tip added to all meals

[WoodysRoundup]

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

I don't agree that my thinking is on the "extreme other side of the equation". Maybe we're just used to getting good service when we go out (which we do). Or maybe, we're not looking to overly critique service when we dine out. Either way, you tip when you dine out. That's just the way it is. If service is poor, you let management know. That's why they are there. Funny this topic is being discussed now. Just last night 3 friends and myself were out to dinner. We split the check evenly. When discussing what tip to leave the server, all 4 of us agreed 20% was a baseline. (We ended up leaving more for great service). Point is, all 4 agreed that 20% is always the baseline tip. We also live in a major metropolitan area. I'm sure that all 4 would also agree in letting management know if service was subpar.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I don't agree that my thinking is on the "extreme other side of the equation". Maybe we're just used to getting good service when we go out (which we do). Or maybe, we're not looking to overly critique service when we dine out. Either way, you tip when you dine out. That's just the way it is. If service is poor, you let management know. That's why they are there. Funny this topic is being discussed now. Just last night 3 friends and myself were out to dinner. We split the check evenly. When discussing what tip to leave the server, all 4 of us agreed 20% was a baseline. (We ended up leaving more for great service). Point is, all 4 agreed that 20% is always the baseline tip. We also live in a major metropolitan area. I'm sure that all 4 would also agree in letting management know if service was subpar.

Im not arguing what a baseline tip is. Everyone has their methods of tipping, some leave 20%, some leave less, some leave more, some before tax, some after, some not including alcohol, some include it.

but the whole point is it is SUPPOSED to be given out based on your service that particular time. To just slap a standard 18% on the bill is not right, its not up to the company to mandate that.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

I would bet a lot of people that were "on the fence" about why this is happening NOW (after reading the people in the multiple threads) understand EXACTLY what the servers are dealing with when dealing with guests.

Maybe if we all read through these threads and "read between the lines" we'll all SEE why this is happening.

"$10 per table"... only "sometimes".... geez. It's obvious to me now why WDW has changed their policy.

Regardless of your personal opinions on tipping, the so-called "skill" involved in serving, the wages of WDW servers, and ANY other reason those that don't tip the standard amounts tell themselves to make them feel better.... do NOT take it out on the servers.

Please tip...it's really the right thing to do. People need to stop justifying their reasons for saving themselves a buck...it only makes YOU feel better about yourself.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I don't agree that my thinking is on the "extreme other side of the equation". Maybe we're just used to getting good service when we go out (which we do). Or maybe, we're not looking to overly critique service when we dine out. Either way, you tip when you dine out. That's just the way it is. If service is poor, you let management know. That's why they are there. Funny this topic is being discussed now. Just last night 3 friends and myself were out to dinner. We split the check evenly. When discussing what tip to leave the server, all 4 of us agreed 20% was a baseline. (We ended up leaving more for great service). Point is, all 4 agreed that 20% is always the baseline tip. We also live in a major metropolitan area. I'm sure that all 4 would also agree in letting management know if service was subpar.

Its one thing to let managment know service was lacking, its a whole other issue telling them you want a refund of the 18% charge.

Lets face it those who do not tip now will be talking to management all the time to still try to not pay the tip.

Anyway, how do you reward someone who goes above and beyond or punish someone who slacks if the rate is standardized?

 

[WoodysRoundup]

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.

I don't agree with your thinking at all and you don't agree with mine. And I DO care if guests treat CM's rudely in regard to tipping. It affects tipping and attitude - and I also don't like people being treated that way. Also, I didn't miss the point.....your baseline is 10-15%, mine is 20%. All I can say is that if anyone is that angered about the 18%, then don't use the DDE. Obviously I'm not the only one who thinks that's an acceptable baseline tip and expectation when we dine at WDW. I didn't miss the point. We just don't agree and never will.

DVCMIKE...You made some excellent points!

I'm off to enjoy my day.....

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I would bet a lot of people that were "on the fence" about why this is happening NOW (after reading the people in the multiple threads) understand EXACTLY what the servers are dealing with when dealing with guests.

