Gratuities for buffet meals?

[lilyv]

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.

A large table is a lot of work. 45+ plates to clear,at least, 30+ water,drinks, extra silverware, whatever you need. That said, I think you're better off with the 18% figured in. The waiter won't be concerned about being stiffed, and hopefully you'll have great service. If you don't, speak up.
It's the holidays. Enjoy your meal, and feel good that you've been fair to the servers, too. Bless us everyone!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I'm just trying to figure out what "customary" is at Disney.

As I said, you will find people on the DIS who think that for some reason customary standards don't apply at WDW and those who think that they do. As someone else already pointed out, by sticking with the customary percentages WDW servers are already being compensated at a much higher level due to the higher prices charged at WDW restaurants. My suggestion is to start with the standard percentages then adjust accordingly based on service. 10% at buffets and 15-20% at table service.

If the majority says 10% is okay, that's what I'll plan unless I experience very good (or very bad) service.

You cannot based what is customary in the real world on what people on the DIS say. Just look at the uproar that erupts here over all kinds of incredibly minor issues - refillable mugs, resort pools, heelys, etc. Things people in the real world couldn't care less about.

People have all kinds of reasons why they say what they do on these boards. Sometimes people who suggest that WDW servers should be tipped a higher % than servers at other restaurants are WDW servers themselves, or have some type of relationship with a WDW server. Of course they would want you to tip more!

 

[hannah's dad]

I think buffet tipping should be in line with non buffet tipping. With a buffet, our experience at WDW is that the servers work harder and visit the table more often. They fill drinks, as do servers at non-buffet's, but they also visits often to clear dirty dishes - a job that only occurs once at non-buffets. As for bringing food, it is often the food runner that does that job, not the server. I'd say tip the same at each type of restaurant, whatever your number is, varied of course by the quality of the service.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

As for bringing food, it is often the food runner that does that job, not the server.

Generally when restaurants have food runners the table servers tip the runners out of what they are tipped. Same with bus staff (the wait staff tip them). At least that's how it worked when I was a server.

 

[just another guy]

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 is 15-20%. My ex worked as a server at a disney buffet. I still know a handful of disney servers. Its not uncommon for me to go grab some beers with one of them, be invited to their labor day parties, etc. If buffet servers only made 10%, don't ya think they would all want to transfer to non-buffet restaurants? Like I said, 15-20% is average.

 

[jamstew]

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).

And I'm sorry if I wasn't clear (which isn't unusual) Where I live, a "customary" tip at a table service restaurant is 15%, not 18-20% except for truly exceptional service. I'm not sure there's any such thing as a "customary" tip at a the local Golden Corral, but we'll say $1.00 for a solo diner.

My only beef with your comment was that it assumes whoever I "leave the table open for" would tip the customary amount, whatever that is. You don't know that, and I just have a feeling that the servers are going to get the short end of the stick when tips come off the DP.

Since this will be my first experience with anything other than CS meals at Disney, I want to maximize my budget as best I can while not insulting the servers

 

[mom2my3kids]

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.

Actually you said and this is your quote..

"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."

Maybe you didn't mean to say you don't tip at buffets but that is what you said..

 

[jamstew]

Actually you said and this is your quote..

"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."

Maybe you didn't mean to say you don't tip at buffets but that is what you said..

I guess to me a "tip" involves a certain percentage of my bill. In truth, I can count on one hand the times I've been to a buffet-type restaurant in the last 20 years, which is why I don't know the "protocol," at Disney or elsewhere. In general, I don't remember leaving any money, but the buffets I've eaten at don't have servers per se. I do, however, give the carhop at Sonic $1, but it isn't tied to how much I spend.

Maybe it's a matter of semantics. If "tip" is synomymous with "gratuity," then it's supposed to be "a gift of money over and above payment due for service...something given without claim or demand," or "a small sum of money given as a reward for good service." Tips are supposed to be "To Insure Prompt Service," which I may or may not get Maybe it's the expectation that the servers are entitled to x% of what I spend that bothers me.

I'll use 10% as a baseline at Disney buffets, depending on the service

 

[pta-mom]

Customary is 15-20%. My ex worked as a server at a disney buffet. I still know a handful of disney servers. Its not uncommon for me to go grab some beers with one of them, be invited to their labor day parties, etc. If buffet servers only made 10%, don't ya think they would all want to transfer to non-buffet restaurants? Like I said, 15-20% is average.

Hmmm...I still feel pretty comfortable with the 10 to 15% range...an average buffet price is in the $20 to $25 range at DW x 4 in my family x 10% = $8--$10 for a tip. At a buffet, my family go in, are seated, order our drinks, go to the line, get our food, eat, go to the line again, get more food, eat, finish up, out an about an hour. At a traditional TS restaurant, we go in, sit, read the menu, discuss it, order from it, wait, get an app, wait, get our main course, etc, etc, etc, takes us 1 1/2 to 2 hours!

