Disney Dining Experience Program Changes

[pugslave]

Hi All - I just recevied an email from Disney and there was a dining change I thought was interesting:

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!


The Disney Dining Experience Team

[Goofy Pluto]

That's not right! You shouldn't automatically be required to leave a tip of that %. It should be up to the customer to decide what the tip is based on the service they received. Granted, that's about the norm for me, but it's still not right.

Thank goodness we're going before January. (TWO WEEKS!!! )

[brewcrew26]

Does that also include if you're on the Dining Plan?

All these changes lately to something simple like food has my head spinning...

[sleepingbooty]

I'm curious why they sent this to you. Was this in response to an email question from you, or was this apropos of nothing?

[DVC Mike]

The email was sent to everyone who has the DDE card.

I always tip 20%, or more if the service is exceptional.

I guess I'm going to save 2% and complain to the manager if I get poor service.

[faline]

Is this only for folks using the Dining experience card or for everyone?

[mudpuppysmom]

I didn't get the email and I'm not sure I like this change!!!

[epcot3]

I received the same email. I wonder if this just applies to places where the DDE card can be used, or if it applies to counter service also.
I have never used the Dining Plan, so how will this work on that? Will you have an 18% "bill" given to you when you are finished with your meal?

[mudpuppysmom]

According to this 18% will be added to ALL transactions that you use the DDE card on.....which means that at some CS locations you'll be tipping WHOM?!?!??!

Disney is telling us now that they'll give us a 20% discount on our bill, but 18% will now go to the servers!! Sort of negates the whole idea of having the card!!

I didn't get an email telling me this, nor have I received anything in the mail. I know that terms are subject to change at any time, but I think that they need to tell EVERYONE who has the card!!

I'm not happy........

[crazykids]

I received the same e mail & it states the 18% will be added to all transactions, not just DDE. This means for all that use the dining plan - the servers will still get the 18%, but now YOU have to pay it out of pocket!

[faline]

Actually, this move saves me money. I've always looked at the card as getting the tip "for free". Now, the tip will actually be a little less than we normally tip and we don't need to play with the math.

[KylesMom]

Actually, this move saves me money. I've always looked at the card as getting the tip "for free". Now, the tip will actually be a little less than we normally tip and we don't need to play with the math.

Us too, Linda. We've always put the 20% back into the tip, rounding so that the bill is an equal amount. Now we'll save a few bucks per meal if they're going to automatically include it.

I am curious what they are going to do for CS-type locations such as Value food Courts, etcetera . . .

[Figment!]

The Disney Dining Experience Team has announced to its members a new policy change for obtaining membership cards, as well as, a new property wide gratuity policy that applies to all Guests.

Greetings from the Disney Dining Experience Team!

As 2008 quickly approaches, you will begin to see some exciting new developments for the Disney Dining Experience Membership Program. You asked and we listened! Effective November 11, 2007, you will no longer have to wait 3 – 6 weeks to receive your permanent membership card(s).

Guest Relations locations at Epcot®, MAGIC KINGDOM® Park, DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park, Disney-MGM Studios, DOWNTOWN DISNEY® West Side, and DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Marketplace will now be able to print permanent Disney Dining Experience membership cards for immediate use. This service is designed for existing and new members. Cards produced at the Guest Relations locations will be printed on paper stock similar to the annual pass tickets.

The Disney Dining Experience office will still be available to take applications for current and new members, via the phone, fax or mail for those who do not want to take advantage of the in-park service. Membership cards ordered through the Disney Dining Experience office will be received within 2 - 3 weeks of purchase.

All Guests who have ordered their Disney Dining Experience membership cards prior to November 11, 2007 date will have to pickup their temporary cards at the main entrance Epcot® Guest Relations. Your permanent card will be sent through the mail and arrive in 3-4 weeks from the date of purchase.

We would also like to inform you that the Walt Disney World® Resort will be implementing an across property policy change regarding gratuity at all food and beverage locations. Effective January 1, 2008, 18% gratuity will be added to all transactions, regardless of party size. Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!


The Disney Dining Experience Team

Although the announcment was not clear, Reservations Cast have confirmed that the new automatic Gratuity policy only applies to Table Service locations.

[pugslave]

I'm not sure if it applies to just the DDE or not.it says "across property policy change" but is not more specific than that. I would assume if they were going to do this with the Dining Plan, they will probably raise the prices - to be applied to guests who purchase it after 1/1/08.

[Jared]

I don't understand why Disney would eliminate the automatic tip from the Disney Dining Plan and add it to the Disney Dining Experience card. Didn't Disney remove it from the plan because it wasn't a good strategy?

Let the party decide the tip, and make the server work for the cash. I truly believe servers are more attentive to tables not using the Disney Dining Plan, and now folks with the Disney Dining Experience card will be stiffed.

[Dsnygirl]

Actually, this move saves me money. I've always looked at the card as getting the tip "for free". Now, the tip will actually be a little less than we normally tip and we don't need to play with the math.

I agree... Dan & I have always done 20% for good service... so this actually saves us a bit at some locations! But, I'm hoping this doesn't apply to those of us who don't use DDE - I like to choose the tip myself, and will certainly leave less than 18% for poor service. To think they will force everyone into an 18% tip, regardless of service, is poor form. I realize some people never tip, and that certainly isn't fair by any means to the servers - but what about folks on a budget? Some families may not be able to affore 18% on every meal - and it's unkind to force them to. I think more and more folks are going to bring granola and trail mix into the parks...

[LibertyTreeGal]

I'm a big tipper too, and I hate this!! I prefer to reserve the right to tip more or less based on the quality of service...

[Tink&Goofy]

I don't get it. They must have a really strong servers union or something. I have never heard of an automatic tip for even small parties. So...they eliminate the tip under the DDP and lower the price $1. Then they make the 18% an AUTOMATIC addition?
We were considering the DDE or DDP on our next visit, but we may just go cheap, and skip it all together. I tip well for good service, but don't want to be forced to tip for poor service. What incentive is this for the servers to provide good service when they know they will get a decent tip automatically? I'm kind of disgusted with the whole dining issue at WDW at the moment....can you tell?

[Dsnygirl]

I don't get it. They must have a really strong servers union or something. I have never heard of an automatic tip for even small parties. So...they eliminate the tip under the DDP and lower the price $1. Then they make the 18% an AUTOMATIC addition?
We were considering the DDE or DDP on our next visit, but we may just go cheap, and skip it all together. I tip well for good service, but don't want to be forced to tip for poor service. What incentive is this for the servers to provide good service when they know they will get a decent tip automatically? I'm kind of disgusted with the whole dining issue at WDW at the moment....can you tell?

Yup - and I agree, as you can tell above!! I just sent Disney an e-mail about this... I wonder if enough of us complain, they may think twice... sigh...

[LibertyTreeGal]

Ditto, this is placing WDW further and further down the list of future vacation spots. It's like they are purposefully pushing people away