Things not going well with the DDP changes

[TLSnell1981]

Here in the US servers make well below minimum wage and rely on tips to bring their wages up. I think their salary is about $2.15 per hour ... someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I have no clue how much servers make in Canada. Here in the US the standard tip is 15-20%. Not giving the standard tip for good service is not right, IMO. If you need to save money to go to Disney ... that's fine. Just don't do it on the backs of the hard working servers.

I'm sorry, but your misunderstanding is exactly why I think it was better when the gratuity was included. I would rather have had them ADD $5 to the price of the plan and left the gratuity intact. That $5 increase would cover an 18% gratuity on the average TS meal of $28.

First of all, Dis waitstaff make $3ish, not $2.15.....and I promise their grats bring them well over minimum wage. I would feel comfortable in saying they make as much or more than a teacher's assistant.

The only reason I am not quoting $$$ is because some people get real touchy if it is revealed how much servers make at Disney.

 

[angelmav]

First of all, Dis waitstaff make $3ish, not $2.15.....and I promise their grats bring them well over minimum wage. I would feel comfortable in saying they make as much or more than a teacher's assistant.

The only reason I am not quoting $$$ is because some people get real touchy if it is revealed how much servers make at Disney.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

There is a lot of pages to the thread, so if this has been addressed sorry. Anyway.. am I being led to beleive they give you a bill for the tip as opposed to deciding yourself how much to leave based on service?

 

[VacationDad]

First of all, Dis waitstaff make $3ish, not $2.15.....and I promise their grats bring them well over minimum wage. I would feel comfortable in saying they make as much or more than a teacher's assistant.

The only reason I am not quoting $$$ is because some people get real touchy if it is revealed how much servers make at Disney.

So $18 per shift plus tips? I guess I'm wondering what your argument is here?

At that wage they would need to clear $70 a day in tips just to make what might be a minimum liveable income of $22,000 a year. $100 a day in tips to make around $30,000 a year.

How about we all pay 15-20%, as warranted, like we do at any other place we dine in the United States and everyone is happy?

 

[robinb]

First of all, Dis waitstaff make $3ish, not $2.15.....and I promise their grats bring them well over minimum wage.

I know that someone would correct me if I was wrong . My point was without "grats" as you call them they would make under minimum wage. $3 is still well under that amount. The poster I was responding to didn't appear to understand how servers are paid in the US and was ready to add the same "gracious gift" he would in his own country.

 

[VacationDad]

There is a lot of pages to the thread, so if this has been addressed sorry. Anyway.. am I being led to beleive they give you a bill for the tip as opposed to deciding yourself how much to leave based on service?

If there are 5 or less people eating in your party, you decide how much to tip. 6 or more and they charge a minimum 18% gratuity.

This is for the basic dining plan.

 

[robinb]

There is a lot of pages to the thread, so if this has been addressed sorry. Anyway.. am I being led to beleive they give you a bill for the tip as opposed to deciding yourself how much to leave based on service?

As I understand it they will give you a bill with the suggested amounts of 18% and 20% already figured out for you. You may leave whatever amount you wish.

 

[Tricia1972]

There is a lot of pages to the thread, so if this has been addressed sorry. Anyway.. am I being led to beleive they give you a bill for the tip as opposed to deciding yourself how much to leave based on service?

VacationDad and Robinb are both right.

Parties of 6 or more - charged a minimum 18% gratuity

DDE Cardholders (Disney Dining Experience Discount Card) - charged a minimum 18% gratuity regardless of party size

All Diners - Given a receipt of suggested 18% and 20% tip amounts. Those that aren't in the first two categories can leave a tip of their own discretion.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

As for me I choose to patronize the CS places more on my next trip and avoid the whole problem anyway. While I might enjoy a nice, relaxed TS meal if I have to fret over forced tipping for what might be poor service it would not be worth it to me. I am fully capable of picking out what we want to eat, carry it to a table and eat in peace, when I am hungry rather than for a predetermined time (six months in advance sometimes) and feeling that I must eat more than I might really want. DP about $40. Freedom priceless.

