who to tip in disney

[hrmom26]

i have found many times i have not tipped someone because i didn't relize i was supose to till after so this time i want to now ahead of time. now i no i should tip table service dinners i think 20% and from reading the forums i now no to tip the maid ( not sure how much though) but is there anyone else i should be tipping? if i am eating at a buffet do i tip? i didn't think so because i am not being served but a family member is a waitress at i buffet and she said she was tipped. i always though you only tipped wait staff at a sit down dinner i never relized all these other people should be tipped to i feel so bad i missed them before, so who do you tip and why? include stuff out side disney too if you want thanks
heather :hammer:

 

[saltmom1]

I usually tip the bellhop $1-$2 a bag depending on how big the bags are and whether they bring them directly into the room and how friendly etc. The maid is $5/ day unless they are exceptional.( Cute towel animals, etc) I don't tip at a buffet unless they come over very frequently to clear dishes and go out of their way. I think tipping is a very individual thing and if they really go above and beyond the call of duty they should be recognized for that. I went to Prime Time Cafe in MGM last year and we had a waiter who was unbelievably attentive. I gave him a little more than 25 % of the total bill and wrote to Disney saying how exceptional he was. BTW, does anyone know if CMs get recognized in any way when a guest compliments them in a letter ?

 

[tigsmom]

We tip:

valet car service, the CM who shows us our room/brings our bags, mousekeeping (usually about $5/day), waitstaff at sit down dinners (20% or more depending on service) and we also leave about $5 at buffet style because they do bring our drinks and they keep the tables cleaned.

When & how much you tip is really up to you, but I just consider it as a "thank you" for all your help. :wave:

*the valet at the WL -I can't remember his name- got extra our last day because he had the car cooled off (a/c on, windows open) and had fixed up the back of the van to make loading our bags easier. He also held the doors for my daughters & I and wished us a "very safe trip home" *

 

[tigsmom]

I usually tip the bellhop $1-$2 a bag depending on how big the bags are and whether they bring them directly into the room and how friendly etc. The maid is $5/ day unless they are exceptional.( Cute towel animals, etc) I don't tip at a buffet unless they come over very frequently to clear dishes and go out of their way. I think tipping is a very individual thing and if they really go above and beyond the call of duty they should be recognized for that. I went to Prime Time Cafe in MGM last year and we had a waiter who was unbelievably attentive. I gave him a little more than 25 % of the total bill and wrote to Disney saying how exceptional he was. BTW, does anyone know if CMs get recognized in any way when a guest compliments them in a letter ?

If I remember correctly, one of the CMs who is a member told of being called in to the supervisor's office and read the letter (which was put in his file) and he was given a special commendation (a pin I believe).

 

[saltmom1]

I'm glad. Some of the CMs really go out of their way. They should be recognized. This waiter then sent a personal thank you by email ( the way I wrote the letter in the first place)

 

[Dwarful]

Ahhh, the joys of tipping! Well, this is a hot topic. Some people don't feel the need to tip, others questions the motives of Americans and our tip habits...tip the maid before the room is cleaned..to get a cleaner room or to say thanks for a job we know will be great?

With that being said we usually tip up to 20% pretax at sit down meals, HOWEVER (and theres always a however) if the service is less than standard then tip accordingly. My husband and I debated over the mousekeeping tip, in the June issue of Good Housekeeping Emily Post (or whoever she is now) says to tip $2-$5 depending on the service, we usually do somewhere in the middle and add a little something like a pack of mints, a tube of handcream from Bath and Body, Burts Bee's Lip Balm something little that we like to use to say thanks!

Now at buffet style meals where we eat often at Disney we leave anywhere from $5-$10 depending on the service, did they keep dirty dishes cleared, did they keep drinks full?

Disney has a policy with grand gatherings or any group of 8 or more where they automatically add 20% tip to your total bill. We had a grand gathering of 12 people and at one buffet we were seated and then completely ignored, we put our dirty dishes on the empty table behind us and then had to flag down someone to fill the drinks. Imagine our shock when we got the bill and an extra $40 was tacked on for tip. We went to the manager and demanded that it was removed ( while the waitstaff sneered at us) and we left our own tip on the table..quite a bit less, but we didn't go back to the rest. for the remainder of the trip so if you are in a big group you have to watch that the tip hasn't already been added on.

 

[Mmmeredith]

Advice columns say to tip housekeeping about $1 for each person staying in a room, but that assumes neat, tidy adult occupants. If you leave a mess for whatever reason, the tip should be adjusted accordingly. Also, when leaving little gifts, we need to keep in mind that not everyone likes the same things. I think money is generally more appreciated...that way housekeepers can spend it on whatever they want or need.

