And if service is poor, what gives her power to deduct a % to lower the tip below 18%? Nothing, she can't do that. It's a double edged butter knife.
Disney strives for guests excellence, right? If someone isn't living up to that level, they won't, and shouldn't last long at disney. You can talk to a manager mainly. Let them know whats going on.
I was wondering about something & maybe "just another guy" can help.

Do disney servers like the dining plan? I mean I have seen a ga-gillion threads about "my service was terrible because of the dining plan" what do the servers think?
I had great service both times on the plan and never got the "oh your on the DDP" attitude.

When we go again next summer we are thinking about the deluxe plan and we will tip according to service, I was a waitress "back in the day" so I dont mind tipping!
thanks in advance.... just another guy!
Dana
No problem.
First off, let me tip off on the fact that if someone hasn't been a server, you really can't image what its like. Here's a quick example. What if you had a computer desk job doing whatever, and your boss paid you daily, based on what you hand in. Monday starts off with your computer screen not working. Once you get a replacement from IT, you're then having problems with the internet. Later in the day, the copy machine jams, etc. None of it is your fault, but at 5pm, you barely have anything to hand it. Instead of your normal "X" amount for the day, he only pays you 40% of "X" You did the best you could with what you had. Tuesday, your boss gives you a special assignment. Little does he know its something you've done before. At 5pm, you hand in twice what he expects, and he gives you 150% of "X".
Thats how serving goes. I would think an extremely large percentage of disney servers try their best everyday, but there are just things that get in the way. Lets say the Petersons just got sat at a table. They are already mad because they got a bit lost on the way back to the resort, and are now running late to see Wishes later. They looked at the menu online, and are ready to order the second they get sat. Just before they got sat, the Wilsons wanted to pay. They are on the DDP. The server runs their cards, but they are not credits left. The Wilsons insist there should be. Now the server is stuck on the phone with the front desk, trying to get this sorted out, while the Petersons are sitting there getting even more mad. Is this the servers fault? No, but most likely, the Petersons will probably take it out on the server via the tip. As much as it sucks, thats just how it typically works.
All that being said, as stated, all the severs I know love the DDP. It takes away the worry. Anyone who has server knows how to read a table. If its correct or not, people get stereotyped by servers based on where they are from(which country, or just what part of the US), their age, etc, ETC. Knowing someone is on the DDP takes away the worry if they know how to properly tip. There may very well be cases of a family visiting disney from the backwoods of KY. You can toss whatever stereotypical images along with this picture. The families yearly income is 30K. They have saved up years for this vacation. A
travel agent recommends the DDP, and it sounds good to them, saving them some much needed money. Lets say its a family of 5, 2 adults, and 3 kids ages 10, 12, and 13. They go to Boma for dinner. I rememeber Boma is like $25 a person, so with tax we'll say its 138. Now back in KY, he tips Bessie .50 for his daily coffee and morning special at the diner. When his family goes out, he may $4. On a special occasion, they might go to Olive Garden, and tip $7-8. Now dad is trying to be a nice guy at Boma, and tosses down $150, leaving a $12 tip. Thats something he's never done before. While he means the best, thats only a 8% tip. If on the DDP(with grat included) the tip would be $27.
So going back a bit, if a server approaches a family who looks and talks literally like the cast of the Beverly Hillbillies, the server might be a bit worried. Finding out they are on the DDP(currently with the grat) lets the server breathe a bit more easy. The server would probably be thinking, "Wow, the DDP sure saved me on this table!" I honestly don't think there are any servers at disney who think, "Great, there hillbillies are on the DDP, now I can treat them like crap, and still get a nice tip" People with that attitude wouldn't last at disney.
Without the grat on the DDP in 08, servers will be left with their fingers crossed in such a case.

That got long, hope I explained everything.