What are the good places to dine that there is no gratuity?

[tancee]

Are all quick serve places without gratuity? I am trying to plan some of our meals and avoid the 18% gratuity for everytime we dine. We have the meal plan for 3 days and we will be paying for our meals for 2 days. We will be doing character meals with our table servie vouchers. Not sure about lunch and snacks I know will not be a problem.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

No gratuity is necessary at quick/counter service places - only for table service or buffets when a server brings your drinks and clears your plates.

 

[pixiewings71]

There isn't an 18% gratuity every time you eat. CS places have no tax and unless you're eating character meals every time or have a party of 8 or more most TS places don't charge an automatic gratuity. Of course you should tip is you're being served but you don't have to tip 18%. Our family tips from 10-20% generally depending on the service.

 

[tancee]

My party will be 8 people. When I made my reservations I was told we would have to pay an 18% gratuity when we dined.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

My party will be 8 people. When I made my reservations I was told we would have to pay an 18% gratuity when we dined.

They add gratuity for a party of 8 or more for table service restaurants. Basically if it's a place to eat where a waiter comes by to fill your drinks and/or brings you a check when you're done, then gratuity is appreciated. Otherwise, no need. The vast majority of dining options in the parks are quick service, so no gratuity. Hope that helps

 

[tancee]

Thanks, thats good to know. We will probably do more quick serve dinning

 

[disneydreamer74]

I totally understand wanting to avoid a bunch of table service meals. Last year we ate several meals at restaurants. Not only does all the tipping add up, but I felt like we were losing a lot of time in the parks by sitting at a table sipping drinks, etc. So, this trip we have only 2 reservations for restaurants in DTD, then the rest is counter service. DLR has some great options for counter service eating and it will save us more time!!

 

[woody73]

My party will be 8 people. When I made my reservations I was told we would have to pay an 18% gratuity when we dined.

If you can make a reservation, it's a table service restaurant.

Woody

 

[tancee]

If you can make a reservation, it's a table service restaurant.

Woody

Yes, I know because they are character meals also. Just want some suggestion of some good quick service restaurants.

 

[dizneekrazee]

We are only doing table service for 3 of our 4 breakfasts for our trip next month. The only place I was reminded of the gratuity was for Goofy's Kitchen (party of 5). They did not mention it for Carnation Cafe, but of course we will still tip there.

 

[Eeee-va]

I don't like to add 18% to my bill either; I hear you!

For quick service, I'd look into the "wharf" at DCA--it's kind of like a food court, so every member of your party can get something they like. I've heard mixed reviews of the Chinese restaurant there (I got the beef and thought it was just OK, but some people love it). But I liked the place where you can get soup/salad in breadbowls (you might want to get the breadbowl on the side and eat some later; there is a LOT of bread). And my travel companions liked the Mexican food there; I think my picky-eater friend liked it more than Rancho del Zocalo in DL.

In DL, I'm rather partial to the Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland, though that can get pricey. Great tip I read that could be especially good for a large party--buy some bread (with butter!) in DCA at the aforementioned bakery/bread-bowl place, and then eat it with some skewers. You can get a loaf of bread for not that much more than a (small) side of breadsticks at the Bengal Barbecue. And IMO the bread tastes better!

I haven't been yet, but the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country's new menu looks excellent; it's top of my list for places to try on my next trip. The new eateries at DCA (near-ish to the Little Mermaid ride and Goofy's Sky School) look good but a bit pricey. For value, the Troubadour Tavern in Fantasyland looks pretty good.

Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland is decent, and some people love the Plaza Inn for dinner (a lot of couples suggest splitting the chicken entree, but I don't like chicken on the bone so it's never appealed to me). Others love Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. (If you go to a "buffetria" style restaurant like Redd Rockett's, I do suggest that you make sure the food looks fresh...I don't THINK it made me ill, but I did have a piece of veggie pizza there that looked like it had been sitting too long, because I had my heart set on veggie pizza, and I did feel slightly ill the next day. Just saying, don't be foolish like I was.... )

Several of the places in Downtown Disney have a limited "quick service" menu. The items there tend to be cheaper than their full-service counterparts, AND no gratuity! We ate at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen carryout...I wasn't impressed by my chicken strips (though the servings were huge!) but the beignets were good, if you like greasy fried things. (I do. )

If you haven't seen it, http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm has more menus; just look at the "counter service" ones.

Have a great trip!

 

[tancee]

Thank you, that is very helpful info. I feel we are doing enough TS type dining for that much gratuity. It's nice to know we can find some quick serve places that are just as good to dine.

 

[disneydreamer74]

Some of our favorite counter service eateries are: Riverbelle Terrace (awesome BBQ pulled pork sandwich) Plaza Inn ( fried chicken and chicken alfredo), and Rancho del Zocalo. At DCA we love Whitewater snacks and Taste Pilots!! I don't think you will have a problem finding suitable food to eat!

 

[sophies*mom]

Plaza Inn serves you big portions and it's hearty and filling. I love the Hungry Bear but I haven't been since they revamped their menu (though I've heard nothing but good things about it). I liked Taste Pilot's in DCA. I've also eaten at Daisy's Diner in Toontown. It's pizza and salad so nothing fancy but it's not all that bad, either.

Here's a list of the restaurant menus and their category. Hopefully you will find something you like that's not pricy for your group

http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm#dl

 

[pixiewings71]

Ok now your post makes a little more sense, as I said yes, they will charge a gratuity for parties of 8 or more. This is standard at all sit down restaurants that I am aware of, not just DL restaurants but of course, with a family of 8 you already know that. Ok, so with that information here is a list of places we like to eat CS.

In DL we enjoy the Plaza Inn quite a bit, DBF and I will get a chicken plate or pasta, add a side salad and share, it's usually plenty of food for us and makes an affordable meal. Rancho Del Zocalo has pretty good American/Mexican food. I love the 4 cheese enchilada meal, I get mine with rice and grilled veggies, I have trouble finishing it. DBF likes the half chicken meal, it's very generous with portions and it's good!! We also like Pizza Port, we will get 1 salad, 1 pasta, 2 or 3 slices of pizza and foccacia bread, we split it between the 4 of us. Doing this is not the most cost effective but it's good and we are all full after eating there.

In DCA we like the Luckey Fortune Cookery a lot, we like Rancho Cucamonga but not as much as Rancho Del Zocalo in DL and DD11 loves the turkey sandwich at the bread place. Again, generous portions and we aren't hungry when we are done. We also LOVE Taste Pilot's Grill. No sharing here, we all get burgers or chicken tenders, top them ourselves and chow down. lol

I hope that helps!!!

Oh and don't forget the corn dog carts, those corn dogs are pretty amazing!