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

[Dragonfly0521]

Okay... back on topic a bit... As someone who has been a server and also with friends that have been servers I see a different reason why you'd automatically put a gratuity on large parties.

1) There is usually someone in the party who sees that everyone else is tipping so they don't. This happens more often than not! What's worse is when more than one person does it!

2) Many times you will get one gracious guest who insists on paying for the whole table. And another guest insists on getting the tip. But they either don't want to ask what the total is (that might be rude) or they are fully aware that they don't know and the tip is way too small for the service they recieved.

3) And finally, ususally the bigger the table the more they talk and visit. This equals less table turnover which equals less tips to be earned. I once worked at the Olive Garden where we had 3 table sections. I had one group put all 3 of my tables together and sat there all night! So I only got the tips from one service and ... you guessed it, one of the groups stiffed me on tip!

>>> Now as a party of 7 this January... I really hope the service is good. Doesn't have to be perfect, but not so bad that I resent the tip. I always tip well... but not for a horror story! And I'm not so sure about the 18% for buffets... but I can accept it.

 

[Jajone]

If I understand correctly, even if the service is horrible, I am forced to pay the 18%? Disney is giving me no options?

 

[Pumbaa_]

If your service is not up to your liking, you should notify the manager, hopefully before the meal is over so hopefully your service will improve.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

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.

Not "upset" or "ticked" - just happened that way. I don't care if you or anyone else wants to flame me, I just stated the facts as they happened. I think some posters are the ones who are upset, but that is not how I live my life. I did not leave upset, but the waiter left with fewer tips that night.

If the tip was not added on to our bill, we would have tipped more, it is just the way it is. Did this ever happen to you? Ask yourself how you would feel under the same circumstances? I considered it an insult, especially when we were very polite, cleaned up after ourselves (no, we didn't take away our dirty dishes), and did not ask for anything extra. We were a very easy party to wait on. Two people in our party did not even eat more than a plateful of food, much less dessert, and we got refills twice on our drinks.

 

[antkim]

Not "upset" or "ticked" - just happened that way. I don't care if you or anyone else wants to flame me, I just stated the facts as they happened. I think some posters are the ones who are upset, but that is not how I live my life. I did not leave upset, but the waiter left with fewer tips that night.

If the tip was not added on to our bill, we would have tipped more, it is just the way it is. Did this ever happen to you? Ask yourself how you would feel under the same circumstances? I considered it an insult, especially when we were very polite, cleaned up after ourselves (no, we didn't take away our dirty dishes), and did not ask for anything extra. We were a very easy party to wait on. Two people in our party did not even eat more than a plateful of food, much less dessert, and we got refills twice on our drinks.

Has this happened to me???? Sure! MANY times. How did I feel???? I felt they deserved more and LEFT MORE!!

If you considered it an insult IMAGINE the how the server felt!! He did his job well (you even said so yourself) AND he was working on THANKSGIVING!!!

I just can't believe that you felt good about that especially witht the thought "I did not leave upset, but the waiter left with fewer tips that night". WOW.....

 

[klinlin]

Last week, my parents joined us for a few meals. We had 4 on DDP and 2 paying cash. At Kona, no gratuity was added to their check, at Coral Reef it was. Sometimes the servers added gratuity to our drink bill, sometimes not. I think you will find in 2008, the gratuity will be added whenever possible.

 

[paulh]

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.

as ive been banging on since sept.18% will be added to everones bill except if paying cash under 6 people and not using a dde card

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Has this happened to me???? Sure! MANY times. How did I feel???? I felt they deserved more and LEFT MORE!!

If you considered it an insult IMAGINE the how the server felt!! He did his job well (you even said so yourself) AND he was working on THANKSGIVING!!!

I just can't believe that you felt good about that especially witht the thought "I did not leave upset, but the waiter left with fewer tips that night". WOW.....

Again, and for the last time, I left the tip he asked for (required me to leave), and I am sure he was not insulted, it was what he asked for (required me to leave)...and, I never said I considered it an insult, just did not like being told that was what I would leave. I do not argue with anyone on these boards, and I won't engage in any more posts with anyone who seems to be so upset just because I posted that required tips are not exclusive to WDW. Please go back and read my original post - I meant to offend no one, including you. Sorry if you got so upset with me, it wasn't my intention.

 

[antkim]

It was not my intenet to argue either. Your post did start off by saying the gratuity was not just at Disney but then it went into further detail...which is what I thought needed to be discussed.

I mean no disrespect but you DID say you were insulted...please re read your prior post. I again was responding only to what you wrote:

"I considered it an insult, especially when we were very polite, cleaned up after ourselves (no, we didn't take away our dirty dishes), and did not ask for anything extra. We were a very easy party to wait on. Two people in our party did not even eat more than a plateful of food, much less dessert, and we got refills twice on our drinks".

