Gratuity

[KristieLC]

I apologize in advance if this thread causes any un-due drama, however I do have some questions about tipping. I want to make sure we stay on our budget and that we bring enough cash in smaller bills so we don't have to worry once we are in WDW.

How much do you typically tip mousekeeping? Is is a certain amount per person per night?

What about buffets? Is it the normal 5-10%, or is it 15-20% just because it is Disney? I know that quality of service can have bearing - I just want to know what is typical.

How about the bus drivers that take you from resort to the park? Do you tip them?

And lastly, what about the photo pass photographers and anyone else that I may be forgetting?

Thanks!

 

[One Lil Spark]

Here's my run down:

Mousekeeping get usually roughly $5 a day
Buffets are 15%-20% tip
Bus drivers can be tipped if you'd like (which is a great gesture)
Not sure about photopass, sorry.

Hopefully this helps and have a great trip! :wave:

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

First off...Tip as you see fit is the best advice. I am sure will get a whole array of opinions on who and how much to tip. For me it is like this...

Mousekeeping ... nothing generally. We are DVC and have to clean our own room. If we were not... I still don't know if I'd tip... towel animals or not. They are getting paid for their job.

Buffet... I say 10%-15% tops. Bringing me drinks is all that is done.
Regular dining ... depends on service. But normally 20%.

Bus Drivers and photopass ..... no tip. Did you see how much the photo CD is and then tip them on top IMO is nuts. MOST... I said MOST pictures are not much better in quality then my photos.

Again.. there is no right or wrong on this... tip as you see fit.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

Mousekeeping - $1 per day per person because we are very neat and there's not that much to clean up. If we had a mess, I would tip more.
Buffet servers - We tip based on service. We've tipped several buffet servers better than sit-downs simply because of the service. I think regardless of where the server works, the tip should be performance based. Buffet servers have a hard way to go I think.
Bus drivers - Never heard of anyone tipping them.
Photopass photographers - Never heard of anyone tipping them, either.

 

[bayoumoon]

I typically tip mousekeeping 2-3$ per person per night, more if they do an outstanding job. I also tend to tip servers a little more generously just because I use to be one. I've actually never thought to tip bus drivers or photopass people. I also put together envelopes before we leave home with a little extra in them just in case, any left over goes to me. Just do whatever you feel comfortable doing and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Kelsybelle]

I agree with everyone. Tip as you see fit and what your budget allows. I usually leave between $3.00 and $5.00 a day for Mousekeeping. Buffet and regular service about 15-20%. I'm not sure about photo pass or bus drivers as I have never tipped either...:shrug:
I do know that people love to be tipped (especially me, I'm a hairstylist and I love, love, love my tips!) I always swing the person that brings my bags up to our room a few bucks, the airport service people at the resorts about $2.00 a bag and the same for valet parking.

 

[WildLodgeFan]

Just my two cents is that the only bus driver that I have tipped at WDW has been the DME driver who takes you from the airport to your resort and vice versa.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I never take the do not disturb sign off my door at any hotels. So I don't tip unless for some reason my room does need cleaned.

I tip less at buffets than I would to a full service waiter because there's less work to do.

I always tip bus drivers a few bucks.

I've never thought of tipping the photopass people, I wonder if they're allowed to accept tips.

 

[SanFrancisco]

How do you tip mousekeeping as far as leaving the money goes? Do you just leave cash somewhere with a note? Also, do you leave it every day? Or all at once?

 

[kimmychad]

deleted

 

[Philo]

mousekeeping - usually $2 per person per night

What about buffets? being easily confused, I always give around 20% for food (unless it's counter service etc)

How about the bus drivers that take you from resort to the park? I have only ever tipped drivers from off-site hotels ($1 or $2), never the Disney drivers although I now wonder if I should....

And lastly, what about the photo pass photographers and anyone else that I may be forgetting? Again, never tipped them so not sure.

 

[bayoumoon]

How do you tip mousekeeping as far as leaving the money goes? Do you just leave cash somewhere with a note? Also, do you leave it every day? Or all at once?

A good idea is to put together some envelopes write mousekeeping on the front and leave them somewhere they will see them.

 

[TheJonesys]

How do you tip mousekeeping as far as leaving the money goes? Do you just leave cash somewhere with a note? Also, do you leave it every day? Or all at once?

I was always told thats its best to leave a small tip everyday as opposed to a larger one at the end of the holiday

 

[lilclerk]

I never take the do not disturb sign off my door at any hotels. So I don't tip unless for some reason my room does need cleaned.

Same here. There's only two of us in there, and we don't need the hardly-used bathroom cleaned every day and don't need the beds made.

 

[KristieLC]

Thanks everyone! Gives me something to go on.
We usually never have anyone clean our rooms when we are away either, but honestly, since our honeymoon 8 years ago, we have never been away for more than 4 nights at once because of medical issues with me before my son, and then my son later. Usually we are pretty paranoid, but for this trip we figure why not, plus I am kids of excited about just the possibility of seeing one of those towel animals

 

[Rob562]

I always swing the person that brings my bags up to our room a few bucks, the airport service people at the resorts about $2.00 a bag and the same for valet parking.

Just a side note... If you're using the Luggage Delivery portion of DME on your arrival, the bellman is already getting a tip from those. So if you're also tipping them, they're actually getting double-tipped. (Of course, if that's what you want to do, that's fine)
But if you're having bell services deliver non-DME bags and/or having bags picked up when you're checking out, $1 a bag is standard.

-Rob

 

[Dwarful]

I've never in all my years at WDW seen anyone tip the bus drivers taking you from resort to parks or vice versa. I am also not sure if photo pass CMs are allowed to accept tips.

 

[Kelsybelle]

Just a side note... If you're using the Luggage Delivery portion of DME on your arrival, the bellman is already getting a tip from those. So if you're also tipping them, they're actually getting double-tipped. (Of course, if that's what you want to do, that's fine)
But if you're having bell services deliver non-DME bags and/or having bags picked up when you're checking out, $1 a bag is standard.

-Rob

We usually rent a car but if we were to use the DME thats a good thing to know! :wave:

 

[WildLodgeFan]

I've never in all my years at WDW seen anyone tip the bus drivers taking you from resort to parks or vice versa. I am also not sure if photo pass CMs are allowed to accept tips.

Gorjus is a photopass castmember and he is always great about answering questions (SHOUT OUT), so perhaps the OP can PM to get that queston answered if they desire.

 

[sandheichert]

Seriously No one tips bus drivers?

Maybe since I have worked for tips for over 20 years I am jadded or just tip more but seriously not tipping bus drivers? Do you not tip the driver or the rent a car shuttle, when you are helped at the airport outside with your luggage? And to those who say that the buffet servers do less work then servers at other restaurants you are NUTS. Buffet servers do at least the same if not more. Most of the time they have no bussers to help them clear. In this world of nasty, to each its own people, pass it forward and tip when someone gives you great service.
Pass it forward...