tips on ddp

[ratty 987]

hi we are travelling from the uk in august staying at the csr-we have the free ddp-we are concerned about tipping our server-how much etc-because in the uk we do not tip like you do-please advice

 

[jheigl]

Please do not take this solely from me, since I have NEVER done the DDP, but I thought I may have read in other threads that with the DDP, taxes and gratuity are INCLUDED. I MAY/ PROBABLY AM WRONG ON THIS! But maybe not...we'll get some confirmation of this pretty soon from another poster or 20!

 

[dmslush]

Please do not take this solely from me, since I have NEVER done the DDP, but I thought I may have read in other threads that with the DDP, taxes and gratuity are INCLUDED. I MAY/ PROBABLY AM WRONG ON THIS! But maybe not...we'll get some confirmation of this pretty soon from another poster or 20!

No, tips are no included on the dining plan as far as I know.

OP, they will put a card in your bill that tells how much tip is appropriate. It shows the amount for an 18% tip or a 20% tip. However, it is normal to tip 15% for okay service, and adjust for very bad or very good service.

 

[LegoMom3]

Just confirming for you again, that tipping is NO LONGER INCLUDED in the DDP.

As the AP said, 15% is considered the average. I will usually tip 20% for a friendly, attentive server, but I will go down to 10% if the service is poor.


.

 

[mikkishelles]

Tips used to be included, but aren't anymore. We tip anywhere from 15-20%, depending in service.

 

[Steelersfan]

We last went in July 07 and tips were included. When we go back in Aug of 08 I am going to use my usual tipping policy that I use at home. People might call me cheap or something, but here it is:

My thought on tipping is that I will go as high as 20% IF and only IF the service warrants this. If the service stinks I will leave no tip or sometimes just a few pennys to tell that person to pick it up.

My thought is that I find it monumentally unfair to base a tip on the bill. I'll give you an example. When my family and I eat at a lower priced place like Denny's here in the US, our bill goes around $25.00 or so. If we eat somewhere a little more like the Olive Garden, it is almost double. Now, assuming that the service was exactly the same at both places, and I gave a 15% tip, the Denny's server would get $3.75 and the Olive Garden server would get double that or $7.50 for doing the same thing! I never found that to be fair.

At WDW, I will tip according to service. I also might hold back a little at the character buffets because we are the ones doing all the work. For the three of us to eat at one of those the bill will be in the $75.00 range, which at 18% means close to a $14.00 tip just for bringing out a few drink refills.

Now, if the server goes out of his/her way, that's one thing.

I would go 10% at buffets, 15-18% at other sit-downs with good service. Don't be afraid to bump it down if you feel you were not their #1 priority. I plan to just leave cash on the table as a tip as we are leaving.

 

[jheigl]

We last went in July 07 and tips were included. When we go back in Aug of 08 I am going to use my usual tipping policy that I use at home. People might call me cheap or something, but here it is:

My thought on tipping is that I will go as high as 20% IF and only IF the service warrants this. If the service stinks I will leave no tip or sometimes just a few pennys to tell that person to pick it up.

My thought is that I find it monumentally unfair to base a tip on the bill. I'll give you an example. When my family and I eat at a lower priced place like Denny's here in the US, our bill goes around $25.00 or so. If we eat somewhere a little more like the Olive Garden, it is almost double. Now, assuming that the service was exactly the same at both places, and I gave a 15% tip, the Denny's server would get $3.75 and the Olive Garden server would get double that or $7.50 for doing the same thing! I never found that to be fair.

At WDW, I will tip according to service. I also might hold back a little at the character buffets because we are the ones doing all the work. For the three of us to eat at one of those the bill will be in the $75.00 range, which at 18% means close to a $14.00 tip just for bringing out a few drink refills.

Now, if the server goes out of his/her way, that's one thing.

I would go 10% at buffets, 15-18% at other sit-downs with good service. Don't be afraid to bump it down if you feel you were not their #1 priority. I plan to just leave cash on the table as a tip as we are leaving.

I have long thought the same thoughts about tipping based on the amount of the bill. I have the same logic as you, therefore refuse. I usually tip one standard amount, regardless of the bill.

