The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[gigi1313]

We are traveling with family and the tip will be added automatically b/c of large group. My question is this, since we are all paying our on way is there a way to split the bill so we can all see what each families portion of the tip should be?

yes, simply tell the server who is with which group (it helps to sit next to one another) and each bill will indicate that party's meal charges plus the gratuity will be pro-rated... so if there are 3 groups of 6 people each and the entire gratuity should be $99 for all 18 of you, each bill will reflect a $33 gratuity...

 

[bicker]

I am sorry, but you're wrong Bicker. Gratuities are included on the DDP at CRT.

Sorry for the confusion; I was going based on my understanding of CRT, itself; I didn't realize it worked different for folks on the Dining Plan.

Thanks for the correction!

For CRT, it's included even while NOT on the DDP.

How recent is that change? I just checked my (admittedly questionable) memory against the menu on All Ears, and even there is says that gratuity is not included.

 

[Alesia]

Sorry for the confusion; I was going based on my understanding of CRT, itself; I didn't realize it worked different for folks on the Dining Plan.

Thanks for the correction!

The gratuity is included for everyone, regardless of the dining plan.

 

[mickeyluvr004]

Hi all, I also just went through this crazy issue, we are coming in Sept and I was making my ressies with my travel agent and she called to tell me also that she was told by a CM that its 2 credits and gratuities are NOT included well I did some research and if you pull up the 2009 Disney Dining Plan and look for the resturants CRT and tip IS included on all of the ones that require the 2 credits we are also doing the Hoopdeedo review first time I had to talk my Dh and Ds into it and they finally caved hopefully I will not regret itthere will be 8 of us. My travel agent called them and taught a few of them that it is on the dining plan. Ya think they would have a seminar on what is and isn't included so that they don't look like fools when you correct them. If anyone should know these things it should be them.

 

[jenseib]

Sorry for the confusion; I was going based on my understanding of CRT, itself; I didn't realize it worked different for folks on the Dining Plan.

Thanks for the correction!

How recent is that change? I just checked my (admittedly questionable) memory against the menu on All Ears, and even there is says that gratuity is not included.

It's been this way for at least 2 years. The total price given to me on the phone when I made the ADr included the tax and the tip is included in the base price. Not added on at all.
When you are on the plan the tax is not added on so that you pay out of pocket for it either. It's included as well as tip. The tip is included for everyone. And like I said the tax is added on to the total when you nake the ADR and the price including tax is prepaid before you even go. The only extras yopu pay for there are specialty drinks and any special cakes, etc you order.

 

[jm-mom]

If you are on the free dining plan, do you still have to pay the automatic 10 percent gratuity at the Pepper Market? Would it make a difference if you were taking your food to go as opposed to dining in?

Thanks.

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

I have never eaten there but if you are dining in I would assume so since tips are not included in any of the dining plans .....but tips are included in the price of the meal for a few places like CRT.

 

[dbmarie]

The tip is included when you are using the ddp.

 

[marcyinPA]

We just got back, using the QSDP. We ate dinner at the Pepper Market one night. The gratuity was included.

Side note: This place is pricey! Our bill came to $92 for 3 adult meals and a kids meal! Good thing we were using the dining plan~!

 

[PebblesMK]

My daughter is 8 and I decided to bump her up to an adult for dining. I did it more for the counter service meals because this child of mine won't eat chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese. I was trying to figure out how much my tips will come to but couldn't figure out how her meals would be counted. For example, we're doing dinner at O'hana. Since she is on the adult plan, is she charged the adult price or will she be charged a child's price? Again, I did it mainly for the CS meals and didn't even take into consideration the TS meals (which are all family style or buffet). If she's charged as an adult then my tip is going up by about 7-10 dollars each time so I'm curious. Any help or direction to help would be appreciated.

 

[Tricia1972]

My daughter is 8 and I decided to bump her up to an adult for dining. I did it more for the counter service meals because this child of mine won't eat chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese. I was trying to figure out how much my tips will come to but couldn't figure out how her meals would be counted. For example, we're doing dinner at O'hana. Since she is on the adult plan, is she charged the adult price or will she be charged a child's price? Again, I did it mainly for the CS meals and didn't even take into consideration the TS meals (which are all family style or buffet). If she's charged as an adult then my tip is going up by about 7-10 dollars each time so I'm curious. Any help or direction to help would be appreciated.

