The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[TDC Nala]

Askerhaus Princess Brakfast

Fantasmic dining package at Hollywood and Vine

Gratuity is not included in the price of either meal.

 

[TheMadScrapper]

Wow this is one heck of a thread I never thought I'd have to do so much reading on tipping. My head is spinning.

We have the ddp and we will be a party of 3 so when it comes to tipping we just go by the suggested amounts on the tickets right? Or more if the service is exceptional. We will most likely tip in cash so do we just write "on table" on the ticket?

I must be getting old because I remember when tipping was only something you did if you got great service but I don't want to start a debate I am just overwhelmed and shocked by the mass amount of info and questions regarding tipping.

Anyway I certainly want to do this correctly so please advise me. I have read almost this whole thread and it's SO much info and a lot of it is regarding parties of 6 or more.

 

[Tricia1972]

Wow this is one heck of a thread I never thought I'd have to do so much reading on tipping. My head is spinning.

We have the ddp and we will be a party of 3 so when it comes to tipping we just go by the suggested amounts on the tickets right? Or more if the service is exceptional. We will most likely tip in cash so do we just write "on table" on the ticket?

I must be getting old because I remember when tipping was only something you did if you got great service but I don't want to start a debate I am just overwhelmed and shocked by the mass amount of info and questions regarding tipping.

Anyway I certainly want to do this correctly so please advise me. I have read almost this whole thread and it's SO much info and a lot of it is regarding parties of 6 or more.

What you have planned is 100% perfect and correct for your party of 3.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I have read through this thread and it seems like a lot info on amounts to tip, suffice to say that I normally tip about 20 percent.

Some questions that I havan't seen answered is this: (background) I got the DDP and I also connect a CC to my room key. (I don't like taking along a lot of cash on vacation) so I intend on tipping "off plan" by using my CC attached to the key.

Do I tell the server that I want to tip "off plan" or do they realize that when they "ring up" the purchase on the DDP. If they do that, do I get a second "CC charge" ticket that I would fill out for the tip amount, or is it all on one slip that has a seperate line for a "room charge" tip.

(I though that getting the DDP would make a vacation EASIER! HA!!)

 

[Tricia1972]

I have read through this thread and it seems like a lot info on amounts to tip, suffice to say that I normally tip about 20 percent.

Some questions that I havan't seen answered is this: (background) I got the DDP and I also connect a CC to my room key. (I don't like taking along a lot of cash on vacation) so I intend on tipping "off plan" by using my CC attached to the key.

Do I tell the server that I want to tip "off plan" or do they realize that when they "ring up" the purchase on the DDP. If they do that, do I get a second "CC charge" ticket that I would fill out for the tip amount, or is it all on one slip that has a seperate line for a "room charge" tip.

(I though that getting the DDP would make a vacation EASIER! HA!!)

This is a GREAT question, because the Disney way is so weird that it's easy to mess up.

When you give the server your room key for the DDP, you will write the tip amount on the tip line. They will run your credits and charge your room key for the tip in one transaction.

If you don't tell the server as you give them the key, they likely will ask, only because running that is a one time deal. Once they run the credits for the DDP, they are unable to re-open your ticket to charge a tip after the fact.

Does this make sense? I hope it helps.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

This is a GREAT question, because the Disney way is so weird that it's easy to mess up.

When you give the server your room key for the DDP, you will write the tip amount on the tip line. They will run your credits and charge your room key for the tip in one transaction.

If you don't tell the server as you give them the key, they likely will ask, only because running that is a one time deal. Once they run the credits for the DDP, they are unable to re-open your ticket to charge a tip after the fact.

Does this make sense? I hope it helps.

Yes it does, and thank you. I was hoping that it would be something simple like that.

Most of the servers that I have encountered at WDW and DLR try and do a good job, and deserve a good tip! (of course everyone can have a bad day sometimes!)

 

[TheMadScrapper]

This is a GREAT question, because the Disney way is so weird that it's easy to mess up.

When you give the server your room key for the DDP, you will write the tip amount on the tip line. They will run your credits and charge your room key for the tip in one transaction.

If you don't tell the server as you give them the key, they likely will ask, only because running that is a one time deal. Once they run the credits for the DDP, they are unable to re-open your ticket to charge a tip after the fact.

Does this make sense? I hope it helps.

