tips/gratuities

[Jennifer84]

can you use a gift card to tip? Or do you need to have cash? I was hoping to not carry any cash around on vacation

 

[MichelinMan]

As stated, housekeeping isn't a tipped position. Furthermore, housekeeping don't expect it (at least according to one of the Be Our Guest podcasts I listened to recently who quoted somebody who actually worked in housekeeping). By all accounts, leaving tips for housekeeping seems to be the exception, rather than the rule, and I personally won't be leaving one (never have in any hotel stays in the States in the past, and I'm not starting now).

I will be looking to leave a max of $15 per meal for my tips too, despite how much the receipt says. That works out around 10 quid, which to my mind is a pretty good tip. And I'm probably going to be tipping closer to $10. By my reckoning, if a server is waiting on multiple tables (as they do) $20-$30 an hour is a pretty good wage just with tips, without even counting the small wage they get from the restaurant.

 

[wilma-bride]

can you use a gift card to tip? Or do you need to have cash? I was hoping to not carry any cash around on vacation

It would be difficult and fiddly to use a gift card for tips (in my opinion), however probably not impossible. If staying on site and using the dining plan, a better option might be to charge the tip to your room, using your Key To The World (KTTW) and settle your room charges using the gift card.

Out of interest, if you don't plan to carry any cash at all, how do you intend to pay for things you buy out of pocket? Would you be having alcohol with a TS meal. If so, when you settle the check and pay for your extras, just add the tip on before using whatever payment method you intend to use.

 

[cmbpanda]

I have read a few threads about tipping over the last few days, which have been really helpful as we've not been to the US much. A couple of people have mentioned tips for the DME driver and taxi drivers. How much should we budget for this? I am assuming 10% of a taxi fare and about $10 for DME driver. We are a family of 4. I'd be really grateful if someone could let me know if that's OK or should it be more or less? Thanks helpful DIS people

 

[wilma-bride]

I have read a few threads about tipping over the last few days, which have been really helpful as we've not been to the US much. A couple of people have mentioned tips for the DME driver and taxi drivers. How much should we budget for this? I am assuming 10% of a taxi fare and about $10 for DME driver. We are a family of 4. I'd be really grateful if someone could let me know if that's OK or should it be more or less? Thanks helpful DIS people

Personally, for the DME driver, if he/she helps with your bags, I would tip $1 per bag at each end (i.e. on pickup and when unloading) plus maybe an extra $1 or $2 if he/she goes out of their way to be extra helpful.

For a taxi trip, we generally just round the fare up by a couple of $$ (unless they have assisted with luggage or anything else)

 

[Canooknic]

I think the 'when in Rome' quote totally sums up tipping. I lived in the UK until a couple of years go and although I would always tip I know several friends and family didn't unless thy received exceptional service, its not something that is commonly done but now I'm living in Canada and it is the norm to tip (as it is in the US) I would be mortified if I was out with someone and they didn't leave a tip - unless there were major & unresolved issues.

I have read a few threads about tipping over the last few days, which have been really helpful as we've not been to the US much. A couple of people have mentioned tips for the DME driver and taxi drivers. How much should we budget for this? I am assuming 10% of a taxi fare and about $10 for DME driver. We are a family of 4. I'd be really grateful if someone could let me know if that's OK or should it be more or less? Thanks helpful DIS people

I read somewhere that for DME they recommend $1 per person or $1 per bag - whichever is higher.
When we go in a couple of weeks there are 4 of us, only one suitcase but we'll probably tip $5.00 because it's easier to hand over a bill than change - just my opinion.

 

[2Tiggies]

This is all good advice thanks! I don't tip here if the food/service is bad, but from what I remember the service is always good in wdw. We'll see about the food! We're staying in OKW but not on points so I'm guessing we'll have mousekeeping everyday?

How many of you are in the room? Does it NEED cleaning every day?

