No gratuity - good or bad for CMs?

[NewfieFan]

There's been alot of discussion about the dining plan lately and I'm just curious as to what everyone thinks about the new dining plan. I'm not talking about how it's going to affect us, I'm wondering about the CMs. I've heard two thoughts on this subject. Some say that the CMs will lost next year with no gratuity included in the DDP and some say the CMs will benefit and may receive more tips.
In my case, I think the CMs will benefit. When I used the dining plan I rarely tipped over and above what was already include (18%). There were a few times that a CM was REALLY nice and/or went out of their way and I left an extra tip (but this was rare). Also, there were times we ordered drinks and/or something for my baby girl that wasn't include in the DDP and we didn't leave an extra tip. We were so use to just getting up and leaving the table that sometimes we forgot about these extra items (which I know we should leave an extra tip to cover those items that are not on the DDP). I know next year when I go a server will be getting 18% of our total bill and maybe more depending on the service. So in my case I think the CMs will actually get more tip out of me.
Also, I don't think the amount of our bill will change either. While on the DDP we will still continue to order what ever suits our tastes and if that's the most expensive item on the menu then so be it. However that being said, an appetizer has been removed from the table service and I can't see myself ordering one unless I really want it - I find a main course to be filling enough. So maybe the amount of the bill will change at some table service restaurants after all!?!
So what does everbody think?

 

[PintoColvig]

I've always prided myself at tipping well and often tip at least 20%. However, my gut thought is that this will hurt CM servers overall, especially in the first year or so after the change.

 

[Shere_Khan]

I've always prided myself at tipping well and often tip at least 20%. However, my gut thought is that this will hurt CM servers overall, especially in the first year or so after the change.

I agree that it may hurt them since people might be used to the tip being included and not realize. I don't think many would intentionally not leave a tip but just might not know that the tip is no longer included.
The restaurants will need to post signs or have the hosts/hostesses mention that it is no longer included.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Unfortunately, I believe the Disney vacationers in general are poor tippers. Just too many spend a major amount of their discretionary income and where they can scrimp...like tips, they will.
I think it is often forgotten that CM servers are paid no better than most in the restaurant business, and depend on tips.

I also informally base this on my observation that they generally seemed to like DDP, which indicated that they were guaranteed a decent, consistent tip.

I do hope my conclusions are incorrect for the CM's sake!

 

[Shere_Khan]

Unfortunately, I believe the Disney vacationers in general are poor tippers. Just too many spend a major amount of their discretionary income and where they can scrimp...like tips, they will.
I think it is often forgotten that CM servers are paid no better than most in the restaurant business, and depend on tips.

I agree with you and see what you mean, but I feel that if you can afford to go to some of these sit down meals at WDW then you should be able to afford a decent tip.
In my case, my family saves for months and sometimes years just to be able to spend a week at WDW, we will most likely schedule one sit down meal and the rest will be counter service. If we needed to scrimp on a tip I am not sure we would even go to the sit down meal at all.

 

[celticdog]

To quote Steve Martin in "My Blue Heaven"

"It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping"

I always overtip. I round up numbers. I try to tip in cash. I usually leave a minimum of 20%. This will also be the case in a few weeks, eventhough we have the DDP, I will still leave a tip.

 

[chels26]

i honestly can say when we went last month we had outstanding service for all of our table service meals. At Le Cellier, we had an extraordinary waitress and my mother left her a little extra tip.
IMO, i don't think its a good idea. Like every one else is saying.. i am sure people will forget that an appetizer isn't included and neither is the tip. I bet people will order appetizers and be reeeaaallly angry when they get a bill for it. And, i can bet 20 out of 100 people will forget to tip, if not more. I think they should have just left every thing as it was, and made the $$ per day a few dollars extra.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I think it is better.
2) They liked the included tip since it was nice and generous.
3) But, found out that all tips were now reported and they paid income tax.
4) Now, it goes back to the previous method.
5) They only report/pay on credit-card & room-charge tips, not cash tips.

 

[bgraham34]

I usually always tip 20% unless the service is subpar. On occasion i give less then 10 or sometimes none. Sometimes I even give 25%.

 

[celticdog]

ii am sure people will forget that an appetizer isn't included and neither is the tip. I bet people will order appetizers and be reeeaaallly angry when they get a bill for it.

Comments removed.

Nevermind, I misread your post.