Another side note, I know that servers get a reduced rate of pay, but a tip is gratuity...therefore it should not be figured in to their wages. I think it's horrible that a gracious gift that should be given ONLY FOR EXCELLENT SERVICE as a sign of grattitude has become something that is expected and to the point where now places are telling you what to tip, or even factoring it in to the check. I work at a bank and I don't get a tip for doing my job, so why should someone else? Again, I realize they make less wages, but first of all, tip shouldn't be factored in, and secondly, since they do make a lower wage, if you count on tips, you probably shouldn't have that job. I don't know...I guess I'm biased against tipping in general, especially when it is more than expected.

 

[MrSplashMountain #1!]

hi we are travelling from the uk in august staying at the csr-we have the free ddp-we are concerned about tipping our server-how much etc-because in the uk we do not tip like you do-please advice

Hi Ratty! We are going UK to Coronardo in September

Apparently (at Disney anyway) its 20% if you think it was great, 18% if it was average. I know its a lot more than in the UK but from what I understand the base rate of servers wages in the US is comparitively a lot less than the UK get, as the overall take home pay is heavily reliant on those tips. Makes for much better service in my opinion though.

Anyway, when you get your receipt at the end of your meal its supposed to show you how much the 20 and 18% works out at, so you can either sign away the one you want if you've charged a credit card to your room key, or just write CASH on the bottom and leave what you like.

Ill be doing the cash thing myself

 

[ratty 987]

thanks for all the replys-still struggling to understand how much to give-some friends went to the yaghtsman last year and said the meal came to $300 -this means a $60 tip-well call me tight but that is way to much for the same in england we would give about $10-i have worked all year for this so iam not going to give all away-i wish someone would give me a tip for doing my job

 

[shellybaxter]

thanks for all the replys-still struggling to understand how much to give-some friends went to the yaghtsman last year and said the meal came to $300 -this means a $60 tip-well call me tight but that is way to much for the same in england we would give about $10-i have worked all year for this so iam not going to give all away-i wish someone would give me a tip for doing my job

I understand your relunctance to tip according to American practice but perhaps it will help to know that servers in America are allowed by law to be paid less than half of the legal minimum wage. In Florida (this is not true in all states, in California for example the servers receive minimum wage) servers make around $3.00 per hour. The general feeling is that if this were to change, and servers were paid like everyone else, the cost of the food would go up. Paying the tip in America is in essence paying a portion of the servers salary. Can you imagine if your clients (if you have clients in your job) decided how much money you would make based on their perceptions of your performance even though they have no idea what other circumstances were taking place? Doesn't seem very fair to the server or the patron, but its the system so we have to live within it.

 

[msr709]

But at CSR food court you don't need to tip and you can get a good sized meal there for your money. HTH

 

[MrSplashMountain #1!]

thanks for all the replys-still struggling to understand how much to give-some friends went to the yaghtsman last year and said the meal came to $300 -this means a $60 tip-well call me tight but that is way to much for the same in england we would give about $10-i have worked all year for this so iam not going to give all away-i wish someone would give me a tip for doing my job

Yeah, 4 of us went to Narcoosees last year (when the tips and appies were still included) and we all ordered surf and turf, plus appies and desserts and a couple of drinks. It came to about $375 in total (would NEVER spend that with real money ) but of course this makes for a roughly $70 tip, which even with the good pound to dollar conversion rate is still £35.00 for a "free" meal.

Ive actually organized more signature meals this time round as it means (hopefully) better but fewer meals, which makes for less opportunites to have to tip! Although if it was up to my fiancee we wouldnt tip at all but she's naughty like that.

And yeah, as the previous poster mentioned it's another great reason to go to CSR with free dining!

 

[BriarRosie]

We last went in July 07 and tips were included. When we go back in Aug of 08 I am going to use my usual tipping policy that I use at home. People might call me cheap or something, but here it is:

My thought on tipping is that I will go as high as 20% IF and only IF the service warrants this. If the service stinks I will leave no tip or sometimes just a few pennys to tell that person to pick it up.

My thought is that I find it monumentally unfair to base a tip on the bill. I'll give you an example. When my family and I eat at a lower priced place like Denny's here in the US, our bill goes around $25.00 or so. If we eat somewhere a little more like the Olive Garden, it is almost double. Now, assuming that the service was exactly the same at both places, and I gave a 15% tip, the Denny's server would get $3.75 and the Olive Garden server would get double that or $7.50 for doing the same thing! I never found that to be fair.

