Gratuity on Buffet Service

[jkid721133]

Am I alone in thinkng that the gratuity on Buffet service should be at the same level as regular TS?

The reason I ask is:
1. you are physically getting up to get your own food
2. the buffets are more expensive, so 18% on them is going to be more $$$ for a server that has less to do than a regular TS server.

Please lend some feedback.

 

[Tricia1972]

Some will agree with you that it should be the same level as TS, others will disagree with you, and will tip slightly lower. There is no right or wrong, only every individuals perception of what is right.

The following are Disney's corporate standards and they set the same for TS and Buffets.

If you are a party of 6 or more you will be charged 18% gratuity

If you are using the DDE an 18% gratuity will be added to your bill.


If you do not fit into either of the groups above you are free to tip what you feel appropriate. You will never find a majority to agree with what you do, and really it's none of our business how you (or anyone else) tips.

Generally, because tipping is a very personal matter, tipping threads turn nasty very quickly and I can't think of any that haven't gotten closed because of the nastiness.

My advice - do what feels right for you.

 

[disney queen]

let's play nice.....

 

[Tricia1972]

let's play nice.....

Much more succinct and the message I was trying to convey.

 

[familyS]

We ate at a few buffets last trip- 1900PF, CP, Biergarten, and Boma. We left at least 18% at each because the server was very attentive.

Tip based on the service you received

 

[robinb]

My personal opinion is that the buffet servers bust their butts on you the same as the regular TS servers do. They take your order, they deliver your drinks and refill your drinks and they give your your bill. No, they don't deliver your food for you, but they do clean up more plates from your table than an regular TS server does. So, IMO buffet servers deserve the same tip as a TS server does.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We pay the same. We use many more dishes at a Buffet and they are usually on top of clearing our table constantly.

 

[rgf207]

Didn't we have this exact thread about 1 week ago

 

[robinb]

Didn't we have this exact thread about 1 week ago

The question comes up at least once a week .

 

[mickaholic4077]

I'm another one in the tip the same as a TS column.

 

[DVCJEN]

Am I alone in thinkng that the gratuity on Buffet service should be at the same level as regular TS?

The reason I ask is:
1. you are physically getting up to get your own food
2. the buffets are more expensive, so 18% on them is going to be more $$$ for a server that has less to do than a regular TS server.

Please lend some feedback.

I am confused. Your first sentence says that they SHOULD get the same tips but you list reasons why they shouldn't. Are you for it or against it?

 

[robinb]

We pay the same. We use many more dishes at a Buffet and they are usually on top of clearing our table constantly.

Not only that, but they also need to keep an eye on your table to "catch" everyone there to ask if you want anything else. For a TS server you are more "captive", LOL.

 

[Freyja]

My personal opinion is that the buffet servers bust their butts on you the same as the regular TS servers do. They take your order, they deliver your drinks and refill your drinks and they give your your bill. No, they don't deliver your food for you, but they do clean up more plates from your table than an regular TS server does. So, IMO buffet servers deserve the same tip as a TS server does.

I agree, based on the same reasoning. As a family of 6, soon to be 7, the 18% tip is added automatically to our bill. If service was excellent we will raise that though.

 

[robinb]

I agree, based on the same reasoning. As a family of 6, soon to be 7, the 18% tip is added automatically to our bill. If service was excellent we will raise that though.

This is OT, but holy cow! You're really close to having that baby!

 

[Tricia1972]

This is OT, but holy cow! You're really close to having that baby!

Yes you are! As as 37w 3d pregnant mama myself I know the excitement! Good luck!!

(not to you Robin )

 

[Tricia1972]

Didn't we have this exact thread about 1 week ago

Robin speaks the truth - it comes up at least once a week.

We really could use one general tipping thread stickied at the top with the guidelines for tipping. I know that the search function is spotty to completely non-functional so what sometimes starts off as a legitimate question usually (and unfortunately) generally turns into an ugly thread pretty fast.

Thankfully this one is still very nice!

 

[robinb]

Thankfully this one is still very nice!

Even with two pregnant women on it and at least one peri-menopausal one . BTW, congratulations to you too! My birthday is in the spring and I love it .

 

[srwarden1928]

OPs original question was a little confusing. First he said that buffet & TS should be tipped the same. Then he gave reasons why buffet should be tipped less. I agree with the reasons OP gave. Thus I tip TS 15% and buffet 10%. I know that there are a number of people who choose to tip more. For service above & beyond the call I have been known to tip more. Those are my standard amounts, and I believe they are in compliance with traditional standards. For those who say that things are more expensive now I agree. The dinner is more expensive, therefore if I tip the same percentage as before I am tipping more. For those who just say I am too cheap, I say do what you want with your money. I dont have extra to give away. For those who say Im too generous, I say I think the hard working people deserve what I leave or else I would not leave it. If the service is great I leave more; if it is poor I leave less.

 

[Brooke13]

I used to be a server in college, and we only made $2.13/hr and depend on tips. I think buffet servers in Disney work just as hard as TS servers. Think of all the kids and the messes that are made. People pile up a ton of plates that need to be removed, and they are constantly refilling your drinks and checking back with you. They deserve 18 to 20%, especially during free dining when you're not paying for your meals anyway.

 

[Tricia1972]

It should not affect how much you tip, but just so it's clarified, Disney servers make a minimum of $3.80 an hour before tips.