tip added to all meals

[Sammie]

When the tip was automatic on the DDP, we never got bad service. I don't understand why anyone would think an automatic tip automatically means poor service.

You pay many things in life in advance and do you always get bad service just because the price is predetermined.

As to the new changes it only affects DDE and parties of 6, so only those are going to be force to tip the 18%, do avoid it simply don't get the DDE or eat in parties of larger than 5.

 

[Charlesaway]

I'm more inclined to believe the first response based on their email. I guess it's their way of making sure people on the plan pay their tip, even if they are ticked about the changes.

The second response, that stated it would only be automatically added to DDP parties of 6 or more, is backed up by the 2008 Disney Dining Plan guide.

I quoted in the restaurants section, but to sum it up, it says that gratuities will only be automatically added to parties of 6 or more, and to any expenses (i.e. alcohol) not covered by the dining plan.

Wait and see, I guess..

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Though I have never used the DDP I have to agree with Sammie. I honestly cannot remember getting bad service at a disney TS or CS restaurant. I've had the normal amount of average service and have experienced excellent service many times over many trips. I am also one who will choose not to eat at a TS restaurant if I know beforehand that I cannot afford the total cost of the meal plus the tip. As it states on the menus - "tax and gratuity not included."

It does tend to chap my hide when someone :

- can afford to travel to WDW
- can afford to stay at or near WDW
- can afford admission to WDW
- can afford the food they're eating at WDW

- but can't afford to tip their server 2 dimes on a dollar. Grrrrr....

 

[robinb]

It does tend to chap my hide when someone :

- can afford to travel to WDW
- can afford to stay at or near WDW
- can afford admission to WDW
- can afford the food they're eating at WDW

- but can't afford to tip their server 2 dimes on a dollar. Grrrrr....

There was a similar thread last week here on the DIS where the poster was staying 6 nights at an All Star resort and paying rack rate for the DDP package but wanted to "pinch pennies" (her words) and not tip Mousekeeping. She said she couldn't afford $5 per day for Mousekeeping but could afford almost $100 per day for the DDP for her family of 4. Whatever.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I really don't understand all the anger about the 18% gratuity being added. IMO, people shouldn't eat out if they don't calculate tip into the cost of their meal. Now it's just calculated for you. For DH and I, 20% is the minimum we tip for good service. And for those who say they shouldn't be forced to tip for bad service, isn't that what asking to speak to a manager is all about? It bothers me that people are bothered by what SHOULD be......a decent tip for service in a restaurant! That's our culture in America. Anyone who says otherwise is mistaken.

 

[poggs]

Ok,

What I cant understand is why servers deserve such a massive bonus?

I walk in the door and am show to a table (2 mins)
I order dinks which are brought (a generous 3 mins)
I place meal order and chat a bit (5 max)
meal comes and is placed infront of me (2 mins)
plates cleared (2 mins)
dessert offered and placed (2 mins)
dessert brough out (2 mins)
check asked for and paid (5 mins)

Total time spend on me (23 mins)
Tip paid for 23 mins is about $40!!!!!!!

No wonder lawyers and doctors are leaving to become wait staff at disney! they must be on 100k a year now.

But my main question is why do you pay servers so much for unskilled work? I get far better service in a reebok shoe store or in the premium outlets, but never would tip.

I think a tip should be only on rare occasions and then for not more than $10 for the table. I accept that cultures are different but this tipping thing the US has is madness!

 

[mdoc]

Ok,

I think a tip should be only on rare occasions and then for not more than $10 for the table. I accept that cultures are different but this tipping thing the US has is madness!

And this is probably a large part of the reason that we now have an automatic 18% gratuity/"service charge."

For the most part I'm not bothered by it because we almost always tip in excess of 18%. The only things I don't like are (1) it's not being done across the board (why should the DDE members be subject to this and not everyone else?) and (2) on those occasions when we have very poor service (and believe me it takes a really subpar effort for us not to tip 18%), why should I have to use my precious vacation time tracking down a manager and arguing about an undeserved automatic tip. I know I won't do that, and I'll just be left with a sour taste in my mouth. On the other hand, if the waitstaff is being consistently stiffed (since I've never even considered stiffing a waiter, that came as a surprise to me) then I have no problem with Disney protecting them with an automatic gratuity IF IT IS APPLIED ACROSS THE BOARD.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Which, I don't think, it will be. As I understand things from all the various "tipping" threads, the automatic gratuity to DDE was added mostly due to servers not being tipped on the full value of the meal--with a secondary reason being a small tidbit thrown back to the servers after Disney removed the automatic gratuity from the DDP.
And while I'm not fond of a "service charge", this won't really affect me, as we always tip 20% on the full cost of the meal, before the DDE discount.
If we now happen to get some bad service due to the new policy, we'll just deal with it then.
poggs: Servers make about $2.00 or so an hour at WDW, well under the minimum wage. Tipping is a major part of their salary. I'd much rather have competent, hard working servers making good tips than the dullards we'd get if we paid them as you suggest---.

 

[frogman]

Two questions.

Is the forced gratuity (service charge) pre-tax or post-tax?

and

Do buffet waitstaff get the same 18% that California Grill waitstaff get?

