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Tipping The Disney Characters
- Thread starter Artemus
- Start date
SirWillow
Well-Known Member
You can not "tip" the characters. That's also true of cast members in general (except those in "tippable" positions, like restaurant wait staff, bellhops, etc.) To accept a cash tip can get them in trouble or fired.
However, you can gift them with things other than cash. Small inexpensive items are generally best- pins, candy, thank you notes, plush animals, and things like that. Even better if it's something that can tie into the character's stories. When I visit characters now I try to bring along the boxes of candy you can get at the store with a thank you note attached to it thanking them for helping to make the magic. It's a really nice touch, and you can get some fantastic responses from it.
I talk about just that in a video called "Favorite Tricks for Awesome Character Interactions" I also have one called "Better than a cash tip" that talks about other great ways to thank cast members. And don't forget to give them a shout out thank you on Twitter with who, what, where and when and tag @WDWToday and #castcompliment this is true for all cast members and they'll pass on a thank you to them.
However, you can gift them with things other than cash. Small inexpensive items are generally best- pins, candy, thank you notes, plush animals, and things like that. Even better if it's something that can tie into the character's stories. When I visit characters now I try to bring along the boxes of candy you can get at the store with a thank you note attached to it thanking them for helping to make the magic. It's a really nice touch, and you can get some fantastic responses from it.
I talk about just that in a video called "Favorite Tricks for Awesome Character Interactions" I also have one called "Better than a cash tip" that talks about other great ways to thank cast members. And don't forget to give them a shout out thank you on Twitter with who, what, where and when and tag @WDWToday and #castcompliment this is true for all cast members and they'll pass on a thank you to them.
Yes, we are never allowed to accept tips, it will always be refused. And we can accept gifts as long as it is a small value. Gifts are the absolute best! I have received many gifts from people, one gift actually made me cry while out on set, very difficult to cry and perform with Goofy at the same time lol
Hope this helps!
Last edited:
JustAFan
Well-Known Member
I wonder if I've ever taken a picture with you ... uh, your friend.
ObscurityPoint
Well-Known Member
When I was younger, my 5-6 year old brother gave Stitch a couple of nickels as a gift and Stitch played around with them, put them in his mouth, then spit them back out and offered them back to us.
How will they pay the rent when they lose their jobs for accepting a tip they are supposed to turn down?
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
I think its fairly common for Starbucks and similar to have a tip jar? I don't think many people do tip at that sort of place so you are probably in the "norm" some just leave their change/pennies I think.
jloucks
Well-Known Member
SirWillow
Well-Known Member
It's been said before, but apparently needs to be said again...
Cast members can NOT accept a cash tip. Doing so can get them fired. If someone is insistent on it, then have to say no at least 3 times, and if it's still forced on them they are supposed to turn it into management. To do otherwise can cost them their job.
They can however accept small gifts- artwork, plush, candy, cards and notes, hand crafted items, etc.
SirWillow
Well-Known Member
Waiters, bellmen, and housekeeping, yes. guest services and tour guides, no.
Generally any cast member in a position where a tip isn't expected every time (like those 3) are not allowed to accept cash tips. About the only other cast I can think of that might be allowed beyond those 3 are the "minnie coupe" lyft drivers. Outside of that, I can't think of any others that would be allowed.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
My daughter in college works in a Starbucks, but she works in a Starbucks in a Target, so that makes her a Target employee (even though she did the Starbucks training, makes all the Starbucks drinks, and wears the Starbucks apron/hat)
Target employees are not allowed to accept tips, so they do not have a tip jar at her store. She said she gets at least a handfull up people each shift that look for a tip jar, and when they don't see one, try to hand her tips.I guess people do tip at Starbucks.
EOD K9
Well-Known Member
I met Bill Farmer once.....is that what you mean? Are you he?
. Anyways, can you give us an idea of what’s accepted? Thanks in advance.
SirWillow
Well-Known Member
From post above (I'm a former cast member who worked with the characters as well)
You’re not even kidding! It’s not cheap living in Orlando, let alone the college program dorms!
They'd have to hand it to the character attendant. I'm fairly certain tipping a costumed character is frowned upon.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I understood that tipping any front line CM's was discouraged and that it was forbidden for them to take a tip. I don't get out much, so has that rule changed?