Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining

[jenseib]

So is everything the same at WDW with automatic tipping? Just wondering since IRS changed tax laws on 'included/mandatory tips' in Jan. Thanks!

What changed?????

 

[disneyfan55]

What changed?????

IRS law as to how tips are taxed if automatic. They will have to go through the payroll system of the company differently. I had read that many companies, in order to avoid this were going to stop and just have all the suggested amount of tip at the bottom of the receipt. I read about this back in Nov or Dec 2013 and I don't recall exact wording. It is a big change evidently. Auto tips have to be treated as a 'service charge' to the company and has to go through payroll. Employees can't be cashed out the day of due to that. Supposedly a big impact and more paperwork. If auto added basically not considered a tip but a service charge for tax purposes. So I assume WDW still has them? (IRS ruling 2012-18). Who knows if it will be changed or amended since all I had read said it was a pain for all!

 

[jenseib]

IRS law as to how tips are taxed if automatic. They will have to go through the payroll system of the company differently. I had read that many companies, in order to avoid this were going to stop and just have all the suggested amount of tip at the bottom of the receipt. I read about this back in Nov or Dec 2013 and I don't recall exact wording. It is a big change evidently. Auto tips have to be treated as a 'service charge' to the company and has to go through payroll. Employees can't be cashed out the day of due to that. Supposedly a big impact and more paperwork. If auto added basically not considered a tip but a service charge for tax purposes. So I assume WDW still has them? (IRS ruling 2012-18). Who knows if it will be changed or amended since all I had read said it was a pain for all!

I guess I don't see how that would change anything for those of us giving tips. WDW always has the suggested amount at the bottom anyways.

 

[disneyfan55]

I guess I don't see how that would change anything for those of us giving tips. WDW always has the suggested amount at the bottom anyways.

It doesn't if WDW didn't change anything. It would if they stopped doing the auto tip. That was the orig. questions point. I was asking if anything changed with them. Suggested has nothing to do with the new law.

 

[mom2of2]

nothing has changed at WDW. Auto grat goes directly onto the paycheck as it has for years

 

[SouthJersey]

nothing has changed at WDW. Auto grat goes directly onto the paycheck as it has for years

^This.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I hope this question is allowed, but if not, please delete:
We'll have the pleasure of dining at V & A this August. I'm uncertain as to what percentage would be an appropriate tip for such fine dining. We'll be at the Chef's Table, if that makes a difference.
Normally I tip 20%. I assume I would increase that, but by how much?
I know this is a personal matter, but would appreciate a little guidance. I was thinking maybe 25 - 30%???
Do we tip the sommelier separately? Tho we love fine dining, we've never experienced anything on this level.
Thank you.

 

[bellaally]

I am going in january and will be on the dxdp. Now my question is since we have to pay with our bands or KTTK cards. What do we place when we wanting to tip cash. Do we put the amount in the tip area but explain we are paying cash. Do we leave blank then place the money on the table, or do we simply write cash in the line and put the money in the sleeve as well. would it be easy for us to just put it on a card?

 

[Alesia]

I am going in january and will be on the dxdp. Now my question is since we have to pay with our bands or KTTK cards. What do we place when we wanting to tip cash. Do we put the amount in the tip area but explain we are paying cash.

No. Do not do that.

Do we leave blank then place the money on the table, or do we simply write cash in the line and put the money in the sleeve as well.

Either of those are fine. Most people prefer to write "cash" or draw a line through where the tip goes.

would it be easy for us to just put it on a card?

You won't be able to just pay for the tip with a credit card, but you can just use your magic band to charge it to your room.


Dining at WDW (even on the dining plan) works just like dining at any other restaurant in the US. Just think of using your magic band as being the same as using a credit card.

 

[mom2of2]

You won't be able to just pay for the tip with a credit card, but you can just use your magic band to charge it to your room.

Actually you can. You write the tip amount on the tip line and insert your credit card in the sleeve. Tell the server to remove your dining credits and charge the tip to the credit card

 

[Alesia]

Actually you can. You write the tip amount on the tip line and insert your credit card in the sleeve. Tell the server to remove your dining credits and charge the tip to the credit card

Hmm...I didn't realize that.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I will be going in November and we will be a party of 6. I realize it is automatic 18% (we usually tip 20) but we don't want it on a cc. Is it just as easy to have a gift card for this? If we use the magic bands can we just go to the desk at checkout and pay the whole amount then?

edit to add: Sorry if this is redundant but I tried reading several pages.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I will be going in November and we will be a party of 6. I realize it is automatic 18% (we usually tip 20) but we don't want it on a cc. Is it just as easy to have a gift card for this? If we use the magic bands can we just go to the desk at checkout and pay the whole amount then?

edit to add: Sorry if this is redundant but I tried reading several pages.

