Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining

[Tricia1972]

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.

Most every restaurant has multiple people who may help your server out. (Runners, other servers who happen to be walking by) and busboys who will clean up the table. Regardless if it's a buffet or not.

All restaurants have their own policy for "tipping out" and any tip that you choose to leave for your server will be split out according to their policy.

(How it's split out can get to be a heated topic around here, so it's not up for debate.)

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?

It is not the norm to have someone clean up your trays at a CS location. Every patron is expected to clear their own table when they've finished their meal.

The exception to this is Wolfgang Puck Express. If you choose to leave a tip, it's entirely up to you. You don't need to leave a tip, but you are more than welcome to.

Hope this helps

 

[kayleesmom2]

I have some Disney Reward dollars on a redemtion card that I want to use on our trip. We have the dining plan for our meals, bu tI wondered if I can use the redemption card to pay for tips at the restaurants? If so, how do I do this? Just tell them how much I want to tip and give them the card? Thanks for your help

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

Yep. It's good at any Disney establishment that takes credit cards.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Yes you can

 

[john398]

I have one too, can you charge it to your room, and than pay off your room account with disney redeption card before its charged to your credit card??

 

[MarieA]

My DH and I always use our Disney reward card to pay for tips while on the dining plan. It has never been a problem.

 

[kerbear1969]

Should i adjust my reservation for character dining? I put 7 but it includes two infants which would make 5 paying adults. Do they automatically put the 18% on? Should i adjust the reservation from 7 to 5?

 

[Alesia]

Should i adjust my reservation for character dining? I put 7 but it includes two infants which would make 5 paying adults. Do they automatically put the 18% on? Should i adjust the reservation from 7 to 5?

Your reservation should be for 7, and yes, the gratuity will be added automatically.

 

[nebo]

Should i adjust my reservation for character dining? I put 7 but it includes two infants which would make 5 paying adults. Do they automatically put the 18% on? Should i adjust the reservation from 7 to 5?

do not adjust your reservation, as then they may not have room to seat you. even though infants may not be ordering, they take up space.

besides, it shouldn't matter. since the infants will not be ordering, 18% of zero is zero! (in other words, even tho the automatic 18% is added, it will still be only 18% of 5 meals.)

 

[Tricia1972]

A friendly reminder to please read the first post of this thread for thread guidelines before posting. Thanks

 

[jjsdad]

Are restaurant hosts allowed to accept tips and is it appropriate to tip them if they help you with a special request? In the past we have asked during check in to sit close to the tank at the coral reef and both times they have honored our request. Is it ok to offer a tip to that person for helping me or are they not allowed to accept tips? I'd hate to setup an awkward situation if they aren't, but I certainly don't want to not tip them if I am able to.

 

[Tricia1972]

Since hosting isn't considered a tipped position, I doubt that they would be able to accept your tip. Disney has a rule for their employees that if you aren't working in a tipped position, you are not allowed to accept tips.

How it works is if you offer a CM (who is not working in a tipped position) something of value three times they NEED to accept whatever the third time that you offer it.

They then must report that gift to their Manager (no matter how small). Failure to report this gift to their manager can result in disciplinary action or even termination of employment.

This rule has been confirmed by several CMs who are members of this board.

 

[Sandi12404]

We're not leaving for 157 days (not that I'm counting) and we have made all our dining reservations and I'm feeling a little antsy because it's too early do some things and I want to do something. So I went to the menu's and tallied up what out apx. bill would be at each table service. I figured I could take the tip with me and it would be ready to go (we have free dining). Our goup is a party of 12 so I assume that the gratuity will almost always be automatically added but will they break it up per family, or since we aren't paying for our meals will they just hand us one large check? I want to make sure the servers get a good tip and I would love to have this ironed about among all 12 of us before we get there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You tell your server how you want the billing split - "these three people on this card, those five people on that card, him on his own card..." and each party's automatic service charge (and only that party's) will appear on the respective checks.

It might be explained more clearly in Post 1.

 

[jenseib]

You still will have a check. The credits are going to be on your KTTW card, so you still will be paying with the card. You just didn't have to pay to get those credits. And yes they will divide it up for you.

 

[photographymom517]

I haven't read all of this thread (only read the last few pages), but just wanted to give everyone who is on a budget a suggestion!

I use the restaurant menus as a guide & try to estimate what we will all order (we use the regular dining plan so I figure in the cost of entrees, drinks, and desserts). Then I figure out the percentage that we tip & put that into an envelope. (I also carry some $1's and $5's in case we want to leave more than what I have in the envelope already or if we order something more expensive).

You can find alot of great DISigns here on the boards for tip envelopes!!! I make one for each table service restaurant, mousekeeping, bell services, Magical Express drivers, etc.

I know alot of people here on the boards do that when paying tips with cash. Just thought that I would share the idea again, even though I'm sure its mentioned here on the thread!

 

[twinsplusonemore]

I'm trying to total up the amount we are going to need for tips. We are on the dining plan and are going to be eating at HDDR and CRT. Can someone clarify for me....the tip is included already so we don't need to tip for that one?? If I'm confused, can you please explain?

 

[Alesia]

You can find alot of great DISigns here on the boards for tip envelopes!!! I make one for each table service restaurant, mousekeeping, bell services, Magical Express drivers, etc.

As a server I highly recommend not putting your tip in an envelope. It's a nice thought, but there is an excellent chance that it will accidentally be thrown away.

 

[jenseib]

I'm trying to total up the amount we are going to need for tips. We are on the dining plan and are going to be eating at HDDR and CRT. Can someone clarify for me....the tip is included already so we don't need to tip for that one?? If I'm confused, can you please explain?

Yes, the tip is included for both of those.

 

[photographymom517]

As a server I highly recommend not putting your tip in an envelope. It's a nice thought, but there is an excellent chance that it will accidentally be thrown away.

I don't use regular envelopes -- its basically a 3"x7" piece of paper folded in half (looks like a little tent sitting on the table). The restaurant logo or Disney picture is on the front & you are usually able to see the money when its sitting on the table. Most of the DISigns I use say something like "Thanks for the great service" or "Tips for Mousekeeping" things like that.

Should I not bother with these? Do you think they just get thrown away even if the server can see the money sticking out the side?