A tip question that probably hasn't been asked before

[annie1995]

Ok, I have one for you all . We are on the DP this August. I already plan on paying out at least 18-20% tip on our TS meals. But here is where my question falls. If I say order a kids drink that comes in the special cups and glow cube, it wouldn't be on the DP do I really have to pay my server an additional 18% tip for that? I just can't wrap my brain around that one when she or he is already bringing drinks and such out, why should I have to tip additional? I hope someone knows where I am coming from on this one. Thanks

 

[mom2my3kids]

I am assuming yes because it will raise the price of your meals, but it could not be more then a buck or two.

 

[TPCShauna]

Your tip should be based on the total dollar amount of the meal including beverages so, YES, you would provide the same amount of tip for the special drink.

This would be like going out to a dinner that costs $50, using a $25 gift card and only tipping on the remaining $25. The server still provided the service on the $50 meal so why should their tip be discounted because you paid for the parts separately?

I hope that made sense. Sorry if it was a confusing answer.

 

[boardom]

Yeah, I voted yes too. Sure, she's bringing the drink anyway, but by that same logic, I should scale back all my tips as if all of us had ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, because "they're bringing the plates out anyway." Know what I mean?

 

[my3disneygirls]

Yeah, I voted yes too. Sure, she's bringing the drink anyway, but by that same logic, I should scale back all my tips as if all of us had ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, because "they're bringing the plates out anyway." Know what I mean?

Yup. It would be like me ordering lobster tail and fillet, but tipping as if I ordered mac and cheese. Since it takes the same effort to carry a cheap meal as an expensive one.

 

[Tricia1972]

I understand what you're saying, but I would tip on the entire bill. Partly because it's customary, party because I'm lazy.

I figure a glow cube will cost MAYBE an extra $2 on the bill and 18% of $2 is .36.

To me it's not worth the .36 savings to not tip the waitress and for me to go through the bill, find out what I feel is extra, remove it from the food total and then tip on the adjusted total.

To me it's vacation, life's short and I'll tip and be done with it.

(I'm also pretty lazy and generally tip on the taxed amount of the food - math is something that I love to do at work and here at home, but on vacation I release and relax)

 

[stellablue]

I voted yes b/c DBF usually handles our $$ on vacations, and he often tips extra to servers, housekeeping, bell services, even CS places we might come across that has tip jars (I mean during vacations in general-not sure you would find a tip jar anywhere in WDW!)

That said, I don't think there is anything wrong with tipping just the correct amount (FOR US that's 20%), even if service was outstanding. WDW and traveling in general, can be very pricey and some people can barely afford what they allotted for. I think as long as we are paying at least what is customary for great service, than we feel good about it.

As for your specific question, it's customary to tip based on the total price of the bill. I guess it's the same difference of a server bringing your a $50 lobster as opposed to a $20 chicken plate.

 

[beachgrl001]

I always use this rule for tipping, I double the first number in the total for ex: the total check is $122.80 MY tip would be 24.00. Unless the service is lousey then its a different story

 

[Luv4Disney]

We always tipped on items that were not included on the DDP.

 

[LSchrow]

just as if you ordered any other drinks, appys, etc that were not included on the DDP, absolutely "yes" you do tip on those items.

 

[annie1995]

Ok, thanks for all who replied!! I don't want anyone to think I never tipped when we ordered something additional, It just kinda bugged me when we had to tip again. I definately don't want to or plan to jip a server. I guess I wasn't really thinking of it the way everyone has put it. Sometimes seeing it written makes a little more sense.

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Yup. It would be like me ordering lobster tail and fillet, but tipping as if I ordered mac and cheese. Since it takes the same effort to carry a cheap meal as an expensive one.

Okay, I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I'll toss it out there anyways....
I know that tipping on a percentage of the bill is customary, but why? I don't understand why you have to tip more for lobster than mac and cheese if it takes your waiter the same effort to carry it out. I understand tipping more for extras like appetizers, desserts, and drinks (because she has to bring them to you), but it doesn't make sense to me why the waiter/waitress should get more just because you order an expensive item.

We are not normally expensive eaters, but since we are paying so much for dxddp, we plan on getting our money's worth and trying pretty expensive items that we would've never been able to try otherwise. That being said, I don't really have the money to plop down a 20-30 dollar tip every meal, just because I am trying more expensive items!

By the same token, do you still only give a percentage, if you only order dessert or an appetizer somewhere? We still tip our regular amount, because IMO, it's taking him/her the same effort to carry it out as if we had ordered a real entree........

Just something to think about......

