There are few service issues that would justify tipping under 18%. If someone is worried about an automatic gratuity before even getting to WDW, it's not about expected service issues.
Even if tip isn't added automatically, when you figure your tip percentage it's of the total bill.I believe that is in the matter of everyone's opinion and believe that no one should be shamed if they feel that they don't want to tip 18 percent. If your on the dining plan and you have that automatic 18 percent added to your bill which is 18 percent of the total items ordered including those high priced beverages your 18 percent tip amount can be well over $50 per meal and can be a surprise if you don't account for it.
Even if tip isn't added automatically, when you figure your tip percentage it's of the total bill.
I don't think I understand the bolded statement.
We’ve been going to Disney since 2003- over 20 trips and we have never had a server spend much time at our table for a buffet. Mostly just taking drink orders and explaining the character rotation. Table service servers are taking orders, bringing appetizers, main courses and dessert. Just my personal experience but I felt the ts servers had a lot more work to do.The servers at Disney buffets have spent just as much time at our table (if not more) as servers at table service restaurants - explaining the food offerings, answering questions, clearing plates multiple times, refilling drinks, etc. If 20-25% is okay for table service restaurants, why would 18% be too much for servers who work at buffets?
And usually the responsibilities are different between buffet and table servers. Buffet servers do alot of other work the customers don't see. Cleaning, setting up, breaking down and guess what, they often are preparing some of the food too. Maybe there are some places that buffet servers just bring drinks and play with their phone for the rest of time, but more likely than not they are doing hours of work before and after the customer is even there.The servers at Disney buffets have spent just as much time at our table (if not more) as servers at table service restaurants - explaining the food offerings, answering questions, clearing plates multiple times, refilling drinks, etc. If 20-25% is okay for table service restaurants, why would 18% be too much for servers who work at buffets?
There are few service issues that would justify tipping under 18%. If someone is worried about an automatic gratuity before even getting to WDW, it's not about expected service issues.
I'm always confused when people are concerned about the auto grat for larger parties. Were you not planning to tip 18%? As someone above said, if you, by chance, do have a terrible experience, just ask for the manager and discuss the auto grat at that point.
I’m not the OP, but I could imagine asking this same question.
Not because I want to get out of tipping a fair amount, but so I don’t double tip! 18% doesn’t bother me, but realizing later that I had double tipped at 36+% would.
Surely you look at your bill in a restaurant before paying it. The auto grat isn't a secret that is rung in later - it is clearly printed on the check that is presented to you.
Then, respectfully, don't dine with more than five persons in your party at buffets.That being said I’m not as crazy about leaving 18 percent automatically at buffets.
.I don't like any automatic tipping.
As I responded above, and especially knowing of the existence of the automatic service charge, avoid it by dining with fewer persons than would incur the auto-grat. Whether it's right or six, each person is informed of its existence when making the reservations.Bottom line is people should tip what they want. Whether it’s nothing up to whatever. It’s a personal choice.
Well, to be fair, it wasn't so much that you said table servers should be tipped higher than buffets - it was the clear implication that buffet servers should be tipped less than 18% that set people off. Otherwise, as another poster pointed out, why ask the question at all. Since you normally tip 20-25% at table service restaurants, you will be saving money at the buffets. We've made over 50 trips to Disney and it's been our experience that buffet servers work just as hard as table servers, although their jobs may encompass different responsibilities. In fact, in many restaurants, table servers do not even bring the food to your table - it's done by food runners. Your experiences are different, which is fine, but I think the strong responses were due to the feeling that 18% really isn't so much of a tip that people should be looking to lower it.Wow - because I asked a question about an automatic gratutity being added and voiced my own personal feeling that table service servers should be tipped higher than buffets now I'm told not to bring my family to buffets. I only asked because the baby will be under 2 and I wasn't sure if he would count in the total. Years ago when my in-laws joined us at Disney we understood that a party of 6 would have the gratuity automatically included, wasn't sure this time.
There really is no call for rudeness when a question is merely asked and someone gives their personal feelings. If it's included, it's included. End of story.