How does automatic tipping "work"?

[Beca P]

We are going to Disney in a couple weeks - with the DDP (Mid tier).

We are 2 adults, 3 kids and one infant (2 year old). So when I book ADR I put us down as 6 people but only 5 of us are "paying". Since we are 6 people I read that I have to tip 18%-20%. I want clarification that that is the case. Automatic tipping for my party? (except for Cinderella's Royal Table - tip is included, right?)

Also, we are budgeting for it. What is best option - put it on a CC on file, Cash, Disney gift cards... I dont know what would be best. Or what are pros and cons of those options? What were your experiences?

Also final questions about this - with the DDP - do they bring you a paper "bill" showing you how much you would have paid, (which also shows your tip amount) then the "main person" (me) simply scans their Magic Band and the sit-down credits get deducted. and then scan again for tipping/ pay w cc/ or cash ... or I have to tell my cast member how I chose to pay...

So much to absorb about this upcoming trip. Excited. ...need some more dots for my "i"s apparently... Thanks.

 

[sharonabe]

I can't answer the other questions, but can give my opinion on the "How."

Charging to your room is the easiest. You don't have to carry cash or card. You can also get a print out of everything that is charged at your resort, so you know it is done correctly. Pay at your resort with either cash, credit, or gift cards.

If you decide to pay at the restaurant with cash, make sure you mark through the tip line on the receipt with 0000s or something and total out the receipt. That removes all temptation and chance of miscommunication on whether you paid it or not.

 

[supersnoop]

If you have six people, no matter how many are eating or paying, the 18% gratuity will be added automatically. It sounds like you’ll have six people at the table.

 

[jillt2ph]

If the auto grat has been charged it will be clearly identified in your receipt. Just always carefully check your receipt. You’ll want to do that anyway to confirm the correct amount of credits were used.

I like to actually write CASH in the tip line in the receipt if that is what I am doing

 

[Nancyg56]

I also just charge it back to the room, with the exception of our departure day. That day I pay in cash and I do as was suggested above: I write CASH on the tip line.

The way Disney works head count is to actually count heads, not diners. So if you have 6 people, no matter the age or who purchases food, the autograt kicks in.

 

[Faldred]

As far as paying, just think of DDP credits as a form of payment, just like a credit card or cash. The credits are applied to the check, and anything left over after that (tip, extra food ordered, etc.) needs to be settled with another payment method of your choice.