Loads of 18% Changes On DDP, DDE, and large parties of 6 or more

[Lewisc]

Disney wanted to get the included gratuity out of the DDP. They had to negotiate with the union, had to give the union something in return.

Disney won't be paying the gratuity of DDP guests and DDE guests will have to pay an automatic gratuity. Disney got relief at the "expense" of guests who now have an automatic gratuity applied to their check. Specifically DDE guests and parties of 6 or more.

BroadwayGirl--Disney can always change their mind, particularly if the change results in a sharp reduction of DDP bookings BUT this is more then a "regular" internet rumor. Disney wouldn't have negotiated deletion of the automatic tip unless they're planning on doing it.

Does anyone else find it odd that they're removing the 18% gratuity from the DDP but adding it to the DDE? What would be the logic in that? Do you think it's intended to discourage guests from jumping from the DDP to DDE, by making DDE less attractive? I'm just trying to figure out why the tip would be treated differently on the two plans.

 

[JimMIA]

Does anyone else find it odd that they're removing the 18% gratuity from the DDP but adding it to the DDE? What would be the logic in that?

The logic is pretty simple. With DDP, Disney charges the same $38.99 per day per adult, but they save about $4.50 or so that they formerly paid to the restaurant for the 18% tip on their ascribed TS value of +/-$25. The restaurants (most of which are owned by Disney) save an additional $4.50-6.00, which they formerly paid the servers to make up the tip for the difference between the $25 and the menu price of the meal. So Disney's overall bottom line (DDP + restaurant savings) improves +/-$10 per day per adult or so.

Adding the automatic tip to DDE helps the servers without costing Disney a penny. Same with decreasing the party size from 8 to 6 -- helps servers (?) but doesn't cost Disney anthing.

Do you think it's intended to discourage guests from jumping from the DDP to DDE, by making DDE less attractive? I'm just trying to figure out why the tip would be treated differently on the two plans.

No. I don't think the autotip on DDE makes it less attractive. It just adds a tip that I would add anyway. The two plans are treated differently because of whose pocket the money is coming out of. Right now the DDP tip is coming out of Disney's revenues and they are trying to raise income by eliminating their tip expense.

 

[Tigger1]

I was first disappointed in losing the prepaid 18% tip.

After learning the attitudes of some of the servers threw the previous thread that was closed, I understand why disney needs to change the plan.

If I do not get good service, I will not tip as much and I will inform guest relations.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have had DDE for several years.

My opinion is that if I were going to tip more than 18% I can always add an additional amount.

However, I have always had a personal policy that if I tip outside my "normal" range, either up or down, I will discuss my reason for this with a manager. If I am at a restaurant and due to the service I would have left a very small tip, I will ask to speak with a manager before I make payment, explain why I do not want to leave that large a tip, and get the automatic tip removed.

 

[bicker]

Because they closed the other one

It should be noted that it is against board policy to start a new thread to carry on a discussion from a Closed thread. That surely isn't what's happening in this thread, correct?

 

[just another guy]

Considering that 2008 rates/packages have not been released we cannot yet know for sure what changes will be made. Until that time everything is rumor and speculation. While there may be a strong basis for the rumor and speculation there is still no definite word from Disney about whether this will actually happen. It seems silly and self-serving to get everyone's knickers in a knot about something that may not happen.

I see no one getting upset up. Sorry, but calling it a rumor is stupid. It was argued for days in disney's union, was voted for, and was approved. Its a FACT now. Just because the public hasn't officially been told it doesn't change that.

 

[bicker]

That's correct. By the same token, for all we know now, there may not even be a Dining Plan in 2008. There really isn't a firm foundation on which to discuss this issue (which is perhaps so many threads about this end up getting closed and locked) until there is actually something real and concrete to discuss.

 

[Anjelica]

Sorry if this has been asked earlier but when do they usually release the next years plans, details, restaurant lists and prices?

 

[goofy4tink]

I always resent having a tip automatically added to my bill. How I decide to tip should be for me to decide. I understand that larger groups have an automatic gratuity put in place...I'm sure servers have really gotten stiffed by some large groups. But, I hate having an 18% tip added automatically when I have had less than stellar service. That just irks me. And I generally tip at 20%, so it's not that I'm cheap. And since I hold a DDE card, the server is going to get less of a tip now....I just added the discount back on as the tip. Now, it will be 2% less...and no, I really don't want to have to put an addtl tip on there.
While I do understand that servers do not make much base salary and have to depend on their tips to get by, I would still like to be able to discern the amount I want to leave as a tip. It should be up to me, not WDW, to establish what I feel is due. I have to ask...don't those servers, who bust their humps so to speak, resent it a bit when those who are sub par are getting the same tips they are? I know I would. It sure would be tempting to just do my job and not worry about going the extra mile for my guests.

