minimums at table service restaurants?

[disneyholic family]

This is the first time in many many many years that we won't be on a dining plan.
When you're on the dining plan, everything is pretty straightforward.

but when you pay cash, is there a minimum at the table service restaurants?
I mean, could you go in, sit down and say just order a drink? or just order dessert? or just order an appetizer?

I assume in the Prix Fixe and buffet locations, you have to pay the $55 or $60 or whatever it is regardless of what you eat.

But what about places like 50's, Sci Fi, Plaza etc.

 

[psc85]

From my experience there are no published dollar amount minimums you must spend at a table service restaurant. We have eaten at Jungle Skipper Canteen before and just gotten appetizers and a dessert (and a few beers because why not!). We made sure to tip our server well.

The only places I could see this being an issue would be the "Super Signature" restaurants, such as Monsieur Paul, Victoria & Alberts, Takumi Tei.

I think it really just comes down to thinking about the servers, i.e. are you going to be there for 1.5 hours and only order a bowl of soup, vs. them missing out on a table ordering appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks etc.

One thing to try, for places that have one, grab a seat at the Bar/Lounge instead of a table in the dining room.

Just my 2 Cents!

 

[Her Dotness]

but when you pay cash, is there a minimum at the table service restaurants?
I mean, could you go in, sit down and say just order a drink? or just order dessert? or just order an appetizer?

Yes, you can. However, I think it gracious to tip as though you'd ordered full meals if you're there for more than 20-30 minutes. Or, as mentioned above, sit at the bar.

I assume in the Prix Fixe and buffet locations, you have to pay the $55 or $60 or whatever it is regardless of what you eat.

But what about places like 50's, Sci Fi, Plaza etc.

Yes, where it's prix fixe or buffet, you have to pay the stated price.

For places like those others, I'd gauge it by time of day and not order minimally at prime mealtime, only when very early or late in the designated mealtime, not doing that at restaurants serving 3 meals where times overlap.

You're going to need a reservation for any of the three you mentioned which are all extremely popular. Seems kind of defeating the intent to stalk for an ADR for no more than a drink and dessert at those.

 

[disneyholic family]

From my experience there are no published dollar amount minimums you must spend at a table service restaurant. We have eaten at Jungle Skipper Canteen before and just gotten appetizers and a dessert (and a few beers because why not!). We made sure to tip our server well.

The only places I could see this being an issue would be the "Super Signature" restaurants, such as Monsieur Paul, Victoria & Alberts, Takumi Tei.

I think it really just comes down to thinking about the servers, i.e. are you going to be there for 1.5 hours and only order a bowl of soup, vs. them missing out on a table ordering appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks etc.

One thing to try, for places that have one, grab a seat at the Bar/Lounge instead of a table in the dining room.

Just my 2 Cents!

Yes, you can. However, I think it gracious to tip as though you'd ordered full meals if you're there for more than 20-30 minutes. Or, as mentioned above, sit at the bar.

Yes, where it's prix fixe or buffet, you have to pay the stated price.

For places like those others, I'd gauge it by time of day and not order minimally at prime mealtime, only when very early or late in the designated mealtime, not doing that at restaurants serving 3 meals where times overlap.

You're going to need a reservation for any of the three you mentioned which are all extremely popular. Seems kind of defeating the intent to stalk for an ADR for no more than a drink and dessert at those.

you're absolutely right about tips.
That's what i do when i take my mom out for lunch here at home.
We usually share as we can't possibly finish a meal on our own.
So i always tip as if we both had ordered a meal.
As you say, it's only fair to the servers that way.

.

 

[Eastern]

This is the first time in many many many years that we won't be on a dining plan.
When you're on the dining plan, everything is pretty straightforward.

but when you pay cash, is there a minimum at the table service restaurants?
I mean, could you go in, sit down and say just order a drink? or just order dessert? or just order an appetizer?

I assume in the Prix Fixe and buffet locations, you have to pay the $55 or $60 or whatever it is regardless of what you eat.

But what about places like 50's, Sci Fi, Plaza etc.

I think that lots of people go to Plaza and just get ice cream. If I was just going to get drinks only I'd sit in a lounge. If you are with other people who are eating, just having a drink and sitting at a table is not a big deal.

There is no minimum price at TS that aren't fixed price or buffet. I would tip extra if I sat there for hours. Otherwise, I'd tip your standard percentage unless server goes above and beyond. People who don't order meals are not sitting there as long as people who do order meals. Don't worry about it.

I was a server for many years. By and large, people tipped by percentages. It all evens out in the end.

(when is the last time you heard the phrase 'by and large'? I can't believe I typed that.)

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I think it really just comes down to thinking about the servers, i.e. are you going to be there for 1.5 hours and only order a bowl of soup, vs. them missing out on a table ordering appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks etc.

Servers and other guests. It would be rude, in my opinion, to occupy a high-demand table at dinner time just to have a drink when some other family who actually wanted to eat their meal in that restaurant got blocked out of a reservation.

OP, my family frequently shares meals and there's nothing at all wrong with that. For our two adults and three children, we'll usually order something like one appetizer to share, three adult entrees to share, and one desert to share.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yes, where it's prix fixe or buffet, you have to pay the stated price.

I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that this is why Disney has converted a lot of their heavily themed restaurants to prix fixe in the first place. They didn't want people booking Space 220 or Be Our Guest just to see the inside or California Grill just to see the fireworks and then ordering a diet coke.

 

[Eastern]

How much is a cocktail? Some of them equal an entree price. Server doesn't care what you order. How many people do you see in Disney restaurants just having cocktails?

Have you people been servers? A couple of guys drinking with apps are going to tip more than a family of 5 or 6 ordering 3 or 4 kids meals. Don't worry what you order.

And if you're thinking that way, people with kids should tip on the adult entree prices, because the kids are taking up seats the adults could use. It's silly.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Personal tipping habits is not a topic we allow. I’M leaving these posts for now but please, stop suggesting higher tips or how you handle tipping.