CMs: how bad/good is tipping at WDW restaurants?

[Tink28]

I am from 'another Country' but I always tip, unless the service was really, really bad, I tip wherever in the World I am. I just find it hard to tip 18-20% which I think is a lot of money, I am used to tipping between 10-15%, thats not to say I don't tip what is usual in the US it just seems a lot to me.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I am from 'another Country' but I always tip, unless the service was really, really bad, I tip wherever in the World I am. I just find it hard to tip 18-20% which I think is a lot of money, I am used to tipping between 10-15%, thats not to say I don't tip what is usual in the US it just seems a lot to me.

It's all to the complete advantage of the restaurant owner. You as a customer are technically paying what they should be paying. There is a much lower minimum wage set for waiters and bartenders in the United States than for other jobs. however, I presume, if that were remedied, the customer would still be the one paying in the form of higher priced meals.

 

[Songbird76]

It's all to the complete advantage of the restaurant owner. You as a customer are technically paying what they should be paying. There is a much lower minimum wage set for waiters and bartenders in the United States than for other jobs. however, I presume, if that were remedied, the customer would still be the one paying in the form of higher priced meals.

That's the way it works here. Waitstaff is paid a normal wage here, so it's more expensive to eat in a restaurant because they have to make that money somewhere. That being said, I think it would be better to just raise the prices and pay a normal wage. I worked as a server in a local cafe where everyone knows everyone...and so they all think it's no big deal if they don't tip. You know them, so surely THEY don't need to tip you. Even when I gave awesome service, the average table threw $1 down for a tip, maybe $2. I was lucky to break $4 per hour with my tips. Technically, if you don't make at least minimum wage with your tips, the employer has to make up the difference. But with tip pools, etc, you don't always get what you deserve. Of course, over here, service is not nearly as good as in the US because there's no incentive if there's no tip.

 

[Britrepeater]

I actually object as an overseas visitor tipping by percentage. Especially with inflated park prices. I expect good service from employees be it someone on the ticket booth or waiting staff. I tip as I understand the way you expect customers to pay staff wages.
But I tip on a level basis. For example had a reasonable meal with suggested tip of around $20. Had a Fantasmic package buffet which suggested $35. There was no way I would pay that for the amount of time the server spent getting a few drinks. I hope they appreciate that I didn't think any less of their service by only leaving the same $20.
I imagine if everyone paid the suggested rates there is a lot of money to be made.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It's all to the complete advantage of the restaurant owner. You as a customer are technically paying what they should be paying. There is a much lower minimum wage set for waiters and bartenders in the United States than for other jobs. however, I presume, if that were remedied, the customer would still be the one paying in the form of higher priced meals.

How else would an employer meet payroll if not for the prices paid by customers? The lower wage is there because tips are assumed. If, after tips, the employee has not made the standard minimum wage that rate must be paid.

 

[Monkee Girl]

I never get into the tipping debate...I just hate arguing. But it comes up so much I just want to leave my thoughts on the matter:

The way I see it: I don't think it's right that tips are assumed. Tips are 'supposed' to be a note of gratitude for service/excellent service. I don't blame the server, I blame the restaurant for this. Minimum wage is minimum wage and waitstaff should be paid the same wage as all workers...or more depending on the restaurant and level of work...not less because tips are assumed. I work overtime at work...but I don't put that OT money in my budgeting because it's not a guaranteed source of income. If the workers were paid what they SHOULD be paid, tipping wouldn't be such a hot button topic. However, I am not a fan of the open complaining from various staff seen on the social media calling out 'cheap' customers. You didn't get a tip...get over it and help the next table; don't show receipts and humiliate customers because they didn't pay extra money on top of the money they already shelled out for the meal. Sorry, there is no law against not tipping.

HOWEVER!

the way it IS: Customs are different in all countries and you have to fit in best you can. If you read up on Samoa and the page tells you don't tip...don't do it! It can be seen as offensive. But surly the America page will have that %15 - %20 tip discussion. By not doing it, you are being as offensive as the tourist tipping in Samoa. No one knows when the whole tipping thing started....or the decision on price...but that is how it is here. That is our custom. If you don't like it, change it...start a movement to have the restaurants treat their staff better. otherwise, do what you gotta do.

I tip. I am actually known to be a generous tipper...almost to a fault. But I don't calculate anything. I just double whatever the first number is on the total. If that number is less than $5, I leave $5. I can't bare walking from a table leaving $2-3 on the table.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Minimum wage is minimum wage and waitstaff should be paid the same wage as all workers

Waitstaff must be paid minimum wage if their tips are not enough to make up the difference.

