Tips on tips please!

[cd&kids]

Just curious what kind of tips people leave for character meals.
We understand that waiters/waitresses work very hard and we generally tip 18-to-20 percent unless they really screw up! But when it comes to character meals...with minmal service...we sometimes feel cheated when we leave a generous tip...especially considering the high cost of the meal. Please share some of your thoughts! (Would looovvveee to hear from a former/current Disney waiter/waitress on their expectations!)
Thanks!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Many WDW Restaurants include a small card with your bill explaining the WDW tipping policies. This is to answer questions from travelers who are dining at the many WDW Restaurants. This would include the character meals and buffets too. They recommend a 15 to 20% gratuity. I believe they will automatically add a gratuity to parties of over 5.

I find the character meal waitstaff do work just as hard. Between the clearing of many dishes and sometimes helping to round up a particular character to come visit tableside, I always reward for a job well done.

 

[suzannews]

Originally posted by CarolAnnK
I believe they will automatically add a gratuity to parties of over 5.

A gratuity is added for parties of 8 or more, not 6.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Actually, just two weeks ago we had gratuity added to our bill at several WDW restaurants, and we were a party of 4 adults, one infant and one two year old. No problem for us, but they did not mention it beforehand.

We also were a party of six at the Swan for dinner and had the gratuity automatically added there too. Perhaps it varies by restaurant now.

 

[eeyore0062]

Ah, this subject... bound to get a number of replies, but CarolAnn is correct... 15-20% is customary... even at buffets. Sometimes I think those servers at buffets work harder than anyone... but that is just my opinion!

 

[ducklite]

Almost always 20% figured on the entire bill, including tax. More for outstanding service, less for not so good service.

Anne

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Originally posted by CarolAnnK
Actually, just two weeks ago we had gratuity added to our bill at several WDW restaurants, and we were a party of 4 adults, one infant and one two year old. No problem for us, but they did not mention it beforehand. We also were a party of six at the Swan for dinner and had the gratuity automatically added there too. Perhaps it varies by restaurant now.

Question: Did you use your DVC Membership to get your 10% Discount? Usually when discounts apply, the Grat is added automatically regardless of party size.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Just a wonder? Do the character's get a share of the tips or do they make more than the wait staff to start with? We tip well and have always gotten excelent service at all the Character breakfasts we have eaten at. Two that stand out are breakfastsarus and H&V. Those Cm's earned their money big time.


Jordan's mom

 

[erikthewise]

There is always a variety of opinion on this issue. I do not dispute that servers at buffets work as hard as those at sit-down meals. But that is not the issue when it comes to tipping. The issue is: are YOU receiving the same level of services in both cases?

This is not a matter of selfishness -- it's a matter of equity and tipping for service received. Here's a for-instance. (It may or may not be accurate, but few guests have accurate insider information. It does explain my point of view.)

Server A works at a sit-down restaurant where (for the sake of argument) s/he typically works four tables. Server B works at a character buffet. Working just as hard as Server A, but having less to do at each table, s/he typically works six tables. Both provide good service to their satisfied customers. The costs of meals at both restaurants are roughly the same.

Do you think Server B deserves 50% more in tips than server A? I don't, but this is exactly what will happen if everyone tips both servers equally. I do not think Server B deserves an equal tip from me if providing less service, nor does s/he need it to come out even at the end of the day. This is why I have a standard of 10% for buffets. Of course I often exceed it for good service, but I just don't see buffet service as equal to sit-down service.

It seems to me that being a server at a Disney character buffet is a pretty good job as food service jobs go. I'll reserve my sympathy and unreasonably generous tips for the servers at our local Golden Corral, who don't benefit from tips on inflated prices as servers at Disney restaurants do.

 

[suzannews]

Originally posted by CarolAnnK
Actually, just two weeks ago we had gratuity added to our bill at several WDW restaurants, and we were a party of 4 adults, one infant and one two year old. No problem for us, but they did not mention it beforehand.

Hey Carol,

Thats interesting to me. Where you on a package that included your meals? Used a discount? Used coupons? Other than that, I can't think of why the gratuity would have been added with less than 8 people.

 

[ducklite]

1. Yes, characters do make more than servers as base pay.

2. Our meals at non-buffet restaurants almost always cost more than meals at buffets... you can't compare the cost between dinner at Jiko or the CG and dinner at the Cape May Cafe.

Anne

 

[PieInYourEye]

Do you tip on the total, or do you tip on the subtotal. I typically tip on the amount BEFORE tax is added. Haven't figured out why I should tip on tax.

 

[ducklite]

I tip on the total.

Anne

 

[CarolAnnC]

Our group is larger than 4 people, how do we make a PS to keep our group together?

It should also be mentioned a gratuity is automatically applied

courtesy of wdwig.com

The gratuity was added onto the bills without the use of any type of discount at all. The policy is always subject to change, and from my experience of just two weeks ago, that certainly must be the case.

 

[Hollymom1229]

I usually tip 15% for buffets and 20% for sit downs. Each can go up or down based on service, but that's my standard. For just my fiancee and I this usually translates into a roughly $6 tip at buffets, not bad for refilling a couple of drinks and clearing some plates.

 

[jeffemy]

I always tip on the subtotal, before tax. I too was always curious about this until I saw a program on one of the morning shows concerning tipping. They recommended 15-20% before tax. Since our state tax here is 5%, we just x3 to get the right amount and add more if we received exceptional service.

 

[ukcatfan]

If tip is added by the restaurant, it will normally be on the before tax total. That could make a real difference on a large party.

As for sit down vs. character meals, there are different things to think about. At many sit down meals, your server does not even bring the food out. The "Food Runner" job seems more and more common these days. That considered, the server might do less for you at a sit down restaurant. But that server typically has to tip out the runner. I always pay attention to what is going on at the particular restaurant.

I have worked in the service industry before and it makes me more generous for good service, but also more critical of bad service.

Just a little piece of advice for tipping in a bar/club. If possible, start a tab. That way the bartender will give you better service all night because he/she does not know what you will be tipping. Bartenders will intentionally skip low tippers and go to get someone else's order.

 

[eeyore0062]

You know, until reading these boards, I never knew that tips were based on pre tax amounts, and I waited tables for many years when younger. I have always tipped on the post tax amount. Guess that is why our servers ALWAYS LOVE US!!!

 

[raidermatt]

I'm pretty sure the "universal" custom is to figure the tip before tax.

I've been curious with regard to adding the tip to the bill. Is "under-tipping" really that big of a problem? I know that the amount we would have tipped is ALWAYS larger than what the restaurant figures. Yes, we can add on, but the temptation is to take the easy way out and just pay what's on the bill. I almost feel like I'm not being trusted to tip properly, which is a bit insulting. I know its not really personal, but it does feel that way sometimes.

I guess if "under-tipping" weren't a problem, restaurants wouldn't have this policy, but are there any current or former restauarnt employees who can provide more detail as to the extent of the problem?

 

[Jordan's MOM]

If they let us decide we almost always tip more than the 15% or whatever added on. If they set a amount, that is what we pay unless there is exceptional service that goes beyond the normal. I am sure they cover themselves from groups who take up a majority of a CM's time and might not be as generous.


jordan's mom