Question about tipping at buffets About This Page:

[momtotaryn]

Hmmm...interesting...it didn't even dawn on me to calculate the percentage that we tip on buffets, but it does come out to 20%+ most of the time! For example, I would normally put $5 total on the table for a dinner buffet in Las Vegas that is for a bill of $21.98 ($10.99 x 2). That comes out to 22.7% tip. I didn't realize we are tipping appropriate percentage after all! In fact, it seems we may be even more generous at buffets than at regular restaurants. All this time, I thought we were tipping a smaller percentage at buffets. Makes me wonder if the automatic 18% at character buffets (for large parties) in WDW is enough???

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by Angela531

Thank you for all of your input. That was how I was feeling as well, that it should be within the standard 15-20%, however I thought I had read somewhere (a long while back) that people tip at buffets only 10-15%. Since it has been so long I no longer remember where I read it I just remember it stood out to me because I was shocked that one would only tip 10%. Now that we're going to a buffet I just wanted to see what is the norm. Thanks again!

There have been discussions here on the boards - I've read it too and these are the only boards I frequent - and typically those that leave only 10% are the people who feel the servers don't do anything and therefore don't deserve a "normal" tip. Either the people aren't here anymore or they just didn't know or realize what buffet servers do and have since changed what they leave.

[Angela531]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

There have been discussions here on the boards - I've read it too and these are the only boards I frequent - and typically those that leave only 10% are the people who feel the servers don't do anything and therefore don't deserve a "normal" tip. Either the people aren't here anymore or they just didn't know or realize what buffet servers do and have since changed what they leave.

Oh, good! I'm not crazy if you remember those posts too. I just could not remember why they said they were only doing 10%, I just remember it sticking in my head as simply being too low. I always tend to tip higher than normal, because I appreciate and want to encourage great service. For example, I just had my hair colored at the salon, my bill was $155 and I tipped $45, even my stylist exclaimed a genuine "Thank You!" when she saw what I had written in on the tip line, but it was well deserved. I was hoping to find out what was standard, if it was different from regular TS, but it seems not to be after all, which is good because they do as much running at a buffet as they do at a regular TS meal.

[MickeyWatch]

I have found that at many buffets at nicer resorts (Disney, Marriott Camelback, etc.), the servers go out of their way to make the experience special. Often they suggest something at the buffet to try, refill beverages without asking, and are generally just very pleasant. So I tend to go with the 20% tip for buffet servers.

[Eeyoresmom]

Angela,
I too remember those old discussions. It is personal preference. Some people thought that a server did not do as much at a buffet as they do at a sit-down restaurant. Personally, I disagree. They may not be bringing your food, but they check often to clear your plates and refill drinks. And at a character buffet, they often help out making sure you get the character interaction.

[Angela531]

Originally Posted by Eeyoresmom

Angela,
I too remember those old discussions. It is personal preference. Some people thought that a server did not do as much at a buffet as they do at a sit-down restaurant. Personally, I disagree. They may not be bringing your food, but they check often to clear your plates and refill drinks. And at a character buffet, they often help out making sure you get the character interaction.

I think that is a great point about the character interaction, which this of course, will be. I'll be keeping the 18-20% as my minimum base and adding an additional 5-10% more for excellent service.

[Her Dotness]

We tip at Disney based on time of year, too. Since our last few trips have been holiday season ones, we figure most people can use extra money then especially.

[momtotaryn]

Originally Posted by Her Dotness

We tip at Disney based on time of year, too. Since our last few trips have been holiday season ones, we figure most people can use extra money then especially.

We do this all the time too, and not only at Disney. People can use the extra money, and I am always in a more generous, giving mood during the holidays!

[luvnwdwgal]

During the holidays DH and I like to get away for a night and go shopping. I usually tip $5 a night, but at Christmas I tip $10.