Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining

[mom2of2]

I'm wondering the same thing..but can you pay tips with a giftcard? We are on the DDP so I am unsure how it works when it comes to the actual tips and if they have to charge them to our room, etc. Any ideas? Also, my idea is to buy them at Target so I can save a little money.

Yes you can use a gift card for tips. Just tell the server you're on the DDP and to charge the tip to your gift card

 

[mmouse50]

Sorry - I sure it has been answered many times, but I didn't read though all the pages.

2 rooms - 6 people - dining plan - cash tips paid by one room?

I know that there will be an automatic 18% added to the bills but I want to pay for all the tips for both rooms - how do I accomplish that? I don't want the tip for the other room to be charged to their room when they take the credits off the magic band for the dining plan.

Before there were 6 of us - I would just mark on other bill in their tip section and pay it all with cash - but I don't know if I can do that now.

 

[mom2of2]

You can still do what you used to do. Just let the server know that you intend to pay the grat on both rooms

 

[3PrincessesAndaFrog]

In August, we went to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, it was busy. Server had too many tables and took forever getting drinks and clearing table. We were using dining plan, when we finally were given our bill, he did not allow a spot for a tip using our cc. After waiting another 15 minutes, and asking another server to locate him. We waited an additional 10. Finally we left without leaving a tip, which I feel extremely guilty about. But we were not about to loose are fast pass at Test track.

In the past, we have never received a bill without the option to leave a credit card tip.

Has anyone else ever had this experience?

 

[mom2of2]

It happens. Did you let your server know that you were using your DP prior to him giving you your bill?
Here's why I ask: when a server prints a check, 2 copies of the check are printed. One copy is for a guest using a DP, there is a place to write in a tip. Typically a guest will write in a $ amount or write CASH. The server then runs your DP, charges the tip however you wanted to and returns with another copy for you to sign. Transaction complete.
If a guest isn't using a DP or doesn't let the server know they are using a DP, the guest is given a different type of bill. This one has no tip line, looks like a normal bill in a non-WDW restaurant. If you have only ordered what if included on your DP, once the server runs your DP, the check closes. The receipt that prints out does not have a tip line, displays how many credits you have left and room for a signature.
One of 3 things can happen:
1) server doesn't know guest is using DP, guest sticks to plan and wrong copy is given = no tip line
2) Correct bill is given but guest doesn't fill in tip amount. Some guests don't feel the need to even look when the bill is dropped because they figure the food is covered and they can fill in a tip later. They can't because the next bill doesn't have a tip line. The server has to make a choice, either hope the guest is leaving a cash tip, or bring the empty tip line to the guests attention.
3) a manager can override a closed check and charge a tip to your room, this is at the managers discretion and isn't a given.

So! Now that I've confused you lol, I can say either you were given the wrong copy or didn't fill in the tip on the first check and the server couldn't ask for you to tip him.

I'm sorry you didn't have stellar service at your meal, unfortunately this does happen occasionally. Don't feel bad, you tried to remedy the tip issue.

 

[3PrincessesAndaFrog]

It happens. Did you let your server know that you were using your DP prior to him giving you your bill?
Here's why I ask: when a server prints a check, 2 copies of the check are printed. One copy is for a guest using a DP, there is a place to write in a tip. Typically a guest will write in a $ amount or write CASH. The server then runs your DP, charges the tip however you wanted to and returns with another copy for you to sign. Transaction complete.
If a guest isn't using a DP or doesn't let the server know they are using a DP, the guest is given a different type of bill. This one has no tip line, looks like a normal bill in a non-WDW restaurant. If you have only ordered what if included on your DP, once the server runs your DP, the check closes. The receipt that prints out does not have a tip line, displays how many credits you have left and room for a signature.
One of 3 things can happen:
1) server doesn't know guest is using DP, guest sticks to plan and wrong copy is given = no tip line
2) Correct bill is given but guest doesn't fill in tip amount. Some guests don't feel the need to even look when the bill is dropped because they figure the food is covered and they can fill in a tip later. They can't because the next bill doesn't have a tip line. The server has to make a choice, either hope the guest is leaving a cash tip, or bring the empty tip line to the guests attention.
3) a manager can override a closed check and charge a tip to your room, this is at the managers discretion and isn't a given.

So! Now that I've confused you lol, I can say either you were given the wrong copy or didn't fill in the tip on the first check and the server couldn't ask for you to tip him.

I'm sorry you didn't have stellar service at your meal, unfortunately this does happen occasionally. Don't feel bad, you tried to remedy the tip issue.

Thanks! Your explanation makes sense.

The server knew we were using Dining Plan. Our reservation was made with the dining plan, and he scanned our magic bands when we sat. The plan also came with the photo.

It was the first time, we had received a bill without the option of leaving a tip. We have used the DD plan many times.

It was the only copy we were given.

