Hi Wendy!
Welcome back to planDisney.
Thank you for asking this question! I love to talk about
Disney dining plans as they are a great way to budget for our holidays and know that our food (or most of it!) is paid for in advance.
Disney dining plans are very flexible in how they can be used, and this flexibility extends to tipping your server. You certainly can charge any tips to your room account. Also, if you have ordered additional drinks or menu items that are not included in the dining plan you can charge them to your room in the same way. You are also welcome to use Disney Gift Cards to tip your server if you wish.
You can use your dining plan in any way you want to - subject to having some meals or snacks remaining on your balance. Any time you want to check your balance you can find it on your My Disney Experience mobile app, or at the bottom of any dining receipt and your dining plan is available from the day of check-in until midnight on the day you leave.
I always bring some cash with me for tipping - especially for
Bell Services if they store my luggage (if my room is not yet ready when I arrive, or on my last day after I've checked out of my room), or if they deliver it to my room for me. I will always use cash to tip Cast Members for valet parking too.
Please come back and visit us if you have any further questions. We will be very happy to help you plan your magical vacation at Walt Disney World Resort.
Sue