Gratuity

[Ro<3]

We obviously tip at restaurants but wondering if we should tip for other things- like capture your moment, savis, etc?

 

[robinb]

I tipped the boat driver on my fireworks cruise many years ago.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I had not thought about tipping the capture your moment photographer until I saw someone ask about it. I am definitely going to offer him or her a tip in a couple of months when we use one. I tip bell service at drop off and pick up of our bags. I know your guidance are often tipped.

 

[FCDub]

No, you do not tip at Savi's Workshop.

 

[goofyernmost]

I was so unworldly in my early years that on our first trip we made a stop in DC and ordered a tour of the whole area. Turned out we were the only ones on it. The guy was great and took us to places that weren't even on the regular tour. He talked to my daughter and found out that she (a 1st grader at the time) had just finished studying about President Lincoln so he took us to the Ford Theater and the house across the road where Lincoln actually died. Anyway, it didn't even occur to me to tip him until months later when we were talking about trips and they asked how much I paid the guy for a tip. All of a sudden it hit me and I have guilt feelings about it every time I think of it. It was 38 years ago so I hope he has forgotten about it by now, but I still haven't.

 

[Ro<3]

I was so unworldly in my early years that on our first trip we made a stop in DC and ordered a tour of the whole area. Turned out we were the only ones on it. The guy was great and took us to places that weren't even on the regular tour. He talked to my daughter and found out that she (a 1st grader at the time) had just finished studying about President Lincoln so he took us to the Ford Theater and the house across the road where Lincoln actually died. Anyway, it didn't even occur to me to tip him until months later when we were talking about trips and they asked how much I paid the guy for a tip. All of a sudden it hit me and I have guilt feelings about it every time I think of it. It was 38 years ago so I hope he has forgotten about it by now, but I still haven't.

I’m sure many don’t think about it until after and as someone who used to work for a job with tips, I can assure you that I knew who just didn’t know versus the people who intended to stiff someone. Sounds like you connected with that person and he knows you are genuinely kind.

 

[gharter]

We tip Bell services when they bring up our luggage or move our luggage and whenever we take a txi.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

From another site: (not sure if I can post the name)

Other Tipping LocationsSpa

A 15-20% gratuity is typical for spa services. This includes the services at the Harmony Barber Shop, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and the Pirate’s League in addition to resort spa locations. (Note: the Harmony Barber Shop only accepts cash tips. There is no option to tip via your credit or debit card.)

Childcare

If you use the childcare services provided at some Walt Disney World resorts, tip as you feel is appropriate. This varies depending upon situation.

Club Level Concierge Services

Tips are welcomed by the staff for Club Level accommodations at Disney resorts. Tips here can range from a few dollars to $100 depending upon services rendered. Tip as seems appropriate.

Recreation

There is a wide variety of recreation at Disney. As an overall suggestion, a tip of 15% is likely appropriate.

Who NOT to Tip

Many Cast Members at Disney are not permitted to accept tips; however, if someone has gone above and beyond, there are other ways that guests can show appreciation. Cast Members often get perks if guests leave compliments about their service. You can compliment a Cast Member by speaking to their leader or manager, by going to Guest Relations and telling them about your experience, or by tweeting about the cast member. If you are tweeting, be sure to describe the location of the cast member and tag @WDWToday using #CastCompliment.

A few Cast Members who cannot typically accept tips include:

Monorail PilotsBus DriversBoat CaptainsServers at Counter Service RestaurantsServers at Quick-Service RestaurantsStandard Theme Park Parking AttendantsConcierge Desk attendants

Good luck with navigating the ins and outs of tipping at Walt Disney World. Remember, if you are unsure whether a tip is appropriate just ask!

 

[_19disnA]

Threads about Disney tipping usually end up in arguments. How much to tip is purely a matter of personal preference. If you offer someone at Disney a tip, they will let you know if they cannot accept it. I would your best judgment to decide who to tip, much like you would anywhere else when on vacation. I doubt most people read Disney's labor agreement before going on vacation.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I can report that Capture Your Moment photographers are allowed to accept gratuity. Ours was fantastic and her tip was well deserved.

 

[WEDWDW]

And we always tip our DME drivers.

Especially now since they are having to handle our Luggage.

 

[Gypsybear]

Cast Members often get perks if guests leave compliments about their service. You can compliment a Cast Member by speaking to their leader or manager, by going to Guest Relations and telling them about your experience, or by tweeting about the cast member. If you are tweeting, be sure to describe the location of the cast member and tag @WDWToday using #CastCompliment.

This x1000.....Complimenting a CM at Guest Relations, even if you did tip them. Always make sure you get your CMs name, so you can give a proper compliment on the short card they have you fill out.

I had an excellent CM at AK, back at the Conservation Station.....I was so taken aback, that I literally had tears running down my face as I wrote out her compliment. She went more than above and beyond. And bear in mind, I'm a grumpy old man......

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I thought Club Level staff was not generally supposed to accept tips. If someone insists on tipping, they are supposed to share it among the group.

That said, that list does not include tipping the person who cleans your hotel room. (and maybe a small tip for turndown service where/when offered.)

A tradition at WDW- of sorts- is to make tip envelopes, and maybe decorate them. If you have children, it is a great task to assign to them. It will keep them busy, and remind them that staff are real people and are working hard to clean the room.

