Disney World on list of lowest-paying jobs

[Donut23]

The housekeepers do a lousy job.
Sorry, but that's been my consistent experience.

MG

I'm sorry you have not had better experience with Mousekeeping. Honestly, I cannot remember having poor housekeeping service in ANY of y trips - business or leisure. Well, ok, I have to admit, on a recent trip a couple of weeks ago they forgot to clean our room one day - Homewood Suites. That's it.

I have found Mousekeeping at WDW and DL excellent. As an example, I remember a last minute trip. We stayed at Riverside when the Azaleas were in bloom. Our second morning our table had a few extra glasses filled with those beautiful big-white-blooms from the Azalea bushes. Lovely touch.

I'm sorry you have not had the same experience.

 

[patsal]

It's possible there may be some her who are not familiar with Emily Post - undenied queen of etiquette - first guideline published in 1922. Here are tipping guidelines for Travel from the Emily Post website - longtime industry standards. I have seen this posted on the DIS before - thought it might be worth repeating.

Guess what? I guarantee Disney is well aware of these guidelines since they are industry standards for a long time.


TRAVEL

Skycap at airport: $1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap takes bags to check-in counter.

Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for hailing a cab

Hotel bellhop: $1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag)

Hotel housekeeper: $2 to $5* per night

Hotel concierge: $5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions.

Cruise: Varies. Ask cruise line about customary gratuities.


Source: Emily Post Institute
* Additional source: Tipping.org

However, even Disney says their housekeeping staff is not a tipped position. Sorry but itf a company has no way for an employee to claim their tips for tax purposes than I fail to see how accepting tips is even legal.

MG I have met similiar waitstaff people, one laughed at me when I said I was a teacher he said he worked way less hours now and pulled in an easy $80K and that was 10 years ago at 'Ohana/

FWIW I find mousekeeping marginal at best and often much worse. I have not had an impeccibly clean room in years.

 

[WDSearcher]

What would you think of a CM who made 5.50 plus tips after over 18 years with Disney? I met one..

I would think that they clearly liked their job or had no aspirations to move into anything different.

 

[faneuil]

How well does Disney pay people that work in their offices? Like secretaries or HR professionals, or support staff positions?

I'm just wondering if the low pay is company wide.

I currently work at a university, and staff is paid extremely low. It seems to be a trend, no matter what industry you're in.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

How well does Disney pay people that work in their offices? Like secretaries or HR professionals, or support staff positions?

I'm just wondering if the low pay is company wide.

I currently work at a university, and staff is paid extremely low. It seems to be a trend, no matter what industry you're in.

Again, it depends on your standard of living. Some may think the pay is fair but really does anyone? The biggest perk for those positions is not having to work late hours and weekends. Which is enough for a lot of people. The highest paid positions are Management - Directors, Assistant Directors, VP's, etc.

 

[faneuil]

Again, it depends on your standard of living. Some may think the pay is fair but really does anyone? The biggest perk for those positions is not having to work late hours and weekends. Which is enough for a lot of people. The highest paid positions are Management - Directors, Assistant Directors, VP's, etc.

Good point. I just know here, they did a salary study that showed staff - and particularly office support, such as secretaries - are paid $15,000 a year BELOW national average.

So I'm wondering if a secretary at Disney is making the industry average for support staff, or if that's another place they're cutting wages.

Not working nights or weekends is a huge perk, as long as you can still pay the rent and utilities every month!

When I go to the parks, I often wonder how CMs are making ends meet. I wonder the same thing when I talk to Disney CMs on the phone. Then I wonder about the people I never interact with. There must be something about Disney that makes people want to work there, low wages or not. Lots of CMs I talk to have been with Disney a very long time.

 

[Oglet]

Something is wrong when someone is having to work 50 - 60 hours a week just to try and make ends meet.

I'm not suggesting that people shouldn't be rewarded for working hard, going to school and trying to make something of their life all I am saying is those who do these kinds of jobs should be able to make enough money to live on and pay their bills regardless.

 

[JasonDVC]

In this country, everyone has the right to an opportunity to be successful. No everyone will be successful, but you have the opportunity.

In a lot of countries and systems you don't even have the opportunity. You get paid the same as everyone else even if you are more skilled and work harder.

I prefer the former.

That said, Success is relative. Maybe some people are just happy working their 40 hours, paying their rent and working at Disney.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Good point. I just know here, they did a salary study that showed staff - and particularly office support, such as secretaries - are paid $15,000 a year BELOW national average.

