Hi there, Alex! Welcome to planDisney.
I'm so excited to hear that you'll be traveling to
Walt Disney World Resort this spring! This is one of my favorite seasons to visit and I'm absolutely twitterpated for you. Not only that, but you'll be able to experience
The World's Most Magical Celebration before it leaves on March 31, 2023! With so much to see and do, you're surely in for an extra special trip.
Alex, you are correct – an
automatic gratuity of 18% is added for parties of six or more when dining at Walt Disney World Resort. While this gratuity wouldn't be applied for two groups of four automatically, gratuities of 18% are what I've experienced to be a minimum tip for acceptable service. In fact, I'd like to give you a little encouragement based on my personal experience! On each of our trips, the Cast Members have been so fantastic that we've often felt the desire to give above this minimum. The Cast Members at Walt Disney World Resort seem to be touched with an extra sprinkle of pixie dust, making them some of the most magical and memorable parts of our trip! To me, it would be worth it to keep my travel party together, have shared dining experiences, and know that my planned gratuity would be applied automatically.
Cast Members are the heartbeat of Walt Disney World Resort in so many ways! Sometimes it's someone who comments on your awesome Disney-themed t-shirt as you're going through security, or a server who brings a big smile to your kids' faces while taking their order, or a Cast Member who gives you a friendly wave as you exit the parks for the evening – and they do it all without the help of a magic wand. Though many days have the potential to feel not-so-magical, these wonderful humans show up consistently to brighten the days of those around them. My favorite reason to use the
My Disney Experience app is to send a "Cast Compliment" to these real-life fairy godparents! All you need to do is open your app, tap the search icon (that looks like a magnifying glass), and type "Cast Compliment." My best tip is to make sure that you know the Cast Member's first name and hometown, making it easy for this compliment to find its owner! In my experience, this is the best way to regenerate the magic, making Walt Disney World Resort truly feel like The Most Magical Place on Earth for all who step foot there – Guests and Cast Members alike!
I hope I was able to point you in the right direction, Alex! If you have any other questions, please feel free to visit us again.
You've got a friend in me!
Michelle