The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[choirfarm]

I couldn't post to the thread because it was closed, but I have a very important point people told me. I also plan to use my Disney card to pay the tip. I am going to charge it to the room and pay with my reward card before I leave. MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS THE NIGHT BEFORE YOU LEAVE. From what I have seen they charge your credit card in the middle of the night before you leave. So if you are checking out on Wednesday, then go and settle on Tuesday night!!! Just an FWI.

Christine

 

[gigi1313]

thanks christine! that is good to know!

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

so, i don't know if someone has already asked this but can i use my disney reward dollars for tipping? or is it best to use my room key and then pay w/ the reward dollars at the checkout?

 

[ahecht]

Do they ask before you place your order if you have the dining plan?

In my experience they ask when you make the ADR, they ask again when you check in for your ADR, and your server will ask a third time before taking drink orders.

Can you have two different credit cards associated to one room's KTTW cards (one for each guest's KTTW card)? My brother and I are staying in one room, but it would be nice to use our KTTW cards for tips but charging to our own credit cards.

I am sorry, it is one card attached to the room, and the cards can either have charging rights or no charging rights

I was told when I checked in that different keys for the same room could be linked to different cards, although I didn't actually try it since the lowest spending limit they could offer was $1000 and I didn't want to risk losing that much money if someone stole my key.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Hmm, I remember that when we checked in, they said that only one card could be attached to the room key for adults to charge things to the room. The only exception was that they could not have a card attached to the childrens key, so that they couldn't go off and buy things without the parents knowing about it.

Its actually safer, because you can review the room charges by accessing you account on the room television, and can disput a charge before it is actually charged to your credit card, as they wait until you reach your "threshold" amount, and/or the night before your check out of the hotel.

 

[JediTim]

so, i don't know if someone has already asked this but can i use my disney reward dollars for tipping? or is it best to use my room key and then pay w/ the reward dollars at the checkout?

This is exactly what I did last week...it was very to use the room key and then went to the front desk the day prior to checking out and paid with the Reward Card.
Tm

 

[ahecht]

Its actually safer, because you can review the room charges by accessing you account on the room television, and can disput a charge before it is actually charged to your credit card, as they wait until you reach your "threshold" amount, and/or the night before your check out of the hotel.

No, it's not safer. If you read the fine print on your KTTW card, you are responsible for all charges up until you report your card as stolen. Therefore if a thief uses your cards before you report them missing, you still have to pay up to $1000. Even though your credit card hasn't been charged yet, you still owe Disney the money.

With a credit card, if a thief uses your cards before you report them missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card. Almost all credit card issuers will waive the $50 and not charge you anything if you sign an affidavit legally stating your card was stolen.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

No, it's not safer. If you read the fine print on your KTTW card, you are responsible for all charges up until you report your card as stolen. Therefore if a thief uses your cards before you report them missing, you still have to pay up to $1000. Even though your credit card hasn't been charged yet, you still owe Disney the money.

With a credit card, if a thief uses your cards before you report them missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card. Almost all credit card issuers will waive the $50 and not charge you anything if you sign an affidavit legally stating your card was stolen.

Umm, yes it is. Of course, I have been going there, and Disneyland since the 70's and havn't had a card "stolen" (or would that be lost?) because I treat them like the charge card they are.

 

[ahecht]

So you're saying that it's safer because you won't let it get lost or stolen? In that case you might as well carry cash.

In my mind, a park ticket that I have to get out every time I enter the park, get a fastpass, enter my room, or get on a ride during EMH is much more likely to get lost or stolen than a charge card I only use when I am paying for something.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

So you're saying that it's safer because you won't let it get lost or stolen? In that case you might as well carry cash.

In my mind, a park ticket that I have to get out every time I enter the park, get a fastpass, enter my room, or get on a ride during EMH is much more likely to get lost or stolen than a charge card I only use when I am paying for something.

?? I'm SUPPOSED to lose it? nowthat just dosn't make sense.

actually it IS safer, as you CAN dispute charges with WDW before it hits your credit card charge. I have never encountered a CM at any of the resorts that wouldn't give you that kind of help.

And when I go to the parks, I use it for all of the things. carrying cash, and you would need a lot, to visit the parks is a lot more risky.

But this is about tipping, and I hve found that it is VERY easy to tip using a room card attached to a credit card.

