The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[millerjmls]

We are on the dining plan and am wondering how to manage tips. I don't want to attach a credit card to my KTTW card because I am trying not to use my credit card any more than necessary. So, can I use my dining credits for our meals and leave a cash tip? I know that there is a recommended tip amount printed on the receipt....should I write "cash" or "on table" on that line? What does everyone else do?

 

[bangzoom6877]

You could leave cash. Just write "cash" on the tip line. They don't care how you tip. And there is a suggested amount at the bottom of each receipt when you get it.

 

[morgy827]

I've heard some stories on the boards about people being double charged for tipping. i.e. charged on the KTTW card and then having given cash and then not noticing until they sign their bill at the end of the hotel stay. I don;t want to use my CC either but what I do is put the cash on the cc right before I leave for tips and then I just charge to my KTTW card. Or you could leave cash at the front desk for charging for your KTTW card instead of a CC

 

[morgy827]

So, since we are a family of 6 on the DDP, our tips will always be automatically added at all of the restaurants?

Yes, 18% is automatically charged on all table service restaurants for parties of 6 or more

 

[mamarissa]

I don;t want to use my CC either but what I do is put the cash on the cc right before I leave for tips and then I just charge to my KTTW card. Or you could leave cash at the front desk for charging for your KTTW card instead of a CC

this is a good question, i'm wondering the same.....can you give your cc info at check in to secure it, but then at check out just pay the total due with cash?

 

[Pumbaa_]

you can even stop by the front desk nightly and pay off any charges on your KTTW card if that helps

 

[ctaci]

Just wondering if anyone can think of all the people they tip while at Disney. Im trying to figure out how much it will cost so I can pull out money for the trip.

Mousekeeping, Magical Express, --- who else??

 

[bicker]

Just wondering if anyone can think of all the people they tip while at Disney.

Folks you are expected to tip:

• Restaurant servers
• Hotel bell staff
• Valets
• Bartenders/drink servers
• Certain tour guides

That's it.

 

[TDC Nala]

Folks you are expected to tip:

• Restaurant servers
• Hotel bell staff
• Valets
• Certain tour guides

That's it.

And bartenders/drink servers in lounges.

 

[bicker]

And bartenders/drink servers in lounges.

Yes! Sorry for the omission.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Do not forget those that bring us cocktails!!!!!

 

[jennc27]

I tried to read through all the responses to find the answer to my question, but after 2 to 3 hours I ran out of time, so if this has come up before sorry! My question is about CS and Tips. At which CS will I need to tip? I saw some reponses that some people tip at Wolfgang Puck Express and there is a mandatory tip at Pepper Market. This is my first time to WDW and want to make sure I budget correctly!

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's it. WPE is optional - you wait in line, order at a counter, pay at a register, get a number, find a table... and a CM brings your food. It reduces the bottleneck that waiting for the freshly-prepared, more elaborate than many other CS food would tend to cause.
Pepper Market has always assessed a 10% gratuity. You get your own food, but you get seated by a Hostess/Host, you use real (not plastic) silverware and cloth (not paper) napkins, and servers bring and refill your drinks.

Off the top of my head, there's no other CS location I can think of where you don't just wait at/near the counter for your food - so, no tipping.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

Ok- so sorry that I can't read through this whole board- it goes back well into 2008!! But anyhow- I was just wondering if someone could explain to me the last time we were down tipping was including in the dining plan...now I understand that it is not & that they "give" you a suggested tip amount on your bill (correct?) I will be a party of four & my basic question is- if I want to tip them 25% or nothing it is to my descrestion (spelling) I just want to be sure- becauase you know sometimes the service if GREAT & sometimes you think that they went & got a spa treatment! Just want to be some what prepared -don't want to come home & have an outragious bill on my CC!

 

[Tricia1972]

Ok- so sorry that I can't read through this whole board- it goes back well into 2008!! But anyhow- I was just wondering if someone could explain to me the last time we were down tipping was including in the dining plan...now I understand that it is not & that they "give" you a suggested tip amount on your bill (correct?) I will be a party of four & my basic question is- if I want to tip them 25% or nothing it is to my descrestion (spelling) I just want to be sure- becauase you know sometimes the service if GREAT & sometimes you think that they went & got a spa treatment! Just want to be some what prepared -don't want to come home & have an outragious bill on my CC!

There are two suggested amounts on the bill 18% and 20%

If you are a party of 6 or more, or if you are using the Tables in Wonderland card - you will have an auto gratuity put on your bill (18%)

If you are not using the Tables in Wonderland discount card, or if you are a party of 5 or less, tipping is at your discretion.

 

[disneynuts777]

Last year before deciding I went to allears, figured 20% on best guess of what would be ordering all 4 of us are over 10 yo. I was in shock when I learned it would be about $1200. over the course of 14 nights. We skipped the DXDDP. This would have been a TS breakfast or lunch and a signature dinner each night rounded out with snacks to fill in if hungry. We tend to avoid buffets.

Yeah...thats about right. Three of us were on the deluxe in August for six nights and it worked out to be about $70.00 a day that I was leaving in tips.

There are seven of us headed down for eight nights on the deluxe this August and I have budgeted $25p/d per person. So that works out to $1400.00. I just build it in to the cost of the vacation.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

There are two suggested amounts on the bill 18% and 20%

If you are a party of 6 or more, or if you are using the Tables in Wonderland card - you will have an auto gratuity put on your bill (18%)

If you are not using the Tables in Wonderland discount card, or if you are a party of 5 or less, tipping is at your discretion.

Hi- Sorry but what is the Table of Wonderland discount card???
Just wondering! Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

The former Disney Dining Experience card/membership, apparently was getting confused with the Disney Dining Plan.

Available to (I think) AP holders and Florida residents, for somewhere around $90, but one group gets a $25 discount; valid for one year from issue; provides 20% discount on table service meals at certain/most restaurants, food courts at Value resorts due to no sit-down restaurants, and many/most bars; use of discount card to pay for meal incurs an automatic 18% gratuity except where a gratuity would not be expected (i.e. food courts); yes, you DO still save UNLESS you were planning NOT to tip originally.

 

[Dandy8]

We'll be there at the end of the month and it's the first time going on the DP. Can we charge our TS tips and any other food items we buy (those not included in the DP) to our room? Or do I need to carry cash/credit cards with me?

 

[maggieb9975]

Yes you can