Tipping on the new Dining Plan...

Jen · 01-06-2008

Last night, Stu and I were going over our spending plan for our trip (which is in 26 days!!!) and we went over about how much it's going to cost us for tipping (since 18% will be added to all of our table service meals)

Well tips at just 18% will cost us close to $500!!! So, while the $1 decrese in the plan saved me $60....it will cost me $500 more this year above the $2100 I've already paid for the dining plan for my family.

For some reason this has really ticked me off. Last year we added up all our reciepts and we figured we saved $700. This year, with the absence of the appetizer and tipping, it will be interesting to see if we save anything at all.

Believe me, I am not begruding the wait staff any money, I'm a food server myself (who rarely sees tips close to 18%!!) I'm just surprised how much more dining is going to cost me this year.

I think I would have rather preferred an increase in the plan by even $5 and kept the tips included.

Just had to vent about that.

**DisneyTeacher** · 01-06-2008

I think a lot of people are going to see what you are seeing--there isn't going to be a lot of savings in the plan. The only thing I would like is having everything paid for before hand.

We've done both and while the plan was nice I'm not sure it truly saved us much because we never order that much food. We eat one sitdown meal a day but don't get much more than an entree so when we figured up what we would spend and the cost of the plan we came out about even.

With the new changes we're happy with the DDE card, it takes care of the tip and we get to order what we want.

We didn't add the dining plan for our December trip since we have APs and I think we were happier because we weren't stuffed after every meal and we didn't feel like we HAD to eat. We ate waht we wanted and enjoyed it.

leslieh · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

Last night, Stu and I were going over our spending plan for our trip (which is in 26 days!!!) and we went over about how much it's going to cost us for tipping (since 18% will be added to all of our counter service meals)

I don't believe that 18% is being added to counter service meals. If that makes you feel a little better...

**DisneyTeacher** · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by leslieh

I don't believe that 18% is being added to counter service meals. If that makes you feel a little better...

You're right, a tip is not added to counter service meals.

Jen · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by leslieh

I don't believe that 18% is being added to counter service meals. If that makes you feel a little better...

Yes, I know about that, I have to edit my post, LOL, I ment to say Table Service...the $500 was just on TS meals believe it or not. We are a family of 6 and we will be there for 10 days, but it's still a shocker considering last year we only spent about an extra $100 on tipping.

leslieh · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

Yes, I know about that, I have to edit my post, LOL, I ment to say Table Service...the $500 was just on TS meals believe it or not. We are a family of 6 and we will be there for 10 days, but it's still a shocker considering last year we only spent about an extra $100 on tipping.

That sure is a shocker! I run the numbers for every trip, and the DDP has never been better for us $$. Using our APs, we get a good room discount, don't have to buy MYW tickets, and have our DDE card, which is 20% discount on food and drinks (adult beverages as well).

The only time we use the DDP is when we have free dining.

Soundgod · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

With the new changes we're happy with the DDE card, it takes care of the tip and we get to order what we want.

It's a good thing that the DDE discount takes care of the tip because starting on Jan 1, they started automatically adding a mandatory 18% tip to all DDE meals, regardless of the size of your party. At least it's 18% on the prediscount total and not the after tax total.

**DisneyTeacher** · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by leslieh

That sure is a shocker! I run the numbers for every trip, and the DDP has never been better for us $$. Using our APs, we get a good room discount, don't have to buy MYW tickets, and have our DDE card, which is 20% discount on food and drinks (adult beverages as well).

The only time we use the DDP is when we have free dining.

Same with us. We usually save several hundred dollars on the room alone and the 20% off with the DDE card takes care of the tip. I'm not sure we'll do the dining plan again because my son will suddenly become an adult in May and there's no way he'll eat close to $40 a day. I know we could use his adults credits but I just can't eat that much and I don't want to spend my whole trip eating, even at 2 credit restaurants.

tinkerbelle24 · 01-06-2008

Is this for parties of a certain amount or for everyone??

**DisneyTeacher** · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundgod

It's a good thing that the DDE discount takes care of the tip because starting on Jan 1, they started automatically adding a mandatory 18% tip to all DDE meals, regardless of the size of your party. At least it's 18% on the prediscount total and not the after tax total.

I'm ok with that because we would tip at least that much even if it was added for us. If there's an issue with poor service I'll talk to a manager and have it removed. It would have to be really bad for me to do that and in all my WDW vacations I've never had a serious issue with a server.

**DisneyTeacher** · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkerbelle24

Is this for parties of a certain amount or for everyone??

I think it's for all party sizes.

tinkerbelle24 · 01-06-2008

[quote=DisneyTeacher]I think it's for all party sizes.[/QUOT

Oh wow.. Thanks for that info..

**Dana** · 01-06-2008

I am on the fence this year with the dining plan. I have to actually sit and do the math and decide if it's worth it to me and DD. I'll do the breakdown for every meal knowing what we more or less will order and see if it's worth it. I like being paid in advance, but this year I technically won't be as I have to pay for the DDP at check in because I am renting points....I'll have to think about this one.

tinkerbelle24 · 01-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana

I am on the fence this year with the dining plan. I have to actually sit and do the math and decide if it's worth it to me and DD. I'll do the breakdown for every meal knowing what we more or less will order and see if it's worth it. I like being paid in advance, but this year I technically won't be as I have to pay for the DDP at check in because I am renting points....I'll have to think about this one.

Im the same way. I dont know if we will get the DDP this year unless they offer it for free... I have to think about everything that we will eat and see if it comes to $5-$600

**DisneyTeacher** · 01-06-2008

[quote=tinkerbelle24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

I think it's for all party sizes.[/QUOT

Oh wow.. Thanks for that info..

