Crap. Did I Screw Up?

[Rainforest_Elf]

Hey all,

My sister and I just returned from a great 3 1/2 days at the DLR. The highlight of our trip was on our last day, getting our portraits done in chalk. The picture came out beautiful and it was a lovely experience to sit in New Orleans Square for an hour, watching people go buy, sipping my mint Julep.

What made it even more special, was we were 99% sure that the artist who drew us this time, was more than likely the same man (Richard from West Virginia) who drew my sister's portrait in 1995, which was great. I'm now having an internal conflict, because I did not tip the artist, as we paid for the portrait up front.

Now I'm wondering if I should write a letter with a $10-$15 tip for Richard, since I failed to do that when the picture was completed?? Do you tip people inside the parks, aside from waiters? I feel stupid for even asking this, but I feel like I may have made a very terrible and rude mistake, and want to make it right. HELP!

 

[doris1976]

First, how would you know where to send the tip?

Personally I don't think you should be concerned. Unlike wait staff personal who don't get paid enough by their employers, I don't believe other workers their get their income on the mercy of the customers, more then likely they are paid by the hour since a lot of the times they are not doing anything.

But, if it makes you feel better about yourself, I see nothing wrong with that.

 

[Disney Dreams]

You could call the Park and ask if you could send a gratuity to the artist who did a very special piece for you during your visit.

I have gotten chatty with those artists before and my understanding is that they are not directly employed by Disney, but by a company that hires out artists. Tips may very well be common for them -- though I do not know.

- Dreams

 

[Mary09]

I don't think you made a terrible and rude mistake. I would bet the vast majority of people don't tip the artists. Sweet of you to think of it.

My daughter's dream job is to be an artist in Disneyland.

I've done the same thing before-- realized after I might've 'stiffed' someone accustomed to a tip. Then the next time I try to tip that sort of professional they often wave it off, as if no one ever offers them a tip and they're not comfortable taking it.

 

[pharmama]

I don't know for sure about the chalk artists but I does told by a face painter in DL (by Pixie Hollow) that they are not allowed to accept tips. If that is indeed Disney's policy I wouldn't be surprised if it extends to the chalk artists too.

 

[Eeee-va]

It's been about 10 hours and no one's said anything bad about not tipping...given how quickly dining and hotel threads on tipping devolve, it appears tipping artists is not widely expected. It never would have crossed my mind to tip, but I'm not exactly very cultured.

So like others, I don't know if they can take tips at all, but if you want to do something for him, maybe you can try to send him a nice thank you card. I'm almost certain that if you wrote up something about how much you loved his work and the experience and such, that would be as valued as the money. (Plus even if you wanted to tip, who would you even make the check out to? Or how could you be sure cash would make it to Richard?)

As Doris mentioned, I'm not sure where you'd send a note, but if you're still feeling guilty, I'd look into it.

 

[Malcon10t]

We did a chalk portrait of our service dog. We did tip the artist about $20. I know the artists are not hired by Disney, but outside hires. They are also very very good. Since they are an outside hire, Disney may not have any info on them.