Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

vivatifosi

Sanjay wrote: »

You dont have to be rude to be a mug.

A mug is a mug.

Next time you're in the same restaurant as me in Florida Sanjay, and I am a regular there, do feel free to wave. I'll be the one getting served.

Lynneth

Sanjay wrote: »

Are you serious?

What a mug

:rotfl:

Why?
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying... Do you think that they are tipping too much? How much do you tip?

I'm interested in knowing what the differences may be as we are off there soon!
Thanks


:j:j:j12 days to go - yippee!:j:j:j

vivatifosi

Hi Lynneth,

The issue of tipping in America is often a bone of contention on this thread and its previous incarnations. People object to paying higher tips in America, but as I said, the minimum wage in America is structured so that tips are factored into a person's wage. The US government charges its citizens as though they receive this level of tips also, so not tipping at this level is not only stingy, it could lead to relatively poor people being taxed on income that they haven't earned. In general eating out in America, even after tips, is a lot cheaper.

I've spent a total of over 18 months in the States and the figures I've given are pretty common convention among the Americans that I know.

American wait staff know that the Brits are poor tippers and often resort to writing "service not included" on their receipts to hammer home the point.

In terms of the room service tips, I once returned to a suite that I'd occupied (I'd left something behind) to find the cleaners scavageing through my left over food to see what could be taken home for their family. That's a sad indictment in the wealthiest country in the world. Of course, people have the free will to tip what they want, but they should also be aware of the consequences of not tipping in line with conventions.

emma03

I am looking to go to florida in june 2010- can you visit disney for just a day? Or 2 days? I can only find tickets for 7 or 14 days?

Also i will just be me and my bf (age 20 and 24) no kids- which of the parks would you reccomend? Although it seems the most child friendly park i really fancy magic kingdom just to see the castle!!!

vivatifosi

Hi emma,

You can visit Disney for 1 day only, no problem, or two days if you so wish. I'd go for the Magic Kingdom if you only have one day, because it really is the centrepiece (even if not in geographic terms). If you do only have one day, you may want to take the monorail to Epcot (change at the Transportation and Ticket Centre) at the end of the day, as it goes over the entrance to the park, so you'd get to see it even if you don't get to visit it. Its quite a pleasant detour if you have the time.

emma03

thanks- where do i buy the 1 or 2 day passes? and how much?
also if i get a 2 day pass do they have have to be used one day after the other or can you for example go on monday then use the second day ticket on the friday?

thanks

vivatifosi

hi emma,

I'm not an expert on ticket buying as I'm an annual pass holder. So I'm going to pass on that question and wait for an expert to turn up if that's ok.

giovanni

The cheapest I have seen at Disney is:

1 Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket $79.88
2 Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket $158.69

Rowan1946

emma03 wrote: »

I am looking to go to florida in june 2010- can you visit disney for just a day? Or 2 days? I can only find tickets for 7 or 14 days?

Also i will just be me and my bf (age 20 and 24) no kids- which of the parks would you reccomend? Although it seems the most child friendly park i really fancy magic kingdom just to see the castle!!!

Hi there, are you just wanting to go to Disney for 1 or 2 days because thats all you have time for i.e. going on a cruise for the rest of your holiday or maybe your spending time at universal, or dont you see disney as parks for a couple without kids to go to?

I am planning my 4th trip in 5 years just now, going this November and i still have not seen/done all there is to do on Disney Property,, we are both a childless couple who love the place, this trip we will be in the parks for 7-8 days and that does not include the water parks,,

But if i had just the One to do then i would go to the Magic Kingdom on a night were the Spectromagic & Wishes were both on to get to see everything.

Lynneth

vivatifosi wrote: »

Hi Lynneth,

The issue of tipping in America is often a bone of contention on this thread and its previous incarnations........

Thanks for your reply Vivatifosi but I directed my question to Sanjay as I would really like to hear his point of view.

I had some experience of payroll in the USA about ten years ago and my eyes were opened way back then to the being taxed on expected earnings thing.

Knowing this, and also having travelled to and around the USA many times (although only twice before to Florida), I always try to make sure I leave the "right" tip. However, I have noticed that service seems to be much better in the less touristy areas. My personal opinion on why this may be is that in the more touristy areas a server might hear the [British] accent and assume a tight (or non-existant!:eek:) tip will be left and therefore little or no effort is made in the service. It is often easy to tell whether or not I am receiving a level of service at least as good as that that given to a non-British customer on a nearby table. I'm not going to leave a good tip for second rate service. Unfortunately, this of course perpetuates the circle.

Sanjay, if you wouldn't mind, I would still be interested to know what you think is a reasonable tip, a good tip, and how you decide the amount to tip, and anything that may adversely affect the amount of your tip, etc, etc.

Thanks