Dining Plan and tipping

[jezabel_007]

I know that tips are included in the plan, but do most people tip extra? Do the restaurants expect you to tip more?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Note that according to a friend of mine, who is the General Manager for one of the Disney operated restaurants, the restaurants get a fixed amount for the meal, no matter what is ordered, and the server's tip is based on that amount. The server's are aware of this. They are instructed to not suggest to the guests that they order the most expensive things on the menu. Under a previous plan the restaurants were reimbursed on the bill, and so servers benefited by having the Guests order expensive items.

If you feel that you have received excellent service you should tip more, just as in any dining experience.

 

[Lorix2]

How does the customer know how much the server will receive as a gratuity on the total bill? Is it noted on the bill?

 

[SarahKate]

From everything I have read, and from what my travel agent has told me, the servers receive a flat 18% tip from diners on the DP. We are pretty used to paying 20% when we dine out, so we will probably tip extra if the service was good.

 

[indigoxtreme]

When we were on the plan in Sept we were fortunate to have wonderful service at our TS meals, we always added an extra 5% to our meals.

 

[biggroofy]

So if you want to tip extra, I believe you will put some cash on the table, instead of charging them to your room?

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Note that according to a friend of mine, who is the General Manager for one of the Disney operated restaurants, the restaurants get a fixed amount for the meal, no matter what is ordered, and the server's tip is based on that amount. The server's are aware of this. They are instructed to not suggest to the guests that they order the most expensive things on the menu. Under a previous plan the restaurants were reimbursed on the bill, and so servers benefited by having the Guests order expensive items.

If you feel that you have received excellent service you should tip more, just as in any dining experience.

Having been to WDW twice since the plan has started, we were surprised that the waiters made us WELL AWARE that we could take ANYTHING on the menu and that it was a pity that the customers usually settle for a 12.95 entrée when they have some delicious(steak, pasta, fish etc.) for 27.99.

This happened at two restaurants and we felt a little uneasy because we knew that the waiters tip was based on the total of the bill. DH finally ordered a pasta dish with 3 EXTRAS at 7.00 appr each. WOW! I settled for the normal dish no extra. We were also recomended the most expensive desserts....

The service was great, I just did not like feeling like I had to order what was most expensive on the menu.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Used the dining plan last month. If the service was above average we would tip more. It wasn't so we didn't.

 

[pennyplanner]

I always add an extra tip for good service. 20% is the norm for good waitstaff at home in CT. We were on the dining plan and I usually added an extra 5%. Some were so appreciative! Our waitress at the 1900 Park Faire breakfast was so sweet about it. It was the first time at a buffet, that we were so well cared for!

At WDW in November, the only time I had a waitress that encouraged "padding" of the bill by bringing extras was at the Castle for dinner. The woman was shameless! I was so annoyed that I had no intention of adding extra. Despite the fact that we were served an extra side of mashed potatoes that were so salty, they were inedible, she left it on the bill. I was tired that night and didn't feel like argueing with her so I simply mentioned I did not appreciate her tactics and left. She was not happy! I probably should have pursued it with a manager but I was not willing!

--penny

 

[Hopefully]

When we used the Dining Plan in October we always left an additional 5% tip if the service was good. In our experience it always was excellent!
We also ordered beer or wine with dinner, so we had an extra "bill" to pay. We added the extra tip to that room charge.
You could also be prepared with cash for the extra tip.

 

[bleeps]

Yup -- we bring along cash and tip on whatever we've ordered that's outside of plan (wine, or whatever) and tip extra for great service.