The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[robind]

I haven't read through all the pages of this thread so this may have been posted before.

I had 2 candlelight processional dinner packages booked this week, at Le Cellier and Tuttu Italiano. I knew when I booked them that the appetizer wasn't included since we were using the basic DDP, which was fine. We were a party of 8, so we knew there would be an automatic 18% gratuity added on the amount of what the bill would have been.

What I didn't know was we were charged the 18% based on the amount of the candlelight processional package, not on the amount we "spent" for dinner, which was, in some cases considerably less, since our dinners did not include the appetizer and not everyone had dessert.

Not overly upset about it, but I do think WDW is being a little unfair, either you get the whole package or you tip on the non-package amount.

Just wanted to make sure anyone who is doing this is aware, so they don't get surprised.

Another FYI, for those budgeting - we had the 2 candlelight dinners, breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, dinner at Prime Time Cafe and dinner at Boma - 5 adults, 2 children - total tips - $185.00 - don't know what the other 2 adults tip amounts were.

 

[bnd1218]

Great idea. Thanks! So many things to think about......No wonder it takes so long to plan this vacation - there's no way you could do this one on a "whim"! Merry Christmas!

 

[Tink3815]

We will be doing free dinning next week. In September we used our Disney Rewards for the tip, but it seemed very confusing to the wait staff. I also think we were charged twice for the tips once.
Would it be better to add charging to our room, charge back the tips to the room, and pay off every couple days with the rewards card at the front desk.

 

[Cibahwewah]

I plan on charging everything to the room and clearing out the charges every day or two with the Disney Visa Reward Card. Let me know if things go smoothly.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

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...

It's pretty easy to budget for tips. Just go on Allearsnet and look at the menus of the places where you'll be dining. You can quickly add up an average meal there and take 15-20%, which ever you choose.

 

[MissDisney121]

So I know this has probably been asked before and I am not sure if this is the right place to post it but... I have read that you can just charge tips to your room bill and then pay them off later with your visa rewards. I wonder how to do this though since you have to give them a credit card to be able to charge to the room and then they like reserve a certain amount to make sure you have enough credit on there. So can you pay for charges with another card than the one you give them or do you have to have enough money on your visa rewards card for them to reserve (Like $500)? I don't know if this question makes any sense but I was just wondering.

 

[beroh2253]

If you go and pay off any charges the night before your check-out from your resort the charges never get to your credit card. They put your credit card on the room key (if you want) and you use this at the restaurants to pay the tip, this is how we did it in September, then went in the day before checkout with the rewards card and payed off the charges, anything from that point on goes to your credit card. Now we also went in June and didn't put the credit card on the room key and paid the tip cash but let the server know because I think they expect to put the charge on the roomkey if you don't mention paying the tip in cash before they take the room key.

 

[wendygrace]

I read somewhere that CRT has tip already included in the price? Is that correct? If so, are there any other restaurants that do this?

 

[wdwluver]

Only the dinner shows include the tip - Hoop de doo, Luau and Backyard bar-b-que. Room service does too, if you use your credits for that.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Only the dinner shows include the tip - Hoop de doo, Luau and Backyard bar-b-que. Room service does too, if you use your credits for that.

CRT does include the tip.

 

[cableknit35]

we are a party of six on the dining plan so our gratuity is already charged at 18% ( i think that is the right #)
Anyway, i am concerned that we will get lost in the shuffle/ bad service because our server knows they have their tip no matter what? I certainly don't want to have to fight at my meals to either get reasonable ( I am fairly easy to please) service or to have the tip reduced because of poor service...I just wanted to add that I am a standard 20% + tipper unless my service is really really really bad...just wondering if anyone has any experience in this dept??
With three kids a long having bad service can really impact a meal ie: children annoying the you know what out of you cause they are thirsty and the server is nowhere to be found

 

[Pumbaa_]

I am not sure what you are asking. There should be no difference in your service regardless of how many in the party or if you are on a meal plan. As always, any issues should be brought to the attention of a manager

Have a great time!

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

I am just trying to figure out if I should do this instead of the deluxe dining for our trip in Jan. We have used the deluxe dining before and really like it. BUt I am wondering if we would save by getting the TIW card instead. I do have AP's so that isn't the issue. What I would like to know, so that I can do the math is do they add the tax, then the tip, then give the dicount? What exactly is the formula for figuring out what a meal at say CHef Mickey's Breakfast would cost for my family of 2 adults and 2 Disney adults?

4X18.99=75.96+tax 3.80=79.76+tip(18%) 14.36= 94.12 - discount (20%)18.32= 75.30


Or do they do it dofferently? Thanks for any help!!

 

[DisneyKidds]

4x18.99=75.96
75.96x18%=13.67 tip
75.96x20%=15.19 discount
75.96-15.19=60.77x6%=3.65 tax

Bill-discount+tax+tip=total
75.96-15.19+3.65+13.67=78.09

In other words, they don't apply the discount to tax and tip, and they determine tip based on food cost prior to discount. Tax is based on what you actually pay for the food, after discount.

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Thanks for the clarification, it actually makes sense that way, don't know why I didn't think of it! Thanks again- off to compute!

 

[lisareneeo]

If you are using the DDP how can you pay the gratuity?
Obiviously, cash.
Can you use Dream Dollar Rewards from our Disney credit card?
Can you use the $200 gift card credit?
Can you use credit card?

Just trying to figure out what is best and how much cash we need to take.
Thanks

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Lisareneeo, you can pay your tips in any way that is convienent for you.

 

[fairestoneofall]

No clue on the 2009 information. But we were told (over Thanksgiving) that the tip was not included on DDP for the Pepper Market. So, we gave our server cash.

Also, we were not restricted on our dessert choices for DDP. DH and I both had the oreo cake and it was quite yummy.

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

I was atCSR in August this year and was told specifically that if on the dining plan tip was not charged. If not on the ddp an automatice 10% would be and was added.

I was there in August too and they told me the tip WAS NOT included with the DDP.

 

[IckyMickey]

We were at CSR over Thanksgiving and ate the the PM 4 times on the DDP. The first time I didn't tip but felt guilty. The 2nd time I asked the cashier and she said the tip wasn't included.

We had a wonderful server the 2nd time, he took care of us like we were family. He reminded me of how my grandma would never sit and eat, just keep a watch over us. We did leave a tip from that point on, but based on service. We were on vacation and I wasn't going to worry about $10 here or there and feel more guilty by not tipping.

And yes, all the desserts were included on the DDP. I posted pict's on Buzz's site and some of them were monster big! We almost always ended up taking the desserts back to the room for breakfast the next morning.

Oh and one more thing. My DH had the rib-eye 3 times and they were always delicious! The mexican area was ok, the freshly made sandwiches were huge and delcious and the breakfast burrito was wonderful too!

I sure hope that the PM is on the DDP because that would certainly influence my decision eventhough I thought that CSR was great!

Michelle