free dining and tiping :

[terri01p]

This has probably already been addressed, but I couldn't find anything about it, I know when your on the free dining plan that your tip is included, is this a given, do the waiters know this, I would hate to eat somewhere really nice and get up to leave with the waiter feeling cheated. Thanks !

 

[ncbyrne]

The servers get 15% of the final bill, which is why they will encourage you to order as much as possible.

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

Actually in some cases the staff get 18% of the final bill. Yes, they encourage you to eat well and............"have some desert with that, remember it's free!" No, don't feel obligated to tip, they are taken care of very well.

 

[ducklite]

Personally I wouldn't consider a 15-18% tip as taking care of the servers very well. Unless the service warrants it, I tip 20% on the entire bill including tax. And if the service is exceptional I'll head to 25% no problem. If I were on the dining plan I'd be leaving a little extra in cash for the server at each meal.

The one nice thing about the dining plan for the servers is that guests who don't normally tip either out of custom or cheapness are now "tipping".

Anne

 

[Palendat]

I feel that a 15% tip is taking care of the server VERY WELL. With a $100 meal, the server gets $15, times at least 4 tables per hour is $60 per hour. I am a teacher, and I don't make NEARLY that much per hour. Just MHO.

 

[Maria395712]

ducklite I agree with you 100% they work hard back and forth get this get that kids make a mess they have to clean up

also my DD is a server in nj she gets paid $2.13 an hour which goes to pay her taxes her pay check is VOID the only pay she gets is the tip

yes I tip on the tax .the tip they include is not on taxes
by the way she came home from work last night and couldn't walk after 12 hours cramps in both legs and MANY people don't tip and many leave less than 10 % also people don't leave in an hour it's 1 1/2 to 2 sometimes they sit and talk and that takes her table while they talk and most times they have 3 tables
and teachers in my town start at $44,000 a year 10 months and full benefits

by the way none of them make $60.00 an hour she averages $9.00 -$22.00 an hour not all tables have $100.00 bills and thay all don't leave at least 15 %
JMHO
maria

 

[antkim]

Personally, if I were getting dinner for free and tipping the server for free (technically!) I would leave extra for the server! Would it kill you to leave $5 or $10 a night to show the hard working CM's that you appreciate them?

Everyone has their own ideas of what a good tip is but I can tell you that after working in the restaurant business for over 15 years that 15% is O.K. but 20% really tells the server that you were pleased with your service. Anything above 20% really gives the server a boost! It is not an easy job! Remember that you are tipping on service not on the food! So if you have great service but not so great food please tip on the service....it is not the servers fault! And that goes for the opposite as well...if your food is great but service is lousy still tip on the service! Chef's get paid with or without a happy guest!

Kim

 

[ducklite]

I feel that a 15% tip is taking care of the server VERY WELL. With a $100 meal, the server gets $15, times at least 4 tables per hour is $60 per hour. I am a teacher, and I don't make NEARLY that much per hour. Just MHO.

If the check is $100 for a one hour meal the server has been running their butt off serving at least four people. Or if the check is $100 and it's only two people, it's been closer to two hours. They aren't making as much as you are computing. They also get no base pay to speak of, and almost always have to carry the full amount of their insurance. Additionally for each hour that they are making tips from full tables, they are working an hour with no tables, or maybe one, and doing a bunch of unpaid side work. Additionally they ahve to tip out the bartenders at 10-20%, the busboy at 10% and the hostess at 10%. By the time they are done with that $15, they really only have about $9 left.

I have a friend who is a server at a very busy popular restaurant at Mall of America's, she works lots of doubles, and often puts in over 40 hours a week, and she's still taking home only about $25K a year.

My guess is that servers in all but the highest end establishments make considerably less in net pay per hour averaged over the course of a year than the average teacher. They don't get paid vacations, sick days, or pension plans.

