Tipping on DDP - Your experiences

[Stacy's a freak]

I am trying the DDP for the first time very soon (almost there!). I know that the DDP "should" be covering the tip, but can anyone tell me if that tip is enough to get good service.

With some of the reviews I have been reading, I'm tempted to tip my waitperson BEFORE the meal to ensure good service.

So.. if you were on the dining plan, how was your service in general? Did you feel slighted?

Thanks!

 

[CamColt]

We used the DDP for the first time this summer and found our service to be just as good as always across the board.

We tipped extra at every sit down meal except Chef Mickeys breakfast.

 

[oogieboogie]

I didn't vote cause it really depends on the situation. At several of the more popular restaurants, the servers were really haggard, not just from DDP, but also because there aren't any bussers at Disney. The servers have to bus and serve their tables. So they're working double time - I experienced a dip in the level of service at these restaurants.

Then again, there were plenty of times when we had exceptional service even on the DDP. Those I definitely tip extra, especially when we had many requests, paid OOP on some things (with AP discount to boot), had many substitutions, etc and then we still get great service.

 

[pezpam]

I also didn't vote because it depends on the situation. I'm happy to tip extra if a server goes above and beyond, but don't leave extra at every meal. I would say that we've done trips with and without the DDP and the very few less-than-great service experiences we've had couldn't be chalked up to the DDP. On the other hand, we've had numerous servers who did an exceptional job.

 

[Stacerita]

We found that the service was about the same as it has been in the past. At very busy places the service was lacking somewhat but because of the server being busy, not the DDP. When service was good, we tipped more. At Coral Reef we were tipping extra and the waiter told us not to, he was already tipped. I explained that he went over for us and we appreciated it. And we had paid OOP for some items so I wanted him to be covered for that as well. He kept telling us not to, that he was already being tipped. He did a great job, so we left him extra when he walked away.

At no place did we feel that the service was lacking due to us being on the DDP.

 

[TyRy]

We were there in late Sept during free dining and we ended up leaving extra tips everywhere. We had good service and I had been really worried about that. Now we were drinking a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage during most meals, so I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not.

Ty

 

[kj2mom]

I didn't leave an extra tip before our meal but at all but one of our 7 TS I did leave extra tip at the end of the meal, at one I left soo much that I think he ended up with about a 50% tip but he deserved it for all he went through. We had a dining plan credit issue (Norway charged us twice) and he actually offered to pay our bill for us ($95 for lunch). We had one TS that our service wasn't the best but I don't think it had anything to do with the dining plan just a combination of not the best server and a very busy restaurant.

 

[Tinksmom5]

Good service is good service.I had the ddp and I found every server to be different.Some were not so great,got whatever the ddp gave them,some were good,got alittle extra,and some were out of this world and got well above the norm.I have waitressed here and there over the years and I know first hand what good service is.Its a lot of hard work and there are many people who don't appreciate the hard work that goes into it.
I didn't find the service to be any better or worse then when we were not on the ddp.
My advice treat all your servers as the indivials they are and tip accordingly.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[Nancyg56]

I did not find poor service at any of our meals. I would say that on any given day people may have an off day, and it is reflected in the meal or the service of teh meal. I don't think the DDP has anything to do with that. I would not leave a tip prior to a meal, and have left additional money at the enad of the meal when my server went beyond average.

 

[patsal]

We used the plan last December and this past summer. We found in every case that the service was as good as or better than our cash experiences withthe exception of Garden Grill in December and Mama Melrose's in July. Garden Grill acted liek they did me a favor in allowing me to eat there (we were a family gathering of 9) it was all prepaid and the tip was already "in hand" so we felt rushed, and inappropriately seated. I had noted on my ADR's that there was a high chair child and they gave us a booster seat for a 13 month old and would not move us to the upper level to accomadate a high chair. I let the server, hostess and manager know that if the baby fell--we tied her in the booster with my sister's sweatshirt--we would hold them accountable. The hostess laughed and walked away. We will not go there again Mama Melroses the courses came out too close together. Even the server said she couldn't understand why and apologised--not really a huge deal, but next time I go there I will be sure to let them know I want my meal staggered a bit! This was not the servers fault and we did tip her a bit extra--the food was great, she was wonderful and friendly.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

thank you to all who have responded.

