18% auto tip with 5 people plus infant

[Batphobic]

Both times we've been to DW we've had 2 adults, 3 pay-for kids, and 1 infant.

Total people paying for = 5
Total breathing human beings = 6

The DDP instructions say 18% tip will be added automatically of parties of 6 or more. And we're always auto-charged.

I always thought that was unfair. It should be based on paying diners.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying "I wanted to give only 15% and am sweating the extra 3" -- I'm saying there have been a few (admittedly rare) times when service has been so bad (Wolfgang Puck) when using DDP that if not auto-charged I wouldn't have left a dime for tip.

Does that sound right? Auto tip for 5 plus infant???

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I wouldn't think the auto-tip on 5 + infant was very fair unless your server brought something for the baby. I do know (thanks to other fabulous members here) that if you receive bad service you can speak to a manager & they can reduce that tip amount if the 18% is not deserved. If I were to go this route I would be careful to have all my ducks in a row with specific examples & reasons for the reduced tip so the manager will understand & perhaps be able to provide that feedback to the server.

 

[Korfar]

I hate automatic tips. That is the biggest scam going on anywhere. Tips are based on quality of service. Once the servers knows they are getting at least 18% no matter what they do then that have no incentive to earn the tip. I am glad we are only a party of 4. I would have a real problem going anywhere with automatic tips for just the reason the OP had.

 

[lebeau]

Slightly off topic, but the infant thing bit me too on our last trip.

We had ressies at Akerhaus for 2 adults and 2 children (one child was an infant so no charge). Long story short, we had to cancel the ressies that day due to weather. I knew there was a $10 cancellation fee but I was surprised when Disney charged $10 for the baby who would not have even had a meal!

 

[Phonedave]

Slightly off topic, but the infant thing bit me too on our last trip.

We had ressies at Akerhaus for 2 adults and 2 children (one child was an infant so no charge). Long story short, we had to cancel the ressies that day due to weather. I knew there was a $10 cancellation fee but I was surprised when Disney charged $10 for the baby who would not have even had a meal!

It's not the eating of the meal, it's the taking of a seat. A seat another paying customer could have taken.

-dave

 

[Andrew54]

Thats BS..

 

[lebeau]

It's not the eating of the meal, it's the taking of a seat. A seat another paying customer could have taken.

-dave

A high chair?

 

[Batphobic]

I hate automatic tips. That is the biggest scam going on anywhere. Tips are based on quality of service. Once the servers knows they are getting at least 18% no matter what they do then that have no incentive to earn the tip. I am glad we are only a party of 4. I would have a real problem going anywhere with automatic tips for just the reason the OP had.

Exactly. And, while we're bashing auto tips... what's with charging auto tips for a family of 6? At any restaurant in the "real world" what's the magic number? 10? 8? I think it's even reasonable for a group of 6 adults... but a mom, dad, and their 4 kids? I just don't see how that's so enormous of a burden.

 

[lebeau]

Honestly, 20% is my base tip. If I have a tip automatically charged at 18%, odds are my waiter got tipped less than I would have ordinarily tipped. If the service were extraordinary, I would probably leave the difference. But if it was just average, I'd let the 18% ride even though I would have probably tipped more if I'd calculated it myself.

 

[PenguinPrincess]

I work at a restaurant in Times Square, and always joke that if there is a table of 5 with a pregnant woman...I'm adding the gratuity! You have no idea how many times a week I get stiffed...I take no chances! I'm sure the servers at WDW feel the same way.

 

[Raegansmommy]

Both times we've been to DW we've had 2 adults, 3 pay-for kids, and 1 infant.

Total people paying for = 5
Total breathing human beings = 6

The DDP instructions say 18% tip will be added automatically of parties of 6 or more. And we're always auto-charged.

I always thought that was unfair. It should be based on paying diners.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying "I wanted to give only 15% and am sweating the extra 3" -- I'm saying there have been a few (admittedly rare) times when service has been so bad (Wolfgang Puck) when using DDP that if not auto-charged I wouldn't have left a dime for tip.

Does that sound right? Auto tip for 5 plus infant???

We went last December on the dining plan, 4 adults, 2 children, and 2 infants. Some meals we had to pay around $30 for gratuity. I thought it was a little much, especially when it is a buffet! We were under the impression that the Dining Plan included the tip, and that is no longer the case. Kind of sucked and really added a few $100 on to our vacation.

 

[worldfanatic]

This is exactly why Disney World is no place for kids.
From dining to rides......they cause more problems than they're worth.

When will people figure it out, DISNEY WORLD IS FOR ADULTS ONLY!!!!!









for the peabrains out there..............just kidding.

.

 

[Magical Dreamer]

If I had a family of 6 I would need to go with the quick service dining and pay out of pocket for a couple of table service meals......The average auto tip amount would be about $45 per table sevice meal. :hurl:

 

[Master Yoda]

If I had a family of 6 I would need to go with the quick service dining and pay out of pocket for a couple of table service meals......The average auto tip amount would be about $45 per table sevice meal. :hurl:

It wont make a difference. The 18% gratuity will be added for parties of 6 or greater regardless of your form of payment.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Sadly- Disney is not the only ones to do this either. Our younger DD was still solely on bottles and staying in her infant carrier when she started being counted towards that party # for auto gratuity. We've had this happen to us in restaurants in south FL, TX, NV, PA, and NJ. We've also noticed that 6 is starting to become the new magic # for auto 18% gratuity.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Seriously, if the percentage that gets added to your check automatically anywhere (not just Disney) isn't justified due to poor service you should definitely take it up with a manager and provide as many specifics about your service as you can. I've been told at Disney the manager can adjust the gratuity. I'm not sure about restaurants outside WDW but at the very least it let's those managers know they need to address their wait staff and what they need to address them with.

 

[amaley01]

We found out the hard way. :brick:
First night, we left 18% tip in cash at the table but discovered at the end of our day the restaurant had applied the "gratuity" to our room. So for the balance of our vacation, we specifically told our attendant when we ordered drinks that the gratuity would be paid in cash. We always took as second look at the bill.

 

[Magical Dreamer]

It wont make a difference. The 18% gratuity will be added for parties of 6 or greater regardless of your form of payment.

I realize there would be the 18% charge for all table service meals but I would need to limit the number of table service meals and mainly utilize the counter service option.

 

[Dwarful]

The summer rates at the buffets is what really gets me. Honestly, at the buffets I strictly tip based on service. We aren't a party of 6 or more, unless we are doing the Grand Gatherings...thats a different story. But honestly, I hate the little 'your tip is..." at the bottom of the receipt.

 

[ScrapIron]

It is my understanding that waiters make less than min wage because of tips. It is also my understanding that the assumed tips received are taxed. It's worth bearing that in mind. While I have stiffed bad service, it is very rare.

A bientot.