Tipping Info Thread for Disney Dining

[TDC Nala]

No tipping at kiosks. Full service bars, yes; kiosks, no. Workers at the kiosks are not classified as bartenders. There can be full service bars that look like kiosks, such as High Octane Refreshments at DHS. That place has bartenders. They make good drinks, too. But the folks at the kiosks who don't mix any drinks, who only pour wine or beer or extract a pre-mixed drink from a machine, no, they're not tipped.

I have never seen a tip jar on any kiosk inside the WDW parks and I've been to all the ones at Epcot for sure. Allowing tip jars in the parks sounds like something Disney would not do. Has anyone noticed if the Starbucks at WDW have tip jars? It's standard for Starbucks to have them usually. However, the employees at the WDW Starbucks are considered WDW employees and not Starbucks employees, so they would do whatever WDW would do.

Do not pressure CMs to take tips if they decline. If they say they will get in trouble if they accept them, it is probably true.

 

[marg1974]

Interesting thanks

 

[sjw211]

How exactly do the gratuity amounts work?
We'll be arriving in August (4 of us) and have the dining plan.
I assume a bill where we have nothing extra would be $0.
Does it calculate the bill based on what it would have cost - and give a suggested amount (is it 18% now?)?
If we had extras (drinks, apps etc.), I assume that amount would just be added to the other 'theoretical' amount and the gratuity would be calculated against that amount?
Do you actually write the amount of your gratuity - and it can just be charged to your room?
I have no problems with gratuities (18% is higher than typical UK levels..) as long as the service is good. If you're not particularly enamoured by the service, are you still free to leave a lower amount or is that really bad? Speaking of 'really bad', what if the service was really bad - are you still obliged to leave one anyway? Hopefully that will never happen though!!
What if the tip says for example $22.56 - leaving a $20 is not enough (?) and you give $25 and wait for change?

Thanks!

 

[mom2of2]

How exactly do the gratuity amounts work?
We'll be arriving in August (4 of us) and have the dining plan.
I assume a bill where we have nothing extra would be $0.
Does it calculate the bill based on what it would have cost - and give a suggested amount (is it 18% now?)?
If we had extras (drinks, apps etc.), I assume that amount would just be added to the other 'theoretical' amount and the gratuity would be calculated against that amount?
Do you actually write the amount of your gratuity - and it can just be charged to your room?
I have no problems with gratuities (18% is higher than typical UK levels..) as long as the service is good. If you're not particularly enamoured by the service, are you still free to leave a lower amount or is that really bad? Speaking of 'really bad', what if the service was really bad - are you still obliged to leave one anyway? Hopefully that will never happen though!!
What if the tip says for example $22.56 - leaving a $20 is not enough (?) and you give $25 and wait for change?

Thanks!

You will get a check that will have all the prices listed and a total. Beneath that there will be 2 suggested tip amounts, one for 18% and one for 20%. These are suggested amounts and you are free to put whatever amount you think is appropriate on the line. That amount can then be charged to your room. The server will deduct your dining plan credits, charge the amount to your room and then you will have to sign for it.
If you choose to leave cash and need change, simply ask the server for change and then leave whatever amount you want for the tip. If you just put money in the check book they are just going to assume that is their tip unless you ask for change.
Hopefully you won't have bad service but if you do then don't wait until tip time to sort it out. Ask for a manager and explain what you are unhappy with. Give the server and the manager the chance to turn it around.

 

[sjw211]

Thanks, great advice.

 

[KaLyn]

You will get a check that will have all the prices listed and a total. Beneath that there will be 2 suggested tip amounts, one for 18% and one for 20%. These are suggested amounts and you are free to put whatever amount you think is appropriate on the line. That amount can then be charged to your room. The server will deduct your dining plan credits, charge the amount to your room and then you will have to sign for it. If you choose to leave cash and need change, simply ask the server for change and then leave whatever amount you want for the tip. If you just put money in the check book they are just going to assume that is their tip unless you ask for change. Hopefully you won't have bad service but if you do then don't wait until tip time to sort it out. Ask for a manager and explain what you are unhappy with. Give the server and the manager the chance to turn it around.

After the dining credits are taken off from my MagicBands, can I then pay the tip with a Disney gift card? I don't see why not, just double checking.

Nevermind! I found the answer!

 

[alktdknckmom]

The server will scan your band and then present you with a check. Write CASH in the tip line, the server will run your credits and present you with the copy to sign, simply sign it and put the cash in the book. Nothing has really changed except that you no longer give them a KTTW card.

So if you are paying the tip with cash you write that on the tip line and hand it to the server or put it in the book, but if you want it charged to your room, you just put the $ amount and they know automatically to use your band info? And I assume this is something you set up with Disney ahead of time regarding how to charge certain incidentals?

