There are other ways to save… I like to talk on Sundays about things that you can do to save money on your Walt Disney World vacation. There are plenty of ways that you can save a few dollars here and a few more there. Those saved dollars can really add up! Today, though, I’d like to mention one thing that you should never do to save a few dollars. I’m talking about stiffing your server at a full service restaurant.
I know that not every dining experience at Walt Disney World (or elsewhere) will be perfect. But that doesn’t mean that you should take it out on your server. It is not his or her fault that an item is expensive or if you have to pay extra for bread service. It is not fair to the server to cut down on the cost of your meal by leaving a lousy (or no) tip.
I worked as a waitress when I was in college and I hated it. I put up with so many entitled people that I decided I would never treat someone that way. Working as a waitress or waiter is a respectable job, and it is hard work! The servers are human, and they have bad days from time to time, just like the rest of us. A few kind words and a generous tip can sometimes help to turn that day around.
Many people make the argument that servers in the United States should be paid a livable wage so that they will not need to rely on tips to get by. Sadly, though, that isn’t the case right now. The legal minimum wage for tipped staff is lower than the minimum wage for those who don’t receive tips. The workers depend on that money to get by.
At one restaurant where I worked, we were required to declare a certain percentage of each bill for our tips for the days. I remember one party who snuck out before paying their bill. Not only did I have to pay for their meal, I had to declare the tip on top of it! No wonder I have respect for those who do this difficult job.
When you dine at a full service restaurant at Walt Disney World, you will see the suggestions for different tip amounts. That amount doesn’t always tell the whole story. I don’t drink and I rarely order dessert, so my bill won’t reflect those items. I like to tip over the highest amount to make up for what I didn’t order. I figure that I took a table that could have been given to someone who would have spent more. That’s why I like to give a little extra. I also will figure in any Passholder Discount. It’s not fair to give the server less just because I received a discount.
One thing that some people don’t realize is that the tip is not included with the Disney Dining Plan. I know some servers at Walt Disney World who get stiffed often because people don’t know that they need to leave extra. If you add the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package, make sure that you budget for gratuities.
I will always tip, even if the service was lousy. There are often other factors for bad service, such as not enough help in the kitchen. If the service was excellent, I will tip a little bit extra. I will also leave a Cast Member compliment for excellent service. I’m not rich, so I don’t eat at restaurants that I can’t afford. The menus and the prices are available online. It’s not hard to figure out how much you might spend ahead of time. Don’t wait until you get your bill and then stiff the server to save some money. Instead, think of leaving a decent tip as a good deed. You’ll feel better about yourself, and you just might make your server’s day.