Tipping?~cheap family of 5...

[Annabelleasb]

(April 5th -10th w/ DDP)~~~I don't want to walk out of a restaurant looking like "the cheap family of 5" so......what is an average tip weather it be ok, good, or excellent service. Honestly, I do take service into consideration but I'm certainly not going to leave a $40 tip. I was thinking more like $20-$25. (Except for Whispering Canyon, all are buffets)~Am I cheap???


ME DH DS~11 DD~7 DD~18 months

 

[Deb & Bill]

Disney considers 18% to be acceptable. If you spend $200, that would be $36 for a tip.

 

[just another guy]

15-20% of the bill, based on service is whats customary.

 

[Annabelleasb]

ok...thanks!!

 

[Brian Noble]

Disney "suggests" a range of 18% to 20%. Miss Manners generally suggests a range of 15% to 20%, with higher amounts for nicer restaurants. Miss Manners also does not adhere to the custom of a lower tipping range for buffets or dinner shows.

 

[angelmav]

Disney "suggests" a range of 18% to 20%. Miss Manners generally suggests a range of 15% to 20%, with higher amounts for nicer restaurants. Miss Manners also does not adhere to the custom of a lower tipping range for buffets or dinner shows.

Miss Manners also advocates leaving 15% even if you have recieved bad service, so take that advice with whatever grain of salt that you may have handy. Really, tip what you feel is appropriate, dont go off of someones 'free advice' and let your conscious be your own guide.

 

[LexPlayer]

Disney "suggests" a range of 18% to 20%. Miss Manners generally suggests a range of 15% to 20%, with higher amounts for nicer restaurants. Miss Manners also does not adhere to the custom of a lower tipping range for buffets or dinner shows.

Emily Post, Good Housekeeping and tipping.org suggest 10% for buffets, although I haven't seen a specific amount for dinner theater.

 

[caroline1851]

I say tip whatever you feel the service deserves. I tip 15% typically. If service is great, then i go closer to 20%. If it's lousy, 10%. there's no way i'm giving 15% to someone who did a lousy job. A buffet? I guess i'll have to see what it's all about. They clear your plates, bring beverages, so their doing a lot of what you need, they're just not getting your food, so i guess 10-12%, is what i would leave.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But if you are using the DDE card, you will have 18% added to your bill. The DDP may be similar.

 

[VacationDad]

A buffet? I guess i'll have to see what it's all about. They clear your plates, bring beverages, so their doing a lot of what you need, they're just not getting your food, so i guess 10-12%, is what i would leave.

I'm not familiar with all the Disney World buffets, but I know the dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern is considered a "buffet", and you don't have to get up and get your own food. It is all brought out to your table. In this case I tip the normal 15-20%.

I agree with those general guidelines for "classic" buffets. If I am getting up to lug my own food (and my kids) back and forth, and the only thing we get is drinks and cleared plates, I will leave 10%. If I get drinks, but I am moving my empty plates to another table or stacking them myself on the corner of the table because nobody is coming to get them, then 5%.

Of course a pretty waitress and a good attitude can move that amount higher in both cases.

 

[caroline1851]

Oh....definently if it's a "buffet" that they actually bring you the food, then i would def. pay the regular tip amount. Then, it's just like eating at a regular restaurant.

 

[praline3001]

Everywhere I have seen Disney says 18-20%
I am planning on that and making sure I budget for it.

Budget for tips? YIKES hahaha
But our family of 5 will be dining at Narcooses and that tip could run us 50-60 bucks

Same goes for a few other places we have picked..... tips are going to get pricey for us in the next 18 days

 

[just another guy]

I'm not familiar with all the Disney World buffets, but I know the dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern is considered a "buffet", and you don't have to get up and get your own food. It is all brought out to your table. In this case I tip the normal 15-20%.

I agree with those general guidelines for "classic" buffets. If I am getting up to lug my own food (and my kids) back and forth, and the only thing we get is drinks and cleared plates, I will leave 10%. If I get drinks, but I am moving my empty plates to another table or stacking them myself on the corner of the table because nobody is coming to get them, then 5%.

Disney suggest up to 20% for all types of restaurants, including buffets.

 

[caroline1851]

Everywhere I have seen Disney says 18-20%

I find that annoying though. I plan on tipping what i want to tip not what they say i should tip. I base it on service, that's it. simple.

 

[cymbaldiva]

I keep reading that Disney suggests a certain amount to tip - where is that written anyway?

 

[angelmav]

I'm not familiar with all the Disney World buffets, but I know the dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern is considered a "buffet", and you don't have to get up and get your own food. It is all brought out to your table. In this case I tip the normal 15-20%.

I agree with those general guidelines for "classic" buffets. If I am getting up to lug my own food (and my kids) back and forth, and the only thing we get is drinks and cleared plates, I will leave 10%. If I get drinks, but I am moving my empty plates to another table or stacking them myself on the corner of the table because nobody is coming to get them, then 5%.

Of course a pretty waitress and a good attitude can move that amount higher in both cases.

You are a bit confused in your definition, LTT, Ohana, etc are NOT buffets, they are fixed menu served family style. All of the food, drinks etc are brought by the server, you just get whats on the menu. H & V, Chef Mickeys, etc are buffets where you get everything but your drinks. There isnt any 'classic' buffet, just buffet.

 

[lynninpa]

Disney restaurants are like any other restaurant. Whether you are in Disney or in your hometown, it is "suggested" you tip between 18% and 20% of the total bill for a "sit down" meal. Of course, it can be less for poorer service or more for great service.
My DH & I will be "the tippers" when our family dines all together in Disney this summer-all 17 of us. Not only will I take into consideration how our server is, I will also take into consideration how we are as customers!

 

[angelmav]

Disney restaurants are like any other restaurant. Whether you are in Disney or in your hometown, it is "suggested" you tip between 18% and 20% of the total bill. Of course, it can be less for poorer service or more for great service.
My DH & I will be "the tippers" when our family dines all together at Disney this summer-all 17 of us. Not only will I take into consideration how our server is, I will also take into consideration how we are as customers!

Most restaurants though dont give you a written account to the penny of how much 18% or 20% are like disney does. IMO I find that a bit crude and pushy myself. We have been over the tipping guidlines many times and there is plenty of literature for debating the percentage (and it doesnt always start at 18% but thats been beaten to death here already). I personally wish they would just tack on a service charge across the board and be done with it already.

 

[blondinkaya]

How much do you tip outside of Disney? Dh and I usually tip 15% (rounding up to the nearest dollar) for average service. If you get "average" (meaning nothing special, just ... average) service at WDW, why be compelled to tip more?

We're taking cash for tips and will be ignoring the suggested amounts on the bill and tip with how we feel the service merits. Outstanding will garner 20% (that's what we do elsewhere), average will get the server 15%, and terrible service will grant the server less. I don't think it's being cheap; it's just what we tip here at home, and I don't see why I should feel forced to tip based on Disney's recommendations.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Disney restaurants are like any other restaurant. Whether you are in Disney or in your hometown, it is "suggested" you tip between 18% and 20% of the total bill for a "sit down" meal. Of course, it can be less for poorer service or more for great service.
My DH & I will be "the tippers" when our family dines all together in Disney this summer-all 17 of us. Not only will I take into consideration how our server is, I will also take into consideration how we are as customers!

Party's of 6 or more have a 18% Automatically included.