A tip on "Tipping"

[Tara]

Thanks so much Vicki_c for the response. Can the TIWc be used with the dining plan too?

No, you cannot get a discount on the dining plan. However, I imagine you could use it for any meals or portions of a meal not covered by the dining plan.

 

[Terry S]

I have had the DDE card for a few years now and I am fully aware that the 18% is added to the bill, but at least once each trip I just forget about it and add a 20% tip to that blank line they provide. I always realize what I did about an hour later. No one has ever run me down and asked to give it back!

 

[JimC]

Disney Dining Experience (Tables in Wonderland, now) has an 18% gratuity automatically added. For large groups (usually over 6 or 8) the gratuity is automatically added. As others have said look at the detail receipt that is presented with the charge receipt to determine if a tip is there or not.

You can add more if you believe the 18% is insufficient. Problem is you can not subtract if you received poor service. Fortunately that is not a problem at Disney.

Only one time, at Olivia's, has the wait staff handwritten a note that the tip was included. She out it on the receipt I sign. I told the manager on the way out that I appreciated that note.

 

[sharpes84]

hi,
I am here now at SSR and have the tables in Wonderland 20% discount and have used it religiously!
The tip has been added everywhere we have used it and have been her 10 days!
My gripe is that a buffet that I SERVE myself is not worth a tip of 18%!.
I spend 150.00 for a buffet and pay 27.00 tip?It is not like the food is bad or the service but I get a few drinks and my plates removed...
That seems too steep to me on a buffet and I have been to :::::::
CHEF MICKEYS,HOLLYWOOD AND VINE 2x'S,GRAND FLORIDIAN,CRYSTAL PALACE 2 X'S, AND MORE....
and they add the card that says no tip added?yes this is VERY DECPTIVE!

 

[Dillon]

I think it's only dishonest if it's intentionally left in. And I think the folders vary, but ISTR some folders that the tipping guidelines card was built into the folder in a little laminated window.

In the cases I related, the card was on the left side with the customer copies tucked under the "no tip added" card. The bill folder is presented in such a way as to allow you to think you need to fill in the empty "TIP" line.

My point to all of this was to only caution others. I agree that we all need to be accountable for how we spend our money, but it just seems so intentional in its presentation to deceive.

Please let me end with - DW and I both love the Disney experience. If you are into it, there is no experience that compares. Our comments are meant only to allow improvement in what is already a very extraordinary experience!

DizneyDi - do the moose dance!

 

[JimC]

Confusion arises when what we are accustomed to is altered:

1. Foreign visitors who have a different custom in their home country may out of habit tip as is their custom. That is why we see tip cards and notices printed on the receipts.

2. Disney changing the rules. DDP originally included tips -- now does not; DDE (TIW) no tip added and now the tip is added.


I have left double tips when I have not been paying attention. It irritates me that I was inattentive, but it happens only rarely and that server team ended up with a bit extra -- so I do not dwell on it for long.

 

[sharpes84]

Disney should be called out on this...I am looking at my receipts from last week and disgusted that 18% added after using my Tables of Wonderland discount....

I may be better off with no discount and tipping accordingly..
Like I said before a buffet tip is not worth 18.00 when the meal is 100.00 for 3 people.
TRUST ME I AM A BIG TIPPER BUT IT IS ON MY TERMS

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Disney should be called out on this...I am looking at my receipts from last week and disgusted that 18% added after using my Tables of Wonderland discount....

I used to tip 20% (or sometimes more) on the amount before the discount.

Now that Disney adds 18%, I simply write "included" on the tip line (after verifying that the tip really was included and that the Tables in Wonderland discount really was applied). Then I bring down the total amount and sign it.

A few times, I thought of adding a few bucks more to bring the tip up to what I would have tipped if it had been at my discretion, but I never did so. If Disney insists on an automatic 18% tip, then so be it.

I may be better off with no discount and tipping accordingly..

I don't see how you would ever be better off without a 20% discount and an 18% automatic tip. The bottom line is less than the before the discount and tip, and you don't have to leave an additional tip.

Like I said before a buffet tip is not worth 18.00 when the meal is 100.00 for 3 people.

