Do you ALWAYS have to tip at 20%

[kathie859]

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!

I just wouldn't obsess about the tip when choosing a place to eat. Agree that often on the buffet, you do most of the serving yourself---but I'd still tip at least 15%. I'm not a "big spender" but the pay system for servers is what it is and they depend on tips. If I want to buck the system, I'd eat counter service before stiffing a server at a sit down or buffet.

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

You know the prices ahead of time. If you choose to pay the high prices you shouldn't lower your tip to make up for spending more on a meal. That is like saying you paid to stay at the Poly, therefore only have to tip the maid 10 cents a day. Makes no sense.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

You know the prices ahead of time. If you choose to pay the high prices you shouldn't lower your tip to make up for spending more on a meal. That is like saying you paid to stay at the Poly, therefore only have to tip the maid 10 cents a day. Makes no sense.

That's not what I said at all. We are on the dining plan, otherwise I wouldn't "choose" to pay those prices. And as I say below, my mousekeepers are paid well-as are my servers. Which is why I can't make sense of your post. I don't want to be accused of stiffing anyone, and I'm not even sure how mousekeeping even applies when we are talking about tipping at a full service versus at a buffet. Mousekeeping is pretty much the same across the board, so it doesn't matter if u r staying at the Poly or Pop. The tip should be the same bc they are doing the same amount of work. The only difference being that tipping is usually based on the number of people in each room. I have to tip on two rooms bc of the size of my family!

I just wouldn't obsess about the tip when choosing a place to eat. Agree that often on the buffet, you do most of the serving yourself---but I'd still tip at least 15%. I'm not a "big spender" but the pay system for servers is what it is and they depend on tips. If I want to buck the system, I'd eat counter service before stiffing a server at a sit down or buffet.

Ok, most of these are moot points anyway as I have to tip 18% most of the time bc of having seven people in my family.However, occasionally when my parents are there we split our reservations. Then we aren't required to pay 18% on a buffet, and usually don't. I am not a fan of people acting as though I would ever stiff a server, bc I never have-even with bad service. Our tips for buffets still range from $20-$40 depending on the cost, which is more than adequate. At Tusker house, as I stated earlier, our server was highly attentive and went out of his way for us frequently, so he got a higher end tip. However, at Crystal Palace, I saw my server once for our first drink, a second time about 1/2 an hour later, and I had to ask her for another drink, a third time when she brought the drink and took the card to take it off our dining plan, and finally to bring back our card and take her tip. The only thing she did for us was give us two drinks (one I had to ask for), and handle the money part. I was so thirsty! She still got a $25 tip for the 5 of us. My mousekeepers are paid very well, so I don't even know how that came into play, and we even make our own beds and clean up after ourselves. My family eats on the dining plan as I would never pay those prices out of pocket. And yes, I know the prices before I go, which is why I have SEVERAL hundreds of dollars saved up for tips alone. All in all, everyones gets paid fairly.

Wow. I should've paid attention when someone said tipping threads can become rough. I was just trying to make someone less irritated, and somehow I got in the line of fire. Tipping is something we do to show appreciation for a meal, and for someone serving our food. There's really no wrong way to do it. I don't believe in ever NOT leaving a tip, but again, it's really up to each individual person based on their experience. That's the long and short of it. If my server at a buffet wants me to give them a 20% tip, then they need to at least make sure our needs are met. I don't ask for a lot. I just don't like to choke down my food bc I don't have a drink. Unfortunately that happened a lot at the Disney buffets. I am not a complainer, so I never said anything, but I did not tip at 20% if I hardly saw my server.

