The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[mom2my3kids]

Its standard across the united states 15-20 percent of the total bill. On the low end for okay service on the high end for better service. I don't mean to sound rude but its really not that hard, a 20.00 bill you should at least leave 3.00 for good service for excellent service you could leave 4.00.. Now for bad bad service its totally up to you..

 

[TPCShauna]

Its standard across the united states 15-20 percent of the total bill.

This isn't entirely accurate. See my above post for more info.

Thanks to everyone for their assistance. I will plan on 15% for good service in Orlando area restaurants and build in extra accordingly.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Does anyone know what the tax rate is, and what is taxed? Say you are at a buffet and the adult price is $20.00 (just using a nice round number), is that the amount that is taxed?

Then is the tip figured on that base cost only or with the tax added in.

And the DDE discount is off the base price correct?

Just trying to figure out which meals to pay OOP for and which ones to use credits on.

 

[honeymo78]

Does anyone know what the tax rate is, and what is taxed? I'm not sure what the tax rate is but someone should be able to find that for you.

Say you are at a buffet and the adult price is $20.00 (just using a nice round number), is that the amount that is taxed?
Yes, tax would be calculated on the $20.00. For ala carte menus tax is based on all items ordered (drink, entree, dessert).

Then is the tip figured on that base cost only or with the tax added in. Tip is based on the pre-tax total.

And the DDE discount is off the base price correct? Correct.

Just trying to figure out which meals to pay OOP for and which ones to use credits on.

.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Does anyone know what the tax rate is, and what is taxed? Say you are at a buffet and the adult price is $20.00 (just using a nice round number), is that the amount that is taxed?

Then is the tip figured on that base cost only or with the tax added in.

And the DDE discount is off the base price correct?

Just trying to figure out which meals to pay OOP for and which ones to use credits on.

I believe the tax in FL is 6.5% so tax on a $20 meal would be $1.30. I think. You will tip, and the DDE discount, is off the base price. So a 20% tip for a $20 meal would be $4, and the discount would be the same amount.

 

[Tricia1972]

Does anyone know what the tax rate is, and what is taxed? Say you are at a buffet and the adult price is $20.00 (just using a nice round number), is that the amount that is taxed?

Then is the tip figured on that base cost only or with the tax added in.

And the DDE discount is off the base price correct?

Just trying to figure out which meals to pay OOP for and which ones to use credits on.

The prior information given to you is correct. The only thing to note is that when using the DDE/TiW card, you are taxed on the discounted amount.

$20 - Meal
$4 - Discount
$3.60 - Auto Gratuity
$1.04 - 6.5% Tax on $16

$20.64 - Meal including Tax, and Gratuity

 

[MommyBryn]

Tight budget here! So trying to plan as close to possible for every penny we'll be spending. What should I plan on for tips outside of our DDP (because tips are no longer included, right?)?

Thanks! Can't wait to eat all that yummy food!!!

 

[Tricia1972]

We have a Disney Tipping thread that covers all of the aspects of tipping. I am going to merge your question there so you don't need to go back and re-post your question.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1870320

Restaurant Board policy requires that all discussion of and questions about tipping be confined to the Tipping Info Thread. The first thread in the post covers the Tipping Info Thread guidelines.

 

[thumbalyna]

has anyone else encountered this problem.

we had breakfast at the cape may cafe. when we got our bill there was an option regarding the tip. i chose the 20% and it made the total of the bill including the tip come to 48.00. i paid with a 100 and only got 50 change and the waitress said thanks for the extra - i did not agree to anything over the already included 20%. is this the norm for disney?

personally 50 for breakfast for 2 people is very steep in my mind

 

[francie57]

We paid for one extra meal when we went in Aug. (ddp for all others) and I made sure to give just enough cash to cover the meal and then left the tip after getting my change back. When we went a year ago and the tip was included with the dining plan they didn't print the suggested tip on the receipt. Must be doing this because people are either thinking its still included in the ddp or people aren't leaving large enough tips for them. Can't believe they kept the extra $2. Will remember that in the future and ask them for all the change back.

 

[Sawyer]

Here is my complaint. We had TIW on this last trip (just last week). I have been to many restaurants before where there was an automatic gratuity added. About 99% of the time in NON Disney restaurants, the waiters tell us "the gratuity has already been added". I frequently add more. I appreciate their class and honesty.

Not only did the CMs at the WDW restaurants NOT disclose that the gratuity was already added to the bill, they were clearly deliberately trying to conceal it. They would bury the detailed receipt where the included tip was listed under the signature slip and a copy of the signature slip. The signature slip did not disclose that gratuity was added and, in fact, had a line to add in a gratuity. I just happened to check the detailed receipt at the first restaurant to make sure I got my TIW discount and saw that the gratuity was added. Otherwise I would have added an ADDITIONAL 20% tip, which is what they were hoping for.

Not once did a CM disclose that the tip had been included. I didn't appreciate the quite obvious attempt to dupe me into double-tipping. For that reason, on the tip line of the signature page, I would write "Included" myself. I only added extra on a couple of occasions where I would have added extra each time had they not been trying to trick me.

Flame away.

