Tips for buffet dining

[Bibbidi]

I don't want to seem like el cheapo, but I was just wondering what most people tip for buffet service, i.e. character meals? I love to tip well when I have great service, but at a buffet, I feel like I'm doing most of the work. At a regular sit down restaurant that is full service we are 20% tippers (even more if the service is super). But at the buffets, I'm honestly wondering if 10% is ok, given that they really only serve you your drinks and bring extra clean plates over.

 

[pearlieq]

In my opinion, 10% is more than adequate for buffet service, especially at WDW's inflated prices. If the server did something truly spectacular, I would possibly consider adjusting upwards.

With that being said, there are as many opinions on this as there are people who will respond, and I have never seen anyone convince anyone else that their view was "right".

Do what you feel is right when you get there.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

For larger groups over 6 now it matters not what type of meal Buffet/regular table service you will still be charged the mandatory 18% for a tip. This is also the case if you use the DDE card. So if either apply it is a mute point. That being said I know many tip 10-15% on buffets.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

Yeah, this topic can get touchy, but I also think that 10% is adequate. I refuse to tip 20% at ANY buffet whether it be at Disney or the local buffet.

 

[dizkids]

Just back from Disney. We traveled with a party of 9 for most character dining/buffets and we had 18% added to our bill since we are party of 6 or more. Yesterday at Boma for Breakfast our server brought us drinks...coffee and juice and cleared our plates. We had separate checks but it doesnt matter because the tip was added to both checks. She recieved 10.50 + 13.00 for mine...so $23 plus change i think was definitely on the high side for a tip. Yes Disney is definitely inflated. We had a 10:45 seating and we were gone by 11:30. Had the tip not been added already i probably would have still gave $10 for my family of 5.

 

[Lisa_M]

I think 10% is fine. I might even go lower than that depending on how neat we were. If I were there with my nieces, I'd probably tip 25% because they are sooo messy.

 

[glitzybabes]

I also think that 10% is fine to tip at Buffets unless the server was so great! They bring drinks and clear away dirty plates. That's it! They dont bus the tables after you leave. Plus I have read that they do have more tables than if it was not buffet. But you figure about $10.00 for one table with 4 ppl that they came to the table 3 or 4 times. 10% is what I have planned on tipping for buffets or maybe a little more.


PS.
I am cheap! I love coupons! I always have a coupon for everything! LOL

 

[beattyfamily]

Same as a regular meal; 20% for good service, 15% for ok service and so on....

HERE is another long "tipping at buffets" thread.

 

[KigerKat]

I tip 10% at buffets, and 15-20% at table service restaurants. This number can go up or down, depending on the quality of service I receive.

You will get a lot of passionate responses to your questions, so be prepared!!

 

[chalee94]

from page 764 of miss manners' guide to excruciatingly correct behavior:

GENTLE READER:

Miss Manners would dearly love to help you save a buck, which is no doubt what you have in mind, but not by telling you that waiters...don't need the money. Tip [buffet waiters] as you would the help in an ordinary restaurant.

If it is so much work for you to fill your dinner plate yourself, why do you go back and do it so often? Miss Manners saw you. However, you may save by not asking the hostesses for favors, such as special tables. They should get bribes for such attentions, but do not get ordinary tips.

 

[okeydokey]

I give around 10%. They do not need to take orders, or expedite delivery of food. 10% is sufficient.

 

[luvmy3]

We don't really go to buffet restaurants so it has never been an issue. I see 10% as a fair tip since I will be serving food to my party of 5. I realize they will bring drinks and clear plates, but so does the waitstaff of a sitdown meal. We aren't going to be going up 5 times each so we will have minimal dishes to be cleared so if my waitperson is only bringing me drinks once and clearing my plates once I don't feel I should give them as much as a waitperson that takes my appy order, runs it to the kitchen, makes sure it is served hot, clears those plates, takes my dinner order back to kitchen, makes/serves my salad, makes sure entreeis served hot, clears those dishes, takes my coffee and dessert order, runs to kitchen, makes sure they are served quickly, etc.
I know there are many who feel differently but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. OP you should tip whatever you are comfortable with

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I'm not sure about WDW , but in Vegas buffet servers are required to bus and reset their tables. The Vegas stanard for tipping at the buffets is usually $2 per person. depending on the price of the buffet that should be about 10%. Please remember that the server is also tipping out the runner which stocks the plates, silverware, glassware etc. .. and the bartender.

 

[Bibbidi]

Thanks everyone, sounds like 10% is reasonable, with more if the service is better than usual. Like I said, I don't want to be cheap, just can't see tipping a lot more than that when we, as the eaters, are doing the majority of the work for the meal.

 

[glitzybabes]

I know for sure that at 1900 Park fare( which is a buffet) servers didnt bus or set tables. For dinner, they have a very SPEEDY man that clears and sets the table. He is very fast! Now that man deserves a tip.

 

[mickeyluvr004]

now what about when we have free dining in sept how is the check given to you does it include the tip and what if you feel that it is too high then what? can you leave what you feel is adequate or what? i don't feel that they should be able to charge you a tip amount. just curious as to what to expect in sept THANKS ALL

 

[CarolA]

I know for sure that at 1900 Park fare( which is a buffet) servers didnt bus or set tables. For dinner, they have a very SPEEDY man that clears and sets the table. He is very fast! Now that man deserves a tip.

And he gets one. Basically the servers give these people part of their tips. And if they want thier tables cleaned quickly so they get more guests and tips they give the "busser" a decent amount LOL! It's a team and often the tip you give your waiter is split several ways.

 

[DevilDuckie]

10% unless I have small messy children in which case it goes up.

 

[delmar411]

now what about when we have free dining in sept how is the check given to you does it include the tip and what if you feel that it is too high then what? can you leave what you feel is adequate or what? i don't feel that they should be able to charge you a tip amount. just curious as to what to expect in sept THANKS ALL

I know that if you are a party of 6 or more (include infants/under 3 in that number) that the tip will auto set to 18%. When it was just DD and myself the tip was shown as 18% and 20% and I just circled which one I wanted, I could have put in any amount though. We were tipping extra at one meal and the server had to run the bill as is with the 18% and then I added in the extra tip in the tip line and totaled it up. It's a bit confusing at the first meal but once you see it all in front of you then it's easy to figure out.

 

[Artist]

I was a waitress all through college. I always worked Sunday buffet brunch. While your waitperson doesn't bring your food out, they likely clear way more plates from your table during your meal than after a normal meal. So more trips to your table, and drink refills, etc. It always bothered me that people tipped less for buffet than a regular meal, as I often felt it was more work to keep the tables clean, refill drinks (breakfast coffee goes faster than large sodas) etc.
And yes, I'll confirm most of the time the bus staff, bartenders, silverware roll-up makers and bread basket people are all tipped out by the waitstaff. Who usually make $2.50 an hour plus tips before taxes. (At least in the mid 90's they did- maybe this has gone up a bit).
That being said, I do base tips on good service. But I always leave a decent tip unless the service is dreadful.
Just my opinion. No judgement being thrown around or anything.