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

[Bete]

We usually do $ 5 more/person on free dining table service meals for exceptional service or $2.50 more/person for above average service. The waiters really have it tougher during free dining; there are full restaurants almost every minute.

How about you?

 

[TDC Nala]

Not unless the service is excellent.

 

[Rustysmom]

My DH will probably want to leave a tip anyway because he probably won't believe that the tip is included, plus he's generous that way.

 

[WDWorBUST]

For excellent service we do tip a little more even on the DP - but we have found service to suffer when we have been on the DP (but only the past 2 years during free dining so I don't know if the servers have gotten lazy because the tip is included or if they are just so super busy with free dining going on that they just aren't able to keep up as well).

 

[mill4023]

I consider 18% to be a pretty good tip. If we get excellent service, I'll leave a little extra. I'd be especially impressed with attentive service during free dining since most of the servers probably feel like they are going to get the same tip no matter what effort they give.

 

[bicker]

The free dining promotion is just a hotel discount. It is exactly the same as paying for the Dining Plan, and getting a $XX discount per night on the hotel room. So I don't think folks should feel compelled to do anything differently, with regard to gratuities, compared to how they would handle things if they had paid for the Dining Plan.

 

[Judge Fudge]

If they do a good job, we usually throw a few bucks their way to suppliment the tip. We also take everything (even dessert) to help pad their tip.

 

[wideeyes]

yes will leave a little tip

 

[TIGGERBOO]

I will tip $5-$10 extra it just wont feel right walking away from the table and leaving nothing.

This is of course is only if the service is good.

I tend to overtip as being English I think I panic a bit about leaving enough
and would rather go over than under

 

[The Sweetness]

I voted no, as 18% is standard, and already included. If we have an extrordinary mess, I would drop an extra $5, I guess

 

[mom2my3kids]

Of course I am a server myself. But I don't think people should feed guilty if they don't. The tip is included but for me personally its not enough so I will give a additional 5-10 dollars. Unless service is just so horrible ... but that would be another story....

 

[crystalcml]

I don't tip with the dining plan because it includes an 18% tip.

 

[Bete]

the waiters actually net like 13% on the so-called 18% tip in some restaurants. I think in the non-Disney owned restaurants it's even lower. There's been some explanations about how this happens but it has to do with how Disney pays the restaurants from the plan and then how the restaurant passes it along to the waiters.

I try to make up the difference. Also, there's a waiting game with these tips; because, it goes through Disney first, etc.; so, the waiters don't get it as quick as a normal tip. It's not cash on the table.

Someone else may be able to explain this better.

 

[bicker]

At Disney-owned restaurants, waiter "net" just the same as they net off of an 18% tip at any other restaurant in the country. An 18% tip there is an 18% tip and folks shouldn't feel compelled to tip more, unless the service was superior.

Rumor is that some, but not all, of the non-Disney-owned restaurants tip their staff based on an allocation, rather than based on what you order. It's like tipping on the total after a coupon discount is applied. I don't like the practice, so I tip extra at those restaurants.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We always tip more--especially with great service.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It would be interesting to hear from servers as to how often people actually tip them above what the dining plan pays.

 

[REL1203]

I generally tip 15-18% at most restaurants I go to. I will probably bring a couple $5 bills with my on my trip soley for use as extra tip if its earned. I am not the type of person who just tips extra for the sake of leaving extra. I work hard for my money, and I expect them to work hard for my money if they want it. If I get good to great service, i will throw an extra $5 down no prob, if its just avg service, they get what is in the plan from me...

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

We usually do $ 5 more/person on free dining table service meals for exceptional service or $2.50 more/person for above average service. The waiters really have it tougher during free dining; there are full restaurants almost every minute.

How about you?

But they are getting the usual 18% even with the free dining.

 

[jennifer6800]

As a server, 18% isn't a spectacular tip. I work really hard and want each guest to want to come back. Having said that if the service isn't good I won't tip extra. But I can't imagine not leaving a little more, it will be even more appreciated during Free Dining.

 

[bicker]

With respect, Jennifer, I think 18% is a very good tip for good service. I don't think consumers should feel anything other than that they've fully satisfied their obligations for rewarding good service when they tip 18%, or even just 15%.