How do I tip?

[bluslag]

I have been watching the boards to get a good read on how to tip for our upcoming March trip. We will be there 12 days and we have booked all of our ADR so tips will be considerable. My question is this, how should we tip? We will be a party of six but 2 families. Whatever we do both parties will do the same. It is my family that is a DVC member so I make most of the plans so I would like to have a plan. Part of me wants to tip in cash so we don't have room charges at the end of the trip and it is easier just to check out without having to split things at the end of the trip. On the other hand if it is much faster or easier not to have cash and just sign the slip maybe we should do that. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Tricia1972]

A Disney server (DizServer I believe) posted how things are going on the new plan. She specifically mentioned cash and how it's the best way to go.

With your group of six, wanting to share expenses, I'd say cash would be good. You can both contribute cash to each bill and be done with it.

 

[bluslag]

I think I like that idea too. We will probably charge our DDP on a credit card on arrival so we can handle that later. I don't think DVC can prepay the plan but it would be nice to have all the tips paid for by the time we leave.

 

[ssawka]

A Disney server (DizServer I believe) posted how things are going on the new plan. She specifically mentioned cash and how it's the best way to go.

With your group of six, wanting to share expenses, I'd say cash would be good. You can both contribute cash to each bill and be done with it.

One comment on the Disney server that said cash is the best way to go. I'm not saying that I agree or disagree, but a server will always tell you that cash is the best way to go simply because no one would know if they pocket the tip and do not claim it. Personally I see no problem with this practice having been a waiter myself. In my opinion Uncle Sam get enough of everyone's $$. In fact we often give cash as a tip percisely for this reason.

In our case (having just returned from WDW) we did a combination of cash and charge tips. One practice that I really did not like of the DDP was that it is a one step process meaning that the server cannot deduct your entitlements until you have added the tip. This puts the guest in a very awkward situation. I prefer to have the tip be the last thing I do when the server is not around. This is not to say that I stiff my servers, but I feel that the server should not know the tip and then have further contact with the guest. This is not an issue with cash.

On the other hand, we simply do not like to carry cash and only use cash when absolutely necessary.

 

[minster22]

The cash tip, whether reported by the server or not is still taxed by the Uncle Sam. Most restaurants today have a set percentage that servers pay taxes on whether a tip is received for that amount or not. This is to protect the restaurant in case a server does not report a proper tip amount, the restaurant is not held respnsible for not collecting enough taxes. I would be pretty sure Disney, as a large corporation handles tips this way not wanting to be liable in any underreporting of tips. I thought I read somewhere here that all the charged tips are only given to the servers on a weekly basis which would be a huge motivation for wanting your tip as cash.

 

[ssawka]

The cash tip, whether reported by the server or not is still taxed by the Uncle Sam. Most restaurants today have a set percentage that servers pay taxes on whether a tip is received for that amount or not. This is to protect the restaurant in case a server does not report a proper tip amount, the restaurant is not held respnsible for not collecting enough taxes. I would be pretty sure Disney, as a large corporation handles tips this way not wanting to be liable in any underreporting of tips. I thought I read somewhere here that all the charged tips are only given to the servers on a weekly basis which would be a huge motivation for wanting your tip as cash.

minster22,

You are correct, but the amount that is taxed is ussually far below 15-20% of proceeds from all the server's checks that do not include a tip, where as all charged tips are generally taxed because there is a paper trail.

 

[Tricia1972]

minster22,

You are correct, but the amount that is taxed is ussually far below 15-20% of proceeds from all the server's checks that do not include a tip, where as all charged tips are generally taxed because there is a paper trail.

You are correct. There was a link for the Disney Union Contract posted in this forum about two weeks ago. I followed the link and read the contract. According to that Disney claims 8% to the government.

 

[minster22]

I am a server and the amount I pay taxes on is 16%.The IRS actually has a formula they use based on the average tip left on charges.This is amount amount I pay whether the tip is 10% (not very often) or 25% (love it when this happens!!!). I keep very accurate track of all my income and the 16% is pretty accurate.I am surprised that Disney is only reporting 8% but given the varied guests that Disney serves this may actually be close to accurate. Given the huge debate here regarding tipping I really have a soft spot for the Disney servers and leave very generous tips. I also want to add that in almost all of my dining experiences, DDP DDE or OOP, we have had good to exceptional service, even when the server is very young (inexperienced) or older than me (Grand Floridian tea....exceptional service)...very tough to do such a good job serving thousands and thousands of people with huge expectations every single day!!!