The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[Jman]

The way the tips are done now, with the server basically standing over you, watching you put the amount down, I almost feel like it's a mandatory 18% minimum tip--there really didn't feel like there was any comfortable way to go any lower for subjectively "meh" service.

As confrontational as I can tend to be (I coach) that won't be good. I'll tip what my wife and I deem to be fair, but take what you get and move on (I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, oh well...).

 

[lorivegas]

So, i can EAT on dining plan and then tell them that i will put TIP ONLY on rewards card? How does this work? OR.... r u saying that i just PUT tip on room card and THEN pay it off with my rewards card at end of stay? Help me understand.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

So, i can EAT on dining plan and then tell them that i will put TIP ONLY on rewards card? How does this work? OR.... r u saying that i just PUT tip on room card and THEN pay it off with my rewards card at end of stay? Help me understand.

Your room key has to be linked to something. You can link it to your Visa rewards card.

 

[TPCShauna]

The way the tips are done now, with the server basically standing over you, watching you put the amount down, I almost feel like it's a mandatory 18% minimum tip--there really didn't feel like there was any comfortable way to go any lower for subjectively "meh" service.

So the servers no longer leave the bill with you to settle. Are they standing there waiting for you to add your tip?

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, the servers are not standing there looking over your shoulder, waiting for you to fill in the tip line. They have other customers to serve. Your server will leave the check folder; she or he will come back a little later to pick it up, and will return any receipts to you after the sale is rung out.

Really, the servers don't have time to hang around any one table waiting for the check.

 

[ldo]

what if you have 7 people sitting at a table, but have 2 different DDP with 1 room with 4 people and 1 room with 3 people, all using DDP. Isn't it 2 separate checks? Is gratuity still automatically added? Or is it considered a party of 4 and a party of 3?

 

[GoodFairies]

If you are all sitting together, you are 1 party, regardless of how you each are paying.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

No, the servers are not standing there looking over your shoulder, waiting for you to fill in the tip line. They have other customers to serve. Your server will leave the check folder; she or he will come back a little later to pick it up, and will return any receipts to you after the sale is rung out.

Really, the servers don't have time to hang around any one table waiting for the check.

Right but they certainly do look at it while you are still there as they go to ring you up.

 

[TPCShauna]

Really, the servers don't have time to hang around any one table waiting for the check.

I was wondering about that. I've never met one that has time to hover so that just didn't sound right.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[TPCShauna]

Right but they certainly do look at it while you are still there as they go to ring you up.

I'm confused. How is the billing process any different than another restaurant? In the real world, the server gives me a bill and I give them my CC. They run the CC and bring back the receipt with the tip line. I add the tip and then leave.

Is the process different at a Disney restaurant? If not, I wouldn't think it would matter what they think of their tip as I'm already gone when they see it.

 

[hematite153]

don't have time to hang around any one table waiting for the check.

I agree with this in theory, but, I did have 2 servers at wdw in Jan who stood there waiting and watching.

I'm confused. How is the billing process any different than another restaurant? In the real world, the server gives me a bill and I give them my CC. They run the CC and bring back the receipt with the tip line. I add the tip and then leave.

Is the process different at a Disney restaurant? If not, I wouldn't think it would matter what they think of their tip as I'm already gone when they see it.

Now they bring you the bill that includes a tip line, you fill it out and give them your CC/KTTW, they go run the CC/KTTW (including the tip) and then bring it back for your signature. It's the need to fill out the tip before they run your CC/KTTW that bothers people.

 

[TPCShauna]

Now they bring you the bill that includes a tip line, you fill it out and give them your CC/KTTW, they go run the CC/KTTW (including the tip) and then bring it back for your signature. It's the need to fill out the tip before they run your CC/KTTW that bothers people.

This change explains all of the mistakes they make with charging meals to the hotel account rather than dining credits. Is there a way around this other than using cash? I really have no desire to carry cash or use a separate CC but I don't want to have any confusion. Can you ask them to run the credits and then you will tip after that?

ETA: Is this bill itemized?

 

[wezee]

Right but they certainly do look at it while you are still there as they go to ring you up.

No matter if you are at WDW, NYC, Ohio or any restaurant in any town in America.....the server will leave your tab and return for it....then take it to ring up and bring your receipt back to you.

Unless you plan on stiffing the server....or leaving a $2 tip on a $50 tab...who cares if the server looks!

We were at WDW last month for 9 days, and I don't remember any of our servers watching over our shoulder to see what we were tipping!

 

[hematite153]

No matter if you are at WDW, NYC, Ohio or any restaurant in any town in America.....the server will leave your tab and return for it....then take it to ring up and bring your receipt back to you.

Unless you plan on stiffing the server....or leaving a $2 tip on a $50 tab...who cares if the server looks!

We were at WDW last month for 9 days, and I don't remember any of our servers watching over our shoulder to see what we were tipping!

That hasn't been my experience. In every restaurant I've ever eaten in (except at wdw) I gave the server my CC for the main bill and then they brought a receipt for me to sign and I've added a tip to this second receipt.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

That hasn't been my experience. In every restaurant I've ever eaten in (except at wdw) I gave the server my CC for the main bill and then they brought a receipt for me to sign and I've added a tip to this second receipt.

That seems to be standard practice in the hospitality industry.

 

[TPCShauna]

That hasn't been my experience. In every restaurant I've ever eaten in (except at wdw) I gave the server my CC for the main bill and then they brought a receipt for me to sign and I've added a tip to this second receipt.

This has been my experience as well. This is why I say that I typically just add my tip amount to this second receipt and leave it on the table.

 

[TDC Nala]

what if you have 7 people sitting at a table, but have 2 different DDP with 1 room with 4 people and 1 room with 3 people, all using DDP. Isn't it 2 separate checks? Is gratuity still automatically added? Or is it considered a party of 4 and a party of 3?

If you are one dining party of seven persons seated together, you'll be assessed the 18% tip no matter how you pay or whether the checks are split. Each check will have the tip added for the value of the meals ordered by that group.

 

[wezee]

This has been my experience as well. This is why I say that I typically just add my tip amount to this second receipt and leave it on the table.

DH and I never leave our cc slip or cash on the table ......we want to make sure our server has it in his/her hand before we leave the restaurant. My son is a waiter (while finishing college) and says they have seen strangers walk by an empty table and take the cash or cc slips.

At least now...most restaurants do not print the entire cc # on the slip.

 

[hematite153]

This is why I say that I typically just add my tip amount to this second receipt and leave it on the table.

Yes, me too. I do check that my full CC# isn't printed on the receipt before walking off, but, otherwise I leave the tip as something that the waitstaff pick up after I leave.

So, I do understand the frustration with the current system at wdw. Generally I get good service there, but, I had one situation where we had brutally bad service, we had spoken to the manager (twice) and he didn't seem to be any better--actually asked "why?" we needed steak knives (for our steaks) when we brought the problem to his attention the second time. I think it took about 30 minutes from the time the steaks arrived before anyone could cut them. So, in this one instance we had quite the discussion at the table about what to do for a tip and we weren't happy about having to hand our card to the server to ring in before we could leave. However, I also acknowledge that (as long as my party is less than 6) I could carry cash in order to avoid this discomfort.

 

[Gixer]

Can someone help with these tip questions please?

I want to book some Character meals, buffet dinner at CP and breakfast at Tusker House and Cape May, we are a party of 5, how much tip do I leave for buffet meals?

Also, is the tip included in the cost of the Princess story book breakfast?

Finally, what is the standard tip given for table service meals? what percentage of the bill? 10% 15% 18% 20%?

Thank you