The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[disneynuts777]

you never heard of this because you've never worked at a restaurant.
there is no negative opinion, because it is fair to the busboys and bartenders.
but, for all those who do not work in the industry, here is information:

most bartenders in restaurants have few customers actually sitting at the bar for "the evening". the bartender spends most of his work shift making drinks for the servers. the faster they get the drinks out for the servers, the happier the customers at the tables are with the server. It makes sense that they should get a share of that tip.

the busboy makes a certain wage. (not much). if a party of eight arrives, but the tables in my station aren't cleaned, but they are in another station, they will seat that party in that other station. this is why I take care of my busboys. they work hard for me, cleaning up the mess, and then my tables in my station are clean and can be sat, and I can turn tables.!

the information is: it takes many people to get your drinks and food to you. in a restaurant, we are a TEAM. and the tip is shared accordingly. and it is almost always based on the sales. the restaurant is assuming the server made X amount of tips, and the "tip out" amount is based on that.

this is just basic INFO, for those who didn't know this. also, the restautant declares the same X amount , based on sales, to the IRS, that the server pays taxes on .

Thank you.........you have summed up what I wanted to say but could not get it from my head to the computer.

 

[julezdisney]

What do you dining plan experts figure I should bring for tips for 4 TS meals for 2 adults and 1 child?

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

tips, at Disney, is never mandatory.(unless you are a table of 6 or more). and even then, if you are unhappy with the service, you can speak to a manager. I am just giving you information about how the servers tips are divided at the end of the night.

smidgy, do you mind if I add... if you are unhappy with the service, it is best to address it while it's happening (or not), rather than after the meal when the check comes - even if that means taking a few minutes to get up from your table and go in search of a manager.

This gives the manager/restaurant the opportunity to fix any problem and make your meal enjoyable.

Packing up the soapbox until the next big issue...

 

[catne]

What do you dining plan experts figure I should bring for tips for 4 TS meals for 2 adults and 1 child?

Thanks a bunch!!

your best bet is to look at the menus for the restaurants you're going to be eating at...take a good guess at what you'd probably order, total it and figure 18 or 20% for the tip. That'll put you in the right ballpark. If you're bringing cash, make sure you have an assortment of 5s & 1s with you!

We did that the first time we did the DDP, but it was a hassle...so after that, we just put it on the hotel room and paid the total at check out. That was handy anyway because we were putting adult beverages and the odd appetizer on there anyway.

 

[Pumbaa_]

just a reminder - personal tipping habits is not allowed and hte mods will remove the posts. Please see guidelines in first post

thanks everyone!

 

[FINFAN]

FreeDDP or otherwise? I am just confused as the DDP lists "gratuities not included", yet I have seen people post that it IS covered under DDP...
having never stayed at CSR before ( came VERY close a few times) I am a total noob to the PM and all it's mysteries! Food looks awesome tho!

 

[Dismom55]

OK, under regular DDP gratuities or tips are no longer included, they used to be back in 2007, but no longer. There are a few dinners where tips are included in the price of the dinner, usually you will find those are the dinners that will cost you 2 table service credits for one meal, usually but not all. But this is not because you are paying on the DDP but rather part of the cost of the meal.

To the best of my knowledge I have explain this to elimate some of your confusion. Basically you should plan to leave a tip at all table service restaurants.

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

I was just at CSR and we ate at the Pepper Market a few times. It is a sit down counter service and if you are on the dining plan the 10% is included. You can however leave extra if you want to.

As for table service we payed all tips out of pocket. They are NOT included in the basic dining plan. They do put the tip amount for 18% and 20% at the bottom of every check/receipt you get.

I hope this helps.

 

[cab0ad]

Do you have to pay the 10% automatic tip at Pepper Market if you are on the DDP? I have heard both. Anyone have a concrete answer. BTW, why is there a 10% gratuity added onto the counter service meal? Is it more like a TS meal where they wait on you or is it like a normal CS where you pick your own food up and sit? I'm kinda confused on the 10% gratuity and why it is added in the first place...

 

[FINFAN]

thank you both,,,I was unsure of how to categorize Pepper Market I know Maya Grill is TS...and PM is listed under CS in the guide, but is was becomming one of those grey areas once the 10% tip became involved. We will be on the dining plan so I will plan accordingly that the 10% is covered in the DDP and to leave an additonal tip if we feel service was worthy.

 

[gigi1313]

yes, even on the DDP you have to pay the 10% unless you take your food to go (and eat outside or in your room or at the pool, etc)...

although it is a CS meal, it's a bit of a hybrid type restaurant... you are brought your drinks by a CM, your plates are cleared by a CM, and you get real cutlery (brought in a cloth napkin by a CM)...

even after researching the heck out of it, we still found it quite confusing... the kids thought it was a buffet and took a huge variety of food w/out understanding what was and wasn't on the plan (cost us an extra fortune!)... conflicting info abounds from CMs in the restaurant itself (one told dh that an item was a "side" another told him it wasn't after he had already taken it, etc)... service was not that great for refills on soda, getting a high chair, etc... and i was under-impressed w/the offerings (although a $20 meal on a DDP CS credit is a good deal, the meal was not worth $20 to start with imo)...

personally, i don't see us going back to PM, even if we're staying at CSR!

 

[tinka-belle]

Stayed there 3 times with the basic DDP and never had to pay the 10%. OOP, yes the 10%, but not with the DDP.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'm going to CSR this summer and everything I've read has said that you do not have to pay the 10% charge if you are on the DDP.

 

[gigi1313]

that's what i had read here too... but when it was time to leave the restaurant both times we ate there, there was no getting out w/out paying it! LOL! (i considered leaving a kid as collateral but they said no dice!)

 

[TDC Nala]

You're going to get conflicting info, because we've got some posters who had to pay it and others who didn't. I would say the majority didn't have to pay it but I'd have the money on hand just in case you do have to pay it.

 

[myfairygodmother]

I ate four meals last week at the Pepper Market on the quick service dining plan and never paid the 10% service charge. My friends who were paying oop for their meals did pay the extra 10%.

 

[FINFAN]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2056032&page=84

I posted this SAME question earlier, but it was moved by the Mod's the the tipping sticky....
I do not plan on tipping at PM while on the DDP unless the service warrants it.

 

[ici1718]

Do you have to pay the 10% automatic tip at Pepper Market if you are on the DDP? I have heard both. Anyone have a concrete answer. BTW, why is there a 10% gratuity added onto the counter service meal? Is it more like a TS meal where they wait on you or is it like a normal CS where you pick your own food up and sit? I'm kinda confused on the 10% gratuity and why it is added in the first place...

no, you don't have to pay the 10% tip on if on the ddp

 

[ExtinctDino]

We were at CSR on the DDP in Aug 2007 and Aug 2008 and were never charged the 10% tip at PM.

I think the confusion in another thread was over whether the servers received the 10% from WDW or whether they got nothing if DDPers didn't leave a tip for them on the table. When we were there we assumed the servers were getting the 10% from WDW, but I don't if anyone has confirmed that.

 

[MelanieC]

So when and how do you pay it - I'm just trying to understand the setup.