 

[hmmerr02]

That's not what I said at all. We are on the dining plan, otherwise I wouldn't "choose" to pay those prices. And as I say below, my mousekeepers are paid well-as are my servers. Which is why I can't make sense of your post. I don't want to be accused of stiffing anyone, and I'm not even sure how mousekeeping even applies when we are talking about tipping at a full service versus at a buffet. Mousekeeping is pretty much the same across the board, so it doesn't matter if u r staying at the Poly or Pop. The tip should be the same bc they are doing the same amount of work. The only difference being that tipping is usually based on the number of people in each room. I have to tip on two rooms bc of the size of my family!
Ok, most of these are moot points anyway as I have to tip 18% most of the time bc of having seven people in my family.However, occasionally when my parents are there we split our reservations. Then we aren't required to pay 18% on a buffet, and usually don't. I am not a fan of people acting as though I would ever stiff a server, bc I never have-even with bad service. Our tips for buffets still range from $20-$40 depending on the cost, which is more than adequate. At Tusker house, as I stated earlier, our server was highly attentive and went out of his way for us frequently, so he got a higher end tip. However, at Crystal Palace, I saw my server once for our first drink, a second time about 1/2 an hour later, and I had to ask her for another drink, a third time when she brought the drink and took the card to take it off our dining plan, and finally to bring back our card and take her tip. The only thing she did for us was give us two drinks (one I had to ask for), and handle the money part. I was so thirsty! She still got a $25 tip for the 5 of us. My mousekeepers are paid very well, so I don't even know how that came into play, and we even make our own beds and clean up after ourselves. My family eats on the dining plan as I would never pay those prices out of pocket. And yes, I know the prices before I go, which is why I have SEVERAL hundreds of dollars saved up for tips alone. All in all, everyones gets paid fairly.

Wow. I should've paid attention when someone said tipping threads can become rough. I was just trying to make someone less irritated, and somehow I got in the line of fire. Tipping is something we do to show appreciation for a meal, and for someone serving our food. There's really no wrong way to do it. I don't believe in ever NOT leaving a tip, but again, it's really up to each individual person based on their experience. That's the long and short of it. If my server at a buffet wants me to give them a 20% tip, then they need to at least make sure our needs are met. I don't ask for a lot. I just don't like to choke down my food bc I don't have a drink. Unfortunately that happened a lot at the Disney buffets. I am not a complainer, so I never said anything, but I did not tip at 20% if I hardly saw my server.

I hear ya!

 

[peabody58]

TIW = 18% tip automatically. Problem solved. No mental math, no guilt.

 

[maxiesmom]

Getting the Dining Plan is a choice. And by doing so you are indeed responsible to leave a customary tip based on what the prices are, not on what you think the food is worth.

Your prior posts seems to state that becasue the prices seem over-inflated to you, that it is therefore ok to tip less than what is customary. Which it is not. My comparison was stating that some people may think the resort prices are over-inflated, and then by your thought process that would therefore make it ok to tip less there as well.

Thinking the prices are too high for what you are getting does not make it ok to tip less. The wait staff has nothing to do with how the food is priced, and by tipping less you are essentially taking out your frustration at the high cost on them. Not cool.

 

[WDWHappyHaunt1000]

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.

Servers get paid $2.13 an hour.... you can't even put a gallon of gas in your tank with that. Also, servers at most restaurant have to give a percentage of their tips based on the total of their sales. Most restaurants range from 3-7% of the total amount. So, if you only tip your server 10% he/she is only getting 3-7% of that. Also, if you stiff your server, they have to PAY to wait on YOU. That is just wrong.

I feel like if you can't afford Disney table service prices then pick a counter service location. Don't think because it costs more you should tip less. That's just wrong. They are working just as hard.

I wish every job paid you based on how hard you work.... some people then might see things differently when their boss gave them only a percentage of what they make.

 

[DisGirl819]

I tip 20% for average service, higher for better service and as low as 15% for bad service. Only ONE time did we not leave a tip at all and we spoke to the manager about it. He was going to comp our meal but I refused that, saying that there was nothing wrong with the food, we just had the worst server ever...I think she tried to pretend we didn't exist...and this was on our anniversary!

DH and I had a discussion about tipping last week when we were out to eat at an upscale, touristy destination here. Sure it is super over priced but you're paying for the view and the local food. He wanted to tip a flat rate of $20 for a bill that came out to $140! I wouldn't let him, we had great service at a great place. I made him tip 20% instead.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I hear ya!

THANK YOU!!!!!! I hate getting involved in all the ya ya ya. That's twice in one week it's happened! The first one was on the "Doing disney overweight" thread. Someone blasted all Poohsizers! Yuck. From now on, I stay out of it all! I'm just on here to talk Disney. I like fluffy Disney talk.

