The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[ilovemickeymost]

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!

I've never had a server @ WDW have a problem splitting a check. Just make sure you tell them even before you start to order & to make it easier on them, try & put all the people in one family in the same general seats (DH, DW, DK in three seats together instead of spread out over two tables. Even w/ the checks being split you are considered one party for tipping purposes. So 18% will apply for everyones checks. As far as ressies go, I had booked for 2 people. It was 12yo DD, myself, & 3mo son. He sat in my lap the whole time. When it was our turn & we walked up, the lady was a bit upset b/c apparently the ressie should have been for 3. Not sure why since the only thing he was eating came from MOM & he didn't use a seat. So I would call ressies & ask them if it is possible to add a person. Let them know that you DO NOT want to cancel the ressie you have now until you know you can fit her in. If they can't accomadate, then I'd let them know you will be one less. Just explain that you have one more person who decided to join your trip. I have found the cast members that take the ressies calls are some of the best around. Trust me, this will be one of the most minor problems they have ever dealt w/. Everyday, they get to listen to guests sob stories when there is no more seating at the castle. It sounds like your group should have a really good time. You all are very smart to do seperate tickets. When we split checks, someone in the other party either orders lobster or drinks like a fish.

 

[TDC Nala]

As far as ressies go, I had booked for 2 people. It was 12yo DD, myself, & 3mo son. He sat in my lap the whole time. When it was our turn & we walked up, the lady was a bit upset b/c apparently the ressie should have been for 3. Not sure why since the only thing he was eating came from MOM & he didn't use a seat.

Infants count toward party size at WDW, no matter where they sit or what they eat.

 

[broberts]

Thanks for the info.

 

[MickeyFan84]

Our family of 7 will be in two rooms. Since they'll be splitting our checks and adding auto-gratuity due to our party size could I put the entire tip on just one of the checks or would that mess up our server? The second room's KTTW cards won't have charging privileges on them.

 

[NCmom2NandE]

At charactor meals do you tip 18-20% of the total price or the food price (total- $5 entertainment fee)?

 

[bicker]

If your party is less than six (including infants) you can compute it either way, though you can rest assured that the server will be considering your gratuity based on the total, so if you base your tip on the total minus $5 per person, it'll probably look, to the server, like you didn't like the service or that you're not a good tipper.

If your party is six or more (including infants) then the grauity will be based on the total (i.e., no accounting for the entertainment fee).

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I love the Garden View Blend tea at the Grand Floridian and ordered a tin of it to take home while enjoying tea in the Garden View Lounge (GF) last week. The Buckingham Palace tea was about $20 and the additional tin of tea was another $20. Not wanting to under-tip, I figured I should include both figures in the total, so I tipped $10. Should I have done this, or did I leave a 50% tip? My server was wonderful, but I'm curious anyway...

 

[TDC Nala]

Merging this thread into the Tipping Info Thread.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not wanting to under-tip, I figured I should include both figures in the total, so I tipped $10. Should I have done this, or did I leave a 50% tip? My server was wonderful, but I'm curious anyway...

You didn't have to - but it was a VERY nice gesture! If you'd rather not tip on the tin next time, ask to purchase it at the Hostess Station on your way out.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

You didn't have to - but it was a VERY nice gesture! If you'd rather not tip on the tin next time, ask to purchase it at the Hostess Station on your way out.

The Tea is one of my favorite things to do at WDW, so any money spent is well worth it. I'll keep in mind that I can ask for the tea at the Hostess Station, though. Thanks!

 

[JediTim]

While I am in the room currently at CSR during Tropical Storm Fay I figured I would check my messages and respond. We have had three TS dinners so far and different experiences at each:
- Wolfgang Puck Cafe, the waitress was unable to seperate the bill for the four groups we had for dinner...said that the system didn't allow her to break up the tips between the rooms.
- 1900 Park Fare - Excellent service for a buffet...never once ran out of a drink and very attentive...more than worth it for the 18% included gratuity. No problem breaking the bill over four groups, fourteen people
- Spoodles 0 Excellent service...the waiter, Jason, did an excellent job and really enjoyed his work...he deserved and received additional tip over the 18% - also, no problem breaking the bill over four groups, fourteen people

Will be leaving shortly for Whispering Canyon even with a little rain...Hollywood Stuodio wasn't crowded this morning...guess a lot of people stayed away...good for us...too bad by six year old was able to make it halfway through the Jedi Academy when it was cancelled for the rain.
Tim

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Hello everyone - we called to make ADRs for an upcoming trip and were notified of a confusing policy. Our group will consist of 4 adults, one 3 year old and an infant. The operator told us that b/c our party would have 6 guests, we would be charged an automatic 18% gratuity. However - our infant will not be eating any food. At first, I thought it was because we were taking up 6 seats at a table, but I'm guessing if a party of 5 is sitting at a 6 person table they wouldn't get charged the 18%.
Has anyone else dealt with this?

 

[TDC Nala]

At WDW restaurants, infants count in party size whether or not they eat anything. You are a party of six.

Merging this with the Tipping Info Thread.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Now that gratuity is not included in the DDP, how do you tip when you are paying by DDP, if you do not want to link a CC to your KTTW? Do you leave cash? Do you offer a credit card when they collect your KTTW? Disney Reward Dollars?

 

[TDC Nala]

Merged into the Tipping Info Thread.

 

[Junick]

Askerhaus Princess Brakfast

Fantasmic dining package at Hollywood and Vine

 

[hellokitty86]

I see that 10% is added to your bill when you eat at Pepper Market at CSR. If you have the dining plan and use a counter service credit, do you have to pay the 10% out of pocket, or is it included? ( I know gratutity isn't included in table service.)

Just trying to do a budget and justify upgrading from All Star Movies to CSR.

Thanks if you can help!

 

[minniejack]

Recently I heard a discussion on the radio about tipping. A survey showed that due to the slower economy that people are tipping less in restaurants--people are still dining out, but being tight when tipping

The survey also said that if you wanted to ensure that your server received the tip to not put it on a card--leave cash

 

[mainegal]

Is is okay to tip less at a buffet (Boma, Crystal Palace, Hollywood & Vine)? Since we get our own food, the server doesn't give as much service. They refill beverages and clear used dishes.

 

[Tricia1972]

Is is okay to tip less at a buffet (Boma, Crystal Palace, Hollywood & Vine)? Since we get our own food, the server doesn't give as much service. They refill beverages and clear used dishes.

Tipping is at your discretion if you are a party of 5 or less AND are not using the DDE card.

For parties of 6 or more and for parties using the DDE card, an 18% gratuity is added to your bill.

Disney does not make a distinction between Buffets or regular TS when determining auto gratuities.