Here's where my opinion is different. Servers work just as hard at buffets. The servers greet you, take drink orders and reorders, handle special needs, clear dirty dishes for what are usually multi-course meals, make sure you're happy, and handle payments. The big difference is that they don't bring your food out from the kitchen (and at many table-service restaurants, someone from the kitchen does that, not the server). Also, tips are shared at conventional table service restaurants and at buffets. The buffet servers are not getting rich from their tips.

TRUST ME I AM A BIG TIPPER BUT IT IS ON MY TERMS

I understand your point. I'm still getting high quality service at Disney restaurants. I'm now spending less money on tips. But there's something about an automatic tips that rubs me the wrong way.

On the other hand, it makes sense to have a standard service charge for everybody. Otherwise those of us who pay better tips are effectively subsidizing the cheapskates who leave minimal tips or the deadbeats who don't tip at all, despite getting good service.

 

[Terry S]

Everything from the DDE card clearly states that the 18% is included. I just forget sometimes. My own fault.

I also agree though that I generally tip 20% and now the servers are only getting 18% from me as I feel real cheap adding another $1.00 to the tip.

 

[permavac]

Like I said before a buffet tip is not worth 18.00 when the meal is 100.00 for 3 people.
TRUST ME I AM A BIG TIPPER BUT IT IS ON MY TERMS

I have to agree with you here. The nature of buffets is that the servers are able to handle MANY more customers than in a normal restaurant due to the fact that they are not taking meal and dessert orders and ensuring that the extra condiments, etc. arrive and bringing out the food and ensuring everything is in order. Because of the sheer quantity of people they wait on at buffets, the tips work out as well or even better than regular restaurants even if those are reduced tips. I was shocked when eating at Biergarten with their tip suggestions included on the receipt. So for the half hour that eight people eat at a table getting minimal "service" the server would receive $57.44 (18%). Man - people must be killing each other to work there! Call me a cheapskate - I can take it. We leave $2 per person at a buffet and tip 15% or more (minimum of $4 even if the bill is under $20 - that's where servers get screwed on percentage) at "regular" restaurants. Before I get flamed, yes, I have walked in their shoes (back in the day) as both a buffet server and waitress so I am ok with the tips I leave.

 

[Eventer98]

This situation happened to me in August...we were a party of 5 so the tip should not have been included. I hadn't had any problems throughout our trip until we were at Biergarten. I added the tip and it was only until we were getting ready to leave that DH noticed we tipped twice. The server had included the tip the first time around. With all those pieces of paper it was really confusing. Luckily I brought it to the server's attention and he did not bill my card for the 2nd tip. I felt bad but it was no one's fault really. I agree OP..it's a good idea to double check everything and don't feel silly asking your server to clarify anything!

 

[fishermouse]

Disney should be called out on this...I am looking at my receipts from last week and disgusted that 18% added after using my Tables of Wonderland discount....

I may be better off with no discount and tipping accordingly..
Like I said before a buffet tip is not worth 18.00 when the meal is 100.00 for 3 people.
TRUST ME I AM A BIG TIPPER BUT IT IS ON MY TERMS

Everyone should realize that the tip is a suggestion! If you feel it was worth it you can leave as is you may also have it removed, lowered or raised. I to am IMO a good tipper usually 20% and round up, but I hate the idea of being told what to tip, usually less than I would leave anyway but it just rubs me the wrong way. In Disney's defense Europeans generally do not tip as much as we do. They are not cheap it's just that their pay scale for wait staff is different than ours. So Disney decided the best way for staff to get the proper tips was to add it in. Also agree about buffets I do not tip near as much, usually I'll leave $5.00, no matter what the bill is. I have been to buffets where the waitress is very attentive, always filling drinks, cleaning up etc. in that case I will tip more but that is the exception.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Why did you apologize for asking for the itemized bill?? I wouldn't, although I might explain why I wanted it and suggest they provide it to others in the future to clarify the apparently confusing system.

And I didn't understand the meaning of the manager's "wink."

most restaurants initially provide an itemized bill, which I check. I return that with the card and they return the credit card receipt to be signed. In the future I think I will keep the itemized bill and just give them the card to make sure the tip wasn't added in the interim.