Anne

 

[antkim]

If the check is $100 for a one hour meal the server has been running their butt off serving at least four people. Or if the check is $100 and it's only two people, it's been closer to two hours. They aren't making as much as you are computing. They also get no base pay to speak of, and almost always have to carry the full amount of their insurance. Additionally for each hour that they are making tips from full tables, they are working an hour with no tables, or maybe one, and doing a bunch of unpaid side work. Additionally they ahve to tip out the bartenders at 10-20%, the busboy at 10% and the hostess at 10%. By the time they are done with that $15, they really only have about $9 left.

I have a friend who is a server at a very busy popular restaurant at Mall of America's, she works lots of doubles, and often puts in over 40 hours a week, and she's still taking home only about $25K a year.

My guess is that servers in all but the highest end establishments make considerably less in net pay per hour averaged over the course of a year than the average teacher. They don't get paid vacations, sick days, or pension plans.

Anne

AMEN!!

 

[Palendat]

I wasn't referring to ordinary restaurants (WDW restarurants are extraordinary, as we all know ). The $60 per hour I was referring to was at WDW, where many (most?) patrons are now on the dining plan, most are encouranged to order as much as possible, tip is guaranteed to the CM, and most people want to get out of the restaurant as soon as possible, and back to the rides, etc. I know how hard these CMs work, especially after my 2yo leaves his mess. I still feel that 15% is appropriate in this instance, and, unless someone was EXCEPTIONAL, no further tip is required, UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. If anyone leaves a tip beyond that, fine. I will feel fine leaving nothing extra (I already have most of my menu selections picked out for October. All of our bills will be over $100, except maybe the MGM restaurants.). That's not to say that I won't leave anything extra, but if I don't, I won't lose sleep over it.

 

[Maria395712]

ducklite
I was just going to post that many people don't know they have to tip the bartenders , bus boys , food runners and they do pay taxes on those tips .thank you, only someone who knows a server knows exactly why a 15% tip is now outdated and should be changed to 18-20 % on the bill. also, I am one of the people who tip the valet in and out as he is the one who will bring the car back but that is off subject.if you spend all that money on food and drink a little extra tip won't kill you
JMHO

 

[ceecee]

A friend of our is a waitress, at a well known sit down place and she brings home in tips $250.00-400.00 on a weekend nite. She also has to give some to the people who clean the tables as well. So they may not get the whole 15-18%. I alway heard 15% lunch and breakfast and 20% or above for dinner. So if they are only getting 15% at dinner we plan to leave extra.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I have 3 sons and at times they can leave a mess. I always clean up the table (past server in me ) but I feel bad when they knock food crumbs on the floor. I plan on leaving an extra $5 or $10 in an envelope for the servers, unless service is below average (long waits, not being checked on). Since I am very courteous, and know they have a hard job, we usually receive good service.
Janell

 

[DiscussDisney]

I feel that a 15% tip is taking care of the server VERY WELL. With a $100 meal, the server gets $15, times at least 4 tables per hour is $60 per hour. I am a teacher, and I don't make NEARLY that much per hour. Just MHO.

I agree with you. I think a 15% tip is an acceptable amount at most of the Disney dining establishments (that is the industry standard and that is probably why Disney uses that percentage for their meal plan). Having said that, I would definitely leave a little extra if the service was extraordinary.

 

[Lewisc]

I was agreeing with some of your post until you got to the part about your 2 year old leaving a mess.

Leaving a large mess is certainly one reason that indicates a higher tip.

I wasn't referring to ordinary restaurants (WDW restarurants are extraordinary, as we all know ). The $60 per hour I was referring to was at WDW, where many (most?) patrons are now on the dining plan, most are encouranged to order as much as possible, tip is guaranteed to the CM, and most people want to get out of the restaurant as soon as possible, and back to the rides, etc. I know how hard these CMs work, especially after my 2yo leaves his mess. I still feel that 15% is appropriate in this instance, and, unless someone was EXCEPTIONAL, no further tip is required, UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. If anyone leaves a tip beyond that, fine. I will feel fine leaving nothing extra (I already have most of my menu selections picked out for October. All of our bills will be over $100, except maybe the MGM restaurants.). That's not to say that I won't leave anything extra, but if I don't, I won't lose sleep over it.

