The Disney Tipping Info Thread *Updated 9.1.09*

[catne]

I vote for just using the KTTW card to charge the amount to the room (just make sure & check your bill the last day before you check out to make sure there's nothing odd on there. We never had any errors with the Dining Plan, but valet parking charged a tip to our room when we had paid cash for the tip. Hotel staff had no problem taking that right off the bill.)

We tried making the TS tip envelopes ahead of time -- was a royal pain it was trying to guesstimate those things, and then having to come up with the right bills to correct the amount once we actually got a bill (we usually had added on an adult beverage or two, occasionally an appetizer...or the "updated" menues we were looking at were not actually up to date so we had figured off the incorrect menu items/amounts.) Much, much easier using the room card.

 

[jcemom]

I filled my tip envelopes with about 20% of the estimated bill (going by the menus on wdwinfo.com) and was sure to use enough small bills to adjust the tip before leaving it. I could take out whatever I wanted to get to the amount I felt was appropriate to leave, if that was less than 20%, or I could add a little to bring it higher if needed. I labeled the envelopes on the front for each restaurant, kept them in the room safe, and took out the ones I needed each morning. It was pretty simple, really.

 

[Dismom55]

I do not put charging privs on any of our cards, I leave a tip in cash and pay cash only as I go thru the park. The only cards I carry are my KTTW and any gift cards that I may have either Disney or other major cards like visa gift cards. The rest is cash or travelers chks. Then I have no surprises. I also keep track of our credits ie snack, cs or ts as we go, so I know what my balance is and when I get the bill I quickly glance to see if it is the number I expected. That way I can narrow down any discrepancies. I also look at the suggested tip amount so I know if I am tipping the right amount as I pre-prepare all my tip envelopes at home before I leave. They are based on projected tastes and of course really easy if we are eating at a buffet or fixed price table service restaurant.

After all that, I wonder are tips expected if you do one of the tours? We booked a tour for the first time for our upcoming trip. Now wondering if I should prepare a tip envelope for that as well? Anyone Know???

 

[stuffed with fluff]

I saw someone do this several years ago and now it is the way i tip because it seems more sincere than throwing money on the table. I put it in their hand and tell them thank you for the service. you would be surprised at how many truely blush and feel tipped

 

[stuffed with fluff]

Oh, if they are slammed this is more of an annoyance so wait for oppurtunity

 

[aubriee]

I filled my tip envelopes with about 20% of the estimated bill (going by the menus on wdwinfo.com) and was sure to use enough small bills to adjust the tip before leaving it. I could take out whatever I wanted to get to the amount I felt was appropriate to leave, if that was less than 20%, or I could add a little to bring it higher if needed. I labeled the envelopes on the front for each restaurant, kept them in the room safe, and took out the ones I needed each morning. It was pretty simple, really.

That's what we do and have never had a problem. I always just put in a little more than what I've guesstimated. At the end of the trip I always have money left over in small bills that I put up at home for the next trip's tips.

 

[anbouk]

What have you found is the easiest and quickest way to pay for tip and any extras on the new DDP? Do you use cash, charge it to the room, or use a credit/debit card? This will be our first trip since they've changed the dinning plan.

We prefer CASH and find it is the best for the servers, too!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'll usually tip in cash, if I don't have much cash on me then credit.

 

[Mickdeb]

The tip is included when you are using the ddp.

This is no longer the case and hasn't been for a few years now. Hence the need for this thread specifically about gratuities. It is only included with CRT and the dinner shows (ie HDDR ).

 

[crzy4dsny]

Last trip we had 6 people in our party and were on the dining plan. At Disney they automatically include, or bill you, for the tip with parties of 6 or more. Any other restaurant I have been to does that with parties of 8 or more.

Since we were going to be given a "bill" for our tip, I feel that the wait staff did not care about the service they provided. Once they saw we were a party of 6 they knew the tip they were getting regardless of the level of service. The service we got was for the most part bad. There were only a couple of times that I felt the tip we were billed for was even justified. I don't have a problem giving people tips. I'm not a huge tipper but I do give the 18 to 20% suggested amount.

I know a tip is something "optional" that you give for good service. But since it is Disney's policy to bill you for parties of 6 or more are you required to give the amount they say?

 

[Tricia1972]

Last trip we had 6 people in our party and were on the dining plan. At Disney they automatically include, or bill you, for the tip with parties of 6 or more. Any other restaurant I have been to does that with parties of 8 or more.

Since we were going to be given a "bill" for our tip, I feel that the wait staff did not care about the service they provided. Once they saw we were a party of 6 they knew the tip they were getting regardless of the level of service. The service we got was for the most part bad. There were only a couple of times that I felt the tip we were billed for was even justified. I don't have a problem giving people tips. I'm not a huge tipper but I do give the 18 to 20% suggested amount.

I know a tip is something "optional" that you give for good service. But since it is Disney's policy to bill you for parties of 6 or more are you required to give the amount they say?

