Do you tip housekeeping at DVC?

[psimon]

If they come in and do a good job we will tip them a little, sometimes they go above and beyond even though it is just that 4th day of service.

What do you define as a "good job"?

We were there on day 4 when the maid came in. She took the dirty towels (as she is supposed to do), took the trash (as she is supposed to do), left clean towels and empty trash cans (as she is supposed to do).

So.... does that qualify as a good job, or just doing her job?

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Muushka]

I guess I will tip for them just doing their jobs. But I want to make their jobs a little more pleasant and to let them know that I appreciate what they do.

Leaving a dirty sticky mess all over the kitchen floor is not doing their job. It is just YUCK!

 

[DVC-Don]

Somtimes, it's rare.

 

[BlakeNJ]

We always do. I am one of those who have mousekeeping envelopes ready. But I do not put any money into it until I use it. This means that although I do tip, the amount tends to depend on the quality of work.

I do feel good about acknowledging great service, so it's important to me to show my appreciation. I do like the fact that sometimes they leave a thank you note. This to me show their appreciation as well.

(On a side note, I always leave an envelope with a tip for the Bell Service/ME who bring in our luggage from the airport in case we are not there. On our last vacation, they had written a little note saying how much they appreciate the thought. And I really appreciated it. When I spoke to bell services when they took down the baggage for us, he mentioned that they rarely see a tip envelope for them when they bring it from the airport. So we thought that maybe this is one of the reasons that we had such a problem getting our luggage (6 hours+) a few vacations before. It was so strange that as soon as we called to check on it, it arrived at our door in 5 mins. but I guess this is another story - sorry for going on a tangent )

Where did you leave the ME luggage tip? I always wonder if those guys/gals ever see a tip. Seem as if there would be a better way to get them a little extra cash.

 

[BlakeNJ]

What do you define as a "good job"?

We were there on day 4 when the maid came in. She took the dirty towels (as she is supposed to do), took the trash (as she is supposed to do), left clean towels and empty trash cans (as she is supposed to do).

So.... does that qualify as a good job, or just doing her job?

---Paul in Southern NJ

That is doing her job but wouldn't you leave a tip for a regular hotel stay? After all, they are just doing their job too, right?

 

[shovan]

We do leave a small tip for trash & towel service. Lots of people have mentioned not tipping when they arrive to a less than clean room. If a room is not acceptable when we arrive I always call & have them take care of the problem.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Behaving myself and just voting #2. Not getting involved in discussion.

 

[dvcbnd]

Yes, we do leave a tip. IMO, I feel that people tend to work harder if they feel that their hard work is appreciated.

 

[dvcdisney]

Where did you leave the ME luggage tip? I always wonder if those guys/gals ever see a tip. Seem as if there would be a better way to get them a little extra cash.

I actually make sure the envelope is large and the writing is large so it catches their eye. I make sure they know it's for them by writing "To Magical Express/Bell Service - Thank You". In most cases (1 bedrooms), I leave it in front of the mirror at the vestibule. So as soon as they open the door, it's directly in front of them. In the AKV (Jambo) room, we left it prompt up with something on the kitchen island.

Out of 10-12 times we have done it, I believe it was only once that they didn't see it. My husband called to find out who brought it up, but they said that they didn't know and that we should just keep it and utilize their service on the departure day so that we can give the tip. So we did.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Housekeeping is not a tipped postion IMHO. Tipped positions are those where the employee is paid less then minimum wage on the assumption they will get tips. Or those where the employee goes above and beyond.

So I don't tip.

Yep, same here. If it was to be a tipped position, Disney would say it is. Disney specifically says it is NOT a tipped position.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I tip because I appreciate the work they have done to make my stay enjoyable. It's a Thank you from me.
Bobbi

 

[wisbucky]

Yep, same here. If it was to be a tipped position, Disney would say it is. Disney specifically says it is NOT a tipped position.

Disney can define a tip position as they wish. Which means they expect those positions to be given tips. However as the definition of a tip is (a small present of money given directly to someone for performing a service or menial task), I prefer to give tips here and there as I feel are deserved. However as DVCBND said people will work harder when they feel others appreciate what they do, plus it shows in their performance.

