Curious about tipping at buffets

[excited4dis]

I'm curious, does everyone still tip 20% to the waitstaff when you go to a buffet dinner, like Chef Mickey's? I read somewhere that many people tip a lot less because they have to get up and get the food themselves. I have always tipped 20% at restaurants like this. What's everyone else's thoughts?

 

[jpeterson]

I always tip 18-20% even at buffets. Servers are incredibly underpaid in most states (not sure how Florida works). While I don't like the system and wish tipping was not a thing here in the US, I'm not going to punish the servers for our silly customs/laws.

 

[excited4dis]

I always tip 18-20% even at buffets. Servers are incredibly underpaid in most states (not sure how Florida works). While I don't like the system and wish tipping was not a thing here in the US, I'm not going to punish the servers for our silly customs/laws.

I used to be a waitress for many years, and because I know they are very underpaid, I always make sure I leave a nice tip. However, I can see how people think tipping 20% at Disney Character buffet can me a bit much. For instance, the average total cost for the 3 of us will probably be $150, so that right there is a $30 tip. Seems high, but goes with the territory. It's certainly not cheap to eat in WDW.

 

[jpeterson]

I used to be a waitress for many years, and because I know they are very underpaid, I always make sure I leave a nice tip. However, I can see how people think tipping 20% at Disney Character buffet can me a bit much. For instance, the average total cost for the 3 of us will probably be $150, so that right there is a $30 tip. Seems high, but goes with the territory. It's certainly not cheap to eat in WDW.

Yeah, I understand the logic about the buffets and really wish Disney (and everywhere else) would just include the cost of the servers wage into the pricing. It does seem a bit much to pay the list price plus another 20-ish%, but that's the way America works at the moment...

 

[RealBlast3]

I tip the same as anywhere else but I know people who think I'm crazy but as had been mentioned in the thread, the waitstaff still works hard for you. So, yeah, 18-20%.

 

[JZCubed]

I'm curious, does everyone still tip 20% to the waitstaff when you go to a buffet dinner, like Chef Mickey's? I read somewhere that many people tip a lot less because they have to get up and get the food themselves. I have always tipped 20% at restaurants like this. What's everyone else's thoughts?

Someone cleared (and hopefully cleaned) the table from the previous guests and set a new table.

Someone brings your beverages.

Someone brings you things you request (i.e., a new napkin, clean fork, hot sauce, etc.).

Most people use more plates than they would typically, so they can try (and throw away) more food than if they ordered a la carte.

Someone clears those plates from your table so you can get even more plates for yourself.

Someone still has to handle the paperwork of paying for the meal.

So yes, I leave a similar percentage at buffets.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I leave the typical 18-20% at buffets.

 

[jo-jo]

I don't mind the tipping at buffets. They are at the table 20 times during the meals. I cringe at paying the 20 % eating at a TS where we get water/soda and entree and the bill, so perhaps the server is at the table 8 times. It seems the servers at buffets work a lot harder.

 

[Allison]

I tip the same as anywhere else. They are still bringing drinks, getting other needed items and clearing plates as many times as you use them.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I feel the waitstaff actually do more work at a buffet. I try to give a decent tip, sometimes more than I'd give at a sit down meal.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I tip based on the quality of the service just like anywhere else. If the server isn't on top of things and our plates stack up or our drinks sit empty for a long time, I'll tip around 15%. If the server is fantastic and stays on top of everything I'll tip 20-22%.

 

[dclpluto]

The servers at buffets probably do more for you than a table service meal. a lot of places they explain all the choices they have or even show you. They are constantly taking your used plates away.

 

[Amelia :)]

You actually see your server just as much at buffets, they're constantly clearing plates, making sure you see characters etc. No reason to tip less.

 

[Dis703]

I still tip 18-20% at buffets. As others have pointed out, they still do a lot of work and potentially even more than if it wasn't a buffet. Having been a waitress and worked parties that were buffet or sit down I can't say I noticed much of any difference in how busy I was between the two.

 

[Pumbaa_]

closing thread. personal tipping habits is not a topic for discussion. There is a sticky thread at the top of the board for the mechanics of tipping

thank you all!