The 23 Cent Tip and Other DDP Comments

[melomouse]

Hi All!

Just back from our 8 night stay with DDP. Most meals were great and we didn't miss the appy at all. Servers were, for the most part, great, if not sometimes harried and forgetful. I planned to spend somewhere between $20-$30 for the tips for each TS, and that was pretty much the way it worked out. My major complaint is that there is too much paper coming out on the checks/receipts and that there are inconsistencies all over, but I am hopeful these things will be worked out for upcoming visitors.

Our server at Le Cellier rang himself up a tip of 23 cents along with my OOP Beef Barley Soup + tax. I found the error, pointed it out to him, and he ran new receipts after a long time at the register which was right behind us. It was our second night and DS's birthday, and they had gone out of their way for him with a special dessert, a certificate signed by the whole staff, and lots of singing. I signed the corrected receipts and left in time to catch Illuminations.

Check at the desk the next day at WL on another DDP matter and indeed the tip went thru on the room charge as .23! Asked 2 CM's what I could do as I was upset that Kurt from Ottawa was not going to get a proper tip. They actually laughed and said nothing could be done. From then on, I was more careful on the signage. I am still upset about the server being stiffed through no obvious fault of my own.

The other problem occurred at Dino-Bites in AK, where the signage outside still indicated those purple thingys for Snacks. So I order up three ice creams, get the receipt to sign and see that she has rung it up as cash charged to the room instead of three snacks. I point out the sign, and she said she can only ring popcorn and soda into the register as snack credits. Magically, a manager appeared and fixed it, removing the 3 snack credits and crediting $12.65 back to the room.

Some restaurants allow smoothies w/ no refill, others don't. WCC still allows the bottomless shake. Never had a problem switching a soft drink for a coffee at the end.Signage at the parks definitely needs to be adjusted for the snacks - seems not to be a problem at the resorts at all.

Reviews to follow - any questions, please feel free!

 

[bedell32]

We had the same problem with the snack credits. I think the CM should ask if you are using snack credits before ringing the items up. I felt like I was being scolded a few times for not telling them I was using snack credits. They had to credit the $ back to the room and re-ring it. What a pain.

We also thought the receipt process was a pain. Each time up to five receipts for one family. Couldn't tell which one to sign sometimes. I hope they smooth this out so it's not so confusing for next time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks, melomouse! The smoothie issue is ongoing - for the entire existence of the DDP, some locations have allowed a smoothie or a non-alcoholic 'fancy' drink, while others (Chefs comes immediately to mind) have always restricted your beverage to soda/coffee/tea-type drinks.

 

[septbaby]

Hi All!

Just back from our 8 night stay with DDP. Check at the desk the next day at WL on another DDP matter and indeed the tip went thru on the room charge as .23! Asked 2 CM's what I could do as I was upset that Kurt from Ottawa was not going to get a proper tip.

You could have returned to LeCellier and spoken directly with a manager and provided your server with a cash tip.

I would also contact Guest Services via e-mail and explain that your server did a great job, that somehow the tip process got botched and that you'd like to "make good" for him. I'm sure they can assist you to do the right thing.

Glad your trip was wonderful!

 

[TLSnell1981]

You could have returned to LeCellier and spoken directly with a manager and provided your server with a cash tip.

I would also contact Guest Services via e-mail and explain that your server did a great job, that somehow the tip process got botched and that you'd like to "make good" for him. I'm sure they can assist you to do the right thing.

Glad your trip was wonderful!

It amazes me how concerned some are with making sure the servers get what they deserve...and that is the main agenda. If the server was concerned about the gratuity....I think they would/should ask for assistance from their manager.....they were obviously aware of the problem. Maybe, even management knew and is compensating the servers... You are putting the entire burden on the big bad consumer.

 

[melomouse]

Interesting points from both of you, snell and septbaby.

By pointing out the error first to the server, then to Guest services, then to another CM at Guest Services, I had about done as much as I was willing at that point. I told another server about it during the week as I double-checked slips I signed, and some sympathized, but pointed out that A) I wasn't headed to Le Cellier again B) A manager might never "get" the "tip" to the server, and C) What if Kurt wasn't scheduled to work for the next week?

Funny how I'd read tipping threads to death on here before I left, and this incident is how some of the changes came down in my trip...life is strange..

 

[TLSnell1981]

Interesting points from both of you, snell and septbaby.

By pointing out the error first to the server, then to Guest services, then to another CM at Guest Services, I had about done as much as I was willing at that point. I told another server about it during the week as I double-checked slips I signed, and some sympathized, but pointed out that A) I wasn't headed to Le Cellier again B) A manager might never "get" the "tip" to the server, and C) What if Kurt wasn't scheduled to work for the next week?

