[jo-jo]

We now tip 18% everywhere. We used to tip 20% just for easy math, but since with TIW you have the auto 18%, we just leave it at that.

We have never had a server at a buffet that gave no refills or didn't pick up dishes. We did have one who thought we were best friends in another life and sat down with us. ( I had to move a bag, before she crunch it). She then told us how tire she was, how she helped her mom to move. Her mom's rent had got up so much,etc. I wanted to leave her less tip, cause she was just so annoying, but DH said no.

[hula_girl1969]

Originally Posted by Mickeybug

This is why we now avoid buffets at all costs at WDW. I'm sorry but with 6 of us and since disney states my 10, 11 & 14 yr olds are adults, (even though 2 of them are the pickiest eaters and could blow away with a strong wind), I cannot bring myself to pay an automatic $28 to a server for bringing us drinks & a ticket. Hate to sound crabby about it but if i'm going to pay it they're going to earn it.

i feel the same way. it should be earned. the bad service i've experienced at WDW is the server that doesn't had the time for our table or gives the face of irritation when you ask for something. i do understand that TS meals can be busy but you sometimes feel like its a treat um and street um attitude. all in all i still love WDW!!!!!!

[seeker84]

I am a very good tipper and I do not feel the server should be punished because of some lazy cook. I just hate be ignored and never asked if I would like my coffee refilled. I feel you get what you earn.....

[bosoxx65]

The problem i see up here in NY and sometimes in Disney is that the wait staff appears to be overworked. They expect too much from these people waiting tables. I've seen kids juggling 8 tables at a time with some demanding people. We've been to buffets where servers were given an entire section to look after and we've had our dirty plates on the table our entire meal because our server can't make it back to us more than once. I've even had to get up and get my own refills after being tired of waiting.

Honestly, i don't envy the job of these underappreciated people. I can't imagine having an already bad day and having to deal with over-demanding grumpy, grouchy people, hot and cranky on their vacation.

That said, i think in so many places they are expecting too much from waiters and waitresses. Could be just the lousy economy, but they are asking a lot from them. When your livelihood depends on good tips, i can understand the frustration of having to be pleasant, hustle and be attentive just to get stiffed in the end.

When Sandy and i are out, we really aren't over demanding when it comes to service. The only boo-boo in our eyes is to drop a plate of food and never come back and ask how everything is. If i have to hunt you down to tell you they undercooked my steak, you're off to a bad start.

[donaldschick]

Originally Posted by jenbarnwell

I am a server and it is HARD work. I sometimes feel like I am being pulled in a million different directions. The public is grouchy when things don't go their way and they generally take it out on the waitress, lol. I always tip 15 % and above, Mostly I tip 20 -25 % . Servers have a different minimum wage than regular workers. I only make $2.10 an hour. I depend on my tips to help support my family.

Isn't it actually 18% now? I thought thats what they charged us on our November Trip! I always give what is on the receipt and if I feel they did a really good job I'll give more than that!

[jo-jo]

Just so I can complain again.......we had a server at Boma (breakfast) that WHILE eating a second plate and our first small pot of coffee, drop off our check. She stood the book thingy up between my DH and I. I was soooooooo annoyed , it may have been my second plate, but I'm one who takes a bit of this and that, so I use about 5 plates. It was so like "it's time for you people to pay me and move on". I complained to the manager, and she said the server might have done that because so many people walk without paying the bill. So putting the bill on my table extra early would make me more likely not to walk??? I would think if I had planned to skip out on my bill, getting it early wouldn't make a difference. So of course my DH and I set the bill aside and sat as long as we wanted. But again, she got her full 18%.


And to add what a good server does.....this was our second breakfast at Boma in 4 days. Our server from first time remembered us and stopped by to say Hi. His section was on the other side of the room. We ended up asking HIM to get us a second pot of coffee. After the meal, I looked for him to thank him and to give him a tip (5 bucks). He tried to turn it down, but I told him "people who do extra, deserve something extra".


(so I guess we had a server that didn't get us a coffee refill - post 31)

[keljen]

I start off at 20% and if service is poor the tip goes down from there and sometime it goes up for great service but my family is one that says 15% is good so I sneak more down just before we leave. I also can say that I have never had bad service at Disney

[rlcarmichael]

Heck yeah. Bad service = bad tip.

