Gratuity to be removed from DDP!!

[erikthewise]

OT -- Just a question, no agenda...
I have been told that even if service is bad (not beyond belief bad, but very poor), you should tip at least 10% because that is the assumption and what servers pay as minimum tax. Further, 10% tip is a well-known signal to the server that the service you received was poor.
Maybe I talk to people who don't know what they are talking about?

Still, I have never left less than 10% and when I have done so on the rare occassion, I thought I was giving the server a thumbs down.

So, is the 10% "rule" correct?

There is no "correct" here. If the service (not the cooking) was so bad that it ruined your meal, there is no reason to leave any tip, except perhaps a microscopic one to make it clear you didn't "forget". You are doing nobody a favor by tipping for abysmal service. In particular giving 10% may be enough for the server to continue in a job for which they are not suited and continue to inflict themselves on future diners.

(There have been times, though not at WDW, when I have been tempted to enter a negative amount on the tip line, thereby reducing my bill. I've never actually tried it though. )

On the other hand if the service is just sub-par or inferior (a misdemeanor rather than a felony) and didn't ruin your meal, 10% makes sense. In any case you are free to use your own judgement. Don't be intimidated by posters who think their tipping habits are morally superior, and thereby are "rules" that everyone else must follow.

I'm not an expert, but seem to remember reading somewhere that servers must pay taxes on the assumption they received an average 8% tip. Hopefully somebody will verify or correct me.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Wow, I hope this is not true. I have had DDP on my last two trips and loved it. If tip is not included I really don't think I will do it. I hope this is just a rumor....we will have to wait and see. I may have had my last DDP experience and obviously others feel the same. I hope Disney reconsiders this one!!!

 

[runswithscissors]

We'll still use the DDP because for us, it's not about the value, it's about the ease of things. We normally tip extra out of pocket, so I'll just have to be sure to take more tipping cash on future trips.

I agree. For us, a package including DDP is not necessarily to save money, it's about convenience. It means that everything, including food (minus breakfast), is paid for when we book our vacations and it cuts down on the large American Express bill at the end of the trip.

We also tip extra because we typically tip 20% for good service and more for exceptional service. Honestly, if disney removed the tip from the DDP, we would continue to purchase the plan.

 

[marivaid]

We probably wouldn't get the DDP again if the tip wasn't included. For one thing I hate to calculate the tip. And I don't like carrying cash in the parks either, or having charging priviledges on my card. Which is why we liked the DDP - all paid for, no suprises, no need to bring cash in the park. Take that away and it loses all appeal for us.

We'd still stay onsite, and do a few character meals. Would love to get the DDE card but unless there's a big AP resort discount at that time it wouldn't be worth it for us to get APs. If the card was available without AP, we'd get it in a second and never do DDP again.

 

[MarieA]

We've always used some sort of Dining Plan at WDW (even when they weren't popular). If the plan is changed and tip is no longer included we will not add the DDP to our reservations in the future. We currently have the DDE and would just use that for our TS meals. I'm sure servers will notice a difference in the number of people dining in the TS restaurants. In the past few years it has become more difficult to get ADRs at the TS restaurants (I believe it is because the DDP has become so popular). In 2002 we didn't have any ADRs when we arrived at WDW, we were able make our ADRs when we arrived and got into any TS location without problem. In 2005, 2006 and 2007 we have had to make ADRs 180 days in advance.

 

[Disney8704]

IMHO, people will start to stop using the DDP after the change. Not a whole lot of people like it in the first place. Personally I think it's better this way. Why let the servers have a gurantee 18% tip if they were horrible? This just to go show you, Disney is constantly changing and nothing is set in stone forever. Maybe Disney knows that people are really starting to get tired of having to plan their meals out 180 days in advance and are tired of hearing people whining when they try to walkin on a TS place without an ADR. Being that the tip isnt gonna be included, this is gonna make people rethink about the DDP and just stick with paying OOP or stick with CS meals and maybe a couple TS meals. Also, could be the fact that the restraunts are just getting way to over crowded with all the ADRs, because of the DDP. It could be a number of things and who really knows. Only thing I am gonna say is I knew this was gonna happen. The DDP was gonna start to dwindle down starting to cut something out and next thing you know the DDP will be gone completely. You have to think about it. Disney is loosing money with people buying into the DDP. No company, not even Disney wanna loose money.

