why the bad attitude with the DDP?

[punkin413]

i've been reading some dining reviews and i've noticed that sometimes CM servers have a bad attitude when you tell them you're on the DDP and don't really give you great service as compared to nearby guests who aren't on the DDP. why is this? don't get me wrong....i'm not knocking servers or the job they do. i did it for 7 years and i totally appreciate how frustrating and demanding it can be. i just don't understand the attitude with the DDP. is it because they know they'll only get a certain percentage as a tip (15 or 18% - i can't remember!) and not the 20% that a lot of non-DDP guests give? if so, is it worthwhile to tell them that i'm willing to tip more than the gratuity that's included if we get good service? that sounds so snooty! but i really will tip more if they deserve it and i want them to know that. thoughts?

 

[summerlandjeff]

Maybe we just got all the good servers this past trip, but we never had an attitude from a server when we told them we had the DDP. To the contrary, our servers took it as the norm. Our server at LeCellier even went so far as to ask us how we liked the program and suggested some of her favorite spots!

I guess sometimes the bad reviews show up more than the good, but our experience has been 100% positive.

 

[ColleenLovesMinnie]

I have to say we did the Free DDP last Aug. and we never encountered a rude CM or server at any restaurant we dined at. In fact I thought the service was great - some restaurants were slower to get through than others, but in their defense it was busy every where we went. I felt the greeters at Planet Hollywood were less than helpful and enthusiastic, but I don't really consider PH a "Disney" restaurant. Our server was good though - but not good enough that we would ever go there again!

 

[Tess'smom]

I have never had a problem with service on the Dining plan either. We have gone with and without and we could not see any difference.

 

[bradk]

i can give you a few reasons.. at least my interpretation

first, they're a victim of the DDP's success (especially with free dining). i can't believe it doesn't increase TS patronage which gives them more work than they may have been used to in the past. not something to gripe about mind you.

second, the tip is based on what people purchase. ironically enough, the only time i'd ever get a 3 course meal is on the plan (and i actually would disregard dessert most of the time). that said, it's not unreasonable to expect that some families might have been more indulgent in way of drinks perhaps, etc.

the tip also gets to them at a later point in time with taxes taken out. so they lose all benefits of cash tips, when they did get them.

and the bottom line? the tip is guaranteed for them anyway. it can reduce incentive for them.

all that said, i've heard of complaints, i've even heard that some servers had inserted cards with the bills telling guests that tips are NOT included with the DDP, but I can't say I personally have had a problem with any of the servers. i've only had what i consider bad service once.

but the bad seeds are such a small percentage.

 

[sammax]

We've never seen a difference in the quality of service. We've had good service for every meal we've had, and I agree with the previous poster that the bad reviews, and poor experiences show up more frequently.

 

[Snow_White]

I've never experienced poor service or bad attitudes when I tell people I'm on the DDP. We talked to a few servers about it and they seemed to like it because of the guaranteed tip.

 

[masonsmousermom]

Same here. We've done the dining plan three times and we've only had one instance where we thought that the server was being snooty. I don't know if it had anything to do with us being on the DDP or maybe he just didn't like our youngster or something. We've never tipped extra, and will probably not do it this trip either. I think most complaints are more likely caused by a CM server just having a bad day...or a paranoid tourist on the dining plan!

 

[Parla]

I was curious. How much is the tip on the plan? Considering that the meal is at a great discount, is that tip smaller than if you went in and paid full price for all that food? I would think it would have to be. When we went with the plan last time I took several fives with me for Mousekeeping and for extra tips when eating. I left $5 extra at about three restaurants that week. I don't know if it made much of a difference but those were three people that I thought did really wonderful jobs and wouldn't hesitate to tip at least 20% if we had paid OOP.

 

[kaytieeldr]

all that said, i've heard of complaints, i've even heard that some servers had inserted cards with the bills telling guests that tips are NOT included with the DDP,

I think that card is being misread/misinterpreted by the Guests who complain. To the best of my recollection, it says something about it being customary to tip 15%-20% and is included in ALL the check folders - not just the ones received by DDP participants.

To the OP: I think it's a matter of perception. I've been in the (non-Disney)party that really is getting bad service compared to nearby tables; I think if one is expecting a different level of experience from that of nearby tables, one will find or notice it. In all honesty, how do the complaining DDPers know for sure that the other tables aren't using the Disney Dining Plan?

 

[Katiebell]

The server I spoke with said that the DDP is really appreciated by the servers. Guests order more food and order more expensive items than if they were paying OOP, and the 18% tip is guaranteed, even automatically included on non-DDP food and drinks that party orders. On threads about tipping here, I see most people saying they routinely tip 15%-20%. That's wonderful...however, some people still tip poorly ($5 on a $60 tab), or don't tip at all. Sometimes it's because tipping is not customary in their country. However, I've seen many UK Disney visitors on these boards who are very conscientious about the whole tipping thing because they are well aware how little a server's base pay is in the US, and know that servers rely on tips for a major part of their wages. And servers are taxed on them, whether or not they get fair tips.

The figures that were given to me -- and I have nothing to base this on, other than that candid conversation I had with the server -- is that gratuities on their checks now make up about 50% to 75% of the servers' incomes (they used to see a lot less on their checks due to union dues, taxes, and insurance), and because of the DDP, Disney servers' incomes have increased by 30% to 50% in the past 2 years.

And the opinions on what constitutes good service at a restaurant can vary quite a bit. DH and I have always received good to excellent service at DL restaurants; I have been expecting to have a similar dining experience at WDW. However, in our book, bad service would have to be a server being rude or totally ignoring us. Some people may consider having to get their servers' attention for a drink refill to be bad service.