And Sammy, we have had unacceptable service twice at WDW. Once at Mama Mia's, and once at the Cape May Something or another Buffet.

Once we asked to be moved to another waitperson's table (any other server!), and the other time we complained to the manager.

I'm glad you haven't had that occur (yet).

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm confused. I thought the announcement was that ALL bills would come with the 18% gratuity added, not just DDE.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Ok,

What I cant understand is why servers deserve such a massive bonus?

I walk in the door and am show to a table (2 mins)
I order dinks which are brought (a generous 3 mins)
I place meal order and chat a bit (5 max)
meal comes and is placed infront of me (2 mins)
plates cleared (2 mins)
dessert offered and placed (2 mins)
dessert brough out (2 mins)
check asked for and paid (5 mins)

Total time spend on me (23 mins)
Tip paid for 23 mins is about $40!!!!!!!

No wonder lawyers and doctors are leaving to become wait staff at disney! they must be on 100k a year now.

But my main question is why do you pay servers so much for unskilled work? I get far better service in a reebok shoe store or in the premium outlets, but never would tip.

I think a tip should be only on rare occasions and then for not more than $10 for the table. I accept that cultures are different but this tipping thing the US has is madness!

This type of thinking is astounding to me. You tip servers b/c that is part of the cost of your meal when you eat out! That should automatically be figured into the equation when you decide to go out to eat!!
The idea that you tip not more than $10 and only on rare occassions is ridiculous. As another poster mentioned, servers are making well below minimum wage. This is b/c it is widely known and accepted that their livelihood comes from their tips. And who's to say that people shouldn't be paid for "unskilled" work? If that were the case across the board, many people wouldn't be making any money at all in a number of occupations. I'm not even going to address the idea that doctors and lawyers are leaving their jobs to become waitstaff at Disney...
Obviously the 18% was added b/c some people have lost sight of the known practice of tipping on the total cost (before discount) of a check. These servers are trying to make a living just like everyone else.....and I'm sure a server at Rose and Crown (for example) is not making 100K per year!

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Its the idea that it is before forced on you...more reason to use the kitchen at a DVC resort...or counter service...wow that ME is really costing everyone.... ...i wont go into alot of detail but the worse service we ever had was at the FF...when our friends and us were on the DDP last Jan.....RUSH... RUSH ........RUSHED.....usually people will complain about it taking to long...it was very bad......but he got his 18%...we did let him know we were very displeased...

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I really don't understand all the anger about the 18% gratuity being added. IMO, people shouldn't eat out if they don't calculate tip into the cost of their meal. Now it's just calculated for you. For DH and I, 20% is the minimum we tip for good service. And for those who say they shouldn't be forced to tip for bad service, isn't that what asking to speak to a manager is all about? It bothers me that people are bothered by what SHOULD be......a decent tip for service in a restaurant! That's our culture in America. Anyone who says otherwise is mistaken.

It really astounds me that people have this view point. defeats the whole damn purpose of a TIP!!!!!! I dont want it calculated for me and I certainly dont feel like wasting my time speaking to a manager just to get a tip reduced

Thats more than likely NEVER going to happen in the majority of situations. unless the service is just plain horrible. So now there is no customer fallback

you cant tell me that every situation calls for an 18% tip, thats just absolutley ridiculous. fact is there are people who do some things better and some people who work harder than others. You want everyone making the same thing, then PAY them more in wages, not tips. you want to make it 10% to make sure everyone leaves something then fine, I might even see 15%, but 18% is pushing it

 

[jekjones1558]

I'm confused. I thought the announcement was that ALL bills would come with the 18% gratuity added, not just DDE

Hi, Diane,
The e-mail that contained the info about the 18% was addressed to DDE customers. The sentence in the e-mail dealing with the 18% did NOT say DDE only, but it is being speculated that the intent was DDE only.

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.

Let's hope that this is DDE only and, if that's the case, let's hope DIsney does a better job of crafting e-mail wording in the future.
P.S. Orlando weather looks perfect for the coming week. We won't be missing the cold wind, clouds and rain here in MN!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

This type of thinking is astounding to me. You tip servers b/c that is part of the cost of your meal when you eat out! That should automatically be figured into the equation when you decide to go out to eat!!
!

This is an example of the extreme other side of the equation thats why the whole situation is screwed up from top to bottom across the country, you have those who dont pay and you have those that just think its an automatic charge no matter what happens as far as the service goes

Its SUPPOSED to be to reward/thank people who actually gave a service to you. Its supposed to be based on the level of service you get, not simply for the job itself.

I think it stinks that their wages are so low, but I also think it stinks that you get pretty basic service nowadays due to the fact that alot of people just lay out the flat rate tip no matter what the level of service is(or dont lay it out at all no matter what the level is)

both sides have caused this issue-because now for the most part you get this standard across the table service. It doesnt pay to be good, and it doesnt not pay to be bad

 

[alldiz]

Ok,

What I cant understand is why servers deserve such a massive bonus?