Whatever happend to 10%? Now we're expected to double that for average service?

The job to have a WDW is at one of the high end resturants. Not saying they don't provide good service but think about it. We usually have 4 people and our bill is WELL over $100, and I'm guessing the average ticket is. The last time we were in the Wave, our waitress had at least 8 tables. At 20% she was making $160+ per hour!

Service was ok, but rushed.

I really think the tips have gotten out of hand in general. Next thing you know, they will have a tip jar at the toll booths too.

[brit]

I tip everyone...Good or Bad. I know people have bad days where nothing goes right. If I have a bad day at work my company does not say were not paying you today. Besides it is not always the wait staff causing a bad situation. Wait to long for your meal blame the chef, Drinks not right blame the bar keeper. Now I'm not saying that sometimes its not the wait staff but that is who gets the brunt of it. If your meal is not good they don't not pay the chef but the wait staff gets stiffed.

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by donaldschick

Isn't it actually 18% now? I thought thats what they charged us on our November Trip! I always give what is on the receipt and if I feel they did a really good job I'll give more than that!

It is 18% now. 18% has been the expected tip for several years now.

Tangentially, I'm now even tipping the pizza delivery guy 15% after years of just giving a couple bucks (and often absorbing a delivery charge as well).

[daveboyden]

I have to agree withrlcarmichael. I mean Disney does provide great meals (most of the time), however I sometimes find it hard to justify the cost. It just seems like because its at Disney the cost in my eyes is about 25% higher than I would expect to pay outside of the world. So why should my tip be 25% more just because of overpriced meals. I mean alot of people who take advantage of the free dining think great free meals, but if you have a party of 6 the 18% tip doesn't make the meal free. I liked it better when gratuity was included. That way if your on a budget and taking advantage of free dining it is free.

[Mickey Mom]

Originally Posted by mickeysgirlz

Well you have to give one room key per party, and then you have your bar tab. So we always go with a group, and there is more then one room key, bar tab and so on.

Sooooo at then end of every meal, we are handed all these slips of paper and the server stands there to tell us, sign this, keep this, this is where you put your tip, etc.

It's always so confusing (well to me anyway!)

We too find the amount of paperwork at the end of the meal quite confusing.

I did appreciate the DDP when it first came out that it included all tips, it was much easier at the end of the meal and much easier to budget for. I personally would rather pay for the tips in my DDP upfront. I wouldn't be concerned that serving staff wouldn't be as effecient/friendly. I expect the same amount of customer service from my wait staff that I do my store staff and my ride staff, even though I don't tip them.

We travel with 7 people under 2 rooms and at the end of the meal it gets confusing to us as well. Being a party of 7 our tip is automatically added, so we sign for tip, then sign for any meal extras (drinks/apps), then sign for tip on that, then twice for the two rooms. My gosh.

We also had a problem last trip where my parents went for dinner on their own and after always having the tip automatically added and charged on their room for two weeks, they very honestly forgot that being only the two of them they needed to add a tip. The poor girl at Tutalia in Italy in EC missed out on a tip, and my parents felt awful when they realized their mistake while going over their vacation statement after they had returned home.

[3DisneyDivas]

My DH is pretty particular when it comes to this subject. We ALWAYS do at least 15% unless the service is bad & certainly we NEVER punish the waiter or waitress if there is a problem with the way the food is prepared. We also ALWAYS add a little more for breakfast waiters/waitresses ~ I mean really, would I want to be up waiting on someone @ 8am?!
We also tend to take into consideration the overall experience, particularly for our kids.

[brit]

Just a thought, WHO sets the standards for how much to tip? 10% then 15% and now 18%

[3DisneyDivas]

Originally Posted by brit

Just a thought, WHO sets the standards for how much to tip? 10% then 15% and now 18%

No idea~ but it certainly has changed~ not to mention if you have a large party. We (my family + inlaws) are a party of 7 so we always feel the need to tip a bit more~ plus if the kids are a little unruly the mommy guilt kicks in & we leave a little more for the unlucky waiter/waitress who had to put up with them!