It's always been my DD and I in a room and I like to keep things tidy and organized. We don't need new towels every day, we can make our beds every other day and what we do is put the Do Not Disturb sign on our door every second day as we really don't need room service. We do always tip mousekeeping on the days when we have the service, but as others have mentioned, it's not a tipped position and entirely at your own discretion.

It's an option to bear in mind if you think you'd feel guilty about not tipping for service. I'd personally rather have room service every second day and tip well for it than have it every day when it's not needed and give a low tip. Again, offering options for you, but it really is your discretion.

Dining tips are a different story and the previous posters have covered that topic very well so I won't be repetitive.

My share Elize79's point of view: When in Rome ....

 

[monicab28]

One thing to remember as you decide whether or not to tip your waiter is that it might appear that they are waiting on 2-4 tables and making $20-$30 an hour, but in reality it's just not true. They have to split their tips with other wait staff--like the busboys. In addition to that, as a server, they are required to pay income tax on 15% of their wages whether they get it or not! It's hard to be a server!

When we were in DW in May/June, we had the Standard Dining plan and with 4 adult eaters, we usually paid around $20 per meal for tips....but I am also a generous tipper! It's more blessed to give than to receive.

 

[scoobydooby]

Do you mean $20 per person? $20 for a TS for four seems quite low?

 

[wayneg]

Do you mean $20 per person? $20 for a TS for four seems quite low?

Depends on what you eat, we are 3 adults. 2 of us almost always eating the most expensive steaks, DW always a cheaper chicken dish. Tips at 18% worked out around $18 most meals. So 4 adults eating average meals I would estimate around $20 maybe just over, $5 tip is 18% of $28 before tax.

 

[Jennifer84]

It would be difficult and fiddly to use a gift card for tips (in my opinion), however probably not impossible. If staying on site and using the dining plan, a better option might be to charge the tip to your room, using your Key To The World (KTTW) and settle your room charges using the gift card.

Out of interest, if you don't plan to carry any cash at all, how do you intend to pay for things you buy out of pocket? Would you be having alcohol with a TS meal. If so, when you settle the check and pay for your extras, just add the tip on before using whatever payment method you intend to use.

I have several Disney GCs from my clients, family and friends for this trip which I was planning on using for souvenirs, etc. It's my first trip to WDW though... do I NEED to bring cash with me?

 

[OhanaSam]

This makes me so glad we have QSDP, but for the TS meals we have booked we will definitely be tipping the recommended amount, or more if the service is amazing, considering service staff in some states only get about $2.60 an hour. Plus DBF works in a restaurant so he would never under tip somebody

 

[crabbie1]

This is why Im buying the TIW card. You get 20% of the bill but the 18% gratuity is automatically taken plus a little extra off the bill. For $100 its worth it. I still tip bell services and bar staff seperate. As dvc tend to leave a tip at the end of each stay.
Im not sure if anyone can buy them or if they are AP and dvc members only.

 

[wilma-bride]

I have several Disney GCs from my clients, family and friends for this trip which I was planning on using for souvenirs, etc. It's my first trip to WDW though... do I NEED to bring cash with me?

Personally, I wouldn't travel without at least a little cash. But you could certainly use gift cards to pay for souvenirs and stuff. I just wouldn't want to mess about with gift cards to pay for a $20 tip (nor do I even know if the wait staff would accept it towards their tip), however as I said before you can use your KTTW to charge tips and purchases to your room and use the gift cards to pay the balance at the end of your stay (or during if you so wish).

 

[scoobydooby]

Depends on what you eat, we are 3 adults. 2 of us almost always eating the most expensive steaks, DW always a cheaper chicken dish. Tips at 18% worked out around $18 most meals. So 4 adults eating average meals I would estimate around $20 maybe just over, $5 tip is 18% of $28 before tax.

Yes it does, but they are four adults in the DDP as we are and I'd love to be tipping $20 a meal but it always ends up more than that. We rarely buy appetisers or alcohol.

