Tables in Wonderland- Beware

[gometros]

OK, as promised, I am back, and with a report. We ate at three restaurants while at WDW, two table service and one buffet, and here's what happened at each (and we were NOT on the dining plan, and NOT using a TIW, but we WERE using my DD's cast discount, which meant that an automatic gratiuty was added to each check, and we announced this cast discount was going to be used BEFORE we ordered our meals):

1st restaurant - this was the buffet, and it was absolutely wonderful. The server was so nice, helpful and knowledgable, and made sure that we knew that because we were using the cast discount that the tip would be included. She reminded us of this when she presented the check at the end of the meal (but we tipped extra anyway because she was so nice - about 20% total). By the way, the paper check we received did NOT indicate that a gratuity was being automatically included - there was a line to add a tip, and suggested amounts. It was not pleated, and extended out the top and bottom of the check holder.

2nd restaurant - the server was nice and helpful, but when she presented the check at the end of the meal (which was pleated to fit into the holder, but across the middle), the line for gratuity was circled. When I asked, nicely, whether the gratuity was going to be added automatically or if we had to fill out the amount, the server became flustered, picked up the check, put it down, said 'oh, yes, it's included', then hurried away. She never came back - we had to give our payment to another server who was working that section. To be clear, if we had added anything to that line she circled, it would have been on top of the automatic gratuity.

3rd restaurant - The server was fine, and the check came out unpleated, extending out of the top and bottom of the check holder. She mentioned, as she put it down, that because we were using the cast member discount there was an automatic gratuity included of 18%, but we were welcome to add to it.

That's exactly my experience, for what it was worth. Draw whatever conclusions you want.


KC

I just got back on Wednesday and had nine table service meals on TIW. Not once was the tip line hidden in any manner. I was only reminded a few times that the tip was included, but that didn't bother me at all, since I didn't consider it was for deceptive reasons.