DDP & Tipping Extra

[chip91]

I'm just curious as to how many of you tip "extra" cash when on the DDP? What % of tip is included when on DDP? We are a grand gathering, so I'm assuming the server will get 18%? On our 1st trip, 1st night we went to Chef Mickey's, we had 11, so they automatically did the 18$ tip, when I got the bill, the included tip was 46.00, IMO for 11 people, that was PLENTY, and while our server was prompt with filling waters/clearing plates, I didn't feel the need to tip her anymore than what she was already getting. When we ate at CRT it wasn't included, price was less than it is now, our total bill was like 186 so we gave our server a 30.00 tip, we thought that was also a pretty good tip (something like 17-18%), and it was excellent service.

Just looking for opinions..

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

On the DDP the server recieves 18% no matter what the party size. The only time I tipped extra was at Sci Fi when my DS and I split a meal, to compensate the server for having to do the work of a table of six but only getting tipped on a table of five. Had we received exceptional service at other TS restaurants, I may have tipped extra, but while the service was never poor, it wasn't really anything outstanding either, and I thought the servers were decently compensated by the plan so I did not leave extra.

 

[DISNEYDEVOTEE]

IMHO for any sit down meal that supplies decent to good service 20% is the minimum. For a large party that receives good or better, the tip should be reflective. While you may enjoy sitting with 11, it is a nightmare for a server and they should be gratuitized a little more based on the difficulty.

However, there is never a good excuse for BAD service, no matter what size the party. If it is bad, I complain to a manager. When the tip is included there is little you can do other then complain.

I am traveling next week for the first time on DDP, so I may have a different view then!

Bob

 

[DVC Jen]

We will be using the DDP for the first time this June. We plan on tipping extra if we get REALLY good service. We will also be more prone to tip extra for a non buffet meal because in my opinion (may get flamed for this - but I am tough ) the server does more for us than in a buffet.

Now if we get exceptional service for a buffet like we have the past few times we have gone to Chef Mickeys by all means we will leave an extra tip.

For average service the tip included in the dining plan is sufficient.

Basically we tip according to the service we receive - and isn't that the way it is supposed to be?

 

[ncbyrne]

Normally I tip 15%, on rare occassions of service above and beyond, I tip 20%. Since the DDP gives the CM an 18% tip, they are actually getting more than they normally would!
OT....do Disney CMs belong to a union? Waitstaff usually make less than minimum wage because it's a tipped position. Just wondering how that is handled in WDW....?

 

[yohomatey]

There have been several occasions where I left an extra tip while on the dining plan...but I was wondering....should I do it first or after the meal?? I was wondering if it would make for even better service????

 

[PrincessTrisha]

When the DDP first started (well, this incarnation anyways), the included tip was 15%. At that point, I usually added an extra tip.

For my last couple of trips, the included tip is 18%. I don't feel it necessary to leave extra. Most of our bills were in the $160-180 range before tax and tip and we are not overly demanding people so I figure a $30 tip for 3-4 people is sufficient.

 

[bicker]

I would provide an extra tip if service was superior, or if we were splitting a meal between two diners.

 

[tor]

Last trip we did 11 nights of meal plan and added extra tip 5 times for outstanding service but I must say there was 2 times I wish I could have reduced the tip for a server that found it inconvenient to serve us and was to rigid on menu selections.

 

[zdad]

My comments from a post a few days ago......

- Think about throwing a little extra the way of your wait staff, even if you are on DDP. Yes, they get tipped through the plan, but waiting tables is a thankless job. Last trip, I advanced the "little extra" at the beginning of the meal, acknowledging that we were on the DDP but wanted to see that staff was properly taken care of. In the end it didn't amount to much money, and boy was the service off the hook. (Best example was our stay at WL and dinner at Whispering Canyon. We were very full after dinner, and had little or no room for dessert....but it all looked so good. We sadly declined. We then left directly for the park. When we returned to our room, much to our surprise, were four desserts waiting for us on the room desk, courtesy of the WCC wait staff.)
OUR DINNER AT WCC......

The CMs all have tough jobs, and meet a lot of ornery people during the day. I want to be the one they remember with a smile. Never had a bad experience with this method.

 

[kj2mom]

I saved all my one's and five's for a year before my trip and went to Disney with that money meant to be used as tips. I was on the dining plan so the CM did get 18%. I gave at leat $5 extra at each meal with the exception of one where the service was soo great I put in an extra $20 and one where the service was less than acceptable so I left nothing extra. I did not do the tip before, just left it with the signed DDP slip.

