The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[Tricia1972]

Perhaps an unusual question but here goes .
We have a reservation for California Grill but plan to go earlier and if possible sit at the bar and have a drink on the balcony.
1.Is this possible?
2.How much tip at the bar ?

Not sure if you can have your drink on the balcony, but as far as tipping at the bar:

Using the DDE card, you'll be charged an 18% gratuity
Paying OOP without a DDE Card (party of 5 or less) you'll be free to tip at your discretion.

 

[hematite153]

I also questioned the gift cards, although it is not the ideal situation, as they can only be used to purchase things on property or at Disney Stores, they can be used for tips.

I've never used a giftcard unless it was given to me as a gift. However, the ones I've used have all been scannable into the computer just like the KTTW card. I don't understand why these CMs don't just do that, the funds are supposed to be only spendable on disney property while still on the disney giftcard. However, once spent, the disney stores are now allowed to use the money as normal income--why wouldn't the CMs?

 

[tweedlemom]

OK, so I will correct myself, I have spoken to quite a few more servers since I posted this.
As for the Disney Dollars as tips, yes it is ok. CM's can cash them out, and although it is a bit "out of the way" it is not a problem. It seems as though the 2 I spoke with first might just be a bit lazy or unsure of policy.
I also questioned the gift cards, although it is not the ideal situation, as they can only be used to purchase things on property or at Disney Stores, they can be used for tips. Most of the other CM's said they get so few of them that it really has never been a problem.

Thanks for letting me eat crow

just me

Thanks for the update!

 

[just another guy]

Having just spoken to 2 servers/bartenders, here is the response I received regarding tips....

Although Gift Cards are nice and thoughtful, they do not pay the bills, If a guest does not want to carry cash or tip on card, perhaps a Visa gift card might help them out. At least we (servers) can use those at grocery stores or gas stations.

"At cash out daily, we balance cash, credit cards, kttw, disney dollars, etc as individual amounts, it is almost if not always impossible for us to exchange dd's for cash." Although we would never question a guest leaving such, it also does not pay the bills.

Hate to tell you, but they straight lied to you.

Here's how the servers "bank out" as its called. Basically its their paperwork they do at the end of the night. A manager or GT(general teller) prints a report of their sales. It either says the server owes disney, or disney owes the server. Let me explain. If a server has EVERY single guest pay with a credit card, and grand total all those guests leave $100, then disney owes the server that $100 that night. The store gives them $100 in cash. If a server had everyone pay in cash one night, and had a total of $500 in sales at _________ restaurant, then the server owes the store $500 before they can leave. Anything over $500 would be their tips.

Now, as for disney dollars. Servers and bartenders use those just like cash when paying for an order. There is no disney dollar button on the register, they simply use the cash buttons. As for banking out with those disney dollars, I'll give you a couple setups.

1. Lets say they have 10 guests pay with credit cards. 9 leave tips on the credit card, and one leaves $20 in disney dollars. When the server goes to bank out, the GTs paperwork will say the server is owed ____ in tips from the credit cards. Lets say $100 to be easy. The GT hands the server $100. The server still has that $20 in disney dollars in their pocket. They simply hand it to the GT, and the GT hands them a real $20.

2. Lets say the server has all their guest pay cash. They have $500 in sales, and made $70 in tips. Of those $70 in tips, $30 are in disney dollars. So before banking out, the server has $540 in US dollars and $30 in disney dollars. The GTs paperwork says the server owes the store $500. The server gives the GT $470 in US money, and the $30 disney dollars. That leaves the server going home with $70 in cold hard US cash.

 

[just another guy]

Oh, and as for leaving a visa gift card... I can't speak for anyone to be honest, but I would bet money here's what 99% of servers would do. Lets say their first tables pays with a credit card, and leaves a $25 visa gift card as the tip. The servers second tables has a bill of $85, and simply leaves $100 to cover the bill and tip. That server would then swipe the visa gift card, making the second tables bill $60, and pocket the cash.

 

[marrimouse]

I've read a few of the pages and I haven't seen an answer to this question.. sorry if it has been asked already...

Can we tip with Disney Dollars? We have a couple of hundred saved (it's the only way we can save without dipping into the cash!).

thanks in advance.... getting sooooo close.. the only thing we are missing is the fantasmic package for the 27th... we keep calling and trying..

Yes you can tip with Disney Dollars.

This is good to know thanks!!!!

