The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[dfr]

Thanks for helping out answering this bicker. The information that you've given is 100% accurate.

I think that the only question that Dave implied/asked that was not answered yet is the servers base wage. Their base wage is $3.80/hour, and most do not work full time, nor even 6 hours 5 days a week, unless they work two serving jobs.

Beyond what has already been asked and answered it is not the intent of this or any thread on the Dis to justify, defend, or attack any server and what they may or may not make.

This thread is only to discuss tipping customs at Disney (which pretty closely mirror those in the rest of the US) and answer any direct tipping questions that a guest will have while traveling to Disney.

The guidelines of this thread are that debating is not permitted, and if any debate is perceived, someone from the moderating team will delete those posts.

yes thanks for all the info provided, i did not want to start off anything to offened anyone i was just intrested, the whole tipping system is different in the U.S to the U.K, we would normaly just leave around £5 ($10) regardless of the bill and party size, unless you are in a very upclass resturant then i would leave more.
cheers
Dave

 

[smidgy]

many people don't realize this. there may be , say 4 servers "on the floor". they get to take tables. there may be 6-7 servers at the restaurant, making base pay. we roll silverware into napkins, refill the bus trays, shine silverware, shine water glasses, cut up veggies for the salad bar, fill little cups with salad dressing, etc, etc.. but management always wants to have enough servers in case there is a rush. the early servers take tables early, and get "cut' from the floor early. the late arrivers do side work early, and work the later tables. I may be AT the restaurant from 4-10, but I only get to "take" tables from 4-8. (or vice versa). thereby ensuring that no customers have a long wait for service.
almost all of my customers tip me 20%, cause I give great service. but there are hours when I don't have customers at all. such as, when I am "on duty", but "off the floor" I still help out the servers who are on the floor if they need it (and they do for me, also... it's called TEAMwork.) I will refill water glasses and take away dirty plates for my fellow servers when they are "on the floor", and they will do so for me. thereby ensuring that our customers have an enjoyable dining experience.
so you have to calculate that into your pay equations.

 

[smidgy]

.

also i wonder if many people still think the tip is included and never even look at the bill

I wondered about this also. for parties under 6. all of us Dissers KNOW about the DDP changes; ie, no appetizers, no tips. but many people don't. maybe they come once every 5 years or so. what's a server to do? suggest tipping, and look pushy?
and these innocent guests don't know any better, and just assume the tip is included, as it was 5 years ago? (say, a party of 2, or 4?)
as a server, I feel very uncomfortable even mentioning a tip.

I had a great sugggestion for this on another thread. what if the server said "you may not be aware that there have been some changes to our DDP.
An appetizer OR tip is no longer included" .. this way it seems like the server is merely pointing out the differences in the new DDP, and not begging for a tip. and the guests are aware that the tip is not included, and can then tip at their own discretion.

 

[Minniekins]

I was just wondering what people generally tip where they live. Is it really that different at wdw? Where I live and the people I know, most generally leave a 15% tip, a couple always do 20% no matter what. And everyone one I know usually tip 10% for buffet, some $1 per person, though they are probably smaller than disney buffets! Anyway, just curious, is 15% still considered an acceptable tip to leave or is that considered a terrible thing to do? Now, I'm definitely not trying to start anything, so I hope this is just a discussion of tipping practices and not an inappropriate argument!

 

[Tricia1972]

I was just wondering what people generally tip where they live. Is it really that different at wdw? Where I live and the people I know, most generally leave a 15% tip, a couple always do 20% no matter what. And everyone one I know usually tip 10% for buffet, some $1 per person, though they are probably smaller than disney buffets! Anyway, just curious, is 15% still considered an acceptable tip to leave or is that considered a terrible thing to do? Now, I'm definitely not trying to start anything, so I hope this is just a discussion of tipping practices and not an inappropriate argument!

So long as you are not a party of 6 or more or using the DDE card you are free to tip at your discretion. 18% weighs heavily on these discussions because that is what Disney charges when they apply a mandatory gratuity. It seems that they are setting their standard of 18% for a base gratuity. However, as I stated, you are free to tip at your own discretion if you don't fit into one of the categories that is charged a mandatory gratuity.

