Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining

[Mikey'swife]

$100 DDP credits - check showing total 'spent', tax, and what 18% and 20% of amount 'spent' would be for guest convenience.
$10 TiW - separate check showing $10 minus 20% discount plus tax on discounted total plus 18% of $10 original check.

So: $10 - $2 + .52 + $1.80 = $10.32; plus whatever amount you choose to tip for the DDP-covered items.

Thanks, I forgot about tax

 

[jenseib]

Thanks, I forgot about tax

You don't tip on tax.

 

[Tricia1972]

You don't tip on tax.

No, but you need to budget for it when you're budgeting your trip. It's also significant when you're paying tax on the reduced price. Many figure tax on the full price when looking at the value of the TiW card. So I think that mentioning tax was significant to the question, even though it wasn't directly related to tipping.

 

[smidgy]

You don't tip on tax.

well, that's an opinion. some do , some don't,. I do. many do. (I'm starting to sound like Dr. suess. opps. wrong park)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Which is fine (except there isn't supposed to be any discussion about personal tipping habits in this thread, see the first post for more information ). I was simply doing math in relation to a specific question. When that DISer responded, "I forgot about tax", she just meant she forgot about paying tax on her TiW order.

I 'know' that's what she meant. I just do

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

Hi there. I noticed on the first page, with reference to parties of 6 or more, the following coment:

There is always concern expressed about a set gratuity and service. Your option is to talk to the manager at the time of the incident. The only adjustment possible is done by the restaurant manager. Better to speak to the manager early on and receive improved service than to complain at the end to request redeuced gratuity

So, here is my question (s): We are going to be a party of 6. When we are going to the buffets, I do not want to be forced to tip 18%, I like to tip at my discretion depending on the type of service received. How is the best way to approach this?

Do we literally ask for the manager before we are seated to say that we want to choose our tip?

What happens if we are given a bill showing 18% tip, and we don't agree with the amount. Can we choose to leave less, can we choose to leave more alternatively? I shouldn't have to talk with a manager to ensure I have better service...if the tip is guaranteed then the service should be as well

I was a waitress for a while, so I can appreciate the value of a tip vs what is made paid per hour. I respect that. But 18% is high for a tip. (generally where I am the norm is 10-15%) and if it wasn't deserved, I don't want to pay that.

Any suggestions on how to approach this or advice would be appreciate please.

(The restaurants we are dining at that I would question the amount before walking in the door: 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace)

(restaurants that I don't question as much, just on experience: Tonys, Sci Fi Dine in, Akershus, Le Cellier. Because they are not buffets (and Akershus is family dining, so we will have a server bring our food)

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

If you are a aprty of 6 or have the TIW card you will have that automatically added, if you don't have either of those it won't matter and you can tip whatever you want. I don't know what management wil lsay if you say you want to tip less because it's a buffet. They still have characters comeing around for many of them (not all) and the servers are clearing your plates away and bring you extra of anything you need. If the server is NOT doing those things (and I have to say 2 of the times we have been to 1900 PF we had lousey service) then you can discuss it.

I think this answers part of my question. So if there is horrible service, then we can discuss the bill option with management. I can accept that!!

 

[smidgy]

So, here is my question (s): We are going to be a party of 6. When we are going to the buffets, I do not want to be forced to tip 18%, I like to tip at my discretion depending on the type of service received. How is the best way to approach this?

Do we literally ask for the manager before we are seated to say that we want to choose our tip?

)

the suggestion to speak with a manager was only in cases where you have received(or are receiving) poor service. there is no option to speak with a manager before dinner to "opt out of" the mandatory 18% tip for parties of 6 or more.(buffet or not) that is Disney policy.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Disney mandates an 18% gratuity on all TS for parties of 6 or more. Your only choice is to not eat TS if you feel that is not appropriate

Again, we do not get into personal tipping habits discussion, as to what anyone feels is appropriate or not appropriate

it is what it is

 

[willowsnn3]

Disney mandates an 18% gratuity on all TS for parties of 6 or more.

How does the bill work with 2 parties at 1 table??? We'll be using 2 different ddp cards so will they bill the total tip or split the 18% between the 2 checks??? Curious as to how that works, but guess it doesn't matter as I'm planning to spring for the tips for this trip, lol.

 

[TDC Nala]

So, here is my question (s): We are going to be a party of 6. When we are going to the buffets, I do not want to be forced to tip 18%, I like to tip at my discretion depending on the type of service received. How is the best way to approach this?

Do we literally ask for the manager before we are seated to say that we want to choose our tip?

You can ask the manager. However, the usual response is going to be that the manager will not reduce the automatic tip just because the party thinks the price is too much to pay (for example "I never tip that much at a buffet" likely won't get your tip reduced), only possibly in instances where there were service problems. Afraid the only way to get out of it is 1) split your party, make separate reservations, and don't let on that you're all one group, which means you probably won't sit together or 2) don't dine at TS restaurants.