 

[Master Yoda]

It will be interesting to hear the real results of this when CM's do their taxes this year and see if the ability to conceal tips offsets the tax on guaranteed money.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

i honestly can say when we went last month we had outstanding service for all of our table service meals. At Le Cellier, we had an extraordinary waitress and my mother left her a little extra tip.
IMO, i don't think its a good idea. Like every one else is saying.. i am sure people will forget that an appetizer isn't included and neither is the tip. I bet people will order appetizers and be reeeaaallly angry when they get a bill for it. And, i can bet 20 out of 100 people will forget to tip, if not more. I think they should have just left every thing as it was, and made the $$ per day a few dollars extra.

I'm glad you mentioned the fact that appetizers will not be included with the dining plan next year.

In 2007, the automatic 18% was added to a bill that included appetizers priced from approximately $6 to $10. For our family of four, that usually added about $36-$40 to the bill.

In 2008, with appetizers not included, the total bill will be less. Even if people still leave the 18%, they'll be leaving it for a smaller check. I don't see how this will be good for servers.

 

[rimousefan84]

I believe that it will hurt the servers in the long run because (1) people will most ikely be ordering less food(no app)in general of course. (2) Now that people are required to pay the gratuity out of pocket their tendency to choose the most expensive thing on the menu might be subdued. (3) Some people are REALLY crappy tippers, I have worked in the restaurant industry for 4 years now and I couldn't tell you how many times I've been "stiffed" by a "miscalculation" or a cheapo! :zipit: (4) Cell phone EZ tip calculators, I ALWAYS round up like most of you say and tip about 20-22% sometimes more if I had a good week lol. However, with the people being able to plug in say 15% into their phones and get the exact tip that should be left... it will be significantly less than the 18% that they were recieving prior to the change. Well there's my two cents... take it or leave it lol!

 

[MickeyFan77]

I would have to agree that it will hurt the servers in the long run. Although as stated they will have to report less to. ALSO there was an article in the USA Today a day or 2 ago about tipping in the world and the USA is generally the best tippers. Tipping in other countries is less for the most part(10% or Less), so this will hurt the servers b/c of that. BTW I am not saying that non-USAers are cheap that is just the way it is. Wanted to make my point clear before I get blasted.

 

[The Mom]

You also have a lot of older people :lookaroun who started dining out when 15% was standard, and you didn't tip more unless the service was better than average. Old habits die hard.

 

[DisneyJoe]

What most people in this argument fail to factor in is the Deluxe Dining Plan - Disney would not have started that plan if they didn't see a demand for it.

Personally, I know quite a few people who are very happy about the Deluxe plan.

Since this plan could possibly get these guests into 3 table service meals per nights stay (!), and they do get an appetizer with those table service meals - the value of these meals will be higher, and the tip should be as well.

IMHO, CM's will probably love the people on the DDDP....

 

[whizGoofy]

1) I think it is better.
2) They liked the included tip since it was nice and generous.
3) But, found out that all tips were now reported and they paid income tax.
4) Now, it goes back to the previous method.
5) They only report/pay on credit-card & room-charge tips, not cash tips.

I get the part of not wanting to claim all of the tips a server gets, however I have to claim everything I make. Why should a server be able to claim what they want?? I have been a server so I understand how the biz works. There are times when you don't make what you should every night. However when you give the service that a guest deserves, you get an even larger tip then what you should, so in the end it all pans out. The government needs to tax the servers just like I get taxed! So I believe that the DDP with tip included is a great way to keep people honest and ensure they will get at least 18%. Not everyone in the world tip 18%, some tip nothing at all, it would be better to get 18% all the time them 0-10% most of the time.

 

[Master Yoda]

I would have to agree that it will hurt the servers in the long run. Although as stated they will have to report less to. ALSO there was an article in the USA Today a day or 2 ago about tipping in the world and the USA is generally the best tippers. Tipping in other countries is less for the most part(10% or Less), so this will hurt the servers b/c of that. BTW I am not saying that non-USAers are cheap that is just the way it is. Wanted to make my point clear before I get blasted.

You won't get blasted by me as the difference in tipping from one country is more a cultural thing and not a cheep thing. Just like in some countries it is considered perfectly acceptable for women to go topless on the beach where as in others it is not.

 

[cooleo]

Why should gratuity be added to the dining plan anyway. That would be the same as them automatically adding the gratuity to the bill of someone who is not on the dining plan. I would not want someone providing me poor service to receive gratuity they did not properly earn or deserve. When you work in the service industry, you need to be prepared for those circumstances. If a car salesman does his job poorly, he will likely not sell a car & therefore will not earn any commission. :shrug:

 

[davper]

Did the price of the DDP go down any? Otherwise, it is essentially a 20 to 30% increase in cost.