Gratuities On DDP

[eeyorefanuk]

There will be eight of us going on the free DDP

I have noted that if table of 6 of more then 18% tip will be added !

If for example we booked two tables of four, then how much tip will automatically be added?

Was trying to work out at 18% what it would cost for the 21 days and panicking cost at least thousand maybe two??

 

[wideeyes]

between 15-18%, so depends on the cost of your meal. For a meal for 2 adults and 1 child we usually tipped anywhere between $7-$15.

At Disney they actually have on the bill the suggested tip at 15% & 18% .

 

[wayneg]

You could book on 2 different reservations but if they know you are together the will deliberately put you as far away from each other as poss. We dined last Easter an a family tried to get around it, no idea what they had said to get seated but they when the server realized what they were trying to do the family were asked to go back outside and wait for the correct sized tables(even though the ones they were at were OK)
Based on our spend last month I would estimate 18% for 8 over 21 days at around $1,000 if you are on regular dining plan with a tables service every evening.
Thankfully as there are only 3 of us we could tip what we wanted, probably was close to 18% (some more, some less) but I hate being told what to add.

 

[wayneg]

At Disney they actually have on the bill the suggested tip at 15% & 18% .

They have now increased it to 18% & 20%.

 

[iluvtot]

between 15-18%, so depends on the cost of your meal. For a meal for 2 adults and 1 child we usually tipped anywhere between $7-$15.

At Disney they actually have on the bill the suggested tip at 15% & 18%
.

Just back, the suggested amounts are now calculated at 18% and 20%!!!
Our last meal at Tutto Italia, us and the kids, (but 5 adult meals), no extra's on DDP, the tip was $45!!!

Jules x

 

[ford family]

In the same way that you would expect to add 10% to a restaurant bill in the UK you would be expected to add 20% in Florida.

In WDW we use the TIW card which automatically adds 18% but we add a little extra for really good service

ford family

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Do you have to pay the 20%???

Also do you have to pay it at restaurants outside disney??

Have not been florida for 20 years so cannot remember.

Did not count this into the cost when working out if free dining was worth it

 

[eeyorefanuk]

So if for example there was four of us, rather than eight, does that mean you can choose how much you tip???

 

[iluvtot]

....Thankfully as there are only 3 of us we could tip what we wanted, probably was close to 18% (some more, some less) but I hate being told what to add.

Although there was 5 of us, we still ended up paying the 20%, regardless of the service! I think it was:-
a) because it was written down, and as the difference was only perhaps at most a couple of dollars, it looked mean not to put the higher amount
b) we took our Fairfx card, and only had a minimal amount of dollars, so everything went on our card. The only problem was that you actually had to write the amount of tip down,they would take the bill away, and then bring back an ammended bill with just the tip amount on it for you to sign! It just looked really tight not to put the full 20%!
In retrospect, we have decided that next time we will take more dollars, and leave tips in cash; then there isn't that pressure, as you can leave immediately!!

Jules x

 

[wideeyes]

So if for example there was four of us, rather than eight, does that mean you can choose how much you tip???

It is meant to be a "suggested tip" and I wouldn't ever tip under 15% personally unless service is bad though I tip 15% here too so just habit.

TBH I don't do alot of Table service at WDW now as I can't afford to add on loads for tips and the onces I do book I factor in the tip so will book places where they have cheaper items on the menu and skip dessert and get it from a CS on the way back. (I sound so cheap , I don't go with a lot of spending money and every $ counts for me, my DD only got a little teddy for $5 last year as only had money for for food and no extras.)

 

[Elise79]

Do you have to pay the 20%???

Also do you have to pay it at restaurants outside disney??

Have not been florida for 20 years so cannot remember.

Did not count this into the cost when working out if free dining was worth it

You will need to tip wherever you eat not just Disney. It is US custom to tip a minimum of 15% of all meals where you have a server. 20% for good service and this needs to be budgeted for. If you can't afford then stick to counter service meals.

Please remember part of a servers income is from their tips and that they are taxed on assumed tips. They also have a lower minimum wage.

Personally I always tip to the nearest whole dollar and usually around 20%. You tip on the pre-tax amount.

We will be a party of 7 this time so they will add the 18% to the bill and I will just pay to the next dollar in cash.

BTW if your service is REALLY bad and you don't think they have earned their tip you can request to speak to a manager and have it reduced. It is still a gratuity so is optional although expected.

 

[iluvtot]

Do you have to pay the 20%???

Also do you have to pay it at restaurants outside disney??

Have not been florida for 20 years so cannot remember.