So I'm wondering if a secretary at Disney is making the industry average for support staff, or if that's another place they're cutting wages.

Not working nights or weekends is a huge perk, as long as you can still pay the rent and utilities every month!

When I go to the parks, I often wonder how CMs are making ends meet. I wonder the same thing when I talk to Disney CMs on the phone. Then I wonder about the people I never interact with. There must be something about Disney that makes people want to work there, low wages or not. Lots of CMs I talk to have been with Disney a very long time.

The pay levels for all non-management levels are closer to industry average (hospitality) which isn't high mind you, but most of the people I know in those positions would pick up extra hours working in other jobs at WDW. I think loving your job trumps making a ton of money. It is a bonus of course, but wouldn't it be even better to just love going to work each day? Plus, if you are picking up extra hours, you become a jack of all trades and have a lot more job security.

 

[kamik86]

I guess I'm one of the ones that don't feel so bad for Disney employees making these wages. My husband only makes $9, maybe $9.50 now, he works at Target. I don't feel bad for him that he makes this much, it was his choice not to go to college, to not continue with the electrical program he started in high school, etc.

He hates his job and is only doing it for the money to go to Disney. If we lived anywhere near Disney he would love to work there! He will quit his job and be a stay at home Dad when we have kids.

On the other hand I would also love to work at Disney. I wish I knew of the college program my freshman year as that was the ONLY year I could have done it. After that I needed to have co-ops since they were a graduation requirement and paid much more anyway. I am still technically eligible due to grad school but would have to give up my nice paying engineering job to do it, which obviously isn't going to happen .

 

[Lewisc]

Housekeepers in WDW resorts are at least paid the minimum wage. Disney doesn't consider housekeepers a "tipped" position. Employees working in "tipped" positions are frequently paid less then minimum wage, with customer tips being enough to bring their pay (at least) up to minimum wage. A couple of posters claim hotel managers told them housekeepers are told to refuse tips.

Disney is an exception to the tip housekeeping tradition. Possibly because Disney found their guests weren't tipping enough.

It's entirely possible some posters aren't familiar with the fact that Disney treats housekeepers different then other hotels.

Glad I could clear that up for you. Sorry my OP wasn't detailed enough for you.

It's possible there may be some her who are not familiar with Emily Post - undenied queen of etiquette - first guideline published in 1922. Here are tipping guidelines for Travel from the Emily Post website - longtime industry standards. I have seen this posted on the DIS before - thought it might be worth repeating.

Guess what? I guarantee Disney is well aware of these guidelines since they are industry standards for a long time.


TRAVEL

Skycap at airport: $1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap takes bags to check-in counter.

Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for hailing a cab

Hotel bellhop: $1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag)

Hotel housekeeper: $2 to $5* per night

Hotel concierge: $5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions.

Cruise: Varies. Ask cruise line about customary gratuities.


Source: Emily Post Institute
* Additional source: Tipping.org

 

[Donut23]

Housekeepers in WDW resorts are at least paid the minimum wage. Disney doesn't consider housekeepers a "tipped" position. Employees working in "tipped" positions are frequently paid less then minimum wage, with customer tips being enough to bring their pay (at least) up to minimum wage. A couple of posters claim hotel managers told them housekeepers are told to refuse tips.

Disney is an exception to the tip housekeeping tradition. Possibly because Disney found their guests weren't tipping enough.

It's entirely possible some posters aren't familiar with the fact that Disney treats housekeepers different then other hotels.

Glad I could clear that up for you. Sorry my OP wasn't detailed enough for you.

I have been tipping at WDW since my first visit - the second year the MK was open. Not once in all those years has a tip been refused.

After watching conversations here regarding tipping, I spoke with the GM of the Boardwalk (about an especially wonderful mousekeeper who took very good care of me when I had a 24 hour bug---and my travel companions were out playing). When asked about tipping he said "By all Means". To me - that was answer enough.

You may choose to not tip and use any excuse you wish to justify your reason. I will continue to bring smiles to the faces of people who perform a service for me. That's MY choice. I prefer the smiles. Perhaps that's why I seem to have such wonderful service from our mousekeepers.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I have been tipping at WDW since my first visit - the second year the MK was open. Not once in all those years has a tip been refused.