 

[NemoMOm]

We will still use it. We like the convenience and it saves money for us. We often add an extra tip to god service anyway. We have had some awful service once the servers found out we were on the DDP. At Coral Reef we actually had to ask another waiter to send out ours. We waited forever!That was after he came over and asked us if we were on the DDP!

 

[marivaid]

We will still use it. We like the convenience and it saves money for us. We often add an extra tip to god service anyway. We have had some awful service once the servers found out we were on the DDP. At Coral Reef we actually had to ask another waiter to send out ours. We waited forever!That was after he came over and asked us if we were on the DDP!

They always ask if you're on the DDP because if you are they need to explain to you exactly what is included and what isn't. We were on the DDP for half our stay and were treated exactly the same whether we were on the plan or not. Actually the worst waiter we had (didn't really care since it was a buffet and we didn't need her) was at Donald's that we paid OOP.
I still can't believe I left a 20% tip for someone who did 2 things : showed us our table and brought us a glass of juice.

 

[jarestel]

We've always used some sort of Dining Plan at WDW (even when they weren't popular). If the plan is changed and tip is no longer included we will not add the DDP to our reservations in the future. We currently have the DDE and would just use that for our TS meals. I'm sure servers will notice a difference in the number of people dining in the TS restaurants. In the past few years it has become more difficult to get ADRs at the TS restaurants (I believe it is because the DDP has become so popular). In 2002 we didn't have any ADRs when we arrived at WDW, we were able make our ADRs when we arrived and got into any TS location without problem. In 2005, 2006 and 2007 we have had to make ADRs 180 days in advance.

Just curious as to why you would no longer use the dining plan if tip were removed from the package. Even without the included tip, the DDP is still a much better deal than most of the previous incarnations of the dining plan that you probably purchased previously.

As you said, the DDP is indeed the driving force behind having to book ADRs months in advance, but this is simply to assure someone who has just shelled out $1000 or so for the DDP that they will have a place to use those credits. Imagine showing up at WDW with your DDP credits but no ADRs? (picture dollar bills with wings flying away)

But prior to the DDP, it just wasn't necessary for the average vacationer to make ADRs months in advance. Many made them upon arrival or simply walked in to whichever restaurant was nearby when hunger struck. The restaurants were still pretty full, even in those days. Maybe not 100% full but not exactly ghost towns either. So I agree the DDP has fueled the mania for advance ADRs, but don't necessarily agree they have brought all that much more business into the dining establishments.

 

[NemoMOm]

They always ask if you're on the DDP because if you are they need to explain to you exactly what is included and what isn't. We were on the DDP for half our stay and were treated exactly the same whether we were on the plan or not. Actually the worst waiter we had (didn't really care since it was a buffet and we didn't need her) was at Donald's that we paid OOP.
I still can't believe I left a 20% tip for someone who did 2 things : showed us our table and brought us a glass of juice.

It was the way he asked and kind of rolled his eyes reDP. We have used it 4 times now and we noticed a difference this last time. We actually started not only tipping extra but talking to the managers for really good service.

 

[kaybird]

Another chime in here, this is not the first or last incarnation of some sort of Dining package. We used one on our honeymoon in 1975. Also the Food n Fun years later. It will continue to change as people's needs and desires change. As far as gratuity not included, I will believe it when I see it. Remember all the posts assuring us there would be NO FREE DINING in 2007? Think I'll wait for the official word before I get all shook up.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

yeah I would also not get the DDP is the tip wasnt included
I can DH complaining now

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I don't like the idea that we're gonna have to pay gratuity now. The reason why we love the DDP in the first place is so that we don't have to carry money with us or take out our credit card at all during our meals. It feels so great to just go to dinner and have it pre paid in advance. Now we will have to bring the extra money. I can see why it may be a good idea considering that we might get better service, but I honestly didn't have any problems with service when I was on the DDP.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Another chime in here, this is not the first or last incarnation of some sort of Dining package. We used one on our honeymoon in 1975. Also the Food n Fun years later. It will continue to change as people's needs and desires change. As far as gratuity not included, I will believe it when I see it. Remember all the posts assuring us there would be NO FREE DINING in 2007? Think I'll wait for the official word before I get all shook up.

