How do you tip on the dining plan?

[rjvose17]

Don't get me wrong I am a restaurant Manager and I have been a waitress for 11 years so I understand how most restaurant systems work. My question is...last time we were at Disney we had the dining plan for the first time and we tipped according to what our bill would have been. Do most people tip on what your bill would have been even with Disney's inflated food prices? Or do you tip according to your service? Or is it a little of both? One example being we at at CRT our meal was less than par at best and our server was unpleasant and did nothing to make us feel like we were at the castle...it was all business as usual. However our meal would've been 230.00 if we would have paid out of pocket so we felt like we had to tip on that and it was kind of hard to leave a 35.00 tip for a meal and experience we didn't really like that much. Even for the experiences that were better it seems like we are pressured to over tip. Does any one feel the same or am I being silly???

Im not looking to start anything I was just wondering if anyone feels the same? We are going again in Septemeber and have the dining plan again and will probably continue to tip according to the bill but Im interested in hearing what others do. Thanks!

 

[FreeTime]

We usually tip 15-20% of the what the bill would have been. If we have an exceptional experience we on occasion tip more. If the service is terrible, I will tip less but I will make sure that I let the server or manager know why.

 

[minniefan65]

We have 6 people in our family so we aren't given a choice, the gratuity is automatically added in. Disney figures gratuity based on the value of the meal. I wish we could pay gratuity based on service. We eat a lot of buffet meals and we are still paying the mandatory 18% for serving ourselves.

 

[curlz2tite]

I agree with you. & you are not being silly. Also in the service industry , customer service is everything! I will not give the suggested tip for bad service. We tip accordingly. I have no problem tipping on Disneys prices for great service , but i do have a problem it it is not earned. I work hard for my $

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

Yep, just like anyplace else the tip should be based on the service. I also tip around 15-20%. But if the service is outstanding I will tip more and if the service is lousy then I will tip less and if its truly bad I have no problem with not tipping at all. And I will let a manager know. I also will not pay 15-20% for a buffet, that tip is based on whether my drink is kept refilled and stuff like that and will typically be around 8% for good service.

 

[3happydancers]

Don't get me wrong I am a restaurant Manager and I have been a waitress for 11 years so I understand how most restaurant systems work. My question is...last time we were at Disney we had the dining plan for the first time and we tipped according to what our bill would have been. Do most people tip on what your bill would have been even with Disney's inflated food prices? Or do you tip according to your service? Or is it a little of both? One example being we at at CRT our meal was less than par at best and our server was unpleasant and did nothing to make us feel like we were at the castle...it was all business as usual. However our meal would've been 230.00 if we would have paid out of pocket so we felt like we had to tip on that and it was kind of hard to leave a 35.00 tip for a meal and experience we didn't really like that much. Even for the experiences that were better it seems like we are pressured to over tip. Does any one feel the same or am I being silly???

Im not looking to start anything I was just wondering if anyone feels the same? We are going again in Septemeber and have the dining plan again and will probably continue to tip according to the bill but Im interested in hearing what others do. Thanks!

We have gone during FD and without FD. Either way, we tip according to what the bill is. Some restaurants at Disney are more expensive then others like the CRT, so for us, if we want to dine in those places, then we are prepared for the cost of the meal plus the tip.

That said, if we are extremely pleased with the service, we have given a larger tip, between 18 and 20% of the bill; if we feel the service is just ok, then we leave the tyipical 15%. Now, if we had a true problem with our server and /or meal, then we would ask to see the manager while we were still there (which has only happened 1x in 5 years). Some servers may not leave you with the "expected" Disney experience we would like, but if they have performed their job without any true problems, then I would still tip at least the typical 15%. Do keep in mind that for a party of 6 or more, I believe a minimum of 18% is automatically required.

You did mention that you have felt pressured to over tip. I was wondering what made you feel this way?

Please keep in mind, this is just how my family determines what to tip. I am sure other disboard members may decide on what to tip a bit different.

 

[3happydancers]

Yep, just like anyplace else the tip should be based on the service. I also tip around 15-20%. But if the service is outstanding I will tip more and if the service is lousy then I will tip less and if its truly bad I have no problem with not tipping at all. And I will let a manager know. I also will not pay 15-20% for a buffet, that tip is based on whether my drink is kept refilled and stuff like that and will typically be around 8% for good service.

You know, I never even gave thought to tipping less at buffets until you mentioned why. This does make absolute sense though. We have always left at least the typical 15%, but maybe I should rethink this. Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[Tricia1972]

All tipping discussion is limited to the sticky at the top of the forum. The first post explains why there is one tipping thread, had thread guidelines and a tipping FAQ.