The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[playswithstars]

You know, there's some confusion between the $200 gift card bonus that goes with some 4/3 MYW packages, and the one-day park admission-value gift card on your birthday for which Guests already possessing multi-day tickets are opting instead. The latter can be used ONLY in certain locations and only on the birrhday, and not for food - but as far as I know, the $200 GC can be applied to room charges.

Then why would all the Disney employees tell us no when when we asked? My mom really didn't see the point in souvenirs but was unable to use it for what she wanted to which was room charges.

 

[MyPrincessisaPirate]

Sorry if this has been asked before. We will be in disney from 10/16-10/23...We will have 5 adults, 1 child, and 2 infants. Will we still get charged for having 8 in our party even though the 2 little ones be eating their own dinners?? We will be on the ddp and I just read that for parties of 8 or more they will charge your room 18% for the gratuities. I'm not trying to be cheap, but I'd like to know what to expect before we get there

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Sorry if this has been asked before. We will be in disney from 10/16-10/23...We will have 5 adults, 1 child, and 2 infants. Will we still get charged for having 8 in our party even though the 2 little ones be eating their own dinners?? We will be on the ddp and I just read that for parties of 8 or more they will charge your room 18% for the gratuities. I'm not trying to be cheap, but I'd like to know what to expect before we get there

They actually add on the automatic 18% tip for parties of 6 or more, so yes, you will be charged. And even if your party included four adults and 2 little ones you would still be charged the 18%. I was told every warm body counts, no matter age.

 

[hematite153]

Then why would all the Disney employees tell us no when when we asked? My mom really didn't see the point in souvenirs but was unable to use it for what she wanted to which was room charges.

Room charges are different from purchases and tips "charged to the room".

So, I think the gift cards can be used for charges to the room, but, not for the basic room charge.

 

[playswithstars]

Room charges are different from purchases and tips "charged to the room".

So, I think the gift cards can be used for charges to the room, but, not for the basic room charge.

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying but what we were trying to do was to pay off a weeks worth of wheelchair rentals. We were told by several people that it wasn't possible with the gift card.

 

[gigi1313]

just an fyi, they don't "charge your room" for the 18%, it is given to you w/the bill at the restaurant... and you *can* change it (higher or lower) if the service warrants it...

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying but what we were trying to do was to pay off a weeks worth of wheelchair rentals. We were told by several people that it wasn't possible with the gift card.

You know, we're trying to help but you keep refuting every response given.

Since your question actually isn't about tipping, maybe you should ask on the more general Theme Parks Attractions & Strategies board? Some of the posters over there seem to know more about the $200 Gift Card in relation to non-tip purchases and payments than we do on the tipping thread. Good luck!

 

[BeckieSue]

Just wondering.....what does everyone tip at Buffets. Last time we had the DDP it included gratuities (we usually tipped more $$ on top of that) This time the gratuity is not included. We have a buffet meal everyday we are there this time. Just a question......what do you leave?
My children are well behaved (not messy) and although DH and I usually have a cocktail with dinner, we will leave alcohol out of it. Just looking for your opinion.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just wondering.....what does everyone tip at Buffets. Last time we had the DDP it included gratuities (we usually tipped more $$ on top of that) This time the gratuity is not included. We have a buffet meal everyday we are there this time. Just a question......what do you leave?
My children are well behaved (not messy) and although DH and I usually have a cocktail with dinner, we will leave alcohol out of it. Just looking for your opinion.

You'll find that generally people tip from 10% - 20% for buffets. There is no real consensus among Dis'ers. (Which is why discussing personal tipping habits is not allowed on the boards anymore)

So long as you aren't a party of 6 or more, or are using the Tables in Wonderland (DDE) discount card (and subject to an 18% auto gratuity) you are free to tip at your discretion.

Disney doesn't distinguish a difference in their Auto Gratuity between regular TS or buffets, so if you're subject to an auto gratuity it's 18% no matter where you dine.

 

[WizardLarz]

price. DDP users will be charged an automatic tip of 18% only if there are six or more persons in their dining party. If you have a party of five or less, there will be "suggested" tip amounts printed on your bill.

