Gratuity Math and How is it Split?

[qanita92]

I am going to Disney with a party of 6 including me as a total of 7. We are planning to eat at all buffets so the average price for gratuity is 35 dollars (right?). Now we are staying in two different rooms does that mean we each pay $35 for a total of $70? 70 for just gratuity. Wow that is a lot! Is this true?

 

[JimMIA]

The gratuity is only automatically added for parties of 6 or more. That automatic gratuity, incidentally, has nothing to do with DDP. It is included regardless of how you are paying for the meal.

If you are dining as a party of 6 or more, the server will give you a check for the automatic 18% gratuity. If your party is in two rooms, you will have seperate checks because your DDP credits go by rooms, but the automatic gratuity will still be added to both checks because of the total party being 6 or more.

To figure out how much it will be, just multiply the buffet price X number of people dining X 18%. For example, if the total food bill is $200 for a particular meal, the automatic gratuity will be $36.00.

If your group splits up (at different restaurants, different tables on different ADRs, etc), each party will still get seperate checks, but no gratuity will be added. You will tip whatever you want in that case, with the expectation still being 15-20%, although some tip less for buffets.

 

[qanita92]

The gratuity is only automatically added for parties of 6 or more. That automatic gratuity, incidentally, has nothing to do with DDP. It is included regardless of how you are paying for the meal.

If you are dining as a party of 6 or more, the server will give you a check for the automatic 18% gratuity. If your party is in two rooms, you will have seperate checks because your DDP credits go by rooms, but the automatic gratuity will still be added to both checks because of the total party being 6 or more.

To figure out how much it will be, just multiply the buffet price X number of people dining X 18%. For example, if the total food bill is $200 for a particular meal, the automatic gratuity will be $36.00.

If your group splits up (at different restaurants, different tables on different ADRs, etc), each party will still get seperate checks, but no gratuity will be added. You will tip whatever you want in that case, with the expectation still being 15-20%, although some tip less for buffets.

But will that $36 be added to both bills ($36 in each bill) making a total of $72
for both bills.

 

[DVC Sadie]

But will that $36 be added to both bills ($36 in each bill) making a total of $72
for both bills.

How much are the totals of the buffets that you will be dining?

Example: Say the buffet is 40.00 per person then the total of 6 people dining would be 240.00 plus add in the 18% and the tip would be 43.20 for the entire table of 6.

If there are two tables with 3 people each then the tip would be 21.60 per table.

Hope this helps.

 

[JimMIA]

But will that $36 be added to both bills ($36 in each bill) making a total of $72
for both bills.

The gratuity will be 18% of the cost of the food...period. It doesn't matter whether it's one check,two, or ten -- the gratuity is 18% if you have six or more people in your party.

For example -- using real prices -- if you go to Crystal Palace for a buffet dinner, the adult meal is 27.99 per adult. The 18% tip is $5.04 per adult.

If you have any kids 3-9, their meal would be $12.99 each and the tip would be $2.34.

I think what may be confusing you is that your DDP credits are assigned to the rooms -- the credits are on your room key -- so you will get a check for each room. If there are four people in one room and three in the other, you'll get one check for four meals and another check for three meals.

You won't get double-charged, either on the food credits or the tip.

 

[Lewisc]

I know you already know this but for anyone else reading this thread any check subject to an 18% automatic gratuity/service charge will also have the 18% added to all beverages ordered, including adult beverages.

The gratuity will be 18% of the cost of the food...period. It doesn't matter whether it's one check,two, or ten -- the gratuity is 18% if you have six or more people in your party.

 

[qanita92]

Thanks
Now that the gratuity isn't included in the DDP it is getting much more confusing.

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks
Now that the gratuity isn't included in the DDP it is getting much more confusing.

The change was really about who pays, not how much. Before, Disney paid. Now, you pay.

It's really not that complicated.

If you are eating in a group of 5 or fewer, the gratuity is whatever you want to leave...with 15-20% being the normal level (less for lousy service, more for great service).

If there are 6 or more in your party, you won't have to do any math. You will be presented with a bill for 18%.