Does the $20 trick work at Disney Resorts?

[Kathleen Zwally]

I got a few comped food court meals after major magic band issues (which wouldn't work to bill account).

I have never heard of people getting free meals at Disney not even as a surprise compliment, sure room upgrades (rare) and maybe some unlimited 1 day fast passes, and some ice cream from DVC after sales tour, but full on meals? never. If someone has please share.

 

[Wubar]

The OP is just using the terminology, "$20 trick", that has been used for a long time. Secondly, $20 is still a decent amount to a worker who is making less than that an hour. Average hourly pay for a Front Desk Agent is between $15-$20, and the $$ is considered a tip not a bribe. And yes if I had that job and I could make an extra $20 for just giving a person a better room or view, I would not hesitate unless they were a jerk about it. If you do not think $20 is a lot, then good for you, but a majority of the people including myself still thinks $20 is a good amount of money.

Tip, bribe, is there any real difference in this case? IMO, I would think bribe is more appropriate. "Tip" if the $20 was given AFTER the upgrade was performed without asking or suggesting for it in advance.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

The OP is just using the terminology, "$20 trick", that has been used for a long time. Secondly, $20 is still a decent amount to a worker who is making less than that an hour. Average hourly pay for a Front Desk Agent is between $15-$20, and the $$ is considered a tip not a bribe. And yes if I had that job and I could make an extra $20 for just giving a person a better room or view, I would not hesitate unless they were a jerk about it. If you do not think $20 is a lot, then good for you, but a majority of the people including myself still thinks $20 is a good amount of money.

Money given in return for a job well done is a tip. Money given with the expectation of a free upgrade is a bribe.

 

[buzznina]

Except that as has pointed out, at Disney World, accepting that $20 tip could get you fired. Would you really put your job on the line for $20?

It has already been established that this is not allowed at WDW, but the last batch of posts were all about Vegas where it is still used.

 

[buzznina]

Tip, bribe, is there any real difference in this case? IMO, I would think bribe is more appropriate. "Tip" if the $20 was given AFTER the upgrade was performed without asking or suggesting for it in advance.

Money given in return for a job well done is a tip. Money given with the expectation of a free upgrade is a bribe.

The vegas workers (if honest) have to claim this as a tip on their taxes, it really does not matter what others may label it. Like I said, this has been going on for decades in Vegas, it's pretty much a common practice there, whether people agree with it or not.

 

[_19disnA]

In all the times we have been to Vegas I have NEVER seen anyone in the reservation line hand a tip/bribe/whatever to the person behind the counter.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I first tried it in Las Vegas after my brother filled me in on it. It got me a much bigger room overlooking the pool and 2 buffet coupons for my wife and me. Has anyone tried it at Disney? If so, what were the results?

Did you try this 20 years ago?
Seriously, what would you do for $20 theses days? Not a heck of a lot!!

 

[cruiser21]

LOL...are you new to the internet? People get hot about all manner of things and do so in approximately half a second. And yes, many feel pretty compelled to do so.

No where is this truer then on the Disboards. I have heard reports that it works on Disney cruise line, but there they consider it a pre-tip(otherwise known as bribe). Not for a room upgrade though just for better service.

 

[writerguyfl]

Tip, bribe, is there any real difference in this case? IMO, I would think bribe is more appropriate. "Tip" if the $20 was given AFTER the upgrade was performed without asking or suggesting for it in advance.

Money given in return for a job well done is a tip. Money given with the expectation of a free upgrade is a bribe.

Agreed.

I've worked in and followed the hospitality industry for decades. We call this what it is: a bribe. Only if you check in as normal, get a complimentary upgrade, and then return and present the cash to the Front Desk does it become a tip.

While I can't speak to what it "normal" in Las Vegas, every hotel I worked in (or heard about from a colleague) would fire any Front Desk representative who accepted a bribe. In fact, in one hotel I worked, doing that would get you fired on the spot. A reputable hotel simply can't allow employees to profit by giving away something that they should be selling.

 

[_19disnA]

It's what many people do here. They live to show off their superior ways and put people in "their place".

Try not to take it personally. But you have no control over how some people will react to a simple and legit question

Very true, and you find that sort of behavior on all online forums, not just here. I participate to give/get helpful Disney related info. Some on the internet use the anonymity to behave in ways they wouldn't in person. Those who are needlessly rude or go around scolding others for their remarks promptly get put on 'ignore' which puts an end to that.

 

[CouponGirl]

Those who are needlessly rude or go around scolding others for their remarks promptly get put on 'ignore' which puts an end to that.

What is ‘ignore’?

 

[Tiggerlover91]

What is ‘ignore’?

Click on your user name above and it should take you to profile info. There's a list of things you can do and one is people to ignore. REALLY comes in handy!

 

[_19disnA]

Correct and once you put someone on 'ignore' you will no longer see any posts made by them. Works great to eliminate the rude/obnoxious people.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Correct and once you put someone on 'ignore' you will no longer see any posts made by them. Works great to eliminate the rude/obnoxious people.

Absolutely! Just as good as the block option on FB!

 

[Nancyg56]

I first tried it in Las Vegas after my brother filled me in on it. It got me a much bigger room overlooking the pool and 2 buffet coupons for my wife and me. Has anyone tried it at Disney? If so, what were the results?

I don’t know that I’d call her a “high roller”. I mean, it’s $20 more than she had before I got to the counter, but I doubt she’d start sporting a monocle and top hat.

The reason folks are a bit peeved is that in Disney this is a good way to try to get a CM fired. You may not have known this, and now will not attempt it, however for every one of you there is someone else out there who will ignore that this is a problem for CM's and will push it with an offer that may entice a CM to try to upgrade a guest. The attitude that a $20 is more than someone had a moment before it was offered is insulting when you consider that that these CM's try very hard to add pixie dust to guests when possible, and are not doing it for a bribe.

 

[CouponGirl]

Click on your user name above and it should take you to profile info. There's a list of things you can do and one is people to ignore. REALLY comes in handy!

Correct and once you put someone on 'ignore' you will no longer see any posts made by them. Works great to eliminate the rude/obnoxious people.

Absolutely! Just as good as the block option on FB!

Thanks! Learned something new!