You can do any form of payment you choose including the options you have included, gift card or charging back to your room.

If you do charge back to your room do not wait until checkout because your card on file will be charged the night before checkout or once you hit your preset (by resort level) limit. Go every few nights and pay it off or atleast the morning before checkout.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Thank you!

 

[mtabh]

We will be party of four when we go in April (one newborn). If I am reading correctly when we use the DDP no tip will be added at table service restaurants, but a suggested tip amount will be on the receipt and we will write in what we prefer to tip and sign the receipt. That's the process when you settle your bill? Sounds simple enough. Is it customary to tip the same at a buffet or AYCTE as you tip at a sit down full service meal?

What are tip expectations at BBB? You generally tip a stylists or barber, so curious how BBB works.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

I have a question. When we were at WDW in July of 2013 we ate at LTT. We were a party of 9 and we had separate tickets. We all paid in different ways, but we all left cash as a tip. When I returned to our hotel, I checked my balance on my credit card and there was a charge for dining on it for $12-$14. I called to see why there was a charge and I was told that LTT reported we had skipped out on the tip. Which we had not. Disney credited my card back, but it was still stressful.

Fast forward to this September, my brother and I will be going to WDW on the dining plan and we are responsible for tips as I understand. If we pay with cash, how do we ensure that this "mistake" does not happen again? We always tip and everyone in our party tipped on that day.

 

[Tricia1972]

I have a question. When we were at WDW in July of 2013 we ate at LTT. We were a party of 9 and we had separate tickets. We all paid in different ways, but we all left cash as a tip. When I returned to our hotel, I checked my balance on my credit card and there was a charge for dining on it for $12-$14. I called to see why there was a charge and I was told that LTT reported we had skipped out on the tip. Which we had not. Disney credited my card back, but it was still stressful.

Fast forward to this September, my brother and I will be going to WDW on the dining plan and we are responsible for tips as I understand. If we pay with cash, how do we ensure that this "mistake" does not happen again? We always tip and everyone in our party tipped on that day.

The tip is part of your bill with a party of 9. You are fine tipping cash, but should put the cash with the meal payment. So if your bill for food is $100, tip is $18 (as part of the bill. You are welcome to tip more if you would like) You can pay $100 with a credit card/gift card/magic band, etc. Put the cash tip amount in the folio, tell the server the meal is from X and the tip is cash. You can also note Cash on the tip line.

 

[smidgy]

I have a question. When we were at WDW in July of 2013 we ate at LTT. We were a party of 9 and we had separate tickets. We all paid in different ways, but we all left cash as a tip. When I returned to our hotel, I checked my balance on my credit card and there was a charge for dining on it for $12-$14. I called to see why there was a charge and I was told that LTT reported we had skipped out on the tip. Which we had not. Disney credited my card back, but it was still stressful.

Fast forward to this September, my brother and I will be going to WDW on the dining plan and we are responsible for tips as I understand. If we pay with cash, how do we ensure that this "mistake" does not happen again? We always tip and everyone in our party tipped on that day.

you didn't mention how much the bill was and how much you tipped in cash. even if you are paying separately and have separate checks you are still are party of 6 or more.
did you all just throw the cash in the middle of the table somewhere? even cash tips should be IN the billfold.I'm suspecting someone in your party of 9 (I'm not saying you) didn't leave 18% .
since you paid with a credit card, that was the only waythey had of making up the difference. as a PP stated, if your bill was $100, your tip had to be $18. let's say your party of 9 had 3 sep. checks, 3 persons each. and each bill was $100. so the table's total bill would be $300, and no matter how you all paid and how many sep checks you had, the total tip from the table should have been $54. if the cash left was short, they did the only thing they could and charged it to whoever paid by credit/room charge.

 

[jhaig]

We haven't done a trip yet with the magic bands, so I was wondering what most people do as far as tips. Is it easier to use your band or just leave cash with the bill? Is it just personal preference? Will the server know how much the gratuity is before you leave if you use the band? I only ask this last part because I have had some poor service before and tipped accordingly (not at WDW)

 

[maxiesmom]

We will be party of four when we go in April (one newborn). If I am reading correctly when we use the DDP no tip will be added at table service restaurants, but a suggested tip amount will be on the receipt and we will write in what we prefer to tip and sign the receipt. That's the process when you settle your bill? Sounds simple enough. Is it customary to tip the same at a buffet or AYCTE as you tip at a sit down full service meal?

What are tip expectations at BBB? You generally tip a stylists or barber, so curious how BBB works.

I usually tip the same at Disney buffets and AYCTE as I do at their table service restaurants. The wait staff does a lot of running back and forth, refilling drinks and cleaning off plates. So while they are not bringing out food I think they do the same amount, if not more work.

As far as BBB goes if I remember right they are not allowed to take tips.