Maybe if we all read through these threads and "read between the lines" we'll all SEE why this is happening.

"$10 per table"... only "sometimes".... geez. It's obvious to me now why WDW has changed their policy.

Regardless of your personal opinions on tipping, the so-called "skill" involved in serving, the wages of WDW servers, and ANY other reason those that don't tip the standard amounts tell themselves to make them feel better.... do NOT take it out on the servers.


Please tip...it's really the right thing to do. People need to stop justifying their reasons for saving themselves a buck...it only makes YOU feel better about yourself.

Well said............And NOW I'm off to enjoy my day. Even taking the family out to lunch. I wonder what we'll tip today!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I don't agree with your thinking at all and you don't agree with mine. And I DO care if guests treat CM's rudely in regard to tipping. It affects tipping and attitude - and I also don't like people being treated that way. Also, I didn't miss the point.....your baseline is 10-15%, mine is 20%. All I can say is that if anyone is that angered about the 18%, then don't use the DDE. Obviously I'm not the only one who thinks that's an acceptable baseline tip and expectation when we dine at WDW. I didn't miss the point. We just don't agree and never will.

DVCMIKE...You made some excellent points!

I'm off to enjoy my day.....

LOL YES you are completely missing the point! MY baseline is actually somewhere between 20-25% I have never left 10% and cant remember the last time we left 15%.

thats not the point! the point is if you made it the rate 10-15% then thats 10-15% more than the non or low tippers were leaving, while the standard or high tippers could still choose to leave more.

 

[Uncleromulus]

sjdisneywedding:
You must know that making up lost tips by wages ("that's supposed to be handled by wages") simply cannot work with the wage being slightly over $2.00 an hour.
So if you did pay more in wages, how much more??? $10.00 an hour?
Even that is nearly 5 times what they make now--what about menu prices then???

 

[Muushka]

Its one thing to let managment know service was lacking, its a whole other issue telling them you want a refund of the 18% charge.

Are you saying that if you receive poor service you should just tell the manager that you are unhappy and the waiter still gets 18%?. Nooooooo. We always tip 15% for OK service and it goes up from there.

2 times in my life I did not leave a tip. Once was when the waiter took the order, delivered the food and never returned, even to give us the check. We had to go ask for a bill. Sorry, no tip there. And the restaurant was nearly empty.

The next time was a waiter that was on drugs or something. You would tell him something and he would do something totally different or not at all. He had our table and one other. Total mess.

No, service like that deserves nothing. When your paycheck is low, you either improve or find another type of job.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

LOL YES you are completely missing the point! MY baseline is actually somewhere between 20-25% I have never left 10% and cant remember the last time we left 15%.

Nope, NOT missing the point. I was referring to the baseline for the DDE specifically which you stated should be 10-15%.

Now I really off to enjoy my day....turning off the computer....I really am. I know I can do it...

 

[jarestel]

When a person chooses to enter the restaurant business as waitstaff, they understand that they have the opportunity to directly influence their take-home pay by doing the job well. They also understand that they are relying on the kindness of strangers to ensure that they are rewarded for that well-done job. Unfortunately, not all strangers are kind and it probably doesn't take long to figure this out.

I don't foresee waitstaff becoming complacent & lazy simply because they are guaranteed an 18% tip. Multiple complaints against specific individuals, in any occupation, tends to lead to the dismissal of those individuals. I wouldn't think Disney restaurants would operate any differently. And the waitperson that goes the extra mile still has the opportunity to pad the 18%. So I guess I don't see this as any big deal. Everything will be fine, no worries.

But as always, time will tell.

 

[CarolAnnC]

This is just a reminder that we need to discuss without arguing. Although this topic is not Disney Vacation Club policy, we are allowing it on the boards but only so long as it remains civil and not a debate.

