packy said:
We are going the last week of August and got a room today with the dining option. Was wondering, the advice is to tell your server up-front that you have the dining package (which includes the tip). Will the service be as good if the tip is already decided? I will probably tip some cash either way but was wondering what you all think about telling the server the tip is already there before you even start. Your thoughts?
It may be even better, at least as far as value.
The server wants to get you the most food possible under your plan, because their tip is based on how much you "spend". They get 15% of whatever your bill should have been - so if you use a TS credit to get a meal that would have cost $25, or a meal that would have cost $50 (very easy at some places) they, will get twice the tip on the $50 meal. It's in their best interest to help you use the program to it's fullest advantage.
This is why it's important to tell them up front, because they can help you spend your credits the best.
As to attitude, I have only heard rare instances of it being an issue. For instance, I believe I read somewhere on here that during the early days of the plan someone had a crappy server that said "oh, you're on the food stamps plan" or something like that and was not nice. From what I hear, however, that is an extreme exception. If someone had said that to my party, I would have spoken to the manager and requested another server.
I think you will find most wait staff very accustomed to the plan right now. Especially with the free plan, I am sure most of us will tip way above what we normally would in addition to the plan. I'm making our dining plans right now for our trip on the free dining plan, and we will get $200 worth of FREE food at some meals. You can bet, since we didn't pay ANYTHING for that food, we will be leaving nice tips in addition to the 15% they already get from Disney.
I wouldn't worry about it - and if you do encounter rude waitstaff over this issue, speak to the manager as always for any issue. I really think you'll be all set, though. I think the vast majority of servers get that logically the nicer they are, the larger their tip most of the time.
N.E.D.