Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining *Updated 6.21.10

[SlightlyGoofy]

Has anyone been to the Pepper Market lately? I read a report that while the 10% service charge is still included on the QSDP there are signs saying that the 'tip' is not included on ANY Dining Plan which would lead me to believe that they want a 28% combined total for me to stand in line, get my own food, and wait, mostly in vain, for a refill to my drink.

Thank you for any information.

Slightly Goofy

[kaytieeldr]

I don't have any idea why you'd think that. Whether the tip is still included or not - and that's addressed on a recent page - ten percent is ten percent.

[TDC Nala]

The ten percent service charge at Pepper Market is mandatory for all those eating inside the restaurant. They'll waive it if you carry out. According to those reporting from CSR it is not included in the dining plan and there are signs in the restaurant to that effect, but I don't know where the previous poster is getting 28%. It's 10% on the full bill. Pepper Market is a counter service and does not charge an 18% gratuity for parties of six or more; no further gratuity beyond the 10% is expected or required.

[SlightlyGoofy]

kaytieeldr, since I have met you and you seemed like a very nice person I must have either worded my question poorly or you are having a bad day, in either case I am very sorry.

TDC Nala, thank you so much for understanding. I read a review by a reputable DISer who stated that when she ate at Pepper Market recently, they did take the mandatory 10% service charge(which is fine by me) but also there were signs saying that the 'tips' were not included, leading her to believe, as I did, that they want both. That is indeed where the 28% was coming from. Maybe they intended to remind folks, as they do at many Disney places, that the tips are not included for the other dining plans, however, since it is a counted as a CS place and tipping is not generally required at those it still seems perplexing.

Thank you both, Slightly Goofy

[TDC Nala]

Originally Posted by SlightlyGoofy

Maybe they intended to remind folks, as they do at many Disney places, that the tips are not included for the other dining plans, however, since it is a counted as a CS place and tipping is not generally required at those it still seems perplexing.

Thank you both, Slightly Goofy

Pepper Market is not operated by Disney, so their rules may be different from Disney's. The 10% service charge has been there since they opened. Yes,there have been reports that dining plan guests don't have to pay the 10%, but lately Pepper Market appears to ask that everyone pay it, even guests on the Disney dining plans. There are signs there saying that the 10% service charge is not included in the dining plans, so if people are not having to pay the 10% it appears they are being afforded a "bonus" by the individual cashier.

[SlightlyGoofy]

My informant says that she had the 10% service charge included on her bill but was taken aback by the signage strongly suggesting leaving more.

Harkens back to the days when they had attendents in some bathrooms with tip jars. Very unsettling to have someone hovering outside your stall and opening your door to be greeted by someone handing you a towel and then offering to spray you with scent.

Thank you, SG

[2Tiggies]

Originally Posted by SlightlyGoofy

Harkens back to the days when they had attendents in some bathrooms with tip jars. Very unsettling to have someone hovering outside your stall and opening your door to be greeted by someone handing you a towel and then offering to spray you with scent.

Thankfully I have neve experienced that! What were they implying by wanting to spray you ......

I have also read reports on here that if you are happy to take your meal and eat it outside, the 10% does not apply. You would have to wait for your food though and take it out yourself so it wouln't be brought to your table for you to pick up and leave, thus evading the charge. I have only READ about this though - we skipped PM last year and I doubt we will go to CSR just for a CS meal this year either so I can't vouch for this personally.

[kaytieeldr]

Originally Posted by SlightlyGoofy

kaytieeldr, since I have met you and you seemed like a very nice person I must have either worded my question poorly or you are having a bad day,

I have a lot of bad days lately. My response came across much less politely than it was intended.

[ExtinctDino]

Originally Posted by TDC Nala

Pepper Market is not operated by Disney, so their rules may be different from Disney's. The 10% service charge has been there since they opened. Yes,there have been reports that dining plan guests don't have to pay the 10%, but lately Pepper Market appears to ask that everyone pay it, even guests on the Disney dining plans. There are signs there saying that the 10% service charge is not included in the dining plans, so if people are not having to pay the 10% it appears they are being afforded a "bonus" by the individual cashier.

I ate at PM about 8 times last week on the DDP. We were not charged the 10%, and were told (by the cashiers and the servers) that the only way we could leave a tip was cash on the table.

I was also told (by two different cashiers) that when (non DDP) guests are charged the 10% service charge, that the servers and other PM workers share 6% and the other 4% goes to the "company" (presumably the company operating PM, not Disney).

[SlightlyGoofy]

Several years ago, at the Maya Grill at CSR, I was told that they only got 6% of the tip. It was when the tip was included.

It is difficult to know what to do in such circumstances.

kaytieeldr, I most sincerely hope that your days get better. Anything anyone can do for you?

Slightly Goofy

[2Tiggies]

Originally Posted by SlightlyGoofy

Several years ago, at the Maya Grill at CSR, I was told that they only got 6% of the tip. It was when the tip was included.

It is difficult to know what to do in such circumstances.

Hmm, I don't like that at all. I want my server to be getting what he/she deserves. When I worked in restaurants in my college years we got to keep everything but it was up to us to tip the staff in the kitchen/bar. It was a no-brainer really because if you tipped the kitchen and bar staff decently, your food and drinks came out quickly and your own tips went up accordingly. The trouble is, different restaurants have different systems and there is really no way of telling how they divide it up. Not the kind of thing you would ask either ....

[SlightlyGoofy]

2Tiggies, I agree. There is nothing that ruins a good meal like having to obsess over the tip, how much etc.

Maybe leaving cash tips, while inconvenient, is the best idea. Many places make the wait staff put their tips together and then split them up. Some restaurants actually take a percentage of the tips and if you pay by cc they often do not get their money for a period of time and are at the mercy of the honesty of their employer.

Too complicated for me.having a headache. Time to go back to thinking of the pleasant parts of our upcoming trips.

Slightly Goofy

[DISRY]

I am not good with math at all! However, we will be doing the DxDDP and therefor are going to be at many table service resteaunts. Whats the average percentage (10%, 15%, 20%, exc.) Any help will be greatly appreciated! We want to know what a good amount would be to set aside for tips.

[Tricia1972]

Originally Posted by DISRY

I am not good with math at all! However, we will be doing the DxDDP and therefor are going to be at many table service resteaunts. Whats the average percentage (10%, 15%, 20%, exc.) Any help will be greatly appreciated! We want to know what a good amount would be to set aside for tips.

#5 in the FAQ should help you out in how to budget for tips.

[Pumbaa_]

please read the first post in this thread. personal tipping habits discussion is not permitted
thanks!