Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining *Updated 6.21.10

[mom2my3kids]

Originally Posted by keatonsmommy03

Our first trip we did exactly that. We had gift cards from ATT for signing up with them. It worked out really well because I had used just those cards for tips as we were on the DDP. I very rarely carry cash so it worked out that way too

just wondering if u ever have a problem with the card being declined. I work at as a server and these gift card credit cards always decline for some reason..I dont work at disney, I just know I would be upset if they gave them to me to use and they would not work..

[Tricia1972]

Originally Posted by mom2my3kids

just wondering if u ever have a problem with the card being declined. I work at as a server and these gift card credit cards always decline for some reason..I dont work at disney, I just know I would be upset if they gave them to me to use and they would not work..

I've used them as well and never had an issue with having the card declined.

The issue from declining comes when the person using the card doesn't know what the balance is. Say you've got a balance of $25 left on your card, but you want to tip the server $25.25. The card would come back declined. It wouldn't come back $25.00 Tendered and .25 owed.

After the card is declined the server would bring the card back to you letting you know that your card didn't go through.

I'd offer another payment method and we'd be on our way. Nothing to be upset about for the server or the guest.

(After leaving the restaurant the guest can call the number on the card and find out what the balance is on it)

[keatonsmommy03]

I agree, usually the only way it is declined is if you try to use it for more than what is on it. You will want to keep track of what you spend on it. I usually wrap the receipt around the card, especially if have multiple cards. Disney will not tell you at the bottom of the receipt what the balance is unless it is a disney gc.

[JJsmama]

For planning purposes about how much money I should put on a GC to carry around:

Do all Character meals include tip? / Do any character meals include tip? I see that it is included in my HDDR and CRT and Aloha Luau, what about the others? (specifically referring to Chef Mickey, Hollywood and Vine breakfast,etc) Actually, it is confusing. Seems like it would be better if they included it all the time or never...

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by JJsmama

For planning purposes about how much money I should put on a GC to carry around:

Do all Character meals include tip? / Do any character meals include tip? I see that it is included in my HDDR and CRT and Aloha Luau, what about the others? (specifically referring to Chef Mickey, Hollywood and Vine breakfast,etc) Actually, it is confusing. Seems like it would be better if they included it all the time or never...

The ones you mentioned are the only ones that include tip. All others do not.

[keatonsmommy03]

Originally Posted by JJsmama

For planning purposes about how much money I should put on a GC to carry around:

Do all Character meals include tip? / Do any character meals include tip? I see that it is included in my HDDR and CRT and Aloha Luau, what about the others? (specifically referring to Chef Mickey, Hollywood and Vine breakfast,etc) Actually, it is confusing. Seems like it would be better if they included it all the time or never...

Well that would just depend on several different things, what you are planning are paying for with the gc? How long are you going to be there? How many people are with you? Are you on the DP? What activities do you want to do above and beyond the parks? Budget for souvenirs?

[Pumbaa_]

Reminder - personal tipping habits is out of scope for this thread

[princessoftea]

Sorry if this is a silly question. Do I need to tip at QS restaurants as well as TS?

If so do I need to tip if just buying a couple of drinks?

Thanks

[bbangel]

Originally Posted by princessoftea

Sorry if this is a silly question. Do I need to tip at QS restaurants as well as TS?

If so do I need to tip if just buying a couple of drinks?

Thanks

No tipping required on QS meals or drinks.
Usually tipping implies that someone is doing you a service (that you are essentially thanking them for). So if you are sitting down and are served by someone (even at buffets that serve you drinks and clear your table) then you tip.

[Tricia1972]

Just a reminder that the first post of the thread has WDW's guidelines in the FAQ section that address such issues as auto gratuity.

[Pumbaa_]

And to clarify

any warm body at the table will count towards head count. Eating. not eating, sleeping, not sleeping, counts towards the table head count

A table of 6 warm bodies or more (cold from air donditining does not count) will result in an auto 18% gratuity added to the bill. This is not negotiable

You have choices that include not going to TS if this policy offends you

Personal tipping habits discussion will, as always, be removed

Back to your regularly scheduled tipping thread.

[princessoftea]

Originally Posted by bbangel

No tipping required on QS meals or drinks.
Usually tipping implies that someone is doing you a service (that you are essentially thanking them for). So if you are sitting down and are served by someone (even at buffets that serve you drinks and clear your table) then you tip.

Thanks I wasn't sure about ts buffets. That's very helpful.

[DCat1978]

Originally Posted by jenseib

The ones you mentioned are the only ones that include tip. All others do not.

Isn't Mickey's Backyard BBQ included as well? I thought that's what the dining plan info said.

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by DCat1978

Isn't Mickey's Backyard BBQ included as well? I thought that's what the dining plan info said.

I think so

[TDC Nala]

CRT and the three dinner shows include the tip in the price.

All other regular restaurant meals do NOT include gratuities.

Going back to the autogratuity - if you leave your infant off the ADR and book for a party of five, when you arrive you will become a party of six and will still be assessed the autogratuity. Not only that, but if the restaurant is at capacity, you have a reservation for five and you show up with six, the sixth person won't be admitted. Because nobody is going to leave the baby outside, this will mean an adult has to sit out. Please note when making ADRs that you should include ALL party members, whatever their age is and whether they plan to eat or not. Restaurant capacity is set by fire codes and has nothing to do with where a person is sitting or what they're eating.

I've seen a number of posts on the reservations board from persons who say they just won't count their infant when making ADRs. That doesn't work, because they'll count the infant when you arrive.