I wonder how many folks here get a Christmas bonus each year. If you knew this year you were not getting a bonus would feel less appreciated all of a sudden.

 

[MiaSRN62]

If it was to be a tipped position, Disney would say it is. Disney specifically says it is NOT a tipped position.

While I respect everyone's feelings on this issue, and I fully realize nothing I say will change that, I don't base whether I tip or don't tip because someone (ie Disney) says it's expected or not. And alot of reputable sources that I provided links to in a previous post, do say that hotel housekeepers should receive a tip. So who do we believe ? I think it's up to how the individual feels on the matter. I feel it's what each of us wants to do or feels comfortable doing.

I tip many people from time to time during the year that aren't officially tipped positions. Those who comes to mind : hair stylist, mail carrier, my vet's office staff, our trash men, the teenager who played host at my dd's birthday party at Happy Tymes, the guy who washed and detailed my car , the delivery guys from JC Penney who delivered my living room set........I just prefer to show my appreciation to those I feel have done something to make my life easier/better/more enjoyable etc during the year. Alot of times it's people who I feel have a difficult or thankless job in direct proportion to what they earn per hour. And a tip can be money or a gift.

So I'm sure pretty much of all of the above are not dictated/designated tipped positions, yet I choose to see past that......and of course, not everyone chooses to do the same and this is their perogative. I think alot of tipping (who is and who is not), is about choice and perhaps even on a case by case basis as wisbucky stated. I wouldn't tip a waitress who blatantly ignored us during a meal or who was rude---and this exact thing happened to us at a Friendly's over the summer in FL. We specifically told her we were in a hurry (had to get to a meeting at my dd's school) and she literally spent the majority of the time we were in there outside the restaurant on her cell phone. We sat for like 10-15 min waiting for the check before we got up and asked to pay with the manager. She specifically knew we needed to eat and get out of there quickly and the restaurant was not busy. So in her case, she didn't even try to do her job to the best of her ability. And I agree....we wouldn't tip housekeeping if they ignored calls for services or did a poor job cleaning. But I have not encountered that at a disney hotel (DVC or non) to date.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

.

Once in a while you make perfect sense....


Kidding, you always make sense

 

[jekjones1558]

I just wanted to thank the OP for this thread. Tip threads on this board sometimes have made me feel like an oddball because I think good mousekeepers deserve a tip. I now know I am far from alone!

 

[mikron]

We only stay for 2-3 days, we live 80 miles fron Disney and visit a lot. We never see the same people cleaning, who gets the money if you tip.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I tip!

 

[HGD24]

I don't base tips on how the room looked when we entered it for the first time. It may not be the same housekeeper cleaning up after us that cleaned up after the prior occupants. Instead, I see tipping as a way to say thank you to the person cleaning up after us. We're not at all messy and do what we can to make the housekeeper's job easy and quick, but they're still cleaning up after us and deserve a little thank you. That's how we feel anyway.

 

[horselover]

(On a side note, I always leave an envelope with a tip for the Bell Service/ME who bring in our luggage from the airport in case we are not there. On our last vacation, they had written a little note saying how much they appreciate the thought. And I really appreciated it. When I spoke to bell services when they took down the baggage for us, he mentioned that they rarely see a tip envelope for them when they bring it from the airport. So we thought that maybe this is one of the reasons that we had such a problem getting our luggage (6 hours+) a few vacations before. It was so strange that as soon as we called to check on it, it arrived at our door in 5 mins. but I guess this is another story - sorry for going on a tangent )

I'm sorry to say this never even occured to me (although I have only used ME once). I did tip when they came to pick-up the luggage at check-out but totally forgot about check-in. That is a really good point & if I use ME again I will leave an envelope for bell service. They work hard & deserve the tip.

As far as tipping mousekeeping we've only had one DVC trip so far & it was only 3 days. Since we didn't see or use them for anything I didn't feel it was necessary to leave a tip. If I stayed for more than 4 days I would leave something on the 4th day.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

No, we do not tip when staying on points. I'm usually very generous, but sometimes I start to feel like I have to tip everyone I encounter and it just gets out of hand. I still tip the bellman, valet, etc. If maid service were provided each day of my stay or we were at a non-DVC room, I'd tip daily.