At WDW, I will tip according to service. I also might hold back a little at the character buffets because we are the ones doing all the work. For the three of us to eat at one of those the bill will be in the $75.00 range, which at 18% means close to a $14.00 tip just for bringing out a few drink refills.

Now, if the server goes out of his/her way, that's one thing.

I would go 10% at buffets, 15-18% at other sit-downs with good service. Don't be afraid to bump it down if you feel you were not their #1 priority. I plan to just leave cash on the table as a tip as we are leaving.

There are a few things that I also take into consideration when tipping.

Sometimes the service seems bad, but you notice your server is running around trying to accommodate a lot of tables, I don't condemn that in my tip. If the server appears to work hard, but is overwhelmed or understaffed, I base my tip on whether the server made things right if problems arise.

I also changed my way of thinking about buffets, even though it appears we do all the work. If I go up to the buffet three times (maybe the salads, again for the entrees and sides, and again for desserts), I'd expect to see a LOT of empty plates stacked on the table, making it impossible to enjoy the meal. The servers are not just bringing drink refills. They are clearing off all the plates for all their tables. So when you return from the buffet, you won't be juggling a pile of dirty dishes. If you are juggling the dirty dishes, then yes, a smaller tip would be justified. I just think clearing the plates and keeping drinks refilled is just as much work, if not more work than a typical table service server does.

I've found that before the DDE discount card made the 18% "mandatory" tip, I'd be giving back the 20% discount as the tip unless service was not good. At home I tend to go in the 20% range, as well.

I think as long as it's within the 15-20% range, the UK travelers should be fine with tips.

 

[aubriee]

I've actually organized more signature meals this time round as it means (hopefully) better but fewer meals, which makes for less opportunites to have to tip! Although if it was up to my fiancee we wouldnt tip at all but she's naughty like that.

Don't bet on it! I was at WDW May 3rd-10th using the DxDDP as a solo traveler. I ate an early breakfast at a one credit restaurant every day then did a 2 credit Signature meal every night. I had only one alcoholic drink all week. My tips ran $178.00 for the week. Again this is for a solo diner. In Sept I am traveling with my husband and mom. My husband loves to eat and my mom is a diabetic so MUST eat three meals a day, so we are doing TS three times a day most days. Out of curiosity I looked at the menus on Allearsnet.com, figured what we would probably eat (just what we would normally eat, not necessarily the most expensive nor the cheapest items either, but did include appetizer, entree, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverage--since we are on the DxDDP), then figured out approximate tips (with no alcoholic drinks included). On the pretaxed amount of the food, tips for the week are coming out to about $490.00. This includes one Signature restaurant (Narcoosee) and we are also eating breakfast in the room one morning and paying for one CS OOP on our last day, that is not included in that $490.00.

 

[MrSplashMountain #1!]

Don't bet on it! I was at WDW May 3rd-10th using the DxDDP as a solo traveler. I ate an early breakfast at a one credit restaurant every day then did a 2 credit Signature meal every night. I had only one alcoholic drink all week. My tips ran $178.00 for the week. Again this is for a solo diner. In Sept I am traveling with my husband and mom. My husband loves to eat and my mom is a diabetic so MUST eat three meals a day, so we are doing TS three times a day most days. Out of curiosity I looked at the menus on Allearsnet.com, figured what we would probably eat (just what we would normally eat, not necessarily the most expensive nor the cheapest items either, but did include appetizer, entree, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverage--since we are on the DxDDP), then figured out approximate tips (with no alcoholic drinks included). On the pretaxed amount of the food, tips for the week are coming out to about $490.00. This includes one Signature restaurant (Narcoosee) and we are also eating breakfast in the room one morning and paying for one CS OOP on our last day, that is not included in that $490.00.

Scary business! But yeah it's a good idea using the menus to plot out the prices and figure your tips accordingly. Thankfully it's just the standard dining plan for us and the hope is that the 7/8 meals we have shouldnt run to more than about $200 dollars in tips just for the the pair of us. Thats the plan at least!

