Tipping at Buffets?

[JerseyMamaBear]

Im sorry if this has been asked before. I have tried the search option and paged through many post but still no luck. I am looking to set our budget and would like to know approx. how much do you tip for buffet meals while at WDW? We will be using the dining plan and since it has changed we have no clue what to leave for the servers. Thank you very much for your advice.

 

[Freyja]

If service is good we usually tip 20%. Otherwise we tip 15-18% for buffet service. Although we get our own food there´s loads of work for the waiters to do buy clearing plates (usually more than during other meals).

 

[MickeyNicki]

15-20 is the norm. On the receipts at WDW they give you the amount for 15 and 18 percent so you can just add it up

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Tip what you are comfortable with. At Disney I treat a buffet like I would any other sit down. Why? Because usually the service is great, the table is kept clear(no dishes waiting when I get back with another plate, this can be alot of work depending on the number in your party and the appetite), the drinks are full, extras are brought as needed and the server can generally tell when we are ready for dessert and they ask if we want coffee.
Remember this is not your neighborhood buffet where they bring you a drink and throw your dirty dishes in a bus pan, your server will keep you table clean and will "bus" as needed using a serving tray just like if she were bringing food.
Again tip what you are comfortable with, for me that is anywhere from 15% for average service to 20% for outstanding service.

 

[pearlieq]

I tip 10% for buffets. It's not the same work as full service dining. Plus, with the inflated prices of WDW food, it works out to a healthy tip anyway.

Do what you feel comfortable with. If the server goes above and beyond, definitely compensate them accordingly.

 

[scrump]

We eat a lot, so the CMs are definitely working hard to clear our tables and refilling our drinks, so we usually tip 18%.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

Thanks for the help, I will figure 15-20% extra per meal for our budget. So wish Disney never changed the DP

 

[sarcasticblonde]

20%. Period.

 

[shellybaxter]

I tip the same at a buffet as I do at a table service. I feel the service requirements at Disney are comperable. I generally tip 20% for good service - more for outstanding service (I left 35% at Vic and Als once) and well less for bad service

 

[mdoc]

For good, attentive service, I tip the same for a buffet as I do in a regular restaurant. Of course, at WDW I always tip at least 18% because I'm using DDE and THEY have decreed that I will tip at least that much. Normally I add to that, but sometimes the service at the Disney restaurants is abysmal.

 

[EverythingDisney]

I always leave 20%.

 

[Disney8704]

10% for buffets, 15% for regular TS

 

[IHEARTNY]

I just don't get why anyone would ever leave below 15% for a standard tip at ANY restaurant where tips are accepted.



I am definitely with those who say 20% is standard. 15-18% with sub-par service, 25% or more for excellent-unmatched service. But essentially I think what ever you normally tip for any other sit down dining.

I know it has already been said, but I agree in that clearing 5 times as many plates is just the same as taking someone's order. They still bring you drinks anyway, sheesh.

 

[Nicole721]

I just don't get why anyone would ever leave below 15% for a standard tip at ANY restaurant where tips are accepted.



I am definitely with those who say 20% is standard. 15-18% with sub-par service, 25% or more for excellent-unmatched service. But essentially I think what ever you normally tip for any other sit down dining.

I know it has already been said, but I agree in that clearing 5 times as many plates is just the same as taking someone's order. They still bring you drinks anyway, sheesh.

25% for good service at a buffet? I think that's a little overboard considering the only service you're getting is someone greeting you and clearing your plates (or not...we only usually get one dinner plate and one dessert plate so no more clearing than a normal meal).

We usually tip around 18%-20% for TS, but we'll tip 13%-18% for buffets, depending on how much service is actually done (are we getting our own drinks or are they doing it, how many times the table needs to be cleared, etc).