Bump for some more responses

 

[faindrops27]

First time for free dining for us, yes i know the tips are rolled in @ 18%. We were an extended family of 4. One child 12, 3 adults. We gave at least 10-20 dollars extra, at each TS meal. Except one. Just because. Out of 8 TS meals, only one server was subpar, and that is the server who got the 10. Most, were so very nice. Most of the servers were more than delighted, and thanked us immensley. One of the best servers we had, downright refused an extra tip. At Kona' I cannot remember her name, but she was the best server ever. So, patient, kind, and sweet. I am hoping for free dining next year. I loved it!!

 

[dixiedizfan]

Our service varied by restaurant. Our worst service was where we had our best food ... Le Cellier. Our server was rushed, got my son's order wrong, and gave a sarcastic smirk when I ordered the chocolate moose dessert from the kid's menu. Ironically, our best service was where we had the worst food ... Sci-Fi. Our server was efficient and personable, and brought our yucky food out very promptly. We had practically non-existant service at 'Ohana ... after getting our beverages and food items, our server was not seen again until we had to flag him down for the check. I don't believe the dining plan had anything to do with any of our service; and since we never received any service above and beyond the ordinary, we didn't tip extra.

 

[minster22]

We just came back from 9 days with the DDP.....thought the service was better than in the past.....all meals and CS were very good, the service ranged from excellent to good.....none were poor....all prompt except for Citricos, which we didn't mind because it was "fine dining" and the atmosphere was so fabulous the waiting between courses was just fine. We left extra at every meal. Our server at CG was fabulous!(Jenny)The DDP was a very good value and I felt relieved to find I only gained 2 lbs!!

 

[bicker]

We just came back from 9 days with the DDP.....thought the service was better than in the past.....all meals and CS were very good, the service ranged from excellent to good.....none were poor....all prompt except for Citricos, which we didn't mind because it was "fine dining" and the atmosphere was so fabulous the waiting between courses was just fine. We left extra at every meal. Our server at CG was fabulous!(Jenny)The DDP was a very good value and I felt relieved to find I only gained 2 lbs!!

Thanks for the update!

 

[NMW]

We came back on the 27th and I thought service was excellent. I noticed no difference from the past few years. The spacing of courses was perfect everywhere except Mama Melrose (they were too close). We tipped extra everywhere to bring the tip to at least 20%. We did this with our alcohol bill too-18% was added by them-we made it at least 20%. We had REALLY incredible service at Flying Fish, Rose and Crown, Le Celliar, and Kona. We used the dining plan for all those meals. Mama Melrose was one we paid cash for (the server knew it)-and that was the one with the entrees 3-4 minutes after the appetizers. The service was still good though.

Don't worry about anything. I really am convinced that the dining plan had no impact on our service whatsoever.

 

[Deemarch]

We added more of a tip when we really felt that the server went over and above...We had a group of 8, so we were a little bit of a challenge. I think we tipped extra 5 out of 7 times.

 

[jessieroo]

On our last trip we were a group of 14. Our service was great & we always tipped extra because we were such a large group. Everyone who served us were very accomodating. Especially since we sat all mixed up and always with our families. We had agreed when planning our trip each family would give an extra five dollars at each meal. Our best service was at Italy, Sci-Fi, Wolfgang pucks(they even gave me a menu to take home to show my brother-in-law) and Donalds Breakfastasaurus. I can't complain about anywhere we ate.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

During our stay with the DDP last month, I didn't feel our service was lacking, I just felt it wasn't very personalized. Was this due to the DDP...probably, as the servers were rushing around trying to please a packed house and they really didn't have time to engage in any "small talk" with the customers.