Funny how I'd read tipping threads to death on here before I left, and this incident is how some of the changes came down in my trip...life is strange..

It doesn't surprise me that you gave due diligence to this issue. I have read many of your posts and know you would make an effort to correct the error....within reason.

 

[melomouse]

Thanks, Snell!

 

[minniemee]

Melomouse I agree that you went above and beyond to fix the problem!
It sounds like they need to iron out the kinks in the new DDP!

 

[Jimdvc]

I never have understood why there has always been so much trouble figuring out what is and isn't a snack. Even on the old plan it was a mystery at times what you could buy.

Simply make ANYTHING under 4 dollars a snack. If the value Disney places on a food item is 3.99 or less, what would it matter if it is a ice cream sandwich or a box of doughnuts. I am obtaining the same value regardless of what item I select.

Disney should make the plan as EASY as possible for the cast members and the guest.

 

[pooch]

I never have understood why there has always been so much trouble figuring out what is and isn't a snack. Even on the old plan it was a mystery at times what you could buy.

Simply make ANYTHING under 4 dollars a snack. If the value Disney places on a food item is 3.99 or less, what would it matter if it is a ice cream sandwich or a box of doughnuts. I am obtaining the same value regardless of what item I select.

Disney should make the plan as EASY as possible for the cast members and the guest.

I respectfully submit there is a great deal of difference between a single serve Ice Cream sandwich and a box of donuts. We got the 1 snack credit box of donuts on our 2006 free dining trip along with a 1 Snack Credit 1/2 gal of orange juice and were able to use that for breakfast for 3 days, certainly not what Disney intended a snack credit to cover. I do agree that the snack credit issue and the non-alcoholic drink issue need to be standardized. I'm afraid though that they will not be resolved in our favor!!

 

[Jimdvc]

I respectfully submit there is a great deal of difference between a single serve Ice Cream sandwich and a box of donuts. We got the 1 snack credit box of donuts on our 2006 free dining trip along with a 1 Snack Credit 1/2 gal of orange juice and were able to use that for breakfast for 3 days, certainly not what Disney intended a snack credit to cover. I do agree that the snack credit issue and the non-alcoholic drink issue need to be standardized. I'm afraid though that they will not be resolved in our favor!!

I understand you point and it is well taken. 12 doughnuts does not =one frozen treat.

But on the flip side, doesn't 3.99=3.99? So why would it matter if I get a 3.99 box of doughnuts or a 3.99 double twirl soft serve mickey cone.

Why should what the consumer gets with the 3.99 matter? Heck they could allow my child to pick out a 3.99 disney trinket for all I care.

Obvioulsy Disney knows what they are doing, but I can't imagine creating a plan that my average consumer struggles to understand. Can you walk into the typical Disney store and tell me 100% what is included in the plan as a snack? I sure can't, I would imagine few can. How easy would it be for Disney to simply say a snack= any item 3.99 or less. I bet they would save 100 man hours per day that are currently spent by cast members attempting to explain what is and isn't included, quite often in situations where they don't know for sure.Many times I have stood in the screen door at the BW and walked up to the counter and asked if something was in the Snack plan and had the cast member tell me "I don't know, let's ring it and see". That is simply counter productive.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I understand you point and it is well taken. 12 doughnuts does not =one frozen treat.

But on the flip side, doesn't 3.99=3.99? So why would it matter if I get a 3.99 box of doughnuts or a 3.99 double twirl soft serve mickey cone.

Why should what the consumer gets with the 3.99 matter? Heck they could allow my child to pick out a 3.99 disney trinket for all I care.

Awesome post and very well said.

 

[Sugardimples]

The confusion and the amount of paperwork is ridiculous. You get so many pieces of paper that you don't know what's what. It is really confusing!

Also, Disney is doing a poor job communicating what can be purchased with s snack credit. Some things are marked, some are not. This is especially true in the food courts of the hotels. You will also get different answers from different cashiers. I have to believe that Disney could correct this if they wanted to, they're just too good in too many other areas.

 

[Jimdvc]

The screen door at the BW seldom has things marked, while the market place at the BC has everythig marked. 2 stores selling the same things both in the same general area, yet for the last 3-4 years it has been this way.

The solution is easy. Anything under 3.99=snack. Heck change the name from snack to "convience item", and allow the guest to spend the 3.99 on what ever they choose, be it food or not. Shoot as far as that goes, if my card has 20 snack credits, allow me to spend all 20 on one single $80 item if that is how I choose to spend MY $.