The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[bicker]

Generally, the objective is for the patron to let the manager know that service is not "up to par" early enough so that the manager can take steps to ensure that the service is "up to par" and worthy of the gratuity.

 

[jenseib]

Okay, this is a longshot here, but you don't know if you don't ask, right? If you are on the FDP can you have the Tables in wonderland discount applied to the price of the check before it is totalled? I guess that would be using 2 discounts.

Just trying to save a buck

It won't save you a buck at all. Tipping is supposed to be the full price of a meal, not a discounted amount, so no saving that way. And if you are on the dining plan, then it won't matter what it cost.

 

[rbork]

Just back from the World. fyi- Disney Gift Card (200 promo), Disney Rewards and/or Disney Dollars can all be used for tipping and extras w/ you meal. We didn't carry one dime with us just these cards. For 3 adults, 1 child we spent ~160 in gratuities on the DDP.

 

[KyraS]

We leave Thursday and will be at Disney for 9 nights. I just wondered what everyone spent on tips. I'm thinking it could be anywhere from 150-200 extra. My question is do you still tip 15-20 percent when it's a buffet? Thanks!

 

[summermac]

We will have 8 in our party so we will be tipping 18% at all restaurants as anything 6 & over is that way.

I figured up our meals and I'm coming up with just about $100 for a family of three. (My daughter is under 2.)

 

[Sandisw]

I tip around 15% for the buffet and at least 20% at sit down, depending on the service. If I am really happy, I go up from there.

 

[zippehsmom]

I understand that the tip is included in room service when you are on the dining plan and that it takes 2 credits. However, do you still tip the person who brings the food? It seems like I have in the past, but I was unsure if that was double tipping or not because it has always been automatically included in the bill.

Thanks

 

[Emme]

Let me make sure I am understanding this correctly... I can use my Disney Visa Rewards Card (I have about $235 on it) for tips and extras with the DDP?

I get the bill, fill in the tip amount, and hand the bill back with the card and tip written in? Is that correct? Thanks for any help .

 

[ancestry]

How does or perhaps I should ask how should tipping work at the buffet style restaurants such as the Biergarten, Liberty Tree Taven Dinner, Crystal Palace, etc.? Are their waiters that tend to you at all? Is there even anyone to tip for anything or do you get everything for yourself?

If there is a waiter/waitress do you tip 15-20% of the meal cost like you would at a regular sit down restaurant where you are waited on or do you tip a lesser amount since they most likely would only be bringing you beverages?

Only asking so I can be sure to do the right thing. Most buffet style restaurants that I have eaten at don't have waiters so I'm not sure what to do or what the proper protocol is.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DisneyMaMato8]

We went for two weeks at Christmas and every buffet we ate at provided us a bill for the 18% tip.

 

[suzannews]

There is a whole seperate tipping thread that I'm sure this post will be sent to.

Personally, at Disney we tip the same for sit downs and buffets.

 

[Tricia1972]

I understand that the tip is included in room service when you are on the dining plan and that it takes 2 credits. However, do you still tip the person who brings the food? It seems like I have in the past, but I was unsure if that was double tipping or not because it has always been automatically included in the bill.

Thanks

You wouldn't need to, but I always tend to hand $1-$2 to anyone who delivers anything to my room. It's entirely up to you if you'd like to tip more.

 

[zippehsmom]

Thanks Tricia, I was thinking that, but I just wanted to make sure..

 

[Tricia1972]

Let me make sure I am understanding this correctly... I can use my Disney Visa Rewards Card (I have about $235 on it) for tips and extras with the DDP?

I get the bill, fill in the tip amount, and hand the bill back with the card and tip written in? Is that correct? Thanks for any help .

You'll receive your bill. Write in your tip amount and present the server with your form(s) of payment. You pay for the tip at the same time that you pay for the bill. If you're using the DDP or charging to your room, you'll present your KTTW card along with your Disney Rewards card.

 

[Tricia1972]

How does or perhaps I should ask how should tipping work at the buffet style restaurants such as the Biergarten, Liberty Tree Taven Dinner, Crystal Palace, etc.? Are their waiters that tend to you at all? Is there even anyone to tip for anything or do you get everything for yourself?

If there is a waiter/waitress do you tip 15-20% of the meal cost like you would at a regular sit down restaurant where you are waited on or do you tip a lesser amount since they most likely would only be bringing you beverages?

Only asking so I can be sure to do the right thing. Most buffet style restaurants that I have eaten at don't have waiters so I'm not sure what to do or what the proper protocol is.

Thanks in advance.

You will have a server who will take your drink order, and will bus your table for you as you go to the buffet.

You are free to tip at your discretion so long as you are a party of 5 or less and are not using the DDE/TiW card.

Anyone using the DDE/TiW discount card and parties of 6 or more have an automatic gratuity of 18% added to their bills.

 

[ancestry]

I'm the one that is asking the questions about buffets and tipping. Posting in a really long thread 50+ pages is somewhat frustrating especially when there are multiple "conversations" going on.

Anyways, what to the waiters "do" for you during a buffet at WDW? If it is a buffet don't you get your own food and beverages? What does the waiter bring and what is their role in a buffet restaurant at WDW?

Sorry for being dense. The only buffet style restaurant I've eaten at is Old Country Buffet and they didn't have a waiter/waitress on a busperson.

Edited to add: Disregard this post. Tricia answered it before I even posted it.

 

[shellybaxter]

I would add that at many of the Disney buffets I've been to the waitperson also explains the buffet, get special condiments, facilitates special needs requests, and if their are characters often helps you keep track of when the characters will be by your table

 

[Emme]

You'll receive your bill. Write in your tip amount and present the server with your form(s) of payment. You pay for the tip at the same time that you pay for the bill. If you're using the DDP or charging to your room, you'll present your KTTW card along with your Disney Rewards card.

Thanks so much. You answered my question perfectly!

 

[BadgerBruce]

What, if anything, does everybody tip the servers at WPE? You do have to get in line to order you food, but then they do a great job with delivering your meal, refilling water glasses, etc. I'm never sure what to do there. Sorry if this has been asked before & I missed it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You certainly can tip at WPE. Most people don't think about it, because the ordering is counter service-style; I think you get your own drink and any additional items (chips, dessert - that kind of thing) yourself before you pay.

But DISers (okay, at least one, and not all that long ago, and probably in this thread ) have reported tipping because the food does get delivered to your table.

I would just be sure to hand any tip to the server - since money left on a table with no server in evidence might tend to disappear.