 

[goNsoon2WDW]

It may be different with some Visa Gift Cards, but we just recently bought one for a gift and there are some policies that may deduct money from it for things like checking the balance.

We were told to have the person keep very close track of the amount they spent and what was left on the card. If they needed to call the number to check the balance, they would be charged a $2 fee.

Also, if they were using it on a $52 bill and there was only $50 dollars on the card, the card would have to be "charged" for only $50 or it would be rejected as insufficient funds.

To me, these seem to be more trouble than they are worth.

 

[hematite153]

It may be different with some Visa Gift Cards, but we just recently bought one for a gift and there are some policies that may deduct money from it for things like checking the balance.

We were told to have the person keep very close track of the amount they spent and what was left on the card. If they needed to call the number to check the balance, they would be charged a $2 fee.

Also, if they were using it on a $52 bill and there was only $50 dollars on the card, the card would have to be "charged" for only $50 or it would be rejected as insufficient funds.

To me, these seem to be more trouble than they are worth.

Yes, I think that this is part of why people would rather use other types of gift cards (i.e. Disney gift cards).

But, personally, I'll stick with my standard VISA and cash.

 

[ShhhQ]

It may be different with some Visa Gift Cards, but we just recently bought one for a gift and there are some policies that may deduct money from it for things like checking the balance.

We were told to have the person keep very close track of the amount they spent and what was left on the card. If they needed to call the number to check the balance, they would be charged a $2 fee.

Also, if they were using it on a $52 bill and there was only $50 dollars on the card, the card would have to be "charged" for only $50 or it would be rejected as insufficient funds.

To me, these seem to be more trouble than they are worth.

Yeah, I work as a cashier and whenever I have a customer that has one of these cards.... I cringe! They CANNOT be run as debit and need to run as credit... but many people choose the debit option... and like you said even if it is just above the amount left on the card, the card will be rejected! This usually ends in an upset.

 

[danalee]

I would never leave those visa cards for anyone! My mom got my son one for Christmas and we had nothing but problems with it. A long drawed out mess to say the least and from what I heard from alot of retailers we were not the only ones. Like the poster before states they cringed when they seen the card. just a little fyi

 

[bnjtorres]

I have made ADRs for our September trip. I have questions about how the bills and tips will be handled. We are 5 families on vacation together and are not on any dining plans. Here are the specifics:
Family 1 - 2 adults, 1 child
Family 2 - 3 adults
Family 3 - 2 adults
Family 4 - 2 adults
Family 5 - 3 adults, 3 children

Example:
2 tables of 8 reserved for Chef Mickey's - are they going to break up our check into 5 different bills and will these each include the prorated 18% or not?

Biergarten Buffet - Families 1, 2 & 3 are reserved - 3 bills or 1?

Whispering Canyon Cafe - Families 1, 2 & 3 are reserved for 1 table of 8 - same question

What happens if some of the folks want to leave cash tip and some want to charge to their credit card? I guess that doesn't matter if the bills get split so I'm hoping they will always split but understand that is a lot of work for our server.

Oh yes, for further complications , my sister (an adult in Family 2) is planning on inviting a coworker/friend on our vacation which would be an additional adult at every meal. Will they be able to accomodate her or will it cause major issues with our ressies? She is willing to pay her own portion of everything but I just think it will be a big problem when all of a sudden we need seating for 9 not 8 and am wondering if I should call ahead and try to get things changed or if it will cause my current ressies to cancel and then I'll be stuck with less desirable times or no availability. My sister is saying if we can't get her friend a seat then she will eat at counter service with her and we'll be 1 adult short from what I previously booked. Is that going to be an issue? My biggest concern for this situation is our CRT ressie for 2 tables of 4.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[Tricia1972]

I have made ADRs for our September trip. I have questions about how the bills and tips will be handled. We are 5 families on vacation together and are not on any dining plans. Here are the specifics:
Family 1 - 2 adults, 1 child
Family 2 - 3 adults
Family 3 - 2 adults
Family 4 - 2 adults
Family 5 - 3 adults, 3 children

Example:
2 tables of 8 reserved for Chef Mickey's - are they going to break up our check into 5 different bills and will these each include the prorated 18% or not?

Biergarten Buffet - Families 1, 2 & 3 are reserved - 3 bills or 1?

