Tipping Mousekeeping

[Donald is #1]

Hi everyone! I know that there are different opinions on whether you tip mousekeeping or not. So I am looking for those opinions. (I bet you couldn't guess that! :lmao: )

So, my questions are:

1) Do you tip or not

If you do tip:
2) How much do you tip on Trash & Towel days?

3) How much on check out day?

4) How much on full cleaning day?


I have only had 2 DVC trips so far and one of those was Concierge level where we tipped twice per day. So I am still trying to figure out what I want to do.

[WolfpackFan]

This has been discussed a lot here, so you might want to search for some other answers.

No, I don't tip. The housekeepers at WDW are full salaried employees.

[dallastxcpa]

Yes, I tip Mousekeeping!


1) Trash and Towel Day usually about $1 per person.

2) & 3) Are pretty much both full cleanings so I will tip anywhere between $5 to $20 depending on the size of the unit (stuido to GV)

I also tip Mousekeeping when they deliver extra towels or bring things that I request. This happens much less frequently at DVC, but we sometimes add nights on at non-DVC WDW resorts.

[Dean]

Hi everyone! I know that there are different opinions on whether you tip mousekeeping or not. So I am looking for those opinions. (I bet you couldn't guess that! :lmao: )

So, my questions are:

1) Do you tip or not

If you do tip:
2) How much do you tip on Trash & Towel days?

3) How much on check out day?

4) How much on full cleaning day?


I have only had 2 DVC trips so far and one of those was Concierge level where we tipped twice per day. So I am still trying to figure out what I want to do.I don't think there is any standard at all. You could search the different threads, if the search is working. We don't tip for services paid for as Disney does not consider housekeeping a tipped position. We do tip for special service and that is variable to the situation, weather, distance and quality of the service itself. You could use the cost of those services if paid OOP extra as a guide and it'd likely be far more helpful and standard than people telling you what they do. Possibly a percentage or something similar.
Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested
Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

[Deb & Bill]

We don't tip. I do try to make the housekeepers' job a little bit easier by stripping the bed and gathering all the towels into the tub on check out day. PLus making sure all the dishes are in the dishwasher (or already washed and put away) and getting all the trash together.

That way, all they need to do is run the vacuum, wipe down the bathroom, remake the beds and lock the door.

[jekjones1558]

We do tip. Starting pay for mousekeepers is the same as bell staff, so I don't know why one worker should be tipped and the other not. We tip only $5 or $10 for T&T and $20 - $30 for full cleaning and/or checkout. We may do more for exceptional service and one time we did not tip when we had some real problems with mousekeeping.

[Disneypirate85]

We always tip MS. In a regular $$ room its $5.00 a day, and it is usually thanked by extra items when we return to the room, DW really loves those wash clothe animals.
Little more on T&T day for a Studio.:thumbsup2

[DisDaydreamer]

We do tip... $5-T&T. $10-check out. We never stay long enough to get a full cleaning.

That said... I would prefer to have an envelope found in our unit upon arrival that says "I prepared your room for you" and then have a lock box that I could put that envelope into that contained my appreciation (or not) of how the room was prepared. Might help clear up some of those disappointments found upon arrival. JMHO.

[wdw1972]

That said... I would prefer to have an envelope found in our unit upon arrival that says "I prepared your room for you" and then have a lock box that I could put that envelope into that contained my appreciation (or not) of how the room was prepared.

That's not likely to happen, since Housekeeping is not a tipped position.

[DisDaydreamer]

That's not likely to happen, since Housekeeping is not a tipped position.

I do understand that... :goodvibes So, I would like for it to be a tipped position and then do it the way I posted.

[Kathi OD]

We don't tip mousekeeping either.

[WolfpackFan]

I do understand that... :goodvibes So, I would like for it to be a tipped position and then do it the way I posted.

So basically you'd like their pay to be cut so you can then tip them. Go figure.