The restaurants will consider her an adult because she's on the adult plan.

 

[jenseib]

My daughter is 8 and I decided to bump her up to an adult for dining. I did it more for the counter service meals because this child of mine won't eat chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese. I was trying to figure out how much my tips will come to but couldn't figure out how her meals would be counted. For example, we're doing dinner at O'hana. Since she is on the adult plan, is she charged the adult price or will she be charged a child's price? Again, I did it mainly for the CS meals and didn't even take into consideration the TS meals (which are all family style or buffet). If she's charged as an adult then my tip is going up by about 7-10 dollars each time so I'm curious. Any help or direction to help would be appreciated.

First off, I was told you could NOT do this...so not sure if it can be really done.
But remember that the adult plan is about 20+ dollars a day more than the kids plan. I think you would be better off paying out of pocket for the adult CS and use her kids meals them for a breakfast in the AM. The kids breakfasts are plentiful and my DD would even share them. And often she would share a CS lunch with me then too. Also some places have things like spaghetti or pizza on the menu for CS as well. I would for sure keep her on the kids plan. Even if you buy her an adult meal every day, you still won't be spending $20 on that. And with $7-10 in additional tips you are really going to pay about $30 more for her to be on the adult plan.

Also another thought is, if she likes something on the adult menu, but yo usee something yummy on the kids, you could order both and you eat the kids meal, and she eat the adults. I actually did this one evening with my DD as well...kind of. I wanted something to eat, and a turkey sandwich sounded really good and that was on the kids list. She just wanted a snack, so she got a snack and I ate the kids turkey sandwich. (we also seemed to have a hard time using up all our CS's because DH was full alot and dinlt eat one everyday after all the buffets we were going to, and DD were sharing meals as they can be large at times)

 

[PebblesMK]

First off, I was told you could NOT do this...so not sure if it can be really done.
But remember that the adult plan is about 20+ dollars a day more than the kids plan. I think you would be better off paying out of pocket for the adult CS and use her kids meals them for a breakfast in the AM. The kids breakfasts are plentiful and my DD would even share them. And often she would share a CS lunch with me then too. Also some places have things like spaghetti or pizza on the menu for CS as well. I would for sure keep her on the kids plan. Even if you buy her an adult meal every day, you still won't be spending $20 on that. And with $7-10 in additional tips you are really going to pay about $30 more for her to be on the adult plan.

Also another thought is, if she likes something on the adult menu, but yo usee something yummy on the kids, you could order both and you eat the kids meal, and she eat the adults. I actually did this one evening with my DD as well...kind of. I wanted something to eat, and a turkey sandwich sounded really good and that was on the kids list. She just wanted a snack, so she got a snack and I ate the kids turkey sandwich. (we also seemed to have a hard time using up all our CS's because DH was full alot and dinlt eat one everyday after all the buffets we were going to, and DD were sharing meals as they can be large at times)

We're going for free dining so the price difference was about 20 dollars total because of bumping up her park tickets. If it weren't for free dining we would be dining on mini corndogs every meal. But as it is, we're not. I'm just a bit confused because if this were the case and I went to a place like Akershus where nothing piqued my kids interest and she opted to order off the kids menu, she would still be charged an adult price for the item? I guess if that's the case I would be better off to put her back on the kid's plan and pay the extra that I would pay in tips for her to have better choices at CS? I'm confusing myself. It's free but to "pay" an additional 15 dollars (plus tip) for her to eat at a buffet or family dinner seems a bit excessive?

Ugh...I think I'll have to clarify this later as I just woke up but am sort of interested in answers if anybody understood that.

 

[PebblesMK]

The upgrading of tickets was only $20 total? I don't know the current prices without looking, but that seems low.
But yes, your card will have it coded into it that there are 3 adults using the plan, so yes they will charge for 3 adults and the suggested tip will be for the price of 3 adult meals.
I personally would go back to a childs. You may find some good stuff for her at some CS's on the childs menu. What does she like? you could look at all ears menus and see what different places have to offer and then try to hit those CS's that have things she likes.