I'm sorry, I was talking about with the DDE card. The tip is added no matter your party size with the DDE card.

01-06-2008	#1 (permalink)
Jen Go Navy! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kissimmee, FL Posts: 2,866	Tipping on the new Dining Plan... Last night, Stu and I were going over our spending plan for our trip (which is in 26 days!!!) and we went over about how much it's going to cost us for tipping (since 18% will be added to all of our table service meals) Well tips at just 18% will cost us close to $500!!! So, while the $1 decrese in the plan saved me $60....it will cost me $500 more this year above the $2100 I've already paid for the dining plan for my family. For some reason this has really ticked me off. Last year we added up all our reciepts and we figured we saved $700. This year, with the absence of the appetizer and tipping, it will be interesting to see if we save anything at all. Believe me, I am not begruding the wait staff any money, I'm a food server myself (who rarely sees tips close to 18%!!) I'm just surprised how much more dining is going to cost me this year. I think I would have rather preferred an increase in the plan by even $5 and kept the tips included. Just had to vent about that. __________________ Defender of Chit Chat ...11 trips to WDW since 1981 Avatar of the Week: Wicked Step-sisters at the Pirate and Princess Party, 2007 MBer's i've met: erin, cavey, gingita, chastmastr, quakercub, soundgod, catfish1999, slartybartfest, cousin mike, jenbarnwell, lovemysons, val32, wishuponastar, princessalyssa, iluvwdw, mickaholic4077 and empressjenny My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Moving to Florida in... ...we're on our way to our new home in Kissimmee!! Last edited by Jen; 01-06-2008 at 12:30 PM. Reason: typed "counter service" instead of "table service

01-06-2008	#2 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,308	Re: Tipping on the new Dining Plan... I think a lot of people are going to see what you are seeing--there isn't going to be a lot of savings in the plan. The only thing I would like is having everything paid for before hand. We've done both and while the plan was nice I'm not sure it truly saved us much because we never order that much food. We eat one sitdown meal a day but don't get much more than an entree so when we figured up what we would spend and the cost of the plan we came out about even. With the new changes we're happy with the DDE card, it takes care of the tip and we get to order what we want. We didn't add the dining plan for our December trip since we have APs and I think we were happier because we weren't stuffed after every meal and we didn't feel like we HAD to eat. We ate waht we wanted and enjoyed it. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 239 days 18 hours 16 minutes

01-06-2008	#9 (permalink)
tinkerbelle24 Cant wait till MNSSHP Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Deptford NJ Posts: 5,445	Re: Tipping on the new Dining Plan... Is this for parties of a certain amount or for everyone?? __________________ Always looking for a reason to go to Disney! 1992~CBR 2001~CBR 2003~ASMovies 05~ASMovies 07~ASSports March08~my Bday trip Best Western Lakeside May08~ POR Dec08~ Disney Hilton Head Island Dec08/Jan09~ SSR Sept09~Madisons Bday trip Pop Century My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Madisons bday in Disney,MNSSHP, Ohanas,Kona for the first time,MB meet,BBB for the first time and the list goes on Having a blast with Madison for her 9 day non stop bday party

01-06-2008	#12 (permalink)
tinkerbelle24 Cant wait till MNSSHP Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Deptford NJ Posts: 5,445	Re: Tipping on the new Dining Plan... [quote=DisneyTeacher]I think it's for all party sizes.[/QUOT Oh wow.. Thanks for that info.. __________________ Always looking for a reason to go to Disney! 1992~CBR 2001~CBR 2003~ASMovies 05~ASMovies 07~ASSports March08~my Bday trip Best Western Lakeside May08~ POR Dec08~ Disney Hilton Head Island Dec08/Jan09~ SSR Sept09~Madisons Bday trip Pop Century My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Madisons bday in Disney,MNSSHP, Ohanas,Kona for the first time,MB meet,BBB for the first time and the list goes on Having a blast with Madison for her 9 day non stop bday party

01-06-2008	#13 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 23,782	Re: Tipping on the new Dining Plan... I am on the fence this year with the dining plan. I have to actually sit and do the math and decide if it's worth it to me and DD. I'll do the breakdown for every meal knowing what we more or less will order and see if it's worth it. I like being paid in advance, but this year I technically won't be as I have to pay for the DDP at check in because I am renting points....I'll have to think about this one. __________________ ~82 off-site~91 off-site~97 ASMusic~ ~00 ASMovies~02 Wilderness Lodge~04 Animal Kingdom Lodge~ ~05 Animal Kingdom Lodge & Polynesian~ ~05 Port Orleans French Quarter~06 Old Key West~ ~07 Port Orleans French Quarter~08 Old Key West~ ~09 Saratoga Springs~10 Port Orleans Fench Quarter~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 10 day do all or die trying trip. 270 days 13 hours 16 minutes

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Restaurants
Tipping on the new Dining Plan...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
AP Discount & Dining Plan	KP's Mom	WDW Resorts	1	06-16-2006 11:31 PM
Cost comparison....Is Dining Plan worth it?	Smayco	WDW Resorts	15	06-10-2006 01:00 PM
Looking for room only & got Free Dining Plan	gcbdad	WDW Budget Tips	12	06-06-2006 06:36 PM
Why shouldn't I get the Dining Plan?	gcbdad	WDW Restaurants	19	03-23-2006 11:17 AM
We used the Dining Plan!	Goofy3	WDW Restaurants	23	09-13-2005 07:37 AM

User Name		Remember Me?
Password