 

[soccerchick]

Can anyone tell me if the characters at character meals get some of the server's tip? On our last trip we tended to pad the tip a bit more for the character interaction. Do other people do this?


We always tip generously for good service. Those waitpersons who bring me the drink refill before I have to ask are heavenly We too have sometimes messy children and DD and I are often on the floor picking up DS's french fries and cheerios

 

[antkim]

I feel that a 15% tip is taking care of the server VERY WELL. With a $100 meal, the server gets $15, times at least 4 tables per hour is $60 per hour. I am a teacher, and I don't make NEARLY that much per hour. Just MHO.

Forgive me in advance...this is not meant to be rude in any way. Having been a server in Maine we had lots of guests from Canada. I honestly think that Canadians have a different view of what a good tip is and it could very well be that is just a difference in "customs".

15% is not a great tip for service that you are pleased with here is the states. 20% is standard...anything over that would indicate exceptional service.

 

[ducklite]

Forgive me in advance...this is not meant to be rude in any way. Having been a server in Maine we had lots of guests from Canada. I honestly think that Canadians have a different view of what a good tip is and it could very well be that is just a difference in "customs".

15% is not a great tip for service that you are pleased with here is the states. 20% is standard...anything over that would indicate exceptional service.

I agree. I have friend who lives near Toronto, and she thinks it's a great tip when she gives the Chinese delivery guy $3 on a $60 check and he's driven through a blinding snowstorm and -40 degree weather to get to her house. I would have probably given him $15 under those circumstances.

Anne

 

[mlwear]

Most people I know (United States) tip 20% including the tax. It is also easier to do the math I leave 20% for satisfactory service, exceptional a little more. I have never left less than 10% and that was when the service was terrible. I thought she'd get the point with a 10% tip (maybe not, if that is what a lot of people do anyway).
Just also had to mention that some of us paid for the dining plan, so the tipping isn't "free". If you are going during the free dining period and got that deal, I would leave a little extra. I bet those servers are going to be working their tails off then.
As I have read this thread and others, I can't help but wonder am I only one (kidding, I know I'm not) that orders alcoholic drinks with dinner? A few speciality martinis can really push up the bill and we definitely tip for that. Hope I don't sound like a lush, but DH and I usually have a couple and they are about $10 each. So our 20% of $40 is an extra $8, but I assume the bartender would get part of that. Bottle of wine, would be the same situation. (I know some people don't tip for drinks, but I don't understand that, personally.)
I would be interested to know how much servers at Disney typically take home in tips. Seems that servers I know in average to upscale restaurants bring home around $150/ night after an 8 hour shift.

 

[LongIslandCouple]

I feel that a 15% tip is taking care of the server VERY WELL. With a $100 meal, the server gets $15, times at least 4 tables per hour is $60 per hour. I am a teacher, and I don't make NEARLY that much per hour. Just MHO.

As a former waiter, I see several problems with your logic.

#1 - Routinely waiters (and waitresses) arrive to work 2 hours before their "wait shift" to deal with the little things - making sure there are enough forks, knives, spoons, tea cups, napkins, menus, specials are written, floor space cleaned etc.

#2 - If I was waiting four tables that each had $100 bills they would last at least 1.5 hours to 2 hours.

#3 - It is common practice to share tips with the others in the restaurants - bus boys, bartenders, hostess, etc.

#4 - You are assuming that my station is full 100% of the time, likely it is only full for 4 hours.

So let's say I work an 8-hour shift.

Hours 1 & 2: No paid customers
Hours 3 & 4: 3 total tables = $300 total = $45 in tips @ 15%
Hours 5, 6, 7 & 8: 8 total tables = $800 total = $120 in tips @ 15%

10% each to bus boy, bartender & hostess = $ 50

Net: $115

Rate per hour: $14.35

Then I get to pay taxes....