When you are a party of 6 or more at Disney 18% is automatically added to your bill for gratuity. It's a balance due, so it's an amount that you have to pay.

If you feel that the service was excellent and want to tip more, just leave a little bit more after paying the balance of you bill.

If you feel that the service was poor, and want to have your bill adjusted down, you can speak to a manage to have your balance due (gratuity) reduced.

Hope this helps

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you feel that the service was poor, and want to have your bill adjusted down, you can speak to a manage to have your balance due (gratuity) reduced.

Although the best time to address bad/poor/negative service is while it's occurring. Doing so informs management of any issues, and gives them the opportunity to correct any problems. This increases the likelihood that the customer will leave with a positive impression, and may return and may recommend the restaurant to others.

Letting it go, or addressing it after the check comes, doesn't do a whole heck of a lot. Customer leaves grumpy and disappointed, and management has no idea there's a problem.

 

[bop28]

If you decide for whatever reason, that you won't leave a tip for a particular server, what is typically done? Do you simply have your card swiped for the cost of the meal and leave the tip line blank or possibly draw a line through it?

 

[Tricia1972]

If you decide for whatever reason, that you won't leave a tip for a particular server, what is typically done? Do you simply have your card swiped for the cost of the meal and leave the tip line blank or possibly draw a line through it?

Whatever you choose to tip is up to you, so long as you aren't a party of 6 or more or if you are using the Tables In Wonderland discount card. Those parties will have 18% gratuity added to their bill. How to handle an adjusted tip in that case is addressed in my post above. Feel free to ask any questions you may have if that doesn't make sense.

As far as leaving no tip, you probably want to let a manager know why, but ultimately yes. You can just put a line through the tip amount when they swipe the card for your meal.



A REMINDER TO EVERYONE ELSE

**What an individual tips is entirely up to them and NOT up for discussion or debate on this thread. Please see the first post if you have any questions as to why or questions about the thread guidelines**

 

[kaytieeldr]

But again, before suffering through an entire meal of bad service and then showing your displeasure by not tipping - addressing any problems with management while they're occurring is the most satisfactory route.

If you decide for whatever reason, that you won't leave a tip for a particular server, what is typically done? Do you simply have your card swiped for the cost of the meal and leave the tip line blank or possibly draw a line through it?

 

[Ladybugsy]

But again, before suffering through an entire meal of bad service and then showing your displeasure by not tipping - addressing any problems with management while they're occurring is the most satisfactory route.

I agree with this in theory, but in reality, I would not want to continue to have a server that I had just complained to the manager about. Some people seek revenge and I don't want a disgruntled server handling my food

 

[bicker]

Good point... the only way of avoiding the appearance of impropriety in this regard is to complain about poor service at a point in time when management can do something to ensure that you receive the excellent service you deserve.

 

[Tricia1972]

Several posts have been recently removed from various posters.

Please take a few moments to review the thread guidelines in the first post of this thread.

New tipping thread policy


Tipping threads here on the Restaurant Boards have consistantly turned into debate threads with lots of arguments. They all tend to get closed in the end once they cross the line.

The Restaurant Board mods are willing to create one thread where tipping questions can be asked and answered. HOWEVER, this is NOT the debate board.


Here are the basic guidelines

1. No fighting, name calling or debate on people's personal tipping habits. This includes but not limited to:

• I will not tip my server more than I tithe the Lord
• I will not give a server more than I make an hour
• Everyone knows servers make 100k a year, why should I tip them
• Servers should be paid a living wage and not have to depend on tips to support themselves..hence tipping should be abolished.

2. No flaming anyone for any reason.

3. Any post deemed off topic or in anyway against the posting guidelines will be deleted without comment and the poster will receive an infraction.

4. No personal tipping habits are to be discussed. Generally speaking, what you tip at Disney is entirely up to you.

The exceptions to this are those using the Tables in Wonderland (TiW) Discount Card and parties of 6 or more. If you are in either one of these categories, you will have an auto gratuity of 18% added to your bill. Adjustments to this would need to be discussed with a manager.

5. Any other thread started on the restaurant board for the "tipping" topic will be closed with a note to see this thread (This includes DDP board).
​

Please abide by these guidelines - and everyone can get the info they need for planning their magical Disney vacations.

If this does not work, we will ban this topic from the restaurant boards.

Thank you and we appreciate your cooperation,
The Restaurant Board Mods

 

[Pumbaa_]

There have been many posts the last couple days regarding personal tipping nad percentages and why do I have to tip 18% at a buffet.

Due to past history, those toppings are not allowed. It never ends well. (Which is why we have this rule)

Happy to answer procedural questions, but debates or personal tipping habits is not ok

thank you for understanding.

 

[tjbaggott]

We have the Disney dining plan for our upcoming trip. I've calculated roughly what we would end up spending in each restaurant we have ADR's in, in order to make a budget for gratuities. Two questions.
1. Are gratuity amounts (18%), calculated before or after tax.
2. Does the disney dining plan cover taxes?