The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[dizneydiva2005]

Sorry if I have the wrong name of the restaurant- but I just read for a counter service at CSR/ Pepper Market you have to pay a tip?? On DDP I understand you use one credit- but you also have to pay tip on a counter service?? Is this correct??

Thanks

 

[rlduvall]

I was there last week using the QSDP. I specifically asked the server if the 10% service charge covered her tip. She said if you have the QSDP you are not charged it [which I knew, I was just trying to find out how she would get tipped]. I then asked her how she would get tipped and she said I didn't need to leave a tip. BUT, I still left her a couple of dollars anyway because she was so pleasant and attentive.

My personal opinion is that it is appropriate to leave them a little something.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry if I have the wrong name of the restaurant- but I just read for a counter service at CSR/ Pepper Market you have to pay a tip?? On DDP I understand you use one credit- but you also have to pay tip on a counter service?? Is this correct??

Thanks

Hi, again. This is a question that will get lots of differing views. I can tell you that the last three years on the dining plan, we never paid the 10% gratuity...we were told it was included on the plan. However, others have been told that it is NOT included. Personally, I think the Pepper Market (which is NOT owned by Disney), needs to get every one of their staff on the same page so people know what is going on. The best way to avoid the whole situation is to ask for a "to go" ticket and take your food and go sit at one of the comfy tables by the lake and enjoy the view while you are having your meal.

 

[dolfinjuls]

We are on the dining plan for the first time this year and were hoping to put money on a gift card prior to our vaca. Would we be able to use our room keys for the dining plan credits and then use the gift card to pay for the tip?

I'm thinking this is okay, but want to hear from the experts! Has anyone done this before?

 

[Belle4mygrl]

Cash will be fine. The 18% gratuity will be added to your bill and will show as a balance due. Simply give cash to the server with your bill/receipt and you can wait for change if you'd like.

So if I decide I do not want to pay this (IF the service does not warrant it?, etc.) what will happen if I leave less ?

 

[Tricia1972]

So if I decide I do not want to pay this (IF the service does not warrant it?, etc.) what will happen if I leave less ?

Since it's a balance due on your bill, you'd need to talk to the manager and have your bill adjusted before leaving less.

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I was wondering about tipping at a buffet? We will be a party of 7 and wasn't sure if the tip would be added at places like Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern or Biergarten? If you know could you let me know. I'm trying to figure out how much to budget for tips. Thanks

 

[Tricia1972]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I was wondering about tipping at a buffet? We will be a party of 7 and wasn't sure if the tip would be added at places like Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern or Biergarten? If you know could you let me know. I'm trying to figure out how much to budget for tips. Thanks

Yes, it will be added to your bill. The auto gratuity for parties of 6 is for any TS restaurants. Hope this helps you budget!

 

[Pizzamoe]

What are the dining places where the gratuity is included in the price? If you are on a dining plan is it still included?

 

[2trips06Mom]

As far as I know, gratuity is not included in any meals, except with parties of 6 or more - where it is automatically added on to the bill. I could be wrong though and if I am, I'm sure someone will set us straight!

 

[Tricia1972]

Moving this to the Disney Tipping Info thread

 

[shellybaxter]

As far as I know, gratuity is not included in any meals, except with parties of 6 or more - where it is automatically added on to the bill. I could be wrong though and if I am, I'm sure someone will set us straight!

There are a few meal where you pay the gratutity with the price of the meal - it is "included" not "added on automatically. I believe those meals are Cinderella's Royal Table and the dinner shows (Hoop De Doo and the Spirit of Aloha)

 

[ave&audsmom]

What are the dining places where the gratuity is included in the price? If you are on a dining plan is it still included?

I know that gratuity is included in HoopDeeDoo, Cindy's Royal Table, & I'm pretty sure the other two dinner shows as well (Spirit of Aloha & Mickey's Backyard BBQ). I'm pretty sure I read that although these are all 2 TS meals, it's worth it since the tip is included & there's no OOP cost.

 

[jenseib]

What are the dining places where the gratuity is included in the price? If you are on a dining plan is it still included?

The others mentioned the palces that have the tip included in the price and this is for any one weither you are on the dining plan or not. All other TS restuarants you will need to pay the tip yourself, wether you are on the dining plan or not.

 

[soulmates]

What a GREAT thread!! We've never used the DDP before, so I'm doing lots of research. I for some reason, FOGOT about tipping! Soooo, I went back to the menus and got an idea of what our bills should be and added in tax and the 18% tip...not as bad as I thought it would be. However, I'm going to use a privious poster's tip and write CASH on the ticket and just pay it with cash. I'll already have that money set aside. I know I'd get confused if I charged it to my KTTK card. Again, great thread. I wouldn't have had this information without it!

 

[HDJA]

Forgive me if this has already been covered, but we're leaving this Friday and I don't have time for research!

We are a party of 11 using the dining plan. More than likely, we'll be split up in two parties of 5 and 6 at our table service restaurants. I understand that an 18% gratuity is automatically charged for parties of 6 or more. Could my family of 4 charge our portion of the tip to our KTTW and the party of 2 pay cash or vice versa? Or, does the 18% have to be paid in one lump sum-all cash or all credit?

 

[Tricia1972]

Forgive me if this has already been covered, but we're leaving this Friday and I don't have time for research!

We are a party of 11 using the dining plan. More than likely, we'll be split up in two parties of 5 and 6 at our table service restaurants. I understand that an 18% gratuity is automatically charged for parties of 6 or more. Could my family of 4 charge our portion of the tip to our KTTW and the party of 2 pay cash or vice versa? Or, does the 18% have to be paid in one lump sum-all cash or all credit?

Disney is awesome about splitting bills! Just let them know who is with who and they will divide everything up for you. You'll only pay the 18% gratuity on your portion of the bill.

Some places make you feel funny when you split a bill, but we've never run into that at Disney.

 

[Tinkerbella001]

Anyone who has been recently with DDP, can you give me a ballpark figure for what the 18% auto-gratuity is? I know each one will vary, but just ballpark. We are going to try to get Ohana's breakfast and Chef Mickey's, for example...Thanks!

 

[Tricia1972]

Anyone who has been recently with DDP, can you give me a ballpark figure for what the 18% auto-gratuity is? I know each one will vary, but just ballpark. We are going to try to get Ohana's breakfast and Chef Mickey's, for example...Thanks!

It really depends on your party size, etc. How I try to remember it/plan when estimating is by remembering that it's going to cost $18 for every $100 I spend in the restaurant.

Hope this helps!

 

[MAYNARDS99]

I understand that when dining at a TS, you are supposed to let your server know that you are using the DDP and hand them your KTTW.

Does this make the level of service go down? I.E. the server assumes they might get a lower tip, especially if it's free DDP.

Would it make sense to have a card printed stating that I usually tip about 25% for excellent service, and give that card along with the KTTW at the beginning of the meal?