[jblrn2b]

I am very confused by this thread. Do you all mean that in DVC the Housekeeping staff is not tipped because they are salaried staff? This is very unusual in the hotel industry. Because we always tipped at the Poly.

[TDC Nala]

I am very confused by this thread. Do you all mean that in DVC the Housekeeping staff is not tipped because they are salaried staff? This is very unusual in the hotel industry. Because we always tipped at the Poly.

Walt Disney World does not include housekeeping in its listing of positions for which tips are customary. Therefore it appears that WDW housekeepers are salaried and paid at least minimum wage.

That said, many guests prefer to tip housekeepers, which of course they may if they desire. Those who prefer not to tip housekeepers should not be expected to.

and no, I do not tip for trash and towel service.

[jekjones1558]

So basically you'd like their pay to be cut so you can then tip them. Go figure.
What???

For years I have heard about this list of positions that Disney considers "tipped" positions. I have tried multiple searches on the internet and cannot find this list. Can someone point me to it?

Here is what I found for Bell Services job posting and salary:
http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyCareers/wdwcareers/hourly/bellservices.html


Here is what I found for mousekeeping:
http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyCareers/wdwcareers/hourly/housekeeping.html

I do not see much difference in pay nor any mention of tip expectations.

[Dean]

So basically you'd like their pay to be cut so you can then tip them. Go figure.And/or increase the price of the room by that much as a way of passing on the additional costs to patrons. That is my very concern that enough tipping will convert them to tipped positions increasing our costs and likely decreasing their income as well. It also gives Disney the option of contracting it as an independent contractor and avoiding things like retirement, health care and other benefits.

I am very confused by this thread. Do you all mean that in DVC the Housekeeping staff is not tipped because they are salaried staff? This is very unusual in the hotel industry. Because we always tipped at the Poly.
The info I have seen suggests that nationally it's about 50/50 for hotels so not unusual at all. For timeshares in the US it's very unusual to find housekeeping in a tipped position likely due to the fact that most don't offer daily service and many don't even offer a midweek cleaning of any time. All of the timeshares in the Western Hemisphere where tipping is standard are not in the US and are at places where they come in daily and clean, wash dishes, mop, make beds, change out towels, etc. In those cases there are direct instructions that tipping is expected much like on cruise ships.

[TDC Nala]

Disney hands out information sheets when you check into a resort. They have a section on "Gratuities" which lists the positions for which a tip is customary at the WDW Resort. Housekeeping is not one of them.

I tend not to think WDW is trying to cheat its housekeepers - if they were they'd go work at another hotel.

As noted, many guests prefer to tip the housekeepers even though it is not a tipped position.

[kendzee94]

We usually tip on check out $1/person/day.

Our trip we just took a couple weeks ago was 7 nights at AKV in a 2BR. When we checked in, in the studio, there was a dirty towel on the door and a belt left on a chair. We called mousekeeping, and the next day they sent a mousekeeper. She asked us what we needed. I explained to her what was left and she took the dirty towel but would not take the belt. I later received a message on the voice mail in room that she was actually there for a full cleaning. She told me that she would do trash and towel service for us. I was in the process of drying our towels, so I just asked for clean bath mats. She gave us two new sets of towels. That was great!!! My DH was on the phone with a crisis at work, so I did not have her do anything but change out the towels and trash. I did not tip. Later that day, we checked the 1BR and found 2 random LEGOS, thanks, my DS brought them home, too. In the dresser drawer, there were two unopened boxes of Midol. Thanks, I'll use those later this month:rotfl: I had to wash the inside of one of the cupboards as it appeared that someone spilled coffee in it, not a big deal, as I go through them to make sure everything is there. We did not have a blowdryer in either room, and made sure they knew so we weren't charged for taking something that we never started with. After that, we got trash and towel service on some other random day, so I did not tip, because I was not expecting it. I did not tip at check out as my protest as to the way the room was left for me. Yes, I expect to be flamed, "why didn't you call mousekeeping and let them know everything"? I felt that after two calls to mousekeeping, another would get me listed as one of "those" customers/members. For the record, in four trips home, this is our only complaint. We LOVE LOVE LOVE AKV and are glad we own there. Tipping housekeeping in my book is optional and is warranted if things are the way they should be, clean and free of other's stuff.

