The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[Tammy296]

good question suz2! I'm wondering the same thing about the $200 gift card....

anyone know?

-T

 

[chocolateMinnie]

not sure on DDP but definitely included on Credit card payments.

 

[Faldred]

Gratuity is included on the dining plan for CRT.

 

[Kimi313]

I tip like I would if I were paying oop. I divide by 5, that gives me the 20% I tip, write cash on the slip for the server and give him/her the cash tip. We looked at the qsdp for this trip, but one ts made it more worthwhile for us to get the ddp.

This will be my first year doing the Dinning Plan, what do you mean you write cash on the slip for the server? If you could explain how the procedure of the TS Dining Plan works after the meal, ex do they still bring the black ticket holder out, do I tell them at the beginning of the meal I am on the plan, etc. Sorry if this is a stupid question, would just like to know before hand what to expect.

 

[RFrank9504]

OK I found this on another site, help me if I am misunderstanding it:

TABLES IN WONDERLAND is a dining discount program for eligible Florida Residents and Annual Passholders 21 and older good for 20 percent off food and beverage at a number of Walt Disney World Resort hotel and theme park restaurants and lounges. The discount is good for up to 10 persons in your party.....
Benefits:

-- Members receive a 20% discount on all food and beverage (including alcohol) for up to 10 people at participating table-service Disney restaurants. Effective January 1, 2008 a charge of 18% gratuity will be added to all Tables in Wonderland transactions, regardless of party size.

So in order to get 20% off my bill, 18% tip gets added even if its just my self and my hubby?? Is it me or it not worth it?

 

[dlaushey]

I guess it depends on whether or not you tip? Assuming you were going to tip at least 15% anyway you would only lose 3% since they will use 18%. However you still get 20% off your bill. Assuming you would spend at least $300 in participating restaurants I would think it is worth it. That would cover the $60 cost of the card. If you want to deduct the 3% you wouldn't have normally tipped then you would need to spend about $353 to break even ($353 * 17% (20% discount less 3% extra tip) = $60).

We bought the TiW card and expect to spend well over the $353 required to break even. However, we are a family of 5 and will be making a trip with another family of 4.

 

[Tricia1972]

I guess it depends on whether or not you tip? Assuming you were going to tip at least 15% anyway you would only lose 3% since they will use 18%. However you still get 20% off your bill. Assuming you would spend at least $300 in participating restaurants I would think it is worth it. That would cover the $60 cost of the card. If you want to deduct the 3% you wouldn't have normally tipped then you would need to spend about $353 to break even ($353 * 17% (20% discount less 3% extra tip) = $60).

We bought the TiW card and expect to spend well over the $353 required to break even. However, we are a family of 5 and will be making a trip with another family of 4.

They'll also save a little on taxes as well - considering that TiW taxes on the discounted amount. That's $1.30/$100 spent savings as well.

 

[ChelleinNC]

OK I found this on another site, help me if I am misunderstanding it:

TABLES IN WONDERLAND is a dining discount program for eligible Florida Residents and Annual Passholders 21 and older good for 20 percent off food and beverage at a number of Walt Disney World Resort hotel and theme park restaurants and lounges. The discount is good for up to 10 persons in your party.....
Benefits:

-- Members receive a 20% discount on all food and beverage (including alcohol) for up to 10 people at participating table-service Disney restaurants. Effective January 1, 2008 a charge of 18% gratuity will be added to all Tables in Wonderland transactions, regardless of party size.

So in order to get 20% off my bill, 18% tip gets added even if its just my self and my hubby?? Is it me or it not worth it?

Yes, that's how it works.

Think of it this way: you're going to tip for your meal with or without the discount. TiW just automatically puts the 18% tip on but you're still getting 20% off. In other words, pay "rack rate" plus tip or pay an automatic tip of 18% and get 20% off rack rate.
For those of us that have had TIW/DDE for several years (before the auto tip) we're actually saving more money.....We used to just put the 20% off back on as the tip

 

[hippsmom]

This will be my first year doing the Dinning Plan, what do you mean you write cash on the slip for the server? If you could explain how the procedure of the TS Dining Plan works after the meal, ex do they still bring the black ticket holder out, do I tell them at the beginning of the meal I am on the plan, etc. Sorry if this is a stupid question, would just like to know before hand what to expect.

