A question about tipping!

[Disney MAINEiac]

Tipping is an area that I'm unfarmiliar with, coming from the UK and would value some 'tips' on what to tip whilst over there!

It's more in the area of dining that I'll probably get it all wrong, say if we go out for a meal and we spend $50 between myself and DBF, what would I leave as a tip for our server? I don't want to upset the server by tipping too little, as I don't want to be viewed as a 'bad British tourist'

Also, in what dining areas do you NOT leave a tip, as I've heard that in certain areas of Disney this does not happen?? Oh it's all so confusing to us Brits!!!

TIA...

I typically tip between 15% and 20% depending on the level of service. Of course if service is exceptionally bad go down from the 15%. If I am at a buffet and the server is doing drinks only I may do less, opinions vary on this subject. counter service meals require no tip.

Bags $1/bag

 

[themudd4]

Why are they doing that?? That was one of the lures of the dining plan fo me.

I think they were losing money on the deal...but that's just my guess. I think it stinks too!

 

[tmbrake]

I see that it says that it is a good idea to bring one's and five's with you. I am an international visitor and I only have $100.00 bills. It will be hard to arrive and tip the bell service etc without having a reasonable amount of money. Suggestions?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

When I visited Europe this summer, I was able to get Tip-paks of euros from AAA. These were the smaller denominations of money (mostly 1- and 2-euro coins and 5-euro bills). If you cannot get something similar before your leave for the USA, you should be able to get smaller bills from the lobby concierge at your hotel.

 

[cherjp]

hi can anyone tell me what to do about a character meal and tipping, last year there were 8 of us doing a character meal and there was a service charge , do you still tip over and above that?
and is it definite that you dont tip at counter service places? what about shops ?

thanks
cheryl

 

[themudd4]

hi can anyone tell me what to do about a character meal and tipping, last year there were 8 of us doing a character meal and there was a service charge , do you still tip over and above that?
and is it definite that you dont tip at counter service places? what about shops ?

thanks
cheryl

I have never heard of tipping CS or those that work in the shops. They make more per hour than waiters and waitress do.
As far as tipping at a character meal...it is the same as any other table service meal...the tip is at your discretion. Personally when the tip is already added in @ 18%, I find that to usually be fair...even tho I am not a fan of % tipping.

 

[FoggyToad]

Tipping is an area that I'm unfarmiliar with, coming from the UK and would value some 'tips' on what to tip whilst over there!

It's more in the area of dining that I'll probably get it all wrong, say if we go out for a meal and we spend $50 between myself and DBF, what would I leave as a tip for our server? I don't want to upset the server by tipping too little, as I don't want to be viewed as a 'bad British tourist'

Also, in what dining areas do you NOT leave a tip, as I've heard that in certain areas of Disney this does not happen?? Oh it's all so confusing to us Brits!!!

TIA...

You're from Lancashire which is one of my favorite counties in England! Since we are from the Midwest, a 15% tip is considered standard and I tip 20% if the service is really excellent. From what I've read on the boards, some people from other parts of the country tip more than that but 15-20% is considered pretty standard in the U.S. If the service is really poor, I have left nothing with a note explaining why I did that to the server/management in the hopes that they will improve what was horrible for the next diner. (However, I've only done that twice in my whole life.) Hope you have a great time on your "holiday"!!

 

[Tinks1984]

You're from Lancashire which is one of my favorite counties in England! Since we are from the Midwest, a 15% tip is considered standard and I tip 20% if the service is really excellent. From what I've read on the boards, some people from other parts of the country tip more than that but 15-20% is considered pretty standard in the U.S. If the service is really poor, I have left nothing with a note explaining why I did that to the server/management in the hopes that they will improve what was horrible for the next diner. (However, I've only done that twice in my whole life.) Hope you have a great time on your "holiday"!!

Thanks to everyone for the replies! It's so strange to me having to think I'll need to work out how much I need to tip whilst on our 'holiday' I had my Mum and Dad there last time to deal with all that kinda stuff! I'm leaving them at home this time...

FoggyToad, I'm glad you enjoy my county, it's such a great place, we're at the centre of lots of attractions and places of interest, I'm so privilaged to live in this area of the UK

 

[Cruella 66]

If you go to the 'search' function on the disboards and type in mousekeeping envelopes there is a great thread from last year that the lady designed her own and posted them for everyone to use. Actually...here's the thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1138487. I copied those and they are so original and cool! Best wishes, Cindy

 

[firsttimer2007]

I see that it says that it is a good idea to bring one's and five's with you. I am an international visitor and I only have $100.00 bills. It will be hard to arrive and tip the bell service etc without having a reasonable amount of money. Suggestions?

You can buy a coke at the airport. That way you have smaller bills before you need them.

Tipping in the U.S. is way way overboard. (I am a natural U.S. citizen). That being said I tip TS 15-20% depending on the level of service. $1.00 per bag for luggage, unless I get it myself. The Disney website says Mousekeeping is a non tipped position, so I would not tip them, or anyone else, unless they did something extrodinary.

TIP stands for TO INSURE PROMPTNESS

keep that in mind while choosing your TIPS.

 

[CleveRocks]

Hello all! This trip will be my second, and I want to avoid the embarassing moments of last years trip, when I had no idea who to tip or how much!
I'm on a strict budget, but I don't want to be too cheap! How much would you tip someone helping with your luggage? How much do you tip the mousekeepers? etc.. etc... Thanks for any advice! BTW, we're staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, just me, my sister and my 8 year old DD

If you are on a tight budget, then hopefully you are taking Disney's Magical Express from the airport to CBR (and back) because it is free. If you are paying for transportation to and from the airport, call 866-599-0951 to make last-minute DME reservations and see if you can cancel whatever other mode of airport transfer that is undoubtedly costing you well over $100.

If you are using DME, you do not need to tip for your checked luggage to be brought to your room on your arrival day. The CMs who do that actually get a "tip" from Disney, so it's not like they are missing out because you didn't tip them. It's OK to NOT tip the DME driver as long as he/she doesn't handle any of your bags. If your carry-ons are small enough to fit under your seat or on the overhead shelf, then you may take them with you into the bus. But if any are too large for that, the driver must stow them under the bus, and it is customary to tip the driver for handling your bags.

I think $1 per bag is just fine, especially if you are on a tight budget. When my cash is more plentiful, I share the wealth in tips when appropriate. When my cash is tight, I tip the minimum "acceptable" amount. When my cash is so low that I can't afford to tip for conventionally-tipped services, then I don't use those services.