The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[sharstra]

The following will have an automatic 18% gratuity added to their restaurant bill:

1) Disney Dining Experience members regardless of party size

If this is the case, the DDE just gives a 20% discount on food, but with 18% grats, plus tax, is it worth buying?? I am just considering this.

thanks
Sharone

 

[TDC Nala]

The following will have an automatic 18% gratuity added to their restaurant bill:

1) Disney Dining Experience members regardless of party size

If this is the case, the DDE just gives a 20% discount on food, but with 18% grats, plus tax, is it worth buying?? I am just considering this.

thanks
Sharone

What would you have tipped anyway?

You're from the UK, and the tipping customs are different here - Europeans when eating out in Europe either don't tip servers or don't tip as much, which is the custom there.

If you would have tipped 18% or more at a WDW restaurant anyway it doesn't much matter as you're still getting the benefit of the discount, it's just that now Disney figures your tip for you.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The following will have an automatic 18% gratuity added to their restaurant bill:

1) Disney Dining Experience members regardless of party size

If this is the case, the DDE just gives a 20% discount on food, but with 18% grats, plus tax, is it worth buying?? I am just considering this.

thanks
Sharone

It's still worth it for me, since I tip around 20% anyway.

 

[sharstra]

I go every six months, hence the annual tickets. Generally I do tip between 15-20% anyway, obviously depending on service, but Disney is generally excellent. I would have tipped that amount, you are right, both....But what I was trying to ascertain, is whether given what you have to pay for the DDE ticket, plus the automatic 18%, is it worth it?? I guess its best just to work out how many times you are likely to eat in Disney, and where it is valid. Hence, a lot more to take into consideration other than just the 18% gratuity.
Another thing is, even when that is already added, I often forget and leave it on the table, so end up doing a double tip...stupid I know, but it becomes a habit in America.
Thanks for your input though

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I go every six months, hence the annual tickets. Generally I do tip between 15-20% anyway, obviously depending on service, but Disney is generally excellent. I would have tipped that amount, you are right, both....But what I was trying to ascertain, is whether given what you have to pay for the DDE ticket, plus the automatic 18%, is it worth it?? I guess its best just to work out how many times you are likely to eat in Disney, and where it is valid. Hence, a lot more to take into consideration other than just the 18% gratuity.
Another thing is, even when that is already added, I often forget and leave it on the table, so end up doing a double tip...stupid I know, but it becomes a habit in America.
Thanks for your input though

As long as you still spend at least $300 on food, the card pays for itself. You still get that 20% discount, so yes, it's worth it.

 

[sharstra]

Thanks for your help and advice, it is muchly appreciated!!
Kind regards
Sharone

86 Days till One month in Orlando....:

 

[Bertie131]

Hi there---The answer to my question is probably in here, but with all the pages I tried to scan thru and didn't see it. I have heard it is best not to use cash for a tip b/c you may get double charged? I guess if you put it on you KTTK card or on a CC the server/restaurant may charge again? Who has heard of this and is there a way to pay cash and not be charged twice? Thank you SO much!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Just write cash on the tip line of the bill and leave cash on the table. You should be fine!

 

[orlandomom]

Having just spoken to 2 servers/bartenders, here is the response I received regarding tips....

Although Gift Cards are nice and thoughtful, they do not pay the bills, If a guest does not want to carry cash or tip on card, perhaps a Visa gift card might help them out. At least we (servers) can use those at grocery stores or gas stations.

"At cash out daily, we balance cash, credit cards, kttw, disney dollars, etc as individual amounts, it is almost if not always impossible for us to exchange dd's for cash." Although we would never question a guest leaving such, it also does not pay the bills.

Side note: I also know that CM's are taxed on 18% gratuity per table regardless of amounts rec'd...... so for me its cash and usually 20+% based on service

just me

 

[Pumbaa_]

The gift cards people are talking about on this thread are Disney gift cards that can be used at the resorts. They are using it to pay and then taking it with them, not leaving a gift card as the tip, KWIM? They may have a couple hundred dollars on the card to use the whole time they are in Disney.

 

[orlandomom]

Giftcards for tip?

Yes, you can use giftcards as a form of gruatuity payment. I have done this in the past to use up remaining balances on them. It works just fine. I do prefer to use cash but have used other methods.

Sorry for the confusion, I was referring to the above post and I believe I also read a post regarding tipping with Disney Store Gift cards


just me

 

[Tricia1972]

As long as you still spend at least $300 on food, the card pays for itself. You still get that 20% discount, so yes, it's worth it.

I agree completely!

Though you are paying an automatic gratuity, you are being taxed less with the DDE card as you are taxed on the amount after the discount is applied. For example normally you'd pay $6.50 tax on a $100 bill (and tip $18). With the DDE you pay $5.20 tax on a bill that is $100 pre-discount (and tip $18)

 

[ShhhQ]

After reading this, I have a dilemma. I have been saving up my change to pay for my tips. Therefore I will be paying cash and not charging it to any card. My original plan was to have 5 $20 and leave one at each restaurant, which in some cases would be above the 18% and in one or two just under it... it would even it out and no figuring how much.
It all adds up to the same just distributed a little differently....
However, that will not work.... Our party consists of myself and DM on one, my brother on another, and we are traveling with friends (party of 4)... making our total party 7! So we will have the mandatory 18% tip....