 

[Syrreal]

The waitress should not have assumed she was getting the extra $2 above the 20%. (and she should be careful with this since if someone complained to the manager, she would get in trouble over it)

 

[thumbalyna]

when she brought back the change and said thanks for the extra me and my daughter had no clue what she was talking about until i opened that black thing they gave you and realized she only gave me 50 back.

i thought it was a little odd and was wondering if they normally due that because the majority of the people dont pay with cash i didnt know

i look really young for my age and people dont seem to take me seriously so i dont usually contact managers about problems unless it is very serious - i jsut said to my daughter she must have needed that 2.00 more than we did.

granted disney is not cheap and you can use every dollar you have but sometimes its just not worth the effort.

i didnt let this ruin our day and i just think from now on i wont pay cash at the TS i will jsut put it on the credit card or the debit card so i dont have these issues again.

sounds like this may be an isolated issue.

also just a heads up our waitress was Ingrid in case anyone is planning a visit to cape may for breakfast

 

[Tricia1972]

Since this is a question on tipping, I am going to merge it into The Disney Tipping Info Thread. The restaurant board policy is to keep all tipping discussion in this thread. The first post in this thread explains the guidelines.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1870320

 

[Syrreal]

when she brought back the change and said thanks for the extra me and my daughter had no clue what she was talking about until i opened that black thing they gave you and realized she only gave me 50 back.

i thought it was a little odd and was wondering if they normally due that because the majority of the people dont pay with cash i didnt know

i look really young for my age and people dont seem to take me seriously so i dont usually contact managers about problems unless it is very serious - i jsut said to my daughter she must have needed that 2.00 more than we did.

granted disney is not cheap and you can use every dollar you have but sometimes its just not worth the effort.

i didnt let this ruin our day and i just think from now on i wont pay cash at the TS i will jsut put it on the credit card or the debit card so i dont have these issues again.

sounds like this may be an isolated issue.

also just a heads up our waitress was Ingrid in case anyone is planning a visit to cape may for breakfast

Using the cards might be a good idea. If you do pay cash (I do sometimes) you can also just tell the server how much change you want back.

 

[hematite153]

Using the cards might be a good idea. If you do pay cash (I do sometimes) you can also just tell the server how much change you want back.

I think the point was that she HAD told the server what she wanted back, but, then didn't get it. I'd have been livid and likely asked for a manager and then asked for the entire tip to be returned. I mean, if you've filled out paperwork AND indicated that you were providing a 20% tip AND indicated a total, then, the server should NOT have decided to just keep extra.

 

[honeymo78]

Not only did the CMs at the WDW restaurants NOT disclose that the gratuity was already added to the bill, they were clearly deliberately trying to conceal it. They would bury the detailed receipt where the included tip was listed under the signature slip and a copy of the signature slip. The signature slip did not disclose that gratuity was added and, in fact, had a line to add in a gratuity. I just happened to check the detailed receipt at the first restaurant to make sure I got my TIW discount and saw that the gratuity was added. Otherwise I would have added an ADDITIONAL 20% tip, which is what they were hoping for.

Not flaming but honestly I would not consider having the detailed receipt on the bottom being an act to deliberately conceal the tip. I fully expect the slip on top should be the one I sign accompanied by a duplicate for my records, then the detailed receipt. I think that the "tip line" is just a standard printed out line when paying with something other than cash. I have no idea if there is an option to not print that line.

Also, wouldn't you have gotten the detailed receipt with your TIW discount first (unless you gave them all your cards at once), then you could choose how to pay, with either cash, CC, room charge etc. The server would then run your card and come back with slips to sign - all after you've seen the receipt informing you of what you owe, including the tip.

Lastly, I also think that whenever a consumer uses a discount card (particularly one they have to purchase), it is their responsibilty to educate themselves on the rules of the card - especially what or what is not included when using that card.

 

[MommyBryn]

Tight budget here! So trying to plan as close to possible for every penny we'll be spending. What should I plan on for tips outside of our DDP (because tips are no longer included, right?)?


Thanks! Can't wait to eat all that yummy food!!!

Quoting myself here...any suggestions, anyone? I'm trying to budget this in, but since we're on the DDP and won't know ahead of time exactly the cost of our meal (so I don't know what the 18-20% would be), what is a good amount to bring/ TS meal, for example?

 

[Tricia1972]

Quoting myself here...any suggestions, anyone? I'm trying to budget this in, but since we're on the DDP and won't know ahead of time exactly the cost of our meal (so I don't know what the 18-20% would be), what is a good amount to bring/ TS meal, for example?

It's almost impossible to make a good guess for what your gratuities may be. Your best bet would be to take a quick look at the menus for where you're going to dine and see what your approximate bill will be.

For example - Breakfast for you and your DH will be $40 at Crystal Palace, $45 at Chef Mickey's and Dinner at Chef Mickey's would be $60. Likewise if you go to LeCellier and get two steaks, dessert, etc could be $100.

If you are sharing your meals at regular TS locations - then that throws a wrench into everything as well.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningmain.cfm Check out the menus here and you'll get a better number.

 

[MommyBryn]

It's almost impossible to make a good guess for what your gratuities may be. Your best bet would be to take a quick look at the menus for where you're going to dine and see what your approximate bill will be.

For example - Breakfast for you and your DH will be $40 at Crystal Palace, $45 at Chef Mickey's and Dinner at Chef Mickey's would be $60. Likewise if you go to LeCellier and get two steaks, dessert, etc could be $100.

If you are sharing your meals at regular TS locations - then that throws a wrench into everything as well.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningmain.cfm Check out the menus here and you'll get a better number.

See that's what makes it hard. We never make ADR's or anything, we just eat where we feel like it when we feel like it because we find it to be a lot easier than working around reservations. So I guess that means there's no way of budgeting that in, then. Darn... Maybe somebody else who's done it this way can give me an idea of what they ended up spending on tips...?