Question about 18% tip for Group of 6

[Crystal_27]

My family and another family are traveling to WDW in September, 2008 and we will both be on the DDP. We are a family of 3 and they are a family of 5, and we will likely be eating all of our TS meals together. We have separate reservations, of course. As far as the tip, would both checks automatically include the 18% tip? I'm hopeful that the answer is yes (it makes it easier for everyone, I think) but I just wanted to ask specifically how that process works. Any input would be most appreciated. Thank you!

 

[JimMIA]

First of all, if you want to eat together, you should make one ADR, not separate. You could end up at opposite ends of the restaurants.

If you sit apart with the separate ressies, neither of you will have the automatic tip, unless one of you uses a DDE card. If you sit together, no matter how you pay, or how many ressies you make, you will both have 18% automatically added to your checks because your party will be 8 people.

 

[Crystal_27]

First of all, if you want to eat together, you should make one ADR, not separate. You could end up at opposite ends of the restaurants.

If you sit apart with the separate ressies, neither of you will have the automatic tip, unless one of you uses a DDE card. If you sit together, no matter how you pay, or how many ressies you make, you will both have 18% automatically added to your checks because your party will be 8 people.

JimMIA, thank you so much for the information. WHEW - I'm glad that tips are going to be automatically included. I think that the pre-tipping thing is just too awkward. Anyway, thanks again!

 

[TDC Nala]

Should be clarified that you will get A BILL for an 18% tip based on the price value of your order.

The DDP does not include a tip any longer. Diners are responsible for paying their tips. For a party of 5 or less, the guests determine the amount of tip. For a party of 6 or more, 18% is automatically calculated and presented on the bill.

Because you are on the DDP, you will not be billed for anything except the tip, unless you have ordered alcoholic beverages or any other off-plan item.

 

[Crystal_27]

Should be clarified that you will get A BILL for an 18% tip based on the price value of your order.

Oh yeah, I knew that. I just reread my last post and I understand where the confusion comes in. I just wanted to make sure that our parties would each get billed automatically for the 18% and that we didn't need to do some sort of "sharing" arrangement. It's also easier for me to just get a bill at the END of the meal rather than the beginning, so I'm glad that having a party of 8 will automatically put us into an auto-gratuity situation. Anyway, thanks for making sure I understood - that's what I love about this community.

 

[disneyvacalover]

First of all, if you want to eat together, you should make one ADR, not separate. You could end up at opposite ends of the restaurants.

If you sit apart with the separate ressies, neither of you will have the automatic tip, unless one of you uses a DDE card. If you sit together, no matter how you pay, or how many ressies you make, you will both have 18% automatically added to your checks because your party will be 8 people.

I read in the new Disney contract that was on here last week that;
if you are a party of 6 or greater then yes you have to pay the 18% tip. But if you have separate checks making 2 smaller parties then, no, you are not obligated to the 18% tip.
Would love to hear from anyone with experience on this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No experience with it yet, but that's not how I read the contract (okay, fine, skimmed over the contract quickly - not NEARLY the same as actually reading and comprehending it ).
I think it's
- If you're a party of six or more seated together, even if it's actually two or more fewer-than-six parties, the 18% is automatically added to your bill before it's presented to you.
- If you're a party of six or more, seated at separate tables but on one check, again, the 18% is automatically added to your bill before it's presented to you.
- If you're a party of six or more seated at separate tables AND getting separate checks, the 18% is NOT automatically added (but your checks will come with the 18% and 20% calculations printed on them).
- If you're a combination of two or three of the above... I have a headache.

 

[disneyvacalover]

No experience with it yet, but that's not how I read the contract (okay, fine, skimmed over the contract quickly - not NEARLY the same as actually reading and comprehending it ).
I think it's
- If you're a party of six or more seated together, even if it's actually two or more fewer-than-six parties, the 18% is automatically added to your bill before it's presented to you.
- If you're a party of six or more, seated at separate tables but on one check, again, the 18% is automatically added to your bill before it's presented to you.
- If you're a party of six or more seated at separate tables AND getting separate checks, the 18% is NOT automatically added (but your checks will come with the 18% and 20% calculations printed on them).
- If you're a combination of two or three of the above... I have a headache.

Right, so you can tip 15% OR 10% (NOT THAT i WOULD) IF YOU GET SEPARATE CHECKS. I REALLY DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF BEING FORCED TO TIP A CERTAIN AMOUNT ESPECIALLY IF THE SERVICE IS POOR.
I know I can speak to a manager regarding poor service, but really it's not that big of a deal. Just don't force me to tip 18%.
What about families with 2 rooms. One room is on the dining plan and the other is not. They dine together but ask for separate checks.
Are they FORCED to pay the 18% or not.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes. Six or more people dining together, automatic 18% service charge added to ALL the checks.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

OK, here's our scenario...Our ADR's are made for 10 people. My mom and dad are paying for their meals (no DDP) and will have a seperate check. The other 8 people belong to one family (mine). We are on DDP, but we have 2 rooms so we will have 2 different checks (one for each room on DDP). Add on to that the fact that almost every single ADR we made they have split us into 2 tables because of the size of our group.On another thread a Disney server pointed out that this might mean we will have more than 1 server for our group. What's your take on how the tip will be handled by the restaurants??? I was assuming that because I made 1 reservation for the 10 people that we would have an automatic gratuity added on, but now I'm wondering if I'm wrong because each check will be for less than 6 people. I thought I had it finally figured out and now I'm confused again!!!

 

[SmithFamily2003]

I have a question about the party of 6 or more. If you have 5 people plus one toddler under three (so you are not paying for her), does that still count as a party of 6?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Smithfamily, I do believe you're still considered a party of 6. they have to make room for the highchair, so they ask when you make your ADRs. We're in the same position--my youngest will be 2 1/2 next trip. I'm completely put off by the idea of the auto-gratuity, but I think I'm stuck with it.

 

[just another guy]

I read in the new Disney contract that was on here last week that;
if you are a party of 6 or greater then yes you have to pay the 18% tip. But if you have separate checks making 2 smaller parties then, no, you are not obligated to the 18% tip.
Would love to hear from anyone with experience on this.

If there is one table(or even two tables pushed together) and 6 people sitting around it(even if 3 are not eating, and 2 are infants) 18% will be added to the bill. It doesn't matter if all 6 people want 6 separate checks either. 6 heads at one tables gets 18% added to the bill. Thats the easiest way to put it.

 

[Tricia1972]

If there is one table(or even two tables pushed together) and 6 people sitting around it(even if 3 are not eating, and 2 are infants) 18% will be added to the bill. It doesn't matter if all 6 people want 6 separate checks either. 6 heads at one tables gets 18% added to the bill. Thats the easiest way to put it.

You are 100% right with what I understand to be true.

Reading the contract last week it sounded like even if you were a party of 10 but were separated into two tables of 5 your party would be subject to the auto gratuity also, regardless of how many checks you have. Did I read that correctly?