The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 31

[Tammi67]

I just got this email from Disney

Dear Debra,

Greetings from the Disney Dining Experience Team!

As 2008 quickly approaches, you will begin to see some exciting new developments for the Disney Dining Experience Membership Program. You asked and we listened! Effective November 11, 2007, you will no longer have to wait 3 – 6 weeks to receive your permanent membership card(s).

Guest Relations locations at Epcot®, MAGIC KINGDOM® Park, DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park, Disney-MGM Studios, DOWNTOWN DISNEY® West Side, and DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Marketplace will now be able to print permanent Disney Dining Experience membership cards for immediate use. This service is designed for existing and new members. Cards produced at the Guest Relations locations will be printed on paper stock similar to the annual pass tickets.

The Disney Dining Experience office will still be available to take applications for current and new members, via the phone, fax or mail for those who do not want to take advantage of the in-park service. Membership cards ordered through the Disney Dining Experience office will be received within 2 - 3 weeks of purchase.

All Guests who have ordered their Disney Dining Experience membership cards prior to November 11, 2007 date will have to pickup their temporary cards at the main entrance Epcot® Guest Relations. Your permanent card will be sent through the mail and arrive in 3-4 weeks from the date of purchase.

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!


The Disney Dining Experience Team




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Dining Location


Tutto Italia Ristorante, in the Italian Pavilion at Epcot® is now a participating Disney Dining Experience location. The casual-elegant restaurant features handmade mozzarella and pasta, Italian regional specialties and wonderful breads and pastries. Tutto Italia Ristorante location is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Please note that L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Restaurant is no longer operating at the Italian Pavilion.


18% gratuity will now be charged to all parties. Too bad for them, they will be cutting down tips for some parties.

I do NOT like the fact that they are imposing a forced tip. A tip is NOT mandatory. It should not automatically be charged. Of course I will leave a tip, probably more than 18%, but I'm NOT happy about being forced into it. It's the principle of the matter. Plus, if the servers know they don't have to WORK for their tip, what's their incentive to provide me with a wonderful dining experience??

 

[PNO4TE]

Tammi - I got an email from The Melting Pot yesterday... I wonder if it is exclusive to ours here in Fredericksburg?

Sunday Brunch at The Melting Pot!

Every Sunday from 12pm-2pm come enjoy a 3 course meal for only $25 pp.

Cheese Fondue
Cheddar, Fiesta, Mediterranean, Swiss, Wisconsin Trio, or Spinach Artichoke

Entree Plate
White Shrimp, Garlic and Herb Chicken,Teriyaki marinated sirloin, and Pot stickers

Dessert
Your choice of any of our sinfully delicious chocolate fondues

 

[bear74]

well my mom just called me. She said that when my brother came home last night around 1am he walked around to the back door to go into the house. Their was some one trying to break into the storage room. which he have a lock on. He yelled at the person and he and another guy took off running. my brother chased them but they climbed in a dark suv that took off. they did not turn thier lights on till they were turning onto another street.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My card is still valid and I got nothing by email, Elizabeth... But, there are no perks in renewing, so I plan to wait to re-purchase DDE when I know when we are headed to WDW in the future.



Are you liking Southwest any better now that you are getting all these fare reductions?

Then maybe the e-mails from DDE work like the rest of the e-mails to AP holders! You never know!

I would like it MUCH better if I was being REFUNDED all that money. But $151 round trip is a great price, even if the flights aren't non-stop. I guess we'll see how the experience is, then I can tell you if I am excited about the credit or not! I was just playing with some dates and DS and I could go to KC for about $50 out of pocket. I'm just not sure when we would go. DS has a 4 day weekend for MLK but that isn't a contract holiday for me. If I am off it will be because one of my bosses takes the day off. I will have to ask them if they think I might end up having the Monday off.

 

[PNO4TE]

I do NOT like the fact that they are imposing a forced tip. A tip is NOT mandatory. It should not automatically be charged. Of course I will leave a tip, probably more than 18%, but I'm NOT happy about being forced into it. It's the principle of the matter. Plus, if the servers know they don't have to WORK for their tip, what's their incentive to provide me with a wonderful dining experience??

Am I reading this correctly that there will be an automatic 18% tip added to every single table service meal? Including buffets? If this is the case, I will no longer "automatically" tip 20% and 15% at buffets. I will leave just what they put on bill. I think that this is atrocious!

 

[bear74]

Tammi - I got an email from The Melting Pot yesterday... I wonder if it is exclusive to ours here in Fredericksburg?

Sunday Brunch at The Melting Pot!

Every Sunday from 12pm-2pm come enjoy a 3 course meal for only $25 pp.

