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

[bicker]

If Maya Grill does, then almost surely San Angel Inn does -- same owners.

 

[Lewisc]

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

Normally an automatic 18% tip is added to the out of pocket check. Nothing wrong with using that as a check vehicle to tipping extra for the entire meal but no reason to add to that tip, for normal service.

 

[Flametamr]

I'm sorry but I'm not tipping extra unless something very special is done for me at a full service resturant. I feel that 18 pct is fair for normal service. The tip is the same regardless of so called "Free Dining" or buying the DDP. I'm paying Disney about 100 dollars per person per day to be there. Not counting extras. I don't feel I'm responsible for a company like Wolfgangs ripping off their servers. I find it hard to believe that it is that bad, and if it is how do they keep wait staff.

I also feel 18 percent is much more than fair for a buffet service. The staff only has to bring drinks and in one place they did not even do that. It was self serve. So count me as not tipping extra.

 

[bicker]

I'm sorry but I'm not tipping extra unless something very special is done for me at a full service resturant. I feel that 18 pct is fair for normal service.

I agree completely..... however....

I'm paying Disney about 100 dollars per person per day to be there. Not counting extras.

That doesn't matter. If it was $20, $100, or $500, it wouldn't matter. How much you pay doesn't have anything to do with how much you should tip -- you should tip 15% or better for good service.

I don't feel I'm responsible for a company like Wolfgangs ripping off their servers.

I can see both sides of that debate. I personally would make up for difference, and even tipped a lot extra at Chefs de France even though I was unsure if they did the same thing Wolfgang Puck Cafe did. However, to be fair, the average guest shouldn't even realize that there is a question. Most simply understand, "gratuities are included," and that should be enough, as is.

I find it hard to believe that it is that bad, and if it is how do they keep wait staff.

Folks in-the-know are quick to point out that the average server typically makes a little more than 10%, averaging out the big tippers, regular tippers and stiffers. So being guaranteed 18% of a discounted amount isn't bad, as long as the discount is not more than 60%.

I also feel 18 percent is much more than fair for a buffet service.

I agree... it's actually overly-generous, and indeed a bit unfair to restaurant servers that buffet servers get so much IMHO.

 

[jenrose66]

We probably won't tip extra. I mean, I'm not saying we never would. If the service was super great and our server went out of his/her way then I would. The thing is, they already are making their standard tip...and, I don't want to sound cheap, but this is going to be a budget trip for me and every dollar counts. Now if I wasn't on the DP I would be tipping my 18 to 20% like I always do (however, if it wasn't for free dining we would have been doing a majority of CS with only one or two TS's tops)...but since that tip is built into the plan and that is a benefit of the plan, why should I pay extra.

 

[LauraAnn630]

My DH will agree with Flametamr. I always want to leave a big tip. DH will say we came for the FREE dining now you want me to give all our money to the servers!!? If he knows the tips are included he will not leave more money. So, if any extra money is left it will come out of my spending money.

I remember what its like to be a server. It freakin' hard!

Once I told my husband wouldnt it be nice if someone gave you a few extra bucks? He said, "No one ever does!"

Same with tipping for houskeeping. I did that job as well. I used to think...

If everyone would just leave me a buck, Id have an extra $20.00 or so a day!
But, they didnt.

 

[Barbers2005]

As a general rule, we tip 17% at home (double NY sales tax) so this is pretty much in line with what I would tip anyway. For a very amiable and conscientous server I would tip a bit more. However, I don't see this ever happening while on the DDP (free or otherwise) b/c neither dh or I regularly carry cash- we pay for everything with debit or credit.

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, I leave some extra money, usually to bring it up to 20%.

 

[patsal]

I've never been lucky enough to be able to travel during free dining periods, but I would do what I do when I pay for the DDP. Anything I order above and beyond the DDP is also already pre charged the 18% tip, I pay that bill and if the service is exceptional and I do mean exceptional, beyond what the job description calls for, then I leave an extra $5.00 at regular TS and $10 at Signature TS. Honestly I have had very few exceptional servers, though I am happy to say that we usually get one or two per 15 day vacation. I will always remember the server at the Hoop Dee Doo that really paid attention to my sons eating habits--he loved the bread--she packed him a bag of bread and a to go cup of butter--that's exceptional. The server at the California Grill who took the time to answer my then 8yo's question about goat cheese, bring out the chef to explain the different flavors and textures and then brought out samples of each so she could try them and not be afraid to try new things--that was exceptional and warranted a very generous tip. I have a few other experiences, but don't want this to run too long. I have also been on the other side with not so great service, lucky to get refilled drink glasses, half the meals delivered and the others still waiting for their meals. I have had servers circle the tip part for me to add in extra tip and total it though the 18% was already added in on the extras. I have had a server bring me the bill for a single glass of beer including the gratuity and handed her a $50.00, she actually asked if I wanted change--no really that beer was so good I wanted to leave you a $42.00 tip!

 

[Lewisc]

The poll asks about extra tips for good service. !8% is more than enough for good service.

I might tip more for extraordinary service. Some posters are asking for examples.
1) Your kid makes a large mess.
2) The server allows you to order something that's not on the menu. Tonga Toast at lunch time. Allows your child to get a child size portion of an adult entrée.
3) I'd certain tip extra if I was sharing a meal.
4) I'd tip extra if the server was extraordinarily attentive in getting drink refills.