So here is the dilemma... If I have a $20 bill and my tip comes to $17 (I will be leaving the tip for both mine and my brothers) I figure it is RUDE to ask for change... but I will need to have the change to pay for other tips.... can I ask to break it before the end of the meal and not be rude?

 

[tweedlemom]

Having just spoken to 2 servers/bartenders, here is the response I received regarding tips....

Although Gift Cards are nice and thoughtful, they do not pay the bills, If a guest does not want to carry cash or tip on card, perhaps a Visa gift card might help them out. At least we (servers) can use those at grocery stores or gas stations.

"At cash out daily, we balance cash, credit cards, kttw, disney dollars, etc as individual amounts, it is almost if not always impossible for us to exchange dd's for cash." Although we would never question a guest leaving such, it also does not pay the bills.

Side note: I also know that CM's are taxed on 18% gratuity per table regardless of amounts rec'd...... so for me its cash and usually 20+% based on service

just me

If the server wanted to, couldn't he/she just cash the Disney Dollars out at Town Hall, just like a guest could? Disney Dollars are marketed as "just as good as cash anywhere on Disney property". A guest shouldn't feel guilty for using Disney Dollars as tips.

 

[lisadr]

After reading this, I have a dilemma. I have been saving up my change to pay for my tips. Therefore I will be paying cash and not charging it to any card. My original plan was to have 5 $20 and leave one at each restaurant, which in some cases would be above the 18% and in one or two just under it... it would even it out and no figuring how much.
It all adds up to the same just distributed a little differently....
However, that will not work.... Our party consists of myself and DM on one, my brother on another, and we are traveling with friends (party of 4)... making our total party 7! So we will have the mandatory 18% tip....

So here is the dilemma... If I have a $20 bill and my tip comes to $17 (I will be leaving the tip for both mine and my brothers) I figure it is RUDE to ask for change... but I will need to have the change to pay for other tips.... can I ask to break it before the end of the meal and not be rude?

It's not rude to ask for change. I am a server (not Disney) and I don't get insulted or think badly of my guests (although I do admit to secretly WANTED the extra lol). But one here's a strange question-why are you so set on brining 20 dollar bills? Just bring smaller denominations-this way you don't have to feel funny about asking for change.

 

[ShhhQ]

It's not rude to ask for change. I am a server (not Disney) and I don't get insulted or think badly of my guests (although I do admit to secretly WANTED the extra lol). But one here's a strange question-why are you so set on brining 20 dollar bills? Just bring smaller denominations-this way you don't have to feel funny about asking for change.

Well my thinking is.... a single 20 takes up less room than say a 10, a 5 and 5 ones.... the more bills, the bulkier it gets.... that, and I have a feeling the bank will give me my money in $20s when I cash my coins in.

thank you

 

[britincgn]

Perhaps an unusual question but here goes .
We have a reservation for California Grill but plan to go earlier and if possible sit at the bar and have a drink on the balcony.
1.Is this possible?
2.How much tip at the bar ?

 

[got2luvtink]

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but do you tip at Pepper's Market? I have never been, but would like to eat here in Sept. We'll have a party of six. So, will we not be charged at all, charged at 18%, or charged a lesser gratuity or service charge because it is a CS? I have seen another thread in the past that posed this same question, but there no definitive answer. Hopefully, a fellow Diser can shead some light on this?

 

[orlandomom]

Having just spoken to 2 servers/bartenders, here is the response I received regarding tips....

Although Gift Cards are nice and thoughtful, they do not pay the bills, If a guest does not want to carry cash or tip on card, perhaps a Visa gift card might help them out. At least we (servers) can use those at grocery stores or gas stations.

"At cash out daily, we balance cash, credit cards, kttw, disney dollars, etc as individual amounts, it is almost if not always impossible for us to exchange dd's for cash." Although we would never question a guest leaving such, it also does not pay the bills.


just me

OK, so I will correct myself, I have spoken to quite a few more servers since I posted this.
As for the Disney Dollars as tips, yes it is ok. CM's can cash them out, and although it is a bit "out of the way" it is not a problem. It seems as though the 2 I spoke with first might just be a bit lazy or unsure of policy.
I also questioned the gift cards, although it is not the ideal situation, as they can only be used to purchase things on property or at Disney Stores, they can be used for tips. Most of the other CM's said they get so few of them that it really has never been a problem.

Thanks for letting me eat crow

just me

 

[dogodisney]

Well my thinking is.... a single 20 takes up less room than say a 10, a 5 and 5 ones.... the more bills, the bulkier it gets.... that, and I have a feeling the bank will give me my money in $20s when I cash my coins in.
thank you

You can request what denominations you want from the bank. You don't have to take $20s.