 

[WantToGoNow]

It is a gratuity and a gratuity is something to be earned - it is not part of your meal. I very rarely leave less than 18% but if the service is bad, then I will leave less and if it's exceptional, I will leave more. In extreme cases, I have been known to leave nothing but usually I will ask for a manager before it gets to that point.

 

[gibsontrio]

THANK YOU!!!!!! I hate getting involved in all the ya ya ya. That's twice in one week it's happened! The first one was on the "Doing disney overweight" thread. Someone blasted all Poohsizers! Yuck. From now on, I stay out of it all! I'm just on here to talk Disney. I like fluffy Disney talk.

I hear you also You never said you stiff the waitress, you just say you tip according to ACTUAL service. I get it. Dont buy into the school yard bullying that can go on here

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

It is a gratuity and a gratuity is something to be earned - it is not part of your meal. I very rarely leave less than 18% but if the service is bad, then I will leave less and if it's exceptional, I will leave more. In extreme cases, I have been known to leave nothing but usually I will ask for a manager before it gets to that point.

Good point. I don't think I've ever had bad enough service to not leave a tip though. Well, maybe once. I once had a server come to my table (this was not at disney) and watched me pull a dark, curly hair out of my food. Here are the options she gave me: 1. "I can take that back and have them cut off the part that had the hair in it." Me- "um...no." 2. "Ok, well what do you want me to do?" Me- "go ahead and take it, I don't want it anymore." (I had taken 2 bites) She then proceded to try and charge me for the food. I asked for the manager, she lied right to his face and said she couldn't prove I pulled the hair out of the food and it could've been from anywhere. She then said "I'll take it off the bill THIS time!" I said "No, you'll take it off my bill EVERY time there's a hair in my food." I don't know if I left a tip that time. I would imagine I probably didn't bc she did not deserve one. I haven't been back tho. That's for sure.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I hear you also You never said you stiff the waitress, you just say you tip according to ACTUAL service. I get it. Dont buy into the school yard bullying that can go on here

Thanx for the backup! I don't even know how I got involved. I usually sit back and laugh at the fights on these boards. I crack up at the mug washing ones and such. I stay out of the mess tho! Argh. Thanx again!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Getting the Dining Plan is a choice. And by doing so you are indeed responsible to leave a customary tip based on what the prices are, not on what you think the food is worth.

Your prior posts seems to state that becasue the prices seem over-inflated to you, that it is therefore ok to tip less than what is customary. Which it is not. My comparison was stating that some people may think the resort prices are over-inflated, and then by your thought process that would therefore make it ok to tip less there as well.

Thinking the prices are too high for what you are getting does not make it ok to tip less. The wait staff has nothing to do with how the food is priced, and by tipping less you are essentially taking out your frustration at the high cost on them. Not cool.

I just read my previous posts, and what I said is that I will tip 10% at a buffet for SUB-PAR service. So, what u are saying is that if u get bad service, you will still tip at 20%? That's just not good economics. I pay for the service I receive. If I don't get what my family needs from my server, then they don't deserve a full tip. That is what my posts say. If u reread them, you will also see that it doesn't apply to me most of the time anyway bc I have an automatic 18% due to the size of my family, and I often tip higher. My point about Disney prices being high is simply to point out that even with crappy service a 10% tip would still be $20-$30. So ultimately a server can ignore my needs and still make decent money off me. Especially since i have to pay the 18%. P.S. I AM NOT TAKING ANYTHING OUT ON ANYONE. It has been grossly exaggerated, and I was simply making a point. If I wanted to tip 2% it would be no one's business but my own. Geez O Pete. Watch, now I'll have people saying I am tipping at 2%. People, I PAY 18-20% AUTOMATIC GRATUITY 95% OF THE TIME. IF I HAD THE OPTION, I WOULD PAY LESS FOR BAD SERVICE. BAD SERVICE ONLY.