But here's how I see it...someone above said something about the inflated prices at Disney. A dinner at Chef Mickey's is almost $25 (if I'm thinking correctly). For a family of four "adults," that's $100. 20% would be a $20 tip. If they went to Tony's Town Square for dinner and ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and a drink, your meal would be $77.16, and a 20% tip would be $15.43. At Tony's, your waitstaff is bringing you bread, taking your order, bringing you your food, and clearing your plates...perhaps (and hopefully) providing more services to you than the waitstaff at, in this example, Chef Mickey's. Why would you tip them the same when service is obviously different? That's why we leave less of a tip at Disney buffets- higher prices for less service. We still tip (and usually tip well unless we have horrible service), but a tip is something that is worked for, not guaranteed. More work involved = higher tip.

 

[IHEARTNY]

Wait a hold on minute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't say 25%+ for good service, I'm saying that much for EXCELLENT, OUTSTANDING, UNMATCHED service.

It's just as much work as at a sit down, take your order restaurant, believe me. I just think it should be the same is all, and I know I'm not alone. I just think 10% is almost rude, but that's just IMO.





I really hope this thread doesn't turn into ANOTHER tipping debate. Some people are cheap, some people don't understand and some people just grew up in a different place (believe it or not, tipping standards vary by location)...

 

[Disney8704]

From good house keeping...

Question - If all a waiter does is take drink orders and clear plates, how big a tip should he receive? Twenty percent seems way too generous.

Answer - At a buffet, ten percent of the bill is customary. But as with tipping in general, stick to the formula only if the waiter is attentive, appearing promptly when you need him. If he provides extra-good service, then you could tip him more. But if he neglects to refill your water glass or is missing in action when you're ready for the check, feel free to give less.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tipping.org
DEAR ABBY: If I go to a buffet restaurant, how much of a tip should I leave at the table? I want to do it right. My friends have told me that because this is a kind of "self-serve" restaurant, we can leave whatever amount we like. I am ... CONFUSED IN WESTMINSTER, CALIF.

DEAR CONFUSED: If you want to "do it right," leave 10 percent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Social-Etiquette-Good-2570/Buffet-Tipping.htm
There is no need to tip the traditional 15 - 20 percent at a buffet. However, it is appropriate and optimal to tip something. The waitress is still serving and some of the tip probably is shared with the bussing staff.

I suggest 10 percent.


Do I need to post more to convince you that 10% is the NORM for buffets?

I just don't get why anyone would ever leave below 15% for a standard tip at ANY restaurant where tips are accepted.



I am definitely with those who say 20% is standard. 15-18% with sub-par service, 25% or more for excellent-unmatched service. But essentially I think what ever you normally tip for any other sit down dining.

I know it has already been said, but I agree in that clearing 5 times as many plates is just the same as taking someone's order. They still bring you drinks anyway, sheesh.

 

[sarcasticblonde]

As I said earlier, I tip 20% period. I would never consider tipping 10% as the norm just because some etiquette book said so.

 

[Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da]

First, base the tip on the service you get. If you feel comfortable tipping 10% at a buffet then start there (Just don't go back to eat there for a while after leaving 10%). The wait staff is bringing drinks and removing used plates, etc., but it is not like they have to base the service of the meal on timing with the chef like at a full service restaurant. If the wait staff is friendly and attentive and provides adequate service then consider bumping the tip up to 15%. If the person goes above and beyond then 20% to 25% should be considered.

Another thing to consider for the sake of the wait staff is the number of small messy eaters you have at your table. If there is a lot a clean up for the wait staff after your party is finished eating I would consider adding some extra tip knowing the extra chore the wait staff will have cleaning up.

 

[IHEARTNY]

As I said earlier, I tip 20% period. I would never consider tipping 10% as the norm just because some etiquette book said so.

Me too, a tip of 10% is something I would just NEVER place as a norm. Again, I find it just rude.

 

[rgf207]

As I said earlier, I tip 20% period. I would never consider tipping 10% as the norm just because some etiquette book said so.

Me too, a tip of 10% is something I would just NEVER place as a norm. Again, I find it just rude.

I"m not starting a fight but I am curious about this.

You say that you won't tip 10% because some etiquette book said so? Why do you tip 20%. Where did you get that number from? I believe that 20% is the norm and etiquette says that's what we should tip.

I tip 15% at buffets and 20% at TS meals everywhere.