[jekjones1558]

Disney hands out information sheets when you check into a resort. They have a section on "Gratuities" which lists the positions for which a tip is customary at the WDW Resort. Housekeeping is not one of them.

Thank you for this info. After staying at WDW so MANY times, it appears that I have not read this sheet carefully. That being said, the starting pay for a mousekeeper (apparently NOT tipped) is $8.00/hour. The starting pay for Bell Services (apparently tipped) is $7.35 - $8.00/hour. I have never understood how these kinds of rates are set, seeming to pay hourly rates that are comparable but then encouraging tips to one group and not another. Maybe Disney thinks that Bell Service work is more difficult than mousekeeping and therefor deserves tips in addition to their hourly pay. I guess that I disagree with Disney so I am glad that tipping mousekeepers is not forbidden. I did try to tip a front desk person who was really stellar and was told THAT WAS forbidden.

[jekjones1558]

kendzee94,
I would not have tipped either. No excuse for poor service like that. We had issues once and I didn't even consider leaving a tip that time.

[Dean]

What???

For years I have heard about this list of positions that Disney considers "tipped" positions. I have tried multiple searches on the internet and cannot find this list. Can someone point me to it?

Here is what I found for Bell Services job posting and salary:
http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyCareers/wdwcareers/hourly/bellservices.html


Here is what I found for mousekeeping:
http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyCareers/wdwcareers/hourly/housekeeping.html

I do not see much difference in pay nor any mention of tip expectations.It used to be listed directly on Disney's Website a few years ago, I haven't seen it in maybe 5-6 years. As noted, it's been in the handed out info at times over the years but not always.

[JerJan]

popcorn::

[Donald is #1]

Disney hands out information sheets when you check into a resort. They have a section on "Gratuities" which lists the positions for which a tip is customary at the WDW Resort. Housekeeping is not one of them.


I guess that I have never read the material that they had out at check-in, because I don't remember reading that part. :blush: Of course that could be because prior to buying into DVC, I was always running off to a park as soon as I checked in.

[Donald is #1]

Well, if I counted right, then we are running 50%. I guess that explains why I am so confused over whether to tip or not.

I have always tipped at the non-DVC resorts, but I am still trying to figure out whether to tip or not at DVC. I guess that I will determine based upon how much they have to do.

[DisDaydreamer]

So basically you'd like their pay to be cut so you can then tip them. Go figure.

No.... I don't want their pay to be cut. I want them to have rewards for doing a good or great job. I want them to make more than they do now based on their job performance. I am a manager in a factory that has no basis for rewarding people for doing a... forget it. I'm like a moth heading for the flame sometimes.

EDIT: Ok, I've gotten a broken night of sleep and not feeling so grumpy. A couple points.

Federal minimum wage for tipped workers = $3.50/hr. Straight minumum wage = $6.55. I would be surprised to find that DVC pays much if any more than straight minimum wage to their room cleaners. Seems very likely a room cleaner could make $10 to $15 per hour with tips. However, when we the customers leave tips on the table when we check-out it is whoever sees it first that gets it, and we're likely not really rewarding the person we want to be rewarding (as Deb points out). Wouldn't surprise me if you told me supervisors go around a check the rooms before sending in the cleaners. I am a share the wealth kind of person and will tip or reward those who are likely struggling to make ends meet, and will tip more for a better job done. In this case though I can't do that because it is a non-tipped position, but if the person who prepared my room left an envelope and I could actually deposit it in a tip box, I would be happier and I'm betting the room cleaners would be happier.

