Is gratuity ever added automatically with DDE?

[frannn]

I was just reading a post on this board where someone implied that the tip is added automatically to your bill. Is this true, and what % is it? Is it added before the 20% discount is deducted? I don't know that this would be a disqualifying factor, but I am thinking there may be some instances that the service would not warrant an automatic 20% tip (like at CM, if I ask the server 12 times for drink refills and never get it).

Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

No, if you use the Disney Dining Experience card they do not automatically include gratuity. Gratuity is included if you are using the Magic Your Way package dining plan.

However, I would check the receipt to be sure...it was added once at Chefs de France when I used the 20% off DVC discount lunch, prior to being eligible fo DDE. So it may be added by an occasional server. I think it was in the neighborhood of 18%.

 

[DANAW]

We never had the gratuity added to our DDE check on our trip this past April.

 

[suzannews]

The only time a gratuity should be added to a DDE is if your party is 8 or more.

 

[carol1231]

Last week we were a party of 12 and 18% gratuity was added to our bill at some restaurants. It wasn't at all. When I made the PS, I was told at that time, so it wasn't a surprise.

 

[kandmwedding]

You can expect, no matter what discount you're using, to have gratuity added to your bill for parties of 8 and more. The gratuity should be added to the total before the discount. For DDE, the amount basically equals the discount.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are two rules for the automatic gratuity.

One is for a party of eight or more. This even applies if there are separate checks.

The other is where there is a CM discount involved. This is done because many of the less experienced CMs were basing their tip on the post-discount price (or just being cheap).

Note that tip should always be based on the food and beverages before any discount or tax is figured. The tax is supposed to be based on the actual (post-discount) price.

 

[magsmom]

We used the DDE card many times last week for parties from 3 to 5 and the tip was not added to the bill in any case.

We did our gratuity before the discount, which is only fair to the waiter.