If WDW does this I'm sure other places do also.

I KNOW this has happened to me before, but don't recall if it happened at WDW. There were a couple of times we tipped ON TOP OF the dining plan's included tip -- for supremely excellent service beyond the call of duty.

 

[edk35]

Some bills we get have the tip added and some don't. Well on two occasions last trip.........the tip was figured in on our party of 5 and I tipped again. We only had this happen twice so I was just used to putting the tip on there. Didn't even notice it til later that night. We did use DDE but most bills DID NOT have the tip on it. At least I think maybe I doubled tipped more than I thought.

 

[edk35]

I have to agree with you here. The nature of buffets is that the servers are able to handle MANY more customers than in a normal restaurant due to the fact that they are not taking meal and dessert orders and ensuring that the extra condiments, etc. arrive and bringing out the food and ensuring everything is in order. Because of the sheer quantity of people they wait on at buffets, the tips work out as well or even better than regular restaurants even if those are reduced tips. I was shocked when eating at Biergarten with their tip suggestions included on the receipt. So for the half hour that eight people eat at a table getting minimal "service" the server would receive $57.44 (18%). Man - people must be killing each other to work there! Call me a cheapskate - I can take it. We leave $2 per person at a buffet and tip 15% or more (minimum of $4 even if the bill is under $20 - that's where servers get screwed on percentage) at "regular" restaurants. Before I get flamed, yes, I have walked in their shoes (back in the day) as both a buffet server and waitress so I am ok with the tips I leave.

Our experience of late is that we don't get as good a service at the buffets.....and yes the tip is often added. So we tend to eat at only a couple. We have been burned a few times. I am not saying that all servers at buffets do a bad job....but we have had some rotten service and then to give that hefty a tip......it does bother us. SO...we eat at less of them now.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I have mixed thoughts on this whole tip thing. I find it very deceiving to add tip without the customers knowledge. Yes, its on the customer to review the receipt (assuming that it is itemized). One would expect it on parties of 6 or more...not under 6. If the server sees that a double tip has been given, it is good business to bring this to the attention of the customer. Of course, if one leaves a cash tip on the table, that might be hard to do. I feel if this is brought to the restaraunt manager's attention, within a reasonable time period, that money should be credited back to the customer. Where is this customary to give double tips? Another thing. If I pay for the DDP up front, do I tip based on the proposed payment if not on the plan? This somewhat negates the little benefit the DDP has.

 

[PrincessNewsie]

I KNOW this has happened to me before, but don't recall if it happened at WDW. There were a couple of times we tipped ON TOP OF the dining plan's included tip -- for supremely excellent service beyond the call of duty.

When I was there, the tip was NOT included in the dining plan. Can you please clarify?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

When I was there, the tip was NOT included in the dining plan. Can you please clarify?

If you have a party of 6 or more, even on the DDP, the tip will be included on your bill. For parties less than 6, they are NOT to add tip to the bill, regardless if you are on DDP or not.

 

[TDC Nala]

DDP and DDE are two different things. DDE is now called Tables in Wonderland (TIW) to try and distinguish them.

If you are a DDE/TIW member, you'll get an 18% tip added to your table service bill no matter how many people are in your party. Even if it's just you, as long as you are using that TIW membership you will be billed the automatic tip.

If you are on DDP, or if you are paying with cash and not using a DDE/TIW membership discount, you should be charged an automatic 18% tip only if you are a party of six or more. In the case of parties of 5 or less, the receipt is printed with SUGGESTED tip amounts.

And on DDP you pay the tip based on the full menu price of whatever it is your ordered, not based on the price you paid for the dining plan.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

DDP and DDE are two different things. DDE is now called Tables in Wonderland (TIW) to try and distinguish them.

If you are a DDE/TIW member, you'll get an 18% tip added to your table service bill no matter how many people are in your party. Even if it's just you, as long as you are using that TIW membership you will be billed the automatic tip.

If you are on DDP, or if you are paying with cash and not using a DDE/TIW membership discount, you should be charged an automatic 18% tip only if you are a party of six or more. In those cases the receipt is printed with SUGGESTED tip amounts.

Thanks for clarifying the TIW....