Question about tipping for a party of 4 DDP participates and 2 infants..

[SnowWitch]

We are a party of 6 total but the baby will not be ordering or eating from the restaurant offering. Will they automatically add tip for a party of 6? In the case of our 2 yr old I can see her coutning because she will order from the kids menu or eat from a buffet but the baby won't.

[mom2my3kids]

Yes they will add it, just cough it up to being a good tipper for the night. Go in with a good attitude about service, if you happen to get bad service talk to the manager about taking it off..

[JimMIA]

I haven't faced this situation, but kids under three don't count for anything else. You don't pay for DDP for them, you don't buy park tickets for them.

I don't see why four adults and two <3's would trigger the auto gratuity. Even if the 2 y/o ordered off the kids menu, that would still only be five to me.

I could well be wrong, but counting your group as a "party of 6" seems like really pushing the envelope. Hopefully someone with a similar group and "just back" experience with DDP 2008 can shed some light. (or, even better, one of the servers who frequent this board)

[SnowWitch]

I was one who was excited about the tip being taken out of the plan in hopes of service improving but now with our party size guartaneeing an auto tip I worry we will be right back where we were before, mediocare service.
I am not a cheap tipper, many times we tipped well beyond 18% on the DDP for exceptional service but felt the auto tip with the plan really effected service overall now we are back in the same boat.

[JoanneNC]

When I called to make my ADR- the lady explained that servers are given a certain # of seats per night and a paryt of 6 or > gets them the 18% regardless - cause in fact - with the OP's situation - they are losing 2 seats to either free eating (baby) or lower priced meals (2 year old) and thus lower tip amounts, etc.

[just another guy]

Yup, its the number of people breathing. Mom, dad, twin 2 year olds, and twin 2 months old kids, and the grat will still be included. Even two parents with quintuplets will have the grat included.

[GPA1015]

We are exactly like you- I have two that I am not paying for 9 month and a 2 year old then a 4 and 5. We were told that we will have to tip as it is a table of 6. We are leaving in 8 days :banana: and I can update you when we get back- if you would like.

Stacy

[GoodFairies]

You were going to tip anyway right? What difference does it make if it's auto-added to the bill or not? It makes it easier for youif it is...and the children have zero impact on it.

[SnowWitch]

You were going to tip anyway right? What difference does it make if it's auto-added to the bill or not? It makes it easier for youif it is...and the children have zero impact on it.

Calculating a tip automatically is of little help. I believe I stated we generally tip > 18% in the above post. I don't like it being dictated what I should tip based solely on party size.

[GoodFairies]

Calculating a tip automatically is of little help. I believe I stated we generally tip > 18% in the above post. I don't like it being dictated what I should tip based solely on party size.

Nonetheless, most if not all of the restaurant industry does it. If you generally tip 18% or more anyway, you are still paying the same amount or possibly even less than you normally do.

[TDC Nala]

Infants and toddlers count toward party size, as do anyone who isn't ordering. If it's human and it's sitting at the table with you for the meal, it counts.

[just another guy]

I don't like it being dictated what I should tip based solely on party size.

Life is all about numbers. A 9 year old vs a 10 year old on the dining plan could mean all off a 3 month difference inbetween two childrens birthdates, but the 10 year old still have to pay more. If a sign says you must be 52 inch to ride a ride, how dangerous is it REALLY for a 51 inch tall kid to ride? Is it really safe for someone JUST at 52 inches? Same goes for party size and automatic grat.

[SnowWitch]

My question was answered. This post was never meant to be a debate. Thanks to those who responded with a reply to the question.

[angelkk]

Yup, its the number of people breathing. Mom, dad, twin 2 year olds, and twin 2 months old kids, and the grat will still be included. Even two parents with quintuplets will have the grat included.

Hello, I have a question. We are a party of 6 (including a baby) and will stay in two rooms for Deluxe Dining Plan. Based on a past experience (mix-up in room charges), we hope to request all our resort keys to be "NOT VALID FOR CHARGING".

I understand that Disney would be able to separate our bill into two rooms, and still add 18% on to it. Is it still possible to pay gratuity in CASH in my case?

Thank you!

[n2mm]

Unless the OP leaves the babies with a sitter, they will be having auto tip. If 6 bodies are at the table then there will be an auto tip. Yes I know this as this happens to us often. In August the auto tip was for parties of 8. Our group was always 6 adults and 2 infants under 2 years old. And yes the tip was added every single time. I just did my ADRs for May and we are 4 adults and 2 under 2 and yes, we expect to pay the auto tip every time. Even if you went in as 2 adults and 4 infants under 2 you would be expected to pay the auto-tip. It is about the party size, not who is eating and who is not eating.

[SplashMountainMama]

Hello, I have a question. We are a party of 6 (including a baby) and will stay in two rooms for Deluxe Dining Plan. Based on a past experience (mix-up in room charges), we hope to request all our resort keys to be "NOT VALID FOR CHARGING".

I understand that Disney would be able to separate our bill into two rooms, and still add 18% on to it. Is it still possible to pay gratuity in CASH in my case?

Thank you!

Someone who is a server at Disney posted on another thread that tipping in cash is easier for the servers in cases of large parties, multiple cheques or parties split into 2 tables. It was nice to hear that from an actual server because I plan on tipping in cash when we go, but honestly, you're the customer so whatever is the easiest way for you to do it you should be able to do. As long as you're paying the bill I don't think they have any right to give you a hard time about how it's done. Not to sound mean to any servers out there, but since when did it become necessary to take into account the preference of the server when settling a bill. :confused3 It may mean more than one swipe of a credit card, etc but it's their job and if Disney can't come up with a simpler solution than it's not really my problem. They should take it up with Disney and not get annoyed with customers for making them do extra work.