Do we tip bus, DME and boat drivers?

[leannak]

Wondering about tipping etc. now. Do the DME drivers still load your bags for you or do they not touch them at all due to Covid?

 

[FCDub]

Wondering about tipping etc. now. Do the DME drivers still load your bags for you or do they not touch them at all due to Covid?

They will load them on the bus. Tip for this service.

 

[Lewisc]

I guess it's a generational thing. Going on a vacation where I have to pay for restaurants or tours with cash I'll bring hundreds of dollars. Going on a vacation like Disney where credit cards are generally accepted.. I'll still have a minimum of $20. Probably more. Too me "no cash" doesn't literally mean empty pockets. More like $20-$40. Credit card processing machines sometimes go out, particularly at carts in the parks. A few place have a credit card minimum. I was in Aldi a few months ago. The processing system was down. No debit or credit cards. I was glad I had the few dollars to pay without having to wait. I'd hate to want to buy a newspaper or bottle of water and not have a few dollars in my pocket.

It's customary to tip anyone, including DME bus driver, who handles your luggage. It's not generally allowed to load and unload your luggage under the bus. Resorts which have bellhops don't generally have luggage carts available for guest use. If I know I'll be needing luggage assistance at my hotel, or if I'm arriving prior to check in and will want luggage stored,, I make sure I have enough singles to cover expected tips. You can go into your bank and get whatever denominations you want. You can make a small purchase in the airport and get change in singles. You can ask at the front desk in a hotel. Converting a 20 dollar bills to singles isn't that hard.

I undertand some guests might only have 20 dollar bills and not have currency to tip. I don't agree with travelling without at least a 20 dollar bill, probably more, in my pocket.

 

[nkereina]

I guess it's a generational thing. Going on a vacation where I have to pay for restaurants or tours with cash I'll bring hundreds of dollars. Going on a vacation like Disney where credit cards are generally accepted.. I'll still have a minimum of $20. Probably more. Too me "no cash" doesn't literally mean empty pockets. More like $20-$40. Credit card processing machines sometimes go out, particularly at carts in the parks. A few place have a credit card minimum. I was in Aldi a few months ago. The processing system was down. No debit or credit cards. I was glad I had the few dollars to pay without having to wait. I'd hate to want to buy a newspaper or bottle of water and not have a few dollars in my pocket.

It's customary to tip anyone, including DME bus driver, who handles your luggage. It's not generally allowed to load and unload your luggage under the bus. Resorts which have bellhops don't generally have luggage carts available for guest use. If I know I'll be needing luggage assistance at my hotel, or if I'm arriving prior to check in and will want luggage stored,, I make sure I have enough singles to cover expected tips. You can go into your bank and get whatever denominations you want. You can make a small purchase in the airport and get change in singles. You can ask at the front desk in a hotel. Converting a 20 dollar bills to singles isn't that hard.

I undertand some guests might only have 20 dollar bills and not have currency to tip. I don't agree with travelling without at least a 20 dollar bill, probably more, in my pocket.

I'm 35 and never have cash in my wallet at home. But, when traveling, I know before going that there may be instances where I need to tip someone so I'll generally bring $100 or so in cash broken out in small bills, so I always have access to cash for tipping. Its also a good thing to have in the event cash registers are down. If you're traveling outside of WDW, its even more important because you never know where someplace may not accept cards.

 

[_19disnA]

This thread started in 2015 and the OP was last here in 2019.

Threads about tipping usually end up in arguments on here...........LOL. There is a sign at the front of the DME bus that says "tipping is permitted for exceptional service". You have to define what exceptional means to you. Even if you carry no cash at home, it seems reasonable to have cash in your purse/wallet when vacationing. It isn't like you don't realize you are going on vacation and should plan accordingly. Tipping with a credit card isn't practical in most cases and if you want to make even an incidental purchase at the airport, it seems like having some cash with you should be part of vacation prep. I would also never leave large amounts of cash in your checked baggage as too much can go wrong. There are ATM machines all around at Disney, so you can always get cash as required rather then trying to store it in a room safe or carrying a week's worth of cash around with you. I agree as mentioned above the debit/credit card machines may sometimes be down when trying to make a purchase.

I have never read the Disney labor agreement before going on vacation. If you decide to tip someone at Disney and they can't accept tips, they will let you know.

 

[Bjkandma]

Wondering about tipping etc. now. Do the DME drivers still load your bags for you or do they not touch them at all due to Covid?

Tipping is still acceptable and cash is preferred. Yes, society has become more cashless. When you shop, grab some cash before trip, or stop at a bank. The drivers do in fact put everyone's luggage underneath the bus and removes them. (You now have to get your checked luggage and bring it to the bus). Drivers are actually loading more luggage now.

The amount of the tip is discretionary. Personally, I offer a tip to anyone that offers a "service". It includes housekeeping, bell services, ME bus driver, grocery delivery person. The bus drivers as well as other means of Disney transportation (getting you to and from the parks and Springs) are not normally tipped.

Its just my opinion, on vacation " Sorry, I have no cash" is unacceptable. You plan a trip normally for months. Plenty of time to save some "extra" cash for tips.

 

[disneyseniors]

Just curious if tipping is common. I will bring tip money for mousekeeping but I wasn't sure about drivers.

We always tip the DME driver because he handles all the guests big bags. Ours are usually under or behind allthe other bags, LOL, so we think he deserves it.
We don't tip the boat drivers, as they are on disney property working.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I'm 35 and never have cash in my wallet at home. But, when traveling, I know before going that there may be instances where I need to tip someone so I'll generally bring $100 or so in cash broken out in small bills, so I always have access to cash for tipping. Its also a good thing to have in the event cash registers are down. If you're traveling outside of WDW, its even more important because you never know where someplace may not accept cards.

I do exactly the same - never have cash at home but travel with approx $100 in small bills. Only difference is I am a couple decades older lol

 

[mrjbuxton]

I do exactly the same - never have cash at home but travel with approx $100 in small bills. Only difference is I am a couple decades older lol

Definitely a must-have on vacation! Be kind to the employees who make the stays great!