How much should we tip mousekeeping?

[SaraJayne]

We don't tip housekeeping, but do what makes you comfortable.

 

[Lewisc]

Tipping has some "quirky" customs.

You generally tip the person who checks your luggage curbside at the airport but you don't tip the airline employee who checks your bags at the counter. You tip the waiter or bartender who serves you in the airport but you don't generally tip the flight attendant who serves you a meal (OK snack) or an adult drink. Some hotels expect guests will tip the housekeeper but we don't tip the person who cleans the restroom in the lobby or in a theme park. Some people stay at club or concierge level in a hotel. Generally people tip the concierge if the concierge does something for them but I understand Disney doesn't want those employees accepting tips.

Housekeeping in Disney is quirky. Many people think housekeepers are considered "tipped" but Disney doesn't. We can make a list of non-tipped employees who we might like to tip but don't. A CM who takes several pictures with your camera for you. A front desk clerk who spends a lot of time finding the exact room you want, not an upgrade just a specific request. A character who brings joy to your child (photo/autograph)

 

[Chicago Mo]

Tipping has some "quirky" customs.

Housekeeping in Disney is quirky. Many people think housekeepers are considered "tipped" but Disney doesn't. We can make a list of non-tipped employees who we might like to tip but don't. A CM who takes several pictures with your camera for you. A front desk clerk who spends a lot of time finding the exact room you want, not an upgrade just a specific request. A character who brings joy to your child (photo/autograph)

I thought i read somewhere that you can tip or give a thank you business card of thanks to some of characters?!? or even the others you have stated?!?
Thank GOD for this board.

 

[norm&linda]

Things can get a little out of control some mornings in our rooms, so I like to leave a thankyou for mousekeeping. We do $5 per day (there are 5 of us)

 

[Amy&Dan]

We always tip $5 per day for the four of us, but for sure its a "do as you feel compelled to do" sort of thing. I may very well cut back on that a bit since I generally end up cleaning the room myself, bundling up the towels, picking up the bathroom and even making my own beds. It gives me something to do while dd14 does her hair and makeup!

I will say its a gamble in that you tip before the job is done. With waitstaff you leave the tip at the end when you know what type of job was done.

One rule I think is worth following, is tip daily unless the hotel you are staying at leaves a tipping envelope instructing you to tip at the end. Its been a long time since I stayed in a hotel that did that. Disney hotels for sure do not. So if you do choose to tip, do it each day, which as I said is a bit of a gamble but why leave a week's worth of tips when the person who gets them may very well be cleaning your room for the first time during your visit?

 

[Chicago Mo]

We always tip $5 per day for the four of us, but for sure its a "do as you feel compelled to do" sort of thing. I may very well cut back on that a bit since I generally end up cleaning the room myself, bundling up the towels, picking up the bathroom and even making my own beds. It gives me something to do while dd14 does her hair and makeup!

I will say its a gamble in that you tip before the job is done. With waitstaff you leave the tip at the end when you know what type of job was done.

One rule I think is worth following, is tip daily unless the hotel you are staying at leaves a tipping envelope instructing you to tip at the end. Its been a long time since I stayed in a hotel that did that. Disney hotels for sure do not. So if you do choose to tip, do it each day, which as I said is a bit of a gamble but why leave a week's worth of tips when the person who gets them may very well be cleaning your room for the first time during your visit?

Thanks a ton!! i do the same as i feel bad leaving a room like a tornado hit it.

 

[DisneyStoryMania]

Yes, Mousekeeping is deffinately not a tipped position, and please to not suggest that it is.

I think you can tip when and whom you would like to tip without feeling the obligation to do so----It is great that the mousekeepers do such a great job and I would say a portion well deserved of a tip here and there, but not something you should automaticly feel obligated to do.

And as for doing homework on the subject, that was just a rude way of putting it....(not to get anything started) This is a Dis forum and we are here to help,ask questions,post interesting disney events and socialize not make stabs at peoples suggestions.

So to end my answer If you would like to tip mousekeeping it seems that most people tip about 5 dollars a day those of us that do tip, mousekeeping does have different keepers on givin days like days off, vacations and stuff like that and you never know when that is going to be so I would say tip by the day if you choose to do so. But Most of all enjoy your stay and have a magical time.....

 

[goofy4tink]

Bartenders are generally tipped. People who you use for spa services. edited to add waiters are typically tipped.

Outside of WDW. Some hotels consider housekeeping to be a tipped position. $1-$2 /guest/night is a normal tip.