After watching conversations here regarding tipping, I spoke with the GM of the Boardwalk (about an especially wonderful mousekeeper who took very good care of me when I had a 24 hour bug---and my travel companions were out playing). When asked about tipping he said "By all Means". To me - that was answer enough.

You may choose to not tip and use any excuse you wish to justify your reason. I will continue to bring smiles to the faces of people who perform a service for me. That's MY choice. I prefer the smiles. Perhaps that's why I seem to have such wonderful service from our mousekeepers.

not to be argumentative...but the previous poster was right...tipping is not allowed for the vast majority of employees.

if tips are left in rooms....they are to be turned in to management and then given to one of disney's charitabl fronts. seriously.

now, most of the time those who are on the ground have the sense to leave it alone...but it is prohibited for most of the staff

 

[nytimez]

This has been an eye-opener. I had always tipped Mousekeeping, I never realized these were non-tipped positions and that the employees were not supposed to accept them. I wonder why this message is so poorly communicated, though -- even the Frommers 2010 Disney guide suggests $1-$2 a day for Mousekeeping ("more if you've left a disaster area").

 

[Lewisc]

You may choose to not tip and use any excuse you wish to justify your reason. I will continue to bring smiles to the faces of people who perform a service for me. That's MY choice. I prefer the smiles. Perhaps that's why I seem to have such wonderful service from our mousekeepers.

When I go to a restaurant I tip the waiter, bartender (if I get a drink at the bar) valet (if a valet parks my car). I don't tip the chef, he's not working in tipped position. I don't tip the bus boy, the waiter typically shares tips with him.

I don't need to justify not tipping housekeeping. It's not a tipped position. Your comment is rude. I won't report it as a personal attack. I understand your comment is based on ignorance. Glad I could educate you.

 

[donaldduck352]

Say what you want,it's still below poverty wages!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DW is making there money without a doubt.But the trickledown pay scale don't reach the CM's at all....

 

[nytimez]

I don't tip the chef, he's not working in tipped position..

I actually know people who will order drinks for the chef in restaurants. Not a cash tip, but still a tip. It doesn't mean the chef should be tipped by everyone else, but if people want to do it, I don't have a problem with it.

 

[skiingfast]

After watching conversations here regarding tipping, I spoke with the GM of the Boardwalk (about an especially wonderful mousekeeper who took very good care of me when I had a 24 hour bug---and my travel companions were out playing). When asked about tipping he said "By all Means". To me - that was answer enough.

Do you think the GM was influenced in his answer by your situation or by your enthusiasm for your housekeeper?

All I'm suggesting is that a candid answer may not of been what you got, and not easy to come by at WDW because of thier attitude toward pleasing guests.

 

[Donut23]

not to be argumentative...but the previous poster was right...tipping is not allowed for the vast majority of employees.

if tips are left in rooms....they are to be turned in to management and then given to one of disney's charitabl fronts. seriously.

now, most of the time those who are on the ground have the sense to leave it alone...but it is prohibited for most of the staff

If Disney was so serious about not tipping mousekeepers - and with the industry standard that tipping is acceptable, Disney would have instructions left in the room for each of us detailing their tipping guidelines so there would be absolutely no misunderstanding.

So far, I haven't found a document reminding me that tipping is forbidden, have you?


.....and for those who are unhappy with mousekeeping at WDW - I hope the next time to are lucky enough to have one of ours great mousekeepers. We have many really great memories of Pixie Dust in abundance from resort staff. After a long day in the parks, it's fun to look forward to the extra touches in our room.

This has actually reminded me to begin again a travel policy I held for many years. I travel for work and part of my wrapup at the end of a trip is to write at least THREE thank you letters to people who have made my trip easier or special. Now instead of complimentary phone calls to management, I'm going to put my thank you's in writing. It has far more impact for the individual employee anyway. I got lazy, thank you for the reminder!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

not to be argumentative...but the previous poster was right...tipping is not allowed for the vast majority of employees.

if tips are left in rooms....they are to be turned in to management and then given to one of disney's charitabl fronts. seriously.

now, most of the time those who are on the ground have the sense to leave it alone...but it is prohibited for most of the staff

That is not true. They are given to the housekeeper if they are under $25 but even then I know of instances where they were given regardless. The handbook may say something else, but this is how it has been the last 10 years. At the front desk, it is another story...tips have to be turned in - but many times the managers will just let the CM keep them. But, under no circumstances is any CM - whether tipped or otherwise allowed to solicit tips.