Tips at Buffets

[tommygunn]

Hey guys -

I'm leaving for a 7 nighter on THURSDAY!!!! Staying at the riverside and am super excited.

This is my first time on the mealplan where we need to leave a tip. What do folks general give for buffets?? Chef Mickey, Crytsal Palace, Park Fare.

The Gunnster

 

[ajk912]

20% all the way or no pixie dust for you!

 

[tommygunn]

Really??!! 20% off of those bloated prices for bringing me drinks? I usually tip 20% plus in a restaurant but that seems crazy for a buffet.

 

[sbell111]

At a buffet, I generally give 15% for acceptable service (water filled timely, empty dishes cleared, etc). Sometimes, I give more but it has alot to do with whether the server was put through more by our party (if you met my inlaws, you'd understand) or if he/she went above and beyond to give us great service (without actually bugging us).

 

[HonnyDipp]

I usually give 15%, but for me, at a buffet, they have to earn the tip! Have fun!

 

[natnelliesmom]

For us- it completely depends on the service! I have eaten at Disney buffets where the server was great- bringing us extra drinks, joking with my girls, making sure characters come back around to us, and clearing used dishes immediately. Those servers get the 20% plus!
I have also been to Disney buffets where it was like pulling teeth to get the server to bring us a second drink. Or our dirty dishes were piling up on the table, 3 deep!! Then the tip isn't so generous. I mean really.... how much work is it to wait tables at a buffet??
So, I guess we tip based on service received!
-Sarah

 

[thomas998]

At a buffet I wouldn't tip more than a few dollars, and only if they actually kept my glass full... to often the service in Disney buffets is poor. No one should ever have an empty glass or stacked plates waiting to be removed but you'll see it at quite a few buffets... and poor service should never be rewarded. In those cases tip them nothing...with any luck they will realize they can't make a decent living as a waiter and find another job more suited to their lazy attitude.

So for the sake of future guests, only tip when the service is worth it.. don't feel obligated to tip poor performance.

 

[nhl66pens]

I avoid them at all costs. Sorry, but I dislike buffets.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I leave 20%.

While it's true that servers are not taking our orders (other than drinks) and bringing us food, they do visit our table frequently to removed used plates and that's a lot of work which probably requires more table visits than a regular table service meal. We're a family of 4 and we generally use 3 plates each for a buffet (a salads/breads plate, an entree plate, a dessert plate). If one or more of us gets seconds on any course or adds a soup bowl or two, that could easily be 12-16+ plates for our table they are clearing which IMHO deserves the 20% tip if they are good with the drink refills and with clearing the plates.

 

[GrillMouster]

The only buffet I've eaten at while at WDW is the character breakfast at the Polynesian resort. I think they call it "family style" buffet. It's a bit different from the traditional buffet, in that they bring a platter of different foods to your table, and you serve your plate from that platter. They continuously refresht the platter with anything you want, and bring other items, like Mickey waffles, and special breads, juices, coffee, etc. I tipped 20%, because the service was superb and the waitress did as much work bringing platters and other foods to our table, just like a traditional sit-down restaurant.

 

[katebeth]

Ok...If I recieve really bad service at a buffet or at a TS, I don't have to tip the recommended 18-20% even if I am on the dining plan, right? I plan on tipping well if the service is good, but we don't have to tip the high amount if it is not warrented. I just assumed that eating at Disney was like eating at any other restaurant, but is it different if you are on the dining plan?

Thanks for any help

 

[Dopey420]

Just tip at least 20% everywhere and feel glad you are in Disney World and not working!

It is worth a few extra dollars to make someone's day.

 

[luvmy3]

I would tip a server at a buffet the same as I would at any other restauraunt and base it on the service you get. We ate at Hollywood & Vine and our waitress left our dirty plates on our table and only brought us 1 refill. There were 5 of us, so our table was a mess and stayed that way while we ate. She got 15%, but that was because dh is more generous than me, I wanted to leave her 10%.
That was the only buffet we went to, and if the service had been good I would have gladly left 20%

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Restaurants board.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

My DH is a 20% + always no matter where he goes. Was a server back in the day so he knows how hard the job is and knows how bad the tips can get and sometimes don't get. Just keep in mind they work on for the tips. The pay isn't much.

 

[sbell111]

I also waited tables for a time while I was in college.

I think that some servers don't realize that a tip is given as recognition for good service. Therefore, if a server gives great service, he/she will get a great tip.

Similarly, if I am given horrible service, I will reward it with a horrible tip. This almost never happens but I am prepared to give no tip at all if the server's performance warrants it. To date, that's only happened once.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We tip 20% if we have good service, clear away our dishes, refill our drinks etc

 

[LuvMickeyMouse]

I'd say 10-15 % for buffet

 

[blondemom]

We usually tip between 18% and 20%. I have the same rationale as the poster who said that they have to come to the table more frequently to clear away dishes, etc. We, too, are a family of four. My husband can really eat at buffets! We're talking a salad, soup, at least three entree dishes, and then dessert! The time spent cleaning his mess up alone is worth the tip. At WDW, they are ususally quick with the refills as well.

Everyone has to do what they feel is best.

Lisa

 

[Pumbaa_]

Here is a link to the tipping thread and guidelines for posting regarding tipping

thanks,