Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining

[dntd]

When I booked my trip, CAA reminded me about the tip being 18% for sure this time as I am booking tables of 6. Last time I swore I had to pay 18 % even with only 3 people dining. I didn't mind but odd that they didn't mention the 18% being optional.

 

[Pumbaa_]

a gratuity of 18% will be added to parties of 6 or more. this is not optional

 

[shpdem]

We are going on a trip this summer and its the first time i've been with a large party, we have 9 in our group. I'm mainly asking as my mom is really freaking about about the tips eating her alive, so i'm wanting to make sure i'm explaining the tipping correctly to her.

Say we eat at liberty tavern and our bill is $200 they split our bill up for each party depending on what they ordered, so if we all order the same thing then each person's bill would be $50. We only pay 18% on the $50 is that right? Each couple don't pay 18% off the total amount of $200.

I really hope that makes sense.

 

[Alesia]

We are going on a trip this summer and its the first time i've been with a large party, we have 9 in our group. I'm mainly asking as my mom is really freaking about about the tips eating her alive, so i'm wanting to make sure i'm explaining the tipping correctly to her.

Say we eat at liberty tavern and our bill is $200 they split our bill up for each party depending on what they ordered, so if we all order the same thing then each person's bill would be $50. We only pay 18% on the $50 is that right? Each couple don't pay 18% off the total amount of $200.

I really hope that makes sense.

Right.

It's just like tipping at any other (non-disney) restaurant. If you want separate checks, you tip on your portion only.

 

[Chuckers]

I am going to try and ask this in the most non-rule breaking way possible.. but I think whatever I ask will require an answer that will break the rules...
If that's the case, please kill the post. I have searched the topic and can't find an answer - my "search-fu" is not that great.

Assuming that there is a "recommended amount" for tipping (could be your's, could be the restaurant's, could be 9 out of 10 Dentists.. doesn't matter the amount), when eating at a serve yourself buffet, where you do most of the "service", is a person expected to still tip the full "recommended amount"?

What if you don't have a designated server? There's only bus boys and you've paid before you get your meal? (I can't remember if there are any establishments like that in WDW, but I am thinking of something like "SweetTomatoes/SoupPlantation")

Thanks.

 

[Tricia1972]

I am going to try and ask this in the most non-rule breaking way possible.. but I think whatever I ask will require an answer that will break the rules...
If that's the case, please kill the post. I have searched the topic and can't find an answer - my "search-fu" is not that great.

Assuming that there is a "recommended amount" for tipping (could be your's, could be the restaurant's, could be 9 out of 10 Dentists.. doesn't matter the amount), when eating at a serve yourself buffet, where you do most of the "service", is a person expected to still tip the full "recommended amount"?

What if you don't have a designated server? There's only bus boys and you've paid before you get your meal? (I can't remember if there are any establishments like that in WDW, but I am thinking of something like "SweetTomatoes/SoupPlantation")

Thanks.

I think that you're right, there is no way to answer what you're asking without discussing personal tipping habits.

If you are at a sit down eatery in Disney and have a party of 6 or more where you would pay an auto gratuity, the auto gratuity is 18% no matter what. There is no designation between buffets or menu restaurants.

If you are a party of 6 or less the recommended amounts are the same, regardless if you're at a buffet or a menu restaurant. At any restaurant, with a party of 6 or less, you can tip whatever you feel appropriate.

I can't think of one restaurant that you would only encounter bus boys at Disney, so that'd be a non-issue when planning your trip.

(Auto gratuities would also apply if you're using the Tables in Wonderland Discount Card, regardless of party size.)


Outside of Disney's rules, what you tip is entirely up to you and isn't up for discussion, debate or judgement on the Restaurant Board.

Hope this helps.

 

[Chuckers]

I think that you're right, there is no way to answer what you're asking without discussing personal tipping habits.

If you are at a sit down eatery in Disney and have a party of 6 or more where you would pay an auto gratuity, the auto gratuity is 18% no matter what. There is no designation between buffets or menu restaurants.

If you are a party of 6 or less the recommended amounts are the same, regardless if you're at a buffet or a menu restaurant. At any restaurant, with a party of 6 or less, you can tip whatever you feel appropriate.

I can't think of one restaurant that you would only encounter bus boys at Disney, so that'd be a non-issue when planning your trip.

(Auto gratuities would also apply if you're using the Tables in Wonderland Discount Card, regardless of party size.)


Outside of Disney's rules, what you tip is entirely up to you and isn't up for discussion, debate or judgement on the Restaurant Board.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.. for understanding the dilemma of the question and for answering it the best way possible Your answer does help.

 

[MNmama]

I have a question too.... I am a newbie so if someone can just direct me where maybe I can find this info on here or the WDW website, that would be great. I am just overwhelmed with the planning process.

We are really trying to budget before we go. So having tips all in envelopes as much as we can before we even get there.

