What do you TIP at Disney? DO YOU tip better than normal?

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I was a server in my early 20's so when I get good service I always reward very nicely! My question is....do you tip better (or worse) because you're at Disney? Some people might tip better because OMG it's Disney while others figure....I'm on vacation this person will never see me again (and leave nothing!) I was just curious how some of you guys decide on your tip. I must say I've had some of the BEST and WORST servers while at Disney World but the good ones do outnumber the bad. I know a lot of them hate to see that 18% go away (I sure would) since there's such a mass variety of people that visit Disney and in some countries tips are not given. Summer of '06 I had a new server (first day on the floor alone at Spoodles) and she came to our table and said, "Oh man, I sure hope THAT table is on the dining plan" after I made the comment that'd she'd like the tip on our meal. (Back then the kids meals were very expensive and they got apps and dessert too so the tip on our bill was like $35! for 2 ad/ 2 ch) This was one of our first meals on the new dining plan so I asked if they REALLY got the 18% of the bill total or if they got a set amount. (I was curious because some places will do that...) I noticed at every meal I was persuaded to eat dessert even if we were stuffed. They'd offer to pack it to go and everything! I think this is why Disney took that tip out of the plan. Not enough money was being made. It would still be nice if we could pay a gratuity in a pre pay deal then tip extra depending on our service so we wouldn't have to carry so much cash into the parks!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I will not be tipping better at Disney than I usually tip. I am with a group of 6 and will have 18% automatically added to the pre-tax food total for my bill. Unless service is seriously above andbeyond I will not add to that tip.

At home I add aproximately 20% to the after tax total. I say approximately because I round a bit...example" tonight dinner was $28 before tax, $31 after. I tipped $6...20% of the after tax would have been $6.20...I rounded down. I do this by 5's usually...$35 (after tax) would have been $7 tip, $40 is $8 tip ...

Disney taking 18% is giving less than I usually do, but since the math is already done I won't change it.

On the other hand the buffets are getting more than I would tip at a buffet here..I do $1 to $2 per person here and Disney will have me paying more than that. It all evens out in the end.

 

[dbarker]

I tip the same as at home. If the service is lousy, the tip is lousy (yeah, like that's going to happen at WDW). If the service is fantastic and above and beyond, I tip accordingly.

The exception is Mousekeeping. Even though it is not a "tipped" position for the employee, I feel they deserve a little extra "gift" from me for picking up after me and adding to the whole Magic of WDW.

 

[patsal]

I didn't vote because I tip accorcing to service. I do tip the same at buffets as traditional TS--based on service. If it is average I give 15% (nothing remarkable, drinks not refilled, etc). If it is exactly what it should be with no bells or whistles, but effecient and friendly I leave about 18%. If it is stellar and amazing and wonderful and above and beyond I leave 25% or more.
As a side note I personally do not like the new reciepts that have the 18% and 20% clearly marked--I guess it is just a personal thing and when I see it it does make me cringe!

 

[pearlieq]

Percentage-wise, I actually tip a bit worse at WDW than I do at home, because I think the food prices are ridiculously inflated. At home I usually default to 20% and adjust from there. At WDW I tend to hold the line closer to 15%.

From my perspective, there isn't any more work involved in serving me a $75 three-course meal at home, and charging me $100 for the same meal at WDW. The meal gets a $15 tip, regardless of what they want to charge me for it.

Going along with that, I find I get much better service and a better dining experience at home. WDW restaurants really don't have to compete for my business and they know it, so they offer less.

 

[iheartdisney]

I think it is HILARIOUS that WDW even inflates the industry standard tip! I mean, they've already inflated the price of the meal!
15% is the industry standard starting point. I don't feel like reinventing the wheel just becasue I'm at Disney!

 

[DVC Jen]

I tip the same at disney as I do at home. For service that is pretty bad to just ok about 10-15%. For service I would expect - 20%. For exceptional service - more than 20%.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

We are big tippers anyway since I used to be a waitress. As long as we have good service, we always tip 20% or more. But this time, since we are a party of 6 in Disney, the 18% will automatically be added... since we have almost all buffets or family style, we will *probably* leave the tip at that. If service is exceptional, I will tip a bit more

 

[Brian Noble]

20% for good service, no matter where I am.

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

we tip well for great service no matter where we are