The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[Tricia1972]

Take a look at what you usually spend at Disney. I would figure it's about $20/$100 spent. It could be a little less or a little more, but that's a good place to start.

 

[TDC Nala]

Unless you know where you're eating and what you are going to order you can't anticipate with any specificity what you are going to spend in tips.

If you check all the menu prices you can get a ballpark figure in your head though.

I don't know when you're going but if it's near the holidays you should really think about getting some ADRs especially if you are using the dining plan.

 

[MommyBryn]

Unless you know where you're eating and what you are going to order you can't anticipate with any specificity what you are going to spend in tips.

If you check all the menu prices you can get a ballpark figure in your head though.

I don't know when you're going but if it's near the holidays you should really think about getting some ADRs especially if you are using the dining plan.

No, we're going early Jan (after the holidays and before MKL weekend)...we always go during this time and have never needed ADR's, but we're also not really big on eating at specific places so it's not a big deal. We've had the DDP the last few times we've gone so it's hard to judge what we've spent in the past! I guess we'll figure something out. Thanks everyone!!

 

[Minniekins]

Just to let you know, you can also check menus and prices at Allears.net. The menus with prices, for the most part, seem to be more up to date then those at the wdw site.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I guess we'll figure something out. Thanks everyone!!

Okay, I know you're on a budget, but if it's at all feasible, use the Le Cellier menu or the Tutto Italia menu.

Find the most expensive entree and dessert, add in the most expensive appetizer if you're on the Deluxe Plan, and $3 for drinks (average - some locations let you get a specialty drink, some only allow the standard soda/coffee/tea).

Multiply the total by the number of people in your party; multiply that by whatever percent you intend to tip (or 18%, if there will be at least six people in your party); then multiply that figure by the number of nights of your stay. Budget THAT amount for tips. You will - or should - find that you will not need it all, since you will probably not be dining at Tutto Italia for every meal. Voila! "Spare" money! Never mind bringing home souvenirs - you can be one of the few Guests who brings home money!

 

[Syrreal]

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.

I must have misread. I thought that it was just marked on the bill.
I usually just verbally tell the server how much I want back (usually in the form of no change needed, or just give me $X back) so that there can be less possibility of confusion.

In the PP circumstance, I think that I would have asked for the manager. I know that it can be seen as "just $2 more", but I just don't think that it was the right thing for that server (or any) to do.

 

[Jman]

Feel free to flame me right out of the gates on this but I did NOT read through all 29 pages...

My question is this though...

We will be going in December for 9 Nights on the DxDDP, from what I've read they put a recommended tip on the bill, do you HAVE to pay this much, or can you be a stingy diner if deemed necessary and give them what you feel they earned? Just a question...


Thanks!

 

[Tricia1972]

Feel free to flame me right out of the gates on this but I did NOT read through all 29 pages...

My question is this though...

We will be going in December for 9 Nights on the DxDDP, from what I've read they put a recommended tip on the bill, do you HAVE to pay this much, or can you be a stingy diner if deemed necessary and give them what you feel they earned? Just a question...


Thanks!

The only time you have to tip a certain amount is if you are a party of 6 or more OR a party of any size using the DDE card.

Otherwise what you tip is at your discretion.

 

[stashbin]

The very first time my family ever went to DW, the DDP included an appetizer and the gratuity. It was such a convenience to have that already included. All we had to do was sign at the end of our meal. It was great! My question is, why did they ever change that? Also, why couldn't they have given families an option to pay a little more when purchasing the DDP to include the appetizer and gratuity instead of just taking the entire convenience away. I liked knowing that my food, including the gratuity was already taken care of. Can anyone help me?

 

[bicker]

In many cases, the Dining Plan is quoted as part of packages, and including the gratuity would significantly increase the package price as displayed in advertisements, which would decrease interest in the offerings and result in lower revenues and profits for the business.

 

[Tricia1972]

The very first time my family ever went to DW, the DDP included an appetizer and the gratuity. It was such a convenience to have that already included. All we had to do was sign at the end of our meal. It was great! My question is, why did they ever change that? Also, why couldn't they have given families an option to pay a little more when purchasing the DDP to include the appetizer and gratuity instead of just taking the entire convenience away. I liked knowing that my food, including the gratuity was already taken care of. Can anyone help me?

Nobody knows for sure why they changed it.

The official answer from Disney is that they were responding to customer requests. There is speculation that it's also because they were able to increase the package cost by a large percentage by transferring the tips to the customer.

You can always contact Disney directly for their answer. Unfortunately, all that you will receive from us is a lot of speculation.


I do want to caution others (not you) that this is not a debate thread.