I am trying to make a point just like others. The point is you decided to penalize the waiter because he unknowingly insulted you. I am not trying to argue here...just trying to make a point. I am sorry that it is you because I know that you do not come here to argure..nor do I.

Tipping can become a heated topic. We all have our own thoughts and views. Being in the industry for as many years as I was I tend to be on the "servers" side. I am sure you would see my point if you had been in the industry as well. They work hard and if they do their job well they should be tipped accordingly.

Back at ya!

 

[TLSnell1981]

It was not my intenet to argue either. Your post did start off by saying the gratuity was not just at Disney but then it went into further detail...which is what I thought needed to be discussed.

I mean no disrespect but you DID say you were insulted...please re read your prior post. I again was responding only to what you wrote:

"I considered it an insult, especially when we were very polite, cleaned up after ourselves (no, we didn't take away our dirty dishes), and did not ask for anything extra. We were a very easy party to wait on. Two people in our party did not even eat more than a plateful of food, much less dessert, and we got refills twice on our drinks".

I am trying to make a point just like others. The point is you decided to penalize the waiter because he unknowingly insulted you. I am not trying to argue here...just trying to make a point. I am sorry that it is you because I know that you do not come here to argure..nor do I.

Tipping can become a heated topic. We all have our own thoughts and views. Being in the industry for as many years as I was I tend to be on the "servers" side. I am sure you would see my point if you had been in the industry as well. They work hard and if they do their job well they should be tipped accordingly.

Back at ya!

I'm just curious. How much does a server need to average, a night or hour to be enough. It used to be 15% -20% was a reasonable tip a server would be happy with. It seems now, they still want more. Four tops in an hour and a half......average $100 per table.......18% service charge.....about $48 per hour. That seems like a pretty good wage. Why all the screaming. I'm hearing now that WDW servers got the 18% service charge, they now expect a GRATUITY also???

 

[antkim]

I'm just curious. How much does a server need to average, a night or hour to be enough. It used to be 15% -20% was a reasonable tip a server would be happy with. It seems now, they still want more. Four tops in an hour and a half......average $100 per table.......18% service charge.....about $48 per hour. That seems like a pretty good wage. Why all the screaming. I'm hearing now that WDW servers got the 18% service charge, they now expect a GRATUITY also???

No idea why you are quoting me and adding this comment??? I am not talking about WDW servers, never said they are not happy with 18% and also never said that 15%-20% was not reasonable.

My point and ONLY point was that if a tip is added by the server and the guest typically would have left more...THEN LEAVE THE EXTRA. I don't think I can get much clearer than that. Poster said she was insulted that the tip was added, poster WOULD have left $20 but DID NOT because
they were insulted, server never meant to insult guest but server ended up getting "punished" in a sense.

Oh well...guess I can not make myself clear. Tried and failed.............

 

[maxiesmom]

Again, and for the last time, I left the tip he asked for (required me to leave), and I am sure he was not insulted, it was what he asked for (required me to leave)...and, I never said I considered it an insult, just did not like being told that was what I would leave. I do not argue with anyone on these boards, and I won't engage in any more posts with anyone who seems to be so upset just because I posted that required tips are not exclusive to WDW. Please go back and read my original post - I meant to offend no one, including you. Sorry if you got so upset with me, it wasn't my intention.

The waiter was not requiring you to leave a tip, the restaurant was. And you choose to punish the waiter for it. You should have left the tip the waiter earned, which you thought was a higher amount than what you left, and then spoken to the manager. Tell that person you would never return because of their policy. But to punish the waiter, who you admit did a great job, was petty.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Again, and for the last time, I left the tip he asked for (required me to leave), and I am sure he was not insulted, it was what he asked for (required me to leave)...and, I never said I considered it an insult, just did not like being told that was what I would leave. I do not argue with anyone on these boards, and I won't engage in any more posts with anyone who seems to be so upset just because I posted that required tips are not exclusive to WDW. Please go back and read my original post - I meant to offend no one, including you. Sorry if you got so upset with me, it wasn't my intention.

I can see your point, in many Uk resteraunts they add a 15% service charge, then they leave a space for a tip!!!!!!! As far I am conserned that is the tip and they will not get any more.

 

[sjaakie]

1) There is usually someone in the party who sees that everyone else is tipping so they don't. This happens more often than not! What's worse is when more than one person does it!

And then?????