 

[MrDee]

The way I see it, I'm not just paying for the food or the service, especially in Walt Disney World. I'm paying for the full experience.....time spent with family, happiness that can't be measured by the dollar, the ambience of the place, making memories I'll cherish in my old age. Hard to put a percentage on any of that.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

OK we're veering away from the topic a bit… I guess no cast members have come onto this thread yet. I was specifically curious from the point of view of the cast member if they have a very frustrating time with touristy customers versus a non-tourist town.

 

[mom2of2]

OK we're veering away from the topic a bit… I guess no cast members have come onto this thread yet. I was specifically curious from the point of view of the cast member if they have a very frustrating time with touristy customers versus a non-tourist town.[/QUOTE

Some days it works out and some days it doesn't. Foreign diners, free dining and a host of other circumstances play into it all. Serving at WDW is different then any other serving area I've ever worked. Hope that answers your question

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I still wanna know the answer lol!!

 

[mom2of2]

I still wanna know the answer lol!!

to how much servers make? lol...well $5.10 an hour plus tips.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Thanks – I kind of figured that. Probably a higher percentage of low tips than normal, but I would imagine you have some "highrollers" and it would be rare that you would have a night that is not at least steady traffic.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

to how much servers make? lol...well $5.10 an hour plus tips.

That's actually not bad – when I was bartending in Florida it was like three bucks LOL.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I'm a bartender in Vegas and had a conversation with a dayshift bartender at rainforest cafe in DTD a few years ago it was decent. He said a good day was $200 and an average day was $150, he also served food at the bar so that helped. He did mention his paycheck is usually less than $100 for 2 weeks after taxes, social security, etc are taken out. Enough to make a comfortable living but nothing compared to hot spots like Vegas, San Diego, and Miami.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

In regards to tourist areas and foreign visitors that don't tip I think it has gotten better over time. Here in Vegas we still get stiffed by a lot of foreigners but I'd say it's 50/50. For every stiff there is usually a carefree vacation spender that makes up the difference though, at least in Vegas it all averages out, the beauty of high volume tourism bartending is if you can average $1 a drink you end up making bank. On a good week with good tippers you can make your mortgage in a night or 2.

 

[Britrepeater]

I'm a bartender in Vegas and had a conversation with a dayshift bartender at rainforest cafe in DTD a few years ago it was decent. He said a good day was $200 and an average day was $150, he also served food at the bar so that helped. He did mention his paycheck is usually less than $100 for 2 weeks after taxes, social security, etc are taken out. Enough to make a comfortable living but nothing compared to hot spots like Vegas, San Diego, and Miami.

So how would that work for the server who's suggested 18% was about $35 for a table of 4 had about 5 tables on the go and each sitting lasting about 30 mins. I Image it could vary a lot as you say with dining plan and international guests. But are they really looking at potential of $1200 a day suggested?.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

So how would that work for the server who's suggested 18% was about $35 for a table of 4 had about 5 tables on the go and each sitting lasting about 30 mins. I Image it could vary a lot as you say with dining plan and international guests. But are they really looking at potential of $1200 a day suggested?.

I'd be shocked if anyone, even in a 5 star restaurant, pulls in $1200 a day. Even in tourist areas people typically eat at roughly the same time, so you may turn over 10-15 tables in 2 hours but only 10 more over the rest of your shift. It's good money but after tipping out the bartenders, bus boys, runners, etc a lot of it disappears before you even leave the building. That's the reason I switched from serving tables to bartending, bartenders keep what they make and getting stiffed by someone you spent a minute on is much less frustrating than getting stiffed by someone you spent an hour on.

 

[mom2of2]

So how would that work for the server who's suggested 18% was about $35 for a table of 4 had about 5 tables on the go and each sitting lasting about 30 mins. I Image it could vary a lot as you say with dining plan and international guests. But are they really looking at potential of $1200 a day suggested?.

Well table turns are not 30 min...more like 45-70 and even that depends and typical serving time is 4 hours. No server at WDW is making $1200 a day or even close to that. Servers get seats, so the majority is 12- there is a limit of 16 or 18 I forget which. It also totally depends on the location.

You really can't compare Vegas to WDW in terms of money to be made, totally different clientele. Rainforest is also not owned by Disney so I don't know how much they get an hour or what their tip outs are.

The majority of WDW servers are part time. They get no benefits, have a max amount of hours they can work and most have 2nd jobs or are from a dual income household

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I'm a bartender in Vegas and had a conversation with a dayshift bartender at rainforest cafe in DTD a few years ago it was decent. He said a good day was $200 and an average day was $150, he also served food at the bar so that helped. He did mention his paycheck is usually less than $100 for 2 weeks after taxes, social security, etc are taken out. Enough to make a comfortable living but nothing compared to hot spots like Vegas, San Diego, and Miami.

I was typically happy to pull a couple of hundred dollar shifts during the week for the privilege of getting a crack at a weekend shift which could be in the neighborhood of $300-$500 in the Fort Lauderdale area. Plus a good bartender will grow his shifts.