Thanks!

 

[maxiesmom]

After the dining credits are taken off from my MagicBands, can I then pay the tip with a Disney gift card? I don't see why not, just double checking.

Nevermind! I found the answer!

It is easier if you pay off your room charge with the gift card. I tried paying tips with a gift card before, and it seemed to cause some confusion. My last trip I just put everything on my room, and then went and paid that off with gift cards.

 

[mom2of2]

So if you are paying the tip with cash you write that on the tip line and hand it to the server or put it in the book, but if you want it charged to your room, you just put the $ amount and they know automatically to use your band info? And I assume this is something you set up with Disney ahead of time regarding how to charge certain incidentals?

Thanks!

yes, you connect a charge card to your reservation. This can be done at check in at your resort, if you don't do it prior to arrival. At a TS restaurant, when your MB is scanned it tells the server if you have charging privledges.

 

[KaLyn]

It is easier if you pay off your room charge with the gift card. I tried paying tips with a gift card before, and it seemed to cause some confusion. My last trip I just put everything on my room, and then went and paid that off with gift cards.

Super! Thanks!

 

[mousefan73]

Hi just wondering from a Server Point of view, is a cash tip preferred over credit/room Charge?

I had a Server friend tell me she preferred cash ( I think she wasnt claiming all on her taxes).

 

[Alesia]

Hi just wondering from a Server Point of view, is a cash tip preferred over credit/room Charge?

I had a Server friend tell me she preferred cash ( I think she wasnt claiming all on her taxes).

I'm a server (although not at WDW) and I do have a slight preference for cash tips since we have to give 3% of the tip to the credit card company on credit card tips. In all honesty, though, it's not that big of a deal.

 

[mousefan73]

Just wanted to comment on the receipts and DP. I noticed the first receipt showed all the charges as if no dining plan. You see then the amount to base tip. Then a neww receipt would come with the dining plan taken in account. Zeros.

I'd like to keep the original as after my trip i like to know if i saved with DP. But these original receipts seem to disappear when the new one came. If this is important to know. Try and grab the first receipt or write down the original total on the new receipt.

 

[mom2of2]

Hi just wondering from a Server Point of view, is a cash tip preferred over credit/room Charge?

I had a Server friend tell me she preferred cash ( I think she wasnt claiming all on her taxes).

Doesn't matter as long as you do. Cash tips prove income so most claim all of them anyway

 

[zdad]

What is the suggested approach for tipping at Be Our Guest for Lunch. It is a counter service meal, but it is delivered to you on china. I am inclined to tip but should it be the full ~18-20% or something else? Also, would you leave it on the table or hand it directly to the server that brings your meal?

Anyone that has been at BOG lunch....insight appreciated.

 

[mom2of2]

What is the suggested approach for tipping at Be Our Guest for Lunch. It is a counter service meal, but it is delivered to you on china. I am inclined to tip but should it be the full ~18-20% or something else? Also, would you leave it on the table or hand it directly to the server that brings your meal?

Anyone that has been at BOG lunch....insight appreciated.

no tip. QSR CM's make a regular wage so no tipping. They can't accept it either.

 

[SilentK]

Sorry if this has come up before...

I noticed on allears it says that Liberty Tree Tavern is price fix, tip included. I haven't heard this before. Is this the case?

 

[TDC Nala]

No it is not. Liberty Tree dinner (lunch is not a fixed price) does not include the tip.

 

[SilentK]

No it is not. Liberty Tree dinner (lunch is not a fixed price) does not include the tip.

Thank you

I thought I'd have read it somewhere before but wanted to check when DH pointed it out on allears

 

[Zombee Lover]

Your Disney servers are people, just like everyone else. They strive to give exceptional service to each & every guest. Unfortunately, sometimes cast members call in sick, or new cast members are being trained that aren't yet as seasoned as some, or the kitchen is just completely crashing with tickets and maybe someone fell or got burned. Dish machines break down, gas burners quit working, ice machines fail to produce ice. These are all real scenarios that Disney guests are not aware of or ever see. Sometimes unfortunate things happen that compromises service and all that cast member can do is just keep going as fast as they can to provide the guest with the the best service they can. Some servers are not servers by trade and as unfortunate as it is, need to get out of the business. Aka, they suck. But for the Cast that is running their butts off, a kind word, a thank you or just a few minutes of patience can turn a meal that might be lacking around. Restaurant cast work hard because they love to make the guest happy. I've encountered many cast servers that have become my regular requested people to see, and have eventually become friends. I look forward to seeing them each trip as I do Mickey Mouse.