Slightly Goofy

 

[VacationDad]

While I might enjoy a nice, relaxed TS meal if I have to fret over forced tipping for what might be poor service it would not be worth it to me.

I'm wondering, is this forced gratuity for a certain size party unheard of for some people? I know where I am from (New England) there is almost always an auto-gratuity added to parties of 8 or more. I'm not sure why it is 6 or more at Disney. What is the norm around Orlando?

 

[hematite153]

I know that someone would correct me if I was wrong . My point was without "grats" as you call them they would make under minimum wage. $3 is still well under that amount. The poster I was responding to didn't appear to understand how servers are paid in the US and was ready to add the same "gracious gift" he would in his own country.

Hey, please be careful about generalizing too much about other countries!

Tips are standard in Canada, too.

Plus, when my sister used to waitress (in Canada) she said that it was the American tourists who often left an inadequate tip, as opposed to the Europeans often maligned on these boards.

Personally, I would prefer a system where tips were truly what their definition suggests, but, I'm not going to take my frustration with the system out on individual people (i.e. my waitstaff).

I believe that the poster's most important point was actually what we've already been discussing. He was told that tips were included with the plan when he purchased it and has yet to receive anything official telling him otherwise. So, any money that he will spend on tips comes out of his spending money budget. (Although, I will question why he's choosing to spend $7000 on his trip if it takes so long to save for. We're taking a group of 12 people for about $10 000 and we're staying in deluxe accommodations--it's all about planning!)

 

[VacationDad]

Hey, please be careful about generalizing too much about other countries!

I didn't read any generalizing in robinb's post. She specifically mentioned one poster and his way of tipping in his country.

This is generalizing:

Plus, when my sister used to waitress (in Canada) she said that it was the American tourists who often left an inadequate tip, as opposed to the Europeans often maligned on these boards.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

VacationDad, having been a server in my day I think I understand the reason for a guaranteed 'tip' on large parties. Not sure about your neck of the woods but I have often seen large parties leave little or nothing. Not sure if that is because everyone assumes that someone else has left the tip or because there are so many that people think they can 'get away with it'. I have also noticed that large parties spend far more time at table than smaller parties and the more kids, the more mess the lower the tip. (there are always exceptions to every case)

I refuse to eat anywhere that I cannot afford or want to afford and that includes leaving a reasonable tip, according to service.

It is just that the DP does not fit my lifestyle and gets less so each time. We have choices and if folks do not like the rules they can make other choices and then DW or others can adjust as they see fit. That is the wonderful thing about a free society.

Slightly Goofy (who is midwestern and thinks $100 is a budget for a week's groceries and not one meal)

 

[mytwinklestar]

I think Disney really dropped the ball with this one. The old plan was a great value. Of course, I lost some of the value in the old plan when my son turned 10 and became an adult by Disney standards. Disney does not LOSE money. I refuse to accept that position. I know what our family spends when we visit... $2.50 for a vending machine soft drink at the resorts! $20.00 for a screen printed shirt that cost maybe $3.50 to produce! CS meals cost a family of four $35 - $40! Sorry, I just don't buy that Disney is "losing money". By keeping us in the parks for all of our meals, there have to be statistics that prove that we are more likely to indulge in impulse purchases elsewhere on property. The servers are the ones that I feel sorry for and wish that Disney did, as well. IF... IF indeed Disney's bottom line was taking the financial hit that the servers are taking, the program would have been changed already. Why does Disney give free dining IF they are losing money? Nope, not buying it. They are MAKING money. IMHO Disney should stop the free dining and continue to offer the old dining plan to those who want the value. Just my two cents. And yes, we have had free dining during one of our trips. The majority of the time we have paid for the plan. I refuse to pay for the new plan. The value is diminished and my 10 year old is still a child to me. Glad to see others agree that this new plan is a big disappointment. *sigh*

 

[TLSnell1981]

So $18 per shift plus tips? I guess I'm wondering what your argument is here?

