Gratuities for buffet meals?

[jamstew]

Since may seem like a silly question, but since I have no experience with on-site dining, I was wondering if you tip for buffet meals. If so, how much and who do you tip? I know that at home, I don't tip and buffet places since there are no servers.

 

[pta-mom]

Well, I've never tipped at buffets in DW as we've always had the DDP & there is an 18% tip already added in to it. However, when we eat at buffets elsewhere, we always tip 10--15% as the service staff does help removing plates, filling glasses, etc.

 

[jamstew]

Well, I've never tipped at buffets in DW as we've always had the DDP & there is an 18% tip already added in to it. However, when we eat at buffets elsewhere, we always tip 10--15% as the service staff does help removing plates, filling glasses, etc.

Thanks. I can live with 10%, but I just can't see any more than that.

 

[familyS]

This has been a hot topic in recent threads .

I think you should wait until you attend the buffet before you decide. Tip based on your experience.

We have had servers at Disney character buffets that were much more attentive that at standard TS. For example we have attended Disney buffets where we never had to ask for a drink refill, the server let us know when characters were coming so we wouldn't miss them, entertained the children, took away dirty plates immediately, brought new silverware or glassware immediately as required, the list can go on and on... .
I can't imagine only leaving 10% for such great service.

Tip what you feel is fair, based on the service you and your family receives .

 

[lilyv]

We tip pretty similarly to what we do at TS. My experience-waiters at Disney buffets work hard. Water, drinks, clearing each and every plate that has been used, and so on. They really do help make the overall experience pleasant.

 

[jamstew]

We tip pretty similarly to what we do at TS. My experience-waiters at Disney buffets work hard. Water, drinks, clearing each and every plate that has been used, and so on. They really do help make the overall experience pleasant.

I thought it might be different at Disney than at a normal buffet at home I was just trying to do an analysis of the DDP for my May 2008 trip and didn't know how to treat the buffets. I think the DDP will still save me a little, but I have more work to do on it.

 

[lynninpa]

It has been our experience that the servers at Disney buffets usually do far more than the servers at our local buffets. When we were on the DDP last year, our server at CP received the automatic 18%, making his tip $30.00. He was so wonderful that we left him a little extra. Yet this year at the Maya Grill buffet, the server was horrible. (Yet that's another story!) and I would have probably left him little. So I would say just take it one-meal-at-a-time and tip according to you experience.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I was wondering if you tip for buffet meals. If so, how much and who do you tip?

This question comes up a couple times a week here on the DIS.

You will find many people here who make no distinction in the level of service provided to them at a buffet vs. a table service and tip the same % at both.

You will find others still that think that WDW is special so the servers deserve a higher tip % than at other places.

I think everyone should tip what they are comfortable with. I personally am not comfortable tipping significantly more or less than what is customary, unless there has been some kind of over-the-top (or really lousy) service. So at buffets, even WDW buffets, I stick with the customary 10%.

http://www.azaz.essortment.com/tipping_rdef.htm
http://tipcollection.com/wiki/index.php/Tipping_guidelines
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/summer_tipping

If others want to tip 15% or even 20% at buffets more power to them.

 

[mom2my3kids]

You should be tipping at buffets at home also, here on the boards people say at least 10% up to 20%. I am a server so I always tip 20% even at buffets..

 

[just another guy]

http://www.azaz.essortment.com/tipping_rdef.htm
http://tipcollection.com/wiki/index.php/Tipping_guidelines
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/summer_tipping

Those links are not valid as disney is an exception. If I go to golden corral, a high school drop out asks me what I want to drink, and walks off. At disney buffets the servers are helpful, friendly, talk to the kids, know what times the parades are at. I've barely gotten disney level service at normal restaurants around town, yet along at a buffet.

Even disney its self says the tip should be 15-20% for quality service.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

20% and I don't blink an eye at that. The servers do have to cart away multiple dirty dishes....more than a TS restaurant. They get drinks and refills...I would say they may be at the table even more than a TS waiter is.