A few weeks ago we went to eat with friends. She is a kind of cents biter (Dutch way of speaking.)
After we got the bill we spilt it and I put 10 Euros extra on the table. I knew the waiter, he was very young and working his butt of.
We put the money cash on the table and my friend counted again. And again and then said :” its to much” and she took the 10 Euros off the table and in her pocked.
I was shocked , in panic and had no courage to correct her.
So when the waiter came to collect the money I just gave him the tip again.

What would you have done????????

 

[TLSnell1981]

And then?????

A few weeks ago we went to eat with friends. She is a kind of cents biter (Dutch way of speaking.)
After we got the bill we spilt it and I put 10 Euros extra on the table. I knew the waiter, he was very young and working his butt of.
We put the money cash on the table and my friend counted again. And again and then said :” its to much” and she took the 10 Euros off the table and in her pocked.
I was shocked , in panic and had no courage to correct her.
So when the waiter came to collect the money I just gave him the tip again.

What would you have done????????

I have had to deal with this more than once. My stepfather is a "cents biter" (I love that phrase!) I also have a good friend that is like this. I either wait until they leave and put the money on the table or hand the money directly to the server.

 

[bicker]

Four tops in an hour and a half......average $100 per table.......18% service charge.....about $48 per hour.

They don't make the maximum every hour. Many the hours aren't as lucrative as prime-time.

I'm hearing now that WDW servers got the 18% service charge, they now expect a GRATUITY also???

No, you've heard wrong. The expectation is the 18% automatic gratuity ("service charge") OR a discretionary gratuity -- NOT BOTH. Which is applicable depends on the size of the party, and whether or not DDE is used or not.

And of course, you can always give more than what is expected, if you choose.

 

[TLSnell1981]

They don't make the maximum every hour. Many the hours aren't as lucrative as prime-time.

No, you've heard wrong. The expectation is the 18% automatic gratuity ("service charge") OR a discretionary gratuity -- NOT BOTH. Which is applicable depends on the size of the party, and whether or not DDE is used or not.

And of course, you can always give more than what is expected, if you choose.

I used those figures because I know most restaurants at WDW stay busy. Even at half that rate...it's still a good pay. (and I don't begrudge them that)

I really feel most servers know their buisness and what to reasonably expect. I think it's the ones that want to go in for quick money...that their expectations are off. It takes a special person to make it in the restaurant business. It's hard work. You can't sweat the small stuff. You have some customers that are rude and demanding......you also have to like people.
You can tell when someone likes their job and when they don't. This spills over to their performance at work. These are the servers who make good money.....as I said....they know their business.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

The waiter was not requiring you to leave a tip, the restaurant was. And you choose to punish the waiter for it. You should have left the tip the waiter earned, which you thought was a higher amount than what you left, and then spoken to the manager. Tell that person you would never return because of their policy. But to punish the waiter, who you admit did a great job, was petty.

The waiter was not punished, we left the tip that was included in the bill, we just did not leave extra, because the tip was included in our bill. Why is that so hard to understand? We have been doing the same thing with the DDP, because tip was included. Sorry you misinterpreted my post, but we did not punish anybody, and the server got his tip. (Let me repeat THE SERVER GOT HIS TIP, AND WE DID NOT PUNISH THE SERVER....THE SERVER GOT HIS TIP!!!) Just because we didn't leave more does not mean he was punished. That is not punishment, he got what was included with the bill. Plain and simple....

 

[TLSnell1981]

The waiter was not punished, we left the tip that was included in the bill, we just did not leave extra, because the tip was included in our bill. Why is that so hard to understand? We have been doing the same thing with the DDP, because tip was included. Sorry you misinterpreted my post, but we did not punish anybody, and the server got his tip. (Let me repeat THE SERVER GOT HIS TIP, AND WE DID NOT PUNISH THE SERVER....THE SERVER GOT HIS TIP!!!) Just because we didn't leave more does not mean he was punished. That is not punishment, he got what was included with the bill. Plain and simple....

And, I'm sure he was perfectly happy with it. He got exactly what he expected.

 

[TDC Nala]

as ive been banging on since sept.18% will be added to everones bill except if paying cash under 6 people and not using a dde card

The current policy for 2008 is:

The regular prices for dinner shows and special events generally include a gratuity.

An 18% automatic gratuity will be added to the following checks at WDW TS restaurants.

1) All DDE members, regardless of party size.

2) All parties of 6 or more.

If you are on the basic or deluxe dining plan, the gratuity is not included in the price of the plan. You will be charged an automatic gratuity of 18% on the regular price of your dining plan order at TS restaurants, IF you are a party of 6 or more. You may also be charged an automatic gratuity of 18% on any off-plan items you order (such as alcoholic beverages) This applies to parties of any size who order off-plan items.