "gratuity" is "something given VOLUNTARILY or beyond OBLIGATION usually for service given." Calling the new service fees "gratuities" is really a stretch.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, we ate at a buffet for thanksgiving (in our hometown, not Disney), with 6 in our party. The waiter informed us when he brought the check that the gratuity of 15% was already added into the bill - total of 14.65. That amount was exactly what he got, and he would have been better off if he did not have to add the gratuity onto our bill.

But is it really reasonable to penalize the waiter for a decision made by the employer?

Poster said they would have left more which means that they felt the service was deserving of a 20% gratuity. Why did they not leave the extra $5???

$4.89, but who's counting? ($14.65 = 15% of $97.68; 20% of $97.68 = $19.54; $19.54 - $14.65 = $4.89)

 

[antkim]

But is it really reasonable to penalize the waiter for a decision made by the employer?

$4.89, but who's counting? ($14.65 = 15% of $97.68; 20% of $97.68 = $19.54; $19.54 - $14.65 = $4.89)

Boy...I am glad you are seeing my point!!

Again my point for posting has nothing to do with any other thread or response to automatic tipping. I was trying to point out that poster WOULD have left a larger tip IF it were not included. She was angry that the 15% gratuity was added on and thus took it out on a deserving waiter. In my book that is just wrong. If he was deserving of 20% then HE SHOULD HAVE GOT 20%!!