 

[ahecht]

actually it IS safer, as you CAN dispute charges with WDW before it hits your credit card charge. I have never encountered a CM at any of the resorts that wouldn't give you that kind of help.

When $1000 is on the line, I'd much rather have a written policy stating that I don't have to pay more than $50 (or, in most cases, nothing) than have to rely on a CM being "nice" and waiving the official Disney policy.

In any case, use whatever method you feel best with. Personally, using my credit card is just as easy as using my room key, and carrying 2 cards with me is not harder than carrying 1.

 

[jkcyoung]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I can't seem to find the answer. I am going to be in part of a Grand Gathering in November on the dining plan. We are a party of 12 so I realize that our gratuities will be automatically added to our TS meals. My question is, how will that work with 3 different families(3 diff room)? Can we split the tip up and charge to 3 different rooms or do we need to plan on paying cash? I loved not carrying cash in the past and would rather not if I don't have to. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Pumbaa_]

When you are seated, explain to your server who's in each party so they can set it up from the beginning, you should not have any problems, Disney does this every day!

Hope you have a great GG

 

[Picabo]

I'm sorry but I'm a bit confused....we will be a party of 4 when we go. We'll be on the basic dining plan. So when the bill comes and they have 18% and 20% tip and I am charging to my room card.....are we ALLOWED to only give them 15% if we feel the service wasn't up to par? Or will they go ahead and charge a MINIMUM of 18% tip?

If the case is that you're required to tip min of 18%, then the best thing to do is make sure we have cash just incase we don't feel the service warrants a full 18-20%?

And in regards to buffets....I read that Disney still puts the recommended 18-20%. What do MOST people tip at these places? I know what Disney recommends, but I just would like to know if people really do tip that much as a buffet?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Pumbaa_]

18% is mandated under two scenarios:

• Party of 6 or more
• DDE card is used, regardless of party size

This applies to all TS, Disney does not differentiate btw the different types of TS.

If the above does not apply, you are free to tip as you choose.

 

[imthatgirl]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I can't seem to find the answer. I am going to be in part of a Grand Gathering in November on the dining plan. We are a party of 12 so I realize that our gratuities will be automatically added to our TS meals. My question is, how will that work with 3 different families(3 diff room)? Can we split the tip up and charge to 3 different rooms or do we need to plan on paying cash? I loved not carrying cash in the past and would rather not if I don't have to. Anyone have any experience with this?

we just did this. we had a party of 8 with 3 rooms. we told the server who was on which plan, they wrote it down and the presented each party with their own bill and on each bill it was calculated how much that party owed. it was quite easy. have fun!!

 

[ajsmommy1129]

We are going as a Grand Gathering in September 09. Do we have any recourse about the mandatory 18% if service is bad? We had a server who was so rude and inattentive that my DH spoke with the manager and told him he did not feel the 18% was appropriate..this was when the tip was included. We also had bad service from our server at CP, and another server helped us. DH gave her a tip in cash...seriously, can we do anything as a Grand Gathering? DH is a former server, and refuses to tip for bad service. If we reduce the tip, will they just charge the balance to our KTTW?

 

[thebrehms]

Can you put cash on your KTTW card instead of a credit card? We have gone through some financial hardship and do not have any credit cards at this time. We'd rather NOT carry cash if at all possible. Anyone know if this is possible?

 

[honeymo78]

We are going as a Grand Gathering in September 09. Do we have any recourse about the mandatory 18% if service is bad? We had a server who was so rude and inattentive that my DH spoke with the manager and told him he did not feel the 18% was appropriate..this was when the tip was included. We also had bad service from our server at CP, and another server helped us. DH gave her a tip in cash...seriously, can we do anything as a Grand Gathering? DH is a former server, and refuses to tip for bad service. If we reduce the tip, will they just charge the balance to our KTTW?

You would need to speak with a manager in a situation like this. Don't just leave a smaller amount at the end of the meal because they'll still expect you to pay the full amount. If your service is truly lacking, don't wait until the end of the meal to speak to someone about it. Get the manager and explain the situation - its likely they will reduce the tip and improve the situation.

 

[ajsmommy1129]

I understand they will expect the 18%, but if we do not give the 18%, are they allowed to charge it to the KTTW without our signature?