Disney's Magical Express - $Tips$

[sphudson]

Should you tip for using the Magical Express? If so, who?? We are leaving tomorrow

 

[kimis]

Yes we tip a dollar a bag. We tip the bus driver. Enjoy

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Should you tip for using the Magical Express? If so, who?? We are leaving tomorrow

Here's my opinion:

On your arrival day -- if you use the yellow DME luggage tags:

• DME Driver: Unless the driver assists you with your larger carry-ons, only tip the driver for exceptional service.
• Bellman: Disney pays the inbound bell service gratuity. You don't even have to be in the room. If you are in your room, there's no need to tip unless you request services beyond simply having your bags left in the room.

On your arrival day -- if you don't use the yellow DME luggage tags:

• DME Driver: Tipping is customary because the driver assists you with your luggage. Pay the tip when the luggage is returned to you.
• Bellman: Tipping is customary if you get assistance with your luggage to your room.

On your departure day -- if you use Resort Airline Check-in:

• Bellman: Tipping is customary if you get assistance with your luggage from your room to the lobby.
• Resort Airline Check-in (at your resort): Tipping is customary for the skycap who prints your boarding passes and checks your luggage to your home airport.
• DME Driver: Unless the driver assists you with your larger carry-ons, only tip the driver for exceptional service.

On your departure day -- if you don't use Resort Airline Check-in:

• Bellman: Tipping is customary if you get assistance with your luggage from your room to the lobby.
• DME Driver: Tipping is customary because the driver assists you with your luggage. Pay the tip when the luggage is returned to you at the airport.
• Skycap (at the airport): Tipping is customary for the skycap who prints your boarding passes and checks your luggage to your home airport. And that tip is in addition to the $2 per bag fee that several airlines now charge.
• Airline counter employee (if you don't use a skycap): The airline employee who prints your boarding passes and checks your luggage to you home airport is not a tipped position.

I didn't write anything above about porters at the airport. And I didn't mention bell service CMs at the resort who store your carry-ons until your room is ready. Again, tips are customary.

The short answer is that if someone handles your bags, and if the tips are not covered in some other way, and if that person is not specifically a non-tipped position (such as an airline counter employee or a TSA screener), then it's customary to tip. Those tips are usually paid at the conclusion of service.

The $1-2 per bag guideline has been around for a long time. I would use the lower end of that scale if the person handling your bags provides only basic service. I would use the higher end of the scale if the person is genuinely pleasant or if what they're doing consumes a fair amount of time (such as a bellman taking you and your bags to your room at the WDW resort). Also, I tend to round up to multiples of $5.

 

[goofy4tink]

Anytime someone touches my bags, they get a tip. If the DME driver has had to stow my bags under the bus, then he/she gets about $1 a bag. If I have just ridden the bus, holding my carryon bag in my lap, the driver doesn't always get a tip. See, the thing is this....there has always been a sign in the front of the bus saying that while not mandatory, gratuities are most appreciated. Okay..I have no problem with that. But, if the driver then makes a comment about the 'tip policy' I give them nothing. It seems like begging to me. If the driver has done a nice job of making the ride more pleasant for me, then they get a tip. But to drive the bus, silently, not touch my bags, and then make an announcement saying that gratuities are much appreciated? Nope, don't think so.