Free Table Dining Package - but gratuities not included?

[cjc]

Hi
I notice tips aren't included in the Dining Plan.
How much should we allow per table dining? There will be 3 of us (2 ad / 1 teenager).
Do you pay this is $$$$/Cash?
Do they automatically charge to your card if staying onsite?

Thanks
CJC

 

[ohana7]

Hi, tips are usually 18% of the total bill, this is automatic if you are a party of six or more, but as you are three you can tip less, or more if you want. You can charge it to your room, or leave cash, the waiter will ask how you want to add your tip, and a suggested amount will be on the bill. Take a look at allears who will have menus and prices, or there is a link at the top of the dis board. We check out the prices and roughly work out the cost of the tip. I know the dining plan allows you to eat at higher end, but there are six of us so the tip can be quite expensive, an extra 40 -50 dollars. have fun

 

[wilma-bride]

The amount to tip is based on what the bill should/would have been (before tax). For table service you should leave between 15% and 20% depending on the level of service received. For buffets, you should leave 10% for good service. We have been known to leave much more for exceptional service, which we have had a few times on Disney property.

You can charge a tip to your room if you have left a credit card number at the front desk and had charging privileges applied to your room key. If not, you will have to pay some other way.

 

[2Tiggies]

I do a rough calculation of what our meals will come to and budget 20% of that. It is easier for me at the moment because we are still doing a lot of character meals and buffets/set price meals.. I prefer to have cash with me for the tip and just write "Cash" in the tip line and leave it in the billfold. There are many good ways to do it, so whatever feels most simple and comfortable to you.

We have had a lot of exceptional service at Disney. Only place I recall off the top of my head having so-so service was Chef Mickeys last year. It wasn't that it was bad - just that the poor server had way too many tables spread out over a large area. We got our bill before our hot food She was really friendly though and it would have been great if it wasn't so busy.

It is a very personal thing so you are best finding out what the "done thing" is, and then assessing what you would like to do.

 

[iluvtot]

Last year we gave our card details to reception and used our KTTW to charge everything to the room, including tips. The only problem I found with that is when the bill comes up, it actually gives 2 amounts, ie 18% and 20%.
Because we were using our card and having to sign, I felt I had to go with the 20%, otherwise I felt mean because the difference was only a couple of dollars. Not that we wouldn't have left the 20% probably, but I just felt uncomfortable and pressured Gee, I sound really stingey, but I'm not!
Anyway, we've decided this year to take the cash, and then I won't get so stressy, and we can leave what we want.

Jules x

 

[UK Princess]

We did the DDP (free) last year but we paid tips in cash - I had budgeted around 20% by looking at the menus in advance. Even though we paid for meals with DDP credits, drinks & extras by charging to KTTW and tipped in cash it still seemed to run very smoothly!

 

[paulh]

As there is only 3 of you its up to you how much to tip,as the auto gratuity is for 6 or more,they will put a bill on the table with 3 suggested amounts(i think) 15%-18% and 20%.It up to you how much to tip even if its 10% or not at all.
you can charge to your room but we have always tipped in cash
Paul

 

[2Tiggies]

they will put a bill on the table with 3 suggested amounts(i think) 15%-18% and 20%.

It is 2 amounts: 15% and 18% "suggested"

It up to you how much to tip even if its 10% or not at all.

Absolutely up to you. However not tipping would be reserved for very extreme circumstances - it is just plain rude otherwise.

 

[scojos]

not tipping is very rude to americans, we brits do not understand what an insult it is to staff out there, pls bear in mind they receive v low wages and "live" on their tips
tipping is considered appropriate at other places to (housekeeping, bellboys etc), it is part of their culture, we just suck it and see, and if in doubt ask! we werent sure what to tip last year when porters carried our bags, so we asked! they obviously had been asked the saem question many times, and were alot less embarrased than we were...
tracy

 

[iluvtot]

It is 2 amounts: 15% and 18% "suggested"

Last year it was 18% and 20%

 

[2Tiggies]

Last year it was 18% and 20%

Actually I think you're right. I am thinking of my college waitressing days - loooong time ago

 

[aaronandterri]

we do always tip but *** we have 4 kids and the baby we always get hit with the 18% charge which for some reasturants last year was over 60 $$, (when we had our parents with us more!)for a tip, no we always leave tips but i hate this autmatic charge espically when 4 of the people at the table are children, we could have eaten out again in what we paid in tips on some meals, espically hated this when the service was only soso, now i understand the whole tip thing but it should still not be added automatically and espically not at buffets!

 

[2Tiggies]

we do always tip but *** we have 4 kids and the baby we always get hit with the 18% charge which for some reasturants last year was over 60 $$, (when we had our parents with us more!)for a tip, no we always leave tips but i hate this autmatic charge espically when 4 of the people at the table are children, we could have eaten out again in what we paid in tips on some meals, espically hated this when the service was only soso, now i understand the whole tip thing but it should still not be added automatically and espically not at buffets!

I honestly don't know WHY they count an infant/toddler into the equation. It makes no sense and trust me, this baffles many Americans too.