?? Regarding sharing at TS

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I'm not sure what's wrong with the Olive Garden scenario, beyond the not tipping. Unlimited soup/salad/breadsticks is an incredibly popular menu item at that particular restaurant chain. It's what I almost always get there.

Maybe it is the different culture in the US. Here in the UK it would not be acceptable to just order a first course, not have a drink, then ask for extra bread sticks. You would have to order a main. I think the restaurant would ask you to leave if it was a busy Saturday night. They shared the soup. The salad is free. That's all they ordered. The server said they had been there for hours.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

You saw two women order an item on the menu. (IMO, it's one of the only edible things on the menu.) Who cares if they drank water?

How do you know they didn't tip? Did you check their bill after they left?

The server told us. I just felt sorry for the server that is all. I did nkt mean to cause anybody any offense. Probably just me not understanding the culture.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

The server told us. I just felt sorry for the server that is all. I did nkt mean to cause anybody any offense. Probably just me not understanding the culture.

The server must have spent a lot of time discussing these other women with you. If I overheard a server gossiping about my party to other customers, I wouldn't tip them either.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Servers work for tips--and when two women stuff themselves silly for hours on bread and salad for $11 and leave no tip--I might say something myself if I were a server.

Was at a local restaurant a few months back when two servers worked a table (several families) it looked like of about 20 people--stayed about an hour after we got there and then piled out--NO tip.

Both servers spoke out loud after that group left and I don't blame them!!

 

[maxiesmom]

To be fair Disney encourages the "abuse"

I had an ADR for brunch at CG. I asked if I could return for wishes. Was told no - but I should book an early ADR, have a drink and an appetizer, and that would all me to return later that night to view.

Turned out the info was wrong, others have returned after brunch but the point is Disney and groups associated with Disney (Mom's panel comes to mind) are encouraging behavior that some on these boards consider "abuse of a loophole"

But Disney states that they don't check the Mom's Panel for accuracy. And they are quite often very wrong.

 

[TeresaWen]

But Disney states that they don't check the Mom's Panel for accuracy. And they are quite often very wrong.

I understand that they are highly inaccurate. But for someone uninformed, looking for help and advice who gets an answer from the Disney Mom's panel suggesting making an ADR and going to CG for drinks and an appetizer do we expect them to reject the idea because some on these boards consider it abuse. The boards that offer all kinds of advice on how to use Disney's very own policies to their fullest advantage. Including splitting entrées to save dining plan credits. And many other things that could be considered abuse. Why all the focus on ordering appetizer at CG, or cupcakes at BOG

However, I would fully support a minimum charge at restaurants. AND lounges - ever not been able to get a seat at the bar because 5 children and coloring and drinking water. Even with appetizers only I am sure my bill is high enough when beverages are added. I could easily cover a minimum.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Maybe it is the different culture in the US. Here in the UK it would not be acceptable to just order a first course, not have a drink, then ask for extra bread sticks. You would have to order a main. I think the restaurant would ask you to leave if it was a busy Saturday night. They shared the soup. The salad is free. That's all they ordered. The server said they had been there for hours.

It's not a matter of culture. Unlimited soup/salad/breadsticks is an actual menu item. If it's on the menu, it's completely acceptable for someone to order it. I've ordered this exact thing on a "busy Saturday night" more than once.

Also, salad isn't free unless you order an entree. If you order it on its own, you have to pay for it.

 

[DisBuckMan]

But Disney states that they don't check the Mom's Panel for accuracy. And they are quite often very wrong.

Their information is no better than phone CMs.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

It's not a matter of culture. Unlimited soup/salad/breadsticks is an actual menu item. If it's on the menu, it's completely acceptable for someone to order it. I've ordered this exact thing on a "busy Saturday night" more than once.

Also, salad isn't free unless you order an entree. If you order it on its own, you have to pay for it.

I see my misunderstanding and ignorance thank you for explaining.

 

[Uncleromulus]

It's not a matter of culture. Unlimited soup/salad/breadsticks is an actual menu item. If it's on the menu, it's completely acceptable for someone to order it. I've ordered this exact thing on a "busy Saturday night" more than once.

Also, salad isn't free unless you order an entree. If you order it on its own, you have to pay for it.

Of course the "unlimited" aspect guarantees many people gorging themselves on as many breadsticks as they can possible cram down their throats until they get sick--or near it.

 

[smiths02]

Maybe it is the different culture in the US. Here in the UK it would not be acceptable to just order a first course, not have a drink, then ask for extra bread sticks. You would have to order a main. I think the restaurant would ask you to leave if it was a busy Saturday night. They shared the soup. The salad is free. That's all they ordered. The server said they had been there for hours.

They should have each been charged for the $11 soup/salad breadsticks "entree." You shouldn't be able to share an all you can eat entree.
AND they should have left a tip.

 

[L&Lfan]

I love hearing servers' "they stiffed me" stories. Happens more often than I ever thought.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I love hearing servers' "they stiffed me" stories. Happens more often than I ever thought.

I think I may be have been a sucker for them it seems !

 

[KrazeeK120]

I love hearing servers' "they stiffed me" stories. Happens more often than I ever thought.

There's no real way of knowing if the server was actually stiffed or if they were looking for sympathy/a bigger tip. I'd be wary of a server gossiping to me about something another table did.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

how much does it cost Disney to send 4 employees around with costumes on?

Actually,
. . . every character has two CM's rotating in costume and one handler
. . . figure $12/hr each, plus about $23/hr in benefits
. . . also have to figure washing-mending costumes, and original purchase amortization
. . . now, add overhead and administration (and, profit)
. . . so, a team of four characters could be $1.5m per year, not counting training costs

 

[Uncleromulus]

When we did the Chefs Table at V&A a long time ago Mickey and Minnie would show up at the table.

The next time they did not.

We asked our servers why--and were told that the restaurant had to pay for them out of the restaurant budget and couldn't continue to afford to do it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

There's no real way of knowing if the server was actually stiffed or if they were looking for sympathy/a bigger tip. I'd be wary of a server gossiping to me about something another table did.

I have MANY server friends around here--we eat out very often--and they get stiffed much more frequently than they should.

At WDW when many are trying to eat as much as possible for as little $$ as possible, I am quite sure it happens often. Especially with a lot of folks from out of the country with no clear knowledge of how tips work here.

 

[kandb]

Servers work for tips--and when two women stuff themselves silly for hours on bread and salad for $11 and leave no tip--I might say something myself if I were a server.

Was at a local restaurant a few months back when two servers worked a table (several families) it looked like of about 20 people--stayed about an hour after we got there and then piled out--NO tip.

Both servers spoke out loud after that group left and I don't blame them!!

Usually if a party is over 6 people, they automatically add an 18% gratuity onto the bill.

 

[GaryDis]

A couple of poached eggs on an English muffin and a pastry basket? For $10? At Disney? Not going to happen. It would almost make sense for $10 or $15 for the pastry basket and a drink. The problem with that is that everyone will order that and no one will order breakfast.

That was partially tongue in cheek and partially just a low ball bid. But it's not as unreasonable as you might think. Eggs Benedict at The Wave is $12. I was knocking off the Canadian Bacon, the hollandaise, and $2. And the in-park premium if there is one. (According to allears, both 'Ohana and Chef Mickey's are more than the Crystal Palace for breakfast, so I'm not going to grant a huge in-park premium.)

 

[Uncleromulus]

Usually if a party is over 6 people, they automatically add an 18% gratuity onto the bill.

Usually--but not always.