One reminder = fine. I'm sure there are people who mistakenly think the tip is included.So they can repeatedly remind you that tips aren't included.
I about snapped on one waiter who told me 4 times that the tip wasn't included. Did my face say "I don't tip?" I had this happen several times on my first DDP trip.
Do they also verify that you have adequate credits before taking your order? I’ve not done the dining plan but once sat next to a family at Via Napoli who left without ordering as they didn’t have credits and didn’t want to pay cash.
So they can give you subpar service because the tip is guaranteed?
As for those jerks who skipped out Since Disney should know who they are and where they are staying I hope they got an unpleasant surprise at check out.
It's not cynicism. It affects them (wait staff) positively when people order more. It's admittedly not a complete answer, which could likewise begin and end with, "because their service script included the line..." but I dont think this version really explains the situation either.
There is a reason servers always look thrilled when we let them know we went DxDDP.
To be clear, a good waiter drives up the ticket price with good service. Ever leave an ice cream shop without buying? I have. It's not because icecream suddenly lost its appeal.
You can have a bad server anywhere but I think that for the most part they ask because they want to be helpful and they want to avoid any issues on anything that is not included and having any surprises at the end of the meal. and I'm sure some want to be "super helpful" and point out the more expensive things on the menu since it's "included" also knowing it will drive up the tip... but hey, you are on vacation and they gotta make a living. Many people perceive that as value anyway so done properly they would feel like the server was being a good server by helping them maximize the plan.
Just to add we've been 3 times on TiW...where the tip at 18% IS included. When I stated we had TiW, the server always looked relieved...it seemed to be more of a relief of not having to explain how anything worked or tell us we couldn't order one thing or another or remind us that tip isn't included.
I'm am sure MANY Disney servers have been through the ringer when a patron is enraged that the appetizer or cocktail wasn't included in the Dining Plan or many who don't understand that the tip is not included or how much should be tipped (I mean, we have heated threads about tipping here...from people who order a $75 meal but believe that tipping $5 per person is adequate to people who think tip is included to people who are from countries where tipping is not the norm and are unsure).
So they can repeatedly remind you that tips aren't included.
I about snapped on one waiter who told me 4 times that the tip wasn't included. Did my face say "I don't tip?" I had this happen several times on my first DDP trip.
I don’t think they do,though your post kind of shows that they do since they didn’t order. That particular restaurant is a rough one on the dining plan because you can’t share pizzas etc. it’s not like other Disney-owned places on the Dining plan. Easy to not know the specifics.
The server might also have explained to them what the plan covers and they realized they didn’t have the credits.
As for the original question...people just can’t be relied on to know what they are buying. The servers don’t want troubles, so they go over it.
Agreed we have noticed that when we order and that includes QS locations.Now that we pay OOP I do notice a sense of "relief" from the waiter when we tell them we don't have the DDP. They don't have to give the big speech of how the DDP works, what is included, what isn't included, what can be shared, what can't be shared, etc. And I never get reminded about the tip.
It used to be that everyone had to use a credit.What do you mean by "you can't share pizzas etc.."? How do they keep that from happening?
Just to add we've been 3 times on TiW...where the tip at 18% IS included. When I stated we had TiW, the server always looked relieved...it seemed to be more of a relief of not having to explain how anything worked or tell us we couldn't order one thing or another or remind us that tip isn't included.
To clarify, w TiW the gratuity is not incl7ded with the bill, it is automatically added to the bill. Semantics, but an important distinction
What do you mean by "you can't share pizzas etc.."? How do they keep that from happening?
I have been asked at the beginning of the meal about TiW. I think we had about the same service we had in our 3 trips before we had TiW (one OOP, two DDP) as we had with TiW even if the server knew.I don’t tell them about TIW up front. They ask about dining plans. I don’t have one.
We talk about how I’m paying and what discounts I might get towards the end of the meal.
Isn't that interesting, do they check to see if you people on the DDP have the credits needed for a meal? Never occurred to me, as I've only done the Deluxe dining plan less than a handful of times. Interesting thread.
I disagree with the 4 times, but there was a time when the DDP INCLUDED tips. When they did the switch, they were letting people know so as for the wait staff not to get stiffed.One reminder = fine. I'm sure there are people who mistakenly think the tip is included.
Two reminders = annoying, but okay. Maybe they forgot they already mentioned it.
Three reminders = asking for me to write "INC." on the tip line