Some locations, Las Vegas is a good example, guests tip the front desk clerk $20. Frequently the tip results in a complimentary room upgrade. That's not done at WDW hotels. The clerk will either refuse the tip or ask if you want the $20 applied to your room account.

See, I knew I was forgetting someone.

When I'm on vacation, I like my bed made everyday, I like my towels refreshed when necessary, and I like the area around the sink to be tidied up when necessary, I also want all garbage removed daily.

Since I'm not going to do this myself, I will tip the person who does it for me. I really couldn't care less how much that person makes. It's a non-essential service that I am choosing to use, and one that requires a laborer to clean up after me. As far as I'm concerned, that is worth an extra $5 on top of whatever their hourly wage happens to be.

That's my prerogative, though. It's none of my concern what anyone else does. However, if it's your desire to do the same, somewhere between $3 and $5/ day sounds reasonable to me.

You are aware that the housekeeping staff is paid to make your beds and clean up after you, right?? That is their job. It's not as if they are doing something 'special' for you. It is part of the 'job description' for housekeeping to make beds, clean vanity area/sink, toilet/tub areas, empty trash, replenish toiletries and towels. That's what they are paid to do.

Now, with all this being said...I have had incredibly wonderful housekeepers. I have tipped them. But, it not something I do every single time, nor every single day. It depends on the service I have received.

 

[SoScary'09]

I don't tip, but maybe I'll try it out this time.

 

[dixiegirl]

I always tip housekeeping (regardless of location). Don't really care how much or how little housekeeping/mousekeeping makes and whether or not they have a tipped position or not. My personal preference is to tip them - $5 per day for DH and I. I have done this particular job (although many years ago) and believe me, a tip is very appreciated. It's just what your personal preference is whether to tip or not.

 

[bytheblood]

Suggest you do your homeworking on tipping and who gets paid what. Mousekeepers shlould be tipped at least $1 per person per room and it should be left each morning. Think of it, is it going to blow your budget!

Disney corporation has this listed as a "non-tipped" position. You are welcome to do the "homework" yourself or email guest services and ask them.

D- for you.

 

[bytheblood]

If a person chooses to tip, it is a PERSONAL decision. As a DVC Member, I do not tip as it is a part of my annual dues. When I stayed on a cash reservation, I sometimes left cash and sometimes didn't.

The Mousekeeper/Housekeeper is not doing anything special for you by coming into your room and making your bed, changing towels, etc. Let the record show what their job is:
http://casting.disneyparks.jobs/florida/housekeeping/housekeeping-jobs

Housekeeping

For many of our Guests, staying at one of the world famous Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort hotels is a dream come true. And it’s the job of our Housekeeping Hosts and Hostesses to help bring those dreams to life by creating special memories, and a home-away-from-home experience for each of our Guests every day. As a member of the Housekeeping team, our Cast Members share the responsibility of the overall cleaning of Guest rooms, including stripping and making beds, vacuuming and dusting and replenishing items such as linens, amenities and various supplies. Housekeeping Cast Members also interact with Guests daily, responding in a timely manner to their requests, assisting with directions and sharing information. It’s an important job, and it makes all the difference for our Guests every day. Learn more about a role in Housekeeping with Disney Theme Parks and Resorts today!
apply


Job ID: 15

For many of our Guests, staying at one of the world famous Walt Disney World® Resort hotels is a dream come true.

Our Housekeeping Hosts and Hostesses help bring those dreams to life by creating special memories and a home-away-from-home experience for each of our Guests every day.

As a member of the Housekeeping team, responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overall cleaning of Guest rooms, including stripping and making beds, vacuuming and dusting and replenishing items such as linens, amenities and various supplies. Housekeeping Cast Members also interact with Guests daily, responding in a timely manner to their requests, assisting with directions and sharing information.

Housekeeping Hosts and Hostesses receive a starting rate of $8.35/hour.

 

[lady_bug_888]

Personally I plan on tipping $4/day, which equals $1/day/person. I am aware that technically housekeeping is NOT a tipped position, but I appreciate the service and even though it may be their job, it is a difficult job as it is very physical work. My family keeps things fairly clean but with 2 kids it can get messy. I know you are paying for service BEFORE it has been rendered but I see that as a risk I'm willing to take. I trust Mousekeeping to do what they are supposed to and I have no problem calling them back or leaving a note for the next day if something isn't satisfactory (depending on the issue).