I'm lost. The upgrade was so cheap because I was only upgrading park tickets since it is during Free Dining. I'm not entirely sure why there would be three adults coded onto our card though. I do understand that she will be considered an adult for buffets or family dining...however, my question lies elsewhere. As an example, say we go to Teppan Edo. I get the chicken and shrimp meal which will cost 25 dollars. My daughter won't be able to eat as much and wants to order from the kids menu and get the chicken and shrimp which is ten dollars. I'm assuming that they aren't going to say "No, you can't order from the kids menu because you're on an adult plan"....so then my bill would be thirty five dollars instead of fifty dollars...right? I'm only asking for the pure reason that I'm trying to figure out how much to budget for tipping. I know it's not huge and only a difference of 5-15 dollars per meal, but it is still helpful to know.

As I write this, I think I'm going in circles. I do believe there are only two TS that she would order something from the kids meals only for the smaller portions...not because of choice.

 

[Tricia1972]

I'm lost. The upgrade was so cheap because I was only upgrading park tickets since it is during Free Dining. I'm not entirely sure why there would be three adults coded onto our card though. I do understand that she will be considered an adult for buffets or family dining...however, my question lies elsewhere. As an example, say we go to Teppan Edo. I get the chicken and shrimp meal which will cost 25 dollars. My daughter won't be able to eat as much and wants to order from the kids menu and get the chicken and shrimp which is ten dollars. I'm assuming that they aren't going to say "No, you can't order from the kids menu because you're on an adult plan"....so then my bill would be thirty five dollars instead of fifty dollars...right? I'm only asking for the pure reason that I'm trying to figure out how much to budget for tipping. I know it's not huge and only a difference of 5-15 dollars per meal, but it is still helpful to know.

As I write this, I think I'm going in circles. I do believe there are only two TS that she would order something from the kids meals only for the smaller portions...not because of choice.

Your tip will be based on the pre DDP cost of the meal.

In cases where your daughter orders off of the kids menu, tip will be based on that (kids meal) amount.

In cases where it's price fixed, your daughter is considered an adult and your tip will be based on the full adult price of the meal.

Hope this helps clear it up for you

 

[jenseib]

Yes, when at a restaurant with a kids menu, she can order from it, but she is listed on your DDP as an adult so any buffets, etc she will be charged as an adult. She will also have the choice of getting the adult CS's.

 

[PebblesMK]

Fantastic! That's exactly what I was wondering. I'm all set to do my math now! Thanks for the help!

 

[anbouk]

OK, been a real while since we had a buffet (we usually don't prefer) however, we decided to do a character, this time around. What is customary tip for a Chef Mickeys Buffet 10% or 18%. I would like to do is the right thing. TIA

 

[Tricia1972]

OK, been a real while since we had a buffet (we usually don't prefer) however, we decided to do a character, this time around. What is customary tip for a Chef Mickeys Buffet 10% or 18%. I would like to do is the right thing. TIA

As long as you aren't a party of 6 or more, or using the Tables in Wonderland discount card, you are free to tip at your discretion.

If you are a party of 6 or more or if you are using the Tables in Wonderland card, then you will be subject to an 18% auto gratuity at all TS, including buffets.

 

[praline3001]

Strange tipping question~
We are eating at 1900 and we are having a large cake delivered to our table. The cost of the cake is $140.
I spoke with the bakery and they explained that we would be charged at 1900 so we can pay for tipping.

SOOOOOOO a tip for a $140 cake would be $30 on top of the $30 tip for the meal... $60 tip total seems a bit steep and I am usually a great tipper. Does anyone know if the server gets this tip due to her bringing the cake out or does the bakery get the tip? I have no problem with tipping 20% to the person who made the cake but I have issue with a server ..who will only bring the cake from the kitchen to our table $30 to do so.

So what would you do?! Should I pay the $60 tip and stop whining or is there a different rate for items like this?
Thanks!