Waiters at buffets should absolutely be tipped. Often times waiters at buffets do more work than waiters at sit down restaurants (think of how many times they remove plates and refill drinks)! As a general rule, 15% is good base. We leave about $10 for our group of 3 adults at dinner buffets. However, I fully agree with Disney's policy of adding 20% for large groups. Large groups are a substancial amount of work - not to mention the fact that when a waiter has a large group he/she is likely waiting fewer tables to accomodate the assignment. Plus, is it really worth time and energy to get angry over the 20% in order to get it waived so that you can basically stiff your waiter? That just leaves everyone unhappy.

Servers are traditionally (not sure of Disney's pay rate) paid less than other service industry employees (here it is $2.33 an hour versus $6.00 an hour -- big difference), so tips are really necessary for these people. It's understandible to want to save money, but if you really don't want to tip then rent a car and go off-site...don't make the Disney waiters crabby for the rest of us.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I tip small mini vans

 

[Mmmeredith]

I tip small mini vans

:lol:

 

[bsandersjr]

I usually tip back a few beers at the hot tub.

But as far as CMs go, I tip the bell hop $1/bag. At a buffet, we usually leave about $5, they do keep the drinks full, and make the dirty plates go away! At a sit down dinner, about 20%. Housekeeping...... we left like $2-$4 per day. Kind of a bribe to not throw away the anti-bacterial face soap we brought from home.

 

[Neptune]

I tip:

4 dollars a bag for Valet. Yeah, I know, it's alot. But when I am in disney I am always in a good mood!

Housekeeping - 5 Dollars a day. Seemed good, as they always did a good job!

Sit down dinner? Uh..Well, usually around 20 percent.

 

[tigsmom]

I tip small mini vans

Then you shouldn't get in them!

:wave:

 

[tigsmom]

I usually tip back a few beers at the hot tub.

But as far as CMs go, I tip the bell hop $1/bag. At a buffet, we usually leave about $5, they do keep the drinks full, and make the dirty plates go away! At a sit down dinner, about 20%. Housekeeping...... we left like $2-$4 per day. Kind of a bribe to not throw away the anti-bacterial face soap we brought from home.

Whenever we bring stuff from home (special soap or shampoo) I keep it in a plastic travel case, that way there is no question that it should not be touched.

 

[aviva_dawn]

I've never been to WDW, but I have always followed the following guidelines.

Housekeeping- $5 per day for normal service. $7 or 8 if housekeeping does an amazing job.

Sit Down Restaurants- Between 20 and 25% for normal service. I have been known to give waitpersons a $20 on a $40 dollar order if they somehow exceed expectations. (It also can make someone's day!)

Bellpersons: $3 a bag.

 

[mrtoad]

I am on target with with most said. I do have room service tipping question though. We usually leave it every day in case it is a different person, is that what most do or do you usually leave it when you check-out?

 

[Mmmeredith]

I am on target with with most said. I do have room service tipping question though. We usually leave it every day in case it is a different person, is that what most do or do you usually leave it when you check-out?

We do the same thing, for the same reasons. I think it makes good sense.

 

[Slosh]

It seems everyone is forgetting that most important of service personnel, the noble bartender. One dollar a drink people, or 15-20% on your tab. That is, unless you want exceptional service, then you should tip at least 5 bucks extra on your first round - you and your friends' glasses will never be empty for long.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

It seems everyone is forgetting that most important of service personnel, the noble bartender. One dollar a drink people, or 15-20% on your tab. That is, unless you want exceptional service, then you should tip at least 5 bucks extra on your first round - you and your friends' glasses will never be empty for long.

5 bucks you made me spill my drink, perhaps I should be charging the barman for my sparkling wit and repartee as I philosophise sat at the bar. Im quite profound after a few hello cheekies. :dazzle:

 

[polarboi]

If you take Magical Express, those drivers aren't working for Disney, and they generally do expect tips. The same goes for any other airport transportation. One site recommends that shuttle drivers be tipped $1 per person plus $1 per bag that they help load or unload. Another site says no tip is necessary for free shuttles if they don't help with your bags. I'm not sure what is expected or how this would translate to Magical Express, but there ya go.

Also, if you're not from the USA, you may not be aware that tipping is particularly important here because employees of many service professions (such as servers in restaurants) are paid much less than the national minimum wage due to the expectation that they will receive tips to make up the difference. These people really are dependent on tips to pay their bills, so please budget accordingly, even if the service isn't perfect.

If you're on the "Magic Your Way Plus Dining" plan, tip is included in your table service meals already. It's up to you if you want to tip extra.

-p.b.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Also, if you're not from the USA, you may not be aware that tipping is particularly important here because employees of many service professions (such as servers in restaurants) are paid much less than the national minimum wage due to the expectation that they will receive tips to make up the difference. These people really are dependent on tips to pay their bills, so please budget accordingly, even if the service isn't perfect.



-p.b.

will they spit in my food or clean the toilet with my tooth brush if they dont get a tip?