I used the DDP last summer 6/17-6/23 the table service resturants print 2 suggested tip amounts on your Bill, 18% and 20%. I think this is rather bold since my usually tip percent is 15%, unless the service was outstanding!
Wait I know about service, I was in the resturant business for 20+ years!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I used the DDP last summer 6/17-6/23 the table service resturants print 2 suggested tip amounts on your Bill, 18% and 20%.

That's right - suggested. It's for Guests who, oh, don't care to calculate the tip; for Guests who aren't familiar with the tipping customs in the United States; for Guests who, okay, may be math-challenged.

Obviously, the suggestion is not for Guests who are able and willing to calculate the tip at a different percentage. They ARE, though, in line with the mandatory service charge added to certain Guests' checks.

 

[Muppetfan3]

Is it the easiest to just pay your tips with your Key to the World Card (since it's tied to a cc)? I was told by someone that they had things messed up this way and just pay in cash. I don't tend to carry much cash and would rather put it on the cc, don't you see everything in black and white anyway? I'm just curious what is the best & safest thing to do. Thanks!

 

[DjdBrit]

I don't know what is the safest but I used the KTTWK. I hate carrying cash and it was so easy. I kept all the reciepts and the day before we left I checked my print out from front desk with them

I found this so easy and hassel free

Good luck with your trip!

 

[WrightFamily06]

Just a quick question about the gratuity ? We will be a party of seven but from our experience from last year when we ate as a party of 15 several times and the gratuity was already included in the meal we had really bad service which I felt was due to the fact that some of the waitresses or waiters knew they were already getting a tip , so there for they didn't need to work as hard . If you have bad service and the tip is included as it will be in our case since were a party of 7 is there anyway around not giving what they request for gratuity and giving less for the bad service ?

 

[squirrel]

I used my KTTW card for most of my trip for the tips.

If you don't want to put your tip on your KTTW make sure you give the server a card without the charging. Other posters had mentioned they got double charged when they filled out the receipt by not putting cash in the space.

 

[WrightFamily06]

I was wondering if anyone that had a party of 6 or more and was on the Disney Dinning Plan and had terrible service. What did you do in this situation ? Did you tip the 18% , leave less or just file a complaint ?

 

[Tricia1972]

I was wondering if anyone that had a party of 6 or more and was on the Disney Dinning Plan and had terrible service. What did you do in this situation ? Did you tip the 18% , leave less or just file a complaint ?

The 18% is listed on your bill as a balance due, so any adjustment from that amount due needs to be authorized by a manager. If you discuss the situation with a manager you can ask them to decrease the gratuity amount.

 

[WrightFamily06]

The 18% is listed on your bill as a balance due, so any adjustment from that amount due needs to be authorized by a manager. If you discuss the situation with a manager you can ask them to decrease the gratuity amount.

When complaining to the manager doesn't work what do you do ? I was faced with this situation last year while eating at the Cape May for dinner . We were a party of 15 and our drinks were never refilled and plates were not cleared we were just rather ignored by our server. To top it off my friends son was very ill , so her husband had to take him and sit with him out in the lobby and never ate & they were still charged there dinning credits. I complained to the manager & she did nothing .

I guess this year I'm just afraid that something like this will happen again since we will be a party of 7 our whole entire trip and wanted to know if there was something I could other than alerting a manager to the bad service ?

 

[Suellen]

Last year when we went for the first time after they took tips off the DDP ~ the servers told us several times

"Remember tips are not included"

They said it at the beginning of the meal and again when they brought the bill and again when they brought the slip back after running our meals.

I thought it was so very rude.

I can see them saying at the beginning (since they always explain how the DDP works) saying "Some changes from last years plan ~ the apps are not included any longer and neither are the tips"

But as you set the bill down?? How rude.

It happened to us at just about every place we ate ~ so I was wondering if any of you all had the same thing happen?


Not sure if this should be in the tipping thread... it isn't really about tipping. Please move if it should be.

 

[fottafamily05]

I totally agree with you....have had this experience ourselves and it is very frustrating. I truly dont think the tip should be an automatic 18% especially for the buffet style meals. I think it should be up to your discretion what tip % you should leave! Hope this helps!!!