Tipping with the ddp plan in 2008

[ccgia]

we are going to wdw in 2008 I was wondering how the plan works, i know everything is included except the tip, but is it automaticly added to the bill, or do you decide how much to tip?? of if it is added to the bill, can you just tip what you feel they deserve, especially in the buffets??

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

can you just tip what you feel they deserve, especially in the buffets??

 

[Tricia1972]

we are going to wdw in 2008 I was wondering how the plan works, i know everything is included except the tip, but is it automaticly added to the bill, or do you decide how much to tip?? of if it is added to the bill, can you just tip what you feel they deserve, especially in the buffets??

If you are traveling and dining with just the group listed in your signature, the tip will not be automatically added to the bill. You are free to tip what you feel is fair for the meal.

However, there are exceptions:

DDP reserves the right to charge an 18% gratuity for items ordered that are not covered by the plan (appetizer and dessert)

If you are using a DDE card in conjunction with the DDP, you will be assessed an 18% gratuity (not sure if that will be the whole meal or just the extras - it's new this year so the first people visiting will be our guinea pigs )

If you have a party of 6 or more, you will be charged an 18% gratuity on your entire meal.

This 18% is for both sit down TS and Buffets.

 

[ccgia]

we are a party of 5, and are eating at mostly the buffets, sometimes the sit down dinners do not cut it for my dh, and i thought the appitizer was included in the deluxe dining plan for 2008??

 

[Tricia1972]

Appetizers are included for the Deluxe Dining Plan (approx $69.99/night per adult - 3 credits for TS or CS per night and also two snacks and a resort mug)

Appetizers are not included for the standard DDP ($37.99/night per adult - One CS and One TS credit per night and also one snack)

If you are doing mostly buffets I think you will be fine with the loss of the appetizer. You'd probably be better off financially just paying OOP for the occasional appetizer that your DH wants when dining at a sit down restaurant (vs upgrading to the Deluxe Dining Plan)

 

[kimsuenew]

we are a party of 5, and are eating at mostly the buffets, sometimes the sit down dinners do not cut it for my dh, and i thought the appitizer was included in the deluxe dining plan for 2008??

The DDP does not include appetizer in 2008, you are correct! As far as tipping, I don't think you will get a "bill" for it, you will simply leave what you feel is a fair amount, be it 15%, 18%, 20% (or more/less I guess).

It will not be nearly as convenient as it was in 2007 (that was soooo nice), but the servers (and I only mean the servers that did not do their job because they knew they got an 18% tip no matter what) will have to please their patrons to receive a good tip.

We were lucky and had service that was at least good the entire trip (server at the Lilo & Stitch breakfast was the only exception, she was basically worthless, and that wass a challenge since she is the only way to get your food).

 

[ccgia]

what is the DDE card?

 

[SGMCO]

2008 Basic Disney Dining Plan will not have the appetizer included but
the Dessert will be part of the plan.

I'm not as familiar with the 2008 Disney Deluxe Dining Plan which may
include appetizer, entree' and dessert? I think the Deluxe plan
may include the tip? This plan just seems like to much food for me.

There have been plenty of debates on the DIS boards
about tipping for buffets some want to tip other don't see
why you have to tip since you are getting all of the food yourself.

 

[Tricia1972]

2008 Basic Disney Dining Plan will not have the appetizer included but
the Dessert will be part of the plan.

I'm not as familiar with the 2008 Disney Deluxe Dining Plan which may
include appetizer, entree' and dessert? I think the Deluxe plan
may include the tip? This plan just seems like to much food for me.

There have been plenty of debates on the DIS boards
about tipping for buffets some want to tip other don't see
why you have to tip since you are getting all of the food yourself.

You are right except the Deluxe dining plan does not include the tip.




DDE is the Disney Dining Experience, it is available for passholders and Florida residents. You purchase the card for $65 and receive a 20% discount on your food and adult beverage bills.

 

[bicker]

we are going to wdw in 2008 I was wondering how the plan works, i know everything is included except the tip, but is it automaticly added to the bill, or do you decide how much to tip?? of if it is added to the bill, can you just tip what you feel they deserve, especially in the buffets??

For parties of five and fewer, the gratuity is not (yet) automatic. You can tip an amount based on your own discretion (such as the standard 15%/10% for buffets), rather than Disney's flat 18%.

 

[deb123453]

i think you should still tip at buffets, they do bring you your drinks as well as clear off your tables,and lets face it some people will go up 3 or 4 times if not more.

 

[BriarRose59]

When I used DDP earlier this year Le Cellier was the only restaurant that gave me an itemized receipt that told the total amount of money I had spent on my meal. We added enough to make a little more than 20% tip for the entire bill. Has it been mentioned if the restaurants will be giving a total of what your meal came to or are we supposed to total our bill in our head when we order and remember that amount?

 

[MinMouse]

i think you should still tip at buffets, they do bring you your drinks as well as clear off your tables,and lets face it some people will go up 3 or 4 times if not more.

I agree but I think 18% would be a steep amount for a buffet. At home I we tend to tip 20% for service but 10-15% if we are at a buffet.

 

[rcraw45425]

When I used DDP earlier this year Le Cellier was the only restaurant that gave me an itemized receipt that told the total amount of money I had spent on my meal. We added enough to make a little more than 20% tip for the entire bill. Has it been mentioned if the restaurants will be giving a total of what your meal came to or are we supposed to total our bill in our head when we order and remember that amount?

curious about this too, sice the time we are going is still concidered holiday, I'm thinking about adding the DDP. Would like to know how you determine a tip without an itemized bill.

 

[bicker]

I would refer to the menu prices, do a little quick math in my head, or guess.

 

[Jajone]

We are 2 parties of 5 eating together most days. It is 2 families paying separately for our stay and DDP. I am not happy with being forced to pay the 18% gratuity just because we are eating near or with each other at the same table. From what I understand, we could book 2 different ADRs and ask to be seated near each other and be free to tip as we see fit. How is this being added to a bill we don't pay because we are on the DDP? Is it billed to the room? What if we don't put room charging privleges on our room key?

 

[JimMIA]

We are 2 parties of 5 eating together most days. It is 2 families paying separately for our stay and DDP. I am not happy with being forced to pay the 18% gratuity just because we are eating near or with each other at the same table.

I'm sure a lot of people don't like to be told they have to tip, or tip a certain per cent. And I REALLY wish they would call it a "service charge," which is what it is. However, this has nothing to do with DDP. If your party has six or more people -- regardless of how you pay for your meal -- you are going to get billed 18%. The only plan where everyone (regardless of party size) pays 18% is DDE...not DDP.

From what I understand, we could book 2 different ADRs and ask to be seated near each other and be free to tip as we see fit.

I think that's correct, and may be a plan for you if you don't normally tip 18%...or if you don't want to lock everyone into paying 18%.

How is this being added to a bill we don't pay because we are on the DDP? Is it billed to the room? What if we don't put room charging privleges on our room key?

I doubt if anyone really knows exactly how they'll manage that, but we can guess. I think they will just present you with a bill for the 18% gratuity. It's then up to you how you handle it. Most folks will probably bill it to their room; others will pay cash or with a credit card.