 

[ParkPrincess]

We tip the same as we would at any TS restaurant in WDW. It's all based on their service.

 

[bethb912]

I think you should tip at least 10%. Even at a buffet you have someone that clears your plate and gets new drinks. I work as a server p/t and always tip at least 10% and up to 20% at a buffet.

JMO

 

[jamstew]

You should be tipping at buffets at home also, here on the boards people say at least 10% up to 20%. I am a server so I always tip 20% even at buffets..

Although what I should or shouldn't do at home wasn't my question, I will tell you that I always leave a dollar or two on the table at a buffet, and I also tip carhops a dollar, but not as a percentage of my bill. I'm single and I dine alone more often than not.

When I analyze whether the DDP will work for my family group, or for me going solo, tips are necessarily going to come into play. If I don't do DDP, I'll primarily be using CS, in which case, the TS/buffet servers won't get anything from me. Which is better--tipping a smaller percentage so I can use the DDP, or not tipping at all (or not much) without it? That's what I have to figure out.

 

[Barbers2005]

I would say you should tip at least 10% at buffets. If you really can't afford to leave that much than you should eat elsewhere, leaving the table open for someone who will tip the customary amount.

 

[Barbers2005]

Those links are not valid as disney is an exception. If I go to golden corral, a high school drop out asks me what I want to drink, and walks off. At disney buffets the servers are helpful, friendly, talk to the kids, know what times the parades are at. I've barely gotten disney level service at normal restaurants around town, yet along at a buffet.

Even disney its self says the tip should be 15-20% for quality service.

It's true that disney servers are more skilled than at a local buffet, but since the meal costs three times what I'd pay at home, they're already getting paid much more than the "drop out." At Old Country Buffet, 10% is about $2, but at CP it's closer to $7. I just don't feel obligated to tip more than the usual percentage.

 

[jamstew]

I would say you should tip at least 10% at buffets. If you really can't afford to leave that much than you should eat elsewhere, leaving the table open for someone who will tip the customary amount.

I'm just trying to figure out what "customary" is at Disney. I'm not a cheapskate (and I find your remark pretty condescending), but I am frugal. If the majority says 10% is okay, that's what I'll plan unless I experience very good (or very bad) service.

 

[Barbers2005]

Whether or not I can or can't afford it is really neither here nor there (BTW, I can), and I find your remark about "leaving the table open for someone who will tip the customary amount" incredibly condescending.

Sorry, but from your previous post it seemed like you were saying you would need to skimp on tips to afford the ddp. You did ask if it would be better for you to do cs or do the buffet and leave a smaller tip. I took it to mean that you meant "smaller than average" (hey, maybe I misunderstood).

 

[Pokemom]

I have no problem with servers making a decent amount of money and usually tip fairly well at restaurants. However, with the price of some of the meals at Disney, I find the forced 18% tip for groups over 8 a bit high. We have a group of 15 going to Chef Mickey's over Christmas. Our server will get over $80 for a tip for the hour we will be there. Chances are that at a buffet our server will be able to handle a few more tables than just us during that hour. That means that our server will probably be making over $100 in tips during that hour. Many people don't make that in a day at their jobs. Now, before I get flamed, I know that being a server is a very hard job and I have the utmost respect for them, but I also don't think that we should believe that servers at Disney are too hard done by. Restaurants are usually fully booked and if the servers are getting 15-20% of the amount spent on meals, I think they are doing quite well.

 

[lilyv]

I'm just trying to figure out what "customary" is at Disney. I'm not a cheapskate (and I find your remark pretty condescending), but I am frugal. If the majority says 10% is okay, that's what I'll plan unless I experience very good (or very bad) service.

Customary at Disney will vary. If someone is giving me quite a bit of personal service, (which is exactly what happens at Disney Buffets) then I think it's important to tip them accordingly. 10% wouldn't work for me.

I use coupons, and shop carefully for our hotels, some might consider that "frugal". But, I also have relatives that have worked as servers. They don't make a lot....and it's a tough job.
I appreciated good service, and I'm happy to tip well for it.