The last couple of posts were very helpful to me. Just in case the hubby changes his mind and wants to put tips on the card attatched to the room. Thanks!

 

[minniejack]

Wow this is one heck of a thread I never thought I'd have to do so much reading on tipping. My head is spinning.

We have the ddp and we will be a party of 3 so when it comes to tipping we just go by the suggested amounts on the tickets right? Or more if the service is exceptional. We will most likely tip in cash so do we just write "on table" on the ticket?

I must be getting old because I remember when tipping was only something you did if you got great service but I don't want to start a debate I am just overwhelmed and shocked by the mass amount of info and questions regarding tipping.

nyway I certainly want to do this correctly so please advise me. I have read almost this whole thread and it's SO much info and a lot of it is regarding parties of 6 or more.

I hear your cry

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

All this to do about tipping makes my head spin and my stomach revolt.

I am starting to look forward to the CS meal plan.

Wonder how long until they put a tip jar up by the cashiers?

We eat out often and I have noticed that folks are leaving less and less. Personally, I will not eat out if I cannot afford to leave a reasonable tip for good service. The server told me that was not the worst of it. He said they are getting so many fewer guests because people just cannot afford the gas and the food.

SG who prefers a simple life

 

[danalee]

I just returned from a 10 day stay at WDW and we were on the Deluxe Dining Plan, we paid all of our tips by cash. Not a problem anywhere, we had a party of 6, two adults on one card and 3 adults and a child on the other and when they ask ask if we were on the disney dining plan we said yes deluxe then also said "and we will leave our tip in cash", we had 3 waitstaff folks tell us they liked that, no waiting for there money.
On every bill the 18% tip amount was given on the total bill, no 18 and 20 like I had seen mentioned before. Most places we left 20%, we only had BAD service at one place (50's prime time) and a close second was Chef Mickeys, they got the 18% to the penny.

It was a great time, and the tipping was never an issue. Only 2 bad servers out of 15, not bad!

 

[J Lynn]

I'll have 5 adults and 1 child on my dining plan. I understand the tip is already figured out on the receipt for a party of 6 or more....is that right? How can I figure how much cash to bring for tips?

 

[mom2my3kids]

I just returned from a 10 day stay at WDW and we were on the Deluxe Dining Plan, we paid all of our tips by cash. Not a problem anywhere, we had a party of 6, two adults on one card and 3 adults and a child on the other and when they ask ask if we were on the disney dining plan we said yes deluxe then also said "and we will leave our tip in cash", we had 3 waitstaff folks tell us they liked that, no waiting for there money.
On every bill the 18% tip amount was given on the total bill, no 18 and 20 like I had seen mentioned before. Most places we left 20%, we only had BAD service at one place (50's prime time) and a close second was Chef Mickeys, they got the 18% to the penny.

It was a great time, and the tipping was never an issue. Only 2 bad servers out of 15, not bad!

Yep just like every occupation, a few bad apples out of the barrel..

 

[ShhhQ]

I'll have 5 adults and 1 child on my dining plan. I understand the tip is already figured out on the receipt for a party of 6 or more....is that right? How can I figure how much cash to bring for tips?

What I chose to do is look at the menus on Allears and choose the most expensive items available... as if everyone in the party wanted that.... and add it up to figure the tip from.... therefore you have the max it could be, even if it will probably come to less.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I'll have 5 adults and 1 child on my dining plan. I understand the tip is already figured out on the receipt for a party of 6 or more....is that right? How can I figure how much cash to bring for tips?

Here is a link to the DIS Menus

Figure out where your ADRs are, get a general idea of price from each restaurant and then figure out roughly what your tips will be.

Hope that helps!

 

[crimsontide27]

Here is a link to the DIS Menus

Figure out where your ADRs are, get a general idea of price from each restaurant and then figure out roughly what your tips will be.

Hope that helps!

If you are on the dining plan and the gratuity is already included, then you can figure $18.50 per person no matter where you go, unless its a 2 coupon per person restaurant. Doesnt matter if its 1 adult and 5 kids, or 6 adults, or 3 adult and 3 kids, the price that always gets auto grated will be $18.50 each.

Depending on the server, they can try to convince you on tipping on the actual cost of the food versus the charged price for food. Most times people only leave a few dollars tip on the dining plan and servers end up losing money and not making it.