That said, I agree with Dean about the passing on of cost of business to the customer. I dislike it when a business tacks on an automatic 20% gratuity. I am divided on this issue to say the least. However, in this case, we're the owner and the customer at the same time, and the costs (or savings) come out of one hand are passed to the other.

So bottom line in my ideal situation... the costs/savings are a wash. We are able to reward the one we intend to. The people doing good jobs are making more in general and more than the ones who don't. And we end up with better service. Cleaner rooms. Ready sooner.

JMHO

[Deb & Bill]

When you are in a tipped position, it is expected that you will receive X% of your wages in tips. And you are taxed on that percentage. Valets, table servers are right there when you are provided services and it's difficult to leave without tipping that position. But with housekeeping, you aren't there when you receive their services so that you can pay them the wages (tips). I wonder how many housekeepers would be paying taxes on non-received tips. Perhaps that is why housekeeping is a non-tipped position.

Many years ago (sometime after the Ice Age), when I was in college (the first time) I worked as a waitress in a restaurant during the summer time. I was paid $0.80 an hour and the rest of my pay was tips. I had to fill out a sheet every week declaring the tips that I had earned that week. Minimum wage at the time was nearing $2.00 an hour. So it was expected that I earned at least $1.20 an hour in tips.

[jblrn2b]

Sorry but more confused than ever.

[dbriggsq]

Sorry but more confused than ever.

I can see why you are confused.

There are people here ( well meaning I'm sure) who will tell you that they tip housekeeping and imply that it is the 'done thing'.

Housekeepers at Disney are not employed in a tipped position and therefore you should not feel that you are required to tip them. If you feel you would like to then you are at liberty to do so.

I do feel that if it becomes customary for people to tip housekeeping there is a danger that Disney may see this as an opportunity to freeze or even reduce housekeeping wages and turn it into a 'tipped' position which I think would be disadvantageous to the people involved.

[keishashadow]

non DVC i tip housekeeping every day, couple $s per guest ($10 minimum)

DVC, once or twice during typical 4 - 6 day stay,amount depending on cleanliness of room; approx same i'd leave for housekeeping for 2 day period @ standard hotel

consider ourselves to be neat/easy with studio usage, if we made a mess would leave more kwim?

from moonlighting in the service industry years ago, trust me; tips r always welcome;)

[shellybaxter]

I can see why you are confused.

There are people here ( well meaning I'm sure) who will tell you that they tip housekeeping and imply that it is the 'done thing'.

Housekeepers at Disney are not employed in a tipped position and therefore you should not feel that you are required to tip them. If you feel you would like to then you are at liberty to do so.

I do feel that if it becomes customary for people to tip housekeeping there is a danger that Disney may see this as an opportunity to freeze or even reduce housekeeping wages and turn it into a 'tipped' position which I think would be disadvantageous to the people involved.

I live in California. We don't have a sub minimum wage here. Servers receive at least the regular minimum wage and tipping is customarily 20% of the total. Here in California I tip servers, taxi drivers, bell services, valet, and housekeeping (just off the top of my head). I don't worry about who gets less money or who gets more money - I tip based on the fact that I appreciate the services provided and want to say thank you. So when I go to WDW I don't get hung up on who is supposed to be tipped and who isn't - I just tip the people I want to thank for the services they provide. Mousekeeping is once of those departments that I usually tip

Yes, I tip Mousekeeping!


1) Trash and Towel Day usually about $1 per person.

2) & 3) Are pretty much both full cleanings so I will tip anywhere between $5 to $20 depending on the size of the unit (stuido to GV)

I also tip Mousekeeping when they deliver extra towels or bring things that I request. This happens much less frequently at DVC, but we sometimes add nights on at non-DVC WDW resorts.

This is pretty much how much I tip as well.

[Kiderak]

I tip based on service and never feel obligated to tip. Really poor service deserves no tip, exceptional service deserves a higher tip. I don't see the cleaning of the rooms as a customer service position any more than the counter worker at a McDonalds or Burger King.