Very well said!! I also will wait for official word before I get all shook up. If more people waited before exhibiting a knee-jerk reaction to every unproven rumor, we would all have a lot less stress in our lives.

 

[Longsx3]

We are using DDP in August for DD's Bday trip, DH was able to book the bounceback rate while he was in Florida in December and because we will have DNiece and DNephew with us it is really a great deal. However I don't see us ever using DDP again unless it is free and we don't schedule trips around free dinning (this year Bounce Back happened to start on DD & DNiece's Bday)...whether or not gratuity is included doesn't matter. Frankly we like TS, sometimes 2 a day...I feel like I am missing some of that with our ADR's in August....but we never all eat an app and dessert. In the end I would rather plan our meals out my way and use DDE.

 

[mickey2000]

Quote" You have to think about it. Disney is loosing money with people buying into the DDP. No company, not even Disney wanna loose money."


Get for real ! Disney has never lost money
Thier goal is to keep you on property for all your spending dollars !
Disney is probably just thinking of a typical cheapo thing, that they can impose on thier cast members...

 

[Bubbley4Disney]

I like Polls,
just don't know how to post one LOL
Who thinks there service is worse because they have told the server that they are on the DDP? And who thinks that the servers give you great service even though they are getting a full 18% tip either way? I have gotten horrible service on the DDP. Especially at Tony's....

 

[wilde_oscar]

I like Polls,
just don't know how to post one LOL
Who thinks there service is worse because they have told the server that they are on the DDP? And who thinks that the servers give you great service even though they are getting a full 18% tip either way? I have gotten horrible service on the DDP. Especially at Tony's....

Ding, Circle gets the square. I keep hearing over and over from people that see the world via rose colored anti depressants that they get great service on DDP... I beg to differ.

DDPers of "the world" unite have the tip removed for bad service. When being seated don't tell the server you are DDP till the end of the meal. If the server and managment gives ya a fit... walk out and don't pay, after all you had no clue that free DDP ment ya have to give them some kinda card.

At some point stop being lambs and bring out your inner Lion King... I am madd as hell about poor service and DDPers being treated as second rate dinners and I am not gonna take it this year.

 

[marivaid]

Ding, Circle gets the square. I keep hearing over and over from people that see the world via rose colored anti depressants that they get great service on DDP... I beg to differ.

DDPers of "the world" unite have the tip removed for bad service. When being seated don't tell the server you are DDP till the end of the meal. If the server and managment gives ya a fit... walk out and don't pay, after all you had no clue that free DDP ment ya have to give them some kinda card.

At some point stop being lambs and bring out your inner Lion King... I am madd as hell about poor service and DDPers being treated as second rate dinners and I am not gonna take it this year.

MMMM okay. I refuse to go to Disney in FIGHT MODE. Relax, dude !!!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I guess I'll be re-thinking the DDP in the future. We usually did 1 or 2 character meals per stay, and the rest counter service. When the dining plan came out, it waas such a great value, and we fell in love with it. If tips aren't included, it's not such a value anymore, and I'll skip the dining plan. As disappointed as I am I think it is the servers that will suffer...3 things can happen:
1. People will eat fewer TS meals, meaning fewer tips
2. People will leave little or no tip. Servers at the buffet style meals will be hurt the most, as people tend to tip less at buffets.
3. Peope will stop using DDP and probably order less fod in the a la carte TS restaurants, resulting in lower bills, and therefore lower tips.

Is there anyone we can write to about this?

I'm glad i'm going in Dec. for one last use of the DDP!