 

[VolvoManiac850]

I just saw this thread now and want to know...what are you supposed to do when you have meal vouchers and don't know how much the food costs?

When I was at WDW with my friends on a band trip (we marched in the Share A Dream Come True Parade, I think) we had these little coupons. We had no idea what the food cost so one of my friends told all of us to stick a dollar on the table. He thought it was pretty reasonable since we were poor high school kids and didn't think the food was any more than $7 or so, meaning it would be right about 15%.

Just so I know if I ever go again as a chaperon or something, what should happen when it comes to tips with meal vouchers?

 

[bicker]

You've got an advantage: You've got all the menus right at your fingertips here online. You can get a good idea how much things cost, so you know how much to have the kids tip.

I assume you're talking about meal vouchers for full-service restaurants (since you don't tip at counter service eateries), and none of them come in anywhere near $7 per person. The lowest priced full-service restaurant is I believe the Plaza Restaurant, and the lowest priced menu item there (vegetarian sandwich) is $9.39. Adding on $2.19 for a drink, the tip should be between $1.75 and $2.00 per person. A more typical fill-service meal will cost folks over the age of 10 between $20 and $30 per person, so the tip should be between $3 and $5 per person. And in each of these cases, add on some more to the tip if you get an appetizer or a dessert.

 

[imthatgirl]

i should think if it were a table service restaurnat you would still be presented with a bill at some point. either before you hand the voucher or after with the amount and the voucher taken off. its rare to not be handed anything for bill payment.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I just got back from WDW, and had the DDp for the first time. I got on this thread, because I wanted to make sure that the servers got the tip they deserved!

I found out that if you are on the DDP, they FIRST give you a check that shows the cost of the meal, and the 18 and 20 percent tip. YOU fill out the amount of tip and put it on the check, then give them your card.

when they come back, you have TWO pieces of paper, one is the charge to the DDP (they have you sign it) and the second one is for the room charge for the tip. (I always round up to an even dollar amount, so I can see the tips at a glance on my room bill at check out.) You also sign for the room charge.

Then you have two copies that are yours, one is for the DDP charge, and shows the number of meals left on the bottom, and of course the second is the room charge copy.

It is really very easy, and most of the servers were very helpful the first couple of times.

I told the first server that I was using the DDP the first time, and she "walked" me through it. Very easy! I think that almost all of the servers will take the time to explain if you ask them.

 

[frannn]

We were on the DXDDP last month for free dining. We had great service but for a few exceptions- spacey waitresses and slow service at Yak & Yeti and Princess Storybook lunch. We always left cash for tips and indicated this on the receipt. The one confusing thing I found was after the server processed the meal with the DP, the receipt with totals had a "service fee" (I think thats what it was called) of about 2% listed on it. Obviously that was much less than what we actually left, so I'm wondering if that's what they are required to report to IRS or something. Also, at one of the places where we had the not so great service (I think Princess Storybook), the waitress had crossed off the "optional" word by the suggested tip amount. Not like we weren't going to leave her the tip, but the fact that she crossed it off gave us a giggle, especially since she was one of the few who didn't really deserve it.

 

[Don Disney]

We always tip in restuarants, however I've never tiped the cleaning staff at all.

One of our friends refuses to tip anywhere he goes, he even picked up the tip that his wife left on the table without her knowing. He says that he doesn't get tiped for simply doing his job so why should he tip anyone else
Guess it's just the way some people are!

My family of four ate at Chef Mickey's,Crystal Palace,1900 Park Fare,Boma,Cape May Cafe,and Garden Grill during free dining in early Sept.,and the food and service was very good at all except Garden Grill(we won't be going there again-the service was just ok,and the food left a lot to be desired.)We left 18% at all of them.I don't get tips for doing my job either,but the servers are deserving of at least a decent tip if they are doing a good job-it's just the right thing to do;those places that we ate at were very crowded and really bustling with people all over the place,kids and all.I surely don't have a lot of money,but i think not tipping is just wrong,and Karma is alive and well;We also left a daily tip of a buck per person for MouseKeeping.These people desrve something too!

