Surprised at dinner totals

[luvwdw]

We ate at Maya Grill and had the best meal of the trip there. The service was fantastic, the food was fabulous. Had we known, we would have ate there everyday! (ok, not really)

We were keeping track of how much our bill would be if OOP just for kicks. We were surprised when we got the bill at Maya because it was much lower than the amount our meals should have been. When we asked the waiter, he explained that non Disney restraunts get reimbursed a certain amount from Disney, not the full price of the meal. We decided then to tip our server the appropriate tip based on the meals real value, not the DDP value. We added the difference in cash. The waiter was very appreciative and even tried to give it back, but he was a great server.

Give Maya Grill a try, it's great!

 

[bicker]

All the Disney-owned restaurants tip their servers based on the actual prices for what you order, not based on any arbitrary amount. The non-Disney-owned restaurants can make their own decisions in that regard.

The non-Disney-owned TS restaurants on the Dining Plan are:

Maya Grill
San Angel Inn
Teppanyaki
Nine Dragons
Marrakesh
Chefs de France
Alfredo's
Wolfgang Puck
Raglan Road

 

[susieq76]

Le Cellier is Disney owned?

 

[bicker]

Yes. Le Cellier, Rose and Crown, Biergarten and Akershus are Disney-owned.

 

[luvwdw]

We just wanted our waiter to be tipped appropriately for the food/drink we bought. The DDP bill was about 1/2 of what it should have been so we wanted to make sure the tip was off the menu prices and not the DDP price.

 

[Lewisc]

Last trip I made of point of asking my server at Chefs de France and WPC if a decent tip was included. Both servers assured me the tip was included and when pressed told me it was 18%.

I appreciated both servers not complaining about bad tips or begging. I tipped extra on my drink bill in both restaurants.

 

[luvwdw]

It was clearly marked on our Maya Grill bill that the gratiuty of 18% was included. We just didn't think it was fair that the tip was figured on the lower total that Disney was paying the restraunt. We figured it would only be fair to pay a tip that was based on the actual price of the meal, especially since it was considerably more. Our waiter never brought it up, we asked. He refused our extra tip quite a bit before we finally said take it or it's just going to be left. He was very appreciative.

 

[momocay]

I think it is great that you tipped the server appropriately. As someone who waitressed my way through college, it is always nice too see servers get their due.

 

[JoiseyMom]

It was clearly marked on our Maya Grill bill that the gratiuty of 18% was included. We just didn't think it was fair that the tip was figured on the lower total that Disney was paying the restraunt. We figured it would only be fair to pay a tip that was based on the actual price of the meal, especially since it was considerably more. Our waiter never brought it up, we asked. He refused our extra tip quite a bit before we finally said take it or it's just going to be left. He was very appreciative.

We encountered the same thing there 2 years ago, and did the same, an extra tip. There are a few posts about this, but there are still lots of dis'ers that don't know!

 

[bicker]

For completeness, while it is admirable to tip extra if you feel that a server who has served you deserves more, keep in mind that it is not expected: The Dining Plan includes all expected gratuities, and patrons shouldn't feel compelled to make up for any restaurant-specific situations, whether it be the fact that servers are tipped on the discounted price, or that they have to walk up and down stairs to the kitchen, or that the manager is a horrible person to work for. These are issues for the servers to address with their own management, making their own decisons about whether the job is worth it. It is very generous for patrons to elect to make up for any of that with an extra gratuity.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

Glad to hear you liked Maya Grill. It was DH's favorite meal last trip.

 

[jensen]

I'm happy that you posted this information. We've used DDP two times in the past and plan to use it on our trip next month. I had no idea about the tip situation at non-Disney restaurants. Luckily we haven't eaten at any of those, but we are planning on one of them for our next trip. I'll make sure to add some extra tip to the check. I understand this isn't required, but as a person who waited tables for years, I have always tried to tip well. It's similar to when I use a gift certificate or coupon at a restuarant. I always tip on the "real" price of what I ordered - not on what the bill says.