Cheese Fondue
Cheddar, Fiesta, Mediterranean, Swiss, Wisconsin Trio, or Spinach Artichoke

Entree Plate
White Shrimp, Garlic and Herb Chicken,Teriyaki marinated sirloin, and Pot stickers

Dessert
Your choice of any of our sinfully delicious chocolate fondues

Elin my entertainment book has coupons for the melting pot in it.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I do NOT like the fact that they are imposing a forced tip. A tip is NOT mandatory. It should not automatically be charged. Of course I will leave a tip, probably more than 18%, but I'm NOT happy about being forced into it. It's the principle of the matter. Plus, if the servers know they don't have to WORK for their tip, what's their incentive to provide me with a wonderful dining experience??

I never tell the server I have DDE until the very end. If the service is bad then I will be asking for a manager to dispute the mandatory tip. If the service is truly, truly abyssmal then I guess I won't use the DDE card and won't tip at all! (But really, if it was THAT bad I would ask for a manager anyway.) Since DDP won't have tips included anymore I would think none of the servers would slack off - too much at stake. DDE will be the only "forced" tips, and if they don't know ahead of time that you have DDE then there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[bear74]

I need to go buy some thank you cards.

Marci we received your package on sat, Thank you

Deb still nothing.

Glynis I love the blanket you made. Thank you

 

[PNO4TE]

Elin my entertainment book has coupons for the melting pot in it.

Just checked and mine does too, Jennifer. Unfortunately, our city is not large enough to warrant its own Entertainment Book so the coupons I have are good only in their Richmond locations and only $10 off on The Big Night Out (which we usually get anyway). But this bruch deal for $25 is really good!

 

[Tammi67]

Tammi - I got an email from The Melting Pot yesterday... I wonder if it is exclusive to ours here in Fredericksburg?

Sunday Brunch at The Melting Pot!

Every Sunday from 12pm-2pm come enjoy a 3 course meal for only $25 pp.

Cheese Fondue
Cheddar, Fiesta, Mediterranean, Swiss, Wisconsin Trio, or Spinach Artichoke

Entree Plate
White Shrimp, Garlic and Herb Chicken,Teriyaki marinated sirloin, and Pot stickers

Dessert
Your choice of any of our sinfully delicious chocolate fondues

Interesting, and yummy!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

well my mom just called me. She said that when my brother came home last night around 1am he walked around to the back door to go into the house. Their was some one trying to break into the storage room. which he have a lock on. He yelled at the person and he and another guy took off running. my brother chased them but they climbed in a dark suv that took off. they did not turn thier lights on till they were turning onto another street.

Sounds like the same guys who broke into the cars came back for seconds!

Am I reading this correctly that there will be an automatic 18% tip added to every single table service meal? Including buffets? If this is the case, I will no longer "automatically" tip 20% and 15% at buffets. I will leave just what they put on bill. I think that this is atrocious!

We have always tipped 20% at all of our TS meals - buffets and menu. But now I guess we will tip 18% and call it good! I might add extra if the service just blows me away, but I probably won't.

 

[PNO4TE]

I never tell the server I have DDE until the very end. If the service is bad then I will be asking for a manager to dispute the mandatory tip. If the service is truly, truly abyssmal then I guess I won't use the DDE card and won't tip at all! (But really, if it was THAT bad I would ask for a manager anyway.) Since DDP won't have tips included anymore I would think none of the servers would slack off - too much at stake. DDE will be the only "forced" tips, and if they don't know ahead of time that you have DDE then there shouldn't be an issue.

The past two trips we have not had the automatic gratuity included except at Cape May (lucky for her it was included because she was not a very magical CM!).

But, I ask again... do you all think this is just for DDE or for all table service meals paid OOP?

 

[Tammi67]

I never tell the server I have DDE until the very end. If the service is bad then I will be asking for a manager to dispute the mandatory tip. If the service is truly, truly abyssmal then I guess I won't use the DDE card and won't tip at all! (But really, if it was THAT bad I would ask for a manager anyway.) Since DDP won't have tips included anymore I would think none of the servers would slack off - too much at stake. DDE will be the only "forced" tips, and if they don't know ahead of time that you have DDE then there shouldn't be an issue.

I went back and reread Deb's email. To me it sounds like Disney is implementing the mandatory 18% gratuity on all bills, everywhere, whether it is DDP, DDE or OOP. Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[Tammi67]

Here's the email again.

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.

 

[Steffy]

What an absolutely gorgeous tribute to your amazing Mom, Stephanie. I would say she succeeded, not only in her wish to die with dignity, but in raising a fabulous woman!

Thanks Elin

Stephanie, I wholeheartedly agree with Elin's sentiments!

Thanks Jennifer.

Steffy--thanks for this...I feel like he wants to just stop chemo but is afraid to "give up"--Thanks for being there

And thanks everyone for all your comments--it means alot to me

Jen

Stephanie, that explains so much about why you are such an incredible woman! Your mom did a wonderful job!