 

[Freyja]

How many were there in your party? I know that parties of 6 or more are required to tip 18% or more.

 

[frannn]

It was DH, DD5, and I.

 

[pixiedancr]

So glad there is now a sticky on this topic.

These are the things I have read so far:

When dining in a WDW restaurant your bill will have an amount that is suggested for the tip.

If dining with a party of 6 or more (includes infants and children) there is an automatic 18% gratuity.

You may pay in cash, have it added to your KTTW card (if you have charging on it), or pay with a credit card.

You know your post helped me SO much I was just getting ready to ask if there was a place that suggested a tip amount. This will be our first trip to Disney and I was trying to figure out how much to plan on tipping and this will help a bundle in the end. I honestly hate sitting at the table trying to do Math at the end of a meal...

Lisa

 

[honeymo78]

You know your post helped me SO much I was just getting ready to ask if there was a place that suggested a tip amount. This will be our first trip to Disney and I was trying to figure out how much to plan on tipping and this will help a bundle in the end. I honestly hate sitting at the table trying to do Math at the end of a meal...

Lisa

Can we use your post as an example for all those people who think putting the suggested tipping amounts is in bad taste, presumptuous or flat out rude? Some people DO appreciate that information being made readily available.

While the math to figure out a 20% isn't particularly difficult, I too appreciate that number being figured out already for me and I can adjust accordingly.

 

[hematite153]

We were on the DXDDP last month for free dining. We had great service but for a few exceptions- spacey waitresses and slow service at Yak & Yeti and Princess Storybook lunch. ... Also, at one of the places where we had the not so great service (I think Princess Storybook), the waitress had crossed off the "optional" word by the suggested tip amount. Not like we weren't going to leave her the tip, but the fact that she crossed it off gave us a giggle, especially since she was one of the few who didn't really deserve it.

It was DH, DD5, and I.

Actually, I think this is probably due to the changes to the PSB dining meal. It now includes the photo and the listed price includes gratuity if you pay for the meal OOP. However, I've heard reports that the gratuity is now considered mandatory for DDP guests regardless of party size and is not included in the credit they have used. It sounds like a strange system to me and I won't be eating there until they figure it out, but, I'm guessing that's what you ran into. I'm also guessing that it means they're preparing to make it a 2 credit experience with gratuities included (like CRT) for next year.

 

[peach3es]

Actually, I think this is probably due to the changes to the PSB dining meal. It now includes the photo and the listed price includes gratuity if you pay for the meal OOP. However, I've heard reports that the gratuity is now considered mandatory for DDP guests regardless of party size and is not included in the credit they have used. It sounds like a strange system to me and I won't be eating there until they figure it out, but, I'm guessing that's what you ran into. I'm also guessing that it means they're preparing to make it a 2 credit experience with gratuities included (like CRT) for next year.

By next year do you mean 2009? When would they announce something like that?

 

[hematite153]

By next year do you mean 2009? When would they announce something like that?

Sorry, I guess I'm referring to 2010 since it's already on the 2009 brochure as a single credit meal.

Basically, I find it odd that they seem to be charging an automatic/required gratuity to people on the DDP while saying that gratuities are included for people who are paying OOP. So, it feels like they are setting it up to get complaints about this difference allowing them to change it to 2 credits with an included gratuity and say that they are responding to guest requests.

 

[chrisann]

We will be on the deluxe plan and eating at CRT and Mickey's Barbeque, I thought I read somewhere that for those two meals, the tip was included. Is that correct? I just want to be prepared. Thanks!

 

[halld6479]

my family is going Dec 2009, family meaning each family group will be meeting there and we are planning to gather at supper each night, each family group is planning on adding the DDP to there reservations. Now since each group has no more then three persons sharing there own rooms when we actually set down we will be a total of 10. but each "room group" will be handing the waiter there card will the "room group" get normal tipping or will they count it as a large group and bases the tip on the group rate?