 

[chinarider]

just to be clear, the 18% is automatically added if you have a party over 6?
TIA

 

[maxiesmom]

just to be clear, the 18% is automatically added if you have a party over 6?
TIA

Yes. Even if some of those 6 are babies, or not eating.

 

[GovieMom]

We'll be using dining plan credits to pay for our meals, but leaving cash for the tips. When the server brings our check, should I give him the tip then? Since I won't be writing in a tip amount on the check, I don't want him to think we're stiffing him on the tip. Also, now that we'll have magic bands instead of cards, how will that work?

 

[mom2of2]

We'll be using dining plan credits to pay for our meals, but leaving cash for the tips. When the server brings our check, should I give him the tip then? Since I won't be writing in a tip amount on the check, I don't want him to think we're stiffing him on the tip. Also, now that we'll have magic bands instead of cards, how will that work?

The server will scan your band and then present you with a check. Write CASH in the tip line, the server will run your credits and present you with the copy to sign, simply sign it and put the cash in the book. Nothing has really changed except that you no longer give them a KTTW card.

 

[GovieMom]

Thanks, Mom2of2; that makes sense.

 

[Kaewin]

Do they still do the 18% with the new tip laws? I am just curious if it will still be applied as it is now no longer considered a tip but part of the wage.

 

[jenseib]

Do they still do the 18% with the new tip laws? I am just curious if it will still be applied as it is now no longer considered a tip but part of the wage.

What are the new laws?

 

[mom2of2]

yes, 18% remains for parties of 6 or more. WDW already counted grat as income and it goes directly on the CM paycheck. The new law didn't matter since WDW already did it

 

[Kaewin]

AH thank you I wasn't sure if they were or were not doing it. I know there are some places they are resistant to it.

 

[debbiechels]

Yes. Even if some of those 6 are babies, or not eating.

On parties under 6 people is the gratuity automatically added?

 

[jgplimdesign]

Here's a question I've always wanted to ask. . .

When we visit La Cava and Rose & Crown at EPCOT, we gladly tip our servers or the bartender for our drinks.

Are the beer/alcohol serving kiosks that are outside also considered 'tipping' locations? (France, Germany, UK, etc) I try to watch sometimes to see what people do. We've not for these areas. . . but I would like to know what people have to say 'bout it. . .please advise!

Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

On parties under 6 people is the gratuity automatically added?

No.

Here's a question I've always wanted to ask. . .

When we visit La Cava and Rose & Crown at EPCOT, we gladly tip our servers or the bartender for our drinks.

Are the beer/alcohol serving kiosks that are outside also considered 'tipping' locations? (France, Germany, UK, etc) I try to watch sometimes to see what people do. We've not for these areas. . . but I would like to know what people have to say 'bout it. . .please advise!

Thanks!

Yes. If I remember correctly, there are tip jars.

 

[smidgy]

Here's a question I've always wanted to ask. . .

When we visit La Cava and Rose & Crown at EPCOT, we gladly tip our servers or the bartender for our drinks.

Are the beer/alcohol serving kiosks that are outside also considered 'tipping' locations? (France, Germany, UK, etc) I try to watch sometimes to see what people do. We've not for these areas. . . but I would like to know what people have to say 'bout it. . .please advise!

Thanks!

No.



Yes. If I remember correctly, there are tip jars.

Gee, I remember trying REALLY hard to tip these guys, for beer at the norway booth, and at the booth in Morrocco.. they stressed that they weren't allowed to accept tips.

(and, believe me, as a bartender, I ALWAYS tip) I'll have to check again.. after all these trips... I guess you can always try. if there is a tip jar, then, of course tip. if not you can try to give them more. if they turn it down don't push.(like I used to) it could be their job.

ya know a month ago a guy at AUTO Zone by us put the wipers on my windows for me. I tried to give him 5 bucks. repeatedly. he insisted he would get in big trouble if he accepted it.. I tired to say "no really, from me, I am SO appreciative of your help, no one will know, etc."

he finally seemed exasperated with me and said "if you want to help me go online and take the survey and say what a good job I did."

 

[Alesia]

Gee, I remember trying REALLY hard to tip these guys, for beer at the norway booth, and at the booth in Morrocco.. they stressed that they weren't allowed to accept tips.

(and, believe me, as a bartender, I ALWAYS tip) I'll have to check again.. after all these trips... I guess you can always try. if there is a tip jar, then, of course tip. if not you can try to give them more. if they turn it down don't push.(like I used to) it could be their job.

ya know a month ago a guy at AUTO Zone by us put the wipers on my windows for me. I tried to give him 5 bucks. repeatedly. he insisted he would get in big trouble if he accepted it.. I tired to say "no really, from me, I am SO appreciative of your help, no one will know, etc."

he finally seemed exasperated with me and said "if you want to help me go online and take the survey and say what a good job I did."

I could be remembering wrong - it's been a little while. I would still offer, but if they can't accept them, then they can't accept them.