Just returned...One "problem" with DDP

[IMDORY]

We just returned on Tuesday from a 7 night trip w/DDP (regular). I think the DDP was basically a good deal for us-used it last August too. Of course this year was a bit different with the price and now not including tip-I still think it was a good deal for us.

My one issue was how the billing was handled this year. Unless you were leaving cash tips (I wasn't-I was charging it to my room card) you actually were forced to write the tip amount down BEFORE the server would run your DDP credits. I did not care for this at all. I always tip 15-20% usually 18% if service was good-20% for excellent. I always felt that I had to tip 20%, even though I didn't find the service wasn't there. Sometimes I waited and waited and WAITED for the server to bring back my copies to sign and wished I hadn't tipped 20%.

I don't mind paying the tip OOP, but would rather do so at the very end of the complete transaction to judge the entire level of service. When we go in December, I'll be sure to ballpark how much I'll probably need for tips and carry cash for that so I won't be put on the spot.

Anyone else find this rude/distasteful/annoying...etc.?

 

[sjms71]

So, how exactly did this work? Did they ask you if you would be leaving the tip on your room charge? We will be taking cash and tipping that way. I was just wondering.

 

[IMDORY]

The server would present a bill with a dollar amount (even if I already told them that I was on the DDP) and then they would instruct me to fill out the bottom (the tip line) and then they would run the DDP credits for me. Of course the bill contains how much an 18% tip would be and how much a 20% tip would be for my convenience...then the server would return and instruct me to sign two receipts-one for the DDP credits and one for the tip on the room charge.

 

[shoes99]

We just returned on 8/28. We had the FREE dining plan for 4 nights and we spread the credits out to 6 different restaurants by sharing. We left cash for the tips. When you receive your bill, it is totaled, and there is a section for tips, with the recommended 18% or 20%....I wrote cash in the amount line, gave the server my key to the world card with the cash tip in the folder.
The folder was returned with the "zero" amount bill for me to sign, with a copy for me to keep. The tip was already taken by the server.
We budgeted for this so we were not inconvenienced.

 

[IMDORY]

We just returned on 8/28. We had the FREE dining plan for 4 nights and we spread the credits out to 6 different restaurants by sharing. We left cash for the tips. When you receive your bill, it is totaled, and there is a section for tips, with the recommended 18% or 20%....I wrote cash in the amount line, gave the server my key to the world card with the cash tip in the folder.
The folder was returned with the "zero" amount bill for me to sign, with a copy for me to keep. The tip was already taken by the server.
We budgeted for this so we were not unconvenienced.

This is how I'll do it in December-I'll write cash in the tip line and leave a cash tip before I leave.

 

[sjms71]

We leave in a few days and I plan on using cash for the tips. I already kind of know what I will leave give or take a few dollars. But it's good to know to put cash in the tip line.

 

[imthatgirl]

i just got back today. we paid cash for all but one. but in either scenarion we never left a tip until we were leaving. when we paid cash we gave them our cards and they would bring back the paper that we sign and what tip we wanted to leave. when we charged it to the room we did the same thing. but it took forever. first they he brought the bill, then we gave him the card, then he brought the paper to sign and we gave him back the card for the tip. either way you do have to wait there for the card back.

but honestly it shouldnt force you to leave more? but you do have to see them after youve tipped them, i guess for some that could be uncomfortable, but the tip is still up to you.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

We leave on Saturday. This will be our first time with the dining plan since the tip not being included.

I guess I assumed it would work like when you pay at a restaurant with a credit card. You get your bill, give the server your card, they return with your "statement". You write in your tip, sign it and leave.

Does it not work this way? I'm confused.

 

[imthatgirl]

We leave on Saturday. This will be our first time with the dining plan since the tip not being included.

I guess I assumed it would work like when you pay at a restaurant with a credit card. You get your bill, give the server your card, they return with your "statement". You write in your tip, sign it and leave.

Does it not work this way? I'm confused.

no. if you were to use a credit card it works this way because the server will swipe your card and the essentially leave it open until you write the tip in and then they add the tip in and "close" the bill.
but with the dining plan they would take the credits off your card, thats step one. in order to charge the room they have to perform a second step. in order to save themselvews time, and really you time, they will ask you do both steps at the same time. but they dont have to be performed together. you can request they bring the paper to sign beore adding in the tip, but youll still ahve to wait to get the card back.
honestly its easier to just carry some cash with you.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

no. if you were to use a credit card it works this way because the server will swipe your card and the essentially leave it open until you write the tip in and then they add the tip in and "close" the bill.
but with the dining plan they would take the credits off your card, thats step one. in order to charge the room they have to perform a second step. in order to save themselvews time, and really you time, they will ask you do both steps at the same time. but they dont have to be performed together. you can request they bring the paper to sign beore adding in the tip, but youll still ahve to wait to get the card back.
honestly its easier to just carry some cash with you.

Thank you for that clear answer. That makes sense now. We will figure out cash tips for our meals and bring that amount of cash to make things easiest.

 

[Belle4mygrl]

I am getting confused reading this. Sorry.

I just want to clarify. If I pay tips with cash, I write in the tip line cash and then once I get my cards back I can leave the cash in the folder. Right?

 

[disneybound31]

I am getting confused reading this. Sorry.

I just want to clarify. If I pay tips with cash, I write in the tip line cash and then once I get my cards back I can leave the cash in the folder. Right?

I hope this is right. We go in 6 weeks and I will not tip more simply because I am held hostage. We tip 18% almost without question... 20% if exceptional. But I have and will tip 15% (or a bit less at buffets) when I feel I have had to work too hard to get what my kids need at dinner. And we are by no means demanding people.

 

[shoes99]

I am getting confused reading this. Sorry.

I just want to clarify. If I pay tips with cash, I write in the tip line cash and then once I get my cards back I can leave the cash in the folder. Right?

Yes, you can do that, or you can do what we did and give them the cash tip when we gave them the key to the world card.........we usually went with 15% to 18%, but 20% when we shared a meal...

 

[Bell30012]

I write CASH in on the line and don't leave the tip until we are ready to leave. Sometimes after you have given the tip, the waiter/waitress seems to be more concerned with the customers that he has not already been paid for... thus taking longer to make it back to you.

Usually, I leave 18% rounded up to the next dollar. I still used to tip when the DDP included tip if the service was good. I've only experienced excellent service at Disney twice and only experienced poor service twice... everything else was average.

 

[Maxamuus]

Maybe i am a a*s, but i dont care and i will tip what i see fit.

If i am left to fend for myself begging for a drink refill your tip will reflect that and i dont mind putting it on the bill upfront. I would be glad to offer my suggestions as part of the tip as how you can best increase your tips.

If the service is good or great i tip great, if the service sucks your tip sucks and i will explain to you why.

Dont let lazy servers brow beat you into tipping 20%!

 

[tarobert]

There is no way my husband would pay a tip before hand. The tip will be left on the table as we are ready to leave. That way they get the tip they earned.

Tammy

 

[Pumbaa_]

Tipping discussions are limited to one thread. Plese see this post for more information

 

[Mom of 2 Wife of 1]

I can't imagine why any server would delay returning to the table with the bills. They may be swamped with other tasks, but getting your table turned and earning more gratuities is the logical way to go. Maybe I'm wrong?

I would like to understand one point: Do servers have the ability to do everything all at once and they choose to go back and forth? Or are they forced to do it the way the OP mentioned? That's a terribly inefficient system if it's the latter, and I have no intention of carrying that much cash on me for tips. It defeats the whole point of why we pre-paid for the DDP.