 

[jw50]

Tipping in the US is customary (in alot of places outside the US they don't tip and all and it is not expected), the 15-20% is only a "recommended" amount for the tip. The tip covers all aspects of the service, not just how much "work" the server has to do.

The bottom line is that you should tip whatever amount you think is appropriate and you are comfortable with.

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Tipping in the US is customary (in alot of places outside the US they don't tip and all and it is not expected), the 15-20% is only a "recommended" amount for the tip. The tip covers all aspects of the service, not just how much "work" the server has to do.

The bottom line is that you should tip whatever amount you think is appropriate and you are comfortable with.

Just out of curiosity, what are the other aspects of the service? I'm confused...

 

[annie1995]

Just out of curiosity, what are the other aspects of the service? I'm confused...

I personally tip on how attentive the server was. Did I get drink refills, were we checked up on to see if we needed anything, did they bring my bill in a timely manner, or did I sit waiting for it for 30 minutes. I know our server last year at Captain Jacks only came to our table 3 times, take our order, give us our check, and finally tracked him down for a refill. He was sooooo not into his job, and you could see it on his face. He ended up getting his 18% tip, but if that tip was up to me at the time, he only would have gotten 10% for crappy service.

 

[TiggerFamily]

IMO, you should tip in Disney like you would anyother place you go. Mac & cheese or lobster it doesn't matter what you get, it's a % of the bill.

 

[rayelias]

Yup. It would be like me ordering lobster tail and fillet, but tipping as if I ordered mac and cheese. Since it takes the same effort to carry a cheap meal as an expensive one.

Just playing devils' advocate here, but what about the opposite?

What if you order a mac and cheese? The server is doing the same work as if the order was lobster and filet, yet they get tipped much less.

(p.s. That's why I always over-tip breakfast waitresses. Overall, they usually work harder than a dinner waitress (especially the way I drink coffee), and breakfasts are MUCH cheaper than dinners.)

 

[tnmomof4]

Ok, I have one for you all . We are on the DP this August. I already plan on paying out at least 18-20% tip on our TS meals. But here is where my question falls. If I say order a kids drink that comes in the special cups and glow cube, it wouldn't be on the DP do I really have to pay my server an additional 18% tip for that? I just can't wrap my brain around that one when she or he is already bringing drinks and such out, why should I have to tip additional? I hope someone knows where I am coming from on this one. Thanks

I also have a question about this.

Last year when we were on the DDP and ordered something extra, they did not add it to our receipt. We always got a separate receipt. A few times we ordered a kid's meal not on the plan. So I would have the receipt from the DDP that last year included the tip and another receipt were I had to tip on the kid's meal. So usually a kid's meal was about $7.00. I would tip 18% which is $1.25.

I guess I am just wondering if others get extra's added to their bill or separate bills? So what will happen this year if we order an appetizer? I will have to tip on the receipt using the DDP and then tip on the reciept for the appetizer. So that means running the card twice for two tips on two bills.

Am I right?

 

[Tricia1972]

Just playing devils' advocate here, but what about the opposite?

What if you order a mac and cheese? The server is doing the same work as if the order was lobster and filet, yet they get tipped much less.

(p.s. That's why I always over-tip breakfast waitresses. Overall, they usually work harder than a dinner waitress (especially the way I drink coffee), and breakfasts are MUCH cheaper than dinners.)

I once confessed that I do the same thing. I never go below the standard tipping percentages (unless service is abysmal)

However, I tip a much higher percentage for good service at lower priced establishments (or like you in the case of a breakfast)

I was called "Stupid" "Ridiculous" and many other nasty names. One even said that my comment was ludicrous.

Know that if you get attacked, you can PM me and cry on my shoulder - I understand.

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

IMHO One should always tip based on level of service. Keeping in mind that most waitpersons in the US make way less than min. wage, so a % tip based on mac-n-cheese or filet and lobster balances out their wages at the end of the day. Hence the reasoning behind a % guideline.
Personally we tip 15%, on the entire bill for the evening for a waitperson that just does the bare minimum. And 20% for a good waitperson. 20% plus a little extra for an outstanding waitperson, this is our way of patting them on the back and saying "good job, thanks". Usually for me a waitperson reaches outstanding status when they keep my drink full! (it's a big pet peeve of mine).

Only once in my life have I not tipped at all! Which happened to be in WDW. If I knew how to run the register/pc I would have done all the work myself! Long story short: It was a buffet. I had to track our waitress down to get drinks, then I never saw her again. I walked up and handed our cups to a waitress standing by the drink fountain and asked for refills. Then I flaged down another waitress to check us out and she found our original waitress. I was begining to take it personal until the people seated next to us started flaging down the nearest waitress trying to get service too! I've never experianced anything like that! I hope never to again!