Where is tipping expected?

[DBMC]

I know that you are expected to tip at the main sit down restaurants like BB, but what about the plaza inn? We will be having dinner there, as well as the character breakfast. I am trying to plan my budget, but I don't know if I need to add a tip to these meals.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

ive never tipped at chr meals, but bb yes and cct ive been told we should tip at. Other places that are nice fancy places ive tipped at (dennys jbs, tiffys, other sit downs out side the park i would)
most places in park are cs tho and i wouldn't pay extra there.

 

[ArchOwl]

I don't tip at Plaza Inn during lunch/dinner since I obtain my own food and drink and don't get refills or anything. I am trying to remember if during the character breakfast at Plaza Inn, there were servers that got your drinks, etc. If so, I usually tip for that service.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

at plaza inn you get your own food and drinks

 

[starshine514]

at plaza inn you get your own food and drinks

Yup, even at Minnie's breakfast, you get your own drinks.

 

[DBMC]

Thanks everyone. I couldn't remember if there was someone who brought refills at Plaza inn.

 

[Girimama33]

Always check the bill because they may include the tip in the total.
I recommend tipping at table service locations and character meals. This is where they will be expected.

 

[pixiewings71]

You get your own drink at the PI but I do tip if someone clears the table while we are getting more food.
No need to tip for dinner or lunch at PI as you get your food there as well, and you pay before you eat.
Yes, tip at BB and at CCT, the CCT had amazing service so I tipped about 20%, my standard tip is 15%. A good hint while dining in CA is to double the tax and round up, that is always going to be 15-18%.

 

[KateDrake]

Always check the bill because they may include the tip in the total.
I recommend tipping at table service locations and character meals. This is where they will be expected.

I second this. I think tips are generally expected at character meals, because they do have someone clearing your plates, etc. while you are waiting. I've had CMs refill drinks while I was waiting for a character, etc., and I always gave them an extra tip.

I do recommend checking the bill when it comes, because sometimes it is included. It's very important to tip, but you don't need to do it twice If you have a larger party, Disney usually adds an 18% gratuity automatically.

You DON'T need to tip at counter service locations. I actually don't think CMs are allowed to accept tips at these restaurants. So my rule of thumb would be tip if it's table service/character meal (Minnie's breakfast) but not if it's a counter service (Plaza Inn at lunch and dinner).

Hope that helps! Have a great trip!

 

[DBMC]

Ok, so they clear the table at the character breakfast, but not the regular lunch/dinner. Good to know, I will plan to tip for breakfast then.

Thanks!!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Ok, so they clear the table at the character breakfast, but not the regular lunch/dinner. Good to know, I will plan to tip for breakfast then.

Thanks!!

I don't know about the other character meals, but at Goofy's we (party of 2) were charged tip when we paid for the meal before we sat down. So check to make sure you actually haven't already paid the tip.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I don't know about the other character meals, but at Goofy's we (party of 2) were charged tip when we paid for the meal before we sat down. So check to make sure you actually haven't already paid the tip.

Yes, Goofy's charges the tip when you pay before your meal. Minnie's is pay first also but basically self-service, and they don't charge the tip up front. You can decide for yourself what kind of tip to leave the CMs that clear your plates. Surf's Up and Storyteller's each offer the option of ordering buffet or off the menu, and you receive your bill at the end of the meal. You will be free to calculate and add the tip yourself in those cases; it is not pre-assessed. Haven't tried Ariel's so don't know how tipping works there.

 

[KittyKat1978]

I thought Plaza Inn was a table service...so I have never tried it.

Does it work differently than the other QS in DL? Do you walk up to a cashier order then wait for your food?

I thought I saw a podium outside the Plaza Inn when I was there in May which is why I thought it was a table service.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

no you pay for the food they take you in you go though the buffet and get the food and drink and sit at the table they told you to sit at
at the princess meal it has tip included like at goofys

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Always my rule of thumb is to tip if someone has to bus the table, or visits me to refill drinks (or entertain). So if it's a buffet with real dishes, I will tip from $1 per person for no other service, up to 10% of the bill if I feel the hostess/bus person deserves it. Of course if the tip is included, I won't double tip.

 

[pixiewings71]

I thought Plaza Inn was a table service...so I have never tried it.

Does it work differently than the other QS in DL? Do you walk up to a cashier order then wait for your food?

I thought I saw a podium outside the Plaza Inn when I was there in May which is why I thought it was a table service.

PI is a buffet, the podium out front is for check in purposes only really. You pay, go in, fill your plate and get a drink, go to your table and sit. We were seated before we got our plates so we knew where we were sitting. No ordering from a cashier but you can get made to order omelets and we've had success getting fresh pancakes made as well. Someone does clear your dirty dishes but you do get your own drinks.

 

[mouseymommy]

When we had breakfast at Minnie's I asked the hostess if I was expected to tip, and I was told no. They also never cleared our dishes or anything so I didn't feel bad about not tipping.

 

[DarthMole]

I thought Plaza Inn was a table service...so I have never tried it.

Does it work differently than the other QS in DL? Do you walk up to a cashier order then wait for your food?

I thought I saw a podium outside the Plaza Inn when I was there in May which is why I thought it was a table service.

I'm not sure the podium is always there. I wasn't paying close attention but only noticed it during the character breakfast. That makes sense since it's a different setup with a fixed price buffet and they need organization.

We went during lunch and purely out of convenience we entered through the exit since we just got the kiddos corn dogs at the red wagon. I didn't see a podium and there were lots of empty tables.

While this is a QS restaurant for lunch and dinner, I'd probably classify it as cafeteria style since you pick up your prepared food first and pay at a cashier before going to your table. The other QS places you typically order & pay then wait for them to prepare your food.