 

[PuNkEe1299]

Please forgive me for not reading past page 5 of this thread.. . I read in a PP the controversy of Disney Dollars being left as a tip. But with the distinction of Disney Stores in my area, I haven't been collecting Disney dollars, but rather Disney gift cards. Is that an acceptable form of tip, or better yet is it even allowed?

 

[Tricia1972]

What you can do is write your amount on the tip line ($10.00) and then give the server your Disney Gift Card and ask them to charge the balance to the gift card.

 

[PuNkEe1299]

What you can do is write your amount on the tip line ($10.00) and then give the server your Disney Gift Card and ask them to charge the balance to the gift card.

Yes, thanks. That makes sense. Is that acceptable? Is it like leaving cash for them? I don't want them to have ($10) to use at Disney!

 

[ahecht]

It's just like using a credit card -- they get cash at the end of the night, not a gift card.

 

[brunette8706]

Tipping policy for DDP at Disney Lounges

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi All!

We have the DDP and with that, an 18% tip is added to the bill when we use it. For food service, this doesn't bother me as our host/hostess usually has to work hard for what they rely on for wages.

This policy however, extends also to the bar. I go up to the bar, order a beverage, get it and pay. Usually, the entire interaction takes a mere seconds or a minute or so. yet, the bartender ends up getting a 18% tip. Recently, we ordered four exotic drinks that were $12.00 each. The bartender got just about an $9.00 tip! All he did, was stand behind the bar, after I walked up, he took a couple of minutes to make the drinks, and took my payment. I carried the drinks back to my group and went back to sign my receipt.

I don't agree with this policy for bartenders. Wait staff in restaurants, it is appropriate as they work hard to earn it. For bartenders, their service keeps them in one area where you go to them and their time interacting with you, is limited.

Is there a way around this policy? I do tip what I feel is appropriate, but I simply cannot justify, how a tip that large should be paid to a bartender for making a drink.

Thanks all!

Brunette

 

[kaytieeldr]

Did you enjoy the drinks? Did the bartender prepare them well? Professionally?

Unfortunately, your only immediate option would have been to pay in full (not use the DDE discount) and tip as you saw fit.

You can contact Disney and express your displeasure and perhaps offer alternative suggestions, but I can't see that they would consider a two- (or more) tiered tipping policy/rate for DDE users.

 

[Tricia1972]

Tipping policy for DDP at Disney Lounges

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi All!

We have the DDP and with that, an 18% tip is added to the bill when we use it. For food service, this doesn't bother me as our host/hostess usually has to work hard for what they rely on for wages.

This policy however, extends also to the bar. I go up to the bar, order a beverage, get it and pay. Usually, the entire interaction takes a mere seconds or a minute or so. yet, the bartender ends up getting a 18% tip. Recently, we ordered four exotic drinks that were $12.00 each. The bartender got just about an $9.00 tip! All he did, was stand behind the bar, after I walked up, he took a couple of minutes to make the drinks, and took my payment. I carried the drinks back to my group and went back to sign my receipt.

I don't agree with this policy for bartenders. Wait staff in restaurants, it is appropriate as they work hard to earn it. For bartenders, their service keeps them in one area where you go to them and their time interacting with you, is limited.

Is there a way around this policy? I do tip what I feel is appropriate, but I simply cannot justify, how a tip that large should be paid to a bartender for making a drink.

Thanks all!

Brunette

The way around it would to be to not use your DDE card. Otherwise the 18% gratuity will be added to your bill.

If you would have tipped something anyway, it may be cutting off your nose to spite your face, but I can understand your frustration at being told what to tip. So it may just be worth it.


$10.00 Drink
$1.00 Tip
$.65 Tax
$11.65 - No DDE Card

$10 Drink
$1.80 Tip
$.52 Tax
-$2.00 Discount
$10.32 - Drink with DDE card

 

[brunette8706]

Hi!

If 5 of my friends have one $12.00 drink that would cost $60.00 PLUS $10.80 tip. Now if my friends double those drinks to 2 drinks each, the tip would DOUBLE to approximately $22.00. This is simply outrageous.

I saw in the beginning of this thread that (page 3) that you could notify the manager if the service doesn't warrant a 18 percent tip. I don't know if that would be feasible or not.

Thanks!
Brunette

 

[Pumbaa_]

Using the TiW (formerly DDE) is your choice. However, it is what it is. There is an automatic gratuity added. It is your choice to use or not use, but the amount of the gratuity built in does not fluctuate.

Unless there is bad service (versus your perception of lack of service, you can contact the manager. But the TiW gratuity is not flexible and is part of the program when the TiW card is purchased, you agree to the terms)

Sorry!