How much to tip at buffets?

[KimWDW]

We're doing the Hollywood & Vine character lunch and it's a buffet. What do people usually tip for a buffet meal? Not 15-20% like regular, right?

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I tip 20% at WDW buffets.

 

[stoudt6]

Rule of thumb is usually 10% at Buffets. Unless there is some extra/superior service given.

 

[Laura]

I tip 15-20%.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As long as they are bringing (and refilling) beverages and keeping plates cleared away during the meal and providing similar services I will generally tip in the 15% category.

If I am at a buffet where I get my own drinks and the plates are all cleared after I leave (no personal sevice) I probably will only leave 5%.

 

[Amyg]

Rule of thumb is usually 10% at Buffets. Unless there is some extra/superior service given.

Yep, this is what we do.

 

[NMW]

We tip 20%. I suppose if drinks are not refilled and plates cleared, we'd go down to 15%. I think servers at the Cape May cafe clam bake work pretty hard. They clear A LOT of plates and refill drinks really quickly. We always tip 20% there.

 

[shellybaxter]

We tip the same at buffets as regular sit downs. Buffet servers at Disney may do not "bring your food" but they do everything else, including keeping an eye on your drinks, keeping your dirty plates cleared, orienting you to the buffet, and at character meals they will help you time things right so you don't miss the characters. They receive the same low wage (way below minimum wage) as the other tipped positions so I think for good service they deserve the 20%.

 

[shellybaxter]

Sorry - double post

 

[Albertan mom]

WHen you are on the Free Disney Dining Plan, tip is included correct?

Can you tip more? If so, does the server themselves get it, or will it be shared?

thanks

 

[Hanover]

We also tip 20% at buffets. I know that lots of people generally tip less at buffets, but I always find that our waiter/waitress is more attentive and does more work than just getting one or two plates of food at a regular sit down meal.

When we did free dining last August, we asked our waiter at our first TS meal if they recieved 20% and he told us 15% so we tipped an extra $5 at each meal except at Chef Mickey's where we felt the waiter wasn't that great. I believe the tip on the ddp is now actually 18%.

 

[PatriciaH]

We also tip 20% at buffets. I know that lots of people generally tip less at buffets, but I always find that our waiter/waitress is more attentive and does more work than just getting one or two plates of food at a regular sit down meal.

I think they have to clean more at a buffet as well! 20%

 

[hmp2z]

We tip the same as at a regular sit-down restaurant, about 20%.
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[princess-rn]

We do 20% unless we feel the service is subpar (not refilling our drinks etc...) Then we drop it accordingly.

 

[Puffy2]

tip whatever YOU feel comfortable with.

 

[Slapster]

18 - 20% for buffets unless the service warrants less.

 

[Brise Nannie]

We generally tip 20%.

 

[Amyrlin]

15% - 20% depending on service, sometimes a little more iof there is exceptional service.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney Dining Plan tips the same 18% as regular restaurants. I usually tip 15-20% (usually closer to 20%) for table service and 10-15% ( usually close to 15%) for buffets. I'll up the buffet tip up to 20% if the server is very quick to remove dirty plates, refill drinks and takes a few minutes to suggest what items to try from the buffet.

 

[pouncingpluto]

10-15 percent. At a regular restaurant, I tip 15-20. When my husband picks up the bill, it's 20-25.