 

[Nancyg56]

That's correct. By the same token, for all we know now, there may not even be a Dining Plan in 2008.

If Disney has decided to make this change to the DDP, it makes sense to discontinue it. Get rid of it altogether and introduce a new and "improved" plan with an altogether different name. I can't understand making such a drastic change in the price structure, and I do feel that although the increase is indirect it is a large on, without trying to introduce it as a new product.

 

[Califgirl]

I always resent having a tip automatically added to my bill. How I decide to tip should be for me to decide.

I certainly agree with you, that it should be up to the individual to decide what to tip, but I am against the DDP losing the 18% gratuity. In essence, Disney just raised the price of the DDP 18% and now I have the inconvenience of figuring out how to pay the tip. Do I need to make sure I have enough cash in an appropriate amount (don't think I'd feel comfortable asking for 'change' for my tip if all I have are larger bills) Do I charge it to my room key, (separate transaction, not part of DDP anymore) do I charge it to a CC?? All of a sudden leaving a tip is becoming a bit of a hassle, where before all I had to do was give them my key to the world and my credits were deducted.

The simplicity of the DDP is what made it so attractive for me, everything was included.

 

[EmptyCinema]

This really bothers me. For one, I should be able to tip based on the level of service I receive. Secondly, as a DDE card holder, I'm a little bit peeved at an 18% gratuity at the buffet restaurants. I don't begrudge servers, but really... all they get you is your drinks. And more often than not, even that is slow. (Sorry, but that's my experience)

Perhaps the servers need to separate from the main union and attempt to negotiate their own contract if they feel the main union is not representing their interests.

 

[JimMIA]

I certainly agree with you, that it should be up to the individual to decide what to tip, but I am against the DDP losing the 18% gratuity. In essence, Disney just raised the price of the DDP 18%...

Actually, the amount of the increase depends on where you dine and what you order.

For example, if you do a $30 character meal, an 18% tip would be $5.40, which is 13.8% of $38.99. But if you go to Le Cellier and get a $50 meal, the 18% tip would be $9, which is 23.1% of $38.99.

Either way, it's one whopping big price increase...with no increase in value at all. If anything, as you pointed out, the loss of convenience diminishes the value of DDP at the same time they're raising the price significantly.

 

[Amy5000]

I have to ask...don't those servers, who bust their humps so to speak, resent it a bit when those who are sub par are getting the same tips they are? I know I would. It sure would be tempting to just do my job and not worry about going the extra mile for my guests.

I'm not a server...but your question, after reading the other thread, made me think:

First off, there are lot's of jobs where co-workers make the same $$ while one does a great job, another a mediocre job and one a poor job. Maybe one will get raises and advancement, and the person doing the poor job will get fired. Maybe not. Life isn't fair, maybe the cute server gets more than the better server. Who knows? Also, according to most of the posters here, they all tip for excellent service over the 18% of the DDP, so really the "bust their humps" servers should be doing ok anyway.

Then let's face it, it's not only the poor servers who get stiffed. On the last thread someone gave the example of the grandpa who picks up the $120 thread and thinks he's doing someone a favor leaving $5. I've heard of other stories about people leaving inadequate tips (eg, the waitress who worked hard every Sunday for a group of ladies after church and every Sunday they left her a different "prayer card" for a tip). Although I have little first hand knowledge, my guess is that there are a lot of people out there who don't tip properly for whatever reason. One person leaving a 5% tip really ruins the average for a person leaving a 20%. Servers are probably better off with 18% from everyone.

Thoughts from the professionals?

P.S. On a personal note, the DDP would make no sense for me if they made this change. I wouldn't be there ordering a drink, appetizer, entree, dessert at most restaurants. I'm an entree and maybe split an appetizer kind of patron. If it was all free under the DDP I would have tried it, but now I'd have to pay extra for food I really don't need in the first place.

 

[cabanafrau]

I don't think guests are going to take kindly to losing something many have come to accept as part of the plan. Adding more hassle to the process is a great way of increasing dissatisfaction & those types of things add up quickly when you're weighing out vacation options.

This was a simple program that has arguably gotten a bit unwieldy for Disney at times, but this truly isn't the type of tweaking the plan needs.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

This is now turning into another discussion....and I am not sure where that will lead us as Disney has not announced these changes. This is a board about the dining plan, not DDE and we have heard these changes are going into effect from castmembers and not officially from Disney.

I am saying here unless Disney formally declares this as correct, we should not start calling or writing letters as it is hearsay right now.

Reopening the previous thread under the guise of "loads of 18% changes on DDP, DDE, and large parties of 6 or more" is how it remained open. But now since we are discussing other matters on a board dedicated to DDP, this one will be locked as well..