Anyway, hope you have great trip

 

[irishjules]

American servers don't get much of an hourly wage ($3-4) - they work for tips. If they do an awesome job - give them 20% of the bill before taxes. If they are okay give them 15 - 18% and poor give them 10%. I usually tip about 10% at buffets.

Most servers work hard - follow the "When in Rome do as the Romans do!" Because when I lived in the UK and travel outside of the USA I tried to do as the host country does.

We all work hard for our vacations - many of the servers are doing the same or working toward education expenses! Please be fair!

 

[cnorth]

We last went in July 07 and tips were included. When we go back in Aug of 08 I am going to use my usual tipping policy that I use at home. People might call me cheap or something, but here it is:

My thought on tipping is that I will go as high as 20% IF and only IF the service warrants this. If the service stinks I will leave no tip or sometimes just a few pennys to tell that person to pick it up.

My thought is that I find it monumentally unfair to base a tip on the bill. I'll give you an example. When my family and I eat at a lower priced place like Denny's here in the US, our bill goes around $25.00 or so. If we eat somewhere a little more like the Olive Garden, it is almost double. Now, assuming that the service was exactly the same at both places, and I gave a 15% tip, the Denny's server would get $3.75 and the Olive Garden server would get double that or $7.50 for doing the same thing! I never found that to be fair.

At WDW, I will tip according to service. I also might hold back a little at the character buffets because we are the ones doing all the work. For the three of us to eat at one of those the bill will be in the $75.00 range, which at 18% means close to a $14.00 tip just for bringing out a few drink refills.

Now, if the server goes out of his/her way, that's one thing.

I would go 10% at buffets, 15-18% at other sit-downs with good service. Don't be afraid to bump it down if you feel you were not their #1 priority. I plan to just leave cash on the table as a tip as we are leaving.

I realize that many people are not familiar with how servers in the restaurant business are paid, but thought I might clarify this for you a bit. As someone who spent many years in that trade, I did learn a bit.
Typically, a restaurant such as Denny's will pay their servers minimum wage, plus these servers will get tips from tables. These restaurants also tend to 'turn' tables quickly, so the servers have more opportunities to get tips. At a restaurant such as Olive Garden, the servers are paid much less than minimum wage because they are expected to make their pay in tips. The actual hourly wage can be as low as $2.14/hr. These servers also 'turn' tables slower, and therefore have less opportunities to make tips. So while it may seem like the Olive Garden server is making more money, this is not neccessarily the case. In fact, I have found that there are often servers making more at Waffle house than family 'sit down restaurants' like Olive Garden.

 

[cnorth]

Also servers are taxed on a percentage of their sales (8-10%). They must claim this on their taxes whether they made this much or not. I realize that if they did not make this much, that they should probably be finding another career choice, but again, I bring these things up only because most people don't know.

 

[mom2my3kids]

thanks for all the replys-still struggling to understand how much to give-some friends went to the yaghtsman last year and said the meal came to $300 -this means a $60 tip-well call me tight but that is way to much for the same in england we would give about $10-i have worked all year for this so iam not going to give all away-i wish someone would give me a tip for doing my job

In our country that is the way it works at sit down restaraunts. You are to tip 15-20 percent of the bill for good service. I am sure at your job you make more then 2.00 a hour??? (sorry it pisses me off to hear people say that).

 

[mom2my3kids]

I realize that many people are not familiar with how servers in the restaurant business are paid, but thought I might clarify this for you a bit. As someone who spent many years in that trade, I did learn a bit.
Typically, a restaurant such as Denny's will pay their servers minimum wage, plus these servers will get tips from tables. These restaurants also tend to 'turn' tables quickly, so the servers have more opportunities to get tips. At a restaurant such as Olive Garden, the servers are paid much less than minimum wage because they are expected to make their pay in tips. The actual hourly wage can be as low as $2.14/hr. These servers also 'turn' tables slower, and therefore have less opportunities to make tips. So while it may seem like the Olive Garden server is making more money, this is not neccessarily the case. In fact, I have found that there are often servers making more at Waffle house than family 'sit down restaurants' like Olive Garden.

Nope Denny's pays their servers 2.13 a hour here in Indiana, my friend is a server at Denny's..Its almost impossible to find a restaurant who pays minimum wage plus tips..