The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[lizzyb]

I don't know the answer to your question but have never heard of this gift card.... I am going Feb 6 - so I am wondering, where did you hear about this? Do you have a link? Thanks!

Its part of the 4/3 deal.

 

[Laneychris]

Sounds like a great deal!

 

[staceylynnga]

I hope so and there is no reason for me to think that we cannot use it. We are also doing 4+3 end of January and the gift card is a great bonus! I definitely intend to use the $200 toward our meal tips. Have a great vacation!

 

[Capt. Jack]

This is a guess and I would call Disney to be sure.

I would charge the tip back to the room and then use the $200 gift card to pay room charges. That way you should still be able to tip, not come out of pocket to do so and use the gift card to cover it.

I hope this helps, but I would still call Disney to ask if the gift card can be used towards room charges.

Good luck !!

 

[kaytieeldr]

And if you call Disney and they say, "No", ask again when you arrive. The Cast Members you deal with face-to-face may know things the people on the phone don't.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Hey, I see that gratuity is not included on the Disney dinning plan. I also see that if you go to Disney during the end of Jan/start of Feb... you get a free $200 dollars disney gift card.

Now, my family would never dine somewhere without tipping... so we know that is going to be an added cost. BUT, what I wanted to ask is: Can we use this free gift card to pay the tips at our dinners?

If anyone knows anything about this then please let me know and THANK YOU!



<3
-- David

First, just to be clear, everyone who travels during those dates does NOT get a free $200 gift card. It is part of a special package. So, if you booked from January to March the 4/3 deal, then you will get the gift card.

Second, it's not a physical gift card but a credit that goes on your room account. So, you can definitely use it for tips. I've checked this all out already.

 

[robandkelly13]

When I leave a tip and want it charged to my key to the world, how do I not the tip amount? If it is different from the suggested amount and if it's the same as the suggested? Thanks!!!

 

[macfam5]

The last time we visited WDW the tip was included with the DDP...

So is the tip amount now put on your bill?

If so do you leave what is suggested?

 

[tinkinthehouse]

What this automatic 18% tip does is take the responsibility for good service away from the server.
No reason for good service when you know your tip is there...we have been the recipients of this deal many times. Service IS different when your a party of 8....not 100% but close.
Even the Managers do not agre with this.....they have to put up with the hassle of complaining guests.

 

[macfam5]

What this automatic 18% tip does is take the responsibility for good service away from the server.
No reason for good service when you know your tip is there...we have been the recipients of this deal many times. Service IS different when your a party of 8....not 100% but close.
Even the Managers do not agre with this.....they have to put up with the hassle of complaining guests.

So there is an automatic 18% tip is added no matter how many in your party?
What if your server is not that good?? Are you expected to pay that?

 

[kesharn81]

I think they give you a suggested amount at the bottom of the receipt. So a meal that costs $100 would have $15-$20.

 

[Tricia1972]

I think they give you a suggested amount at the bottom of the receipt. So a meal that costs $100 would have $15-$20.

You are right. That's the way it is.

The two exceptions are:

*DDE/TiW Card members using their discount card

*Parties of 6 or more

Both groups have an automatic 18% gratuity.

 

[bicker]

What this automatic 18% tip does is take the responsibility for good service away from the server.

No not really. Rather it takes away the ability for the patron to reflect the quality of service directly in the servers' compensation. It doesn't take away the responsibility to provide good service at all.

In many parts of the world, having the restaurant set the full cost of service (i.e., no separate gratuities necessary) works fine. I personally prefer our system, though.

No reason for good service when you know your tip is there...

Sure there is: Continued employment, sense of a job well-done, and of course the risk of being complained about and being docked for poor performance.

So there is an automatic 18% tip is added no matter how many in your party?

I believe that's the rule for whatever they're calling DDE these days. For regular guests, the automatic gratuity is applied when there are six or more as part of your reservation (including all ages, and all tables covered).

What if your server is not that good??

As always, when you're not getting the service you're paying for, complain to the manager at the time so the manager can make things right for you, and ensure that you do end up getting the service you're paying for.

Are you expected to pay that?

If the manager does get involved and sees that you have been substantially disserviced, my experience is that they typically not only do away with the gratuity but also comp the meal. We had a full meal (four of us) comped at Rose and Crown earlier this month. So effectively, good service is still assured; it is just with larger parties the discretion is the managers' not the patrons'.

 

[United544]

How have people on this board handled tips while on the DDP? Do they just bring back the receipt and then charge the tips to your room? Or do you have to pay for the tip OOP right then with a separate payment method?

Thanks!

- Chris

 

[Tricia1972]

How have people on this board handled tips while on the DDP? Do they just bring back the receipt and then charge the tips to your room? Or do you have to pay for the tip OOP right then with a separate payment method?

Thanks!

- Chris

You can do whatever works easiest for you.

You can write in the tip amount and have them charge it to your room when they run your KTTW card for the DDP.

You can write in CASH on the tip line and leave cash on the table.

You can write in the tip amount on the tip line and give them the cash (even make change) when they run your KTTW card for the DDP.

You can write in the tip amount and have them run your Credit Card, Disney Gift Card, Rewards Dollars, when they run your KTTW card for the DDP.

 

[bnd1218]

We have always put cash on our room key card rather than a credit card. So, when tipping, how do we do that? The last time we went in 2007, tipping was included. I am sorry that it is not included anymore, although I certainly understand - Disney has to make cuts just like we all do. I am just curious how to handle this, or should we just hold on to the amount of cash we are budgeting for our tips? Thanks so much for your answers! We leave in 2 weeks!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

We have always put cash on our room key card rather than a credit card. So, when tipping, how do we do that? The last time we went in 2007, tipping was included. I am sorry that it is not included anymore, although I certainly understand - Disney has to make cuts just like we all do. I am just curious how to handle this, or should we just hold on to the amount of cash we are budgeting for our tips? Thanks so much for your answers! We leave in 2 weeks!

I don't think I'm understanding your question. You put cash on your room key just like you always would and then when it comes time to pay the tip, use your room key and the tip amount will be deducted from the balance that you have left on the key.

 

[bnd1218]

Well that is what I thought originally, but wanted to make sure. I didn't want to put all of our cash on our room key and not have any on our physical bodies if it was not going to be possible to pay with our room card. Thanks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, keep SOME cash. Nothing to do with tipping at all, but there may be the occasional cart or stand that does not accept any other form of payment; or the system might be down, or the power to that location, just when you NEED a soda; or (if one person is carrying all the room keys for the party) you might be separated from that person when you absolutely MUST have some popcorn...

 

[macfam5]

We have always put cash on our room key card rather than a credit card. So, when tipping, how do we do that? The last time we went in 2007, tipping was included. I am sorry that it is not included anymore, although I certainly understand - Disney has to make cuts just like we all do. I am just curious how to handle this, or should we just hold on to the amount of cash we are budgeting for our tips? Thanks so much for your answers! We leave in 2 weeks!

The last time we were there in 2007 the tip was included as well, It sure would make things much easier if they would have left it that way..

We leave in 2 weeks as well, and I am wondering how much to budget for our tips...