Yeah, I paid 33 adult/17 child for the regular, and 40/21 for the premium so that should include tips at 18% + tax, but since it is buffet, I was wondering the etiquette about tipping, kwim?
We usually tip 20-25% for table service but I was unsure about buffets and if you tip/don't tip since there isn't a waiter/waitress.
At a buffet like Goofy's, there is just as much work for the server as a sit down meal. Because of this, I do tip as if I were having a sit down meal, generally 18-20%. Goofy's, Surf's Up, Ariel's, and Storytellers build an automatic tip into the buffet. Same for the Mother's Day royal buffet, Thanksgiving Buffets, etc...
Minnie's doesn't build a tip in, so it is up to you. Last time, I believe I tipped 12% at the table. The servers don't refill drinks there, and simply remove plates. We had very little interaction with the busser.
Other places, like Hometown Buffet, it really depends on the service. If I am trying to make room on the table because the busser isn't keeping up, they may be lucky to get 10% if anything. But if the busser isn't keeping up because its packed, I will give him slack.
So, should you/do I tip at buffets? Yes. Lower end buffets, I start at 10% and go up or down from there.
Last year, we attended the Royal Buffet at the DLH for Mother's Day. It was $72 pre tax and tip, they automatically added $13 for tip, and $5 tax per person. (There were 9 of us, 6 adults, 3 kids.) So, you figure the servers should have averaged about $88 from our tip alone. But, with the children we have.... I added $30 at the table. They deserved it. Waiting tables, and keeping people happy is not an easy job. The servers did an awesome job.
