New Disney Dining Experience Clarification Email re: Gratuity

[uromac]

Here's the new email I just received from Disney regarding DDE and Gratuities:

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.


If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team

Hope this helps everyone!

Melissa

 

[Cheshire Figment]

This is what I was hoping it would say. It does not apply to counter service locations.

However, this does not mean that you cannot add an additional gratuity if you so desire.

Also, if you feel the level of service provided does not deserve a gratuity as high as 18% you can discuss this with a manager at the location, who always has the authority to make an adjustment.

(Note for buffet locations, the level of service would have to be pretty bad, and not just complaining that an 18% gratuity is high for a buffet (which I personally think it is).)

 

[Momof2J's]

Here's the new email I just received from Disney regarding DDE and Gratuities:

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.

If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team

Hope this helps everyone!

Melissa

If I'm reading this correctly, it doesn't make sense since as of January 1, 2008 gratutity will not be included w/DDP

It sounds like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing

 

[minnie29uk]

Here's the new email I just received from Disney regarding DDE and Gratuities:

Many of you have expressed concern about the 18% gratuity that will be added to all Disney Dining Experience transactions. When using your Disney Dining Experience membership card the assessed gratuity will be added to all table service restaurant locations and lounges for all transactions regardless of party size. Gratuity will not be added to any counter service, food cart or quick service locations. In the past, gratuity was only implemented for larger parties of 8 or more for guests utilizing their Disney Dining Experience membership.

This adjustment to the program has been implemented in order to align the Disney Dining Experience Program with other dining experiences where gratuities are included. Effective January 1, 2008, when utilizing your Disney Dining Experience discount 18% gratuity will be added.


If you have any further questions or concerns we would ask that you send an e-mail to our Executive Offices at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Thank you,

The Disney Dining Experience Team

Hope this helps everyone!

Melissa

Got mine today.Glad Im getting a trip in before the 1st Jan.
I think it is a cheek to do it.I still prefer to make the choice myself!1
May aswell not bother buying it and then not ip,it will even it out!!!I think it is wrong to expect the same for a buffet as other types of meals!!!

Will be replying,
Lynn

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If I'm reading this correctly, it doesn't make sense since as of January 1, 2008 gratuity will not be included w/DDP

It sounds like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing

For the DDP the 18% (more if you want it) is not included in DDP but will automatically be added as a charge against your room account, unless you pay it in cash or with a separate charge.

One of the main reasons for this has been that the servers were getting a fixed amount based on what the restaurant was getting reimbursed by DDP; now it will be based on the actual menu prices.

 

[Nbtstatic]

For the DDP the 18% (more if you want it) is not included in DDP but will automatically be added as a charge against your room account, unless you pay it in cash or with a separate charge.
One of the main reasons for this has been that the servers were getting a fixed amount based on what the restaurant was getting reimbursed by DDP; now it will be based on the actual menu prices.

Didn't we just go through this? Where are you getting this from? The clarification email above says automatic gratuity is stricty for those using a DDE card...

 

[TDC Nala]

If I'm reading this correctly, it doesn't make sense since as of January 1, 2008 gratutity will not be included w/DDP

It sounds like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing

When they allude to "other dining experiences," they are not necessarily talking about the DDP. There are other dining "experiences" which include gratuities, for example...dinner shows, Food and Wine Festival special events, DDE events, etc. They may even be including group dining in that reference.

 

[Momof2J's]

For the DDP the 18% (more if you want it) is not included in DDP but will automatically be added as a charge against your room account, unless you pay it in cash or with a separate charge.

One of the main reasons for this has been that the servers were getting a fixed amount based on what the restaurant was getting reimbursed by DDP; now it will be based on the actual menu prices.

That's exactly what I mean. The DDP used to include 18% gratuity. The portion of the e-mail was stating that they are now including 18% gratuity to "align" with other dining plans. Since the tip has since been removed on DDP eff 1/1/08, the addition of 18% on DDE no longer "matches" the other dining options.

(Hopefully I'm making sense)

 

[Momof2J's]

When they allude to "other dining experiences," they are not necessarily talking about the DDP. There are other dining "experiences" which include gratuities, for example...dinner shows, Food and Wine Festival special events, DDE events, etc. They may even be including group dining in that reference.

Ahhh...gotcha...thanks for the clarification

 

[k5thbeatle]

This is a terrible decision. What is the motivation for a server to provide exceptional service? They receive 18% for just showing up? I know many were probably getting "stiffed" by the cheap _ _ _ es, so I understand their reasoning, sort of, but this is a terrible solution imho!

 

[mickeywho?]

The way I understand it (see if anyone can follow my logic!)
Any TS dining using DDE card will have the 18% added automatically as would all other dining experiences including DDP. The DDP just no longer pays the tip for you - you now have to pay that on top of the DDP fee. So everyone has 18% added on top of their food/drink bill.
*Whether the DDE discount comes before or after the added fee (yes - i would call it a fee if it is not by choice) I'm not sure of but it is for all TS meals.
*DDP guests only have this fee when they have a party of 6 or more.
*Would cash guests have this added if they have 5 or less in their party? (Meaning if you do not use a DDE card and are not on the DDP do you have a choice in the amount you tip? How is that fair?)
I think there will be a lot of emails and phone calls to guest services until this is cleared up!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

We have a post discussing this already.. so please refer to that one and post there for discussion..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1633420