Here are our ADR.... do most of this offer the buffet? We have the DDP where one sit down meal is included, so we wont be paying OOP when we get there for these, just the tips. I am assuming that we will just get the buffet where they do have it. If not.. do these places have menus where we can see before we go and if so where would I find it? It will be me, dh, dd (4), and dd ( who will be 2 months)

Chef's Mickey
Akerhaus ( sp)
CRT
Tusker House
Crystal Palace


So my question is..... how much do the buffets roughly "cost". I know we dont have to pay, but then it helps me figure out my tip BEFORE I go if that makes sense? Hopefully this isnt a taboo question.

I am just overwhelmed with planning! Thanks so much!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Assuming that there is a "recommended amount" for tipping (could be your's, could be the restaurant's, could be 9 out of 10 Dentists.. doesn't matter the amount), when eating at a serve yourself buffet, where you do most of the "service", is a person expected to still tip the full "recommended amount"?

(if this isn't violating anything)The diner is 'expected' to tip what the diner chooses to tip.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So my question is..... how much do the buffets roughly "cost". I know we dont have to pay, but then it helps me figure out my tip BEFORE I go if that makes sense? Hopefully this isnt a taboo question.

I think one of the other sticky threads in this forum has a link to the DIS/wdwinfo.com menus

 

[Alesia]

I have a question too.... I am a newbie so if someone can just direct me where maybe I can find this info on here or the WDW website, that would be great. I am just overwhelmed with the planning process.

We are really trying to budget before we go. So having tips all in envelopes as much as we can before we even get there.

Here are our ADR.... do most of this offer the buffet? We have the DDP where one sit down meal is included, so we wont be paying OOP when we get there for these, just the tips. I am assuming that we will just get the buffet where they do have it. If not.. do these places have menus where we can see before we go and if so where would I find it? It will be me, dh, dd (4), and dd ( who will be 2 months)

Chef's Mickey
Akerhaus ( sp)
CRT
Tusker House
Crystal Palace


So my question is..... how much do the buffets roughly "cost". I know we dont have to pay, but then it helps me figure out my tip BEFORE I go if that makes sense? Hopefully this isnt a taboo question.

I am just overwhelmed with planning! Thanks so much!!!

You can find the menus here.

If you're going to put tip money in envelopes, please take it out before giving it to your server. Envelopes are likely to end up in the trash.

 

[Tricia1972]

You can find the menus here.

If you're going to put tip money in envelopes, please take it out before giving it to your server. Envelopes are likely to end up in the trash.

This OR if you really want to leave it in the envelope, please make sure you put the envelope in the folio when you leave the folio on the table.

 

[Alesia]

This OR if you really want to leave it in the envelope, please make sure you put the envelope in the folio when you leave the folio on the table.

Definitely. But - speaking as a server - I really, really recommend taking it out of the envelope.

 

[Tricia1972]

Definitely. But - speaking as a server - I really, really recommend taking it out of the envelope.

Definitely agree

(Just looking to offer an option for the person who may be in love with their custom envelopes )

 

[jenseib]

CRT has the tip included in the price

 

[MNmama]

Thanks everyone!!! I will check out the links!

I also plan to take the money out before giving it to the server, but it helps me plan/budget if I know what goes where before we go if that makes sense.

So the CRT.... I wont have to tip anything then oop since its already included in my dining plan that I already paid for?

 

[jenseib]

.

So the CRT.... I wont have to tip anything then oop since its already included in my dining plan that I already paid for?

Correct

 

[Amstar]

So basically if I read all 22 pages correctly:

I am on the DD plan (the delux with 3 meals a day). I can use my room key (that is linked to my Credit Card) to pay for tips. I believe we have reserved table service for 12 different table services/buffets. I believe only the Royal Table has tips paid.

as far as how much to "budget" for tips then you are going to have to know roughly what everyone is ordering at every place then give what your perference of a tip is 18-20% based on the total of what you ordered.

So far example my tip could roughly be $20 dollars plus at Le Cellier (2 adults 2kids (8yr and 2yr old)

 

[Tricia1972]

So basically if I read all 22 pages correctly:

I am on the DD plan (the delux with 3 meals a day). I can use my room key (that is linked to my Credit Card) to pay for tips. I believe we have reserved table service for 12 different table services/buffets. I believe only the Royal Table has tips paid.

as far as how much to "budget" for tips then you are going to have to know roughly what everyone is ordering at every place then give what your perference of a tip is 18-20% based on the total of what you ordered.

So far example my tip could roughly be $20 dollars plus at Le Cellier (2 adults 2kids (8yr and 2yr old)

It sounds like you understand it perfectly!

 

[kylieh]

For a buffet the tip suggestions is left at the bottom of the bill. Does that suggestion include everyone who serves/cleans up at the buffet if more than one.

At QS - I know I don't tip when purchasing but do I need to leave some type of tip at the table where we eat for the person who takes away the trays?