Free Dining.. Wondering what to budget for tipping?

[AllthingsPiglet]

Hey all
Just a quick question. We are booking a vacation for mid September to take advantage of free dining (woohooo!! ).
I was wondering what you budget for tipping? I am assuming at the full service restaurants that you leave a tip even if you are on the DDP. Is there a standard percent amount that is recommended? I know here in Canada I tend to leave 15 percent or more (depending on service).
Just would like to get an idea what I should budget for tips.
Thanks

 

[patsal]

The DDP includes tax and tip. Your server will get an 18% tip based on your total meal (unless it is a non-Disney owned restaurant then the amount is less--something like $5.00 per person). I usually bring some $5's and $10's depending upon where we eat and the service and who is dining--all four of us, just two of us, etc. I leave the extra $5.00 or $10.00 to show my appreciation for good service, although it is not necessary.

 

[LizinSTL]

Hey all
Just a quick question. We are booking a vacation for mid September to take advantage of free dining (woohooo!! ).
I was wondering what you budget for tipping? I am assuming at the full service restaurants that you leave a tip even if you are on the DDP. Is there a standard percent amount that is recommended? I know here in Canada I tend to leave 15 percent or more (depending on service).
Just would like to get an idea what I should budget for tips.
Thanks

Your tip is included in the DDP. (even the free DDP) Disney includes an 18% tip for you on your table service meals when you "redeem" TS meals on the DDP. There's really no need to feel like you should leave more.

If you'd like, you can plan an extra $10-15 per TS meal in case you have outstanding service but you'd be leaving a very generous tip in many cases. I think that we left an additional tip twice in 7 TS meals. Once we left $5 extra dollars (the included tip was $15) and the other time we left an extra $10 (the included tip was $18)- in both cases we had OOP costs that we paid for separately and added the extra tip onto those bills (which also had an 18% tip added on, by the way!)

 

[mill4023]

Yep, an 18% tip is included with the dining plan. That's a pretty decent tip. The standard in the U.S. seems to be 15-20% for good service. So if you have really great service, you could tip a couple extra dollars, but you shouldn't feel obligated.

 

[TDC Nala]

DDP includes an 18% tip. Even if you order something that you'll have to pay for (like alcoholic beverages) you will be charged 18% gratuity automatically.

If you feel like there will be situations where you would like to tip extra, then budget a little cash for that.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I usually budget an extra $5 per TS. Unless the service really sucks, I think it's nice to add a little extra since I think they have to wait a while to get the gratuity on their checks.

 

[AllthingsPiglet]

Wow. That is amazing that it is included! I actually happen to be a server and work in Niagara Falls in the heart of the tourist section. I served a group of 32 exchange students a few weeks ago.. their bill was over 700 dollars and they didn't leave a tip
Alot of cultures don't have tipping in their own countries.. so I truly believe it was just that they were unaware of the custom.. but when you have to give a percentage of your sales (3%) back to the company it stinks to be paying out of pocket
But back to the subject at hand.. thank you for the info. I believe I'll bring a little extra for great service (and believe me.. I have a discerning eye but 18 percent is a decent amount.
Wow.. this free dining thing just gets better and better doesn't it?!?

 

[mill4023]

Wow.. this free dining thing just gets better and better doesn't it?!?

Sure does.