How does the bill work with 2 parties at 1 table??? We'll be using 2 different ddp cards so will they bill the total tip or split the 18% between the 2 checks??? Curious as to how that works, but guess it doesn't matter as I'm planning to spring for the tips for this trip, lol.

They will add the 18% tip to each check.

 

[willowsnn3]

They will add the 18% tip to each check.

Thanks!! Thinking about just getting a $200 prepaid Visa/Mc to just use for tips. Hopefully that will cover our tips....

 

[smidgy]

You can ask the manager. However, the usual response is going to be that the manager will not reduce the automatic tip just because the party thinks the price is too much to pay (for example "I never tip that much at a buffet" likely won't get your tip reduced), only possibly in instances where there were service problems. Afraid the only way to get out of it is 1) split your party, make separate reservations, and don't let on that you're all one group, which means you probably won't sit together or 2) don't dine at TS restaurants.



They will add the 18% tip to each check.

I wish you hadn't suggested this. some people are um, frugal, enough to do this. what does it matter? well, how would you like to be the couple sitting in the middle of the 2 parties? you know they'; be talking back and forth, kids going back and forth, etc.

you know what I would do if I were in the middle? I would "graciously" offer to switch tables with one part of the group, so that this group who is obviously together, can sit together! (oops, there goies their plan)

 

[mackay_j]

havent read the whole thread (got to page 9) Tips is very diff where I am from so I have 2 questions-

1. Is 18% (as suggested on disney bills) the norm across fl as on previous visits we had though it was 10% poor, 15% OK and 20% over and above


2. What do you do for very bad serv. (esp if you have had a major issue with a waiter/es (not with the food as that's not their fault)) can you refuse to tip- or is it actually part of the bill. - I know this is rare but it can (and in our case once did happen).

 

[Tricia1972]

havent read the whole thread (got to page 9) Tips is very diff where I am from so I have 2 questions-

1. Is 18% (as suggested on disney bills) the norm across fl as on previous visits we had though it was 10% poor, 15% OK and 20% over and above

What you tip is up to you. Personal tipping habits aren't up for debate or discussion on the boards. The structure that you suggest is normal for much of the US so if you use it as your guide across the state of FL - you are fine

2. What do you do for very bad serv. (esp if you have had a major issue with a waiter/es (not with the food as that's not their fault)) can you refuse to tip- or is it actually part of the bill. - I know this is rare but it can (and in our case once did happen).

You deal with bad service if it happens. Each situation is totally different and it's hard to imagine all of the scenarios and appropriate reactions to those situations right now. It may be better for your group to ask for a manager if your server is MIA and you need something. Better for the manager to be able to correct the situation as it happens.

 

[Graciesmom77]

This is probably a silly question, but we are a party of 6, me, dh, dd10, dd10, dd2 and dd 8 months. Since my 8 month old will not be eating at the restaurants and my 2 year old will sometimes eat off our plates and sometimes her own meal, is the 18% tip still added? I wasn't sure if it was by chairs filled, or meals purchased. Thanks

 

[Tricia1972]

This is probably a silly question, but we are a party of 6, me, dh, dd10, dd10, dd2 and dd 8 months. Since my 8 month old will not be eating at the restaurants and my 2 year old will sometimes eat off our plates and sometimes her own meal, is the 18% tip still added? I wasn't sure if it was by chairs filled, or meals purchased. Thanks

It's not even by chairs filled, it's more based on warm bodies at the table. (It's that even if it's a baby on your lap.)

 

[Dancind]

Booked this for our upcoming Oct/Nov trip, since we didn't get into the Signature dinners we hoped for.

It's a pre-pay deal, they already charged my credit card. I just don't know if it is gratuity included, like some of the other prepaid events.

I certainly do not mind tipping for the service, but don't want to tip twice!

Did a search and can't find the answer. Thanks for the help!

 

[marshwiggle]

Booked this for our upcoming Oct/Nov trip, since we didn't get into the Signature dinners we hoped for.

It's a pre-pay deal, they already charged my credit card. I just don't know if it is gratuity included, like some of the other prepaid events.

I certainly do not mind tipping for the service, but don't want to tip twice!

Did a search and can't find the answer. Thanks for the help!

It's included. After your meal, you can just pick up and leave - you won't see a bill unless you've ordered pre- or post-meal drinks (they usually offer complimentary coffee/tea afterwards too).

 

[mom2brooke76]

I'm sure the answer to my question is somewhere in this thread, but I looked back through a few of the more recent pages and didn't see it.

How much do people generally tip at the buffets? At a regular full service restaurant I generally tip anywhere between 15 and 20 percent, depending on the service. In the past I've always tipped 15% at buffets. Is this too much? I'm asking because we're going on our annual WDW trip in November. There will be 4 of us dining at 1900 Park Fare and the tip is almost $23. That seems like an awful lot for a buffet. So, what is the typical amount?