Servers get paid $2.13 an hour.... you can't even put a gallon of gas in your tank with that. Also, servers at most restaurant have to give a percentage of their tips based on the total of their sales. Most restaurants range from 3-7% of the total amount. So, if you only tip your server 10% he/she is only getting 3-7% of that. Also, if you stiff your server, they have to PAY to wait on YOU. That is just wrong.

I feel like if you can't afford Disney table service prices then pick a counter service location. Don't think because it costs more you should tip less. That's just wrong. They are working just as hard.

I wish every job paid you based on how hard you work.... some people then might see things differently when their boss gave them only a percentage of what they make.

Again. That is not what I said. However, if u still don't understand what I ACTUALLY said, you can read my above post. I can tell you that when I worked in the food service industries, my customer's needs were met. If servers want a nice tip, they need to meet the needs of their customers. Period. I don't think u would feel good about paying someone a large amount if they ignored u. That's my point. You think it's ok for me to have a meal where I have to flag my server down 30 minutes in for another drink? Then I never see her again? That's what bothers me about the high prices at Disney. Bc it is priced so high, my bad server still got an awesome tip. She knew she could treat me that way and still get paid. And by the way, when did I ever say I couldn't afford Disney prices? My trip cost me over $12,000, and I paid it off within a month of booking. I enjoy table service and buffet, and never said I didn't want to tip high. I do. I always do. Please read all posts so u are properly informed before attacking people. This is just crazy. I didn't join this thread to be bullied.

I really hate that I had to post what my trip cost. I just am not really sure why people make assumptions and then attack people for having different opinions. Hopefully people now understand what I am saying. It's simple really. Yes I can afford Disney prices and Disney tipping. Yes I usually tip at 18-20% for most meals as I have a large family, and we get automatic gratuities. If I had the option (which I usually don't) and received less than expected service, I would tip between 10-15%. However, AGAIN-WE PAY THE AUTOMATIC 18%. did everyone get that? Automatic 18% gratuity. Just felt it needed repeating for the 20th time since some people seem to miss it when they read my posts. As for any buffet servers out there, please just make sure we have the drinks we need and we'll never have to have this conversation again.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Getting the Dining Plan is a choice. And by doing so you are indeed responsible to leave a customary tip based on what the prices are, not on what you think the food is worth.

Your prior posts seems to state that becasue the prices seem over-inflated to you, that it is therefore ok to tip less than what is customary. Which it is not. My comparison was stating that some people may think the resort prices are over-inflated, and then by your thought process that would therefore make it ok to tip less there as well.

Thinking the prices are too high for what you are getting does not make it ok to tip less. The wait staff has nothing to do with how the food is priced, and by tipping less you are essentially taking out your frustration at the high cost on them. Not cool.

I just read my previous posts, and what I said is that I will tip 10% at a buffet for SUB-PAR service. So, what u are saying is that if u get bad service, you will still tip at 20%? That's just not good economics. I pay for the service I receive. If I don't get what my family needs from my server, then they don't deserve a full tip. That is what my posts say. If u reread them, you will also see that it doesn't apply to me most of the time anyway bc I have an automatic 18% due to the size of my family, and I often tip higher. My point about Disney prices being high is simply to point out that even with crappy service a 10% tip would still be $20-$30. So ultimately a server can ignore my needs and still make decent money off me. Especially since i have to pay the 18%. P.S. I AM NOT TAKING ANYTHING OUT ON ANYONE. It has been grossly exaggerated, and I was simply making a point. If I wanted to tip 2% it would be no one's business but my own. Geez O Pete. Watch, now I'll have people saying I am tipping at 2%. People, I PAY 18-20% AUTOMATIC GRATUITY 95% OF THE TIME. IF I HAD THE OPTION, I WOULD PAY LESS FOR BAD SERVICE. BAD SERVICE ONLY.

Servers get paid $2.13 an hour.... you can't even put a gallon of gas in your tank with that. Also, servers at most restaurant have to give a percentage of their tips based on the total of their sales. Most restaurants range from 3-7% of the total amount. So, if you only tip your server 10% he/she is only getting 3-7% of that. Also, if you stiff your server, they have to PAY to wait on YOU. That is just wrong.

I feel like if you can't afford Disney table service prices then pick a counter service location. Don't think because it costs more you should tip less. That's just wrong. They are working just as hard.