My point? The server in a buffet restaurant can wait on more tables, serve more customers, that turn over at a quicker rate than the server at a sit down restaurant. I highly doubt that buffet workers are making a lot less (if any less) than a traditional sit down restaurant server.

 

[TaylorsDad]

In my area 15% seems to be customary for good quality service at TS meals. And I dont agree that Disney servers are better than in the real world and should therefore automatically receive a greater gratuity. Best service I ever received was in a local Bob Evans. I have also received subpar service in LeCellier and several other Disney establishments. On the other hand many of servers in the world have been beyond excellent(and were rewarded above the norm) but I would say only during a little over half of our meals was service above average.
I say dont pay any attention to what is "customary"
Tip according to what the value of the service was to you.
After all if a certain percentage was Mandatory it would have been included in the price of the meal.

 

[magic mouse]

A tip should be based on good service. When the heck did it become mandatory? If I have great service I leave around 15 to 20 percent. But, if I have horrible service it will be a lot lot less. If some one wants to leave 10 percent or a few dollars at a buffet it is up to the person. Once again its a tip. Saying you shouldnt eat somewhere because you don't think they left enough money well that is your opionion.

 

[mom2my3kids]

This has been hashed out on many threads already, you are absolutely right no one can make someone leave a tip or a certain percent of a bill. But I am giving you the facts and that is the way its done, buffet is anywhere between 10-20 percent for good service. Table Service is 15-20 percent of the bill. Now if you get bad service then tip accordingly. When we decide to go out, if I am low on money we don't go to a table service meal unless I can tip what I am supposed to..Being a server myself I just could not do that..Anyway I hope you have a good time at Disney I know we will in almost 4 weeks..

 

[daisyduck123]

We always tip 20% at buffets, unless the service is lousy.

The way we see it....if we can't afford to tip 20% at the buffets....we shouldn't be vacationing in WDW in the first place!!

 

[jamstew]

We always tip 20% at buffets, unless the service is lousy.

The way we see it....if we can't afford to tip 20% at the buffets....we shouldn't be vacationing in WDW in the first place!!

Wow - I don't even know what to say

 

[bethb912]

I feel that way at home also. If I can't afford to tip up to 20% of my bill then I can't afford to eat out. I am a p/t server as well and wish some people felt that way as well. You would be surprised at the level of service we give at the place I work and the amount of people who tip 7 or 8% and this is full service. I believe if someone feels like 8% is fair you will never be able to convince them otherwise. I think they think servers are all undereducated people who should get a real job. A lot of the servers where I work are actually college educated and just earn a decent wage and have better hours serving.

JMOFWIW

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm tipping them in full. They have to talk to you and remove your dirty dishes and refill drinks. I think they have to do more than servers in a regular restaurant.

 

[BobWerner]

I start at 15% and adjust from there. I've left servers anywhere from a dime (can't discuss this one here as it wasn't a Disney resturant) upwards to 20 and sometimes 25%. TIPS means To Insure Proper Service. IMHO, poor service = poor tip. Excellent service = excellent tip.

Just a single person's opinion. That and $5 (at Starbucks) will buy you a cup of coffee.

 

[FreeTime]

I always start at 20% and go up or down from there based on service regardless of a buffet or sit down. I would not eat out at a sit down rest. anywhere if I did not have the funds for at least a 20%. It that was the case we would eat at McD's or home. Also, if we are given a discount off of our bill the tip is always calculated from what we should have paid. Sometimes we go way over. For example, we ate at the Hard Rock in Lake Tahoe a few weeks ago. Our bill would have been about $50. The waitress said she was so sorry the food took so long and took 50% off. She got a 100% tip. We didn't believe that the problems were her fault and we had planned on paying $50+ a tip, her getting $25 for doing a difficult job made her night and we still saved money. Did we tip too much. Probably, she deserved it.

Bottom line, if you don't budget in the tip amount at 20%, I think that you should steer away.

 

[daisyduck123]

Wow - I don't even know what to say

I'm guessing that you don't tip well..or that if you don't have it in your budget to tip well, that you just don't?
That is sad. Those servers work hard & shouldn't suffer just because their guests think they've already spent too much on a vacation, so why should they tip 20% on top of their bill?

 

[Stinky_Pete]

We always tip 20% at buffets, unless the service is lousy.

The way we see it....if we can't afford to tip 20% at the buffets....we shouldn't be vacationing in WDW in the first place!!

Wow - I don't even know what to say

This is what some posters meant by how this can become a "hot topic."

Now those of us who don't overtip are about to be called "cheap" and told that we "shouldn't be vacationing at WDW anyway." Oh wait...that already happened.

Those people don't seem to understand it's not about what we can afford (which is really none of their business) but rather what is an appropriate tip based on the level of service provided.

I've waited tables too, and frankly was embarrased when people overtipped.

Don't worry jamstew. You are a good person and will be welcome at WDW even if you only tip 10% at a buffet.