At that wage they would need to clear $70 a day in tips just to make what might be a minimum liveable income of $22,000 a year. $100 a day in tips to make around $30,000 a year.

How about we all pay 15-20%, as warranted, like we do at any other place we dine in the United States and everyone is happy?

I was not addressing the percentage...but how misleading the $2.15 per hour is. I get tired of the sympathy angle for a larger grat. One table per hour @ $50 comes out to $72 for an 8 hour shift. I think that would be pretty easy to make.

I haven't tipped 15%, except maybe at a buffet, in years. I'm sorry if you thought I was against tipping generously......I just feel it should be the guest's decision, based on the server's performance.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think Disney really dropped the ball with this one. The old plan was a great value. Of course, I lost some of the value in the old plan when my son turned 10 and became an adult by Disney standards. Disney does not LOSE money. I refuse to accept that position. I know what our family spends when we visit... $2.50 for a vending machine soft drink at the resorts! $20.00 for a screen printed shirt that cost maybe $3.50 to produce! CS meals cost a family of four $35 - $40! Sorry, I just don't buy that Disney is "losing money". By keeping us in the parks for all of our meals, there have to be statistics that prove that we are more likely to indulge in impulse purchases elsewhere on property. The servers are the ones that I feel sorry for and wish that Disney did, as well. IF... IF indeed Disney's bottom line was taking the financial hit that the servers are taking, the program would have been changed already. Why does Disney give free dining IF they are losing money? Nope, not buying it. They are MAKING money. IMHO Disney should stop the free dining and continue to offer the old dining plan to those who want the value. Just my two cents. And yes, we have had free dining during one of our trips. The majority of the time we have paid for the plan. I refuse to pay for the new plan. The value is diminished and my 10 year old is still a child to me. Glad to see others agree that this new plan is a big disappointment. *sigh*

Disney is making money overall, but the restaurant division was taking a big hit.

 

[hematite153]

I didn't read any generalizing in robinb's post. She specifically mentioned one poster and his way of tipping in his country.

This is generalizing:

Plus, when my sister used to waitress (in Canada) she said that it was the American tourists who often left an inadequate tip, as opposed to the Europeans often maligned on these boards.

She said that he was "ready to add the same gracious gift he would in his country" and he had indicated that his country was Canada.

I was pointing out that it would be inappropriate to use that one poster's comments as indicative of the standard in Canada.

You are correct, I added my own generalizations of what I see at home. I apologize for that. However, there have been MANY references during this thread to the idea that poor tippers come from outside the US. I managed to hold onto my frustration until this morning when it appeared that I was being directly accused. I apologize. I should have taken a deep breath first.

The point I meant to make was, that even though this specific poster believes in using the dictionary definition of "tip" or "gratuity" that is not the standard in his country.

 

[VacationDad]

I just feel it should be the guest's decision, based on the server's performance.

Agreed. For the record, I have had pretty bad service at some restaurants, but I still can't get myself to leave less than 15%. Because unless the server is insulting me, I just chalk it up to an off day or being short-staffed.

I guess I feel fortunate to make what I make, and feel that anyone can have an off day.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Agreed. For the record, I have had pretty bad service at some restaurants, but I still can't get myself to leave less than 15%. Because unless the server is insulting me, I just chalk it up to an off day or being short-staffed.

I guess I feel fortunate to make what I make, and feel that anyone can have an off day.

Everyone should remember that the servers only have so much control. If someone is pleasant and providing the best service possible, even if things aren't perfect......they will still receive a generous tip from me.

 

[angelmav]

First of all, Dis waitstaff make $3ish, not $2.15.....and I promise their grats bring them well over minimum wage. I would feel comfortable in saying they make as much or more than a teacher's assistant.

The only reason I am not quoting $$$ is because some people get real touchy if it is revealed how much servers make at Disney.

I said it before, Ill say it again