 

[Bev J]

We were lucky to get free dining last September and really enjoyed the dining plan alot. That said service was very spotty and our favorite resturant Le Cellier was a real dud and I am not sure I could even convince my family to eat their again, let alone leave a extra tip. Sci Fi was the worst of the trip and if I would of I would have reduced the 18 auto tip he did get. We felt many servers knew they would get the auto tip and could get away with not doing a good job. I am not talking about anything extra, just keeping our drinks filled or not rushing us through the different courses, at one point we had appy, entreee and he was standing there wanting to know what we want for desert....
Of course there are exceptions Coral Reef and Kona did exceed our expectations and we did leave a little extra.
We feel that 18% is a fair tip. People are ordering alot more food on the dining plan, so more tip for the server.
This trip we are paying for the DP and we would only consider leaving extra for service that exceeds our expectations.

Bev

 

[srgibbs]

To each his own decision but last year we did tip extra at several TS Restaurants b/c of good service. We felt like with Free Dining they were working extra hard since the Restaurants were full and if we got good service they deserved it. We left an extra $10 at Wolfgang Pucks do to the way the bill was discounted and our server was very good and really appreciated that. Kona Cafe, Chef Mickey's and O'hana's gave our 2YO milk and never charged us for it so we appreciated that and gave them each $5 extra. As for Tony's, councourse Steakhouse and Le Cellier service was nothing special and we didn't feel like we needed to reward them for fair service. We have been during Free Dinining the past 2 years and have never got bad service. I think disney really does a good job for the most part. I waited tables in HS and some in College and even though the money can be good people can be very difficult.

 

[kldmom2000]

Though we miss free dining by TWO days this year last year we did have it and we did leave an extra gratuity-usually a $10 if the service was good We are paying for DDP this year and if we do get very good service, then we do intend to do the same

 

[burberryplaid]

We will definitely tip for exceptional service.

 

[Bete]

The first year I was on the plan I was clueless. I did it during free dining.
I had heard from these boards that certain items were refused guests on the plan. It somewhat scared me; because, if I ordered something that's not included and I'm thinking it's free and then I have to pay more, etc. On the opposite side, I heard how nice some servers were to push the envelope; so, you could get the absolute maximum value out of the plan. They would tell you what to order to get the best benefit.

A few concrete examples are getting a smoothie at a restaurant. In most instances that's not considered a regular drink, but at this restaurant it was ok. I asked and my wish was granted. Another example was with dinner where you could order your steak with an extra side of shrimp or scallops. This was in addition to your appetizer. The server in this instance steered us in this direction without us even asking. He noticed we had shrimp as our appetizer; so, he asked if we wanted it as a side with dinner, as well. Needless to say, we did it. Now, you add the fact that everyone in your party can get these little extras and it really maximizes your benefit many fold. In a few other instances I asked for guidance by the server and explained we were newbies. In those instances, we were able to gain extra benefit, too. Finally, I remembered we didn't want dessert at a place; we were so full. We asked if we could have a soda to go for our dessert. The server granted our request. I was really happy with that one; because, it was pretty hot and muggy that day.

I think kindness deserves kindness. If you were lucky enough to go during free dining and you were lucky enough to secure your ressies for it........... I hope some others will share their good luck on the plan, free or not.

I think we will have to agree to disagree about tipping more during free dining.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

So, I don't understand - you are getting free dining and you feel you haven't spent enough already so you want to give away some of your money to servers who are being tipped automatically? Why did you want the free dining plan if you want to throw your money away doubling the server's tips? I dont get it. It doesn't make sense!

Do some people not understand that each day the servers work hard whether it is during free dining or not, and that 18% is pretty generous. Remember, you still had to pay for your visit to WDW. It is not totally free - with extra tickets and hotel at rack rates.

 

[Bete]

So, I don't understand - you are getting free dining and you feel you haven't spent enough already so you want to give away some of your money to servers who are being tipped automatically? Why did you want the free dining plan if you want to throw your money away doubling the server's tips? I dont get it. It doesn't make sense!

Do some people not understand that each day the servers work hard whether it is during free dining or not, and that 18% is pretty generous. Remember, you still had to pay for your visit to WDW. It is not totally free - with extra tickets and hotel at rack rates.

I think of free dining as an extra perk like extra hours at the park as a Disney resort guest. I don't think of free dining only as a cost saving device. I know I am in the minority here based on the poll, but it's how I feel about it.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I think of free dining as an extra perk like extra hours at the park as a Disney resort guest. I don't think of free dining only as a cost saving device. I know I am in the minority here based on the poll, but it's how I feel about it.

Yes, free dining is like an extra perk, but you also have to pay for it (inadvertantly, paying rack rates and buying tickets) and I just don't understand this "mindset" as you call it. How is it free dining if you feel like you have to pay more money for it?

By the way, I was not directing my former comments at you. I was talking in general terms answering the original question on this thread, and then I observed so many comments where the posters seemed to feel obligated to tip extra during free dining - and I still don't get it.

 

[Flametamr]

My late wife was a server and very strict on the amount she tipped. Always at the top of the going average. But she was also strict on the service she expected. So I have seen the other side.

Playing devil's advocate here.

Why tip more for average service just because the returant is full ? If everyone there is on the free DDP then the server is guarenteed 18 pct on every table. That is probably more than other times when it is just paying customers.

I can understand leaving some extra for a special server who did something special or the service was just over the top. But I will not feel pressured into it for lousy service. Circling the tip on the reciept is not going to help.

After about a week a server knows what they are making. If they don't like the pay they can do something else. Don't expect me to reward them just because they seem overworked. The busier the resturant is the more money they are making.

Finally if you wanna tip someone 36 percent just to bring you drinks have at it. You are welcome to give your money to anyone you see fit. Personally I need my money to pay bills. Hey maybe I can start a new trend of tipping fireman for saving lives. We are drastically underpaid here in the south.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I am in total agreement, thanks for a nice post.