Tipping Information for Disney Dining (Updated for 2025)

[Pumbaa_]

Not to my knowledge-w the caveat that if it is not currently in play ignore

 

[zokaluse]

I know my daughter was always low on cash as a CP last year- figured we’d write little notes of encouragement and put them in fun envelopes to lift their day

That's what I do..same for Mousekeeping.

 

[Jaletu2022]

Been a long time since we stayed on property. Do we tip Mousekeeping daily or at the end of our stay? Would like to know so I can get envelopes ready before we go.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Been a long time since we stayed on property. Do we tip Mousekeeping daily or at the end of our stay? Would like to know so I can get envelopes ready before we go.

Tipping for housekeeping is at the guest's discretion. This thread primarily addresses tipping in restaurants.

However, I've seen many posts where people state that they leave their tip everyday as the housekeeper who cleans your room can change from day to day.

 

[Jaletu2022]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I see now that it's restaurant tipping, sorry! But I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Nightshiftplanner]

Are gratuities included for the fireworks package at Spice Road Table? I paid the full amount in advance when booking.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Are gratuities included for the fireworks package at Spice Road Table? I paid the full amount in advance when booking.

According to the WDW website, the price of the package is inclusive of taxes and gratuity.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/spice-road-table-fireworks-dinner-package/

 

[Nightshiftplanner]

According to the WDW website, the price of the package is inclusive of taxes and gratuity.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/spice-road-table-fireworks-dinner-package/

Thank You! I don't know how I missed that

 

[finedice]

I'm a good tipper. I just hate when I'm expected to pay gratuity on tax. Why should I pay the server based on what the government is taking? The problem is that they always include the tax in estimated gratuity %. So, If I leave a good tip based on only what I bought, I end up looking like I'm not happy, or cheap.

 

[iwannabdduck]

Since the Gratuity Transparency post has been closed to additional comments, let me ask this question on this post. For you who've been to Disney recently, what is the current automatic "service charge" and "gratuity" practice at Disney World and Disney Springs? Is all that still voluntary for the guest, or has Disney started automatically adding items like I asked about to your bill at sit-down and quick service restaurants? I ask because we will be at WDW in a couple of months and I've seen a couple of YouTube videos this past week where folks are reporting that a 20% "service charge" and "20% gratuity" is starting to show up on bills at some restaurants in Orlando, including one at Board Walk, but no other mention of any Disney restaurants. I experienced that at a one restaurant in Destin last year, including a 3% add on fee if I used a credit card to pay for the bill, but never Disney. But it's also been a few years since we've been to WDW, so I thought I'd ask if that's changed since we were last there. Thanks.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Wdwinfo

Since the Gratuity Transparency post has been closed to additional comments, let me ask this question on this post. For you who've been to Disney recently, what is the current automatic "service charge" and "gratuity" practice at Disney World and Disney Springs? Is all that still voluntary for the guest, or has Disney started automatically adding items like I asked about to your bill at sit-down and quick service restaurants? I ask because we will be at WDW in a couple of months and I've seen a couple of YouTube videos this past week where folks are reporting that a 20% "service charge" and "20% gratuity" is starting to show up on bills at some restaurants in Orlando, including one at Board Walk, but no other mention of any Disney restaurants. I experienced that at a one restaurant in Destin last year, including a 3% add on fee if I used a credit card to pay for the bill, but never Disney. But it's also been a few years since we've been to WDW, so I thought I'd ask if that's changed since we were last there. Thanks.

This info is located on page one of this thread and is still accurate for Disney owned and operated restaurants. Restaurants that are not operated by Disney, like some of the restaurants at Disney Springs, may be different:

Parties of six (6) or more are automatically charged an 18% gratuity. This includes everyone sitting at the table, including children under the age of 3. If you are dining with another group and are paying separately, you will still be charged the 18% gratuity if there are 6 or more people at the table.

 

[bcbmommy]

If there are 7 or us, all on DDP but 2 separate families, whose check does the 18% go on? Would the family of 3 get 18% added to theirs, and the family of 4 get 18% added to theirs?

 

[crazy4wdw]

If there are 7 or us, all on DDP but 2 separate families, whose check does the 18% go on? Would the family of 3 get 18% added to theirs, and the family of 4 get 18% added to theirs?

Yes, that is correct. If all 7 people are sitting at the same table, each party would be charged 18% gratuity.

 

[bcbmommy]

Yes, that is correct. If all 7 people are sitting at the same table, each party would be charged 18% gratuity.

Thank you. We're paying for our adult children's dining plan, but I'm thinking they can pay for their own tips.

 

[mmouse50]

Tipping on DDP with free child in 2026? This may be a moot point since we will have 3 DDP and 9 people but would the 18% be a part of the total bill or just adult part of the bill since kids are free?

 

[crazy4wdw]

Tipping on DDP with free child in 2026? This may be a moot point since we will have 3 DDP and 9 people but would the 18% be a part of the total bill or just adult part of the bill since kids are free?

That is a good question and I really do not know the answer. I'm going to post your question on the restaurant board and let's see if someone knows.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Tipping on DDP with free child in 2026? This may be a moot point since we will have 3 DDP and 9 people but would the 18% be a part of the total bill or just adult part of the bill since kids are free?

This is the response of a poster on the restaurant board:

"This is what we've been told so far...even though kids are free, their account will still have dining credits, same as if they paid for the plan, so the server can ring in the meals correctly. If there are 6 or more people at the table, yes, the 18% auto grat will be added to the check for the total $$ amount including the free kids meals."

 

[mmouse50]

Makes perfect sense - thank you