Yes, they will bring you out a receipt like you are used to getting if you pay with a credit/debit card at a regular restaurant. Printed on this receipt will be the amount of an 18% tip and a 20% tip. These are only suggested amounts and you are in no way obligated to leave that. There is a line on the receipt to fill in the amount of tip (like a credit/debit receipt). Instead of writing the amount of tip on that line I simply wrote "CASH" so that nothing would be charged back to my room etc.

Your server will almost always ask if you are on the plan when they come to the table and that is so they can take the opportunity to explain what choices you are permitted to make (entree, drink and dessert) and if there are any exclusions (like the light up drinks for kids).

It sounds very complicated but you will catch on fast I'm sure!

 

[elyse43230]

i had a completely different post but after reading this board thoroughly, I have a new one...

If I charge my tips to my room while on the DDP, when is the latest time I can pay this off? In other words, I will give them a credit card so I can "charge" to my room. But I want to use my gift card and cash to pay the charge on my room.

Do I have to do this the day before I check out? Can I do it the morning I check out? Can I do it as I'm checking out? Basically, I want to have a $0 so they don't charge my CC but instead I can use the gift cards and cash.

Thanks!

 

[cheesekate2005]

I need a tipping at WDW expert! We are traveling to WDW with a Grand Gathering. We are on the DDP and will also have $200 GC for each family.

All of our meals will have the mandatory 18%, which is what I would tip anyway. I am trying to figure out what everyone should budget for tips for each meal,so I went through the menu's and have a figure in mind. I think the best way to do it is just to tell everyone to have x amount of cash per meal to tip.

However, is there way to split up the tipping portions and have them put separately on everyone's KTTW card if they desire to do this? I would think that this would be a big pain in the neck even if it is possible. Any tips on the best way to tip in this situation would be appreciated!

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Your best bet may be to just pay cash for tips, so that each famikly can tip according to what they ordered. There will be pleanty of other things that the gift cards can be used for .

 

[cheesekate2005]

Thanks....I have another question. We are on the DDP, so tax has been paid already right? I am wondering if the amount that should be paid for tax is added onto the food bill, so would I pay 18 % of the food plus tax (for the gratuity) or just 18% on the food portion of the bill?

 

[Tricia1972]

cheesekate2005 - When you go to a restaurant with your group let your server know who is with who. You'll need to do this anyway to pay for your meals with the DDP.

When the meal is over the server will come to the table with five different bills. The bills will show how much the meals would be if you were paying OOP for them, the 18% gratuity will be added on there, and is figured on the pre-tax amount. (Any extras ordered by the party will also show on there). There will also be a tip line _______ to write in any additional tip amount you may choose to leave.

You give the server your KTTW card for the DDP credits. You will also have to settle the balance (gratuity and any extras) at the same time. You can use either cash, your KTTW card (with charging privlidges), a credit card, a gift card, or Disney Dollars to settle the balance.

 

[cheesekate2005]

When the meal is over the server will come to the table with five different bills. The bills will show how much the meals would be if you were paying OOP for them, the 18% gratuity will be added on there, and is figured on the pre-tax amount. (Any extras ordered by the party will also show on there). There will also be a tip line _______ to write in any additional tip amount you may choose to leave.

So, every time we go to a restaurant the bills will be figured out separately and the 18% gratuity will be individually figured out for each separate bill? So if I order a birthday cake or drinks, that will/can show up just on my bill?

If that's the case, it sounds good, and that sounds like it could be better than examining a bill to figure out who ordered what and who should pay what amount for 5 different families!

 

[Tricia1972]

So, every time we go to a restaurant the bills will be figured out separately and the 18% gratuity will be individually figured out for each separate bill? So if I order a birthday cake or drinks, that will/can show up just on my bill?

If that's the case, it sounds good, and that sounds like it could be better than examining a bill to figure out who ordered what and who should pay what amount for 5 different families!

Yes, that's exactly how it will work for you. We've always been a split up large party and it works great. SO much less hassle when paying.

 

[cheesekate2005]

I have done the DDP with multiple families before, but that was back when the tip was included. I do remember having to tell the server which people were on which card, but I did not know that th gratuity would be split up individually, that is great!!! Thanks for the info!

 

[BeckityBobbidyBoo!]

When making ADR's the castmember said a gratuity would be added because we are a party of six. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but does the gratuity = tip or do you add a tip to the gratuity?

 

[blanq]

gratuity = tip

 

[Pumbaa_]

gratuity and tip are the same thing. With a party of the 6, the tip/gratuity is automaticaly added on at a rate of 18%

I am moving this thread to the tip sticky thread at the top of the board

hope htat helps!