Question about DDP and tipping

[anb23710]

We are using the DDP for the first time at the end of May and had a question regarding tipping. I know the DDP includes an 18% tip for your server, but would there be a way to add more? We typically give 20% or better and would like to reward good service. Can you simply use your room key as a room charge or would we need to carry cash for extra tipping?

 

[Mnchknbrat1982]

for tipping I think you would need to carry extra cash.

 

[bicker]

They generally won't run a room charge just for an extra gratuity. However, if you order anything that you pay for in cash, you'll of course be able to put it, and any amount of an additional gratuity, on the room charge.

 

[lynninpa]

We are using the DDP for the first time at the end of May and had a question regarding tipping. I know the DDP includes an 18% tip for your server, but would there be a way to add more? We typically give 20% or better and would like to reward good service. Can you simply use your room key as a room charge or would we need to carry cash for extra tipping?

to The DisBoards, anb23710! We have always carried cash for the "extra tip" on The Dining Plan. It always seemed to be very much appreciated.

 

[anb23710]

Thank you for the wonderful welcome and the info. I will be sure to carry extra cash as needed!

 

[mar68pat47]

We like to tip good service too and always carry cash with us for the tips. We also make sure the server gets the tip & never leave it on the the table.

 

[lynninpa]

Thank you for the wonderful welcome and the info. I will be sure to carry extra cash as needed!

 

[aubriee]

We like to tip good service too and always carry cash with us for the tips. We also make sure the server gets the tip & never leave it on the the table.

Uh oh! Why? We always leave the tip on the table and just assume the waiter picks it up. Why would he not be the one to get it?

edited: Wait a minute. Come to think of it we always place it in that little folder thingy with their copy of the receipt.

 

[suzimar57]

we left extra cash for tips we felt were beyond the 18% included on DDP

 

[disneyfav4ever]

This will be another thing me an DM will be having debates about. I always leave at least 20% unless the service is really horrible, she thinks 15% is enough, so does my DD(ad,) (her DH.)

That's another good thing about eating out with BF, (who should come to Disney with me,) he always tips about 30%, and once left a 150% tip.

 

[mom2my3kids]

As a server, we have had bus boys and customers steal tips that were left on the table. It happens more then you would think..

 

[klinlin]

We always tipped extra in cash. Who really knows what the server actually gets from DDP? Like bicker stated, you can always leave extra in your room charge if you order something that's not covered on the plan. We had this at almost every meal due to adult beverages and an extra something for my not quite three year old who didn't have any of his own credits. When you add something OOP however, they add an 18% gratuity automatically.

 

[joeathome167]

This was actually a major put off of the dining plan for me. It's going to save us a boat load of money based on my calculations, but I don't agree with the having to include an 18% tip regardless of the service.

Don't get me wrong, we eat out a lot, at least once or twice a week, and are great tippers. I usually leave about 20%, b/c its simply to figure. BUT if we get poor service, I will leave a lot less. I've tipped as little as 5% for extremely bad service. That of course is an extreme and very rare. What is the insentive for good service if the server knows they are getting 18% no matter.

Just my random thoughts.

 

[bicker]

I agree to a point, but my personal experience last month indicated that the fact that the Dining Plan already included the gratuity didn't result in any amount of poor service. As a matter of fact, the worst service we've had at WDW over the past few months was in January, when we were paying OOP.

 

[DebbieB]

It depends on the situation. When my niece and I went last June, we did mostly character meals and the included tip was usually around $10 for the 2 of us. When I was with my friends, they got $20 for 4 people. That's plenty for bringing drinks and picking up plates.

 

[TxRabbit]

I am not sure that the servers actually get the actual tips that are left for them...I read on another board somewhere in here...the tips go into a common pool and they are split between the servers later.

 

[bicker]

There are many restaurants, nationwide, that have a policy whereby all gratuities are pooled. I don't know of any WDW restaurants that operate that way.

 

[Katiebell]

The fact that a guaranteed 18% tip is included in the cost of the DDP was a big selling point for us. Tips can increase your dining bill significantly. DH and I ate at a trendy blues club in SF this weekend. Our dinner bill was 78.07, but after adding a tip of $12 (just slightly over 15%, the service was ok, but nothing stellar), our total was 90.07 -- and we even shared our appetizer and dessert! Hmmmm... might have been the drinks...

 

[KellyCrash]

This was actually a major put off of the dining plan for me. It's going to save us a boat load of money based on my calculations, but I don't agree with the having to include an 18% tip regardless of the service.

Don't get me wrong, we eat out a lot, at least once or twice a week, and are great tippers. I usually leave about 20%, b/c its simply to figure. BUT if we get poor service, I will leave a lot less. I've tipped as little as 5% for extremely bad service. That of course is an extreme and very rare. What is the insentive for good service if the server knows they are getting 18% no matter.

Just my random thoughts.

I totally agree with you. We did the DDP recently & will not do it again. At O'Hana's we had really BAD service during the character breakfast. Why should a bad servicer get 18% gratuity? It seemed like the guy forgot about us and when we called him over he was like, "oh, sorry." His name is Mickey if anyone is curious.

& for those of you who say how do we know if they even really get that tip? Well, frankly, that is NOT my problem. If my bill says 18% grautity has already been included then I am not paying anything more than that. I too usually tip 20% just because it's easier for me to figure out, but I don't think it's necessary to add 2% tip. If they servers aren't getting their tips from the DDP then then either they're being fairly compenstated or they should find a different job.

 

[Nancyg56]

This was actually a major put off of the dining plan for me. It's going to save us a boat load of money based on my calculations, but I don't agree with the having to include an 18% tip regardless of the service.

Don't get me wrong, we eat out a lot, at least once or twice a week, and are great tippers. I usually leave about 20%, b/c its simply to figure. BUT if we get poor service, I will leave a lot less. I've tipped as little as 5% for extremely bad service. That of course is an extreme and very rare. What is the insentive for good service if the server knows they are getting 18% no matter.

Just my random thoughts.

My family has used the DDP 3 times and we were pleased with the level of service at every meal with one exception. I addressed the issue with the manager of the restaurant. While some feel that the expectation of a gratuity is the incentive for good service, it is a reality that most servers are professionals and want to provide excellent customer service. Everyone has a bad day you may experience that with one of your servers. If you find that a server is not providing you with the level of service you expect take it to the manager. I think you are going to be surprised how professional the servers are even with the gratuity in place.