Whispering Canyon Cafe - Families 1, 2 & 3 are reserved for 1 table of 8 - same question

What happens if some of the folks want to leave cash tip and some want to charge to their credit card? I guess that doesn't matter if the bills get split so I'm hoping they will always split but understand that is a lot of work for our server.

Oh yes, for further complications , my sister (an adult in Family 2) is planning on inviting a coworker/friend on our vacation which would be an additional adult at every meal. Will they be able to accomodate her or will it cause major issues with our ressies? She is willing to pay her own portion of everything but I just think it will be a big problem when all of a sudden we need seating for 9 not 8 and am wondering if I should call ahead and try to get things changed or if it will cause my current ressies to cancel and then I'll be stuck with less desirable times or no availability. My sister is saying if we can't get her friend a seat then she will eat at counter service with her and we'll be 1 adult short from what I previously booked. Is that going to be an issue? My biggest concern for this situation is our CRT ressie for 2 tables of 4.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Bills are split and each bill has its own prorated 18% tip/gratuity on it. How the individual family pays for the gratuity does not matter.

If you can't accommodate your sisters friend on the existing reservation (I'd try to call and ask) then you can try showing up with the friend and if the restaurant can't accommodate you at that time then your sister and friend can go eat CS in the area and you can eat with one less guest at the TS location.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

It may be different with some Visa Gift Cards, but we just recently bought one for a gift and there are some policies that may deduct money from it for things like checking the balance.

We were told to have the person keep very close track of the amount they spent and what was left on the card. If they needed to call the number to check the balance, they would be charged a $2 fee.

Also, if they were using it on a $52 bill and there was only $50 dollars on the card, the card would have to be "charged" for only $50 or it would be rejected as insufficient funds.

To me, these seem to be more trouble than they are worth.

They are, as a cashier, I hate the things, (like you said, if the card's for $50, but your purchase is $52, it's declined. I've had customers get mad at me when they don't know how much is on the card and when I can't check for them.) I don't like buying them as gifts either, since they charge you an extra $4 or something when you purchase them.

 

[southjerseymom]

I worked in restuarants for 27 years and I can't imagine getting a gift card as a tip. I was given one as a gift a couple of years ago and saved it for a romantic dinner with DH at the California Grill. Anyway, it kept on getting declined and I had to use another card. Turns out when used in a restaurant the gift card issuer adds 20% to the bill for a tip. So if your check is $100 and you intend to pay the tip in cash it will be declined. They are a nightmare to use in restaurants.
Anyway, I had another thread that was closed and sent to this forum so here is my question......
is the total suggested tip given to you on your receipt for DDP based on your food cost + tip????
is the tax broken out say:
DDP total
tax
total

 

[Tricia1972]

From everything I've read, it breaks down like this

Less than five
DDP Total - $100

Suggested tip amounts
$18.00 - 18%
$20.00 - 20%


Six or more
DDP Total - $100.00
Tip - $18.00
Tip - ________ (In case you want to leave more than $18)
Total Due $________ (Write in $18.00 if you want to leave the 18% tip)

It would be slightly different if you're using a DDE card to cover your alcohol or an appetizer or two (that aren't covered by the DDP)

 

[southjerseymom]

Thank You!! I couldn't get an answer! Appreciate it. I will be charging tips to my KTTW so it should be easy.

 

[JediTim]

I worked in restuarants for 27 years and I can't imagine getting a gift card as a tip. I was given one as a gift a couple of years ago and saved it for a romantic dinner with DH at the California Grill. Anyway, it kept on getting declined and I had to use another card...

I didn't even think of this but as a server how do I even know there is an $$'s on a gift card. You could be getting stiffed and not know it until it is too late.

I myself would never even think of leaving a gift card asa tip...usually it is either attached to the CC or cash. I will have my Disney Rewards Card with me and may utilize that this year but that is probably as far away from a CC or cash I would get.
Tim

Going in four days...Yahoo

 

[ShhhQ]

 

[Tricia1972]

I was under the impression that even though tips were not included this year, that tax still was. Am I wrong?

You are right and I am wrong. In my mind I was working the DDE into the equation somewhere.

TAXES ARE COVERED BY THE DDP.

I am going to amend my first post, would you mind amending your quote of my post to show the same. I'd HATE to cause any further confusion.

 

[southjerseymom]

PS
DH works as a server at a Atlantic City casino. He was left a gift card with a balance on it from a customer. Unfortunately, you needed the zip code of the original owner of the card to get any money off of it. So basically the people stiffed him with the gift card.