Tipping & DDP

[vbilello]

So, I know that tips are included in DDP, but we have a messy 2.5 y.o. and 9 m.o. so we usually tip 20-25% in restaurants. Do people ever leave tips on top of the 18% included in DDP? ANyone know if the servers recognize this as a "little extra" for their service or is it expected since DDP is standardizing tips?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We don't leave tips on top of what the DDP gives the servers. Some on this board may, but we think 18% is enough.

 

[just another guy]

Yes people do tip extra. Its not exactly average, but it happens. Typically it happens for great service or often like in your case. Plus its nice to get the cash, as disney pockets the grat for a week, and its then added to the servers pay check after being taxed.

 

[phlufster]

As a server, I see that as a little extra to say I did a great job. Some poeple give extra and some don't. For some people that would only tip 15% usually, they feel that this is already above and beyond and for people that tip 20% on a regular basis, they will add a little extra. When I was using the DDP with my husband, I found very few ocasions where the service justified an extra tip, and when it did, we left an extra $5-$10.

I think it is great that you are aware of the clean up required after a "messy" table! I can't tell you how many times people have left the table (and floor, and sugar caddy, and chairs) in complete disarray and then leave under 15%!! When dining with my nephews, I always left a little extra knowing that the server was goign to have to spend a little extra time cleaning up!

Jocelyn

 

[patsal]

If service is above average we leave enough to bring the tip to 20-30%. I carried a few 5's and 10's to add when I felt the service was worth it--extra time explaining menu items to kids (last year DD was 10 and DS 14 so explaining goat cheese to a 10 yo who has to learn about these things) and friendlines goes a long way.

 

[Lorix2]

I tipped an extra $5.00 to my server because we (just DH and I) received excellent service everywhere we went. Those servers always came back or immediately thanked us for the additional gratuity.

Now that the gratuity is added on like a credit card gratuity, they are paying tax on it, reducing the amount and getting the money a week or so later, so I thought some extra cash on hand is good for them.

It's very considerate of you to think of the mess that might be left for you're server to clean up once you're gone, small children just can't help but make messes...a little extra would be a nice gesture.

I am a server myself and I always appreciate and acknowledge that appreciation to my customers when they are extremely generous to me, of course I thank them like that either way

 

[mickeystoontown]

Like the previous posters, it depends on the service I receive. The gratuity is included in the Dining Plan. That's why the waiters and waitresses love the Dining Plan. Some people don't tip the 18% that the servers are guaranteed on the Dining Plan.

We did tip our waiter and waitresses at Garden Grill, LeCellier and the Liberty Tree Tavern. They were very attentive and we felt they went out of their way for us.

Hope this helps, Lisa

 

[byoung]

Great service deserves more.

 

[daisyduck123]

We've done the Dining Plan for our last 2 or 3 trips.

We always tip extra if we had really great service.

 

[bytheblood]

If they did a great job, we ALWAYS do.

Of course, for us, being on the DP, we usually find the service to be mediocre.

 

[n2mm]

We tip extra 99% of the time. The only time we don't is if the service is barely average. We always tip an extra 5% (which is easy for me to calculate in my head). When the grandbaby is with us we do tip extra for the same reason as the OP says. Grandbaby girl is not 2, but has been on vacation at WDW 3 trips now). Her last trip at 18 months was a pretty messy trip. My daughter tip extra, extra, at the 50s Prime Time as we all were on the DDP, but paid OOP for her and bought her mac and cheese. The server would not charge us for it because she never ate it. Daughter left the server the money she would've used for the meal as an extra tip on my extra tip. One reason we probably tip extra is because hubby was a CM for 8 years and we think of the CMs as family and we know what it's like working for the Disney Co.

 

[aubriee]

I too usually carry some extra $5.00 and $10.00. We usually tip at least 20%, the 18% on the DDP just doesn't seem right, plus the server doesn't get it at the time of service. The only time we don't tip extra is if service is poor (Coral Reef x2 or Alfredos).

 

[susieq76]

The only time we don't tip extra is if service is poor (Coral Reef x2 or Alfredos).

Same here- it has only happened once though (alfredos)