Do you ALWAYS have to tip at 20%

[atheneze]

Just asking.

Coz its not always that you get GREAT service.

But then again this is DISNEY.

Have you had any bad experiences?

 

[SnowWhite12]

Not unless it's already added to your bill.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all, when Disney adds automatic gratutity based on either party size or special discount, they use 18%.

I will tend to tip in a 12% to 22% range, depending on the level of service I actually receive. If I go outside these limits, either up or down, I will have a discussion with a manager as to why I tipped low or why I tipped over my normal limits; this will allow the manager to either counsel or compliment the server, as the case may be.

 

[ice cube]

Unfortunately just because its Disney doesn't guarantee that your server will be excellent.We usually tip 18%-20% or more depending on the server but have known to go to 15% when a blue moon is out..

 

[Reign]

Tipping amount is always a touchy subject. Basically to answer the question, unless you have a party of 6 or more then you are free to tip whatever you think is appropriate. If you have a party of 6 or more you are required to tip at least 18%, but you can add a little more if the service was exemplary in your eyes.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

When we don't split our reservations for our party of 7-12, we have to pay the 18%. However, sometimes we will split them up into smaller groups, and then can choose our tip percentage. We tend to eat at a lot of buffets, and in many cases have hardly seen our server at all. At Crystal Palace I had a hard time getting drink refills. In that case we will go as low as 10% b/c they aren't doing much for us. But then again, at Tusker House, we had an EXCELLENT server who really doted on us even though it was a buffet. I mentioned that I was going to try a certain kind of food, and the next thing I knew, he had gone up and gotten me a plate of it and brought it to our table. He talked Disney trivia to us, and spent tons of time with us. I learned all about Donald Duck's family tree and some of the unknown ducks. I sure wish I could remember them all. He got an excellent tip.

 

[becauseisaid]

If you have a party of 6 or more you are required to tip at least 18%, but you can add a little more if the service was exemplary in your eyes.

Yet you're still stuck with paying 18% if the service was lousy. (And I've seen it more than once with large parties.)

 

[atheneze]

Thanks!

 

[Clare Voince]

Yet you're still stuck with paying 18% if the service was lousy. (And I've seen it more than once with large parties.)

You can try to dispute this with a manager if the service was that bad. Or try to address it before the meal is over.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Actually if the service is bad enough that you would lower the tip, you can complain to the manager and get the mandatory tip removed. For me though, it would have to be REALLY bad service to go to the trouble; bad enough that I'd be complaining regardless of the tip.

 

[MeganFyne]

I use 20% as a base and work from there.

The 20% is based on the total bill, including tax. Bear in mind that any gratuities added are before taxes are added, and that the server has to "tip out" to any bussers, runners, wine stewards, service bartenders, maitre d's etc. It's how the restaurant industry is. Servers, bussers and runners make less than minimum wage per hour and their salary is essentially just tips. That being said:

The lowest tip I've ever left was about 14% - The service was downright mean. Highest tip - about 30, 35% and I do this a lot. I dine solo or with friends or family and want to have a good time so I think having a smile on my face and going out to enjoy myself, well that sort of influences the service.

It's amazing how great the experience can be if you just want it to be!

My USUAL TIP at Disney or really anywhere is 20% of the total bill, rounded up to the nearest dollar, if service is satisfactory.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I use 20% as a base and work from there.

The 20% is based on the total bill, including tax. Bear in mind that any gratuities added are before taxes are added, and that the server has to "tip out" to any bussers, runners, wine stewards, service bartenders, maitre d's etc. It's how the restaurant industry is. Servers, bussers and runners make less than minimum wage per hour and their salary is essentially just tips. That being said:

The lowest tip I've ever left was about 14% - The service was downright mean. Highest tip - about 30, 35% and I do this a lot. I dine solo or with friends or family and want to have a good time so I think having a smile on my face and going out to enjoy myself, well that sort of influences the service.

It's amazing how great the experience can be if you just want it to be!

My USUAL TIP at Disney or really anywhere is 20% of the total bill, rounded up to the nearest dollar, if service is satisfactory.

I don't think tipping that high is something the average family can do. Especially when u consider how expensive disney dining is. 30-35% is way too high for my family to tip with seven of us. Especially since we don't ask for much. Away from Disney the most we ever tip is roughly 25%, and that's for a server who has become a friend, and treats us like gold. That's fair. We treat servers like an extension of our family! We always get told that we tip well. I will never tip that high-especially at Disney. My server would make about $30 at a buffet where they are only gettingvus drinks and clearing the dishes. Too much!

 

[MeganFyne]

I should note that 30% is for small bills at cafes where I live, and kind of take up space while I write. This is not for an app, entree, dessert, bottle of wine place unless the service was exemplary. At that kind of place, iv'e only tipped like that a few times. I maintain my 20% and then go up or down based on service.