 

[Cjane_7]

Hey Zdad how much did you tip upfront?
There are 2 adults and 2 kids on the plan then 2 adults paying OOP they may share some meals, I know their tip will be included on their bill. But I thought it may be a good idea to front them some money first, I've been a waitress so I know the headaches involved.
Just wondered how much extra you gave, it wouldn't be great to give them extra money first then get the kind of service I've heard on here when people are on the DDP.

Thanks

 

[PrincessTrisha]

When my mom and I went to the WCC last May on the DDP (18% tip) we did not front the waitress any extra tip money. We ordered the skillet but were too full for dessert and declined it. When she brought back the bill for me to sign she handed me a to go box with 4 large chocolate chip cookies in it and said I should at least get something as I "paid" for it.

I have never found a difference in service being on the DDP - in fact our worst service was when we were paying out of pocket.

If you want to tip extra because of good service, do so but I don't think that anyone should be given the impression that if you don't slip the server a little something extra up front that being on the DDP means that you are going to get bad service.

And IMHO, 90% of all jobs are thankless.

 

[Delaware Mike]

If you want to tip extra because of good service, do so but I don't think that anyone should be given the impression that if you don't slip the server a little something extra up front that being on the DDP means that you are going to get bad service.

And IMHO, 90% of all jobs are thankless.

I have to agree on both points...

I can't remember ever having poor TS service while using DDP. In fact, I can't remember having poor service while dining at a "non-Disney" restaurant on the plan either.

The poor service is usually encountered at CS.

And IMHO, I think the ranking is a little higher than 90% for thankless jobs.

 

[schoen]

When we went we assumed that we would have to leave additional money as a tip, because an 18% tip is unacceptable as far as I am concerned. I generally tip between 20 and 22%. It is VERY important for me to leave enough money so that the server gets to take home between 18 and 20 percent. Most places have a server tip out between 2.5 and 5 percent to bussers and bartenders. When guests rack up a big bill and then don't tip a server well it can throw off their whole night, both fiscally and mentally.

A large tip should be given for large parties, and it should be reflective of how much the bill is. Large groups cause quite a bit of stress, and are difficult to wait on. It is a HARD job that not everyone can do well. It does require skill, and servers should be respected.

 

[ReneeA]

We always tip between 18-25%. We have only tipped less than that on one occasion, and it was accompanied by a chat with the manage about the deplorable service.

Since we would normally tip higher than what is given on the DDP, we always added in extra.

 

[zdad]

Hey Zdad how much did you tip upfront?
There are 2 adults and 2 kids on the plan then 2 adults paying OOP they may share some meals, I know their tip will be included on their bill. But I thought it may be a good idea to front them some money first, I've been a waitress so I know the headaches involved.
Just wondered how much extra you gave, it wouldn't be great to give them extra money first then get the kind of service I've heard on here when people are on the DDP.

Thanks

Depended on the retaurant. I gave enough to make sure they got at least 20%, at least as far as my quick calculation went. For WCC, Alfredo's, etc is was usually around an extra $15. We've been to Disney many times and I can never recall one moment of bad service. I think most of the Disney CMs are genetically predisposed for good service. Those that aren't, are not there very long.

 

[canwegosoon]

For average to good service I let the 18% stand...for really great service I usually give another 5-10%(you don't have to flag down a person for drinks or the big one-the bill)...if Disney felt their standards deserved 20% at all times, they would bill 20% for large parties and include 20% in their plans. I think many people get "guilted into leaving more" by posters who feel they have to leave a minimun of 25%...hey I was a waitress, I was thankful for the standard tip at the time (15%) and even more thankful for customers that were understanding when minor mistakes were made, if there were problems beyond my control, didn't leave the table a wreck that would take 20 minutes to clean, and didn't have their kids throw crackers everywhere and then grind it with their shoes when they left.

Treat a waiter/ess with respect and kindness...(like everyone) and most times you will have great service. And please look at them, speak clearly/loudly, smile, and say please and thank you. If it is a new restaurant to you, feel free to ask questions(saying this is my first time here). I cannot tell you how many times I have had waitstaff mention that I have very polite children-they don't see that much anymore.

 

[disguy1]

as far as I know tipping is included with the DDP. Most places we go to are buffet anyway. Not much for the waiters to do there

 

[bicker]

And IMHO, 90% of all jobs are thankless.

This is a great point. You want to talk about thankless? Just think about who cleans up the restrooms in the theme parks, in the heat and humidity of the Florida summer? Restaurant servers, at least, get to work in air conditioning, and they're cleaning up food before it passes through the body.