Thanks Elizabeth

Stephanie - What a beautiful tribute to your amazing mom! Sounds like her daughter is just like her!

Thanks Tia!

Stephanie - Did all of your meds help kick the cold and the pain? My cold was better after that first day or two, but the pain in my face keeps resurfacing. I hate to go to the doctor for such a minor cold, but I would also like to be able to awake one morning with out pain throughout my face, jaw and head.

The last dosage finally kicked it. But not before I knocked two people down with me...

Your words were so moving. There is no wonder why you turned out to be such a wonderful person. Your mom did a great job raising you & giving you so much love.

Thanks Anne Marie.

Me too!

Thanks Tammi!

 

[Tammi67]

And here is a thread on it from the restaurant board.

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

 

[bear74]

Just checked and mine does too, Jennifer. Unfortunately, our city is not large enough to warrant its own Entertainment Book so the coupons I have are good only in their Richmond locations and only $10 off on The Big Night Out (which we usually get anyway). But this bruch deal for $25 is really good!

I have never been to the melting pot

 

[PNO4TE]

I went back and reread Deb's email. To me it sounds like Disney is implementing the mandatory 18% gratuity on all bills, everywhere, whether it is DDP, DDE or OOP. Am I understanding this correctly?

Here's the email again.

And here is a thread on it from the restaurant board.

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

Not very smart of them, in my opinion! But there must be an underlying reason... Although I still do not agree with the decision.

 

[tmfranlk]

The past two trips we have not had the automatic gratuity included except at Cape May (lucky for her it was included because she was not a very magical CM!).

But, I ask again... do you all think this is just for DDE or for all table service meals paid OOP?

I read it to mean all table service meals. Hopefully, we're wrong, but didn't DDE already have a stipulation that the gratuity could be added in automatically? Or maybe that was just because we had a large group.

 

[mommykds]

Anne Marie - Thanks for the insider info on the coupons! If each employee only got 3 then I can see how they might not have had any left over.

DS's best friend is going to WDW over Thanksgiving. His mom called me yesterday to ask if I thought she should get TGM. I am afraid they are in for a shock. Thanksgiving crowds are nothing to sneeze at, and it doesn't sound like they have done much planning! She also said they are only planning to do 2 days at WDW and spend the other days doing other stuff. She mentioned swimming with manatees? Where is THAT? I know Epcot has the scuba and the Seas tours and Discovery Cove has swimming with dolphins, and Typhoon Lagoon has the shark reef. I've never heard of swimming with manatees. Their family is Dad, Mom, DS11, DS8, DD5. She said they are trying to keep the costs down, so it floors me that they aren't going to just stick to WDW and take advantage of multi-day pricing. And Discovery Cove was enough to give me sticker shock for just the 3 of us! Maybe manatees are cheaper? I told her she is giving me chest pain. I also told her my air is booked for next August and I am calling for dining in February. I think she is failing to grasp that this is not a loosey goosey sort of endeavor.

W-H-A-T?????? Amazing!

Anne Marie - That is awesome! What a cute wreath!

Thank you!

oh I love it. How did you attach the 2 small ones to the big one?

Thanks! I just took one of the branches & wrapped them all together. I was going to use florist wire but the branches did the job.

Very nice. We have a huge one that we put on the front of our camper. It lights up. That is one of my most favorite holiday decorations.

Thanks! I was thinking last night that I should get a battery pack so it would light up! Hmmmmmmm...
Have fun at the play.

I just saved another $57 on our Dec. SW flights! I got an e-mail (NOT a DING) and when I clicked in it showed my Sunday flight was down to $71! So I got back $19 on each ticket! So now my credit is up to $156 total. That is pretty good, I think!

Cool!!!!!!!!

Great job, Anne Marie!

Thank you!

Love the wreath, Anne Marie... very resourceful! :

Thanks! I knew you guys would understand & appreciate it.

I do NOT like the fact that they are imposing a forced tip. A tip is NOT mandatory. It should not automatically be charged. Of course I will leave a tip, probably more than 18%, but I'm NOT happy about being forced into it. It's the principle of the matter. Plus, if the servers know they don't have to WORK for their tip, what's their incentive to provide me with a wonderful dining experience??

Me neither. We usually tip at least 20% for good serice, more for great service, but I don't like being told I HAVE to.

well my mom just called me. She said that when my brother came home last night around 1am he walked around to the back door to go into the house. Their was some one trying to break into the storage room. which he have a lock on. He yelled at the person and he and another guy took off running. my brother chased them but they climbed in a dark suv that took off. they did not turn thier lights on till they were turning onto another street.

How scary! Glad he was out there to stop them, I guess it was too dark to get a plate #?