Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining

[Tricia1972]

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?

Disney says that if you are a party of 6 or more, or if you have the Tables in Wonderland Discount Card, the tipping amount is no different between Regular TS or Buffets.

However, if you are just a party of 4 and are not using the TiW card, you may tip whatever you choose.

Beyond that, personal tipping habits are not up for discussion or debate on the board. (The first post explains more about the guidelines of the thread)

Hope that this helps.

 

[Marcilla]

We will be asking for 4 checks at the end of the meal. Will that be a problem?

 

[Tricia1972]

We will be asking for 4 checks at the end of the meal. Will that be a problem?

Separate checks won't be a problem. However, it will be easier for the servers if you tell them when you order your drinks who is on which check.

 

[kaytieeldr]

YES, it will be a problem!! Please ask for your separate checks before you order anything!!!!

 

[charmed1212]

Not sure if this is this right place to ask this.

I know many asked that you can look at the menus to use the pricing to determine whatever tip you would choose to leave before you eat there. Budgeting before if you will. My question is, anyone have an accurate website to find the prices for meals to determine what my x% tip will be? I have found conflicting prices on disboards and other sites. (Don't know if I can mention those sites)

Thanks if you can help or steer me in the right direction.

 

[Tricia1972]

Not sure if this is this right place to ask this.

I know many asked that you can look at the menus to use the pricing to determine whatever tip you would choose to leave before you eat there. Budgeting before if you will. My question is, anyone have an accurate website to find the prices for meals to determine what my x% tip will be? I have found conflicting prices on disboards and other sites. (Don't know if I can mention those sites)

Thanks if you can help or steer me in the right direction.

The only absolute accurate way is to call the restaurant directly right before you leave and *hope* that Disney doesn't change pricing while you are there. Restaurant prices can change (menu items often change too) without any notice.

Sites like DISboards and allears (even Disney's site itself) are updated frequently but are not meant to be absolutely correct. In the case of the DIS and allears, it's run by volunteers and even Disney themselves can have lag time between changing a menu and having their web people input that information onto their site.

You'll get close with calling Disney or any of the websites, so you'll definitely be in the ballpark. Exact tip, may not be able to be determined until you get there though.

 

[charmed1212]

The only absolute accurate way is to call the restaurant directly right before you leave and *hope* that Disney doesn't change pricing while you are there. Restaurant prices can change (menu items often change too) without any notice.

Sites like DISboards and allears (even Disney's site itself) are updated frequently but are not meant to be absolutely correct. In the case of the DIS and allears, it's run by volunteers and even Disney themselves can have lag time between changing a menu and having their web people input that information onto their site.

You'll get close with calling Disney or any of the websites, so you'll definitely be in the ballpark. Exact tip, may not be able to be determined until you get there though.

Thank you!

 

[siczlo]

Question?

Are you supposed to tip for other things like pairsailing, bass fishing excursion, waterboarding?

We are doing the premium for one night and I was wondering if I'm supposed to tip for these recreational activites.

 

[DaisyTinker]

I am trying to decide if I should have a gift card to tip with or charge it tips back to the room. We will have the DxDP so I don't anticipate us having to buy food as I have heard there is plenty of food.

I guess what would help me make my decision is if you use the KTTW to charge tips with a party less than 6 will they automatically still charge the 18%? I had heard this somewhere

 

[kaytieeldr]

When your party consists of fewer than six, you determine the tip; there's no automatic gratuity. Your tipping method won't (or shouldn't) be charged any different amount than you indicate.

 

[txcolleen]

the family is a week away...arriving and taking the ME.(do we tip) since they are picking our luggage up and it will be sent to our room and we will more then likely not be there do we tip for Luggage Delivery.

We have DDP...we have Akershaus is tip includ thought i read that it was but I could of gotten it messed up with CRT.

We are doing Buffets so what would you think a fair tip would be since we get the food.

All the trip is planned but the tipping is now freaking me out. There are just 4 2 adults 2 kids...and we are new to WDW, but have done DL several times.

 

[Tricia1972]

the family is a week away...arriving and taking the ME.(do we tip) since they are picking our luggage up and it will be sent to our room and we will more then likely not be there do we tip for Luggage Delivery.

We have DDP...we have Akershaus is tip includ thought i read that it was but I could of gotten it messed up with CRT.

We are doing Buffets so what would you think a fair tip would be since we get the food.

All the trip is planned but the tipping is now freaking me out. There are just 4 2 adults 2 kids...and we are new to WDW, but have done DL several times.

It will be fine! No need to worry about tipping. Truly

As far as your question of "how much do I tip" That's up to you. Personal tipping habits aren't up for discussion/debate on the restaurant board. The first post of this thread will give you more info as to why and has a tipping FAQ.

Tipping for luggage delivery, you will be there so you can tip. Unless something has changed, Disney requires that you be in the room to receive your luggage from Bell Services.

 

[Alesia]

Tipping for luggage delivery, you will be there so you can tip. Unless something has changed, Disney requires that you be in the room to receive your luggage from Bell Services.

This is not correct. Since DME is delivering the luggage, the tip is already paid for by Disney and you are not required to be in the room when the luggage is delivered. That's the "magical" part of Magical Express.

 

[jenseib]

This is not correct. Since DME is delivering the luggage, the tip is already paid for by Disney and you are not required to be in the room when the luggage is delivered. That's the "magical" part of Magical Express.

I took it to be from ME too.

 

[Tricia1972]

I only used DME once (years ago) and I had to be in the room when the luggage came up from Bell Services for the delivery. If you don't need to be there (and I think I allowed for things changing in my answer ) then you wouldn't/couldn't tip.

 

[jenseib]

I only used DME once (years ago) and I had to be in the room when the luggage came up from Bell Services for the delivery. If you don't need to be there (and I think I allowed for things changing in my answer ) then you wouldn't/couldn't tip.

I don't know if it is bell services that deliver from ME, but you don't have to be there for that.

 

[siczlo]

Question?

Are you supposed to tip for other things like pairsailing, bass fishing excursion, waterboarding?

We are doing the premium for one night and I was wondering if I'm supposed to tip for these recreational activites.

Anyone?....Bueller?

 

[janabananas]

I did a search for this question, but I couldn't really find an answer, so here goes:

I have TIW and *might* use DDP (if it is worth it, will be doing calculations), and am curious if TIW auto grat covers the whole meal or just what ever TIW covers. I have used TIW before, but not in conjuction with the DDP.

For example, I will be going to AP and plan on getting a nice bottle of wine with dinner. Does the auto grat only apply to what I used the TIW discount for, or does it auto grat the entire meal? Will there only be 18% grat on the wine?

It would actually make it easier if the 18% was added to the whole meal, so I don't have to use my brain, after said bottle(s) of wine.

TIA for the info!

 

[TDC Nala]

Akershus is not tip included.

You do not have to be in the room when your luggage is delivered if you used the DME service.

As for the TIW 18%, you will get a separate bill for the wine as it is not covered by DDP. Your DDP bill will NOT have tip included unless you are a party of 6 or more. If you are less than 6 there will be calculations of "suggested" tip amounts on the bill (of 18% and 20% I believe)

 

[janabananas]

As for the TIW 18%, you will get a separate bill for the wine as it is not covered by DDP. Your DDP bill will NOT have tip included unless you are a party of 6 or more. If you are less than 6 there will be calculations of "suggested" tip amounts on the bill (of 18% and 20% I believe)

Great, just want I needed to know! Thanks for your response.