I walk in the door and am show to a table (2 mins)
I order dinks which are brought (a generous 3 mins)
I place meal order and chat a bit (5 max)
meal comes and is placed infront of me (2 mins)
plates cleared (2 mins)
dessert offered and placed (2 mins)
dessert brough out (2 mins)
check asked for and paid (5 mins)

Total time spend on me (23 mins)
Tip paid for 23 mins is about $40!!!!!!!

No wonder lawyers and doctors are leaving to become wait staff at disney! they must be on 100k a year now.

But my main question is why do you pay servers so much for unskilled work? I get far better service in a reebok shoe store or in the premium outlets, but never would tip.

I think a tip should be only on rare occasions and then for not more than $10 for the table. I accept that cultures are different but this tipping thing the US has is madness!

I understand your frustration because outside of the US tipping is different....

However when someone vacations here.....our customs should be followed....

I'm sure this is a big reason a tip is automatically added....Lots
of oversees visitors
Kerri

 

[WoodysRoundup]

It really astounds me that people have this view point. defeats the whole damn purpose of a TIP!!!!!! I dont want it calculated for me and I certainly dont feel like wasting my time speaking to a manager just to get a tip reduced

Thats more than likely NEVER going to happen in the majority of situations. unless the service is just plain horrible. So now there is no customer fallback

you cant tell me that every situation calls for an 18% tip, thats just absolutley ridiculous. fact is there are people who do some things better and some people who work harder than others. You want everyone making the same thing, then PAY them more in wages, not tips. you want to make it 10% to make sure everyone leaves something then fine, I might even see 15%, but 18% is pushing it

Obviously servers have been getting scr#wed out of their tips which is why the 18% had to be added. I think it's "absolutley ridiculous" not to tip the 18%. In reference to not wanting to speak to a manager to have the gratuity removed for bad service, in how many other ways is your time "wasted" at WDW while on vacation? Also, that's implying that having to complain would be the norm. I just don't see that.....not with the over 30yrs. experience we've had a WDW. We've seen alot of changes over the years, some good and bad. However, I can't say that we've ever had service in a restaurant that didn't deserve at least an 18% tip. If we ever did, we'd ask to speak to a manager, I'm sure. On the flipside, we've remarked in restaurants how poorly some guests were treating servers! There's a whole mentality of entitlement out there and sometimes pure kindness and respect will get you the best service from a harried server.....which in turn makes one feel better about the gratuity being "forced" on them. Again, I don't feel it's forced, but part of the dining experience whenever we go out. FWIW, I don't know anyone personally that tips 15% anymore for good service. As some have said, this 18% is a bargain as 20% is more the norm.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Obviously servers have been getting scr#wed out of their tips which is why the 18% had to be added. I think it's "absolutley ridiculous" not to tip the 18%. In reference to not wanting to speak to a manager to have the gratuity removed for bad service, in how many other ways is your time "wasted" at WDW while on vacation? Also, that's implying that having to complain would be the norm. I just don't see that.....not with the over 30yrs. experience we've had a WDW. We've seen alot of changes over the years, some good and bad. However, I can't say that we've ever had service in a restaurant that didn't deserve at least an 18% tip. If we ever did, we'd ask to speak to a manager, I'm sure. On the flipside, we've remarked in restaurants how poorly some guests were treating servers! There's a whole mentality of entitlement out there and sometimes pure kindness and respect will get you the best service from a harried server.....which in turn makes one feel better about the gratuity being "forced" on them. Again, I don't feel it's forced, but part of the dining experience whenever we go out. FWIW, I don't know anyone personally that tips 15% anymore for good service. As some have said, this 18% is a bargain as 20% is more the norm.

In my opinion you are completely missing the point. If they made it 10% or 15% then it covers those who dont tip AND those that do can still decide to leave more

I dnt pay to go to WDW to then sit around wasting time waiting for a manager, explaining the situation, and leaving it up top them to decide what MY level of service is.

I understand guest treat CM's poorly, but not to sound rude I couldnt care less as far as that goes with regard to tipping. Two totally separate things. I dont leave a tip to make up for some other idiot. thats supposed to handled by WAGES, not tips.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

FWIW, I don't know anyone personally that tips 15% anymore for good service. As some have said, this 18% is a bargain as 20% is more the norm.

IMO this is just another example of the problem. norm? you get the norm service every time?

its based on the service you receive, not the job itself!!!

 

[DVC Mike]

Ok,

What I cant understand is why servers deserve such a massive bonus?

No wonder lawyers and doctors are leaving to become wait staff at disney! they must be on 100k a year now.

But my main question is why do you pay servers so much for unskilled work? I get far better service in a reebok shoe store or in the premium outlets, but never would tip.

I think a tip should be only on rare occasions and then for not more than $10 for the table. I accept that cultures are different but this tipping thing the US has is madness!

You have obviously never worked in the service industry. I can't believe you really think servers make $100K a year! They typically get a low base wage and rely upon tips for most of their income.

Based upon some of the responses I've seen on this board and others, I've learned that there are a lot of folks who tip "only on rare occasions". I can see how this mandatory gratuity would help servers make what is due to them. Most servers I know work very hard for their money and shouldn't be stiffed by customers who feel they make enough on base pay and shouldn't be tipped.