 

[MichelinMan]

From what I have read online, the assumed minimum wage for wait staff in Florida is assumed to be $7.79 per hour, of which $4.77 is paid by the employer, and I am guessing that they are taxed assuming this rate. So by my reckoning, if wait staff are getting, say, $10 for each table, even if they split it with other persons, they will be earning in excess of the assumed minimum wage. It is for that reason that I won't be paying any more than $15 per meal (for 2 adults and 1 child) unless I get some extra special service.

 

[Kath2003]

From what I have read online, the assumed minimum wage for wait staff in Florida is assumed to be $7.79 per hour, of which $4.77 is paid by the employer, and I am guessing that they are taxed assuming this rate. So by my reckoning, if wait staff are getting, say, $10 for each table, even if they split it with other persons, they will be earning in excess of the assumed minimum wage. It is for that reason that I won't be paying any more than $15 per meal (for 2 adults and 1 child) unless I get some extra special service.

On the grounds that, because they're wait staff, they should only be paid minimum wage?

Personally when I visit I try to follow the common etiquette for the country I am in. Service in the UK is generally dire, and therefore we generally tip 10%. In the US, not only is the service significantly better, but we abide by the local custom of tipping 15-20% for STANDARD service, more if better. That rule applies everywhere, from a $30 meal to a $200 meal. That is how the wait staff make a career and a living of what they do. Even with this, you won't find many wait staff who say they feel that their income matches the work they put in. If they're sick, tough. If they take their vacation time, tough. If it's a slow day, tough. If the customer doesn't tip, tough.

Orlando is not a cheap holiday. No way am I going to short change the waiter, the taxi driver, the housekeeping staff (yes, we tip) to save a few dollars. If people don't enjoy tipping, there are a wide range of fast food and counter service options available where staff wages are set by the employer on the assumption of no tips.

 

[queendisney]

From what I have read online, the assumed minimum wage for wait staff in Florida is assumed to be $7.79 per hour, of which $4.77 is paid by the employer, and I am guessing that they are taxed assuming this rate. So by my reckoning, if wait staff are getting, say, $10 for each table, even if they split it with other persons, they will be earning in excess of the assumed minimum wage. It is for that reason that I won't be paying any more than $15 per meal (for 2 adults and 1 child) unless I get some extra special service.

Personally I don't go in for the the 'assuming' or 'guessing' bit I do what is expected in that country and not what 'I think' should be done
May be they would like to earn more then the Assumed minimum wage even if you don't think they should!

 

[Tink575]

From what I have read online, the assumed minimum wage for wait staff in Florida is assumed to be $7.79 per hour, of which $4.77 is paid by the employer, and I am guessing that they are taxed assuming this rate. So by my reckoning, if wait staff are getting, say, $10 for each table, even if they split it with other persons, they will be earning in excess of the assumed minimum wage. It is for that reason that I won't be paying any more than $15 per meal (for 2 adults and 1 child) unless I get some extra special service.

Wait staff in the US is taxed for the minimum wage (4.77 in this case but there is a bill to lower it in Fl, not sure if it passed) they receive plus their tips. Staff have to report all their tips, in addition to their minimum wage, and it affects their Social Security payment, and the amount they would receive if they become unemployed.

This is all complicated, as is anything with the IRS, but that is the jist of it. IMO, at least here in NY, wait staff is not genrally viewed as a minmum wage position, which is why people will take those jobs over working at the mart store. The nicer the establishment the more they make.

 

[OhanaSam]

From what I have read online, the assumed minimum wage for wait staff in Florida is assumed to be $7.79 per hour, of which $4.77 is paid by the employer, and I am guessing that they are taxed assuming this rate. So by my reckoning, if wait staff are getting, say, $10 for each table, even if they split it with other persons, they will be earning in excess of the assumed minimum wage. It is for that reason that I won't be paying any more than $15 per meal (for 2 adults and 1 child) unless I get some extra special service.

From what I could tell, they get paid a base rate of like $2 something, and if that plus tips doesn't add up to $7.79 per hour then their employer makes up the difference. It all seems very very confusing