tipping and the DDP

[faulks family]

We are leaving in 15 days and have the DDP. Everything I have read says that gratuity is included in the plan...I am wondering, though, do any of you tip anyway or is it really not necessary? Thanks!

 

[bwatakl]

We are leaving in 15 days and have the DDP. Everything I have read says that gratuity is included in the plan...I am wondering, though, do any of you tip anyway or is it really not necessary? Thanks!

If the service is good we always tip extra. About 10%. My understanding is they do not make the 18%. They probably make 18% of what the restaurant receives from the DDP but if you do the math that usually would fall well under 18% of your bill.One of the servers gave us this info.

 

[Gina35]

We went in August; first time on DP (paid for it), and we added extra gratuity to just about every meal. As the previous poster said, the servers don't make a full 18%, and I usually tip at least 20% anyway. Most of our servers were very good, and we left additional money. We left even more for those few servers who were fabulous. The only time I didn't leave anything extra was when we went to LeCellier b/c our service (sadly) left much to be desired. (Still crazy about LC, though. It was just our waitress.)

 

[indigoxtreme]

We always left more, about another 5% as our service fortunately was excellent both times with 1 exception and that was at Tepp in Epcot. We did this on the Free DDP and the one we paid for as well.

 

[CPT Tripss]

We always left more, about another 5% as our service fortunately was excellent both times with 1 exception and that was at Tepp in Epcot. We did this on the Free DDP and the one we paid for as well.

I asked this question on another board and was told that the tip is based on the "retail" value of the order. I am now considering asking the manager at the establishment as well as guest services at the parks.

 

[Laurafoster]

I would also leave an extra tip if you are paying OOP for anything like alcohol!

 

[The Sweetness]

I'd like a def. answer as well. Is the DDP tip 18% or not? Once and for all~ Enquiring minds wanna know!

 

[bicker]

The Dining Plan gratuity is definitely 18%.

Do keep in mind that, at with most restaurants, the server may be obligated to tip the food runner and/or table busser, so just like when you leave an 18% tip in cash, that cash will get divided equitably among the service workers who provided you service.

The one thing I believe we don't know for sure is how the non-Disney restaurants handle this. They clearly are obligated to give their servers 18%, but it isn't clear if they give them 18% of the total bill or 18% of what Disney reimburses them for the meal.

 

[Leota]

When we did the DDP last summer, we tipped extra for really good service & no extra if service was just adequate or not so good.
I think it needs to be a personal decision. Remember, tipping is supposed to be discretionary. It was supposed to be based on quality of service rendered.

 

[bicker]

Slightly OT: Well, to be fair, what's "discretionary" (in many cases) isn't whether or not to tip, but rather how much to tip. For many service jobs in the travel and hospitality industry, the tip is part of the cost of the service, and the patron is expected to tip. It isn't strictly optional (though the obligation is indeed unenforcible.) That's the case, at WDW, for bellstaff, valets, and restaurant servers. By contrast, tipping housekeepers and custodians is completely discretionary -- it is up to the patron whether to tip at all, as well as how much.

 

[ILVPOOH]

We don't tip extra. If we ordered OOP for anything, then I would tip on that extra food/beverage. The 18% I feel is a good tip, especially since the cost of food is overpriced anyway. Our bill came close to $200 each night.

 

[melomouse]

The Dining Plan gratuity is definitely 18%.

Do keep in mind that, at with most restaurants, the server may be obligated to tip the food runner and/or table busser, so just like when you leave an 18% tip in cash, that cash will get divided equitably among the service workers who provided you service.

The one thing I believe we don't know for sure is how the non-Disney restaurants handle this. They clearly are obligated to give their servers 18%, but it isn't clear if they give them 18% of the total bill or 18% of what Disney reimburses them for the meal.

And, bicker, we all don't know which are Disney owned and which are not...interesting point.

I found out in a phone call recently, for instance, that AP and CG are NOT Disney owned... so should we be adjusting tip accordingly???

 

[bicker]

I believe both Artist Point and California Grill are Disney-owned. I am positive that Artist Point is Disney-owned (since I know personally that employees have done internal transfers from Artist Point to Cinderella's Royal Table, and from Artist Point to the Animal Kingdom park). California Grill I'm not as sure about. However, both were clearly listed on the initial list of 2007 participating Dining Plan restaurants, when the list only included Disney-owned restaurants.

As far as I know, these are the non-Disney owned table-service restaurants that participate in the Dining Plan:

Maya Grill, Pepper Market, San Angel Inn, Chefs de France, Alfredos, Marrakesh, Nine Dragons, Teppanyaki, Wolfgang Pucks, Big River Grill, Raglan Road, Planet Hollywood.

Did I miss any?

 

[DVC Sadie]

Portabell's, Fultons Crab House, Earl of Sandwich are also not Disney owned.

 

[bicker]

Yup, though Portabello's and Fulton's don't participate in the Dining Plan, and Earl of Sandwich isn't table-service.

 

[DisneyConvert]

We just completed a wonderful 7 day/6 nite (18/18/18!) visit with the Free DDP.
.
Generally, on buffets (Crystal Palace and Hollywood & Vine) we did NOT tip anything extra.
On several/most of the true Table-served meals we added $5 or so onto our 2 Adult; 1 Child bill.
When the server at PrimeTime grouped our order into 2 Table Service credits, since we were not so hungry, and neglected to charge us for our extra drink & appetizer, you bet we tipped her!
.
We try to be generous since food service employees really depend on and deserve gratuities, but not be ridiculous.
On another post, I related how I was generally displeased with the Alfredo's service and expressly did NOT offer anything extra.

 

[ReneeA]

We tip 20-25% depending on service when we dine at home. If we go to an expensive restaurant - we know we will have to dish out more tip than if we eat at Denny's. So all those who gripe about how the servers are over compensated as it is - they don't set the prices, and I wouldn't short them because I chose to dine in an expensive restaurant (I just don't get those arguments!)

Since the tip is set at only 18%, we added $5-10 per meal to bring the tip up to what WE felt was an appropriate tip.

 

[paulh]

we ordered wine oop for meals when we got bill 18% was allready added to bill in line with ddp
Paulh

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The Dining Plan gratuity is definitely 18%.

True, but is it 18% of the DDP price, or 18% of the menu price?

MG

 

[tennismom]

If the service is good we always tip extra. About 10%. My understanding is they do not make the 18%. They probably make 18% of what the restaurant receives from the DDP but if you do the math that usually would fall well under 18% of your bill.One of the servers gave us this info.

I do leave an extra tip for exceptional service to bring the tip amount to atleast 20%. I'm not sure I understand this particular point about the server not receiving the stated 18%. My bill clearly stated the 18% gratuity amount. This was 18% of the total bill. Are you saying that the restaurant "pockets the difference" between the total and the actual cost/reimbursement? The tip amount is reported to the IRS. Is the restaurant printing out a "version" for the customers to see and then keeping a separate accounting for the actual? Is that legal? Am I misunderstanding this?