Tipping at Disney Buffets

[misscmac]

My fiance are trying to budget and figure out whether or not we want the (new) Dining Plan for our trip in May 2008. Since the gratuity is not included anymore , what would be acceptable to tip for a buffet meal such as Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's? Not to sound rude (or offend any servers out there) but 18-20% (what I would usually tip at a table service restaurant) seems rather high since much of the meal is self-service. Assuming that the service was average (not great but not bad) do you have any advice on what would be acceptable/standard? Thanks for the help

 

[cobbler]

I personally do 10-15% on buffets. Standard is 10% because you are serving yourself.

If the server is well on top of things, clearing plates in a decent amount of time, making sure our drinks are full, then I will leave the 15%.

 

[Stewy]

We tip the same as Cobbler. Start at 10% for decent service and we leave extra if they are on top of refills and plate cleaning. We will leave less if the waiter/waitress was really lousy and we were sitting with plates piled high and empty glasses on our table. HTH.
Cheryl

 

[bicker]

Another vote for Cobbler's approach.

 

[anbouk]

Interesting ....I never gave thought to tipping a bit less at buffets than at TS restaurants. I just auto double the tip and round off to the nearest dollar. Does anyone else do that?

 

[shellybaxter]

I tip the same at buffets as I do sit downs - 20% for good service (which is the norm I've expirienced at WDW). I feel that disney buffet servers do a comparable amount of work to disney sit down servers so I tip the same. Also, both groups of servers receive a sub minimum wage so I feel it is only fair to treat them equally.

 

[anbouk]

Anyone know about how much the servers are paid at these restaurants?

 

[bookgirl2632]

I tip the same at buffets as I do anywhere else. I recently was in Vegas and the buffet servers work their patooties off. I can say the same for the server we had at Crystal Palace last year. We never wanted for refills of our drinks, the plates magically disappeared, and she was most pleasant.

Now, the same as other restaurants, if the service is subpar, the tip will reflect it.

 

[NMW]

We tip 20% at buffets.

 

[pilferk]

Another vote for Cobbler's approach.

And another vote.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Standard at buffets is 10%. The staff are just getting drinks and removing dirty plates.

http://www.azaz.essortment.com/tipping_rdef.htm
http://tipcollection.com/wiki/index.php/Tipping_guidelines
CNN actually says 5 - 10%! http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/summer_tipping/

Some like to tip more.

 

[dqpowell]

10% is fair, IMO.

David

 

[Lewisc]

I'd tip 15%, IF service is excellent. The server takes the time to explain the food offerings, dirty plates are promptly removed and drink refills are automatic.

You may wind up tipping less, service may wind up being average or even poor, but shouldn't you budget enough money for excellent service?

My fiance are trying to budget and figure out whether or not we want the (new) Dining Plan for our trip in May 2008. Since the gratuity is not included anymore , what would be acceptable to tip for a buffet meal such as Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's? Not to sound rude (or offend any servers out there) but 18-20% (what I would usually tip at a table service restaurant) seems rather high since much of the meal is self-service. Assuming that the service was average (not great but not bad) do you have any advice on what would be acceptable/standard? Thanks for the help

 

[SnoWhiteLookAlike]

10%

 

[misscmac]

Thanks for all of your replies

 

[Rhonda]

We tip 15-20% because the servers actually end up coming back to our table (to clear plates) more than they would have if we had just ordered off a menu!

And, the servers are still always there ready to answer questions or take any special requests (sugar free desserts, etc.) and to bring drinks during the meal, and offer/bring coffee at the end of the meal. They work very hard!

 

[eeyoresnr]

I personally do 10-15% on buffets. Standard is 10% because you are serving yourself.

If the server is well on top of things, clearing plates in a decent amount of time, making sure our drinks are full, then I will leave the 15%.

another vote for cobbler

 

[Pumbaa_]

This thread was moved from teh DDP board to the Restaurant Board since it is more about tipping than DDP.

 

[MrsNick]

Standard at buffets is 10%. The staff are just getting drinks and removing dirty plates.

http://www.azaz.essortment.com/tipping_rdef.htm
http://tipcollection.com/wiki/index.php/Tipping_guidelines
CNN actually says 5 - 10%! http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/summer_tipping/

Some like to tip more.

Depending on the workplace, staff are not necessarily just getting drinks and removing dirty plates.

I worked waiting tables in restaurants all through and right after college, and every place I worked was table service except for one place, which had a buffet breakfast. We were responsible for restocking the beverages at the buffet station, as well as restocking the hot foods at the buffet station. If someone wanted something special that they couldn't get from the buffet, we went into the kitchen and got it for them, the same as table service. I worked just as hard at the buffet as I ever did doing traditional table service.

Based on my experience, I would assume that the staff at most buffet style places do more than just get drinks and remove dirty plates, YMMV.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

We were responsible for restocking the beverages at the buffet station, as well as restocking the hot foods at the buffet station.

Every restaurant I've ever worked at had "side work" for the servers. Rolling silverware in napkins, refilling sugar, ketchup and salt & pepper containers, etc. That is not personal service provided to the guest so I don't believe it should be figured into the tip.

If someone wanted something special that they couldn't get from the buffet, we went into the kitchen and got it for them, the same as table service.

This is personal service provided to the guest. I would hope that if a guest made a special request they would have the common sense to tip accordingly.

Based on my experience, I would assume that the staff at most buffet style places do more than just get drinks and remove dirty plates, YMMV.

I'm sure they may do so, but I tip based on custom and the personal service provide to me and my party compared to what is customary. Obviously if someone goes above and beyond what is customary I would tip accordingly, and encourage others to do so.