 

[LizinSTL]

I was curious. How much is the tip on the plan? Considering that the meal is at a great discount, is that tip smaller than if you went in and paid full price for all that food? I would think it would have to be. When we went with the plan last time I took several fives with me for Mousekeeping and for extra tips when eating. I left $5 extra at about three restaurants that week. I don't know if it made much of a difference but those were three people that I thought did really wonderful jobs and wouldn't hesitate to tip at least 20% if we had paid OOP.

The meal isn't discounted. Well, not really. When you buy the DDP, you are buying a vacation package that may result in you receiving discounted meals- or meals in greater value that the cash you paid for them when booking the package. (or in the case of free dining....FREE meals)

At Disney owned restaurants, the servers receive 18% of the bill. If you go to Chef Mickey's for breakfast your server gets $3.42 in tip for your $18.99 meal. If your bill is $100- your server gets $18. It doesn't matter that you only used 1 TS credit...your server still gets $18. If you received outstanding service- absolutely, leave more $. They'll appreciate that. But the full 18% tip is included with the DDP at Disney owned restaurants. It is NOT reduced because you got a great deal on the DDP.

 

[Colleen27]

We didn't notice any problems with the service on our first DDP trip, though we didn't have much frame of reference because the trip before that was 10 years earlier, off-site, and only involved one Disney TS meal. However, if the service we received was sub-par by Disney standards, I never would have guessed because it was equal to or better than the service we get at our favorite non-Disney restaurants. And the best part about Disney - no one looks at you with the obvious skepticism that you sometimes get when taking youngish children out to a nice restaurant in the real world.

 

[Mickey&Donald]

We actually encountered quite the opposite last summer on the Free DDP. Every server was completely friendly and gracious, and seemed really interested to hear about all of the places we'd had our meals. One server, at Le Cellier, actually let us have smoothies as our free beverage, and seemed to be having a great time with us, suggesting all of the most expensive things on the menu. I know that the more expensive our meal actually is, the better the tip is for the server, but he really seemed to want us to have the best experience and best meal possible while he was taking care of us. And you know what? That meal at Le Cellier WAS the best dining experience all around that we had on our entire vacation.

 

[ldmilton]

For the most part, service was excellent. The only exception being Coral Reef where we felt as though we were an afterthought to our server. But we didn't attribute that to free dining....just a less than enthusiastic server. We are looking forward to more great food and great service during free dining this year

 

[Terk-1]

When I went last year, I did the dining plan for the first time. I thought it was great. Received excellent service at Spoodles, Rose & Crown, Crystal Palace (dinner) and the 50's Primetime Cafe.

The only place I encountered just ok service was at Le Cellier. Am not sure if it had anything to do with the dining plan or if he was just having a bad day, but was not thrilled with the service. The service I got at breakfast at the Crystal Palace was just ok too, although that I paid for out of pocket. Took her a good 10 minutes to introduce herself, then I did not see her again. Had to send another server to go find her to get my check. I was surprised, as I have always had great service there.

 

[mjkaferle5]

I thought all of our servers were great during our stay!!

The dining plan is flat out awesome. It is great to have all of your meals paid and out of the way. With our big family, it would have been depressing to drop over $100 each meal, if we weren't on the plan. I understand we are still doing that more less, but you aren't being presented and paying that big bill each time. Just sign and go!!

Plus we won't have had as many sit down meals w/o the plan. I think that was nice, because it forced us to slow down and rest a bit each day. At Disney, it is really easy to just go-go-go!!

 

[Jill Schwartz]

We will be new to the DDP, so let me see if I have this right:

1) The server should be just as happy, if not more so, if we order the most expensive things off the menu b/c they will get a bigger tip? If I am too stuffed to want dessert while I am sitting there, the server should be happy if I order it, but ask to have it boxed up to eat later...again b/c thats more tip for them than if I just passed on dessert?

2) If we order some items that are not covered by the plan (drink refills???), such as side orders or "adult beveridges", the 18% tip will automatically be added to the out of pocket total bill we receive?

Thanks,
Jill

 

[LizinSTL]

We will be new to the DDP, so let me see if I have this right:

1) The server should be just as happy, if not more so, if we order the most expensive things off the menu b/c they will get a bigger tip? If I am too stuffed to want dessert while I am sitting there, the server should be happy if I order it, but ask to have it boxed up to eat later...again b/c thats more tip for them than if I just passed on dessert?

2) If we order some items that are not covered by the plan (drink refills???), such as side orders or "adult beveridges", the 18% tip will automatically be added to the out of pocket total bill we receive?

Thanks,
Jill

1) Yes... and Yes. Some have it served to you plated and then bring a box- others may bring it boxed up from the kitchen.

2) Yes. The 18% should be already included on any OOP bill you receive. Just look to verify it's there before adding the tip.

 

[disneyjunkie]

The only time we had a problem with the plan was when we didn't want to order a dessert. The CM kept going on and on about it. Why wouldn't you order a dessert? You already paid for it, why leave it? I'll box it so you can have it later.

We were too full to eat the dessert. (SCI FI) After we were done with lunch we were heading back to the rides. I had no desire to walk around the park carrying a boxed dessert.

My son finally siad he'd order the cheesecake popcorn dessert. I took one bite and he took two. The rest ended up in the trash.

That was the last time I allowed a CM to "force" us to order something we knew we didn't want or couldn't finish. ( We skipped many desserts and/or appertizers)

Other than that, all the CMs we encountered were very friendly and helpful.