Tips on Dinning Plan Changes (how to get gratuity and appetizers)

[autigger]

My family was at WDW last week on the regular dining plan (“free dining”) and discovered a few tips concerning the 2008 dining plan changes:

1) The Hoop Dee Doo Review includes gratuity (though you may personally want to supplement);

2) If you get the “Fantasmic Package” at Mamma Melrose, it includes an appetizer, entrée, drink and dessert (like the old plan did). Regular dinning that is not under the “Fantasmic Package” is just drink, entrée and dessert. Also, this is only one table service dining credit.

3) Gratuity is included at Cinderella Royal Table (though you may want to supplement).

The new 2008 dining plan generally does not include gratuity or appetizers. I though these tips above might be helpful for those who were disappointed in the 2008 changes.

 

[UberPlannerMom]

Does anyone know how much the servers at the character meals make? Are they on two or three dollars an hour plus tips or do they make a normal wage and then get whatever tips? I just wonder because it can be hard to get everyone to tip 10-20% of something they got for free during the free dining, ya know?

 

[autigger]

I have no idea what the servers actually make and every character meal is different (some being buffets, some family style, some ordering off a menu).

I can tell you though that the receipt at Cinderella's Royal Table (which included tip) specified exactly how much the server received in tip. It is then up to you whether to supplement according to what you feel is appropriate.

 

[kimmychad]

when we were at the hoop dee do last week i noticed disney doesn't tip their servers 18% gratuity. funny how they ask me to tip that much though.