However, envelopes generally do NOT work at non-WDW hotels. Pre-pandemic, a tip next to a short thank you note/drawing always went over well.

 

[focusondisney]

Club Level Concierge Services

Tips are welcomed by the staff for Club Level accommodations at Disney resorts. Tips here can range from a few dollars to $100 depending upon services rendered. Tip as seems appropriate.

Club level staff has never been a tipped position at Disney. It’s not like CL in other hotels. Doesn’t mean someone won’t come along & say they have tipped CL Cm. But like most other Disney staff, they are supposed to refuse 3 times. And they must turn the $ in or report to their manager. I have heard it is then pooled to get a treat etc for all staff. I have stayed CL 2-4 times a year for about 20 years. I have never tipped the staff nor ever seen anyone else do it either.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Club level staff has never been a tipped position at Disney. It’s not like CL in other hotels. Doesn’t mean someone won’t come along & say they have tipped CL Cm. But like most other Disney staff, they are supposed to refuse 3 times. And they must turn the $ in or report to their manager. I have heard it is then pooled to get a treat etc for all staff. I have stayed CL 2-4 times a year for about 20 years. I have never tipped the staff nor ever seen anyone else do it either.

I never tipped at disney club level either but did at Universal Royal Pacific Resort. I hope they share tips there because I just gave them a $20 on my last day after having breakfast each day in their lounge.

 

[lovethattink]

VIP tour guides may accept tips.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Club level staff has never been a tipped position at Disney. It’s not like CL in other hotels. Doesn’t mean someone won’t come along & say they have tipped CL Cm. But like most other Disney staff, they are supposed to refuse 3 times. And they must turn the $ in or report to their manager. I have heard it is then pooled to get a treat etc for all staff. I have stayed CL 2-4 times a year for about 20 years. I have never tipped the staff nor ever seen anyone else do it either.

Sometimes non-tipped staff can accept non-cash items, like drawings from children. I go back to the idea being a win-win way to keep children busy AND a way to show appreciation to (service) employees who don't normally receive cash tips.

Years ago, my extended family stumbled upon this idea during a flight when a flight attendant was especially kind. The young child appreciated the paper/crayons she was given, so she drew a picture for the flight attendant. The FA was so appreciative, that the idea just stuck, and the child started her own tradition. Flying= making a drawing for the nicest FA, and a great way to pass the time.

 

[focusondisney]

Sometimes non-tipped staff can accept non-cash items, like drawings from children. I go back to the idea being a win-win way to keep children busy AND a way to show appreciation to (service) employees who don't normally receive cash tips.

Years ago, my extended family stumbled upon this idea during a flight when a flight attendant was especially kind. The young child appreciated the paper/crayons she was given, so she drew a picture for the flight attendant. The FA was so appreciative, that the idea just stuck, and the child started her own tradition. Flying= making a drawing for the nicest FA, and a great way to pass the time.

Thats a very nice idea. I was just referring to cash tips.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We obviously tip at restaurants but wondering if we should tip for other things- like capture your moment, savis, etc?

Tipping threads are the new creamed corn thread on the Dis. They usually go south quickly.

But I'll say that If you're unsure about it and you feel like tipping tip. If they can't accept it they'll turn it down. Take care of the people that take care of you.

These are not exhaustive lists. Just what pops into my head.

Generally we tip maids, waitresses, the hair dressers, the we park your car for you guys at the hotel, the tour guides, the camera people if they've done a fine job.

Those that won't accept tips in our experience are the front desk and the concierge both of which we would tip in a place like Vegas instead of Disney.

Those we haven't had occasion to see whether they accept or don't all of which I personally would probably try to tip simply because it would be habit.
Club level staff. Baggage folks. The various services to and from the airport.

 

[Cabius]

Sometimes non-tipped staff can accept non-cash items, like drawings from children. I go back to the idea being a win-win way to keep children busy AND a way to show appreciation to (service) employees who don't normally receive cash tips.

Years ago, my extended family stumbled upon this idea during a flight when a flight attendant was especially kind. The young child appreciated the paper/crayons she was given, so she drew a picture for the flight attendant. The FA was so appreciative, that the idea just stuck, and the child started her own tradition. Flying= making a drawing for the nicest FA, and a great way to pass the time.

My then-3-year-old daughter made little beaded bracelets ahead of our trip in January 2019 for each of the Princesses she wanted to meet, with a little note to accompany each one. They just give them to their handlers, but it makes for some really cute exchanges.

In particular, she had a really good conversation with Aurora, telling her that we have chickens named Aurora and Maleficent. Really made a connection.

I mean REALLY made a connection, because when we went back 51 weeks later in January 2020, Aurora remembered her. She made a little card for each Princess, in which she (then 4) had crudely signed her own name. Aurora opened it, read it, and shouted, "YOU'RE CHARLOTTE WITH THE CHICKENS!!" and made a big deal about how they'd met a year ago. (Charlotte matter-of-factly told her that Maleficent had died, but we still had Aurora so it was okay.)

As you can imagine, I raved about that experience on Twitter, and apparently somebody at Disney thought it was impressive too because they showed it to Bob Iger. (A friend responded to my story, raving about how Disney's customer service sets them apart. His reply had three 'likes', including Bob Iger's).

I hope they gave that "friend of Aurora" a huge bonus, or a promotion to VP of Being Awesome.