Gratuity on DDP

[Markstudy]

Does anyone know if you can use a Disney gift card or Disney Rewards Visa card to pay for the tip or is it only cash or credit?

That's what I was going to try and do

 

[Disneyof3]

In March when we went to a TS and got the reciept, we would give them the room card and put a zero in the tip line and put in there CASH. When the servers brought the bill back for me to sign they never said anything. When we left I made sure my server got the black folder with the cash in it. I never left it on the table due to being a x-server for years other people would take my tip and I would be *******. All servers thanked me very much and I never felt awkward and neither did they.

 

[fall08CP]

So let me get this right, because we WILL be paying cash for all of our tips. When they take your KTTW card to deduct the credits, they ASK for the tip/cash then???? You don't just leave it like you would when you are finished and stand up to leave? Please only respond if you have done this, not only if you are assuming, btw.

Yes- this happened during all 3 TS meals when we went in Feb. When we gave them the card to deduct the credits, they would ask if we were charging it to the card or leaving cash. When we said cash, they asked for it right then.

 

[jcc0621]

In March when we went to a TS and got the reciept, we would give them the room card and put a zero in the tip line and put in there CASH. When the servers brought the bill back for me to sign they never said anything. When we left I made sure my server got the black folder with the cash in it. I never left it on the table due to being a x-server for years other people would take my tip and I would be *******. All servers thanked me very much and I never felt awkward and neither did they.

Good idea..thanks!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

So let me get this right, because we WILL be paying cash for all of our tips. When they take your KTTW card to deduct the credits, they ASK for the tip/cash then???? You don't just leave it like you would when you are finished and stand up to leave? Please only respond if you have done this, not only if you are assuming, btw.

They ask for the tip with the bill, then they bring the bill back so you can sign for the tip. Very awkward, and I don't think I will get used to it. I prefer to leave tips as we are walking out the door or signing the bill at the cash register. We will leave cash next trip, as we go out the door!!

 

[Hmbldr]

They ask for the tip with the bill, then they bring the bill back so you can sign for the tip. Very awkward, and I don't think I will get used to it. I prefer to leave tips as we are walking out the door or signing the bill at the cash register. We will leave cash next trip, as we go out the door!!

I just returned from 6 days DDP. Left cash for all my tips. Was never asked for it. I just zeroed out the write in tip on the slip and left cash on the table or in the black bill folder. You'll be fine.



BTW, RachelsMom, I love your sig

 

[Dizneydaz]

I too would feel akward having to give the server the cash at the same time as giving them the card to deduct the credits. I like to leave my tip on the table just before we leave.

I'm also surprised that the wait staff didn't fight the removal of the tip from the plan. No flames, please, but I tip 15%-18% for good service, not medicore, or lousy. And I resent having to tip 18% on buffets. The server doesen't take your order (except for beverages) , & doesn't deliver your food. Many times you need to get their attention for drink refills. And it seems like the servers at the buffets handle more tables. If the buffet wait staff were used to getting 18% on say, a $30 meal, that equals $5/per person tip. So, a family of 5 (3 A, 2 K) would pay about $22 tip. The buffet wait staff must have been clearing quite a bit a $$ when they were getting the 18%. I don't believe they will be getting as much with the changes that have been made. But then, that's just my opinion.

 

[TDC Nala]

Apparently two concessions were made by Disney when they removed the tip from the plan: DDE members and parties of 6 or more (used to be 8) got an automatic 18%.

 

[rutgers1]

We had a few awkward conversations with wait staff when the bill arrived. I don't like them asking how we are going to tip. As a former waiter, unless there is a perk for them that I am not aware of, I would prefer the cash.

I agree with the person who mentioned the buffets. We went to several buffets last week, and it always appeared as though the waiter was handling more tables than a normal waiter, and it wasn't like we saw him more frequently than a regular waiter. Is there a standard out there for tipping a waiter at a buffet?

