Dining Plan-Tipping-STRESS!!!

[Ness2289]

I have to say that I was stressed with the whole tipping thing this past week. I did tip extra most of the time when the CM was really great. I had an experience at Hollywood and Vine, however that I could have done without. I did not leave an extra tip for that particular CM and she was NOT happy with me. I could tell when she came back and took the signed receipt back, so I watched her after she left. She went straight to another CM and gestured that "she didn't leave anything for me" and he looked over at me and she looked over and they both saw that I was looking. (I felt very unconfortable and lost my appetite for dessert at that point!) So, when she walked back by, I said, "Gratuity IS included isn't it?" She said yes it is with a phony smile. I said, "Okay... I just wanted to make sure..." She was REALLY not happy with me after that. I almost wish they didn't include gratuity so some of us wouldn't feel that pressure. I mean, SHE DID get her tip! Should she be expecting extra??? Correct me if I'm wrong, Disers! I was pretty HOT that afternoon and ready to write a letter to someone!

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

I thought the tip was included with the dining plan.

 

[jcat2312]

15% of the bill automatically goes towards the waiter/waiteress

 

[Aimeedyan]

Tip is included, don't feel guilty about her attitude one bit! While it's wonderful of you to tip above and beyond for those that went above and beyond, it is not required nor should be expected.

Good for you for going back and clarifying the included gratuity with her, as well

 

[pandora174]

In my opinion, if it indicates tip is included that's exactly what it means. & for my upcoming trip I'm not planning in leaving anything extra. From past posts that I've read they get their tip based on the amount of the check, either
15 % or 18 % depending on the restaurant. If I get something not covered by the plan I'll tip accordingly. I don't think it's right that you got attitude.

 

[Anewman]

I really wish one could even reduce the amount of tip the table staff gets if service is not acceptable.

But I also feel that if the staff goes above and beyond the call of duty, extra tip is a must.

 

[n2mm]

15% of the bill automatically goes towards the waiter/waiteress

It's actually now 18%. It went up January 2005.

Also to the OP, the only one time I had a bad experience dining was also at Hollywood and Vine--strange isn't it. You can PM me and describe her, but I bet it's the same person.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would have had a discussion with a manager about her attitude.

 

[kona-kraft]

Don't let her attitude get to you. She probably acted the way she did because, according to what I've read here on the boards, the CM's won't get their tips right away. While the automatic 15% is given to the table service CM's, they don't get their payment from Disney for somthing like 6-8 weeks. So understandibly, they'd be a little anxious to get something from you, right then and there. I kinda feel bad about the way that DISNEY is handling this with them.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Don't let her attitude get to you. She probably acted the way she did because, according to what I've read here on the boards, the CM's won't get their tips right away. While the automatic 15% is given to the table service CM's, they don't get their payment from Disney for somthing like 6-8 weeks. So understandibly, they'd be a little anxious to get something from you, right then and there. I kinda feel bad about the way that DISNEY is handling this with them.

wow that is a long time to wait for their pay...that would be kind of hard to plan around if you were paying bills and trying to support a family being a server...but that is the way the ball bouces...they should take that up with the boss if they are having problems with the system, not the customers imo.

 

[Kimkimba]

I am usually a good tipper, but I only intend on leaving extra this trip if the service warrants it. I've had some excellent servers, and I've had some that should definitely not be in the service industry. My tip reflects the service.

Especially with the attitude, she didn't deserve anything extra.

 

[zdad]

Just back from our trip and here's what I found......

The amount that goes to the server is 15% (not 18%. The new contract is for 18% but all Disney Dining is grandfathered in @ 15% until next year).

The amount does not go directly to the server. It is paid via the normal paycheck cycle (every two weeks or twice monthly), with all taxes deducted. The net to the server is more like 10%-11.5%.

The tip is based on what is ordered, so the servers will encourage you to order everything you can, even if you only take a few bites. It affects their take home pay.

All things considered, servers tips are usually better with a party NOT on the dining plan, unless, those on the plan leave some additional cash at their TS meal.

I generally left 8% - 10% of the pretax meal amount in addition to the Dining plan tip. This got the tip into the typical 18%-20% range. I also made a point to acknowledge to the server that I understood the sublties of the dining plan tip and that I intended to add to the base amount. Every server we had was superior. I either had good fortune to always get great servers, or our acknowlement of understanding the tip conumdrum helped, or a little of both.

In the end understand all that is going on and leave what you feel comfortable leaving. never feel pressured into leaving more tip than you think is proper..

