Did I read correctly: No tipping on DDP?

[TheLittleRoo]

I may be mistaken, but I think we tipped the server on our own when Disney did the free dining last September. I read on the board somewhere today that the price of DDP includes tax and tip.

So, if my bill was $100, I'm not supposed to have tipped extra on that total? How else is the server going to receive a gratuity if I don't add a tip? Is it built in somehow, or am I the biggest patsy around?

 

[Katiebell]

From the DDP FAQ:

Are tax and tips included?
The price of the plan includes tax and all expected gratuities for the included items. Extras and add-ons are charged-for separately, and tax and gratuities are automatically added to those charges. The automatic gratuity is even added to separate checks for meals for non-Dining Plan guests dining with Dining Plan patrons (in most cases).

How much does the server get in terms of gratuities?
The servers receive an 18% tip. For Disney-owned restaurants, their tip is computed based on what you actually order. Some non-Disney-owned restaurants base the tip on how much they get reimbursed from Disney.

Can I tip more?
Absolutely.

An 18% tip is automatically included in the DDP. But you can definitely tip more. It doesn't make you "the biggest patsy around", it makes you very generous And I'm sure you made a lot of servers very happy.

Maybe look at it this way: you got the plan for free, so if you tipped an additional amount over and above the plan, then you essentially paid $18 (or whatever percentage you actually tipped) for a meal that would have cost you $118 including the tip. That's quite a bargain. I am paying full price for the DDP, and still consider it quite a bargain. I fully intend to add an additional tip if the service I receive is exceptional -- which it often is on a Disney vacation.

 

[bicker]

We tipped extra two out of five meals -- for one meal we tipped an extra $40. (That was at Chefs de France. Well worth it.)

 

[n2mm]

We tip extra when using the DDP. If the server does a great job we acknowledge it. Just 2 weeks ago while eating at the Coral Reef, we had the best server ever, Riley, he was so good. He even helped me with my camera, now that's service. We tipped him an additional 10% and he made a point of coming back to our table to thank us and said that he really appreciated us noticing. We generally tip an additional 5% or 10% of the bill depending on service.

 

[patsal]

While the gratuity is included, we often tip extra if the service exceeds our expectatitons.

 

[Lucky82061]

an 18% gratuity is included however we tipped extra when we felt the servers went above and beyond.

 

[ILVPOOH]

What do you consider "Above and Beyond" service. I don't think I ever had a server anywhere do anything other than bring out my food, check on us once during the meal and then bring the check. Just curious, what kind of special service to others get that would make you want to tip more than 18%?

 

[Lucky82061]

What do you consider "Above and Beyond" service. I don't think I ever had a server anywhere do anything other than bring out my food, check on us once during the meal and then bring the check. Just curious, what kind of special service to others get that would make you want to tip more than 18%?

There are servers who will do just that.. bring out the food.. check up on you once or twice during the meal.. then bring out the check.

Then there are those who actually interact with you to make sure you are completely satisfied with your dining experience. The ones who actually care if you are having a good night and if you are enjoying your dinner. The ones who will do all the little things that people don't generally notice like refilling drinks quickly.. or bringing more bread.. the ones that anticipate your needs before you have to ask... Those are the ones that deserve a little bit extra. Server's rely completely on tips to make their wages, so the one's who work just that little bit harder deserve more.

 

[JimMIA]

Two comments:

One, we usually tip 20%. Problem is, adding 2% to the tip to make up looks like a really cheap tip, when in fact you're trying to do the right thing. So we usually tip an extra $5 or so on just about every TS. For excellent service, of course, we tip more.

Two, if you order anything which is not covered by DDP (alcohol, extras, etc), be advised that 18% will automatically be added to the second check. So don't tack an extra 20% onto that check -- or if you do, don't do it by accident.

 

[Dizneydaz]

What do you consider "Above and Beyond" service. I don't think I ever had a server anywhere do anything other than bring out my food, check on us once during the meal and then bring the check. Just curious, what kind of special service to others get that would make you want to tip more than 18%?

My DM and I have shared, frequently, on DDP. When we do, we tip additional to cover the cost of the meal we didn't order. We also will tip a little more, if the server was exceptional. For me, exceptional means going the "extra" mile. This may mean interacting well with DD, or being extra helpful when making menu choices, or even, when needed, correcting a problem with the meal-without it being a problem.

That's my thoughts.

 

[Katiebell]

What do you consider "Above and Beyond" service. I don't think I ever had a server anywhere do anything other than bring out my food, check on us once during the meal and then bring the check. Just curious, what kind of special service to others get that would make you want to tip more than 18%?

Wow, we get great service a lot, not just at Disney...but at Disney it is often what I would consider above and beyond Exceptional service is a friendly server who seems genuine, and has a good sense of humor. They like people and enjoy their job. At Disney it's really nice if they share some Disney tips or trivia, or talk about their home country a little if they are not from the US. An excellent server is attentive without being obtrusive -- not hovering over your table, but noticing your drink needs a refill before you can even have a chance to ask. They offer menu suggestions if appropriate, but they aren't pushy.

As Lucky82061 mentioned, servers rely on tips as a large part of their wages. They have a tough, often stressful job, on their feet all day, carrying heavy trays of dishes. Sometimes patrons aren't exactly kind, fair, or reasonable, but they are expected to smile take it all in stride. If they are really good at what they do, it never hurts to tip a little extra to let them know they are appreciated.

 

[n2mm]

There are servers who will do just that.. bring out the food.. check up on you once or twice during the meal.. then bring out the check.

Then there are those who actually interact with you to make sure you are completely satisfied with your dining experience. The ones who actually care if you are having a good night and if you are enjoying your dinner. The ones who will do all the little things that people don't generally notice like refilling drinks quickly.. or bringing more bread.. the ones that anticipate your needs before you have to ask... Those are the ones that deserve a little bit extra. Server's rely completely on tips to make their wages, so the one's who work just that little bit harder deserve more.

You said this perfectly!! My exact thoughts!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

What do you consider "Above and Beyond" service. I don't think I ever had a server anywhere do anything other than bring out my food, check on us once during the meal and then bring the check. Just curious, what kind of special service to others get that would make you want to tip more than 18%?

We ended up tipping extra at the Coral Reef - we had ordered glow cubes with our drinks and my cousin saw the little blue dolphins that come with the kids drinks - and the waitress brought one of those for each of our drinks as well. She also had new drinks at our table before be were finished with our original ones (my cousin had about 5 glasses of lemonade that night simply because the waitress just kept bringing them). The server was very attentive and she seemed to anticipate our requests, like my dad asked for more butter with the bread, so she brought a little side of butter for his potatoes (just in case). My mom likes her beef very well cooked (but not burned), the waitress made it a point to check on my mom once she cut into the steak to make sure it was how she liked it.

When the server brought the bill for the glow cubes, it included the tip of 18% on their price - and the server told me that the tip on the cubes was already added on - I appreciated her attentiveness and her honesty (on a previous trip, a server had actually "reminded" me to tip on a collector cup - and when I checked the bill, they had already added 15% gratuity back when that was the tip) so I added another $10.