 

[catne]

It has been reported on previous DDP/tipping threads that it was not a Disney management decision to remove the tip from the DDP: it was the waitstaff union that actually requested/negotiated this no-automatic-tip on the DDP because the waitstaff did not like the way the tips went onto their next paycheck instead of cash-in-hand at the time of service...there were several suggestions that the servers didn't care for having all of the tips as reportable income when the tips go through payroll (with cash it can be "estimated?" I guess) and many servers apparently did not like the delay in getting their tip money to a week or two later. While I think it probably was short-sighted to give up automatic (and guaranteed) tips, it apparently was the servers' choice, via their union. I hate to say it, but as granny used to say, "you made your bed, now you have to sleep in it."

 

[bicker]

Perhaps the servers were figuring that they could get part of what they wanted now, and then pressure for the rest later.

 

[missmouse1975]

Yes- this happened during all 3 TS meals when we went in Feb. When we gave them the card to deduct the credits, they would ask if we were charging it to the card or leaving cash. When we said cash, they asked for it right then.

That is incredibly rude. I've been in the food service business for over a decade. My server won't want to do this - it will harm the usually generous tip that I leave (and they will receive the tip when I decide to pay it - not when they decide I should pay it). Both my husband & I have worked fine dining all over the country. If they demand the tip immediately, I will ask to speak to a manager.

 

[Katiebell]

I'm also surprised that the wait staff didn't fight the removal of the tip from the plan. No flames, please, but I tip 15%-18% for good service, not medicore, or lousy. And I resent having to tip 18% on buffets. The server doesen't take your order (except for beverages) , & doesn't deliver your food. Many times you need to get their attention for drink refills. And it seems like the servers at the buffets handle more tables. If the buffet wait staff were used to getting 18% on say, a $30 meal, that equals $5/per person tip. So, a family of 5 (3 A, 2 K) would pay about $22 tip. The buffet wait staff must have been clearing quite a bit a $$ when they were getting the 18%. I don't believe they will be getting as much with the changes that have been made. But then, that's just my opinion.

No flames from me. I tip 15% for decent service, more if the server is really exceptional (which we've often encountered at Disney!) I always thought 10-15% was fair for buffets, and according to most standard etiquette experts 10% is the norm. However, several posts on here have made me re-think this -- good buffet servers work very hard, and if they keep my table bussed and tidy and my drinks full, and check to see if I need anything, then I feel like they deserve closer to 15%.

It has been reported on previous DDP/tipping threads that it was not a Disney management decision to remove the tip from the DDP: it was the waitstaff union that actually requested/negotiated this no-automatic-tip on the DDP because the waitstaff did not like the way the tips went onto their next paycheck instead of cash-in-hand at the time of service...there were several suggestions that the servers didn't care for having all of the tips as reportable income when the tips go through payroll (with cash it can be "estimated?" I guess) and many servers apparently did not like the delay in getting their tip money to a week or two later. While I think it probably was short-sighted to give up automatic (and guaranteed) tips, it apparently was the servers' choice, via their union. I hate to say it, but as granny used to say, "you made your bed, now you have to sleep in it."

This is actually contrary to what I've read from CM's here and on other Disney sites, and from talking to CM's in person last year at WDW. The CM's did NOT want the gratuity removed from the DDP. The union negotiations dragged on a long time, and there were a lot of serious issues on the table -- outsourcing, scheduling problems, serious increases in the health care costs with no increase in income to offset them, being paid a living wage, etc. The tip included in the DDP was an issue that only affected the foodservice CM's, but the union had to get the best deal possible for all of the union members, so they ultimately made the concession and gave up the tip.

Disney eliminated tips and appetizers from the DDP, and only decreased the cost in the plan about $1/day. That's a serious increase in the profit -- can't fault Disney for that, many of us are still buying the plan (or paying rack rate in off season to get the plan "free" instead of getting hotel discounts). It used to be a great deal -- now it's a good deal, if you use it wisely and plan in advance. It could be a serious waste of money if you don't make any ADR's or keep track of your credits. And the servers aren't benefitting from this...Disney is.

