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I was browsing around a different board and found a discussion that started yesterday saying people on the Disney Dining Experience (or some of them) received emails saying that starting January 1st 2008, all table service restaurants in WDW will add an automatic 18% gratuity to all bills, regardless of party size.

There's (needless to say) a lot of confusion and angry people on the other board talking about it. It -sounds- like the addition will be across the board; all table service, all party sizes from what people are getting from phoning WDW-Dine, and the Dining Experience people were just the first to hear. But there's confusion in the fact it went to DDE people, and that the dining plan wouldn't include gratuity next year, etc etc. I was just wondering if anyone here had heard about it first hand? Since we're a smaller community it might be easier to get a straight answer.

I'm also curious what people think about this? I don't really mind the 18% since I'd normally tip about that (or more - maybe I'll save a few bucks), but the thought of being forced (or at least expected) to tip for lousy service rubs me the wrong way.

Edit in case people don't read through the whole thread:

Apparently Disney Dining Experience cleared this up, saying it was only going to be for DDE card users (not the Dining Plan, Dining Experience). It is for all party sizes, but DDE card users only. More info here.

I haven't heard anything about this yet, but as my family typically only dines at the counter service places, this really doesn't affect us. I usually tip generously, but agree that I dislike forced tipping, not giving the customer the chance to factor in quality of service.

That's not right! I know restaurants do this with larger parties and it's normally 15%. I like to know how they came up with 18% and I want to know if the server is getting the money. I tip 20% out of habit, but I also like the option of tipping less when the service is bad. No, I don't like this at all. I would like to know how Disney is explaining the need for this?

Us Brits are normaly lousy at tipping so including it in the bill might seem like a good idea. However, most places in the UK include gratuity and the service is rubbish. Those that don't include the tip tend to have much better service but they don't advertise the fact that you need to add a tip. You end up having to read the small print on the menus to see if the tip is included or you end up asking the staff. It always feels akward. I hope that this rumour is just that or I fear that the service in WDW might start to slither down to the rubbish UK standard or worse still to French resteraunt standard.

I never use the dining plan so can not confirm or dispel the rumour.
I'll be there in a few months though so will find out then.

We also tip too much. The Cast Members have always been so polite, and prompt. With thier smiles, and bubbly personalities, they make you feel generous. But if we were to ever have a bad experience, not tipping WAS always an option. Now I guess I'll have to scream and yell for my money back.

Joe90 wrote:Us Brits are normaly lousy at tipping so including it in the bill might seem like a good idea. However, most places in the UK include gratuity and the service is rubbish. Those that don't include the tip tend to have much better service but they don't advertise the fact that you need to add a tip. You end up having to read the small print on the menus to see if the tip is included or you end up asking the staff. It always feels akward. I hope that this rumour is just that or I fear that the service in WDW might start to slither down to the rubbish UK standard or worse still to French resteraunt standard.

I never use the dining plan so can not confirm or dispel the rumour.
I'll be there in a few months though so will find out then.

I know all to well how right you are about the way these groups tip! I made my way through college as a waiter, in Florida. You could starve with seniors and Britt's in you station!

Update: I just got this from the other board - from a moderator (who I can confirm should be in a position to know what he's talking about as he's part of the DIS Unplugged podcast) :

This new 18% gratuity will be across the board. It will be added to each and every check at all Disney restuarants regardless of party size or whether you are using a DDE card or not.

This will not include counter service restaurants or carts.

This information comes directly from the folks at the Disney Dining Experience and Guest Relations.

Now, it could be that DDE and Guest Relations are still confused because that thread is still UTTER CHAOS in regard to what people are hearing (later on, someone else insists again they had it confirmed it's only to do with the Disney Dining Experience, NOT 'regular' guests or the Dining Plan). I've heard DIS Unplugged be wrong about stuff before, too.

Still it does seem to be being confirmed by WDW officials if you contact them. I wonder if people complaining about it (as I imagine a lot will, and probably already are since tons of people are harassing Dining over the phone right now to find out the truth) will compel them to change their minds.

If this is in fact true, I wonder how many people will tip over and above the automatic fee, not noticing that it's been tacked on for them. Also I wonder if the employees will get the full benefit of this. It doesn't seem like Disney to go to the mat for their employees, but maybe this is a result of the labor shortage in Orlando.

Jacca5660 wrote:That's not right! I know restaurants do this with larger parties and it's normally 15%. I like to know how they came up with 18% and I want to know if the server is getting the money. I tip 20% out of habit, but I also like the option of tipping less when the service is bad. No, I don't like this at all. I would like to know how Disney is explaining the need for this?

18% is now considered the "average" tip. A friend of mine use to wait at Cheesecake Factory, and they assume your tip is 20% for each check. So they do withholdings (for taxes) based on that amount.

johno

Wow. I can't imagine that going over well with guests.

What happens if you'd want to give a bigger tip? The standard for us, if we get good service, is always 20%+.

Well you can always leave more money on the table, or there is still a Tip Line on the credit card receipt. You can always tip more, or you can reduce the tip to 0. It's being added on like they always have for large groups. (which servers at other establishment have always told me it normally means like 30+% tip. Because the group divides the total, and adds 15-20%. )

I don't know about Fla Law, but my understand under MA law it's illegal for the establishment to keep it, IF the employees "work for tips" (which is a legal definition, because it effects there minimum wage, which is like 1/2 the regular rate.)

johno

Cheesecake Factory

In Ft Myers? I waited tables there in the late 70's.

Chances are if the service is bad you can have it removed - we've done this once (at a non-Disney establishment). I'm sure this will go over like a ton of rocks at first until folks get used to it.

You can also "have it removed" I don't think you have to do anything except draw a line thought it when you give them your credit card. But have it removed, and then leave a tip in cash

johno

Ohhh okay. I was misunderstanding and reading that this was across the board for all tables, not just the large group ones.