Is the 18% gratuity for party of 6 MANDATORY?

[camtheriot]

A friend of mine is in Disneyworld right now, and she apparently didn't read her Dining Plan because she didn't know that gratuities where not included in the bill. She attempted to get it taken off of her bill, but the manager insisted that it is MANDATORY... she called me to ask, but from what I read on the Dining plan brochure.. it says it will be added to the bill, but doesn't say it's MANDATORY. She said she doesn't mind paying a tip, but doesn't want to pay 18%... Also, one of her party is an infant.. so, she only actually has 5 on the dining plan. Is there anyone she can speak to about the bill since the restaruant manager will not help her? Is it actually MANDATORY?? This is what is on the brochure:


Gratuities are not included unless otherwise indicated. An
automatic 18% gratuity charge will be added to your bill for parties
of 6 or more. An automatic gratuity charge may also be added to
your bill for items you order that are not included in the Disney
Dining Plan (e.g. alcoholic beverages).


And.. please no flames... I'm just asking for a friend. I READ the fine print... and I PAY the recommended gratuities... like a good DISer

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

uugghh, thats a tough one,

which has been debated many times, does having a infant at the table count as the 6th person

IMO:

Yes : if they are sitting in a highchair, at the table eating from their parents plate, or you were seated at a table for 6 in order to accomnidate the infant/highchair

No : if they are like a tiny lil infant and are kept in like a baby sling or on their parents lap, disn't eat anything and the resturant didn't make any accomidations at the table for the infant

That really sucks if they aren't even willing to budge, looks like she'd have to count this one as a loss and just keep it as knowledge for the future.

 

[Polydweller]

No flame but yep that's 6 and it's not unique to Disney to count that way. Not sure anyway what the issue is, a gratuity should be left regardless of it being automatic or not and 18% is pretty common. It's not covered by the DDP anymore so it's going to be paid OOP one way or the other.

 

[daisyduck123]

From the wording, I'd say, "Yes, it's mandatory".

I know it's not you OP, but your friend. I'd like to tell her to stop being cheap & just pay.

That's too bad that she wasn't aware about gratuity not being included with the DP, but it's been that way for awhile now.

 

[MikeOhio]

It's mandatory. Tell ur friend that if she can't tip 18% for good service she should not be eating at table service restaurants.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, it's mandatory. If there are *problems* with the service, they need to talk to the manager while there's still time to fix the problem.

And yes, 6 humans at a table, no matter their age or eating-status, count as 6 people.


Here's the official tipping thread, by the way!

 

[POOHsie]

Restaurants count heads for the purpose of noting how many are seated at a table. If the infant is counted as person #6 and the automatic gratuity is applied, look at it another way. The infant did not get any food or drink, right? So the charge of 18% on zero$ is still zero$. In other words, the infant didn't incur any gratuity charge. What is the complaint?

 

[camtheriot]

Thanks everyone...

Yes, I do think she's being cheap... but I think she only budgeted a certain amount of money for the trip and this has thrown her for a loop.. I feel kindof bad for her, this is her first trip

 

[Cepbush106]

so she wants to tip but not 18%? what does she wants to tip? 18% is pretty standard...

 

[camtheriot]

so she wants to tip but not 18%? what does she wants to tip? 18% is pretty standard...

I'm not sure... I guess she wants the option to pay whatever she feels she wants to pay. I mean, I kindof see her point... a tip is something you give for great service... It's not a tip anymore if it's "MANDATORY"... It's part of the bill...

 

[robinb]

I'm not sure... I guess she wants the option to pay whatever she feels she wants to pay. I mean, I kindof see her point... a tip is something you give for great service... It's not a tip anymore if it's "MANDATORY"... It's part of the bill...

An "automatic gratuity" is part of the bill, the same as additional OOP expenses. Sorry that your friend expected gratuities to be included . It must be quite a shock for her to have to pony up an extra $20-$30 per day in gratuities and I can understand why she's a little snarked off now. I can also understand that she would be angry is she's used to tipping lower than 18% on a regular basis but 18% has become the norm in many parts of the country including the restaurants at WDW. When in Rome, tip as the Romans do!

FWIW, if she receives poor service at a restaurant then she can speak to a manager about adjusting the gratuity. However, I don't think it will fly if she tells the manager that wants to leave a couple bucks on the table at a Disney buffet because that's what she does at the Golden Corral.

 

[marsha123]

if she does not want to tip an acceptable amount she should eat at counter service restraunts.this is how servers earn their living

 

[sassysuejones]

She will find that some restaurants will count the baby as a 6th person, and some will not...it all depends on the particular establishment's rules... that is with our experience.

 

[cymbaldiva]

I'm actually surprised this thread is still here....


That said, I do feel for the OP's friend that they didn't realize that the tips aren't included - 18% of Disney's inflated meal prices must come as a shock; always surprises the heck out of me! Sounds like this is the price of an education though, sad but true.