I wish every job paid you based on how hard you work.... some people then might see things differently when their boss gave them only a percentage of what they make.

Again. That is not what I said. However, if u still don't understand what I ACTUALLY said, you can read my above post. I can tell you that when I worked in the food service industries, my customer's needs were met. If servers want a nice tip, they need to meet the needs of their customers. Period. I don't think u would feel good about paying someone a large amount if they ignored u. That's my point. You think it's ok for me to have a meal where I have to flag my server down 30 minutes in for another drink? Then I never see her again? That's what bothers me about the high prices at Disney. Bc it is priced so high, my bad server still got an awesome tip. She knew she could treat me that way and still get paid. And by the way, when did I ever say I couldn't afford Disney prices? My trip cost me over $12,000, and I paid it off within a month of booking. I enjoy table service and buffet, and never said I didn't want to tip high. I do. I always do. Please read all posts so u are properly informed before attacking people. This is just crazy. I didn't join this thread to be bullied.

I really hate that I had to post what my trip cost. I just am not really sure why people make assumptions and then attack people for having different opinions. Hopefully people now understand what I am saying. It's simple really. Yes I can afford Disney prices and Disney tipping. Yes I usually tip at 18-20% for most meals as I have a large family, and we get automatic gratuities. If I had the option (which I usually don't) and received less than expected service, I would tip between 10-15%. However, AGAIN-WE PAY THE AUTOMATIC 18%. did everyone get that? Automatic 18% gratuity. Just felt it needed repeating for the 20th time since some people seem to miss it when they read my posts. As for any buffet servers out there, please just make sure we have the drinks we need and we'll never have to have this conversation again. **my phone posted this twice.** I'll probably get blasted twice as much bc it's on here twice.**

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

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.

Ok, so I am quoting myself so people can see that I was just putting scenarios out there. If you will notice, I say "IF I TIP 10%..." and "IF I TIP 15% ..." I was just trying to talk someone down who was upset. I just wanted them to know that even if someone did tip that low, they would still be making quite a bit of money bc the prices are higher at disney than they are at regular restaurants. Please read and please back up off me. We get it.

 

[lfortin16]

As a past server, I have to disagree about buffets. Usually you get a new plate whenever you go up to the buffet. For some people, this happens 2, 3 or 4 times. The server needs to remove the used plates. This means a lot more clearing than at a regular dinner. So, although you may be getting your own food, the server is still working. I also believe that the server still needs to be attentive to their customers needs- such as beverages.

 

[adamandkate]

As a past server, I have to disagree about buffets. Usually you get a new plate whenever you go up to the buffet. For some people, this happens 2, 3 or 4 times. The server needs to remove the used plates. This means a lot more clearing than at a regular dinner. So, although you may be getting your own food, the server is still working. I also believe that the server still needs to be attentive to their customers needs- such as beverages.

I dont fully understand how removing a few plates earns you a 20% tip. Im from the uk, so dont shoot me down straight away... im just trying to understand here...

If me and my family go for a meal, 5 people... lets say cinderellas for dinner. so im paying 5x 60 = $300 plus 20% tip of $60.

So lets say they can do 5 tables every 2 hours... They are earning $150 per hour?

 

[Monknmom]

I don't understand the whole hussle and bussle over the tips- some people are paying by the skin of their teeth for this vacation and some have a little extra room to tip more. I used to waitress here in NY and we didn't even get 18% here! We usually got double the tip (that's a rule of thumb everyone used) and because I was good most of the time I got a little extra. Our tax now is 8.5% (I think...) and when I was working it was 7 something, that's what I chose though so that's what I was paid. Honestly when I saw that they suggest tipping 18% there I was a little shocked because most people tip what they feel they should!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I was really hoping this was a dead thread. Why beat a dead horse? I personally am hoping it won't become heated again bc that was a hot mess. I got attacked for something I never even said, so I was really hoping it would just go away.

But... since we are talking about it again, I have a question. We are eating at the castle this time, and never have before. I read on allears that the gratuity is included. Is that true? Did anyone tip extra? I don't want to get it wrong.