Did not count this into the cost when working out if free dining was worth it

As we had the DDP, we only ate outside the once in Celebration, and that was only snacks. However, I didn't feel as pressured as in Disney. Our server was very good. I managed to spill my drink over dd's banana cream pie. She helped me clear up the spill, and bought me back another drink, and DD another pie,and didn't charge us.It wasn't that expensive either, and 20% came in about $8, so I made it up to $10 Last year though when we were eating offsite more, we would tip 15%

Another factor that affects the tip is the price of the meal! We were trying the more expensive options that we probably wouldn't have gone for had we been paying for the meals, and not on the DDP. eg, at the Sci-fi dine in, we would probably have gone for burgers had we been footing the bill ourselves, but instead we tried the shrimp pasta(at I think $21.99). This pushed the price of the bill up, and subsequently the tip!Didn't particularly like the pasta either, but then it's all experience!
Also, we very rarely have dessert at home, or maybe share,but were having one each because it was included! Bearing in mind the desserts alone were $5+, that was an additional $25 we were having to tip on.

Jules x

 

[wideeyes]

Also a glass of wine or a cocktail can cost around $10 and a beer around $6 do this will also add quite abit to the tip.

 

[EvertonCJ]

There will be eight of us going on the free DDP

I have noted that if table of 6 of more then 18% tip will be added !

If for example we booked two tables of four, then how much tip will automatically be added?

Was trying to work out at 18% what it would cost for the 21 days and panicking cost at least thousand maybe two??

We recently visited as a party of 6 on the free DDP and automatically had 18% added to our bill regardless of the service. I am with Wayne on this in that I hate being told that you must do this before you even sit down. It was particularly frustrating at the self service buffets such as Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace where you have to collect your own food. I did ask a waitress at the ESPN bar if they get to keep all of the tip and she did say yes. When we visited the Yachtsman's Steakhouse our 18% tip was 60 dollars. We calculated that the waiter was earning at least 600 dollars a night just in tips. Not bad money if you can get it.

 

[Chilly]

We recently visited as a party of 6 on the free DDP and automatically had 18% added to our bill regardless of the service. I am with Wayne on this in that I hate being told that you must do this before you even sit down. It was particularly frustrating at the self service buffets such as Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace where you have to collect your own food. I did ask a waitress at the ESPN bar if they get to keep all of the tip and she did say yes. When we visited the Yachtsman's Steakhouse our 18% tip was 60 dollars. We calculated that the waiter was earning at least 600 dollars a night just in tips. Not bad money if you can get it.

They do get taxed on their tips.

 

[EvertonCJ]

They do get taxed on their tips.

I get taxed on my earnings also. But even after tax it is still a pretty good job, particularly at the top restaurants.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

They do get taxed on their tips.

Even after tax thats a lot more than I earn!

Im another one who is against suggested tipping. If my server wants a 18-20% tip then I expect 1st class service. If my service is below par then the tip is ajusted accordingly!

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

We had the same problem when we we there a few weeks ago.

We dined a many restaurants including Yachtsman, Cal Grill right down to Chef Mickeys.

Now we are not poor tippers but think about it, when we went to Yachtsman our suggested "tip" was $39. Now if you were at a restaurant at home would you tip in the region of £23 for a family of 3. No I didnt think so either.

Personally I feel that you should only tip for the items that you actually pay for (if you are on free dining). At the end of the day I work hard for my money and dont feel we should be dictated to by Disney or anybody else how much we tip. Tipping is just that. Its a perk.

Sorry for the rant but I think that $1000 is alot of money to spend on "tipping", especially as previously commented on the buffet meals.

I spoke to my boss who is American and told he this and he was amazed. He said Americans tradtionally tip between 10-15% for excellent service so Disney is trying to take advantage.

I have certainly learnt my lesson and will not tip anywhere near what I was this year - good service or not. Waiters at signature restaurants must be earning a small fortune. Maybe I shoud think about a change in career!!!

 

[Chilly]

I only ever tip 15%

 

[iluvtot]

We had the same problem when we we there a few weeks ago.

We dined a many restaurants including Yachtsman, Cal Grill right down to Chef Mickeys.

Now we are not poor tippers but think about it, when we went to Yachtsman our suggested "tip" was $39. Now if you were at a restaurant at home would you tip in the region of £23 for a family of 3. No I didnt think so either.

Personally I feel that you should only tip for the items that you actually pay for (if you are on free dining). At the end of the day I work hard for my money and dont feel we should be dictated to by Disney or anybody else how much we tip. Tipping is just that. Its a perk.

Sorry for the rant but I think that $1000 is alot of money to spend on "tipping", especially as previously commented on the buffet meals.

I spoke to my boss who is American and told he this and he was amazed. He said Americans tradtionally tip between 10-15% for excellent service so Disney is trying to take advantage.

I have certainly learnt my lesson and will not tip anywhere near what I was this year - good service or not. Waiters at signature restaurants must be earning a small fortune. Maybe I shoud think about a change in career!!!

I was talking to SIL about this, and she said that the tips are an expected as they make up most of their wages. Also, the tip is not just for the server, but for the person who takes you to your table, and also the person who takes your order! She said Disney only pays them $1 or $2 an hour
Not sure if this is true, but if so that means we're subbing DISNEY!!

Jules x