Also, with restaurants I tend to tip 15-18% which amounts to a substantially larger tip than $1/person, so I don't think you can really compare a mousekeeping tip with a waiter tip. Mousekeeping tips aren't going to add that much extra income to their mediocre salary ($8-13/hour is not going to make anyone rich!) but may add up enough in a week to do something nice with their family OR pay for soccer/baseball/football for their child.

 

[Lewisc]

If a person chooses to tip, it is a PERSONAL decision. As a DVC Member, I do not tip as it is a part of my annual dues. When I stayed on a cash reservation, I sometimes left cash and sometimes didn't.

Do you tip the valet? Do the housekeepers get paid more when they clean a unit booked on points then the same sized unit booked through Disney on a cash basis?

Housekeeping isn't a tipped position. I agree it's a personal decision. However DVC ownership has nothing to do with it.

 

[CLR4321]

We actually don't tip at all for housekeeping at any hotel. If we had a big mess that needed to be cleaned, I would though. We keep our rooms clean, so really all housekeeping will ever do is make the beds and give new towels. We make it as easy as possible for the housekeepers to come in and clean.
People who tip at hotels has become pretty rare. My sister and I both did housekeeping at hotels (10-15 years ago) when we were in high school. I worked at a bed & breakfast and she was at a 5 star resort. She got tips a few times per week, I got tips maybe twice in the 2 months I did it.
Housekeepers are paid regular set wages nowadays - back years and years ago housekeepers were paid wages similar to wait staff in restaurants and relied on tips as a large part of their wages. These days hotel housekeeping is standardized, with set guidelines on how a room is to be cleaned and maintained (how many bars of soap to leave, how many towels, how often to change out sheets, etc). This is a part of the job of a hotel housekeeper. If they aren't leaving soap, basically, they aren't doing their job. Asking for an extra bar of soap or a couple of extra towels is not a big deal. Guest satisfaction is also a part of a job. You may leave a $5 tip and not even have housekeeping follow through with your request.
At most large hotels (Disney included), you have a slim chance of having the same housekeeper even twice in a row. Your housekeeper yesterday may have left you towel animals and tons of extra stuff, whereas your housekeeper today (who gets that tip) may only make the beds (or not make them even - as I had happen on my last trip for the 1st time ever - and fold up your towels you had been using and leave those for you (less than minimal service in other words).
My main point is that it is not a requirement to tip. If you want to, by all means, go for it. But do not feel bad or obligated to tip a housekeeper. If you are in a foreign country where it is not the norm to pay housekeepers regular wages, then yes, I 100% would. But here in the US, not necessary as the hotel is paying the housekeepers to provide that service to you as a part of your stay, and is built into the room rate.

 

[CLR4321]

Do the housekeepers get paid more when they clean a unit booked on points then the same sized unit booked through Disney on a cash basis?

Housekeeping isn't a tipped position. I agree it's a personal decision. However DVC ownership has nothing to do with it.

Housekeeping is paid their regular wages whether you are staying on DVC points or if you booked the room through CRO. The housekeepers are paid hourly wages. The fee paid if you want housekeeping when staying DVC goes to Disney directly (if you order it aside from the regular housekeeping you get every few days when staying DVC).
I agree with you 100%.

 

[norm&linda]

interesting info - thanks!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I pay a tip to mousekeeping. We usually have 2 rooms, which we keep very clean, and we make our own beds. That's just how I was brought up, and how I've brought up my own kids. We usually tip somewhere between $6 and $8 between the two rooms, and then $5 each on the last day. I think about it this way...I am not tipping on that day's work, I am tipping on the fact that I used the towels and garbage cans etc. the night before, so they are cleaning up my mess from the night before (Not that we leave a mess, but you get what I mean). I guess I am just trying to clarify my ideas on what others have written about tipping on that day's work before the work is done. If I come back to my room and something is not as I feel it should be, I will call and ask them to bring what I need or whatever. Tipping mousekeeping is not something I feel obligated to do though. I just choose to do it. I don't think people who choose not to are wrong though b/c of Disney's stance on tipping them. To each their own. Just enjoy your stay at Disney, and do what works for you!

 

[tristansmiles]

is there a website to go to see what positions are tippable and which are not tippable? is tippable a word? LOL

my family is taking our first trip to Disney this August and i'd like to know (so i'm not guessing) who to tip (and not tip)...

 

[sly1971]

Respectfully you should do your homework - housekeeping at Disney is not a tipped position and it should not be suggested that it is.

Housekeeping is not a tipped position at ANY hotel. But the ladies and men who work in these often thankless jobs do appreciate the extra income for a job well done. Boy oh boy is money a hot-button issue for some of you!