Remember to visit our Restaurant Board where it is on topic for discussion. Thank you.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

sjdisneywedding:
You must know that making up lost tips by wages ("that's supposed to be handled by wages") simply cannot work with the wage being slightly over $2.00 an hour.
So if you did pay more in wages, how much more??? $10.00 an hour?
Even that is nearly 5 times what they make now--what about menu prices then???

what I am saying is that a wage of $2 is ridiculous, so yes I think their wages should be $10 per hour or more. I think tipping has gotten out of control by the businesses themselves becuase the do not pay the worker fairly. Its pretty disgusting that the businesses continue to rake in profits, underpay the staff and try to force people to pay tips.

I have no problem tipping but its SUPPOSED to be for the the service itself not to make up for the workers salary or lack there of. It was never supposed to be to compensate for underpayment of wages, it way out of control

I agree this is really overall not a big deal, its the principal of it

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm more inclined to believe the first response based on their email.

. Nope. Note the wording in the DDE e-mail. It starts off by telling the recipient it's about SOME 'new and exciting' (I think) to the Disney Dining Experience. It then goes on to describe ONE change - being able to get your actual card at Guest Relations if you purchase it after 11/11/07 - and reiterate other existing practices - e.g. purchases made prior to that date will still start with the temporary card, with the actual card being sent in three to six weeks; and I forget the other one.
Therefore, when the second section (the quoted portion of the e-mail) states, "We would also like to inform you...", this is only the second 'new and exciting' change. Refer back to the section on "some" DDE changes.
If this change applied to every diner, the e-mail could/would not have used the word "some". It applies to only DDE-discounted purchases.

Its about time to just get rid of tipping entirely, pay people what they should be paid and let their service dictate whether or not people use them again in the future. its getting ridiculous.

Good idea. Take it up with Congress. They JUST increased the federal minimum wage for the first time in what, twelve years? It's unlikely - but not impossible, in the face of pressure from a majority of constituents - that they would increase the restaurants servers' wage all that fast. And without a specific law mandating it, which restaurateurs would you expect to take action on their own?

because you know whats going to happen, the tippers will start leaving 25%, so then the owners will pay them even a lower salary

Refer again to minimum wage laws.

the general tip where we live is 15% and by coincidence so is our tax so it makes it easy -

You pay fifteen percent TAX??? Ugh!!!

the point is now its forced, so whats to keep the service level up if they are guarenteed their 18% ahead of time

This has been an (erroneousley percieved) issue among DDP users all along... we just wanted to share the angst?

Anyway, how do you reward someone who goes above and beyond or punish someone who slacks if the rate is standardized?

With extra money

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.

ell, think about it - if service is that bad, you'll have plenty of time DURING the meal to 'track down' a manager.

 

[llmurphy17]

I' m confused??? I know that the DDE plan for 2007 included tip and that the big change in 2008 was that there were going to be two DDE plans. The first being the most similar to the orginal except for no appetizers or tip. Now does this mean they are changing it and the tip will be included???????

 

[CarolMN]

I' m confused??? I know that the DDE plan for 2007 included tip and that the big change in 2008 was that there were going to be two DDE plans. The first being the most similar to the original except for no appetizers or tip. Now does this mean they are changing it and the tip will be included???????

It appears that you are confusing the Disney Dining Plan(s) and the Disney Dining Experience Discount Program.

The DDP for 2007 did include the tip. For 2008, it will not include the tip and it will not include an appetizer for the Table Service Credit. Disney is also introducing a Deluxe Dining Plan and a Platinum Plan - if you need/want details on those, please visit the Restaurant Forum.

The Disney Dining Experience Discount program is available to Florida residents and annual passholders. (There is a fee involved, which is different depending on how you qualify for the program). The DDE gives the holder a 20% discount off food and beverage (including alcoholic drinks) at most table service restaurants. Beginning in 2008, users of the DDE discount program will have the 18% gratuity automatically to their checks.

I hope Disney changes the name of the DDE - the names are so similar that they are confusing lots of people.

 

[CarolAnnC]

We are going ahead and moving this thread over to our DIS Restaurants Board. It is not a topic related directly to Disney Vacation Club and is more appropriate over on that board. Thank you!

 

[TDC Nala]

For discussion regarding this topic, please refer to the 18% Gratuity sticky thread at the top of the restaurant board. This thread is being closed.