 

[wide awake]

What I'm wondering is...normally waiters/waitresses are taxed on 8% of their tickets for end of year tax purposes...don't you think Disney has probably seperated dining plan tickets from non-dining plan tickets ? So the waiter/waitress may think they're being shortchanged, but when they look at the whole picture I'm sure they're not. If I get service above and beyond they'll get an extra tip...otherwise no.

 

[mello]

Plans & restaurants where tips are automatically included, unfortunately, take service out of the equation. That is unfortunate. We always get the
worst service at Rainforest Cafe (here at home), and I'm convinced it's because gratuity is automatically added, so the servers know they don't have to work hard to earn tips.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We are on the Dining Plan for our upcoming trip. I will not be tipping extra, so I guess all the servers will be giving me dirty looks.

 

[buddy&wooz]

I won't be tipping extra, unless there is some above and beyond service I want to reward!

If the way the tips are being paid out by Disney seems unfair, I think it's an issue between employer and employee. I don't feel obligated to try to fix the problem by double tipping.

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

I used to be a server trying to survive on tips, boy this doesn't make it really any easier for them.... however, I did my serving days right there in Kissimmee and know for a fact that there is a good share of "non tippers" out there... so to have a tip included would of been nirvana for me. Knowing that going above and beyond could make extra money would be even better. Paying the light bill and maybe even going out to dinner myself!! I will tip extra for stellar service. Being a server is a hard job, one in which your pay is the consequence of other peoples actions (ie, the cooks, dishwashers, the customers bad day... etc etc...)

Just back from our trip and here's what I found......

The amount that goes to the server is 15% (not 18%. The new contract is for 18% but all Disney Dining is grandfathered in @ 15% until next year).

The amount does not go directly to the server. It is paid via the normal paycheck cycle (every two weeks or twice monthly), with all taxes deducted. The net to the server is more like 10%-11.5%.

The tip is based on what is ordered, so the servers will encourage you to order everything you can, even if you only take a few bites. It affects their take home pay.

All things considered, servers tips are usually better with a party NOT on the dining plan, unless, those on the plan leave some additional cash at their TS meal.

I generally left 8% - 10% of the pretax meal amount in addition to the Dining plan tip. This got the tip into the typical 18%-20% range. I also made a point to acknowledge to the server that I understood the sublties of the dining plan tip and that I intended to add to the base amount. Every server we had was superior. I either had good fortune to always get great servers, or our acknowlement of understanding the tip conumdrum helped, or a little of both.

In the end understand all that is going on and leave what you feel comfortable leaving. never feel pressured into leaving more tip than you think is proper..

 

[TxDisFamily]

Tipping, IMHO, is considered a TIP for good service. It is not and should not be considered an automatic. I am put off by automatically adding a tip on to a check and will NEVER leave extra, no matter what. I hate having a tip added to my check, it's wrong and shouldn't be done.

I'm a good tipper. Good service warrants 15% at minimum. GREAT service goes anywhere from 20% to 30% depending on how GREAT the service was. Just OK service get's 10% and terrible service gets nothing, plain and simple.

I believe in rewarding for great service and in addition to adding a good tip for a great server, I always make it a point to recognize the server with the restaurant manager.

Too many servers these days expect a tip no matter what and when a tip is added automatically to a check, it often times translates into bad service.

On our last trip when we ate at L'Originale Alfredo di Roma, we had a part of 23 people. The menu stated that the 18% gratuity would be added to parties of 8 or more. Our server was fantastic but I knew I wouldn't be adding to the tip if it was indeed included in the bill. Our server was smart, in my opinion, he didn't add the tip to the bill which translated into a very nice tip from everyone in our party. He ended up with MUCH more than 18% and was worth it.

 

[jenrose66]

Personally I don't plan on tipping extra. I mean if something is extraordinary, that's great but tip is included in the plan, that's one of the selling points. If anything, the CM's will be getting more of a tip than if I had ordered and paid cash because the dining plan assures that me and dh will each get an appetizer and dessert which will raise the bill (usually we share these things).

 

[sleepless doc]

I used to wait tables 60 hrs a week, and I would have cried with JOY if someone guaranteed me 15% AND that everyone would order drinks, appetizer, meal, and desert! It's like a dream come true! Everyone orders a lot of food (all overpriced) and you get at LEAST a good tip on a HUGE BILL. I can promise you that the plan eliminates MANY more bad tippers ("here's 5 bucks..you were great! (2% of bill)) than it does big tippers. The big tippers will tip more anyway.

Bottom line: tip a little extra, but only when its earned. 15% of your HUGE bill for average service is GENEROUS!