 

[imthatgirl]

As a server(not at Disney) I don't always tip 20%, but I do generally receive 20% or better.

For me I expect the service that I am entitled to. Basic steps of service that tell me the server is attentive and caring. If I don't get those, I'm not going to fork out my hard earned money. It's as simple as that.

On the other hand, because I am a server I can recognize exceptional service and I will always acknowledge that kind of service in my tip. I have been known to tip 100% of a bill.

 

[hmmerr02]

I will admit that I have a hard time tipping 18-20% at buffets. I mean I serve myself! Obviously drinks, interaction and friendliness is important there as well....but 20% of most buffet bills is a ton!

 

[Clare Voince]

I will admit that I have a hard time tipping 18-20% at buffets. I mean I serve myself! Obviously drinks, interaction and friendliness is important there as well....but 20% of most buffet bills is a ton!

This really irritates me. In high school, I worked as a waitress in a semi-buffet style place. I got paid less than half the miniumum wage, and people would leave me a quarter for a tip, because they had this same attitude that I wasn't working as hard as a normal waitress. I got them drinks, I bussed and cleaned the tables, and I did bring some of the food. I was exhausted after work every day because it was so demanding. I worked harder at that job than I did when I worked at burger king, and I was lucky if my tips brought me up to minimum wage. I tip more than 20% for buffet wait staff because I know from experience that they will get stiffed by half their tables.

Restaurant workers have crap jobs, and get crap pay. If they don't get tips, they don't make a decent wage. And I'm sure with the price of things at Disney, they get stiffed a lot. If you don't want to tip your server, then eat at a counter service restaurant.

 

[hmmerr02]

This really irritates me. In high school, I worked as a waitress in a semi-buffet style place. I got paid less than half the miniumum wage, and people would leave me a quarter for a tip, because they had this same attitude that I wasn't working as hard as a normal waitress. I got them drinks, I bussed and cleaned the tables, and I did bring some of the food. I was exhausted after work every day because it was so demanding. I worked harder at that job than I did when I worked at burger king, and I was lucky if my tips brought me up to minimum wage. I tip more than 20% for buffet wait staff because I know from experience that they will get stiffed by half their tables.

Restaurant workers have crap jobs, and get crap pay. If they don't get tips, they don't make a decent wage. And I'm sure with the price of things at Disney, they get stiffed a lot. If you don't want to tip your server, then eat at a counter service restaurant.

I didn't mean that I don't tip or leave a quarter. Please don't lump me into that group. If you read from my post I have a hard time tipping the full 18-20%. We are tipping for service....and at most buffets there isn't as much service. period. I usually tip in the 10-15% range and feelt hat is very fair.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I will admit that I have a hard time tipping 18-20% at buffets. I mean I serve myself! Obviously drinks, interaction and friendliness is important there as well....but 20% of most buffet bills is a ton!

This really irritates me. In high school, I worked as a waitress in a semi-buffet style place. I got paid less than half the miniumum wage, and people would leave me a quarter for a tip, because they had this same attitude that I wasn't working as hard as a normal waitress. I got them drinks, I bussed and cleaned the tables, and I did bring some of the food. I was exhausted after work every day because it was so demanding. I worked harder at that job than I did when I worked at burger king, and I was lucky if my tips brought me up to minimum wage. I tip more than 20% for buffet wait staff because I know from experience that they will get stiffed by half their tables.

Restaurant workers have crap jobs, and get crap pay. If they don't get tips, they don't make a decent wage. And I'm sure with the price of things at Disney, they get stiffed a lot. If you don't want to tip your server, then eat at a counter service restaurant.

We're talking about tipping at Disney where the price of the food is outrageous. My bill for seven often comes to almost $200 for a buffet! If I tip 10% on that bill, my tip is STILL $20.00, and if I tip 15%, it is $30.00. That is MORE than fair. We are not talking about eating at Bob Evans or a steakhouse outside of Disney. I've never not left at least 15% outside of Disney even with sub-par service. However, please remember that we are talking about Disney prices, and with Disney prices, a 10-15% tip is more than fair at a buffet. I bet you would have enjoyed a $20.00 tip, so if you think in those terms, I think you will be less irritated.

 

[kathie859]

Not to hijack but I tip on the food and beverage total not the total bill which includes tax. Why would anyone tip on tax? FWIW, I'm a 15% tipper (minimum) for buffets and 20%+ for full service depending on the overall service experience. I just don't think that a decent tip is the factor on whether a meal is in my budget while I'm vacationing

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Not to hijack but I tip on the food and beverage total not the total bill which includes tax. Why would anyone tip on tax? FWIW, I'm a 15% tipper (minimum) for buffets and 20%+ for full service depending on the overall service experience. I just don't think that a decent tip is the factor on whether a meal is in my budget while I'm vacationing

Can u clarify what your last sentence means please? I just want to understand your post! Thanx! And you're right about tax. I will have to remember that!