The thought that the servers were trying to avoid reporting their tip income doesn't make much sense to me because most diners, either at Disney or out in the rest of the restaurant-going world, already pay for their meals with plastic -- either credit or ATM cards. And I would guess that a lot of WDW guests not on the plan might charge meals (including tips) to their KTTW cards. So all of those tips would have a paper trail anyway

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I know I posted it before, but it is very rude for the servers to stand there and watch while you decide how much to tip. We felt very intimidated. This needs to be fixed. The dining patrons should be able to leave the tip on the table without fear of being watched. At the Plaza Restaurant 3 weeks ago that very thing happened. The waitress stood and watched over my shoulder as I was getting ready to write in the tip amount to be charged to my room. I did not like it one bit!! I placed my hand over the receipt and told her I was not ready, and she walked away.

 

[djs]

Although a tip is customary, I believe it is still optional. Yes, servers are often paid less than minumum wage as they get tips...but decent service is still to be expected. There are places here (MA) that will add a tip to one's check if the group is large enough, but it is still up to the customer to determine if the tip is warranted, and my understanding is that that 18% is completely optional.

I wonder if the tip that servers got before the change to the DDP was based on a 15-18% range, and the servers (through their union) figured it might be closer to 18-20% were customers to pay tip out of pocket.

I too prefer to tip in cash as it gets to the server quickly, and as others have pointed out sometimes cash might not get reported. They work hard, for people who are often demanding (while on vacation, we tend to want to be catered to) and for the most part deserve the money they get at the end of the meal.

FWIW, I tend to tip in the 20% range and will either work down or up from there depending on whether or not I want to wait around for change,and how much change we're talking about.

 

[TiggerDad3]

That is incredibly rude. I've been in the food service business for over a decade. My server won't want to do this - it will harm the usually generous tip that I leave (and they will receive the tip when I decide to pay it - not when they decide I should pay it). Both my husband & I have worked fine dining all over the country. If they demand the tip immediately, I will ask to speak to a manager.

I agree 100%. I think this is one of the most insulting and rude things that a server can do! If we encounter this, there will be conversations with management and a very big difference in the amount left for the "optional" gratuity! This actually happened to us very recently at Damon's locally and there was no reason for it, not even the end of the servers shift. I almost left nothing but could not bring myself to do that, but, there was a 50% reduction and a mention to the management!

 

[bicker]

This is actually contrary to what I've read from CM's here and on other Disney sites, and from talking to CM's in person last year at WDW.

The CMs do resist the idea that they have culpability for this situation.

the union had to get the best deal possible for all of the union members, so they ultimately made the concession and gave up the tip.

As you describe, here, this was the result of a contract negotiation, which both sides agreed to and carry equal responsibility for the outcome.

Although a tip is customary, I believe it is still optional.

Well, legally, perhaps, but the vast majority of folks don't believe that that is the case, morally. Instead, the tip is discretionary, meaning the amount is determined by the guest, not whether or not to tip at all.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It has been reported on previous DDP/tipping threads that it was not a Disney management decision to remove the tip from the DDP: it was the waitstaff union

Well, no - it WAS Disney's decision, as a non-negotiable item, to stop paying the tip and transfer that burden to the Guest. But, for accuracy, the union represents MANY more people that just waitstaff, or even foodservice overall.

 

[Booknut]

The CMs do resist the idea that they have culpability for this situation. As you describe, here, this was the result of a contract negotiation, which both sides agreed to and carry equal responsibility for the outcome.

I had lunch with a friend who is a server/CM a few weeks ago. She said that only full-time CMs get to vote on union issues...i'd say a lot of employees are part-time so its slightly unfair to suggest that the CMs really wanted this change when so many of them never had any say in it. And she stated that she knew of NO server that wanted the tips removed. Disney wanted it and made sure it happened by very pressured and excellent negotiation tactics.

 

[bicker]

That's the same as saying that none of us here have anything to do with that war in Iraq.

Folks who don't agree with their union should find other jobs.