Tax and service..please help!!

[conchgirl]

Can someone tell me what exactly you end up paying tax and service on in a wishes wedding (WDW)? We know about the food and beverage...Can we expect to pay it on pretty much everything?? How about tipping? (florists etc)...?? How do you calculate it? Do you add up the complete total of everything and then add the 20% service and 6.5% tax.. or is it just on the food and beverage?? so confused!

 

[lurkyloo]

It IS very confusing!

Here's what gets taxed:
Site fees/venue rental fees
Viewing fees
Food & Beverage
Cake
Floral & Decor
Audio/visual elements

Here's what gets a 21% service charge (it went up):
Food & Beverage
Cake
Audio/visual elements that must be set up by a tech

Here's what gets move/set/delivery/handling fees:
Dessert Party location
Cake
Floral & Decor

The amount varies by what the item/service is and where it's being delivered.

Here's what gets no tax or service fee:
Entertainment
Event Guides
Transportation
Disney photography and videography (unless you live in Florida or have the final product delivered before you leave WDW - then there's sales tax... looks like you live in Florida...)

 

[lurkyloo]

There is no need to tip for food or beverage service - you are already paying a service charge.

The rule of thumb is "Tips for service people, not for professionals and people who own their own businesses"

Also, tipping is ALWAYS optional! Never feel pressured to tip, especially if you didn't get good service.

People Who Are Usually Tipped
Limo/Bus Driver: 15%-20%, capped at $150
Cosmetologist's assistant(s): 15%-20% each

Tipped Only for Exceptional Service
Cosmetologist: 15%-20% each
DJ: $50-$100
Dress steamer: $10-$20
Floral Event Manager: Thank-you card or gift
Musicians : $15-$25 each
Officiant (only if no fee charged): $50-$150
Photo/video assistant: $25-$50
Wedding Coordinator/Event Planner/Consultant: Thank-you card or gift
Wedding Planner’s Assistants: Thank-you card or gift

 

[conchgirl]

Thanks for answering so many of my questions! you are a BIG help!

 

[conchgirl]

What do you mean by Viewing fees?

 

[lurkyloo]

A viewing fee is a reduced admission price you pay for each guest who doesn't have his or her own admission to the park. That way, instead of them paying $$$ for a one-day park pass, you just pay $12.99 for them to come to your dessert party and see IllumiNations.

However, if they already have their own admission - like they have an annual pass or they bought a multi-day ticket - you don't have to pay a viewing fee for them.

 

[disneyberry]

Just curious, does anyone know how these are calculated?

Is it Subtotal x .065 = Tax
and
Subtotal x .20 = Service

Or do they charge Service on top of the after tax amount?
i.e.
Subtotal x 1.065 x .20 = Service

 

[lurkyloo]

The tax happens at the end, after the service charge. The service charge is applied to the pre-tax cost of food & beverage.

It's subtotal + service charge x tax (i.e., you pay tax on the service charge - except the audio-visual service charge, which for some reason isn't taxed).

So say your meal costs $100. Add the $21 service charge and then multiply the total by .065 to get $7.87 in tax. The total cost of that meal is $128.87.

 

[adisneygal]

A viewing fee is a reduced admission price you pay for each guest who doesn't have his or her own admission to the park. That way, instead of them paying $$$ for a one-day park pass, you just pay $12.99 for them to come to your dessert party and see IllumiNations.

However, if they already have their own admission - like they have an annual pass or they bought a multi-day ticket - you don't have to pay a viewing fee for them.

Sorry if these are silly questions...Do your guest with multi day tickets have to go into a park that day? Will it use one of their days on the multiday tix if they don't go in to a park on your wedding day?

 

[lurkyloo]

No such thing as a silly question!

If your guests have multiday admission, one whole day will be used up if they use the ticket to attend an IllumiNations party (but not if they just come to your ceremony and/or reception inside the park).

If they've already been in Epcot that day, it's OK. If they haven't been in Epcot that day, it's OK.

But if they don't have the park-hopper option and they used the admission at another park that day, they will lose a second day off the ticket when they enter Epcot for your party.