So, will you be tipping extra with the free dining table service meal?

[Bete]

There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to tipping.

I think there will always be pros and cons with extra tipping with the dining plan. I think if you take the incentive for good service away during that free time for the dining deal with more and more people feeling no extra tipping is necessary, that the free dining period will be a time I want to avoid at Disney, not enjoy. I think the expectation for a better tip needs to be there for the servers. The free diners definitely out weigh the others during this promotion.

I think I can understand the mentality of being a Disney server at this promo time and knowing I'm guaranteed a tip and wanting to serve my non-Disney plan customers more, especially since some of the free diners wouldn't be there otherwise.

I actually thought when I started this poll that there would be more people leaving an extra tip. I felt like if you were blessed to get the deal that everyone would be a little more generous to the server.

 

[bicker]

Bete: There should be no difference in that regard between the free dining period and the rest of the year. None whatsoever.

 

[erinstar]

For me it will depend on how good the service is.

 

[dis2cruise]

i think we will depends on the service we are always very generous if someone goes out of their way for us.

cheryl

 

[Bete]

Bete: There should be no difference in that regard between the free dining period and the rest of the year. None whatsoever.

an attitude difference with the servers. I feel the mindset for the server on the positive side is with free dining the guest may be a little more generous; because, they are not paying for the plan. If that's not true, I think they may feel the need to pay attention more to other guests, the pay as you go type.

I think it's unlikely to think they will have more servers for the free dining promo. So, if I'm a server with a guaranteed tip from someone who has no intention of giving anything extra for a tip, then I'm going to concentrate on the pay as you go customer. After a while, the server catches on to free diners not being more generous.

I almost feel like starting this same poll for those who pay for the dining plan. I don't think the results on tipping would be the same.

 

[The Sweetness]

I disagree there. To get the promo, a guest would have paid rack for at least 3 nights at a resort, and some amt of tix as well. The free dining promo doesnt entitle a server to more.

 

[bicker]

Another problem with that, Bete, is that a server has no idea whether or not a Dining Plan guest paid for the Dining Plan or got it for free. There is absolutely no way they could know.

 

[Flagondry]

Whether we'll tip ot not depnds on the service. Basic, acceptable service? I won't be leaving anything extra. Good service with a great attitude, sure I'll throw down a bit more. We generally tip 20% for good service and 25% and up for outstanding service, though that is rare.We'll just match up the tip to what we would normally leave.

 

[Captn Jack Sparrow]

I used to be a server in a prior life. So I know the pains to which these poor CM's will be put through during the FDDP time. but I generally tip 20% anyhow for great service down to 10% for bad service.

 

[Merriwind]

Fuller restaurants mean more tip income for the servers. Sure, they will be working harder during free dining, but they will be getting compensated for it.

We avoid free dining--and the dining plan--but were we on it, the service would have to be truly extraordinary for us to consider leaving an additional tip. Generally, we would not leave extra.

 

[zurgswife]

Just an important note....Wolfgang pucks at DTD each server only receives $5 per person. We had a $400 bill for 6 people which meant the server received $30. a 15% tip would have been $60. I definitely tip more at Wolfgang pucks.

I have asked the question of at least 4 waiters on separate occasions and have received the same answer. I believe that it is true.

 

[dis2cruise]

Just an important note....Wolfgang pucks at DTD each server only receives $5 per person. We had a $400 bill for 6 people which meant the server received $30. a 15% tip would have been $60. I definitely tip more at Wolfgang pucks.

I have asked the question of at least 4 waiters on separate occasions and have received the same answer. I believe that it is true.

good to know, read wonderful things about this restruant so this is one of our adr's.

cheryl

 

[bicker]

Does anyone know for sure that any of the other non-Disney restaurants do this? I think I remember reading about Planet Hollywood, and Teppanyaki doing the same thing (but no others).

 

[meljaffe]

We always have something extra that dining plan does not cover--specialty drinks etc-- so we leave a good tip on the extras

 

[FayeW]

I have a hard time understanding what "exceptional" restaurant service is, and why bringing me the meal I ordered, filling my water glass, and bringing my bill in a timely fashion would ever warrant more than the 18% gratuity included in the dining plan!

Exceptional service to me would be cutting my meat and feeding it to me, not bringing me the correct meal I ordered and taking away my dirty plate when I finished!

(And yes, I was a server, supervisor, and restaurant manager so I do know how demanding being a server can be).

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I have a hard time understanding what "exceptional" restaurant service is, and why bringing me the meal I ordered, filling my water glass, and bringing my bill in a timely fashion would ever warrant more than the 18% gratuity included in the dining plan!

Exceptional service to me would be cutting my meat and feeding it to me, not bringing me the correct meal I ordered and taking away my dirty plate when I finished!

I love this response. Just because I get free DDP does not entitle anyone to more of my hard earned money. I am still spending a bundle on my trip, thank you. I think 18% is very generous. Besides, the server doesn't know if I have free dining or if I paid for DDP.

 

[erinstar]

I have a hard time understanding what "exceptional" restaurant service is, and why bringing me the meal I ordered, filling my water glass, and bringing my bill in a timely fashion would ever warrant more than the 18% gratuity included in the dining plan!

Exceptional service to me would be cutting my meat and feeding it to me, not bringing me the correct meal I ordered and taking away my dirty plate when I finished!

(And yes, I was a server, supervisor, and restaurant manager so I do know how demanding being a server can be).

I couldn't agree with this more Esp considering I'm coming from Aust, where tipping is not really a custom I am used to, therefore if I am on the dining plan free or not, I would want to see some pretty outstanding service to warrant leaving an extra tip.

 

[n2mm]

I don't think 18% is generous by no means. That is the new standard amount for average service. Unless someone is horrible we always tip extra, but never a dollar amount. We always leave 5% extra, unless service is very good--which we have gotten many times in WDW (Coral Reef in Feb comes to mind as most recently). Then when it's very good we leave an extra 10%. I think 28% is a good tip for exceptional service. It's always a good feeling with the server knows that you are pleased and comes back to the table to thank you for noticing the outstanding job they did. Whether it's free ddp or we are paying for it, our rules apply all of the time. We have used the ddp for our last 5 trips since 2006 and are very happy with the plan and the service we have received. We did the free ddp in 2005 and 2006 (but not in 2007). We have paid for the ddp in 2006 for May and Oct, and again in Feb 2007. We have seen no difference in our service or food selection whether it's free or not. We will be there in 2 weeks again and will be using the ddp for another 12 nights.

 

[bicker]

That is the new standard amount for average service.

Some would like it to be so, but in reality there has been no such change. The reality is that the job hasn't changed, and income increases as menu prices increase, since 15% of an increase is still more than 15% of the previous price.

 

[Lewisc]

It may have changed, but Chefs de France based the tip on Disney's reimbursement rate. I was by the register when my bill was being rung up and I saw the total bill, including tip, being reduced to the amount Disney was paying the restaurant.There were credible posts that indicated the Maya Grill in CSR did the same.

Does anyone know for sure that any of the other non-Disney restaurants do this? I think I remember reading about Planet Hollywood, and Teppanyaki doing the same thing (but no others).