 

[crimsontide27]

This is a GREAT question, because the Disney way is so weird that it's easy to mess up.

When you give the server your room key for the DDP, you will write the tip amount on the tip line. They will run your credits and charge your room key for the tip in one transaction.

If you don't tell the server as you give them the key, they likely will ask, only because running that is a one time deal. Once they run the credits for the DDP, they are unable to re-open your ticket to charge a tip after the fact.

Does this make sense? I hope it helps.

Not exactly true. These cards can be run at any time during the meal. The servers go into the MATRA system and run the card either once or twice ( depending on if its all adults, or adults and children ). If you decide to leave a tip as a charge on the room key, then they ring up a seperate room charge. It has nothing to do with the dining plan coupons.

Even if they do not have the card in their possession, their store copy of the MATRA transaction will have the KTTW card number on it and they can manually input the number, then when they go to finalize the transaction, it asks what the tip amount is.

 

[crimsontide27]

Our family of 7 will be in two rooms. Since they'll be splitting our checks and adding auto-gratuity due to our party size could I put the entire tip on just one of the checks or would that mess up our server? The second room's KTTW cards won't have charging privileges on them.

No reason for your checks to be split up if you are all in the same family. No matter how many rooms you take up, if all 7 of you are on the same plan it doesnt matter. The full amount of the grat can be moved onto one check, but it requires a manager to merge all the gratuity onto the same check. Plan to wait a few extra minutes if that is the case, as it requires a manager to log on the system to merge gratuitys onto one check.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Just curious how servers deal with this...

one of the threads said Europeans arent acustom to tipping or tip very lil, so if other people around the world dont tip and dont know to tip will the servers just lose out if the party is less than 6 ????

Another ? I'm confused on the character buffets is it 10% , 18% , or a flat rate? we are a party of 3 2A, 1C thanks

When i was lil i remember my mom leaving $1-$2 tips . Tipping has my head spining since theres so many different people to tip now ,but thanks to Dis I wont stiff those that i didnt know about until reading the MB

 

[bicker]

one of the threads said Europeans arent acustom to tipping or tip very lil, so if other people around the world dont tip and dont know to tip will the servers just lose out if the party is less than 6 ????

Disney includes a card in the bill basically helping foreign guests understand what the expectation on them is regarding gratuities.

Another ? I'm confused on the character buffets is it 10% , 18% , or a flat rate? we are a party of 3 2A, 1C thanks

The standard gratuity for buffet service in the United States is 10%-15%. Anywhere in that range is acceptable for "good" service; tip more for better than "good" service. Disney, on the other hand, sets 18% as the standard for "good" service, for both regular restaurant service and buffet service. Comply with that expectation if you respect their standard.

When i was lil i remember my mom leaving $1-$2 tips .

The standard for tipping has changed little over the years -- much less than many folks seem to recall. The expectation for standard service has gone from 10% up to 15% over the last forty years or so. So not a big change. And figure when meals were $5 meal per person, at a gratuity of 10%, that would yield $2 in tips for a family of four. That same family of four will pay close to $70 for the same meal, these days, at 15% gratuity, should leave a $10-$11 tip.

Tipping has my head spining since theres so many different people to tip now

That's a myth, AFAIC. It is the same list of people that I tipped on my very first vacation after college: Restaurant servers, valets, bell-staff, concierge (maybe), baggage handlers, car service/taxi drivers, etc. Same set of people. That hasn't changed.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you are on the dining plan and the gratuity is already included, then you can figure $18.50 per person no matter where you go, unless its a 2 coupon per person restaurant. Doesnt matter if its 1 adult and 5 kids, or 6 adults, or 3 adult and 3 kids, the price that always gets auto grated will be $18.50 each.

Depending on the server, they can try to convince you on tipping on the actual cost of the food versus the charged price for food. Most times people only leave a few dollars tip on the dining plan and servers end up losing money and not making it.

Gratuity is not included in the dining plans for 2008. Tipping is based on the actual cost of the meal. A preassigned amount for tipping is added to any party that has 6 or more people. The percentage is 18%

Same holds true if you use the DDE card, regardless of party size, a gratuity of 18% is added tot he bill.

Just a reminder, we do not allow debate regarding tipping on this thread, see page for details

thank you everyone!