I really need to understand this mousekeeping tipping business.

[devine5829]

So, I have read some threads about tipping mousekeeping on a daily basis. I have to say I thought this was pretty strange the first time I heard about it. We are pretty sophistocated people I feel. But it actually would never have occured to me to do this. I just felt that this was there job and we were paying alot for this service in the first place. I never put this in the professional tip category(and believe me, I am sensitive to this issue because I waited tables for years when I was younger). I just don't really get tipping them $4-$5+ a day, just so you get good treatment and towel animals. I mean, isn't this what we are paying for in the first palce? Where am I wrong if you think I am? I just really want to understand everyones philosophy on this..

P.S.
We are staying Poly concierge in a few weeks

 

[peachgirl]

I don't think you're wrong at all. Mousekeeping isn't a tipped position and WDW says that in their literature you're given at check-in.

That said, I tip them on most trips, although I didn't on our trip last month.

I don't usually tip at any other place we visit, but that's because in order for me to feel like I should tip, I expect service to be above and beyond what would be normal housekeeping. I've never encountered that anywhere else we've stayed. The best case scenario anywhere I've stayed has been that housekeeping has done their job, but no more. With that level of service, they're paid by their employers for what they've done. I don't think further compensation from me is neccessary.

At WDW, we've encountered some of the nicest, most helpful people in housekeeping. On most trips our mousekeeper did as much to make our trip memorable as any other CM. Towel animals are cute, and I love them,but that's not why I tip. Extra towels, having to clean up accidental spills, checking on us to make sure we're satisfied...things like this encourage me to tip.

On our last trip to OKW, the service was barely acceptable, in fact just barely above the point where I would call and complain. I didn't complain, but I didn't tip either.

For those who want to sling arrows at those who don't tip....

If you tip, you're the one who's going against WDW accepted practice. Non-tippers are following the guidelines. I don't see a right or wrong here though. Tip if you want, don't if you don't.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by peachgirl
For those who want to sling arrows at those who don't tip....

If you tip, you're the one who's going against WDW accepted practice. Non-tippers are following the guidelines. I don't see a right or wrong here though. Tip if you want, don't if you don't.

I agree 100%. I generally tip mousekeeping but it's not a tipped postion and the NY Times says 85% of guests don't tip housekeeping.

 

[boston-yachter]

we do tip...but on our last day....
we'll usually leave 10-15$ for the week...

I don't think you should tip to recieve towel animals...or excpetional service....those are the fundimentals of maid service...excluding the towel animals...
we've always recieved exceptional service at all resorts..and even towel animals everynight...my DD and family friends would always leave notes and colored pictures...which were addressed to the maids that said thankyou...and then I would leave money at the end of the week...

even thouh tipping is frowned upon...i think it is a nice gesture...but my favorite is leaving personalized pictures for them...sometimes a gesture from the heart is just as nice as one from the pocket...especially when your in disney and pockets are extra thin...lol

 

[safetymom]

We tip because they are cleaning up our stuff. I don't feel that a couple of dollars a day is a big deal. I also don't tip to get towel animals, I tip to show my appreciation just like I tip the waitress.

If I don't get good service then they don't get a tip.

For those that tip housekeeping you should do it every day. The maids do change so the one that did your room every day could be off the day you leave a big tip.

I also tip at every hotel I stay at.

 

[PartyOf5]

We've been lucky to have some wonderful mouskeepers throughout the years. I tip because of the great service we have received - has nothing to do with towel animals which we don't always receive by the way. Either way, if the service is to our liking and I can make a mousekeepers day a little more magical at the most magical place on earth, then I'm all for it! I enjoy making people happy.

 

[Blondie]

I just pulled out my most recent resort information from the Wilderness Lodge and it states:

We are often asked about gratuities. At Walt Disney World it is customary to tip the following positions for exceptional service: bartender, bell services, coctail server, food and beverage server and valet parker.

Nowhere does it mention housekeeping.

But we tip our housekeeper anyway! Not for any little extras or towel animals but because anyone who does this kind of job deserves it, IMHO.

 

[Cricket2]

I've seen some people (twice) tip the check-in counter person too.

I think that's a bit much.

 

[wdwobsessed]

While it's not required to tip ... I can't help but feeling that I would really appreciate having a little extra when I'm having to clean up the toliet where people have deposited thier business!
Among many other things they have to do in order to keep the room nice and clean for us! Not a job I would want and I think they deserve a little extra.

I try to tip at least a few dollars and I do tip at places other than Disney.

wdwo

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Lewisc
I agree 100%. I generally tip mousekeeping but it's not a tipped postion and the NY Times says 85% of guests don't tip housekeeping.

With all going on with the New York Times lately, I'm not so sure I'd believe them if they said the sky was blue.

Anne

 

[mrsltg]

If I don't get good service then they don't get a tip.

For those that tip housekeeping you should do it every day. The maids do change so the one that did your room every day could be off the day you leave a big tip.

These statements make no sense. If you are tipping based on good service, then you are tipping the day after and you don't know that it's going to the right person anyway.

I don't tip housekeeping. I tip for tipped positions. Any sort of extraordinary service on the part of a non-tipped employee warrants a comment to his or her manager.

Erin

 

[nanalisa]

I always leave 3 dollars each morning, just because I want to. When my family moves into a small room for 10 or 12 days I appreciate the fact that by day 4 mousekeeping will even go in! I do try to keep things tidy but after mousekeeping has come in, the room smells fresh and the cookie crumbs and baby power has been swept from the carpet (I blame my husband for all of the above.)

Housekeeping tipping is voluntary. If you don't, don't worry about it.

 

[safetymom]

mrsltg, If you tip the day after the maid would only miss one or two days if they are off. If you tip at the end of their stay they might not get any tip.

Like with everything else that people post about on the DIS boards do what you feel comfortable with. Just because they are not listed as a tipped position doesn't mean I can't leave a tip. You aren't going to change my mind and I am not going to change yours.

I also write letters when I return. If I received exceptional service I mention it along with any issues I think they should know.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Mr. J. Cricket
I've seen some people (twice) tip the check-in counter person too.

I think that's a bit much.

In some cities (Vegas) a tip/bride to the desk clerk will secure you a complimentary upgrade.

 

[ktulu]

I tip because I want towel animals or the stuffed animals we purchased to be arranged Actually, we do it based on service as well, on our honeymoon we checked into Dixie Landings (I know), they said our room was ready, we caught a ride with the bell hop in a golf cart to the room, and it was not ready! Towels on the floor, bed was messed up, the CM was like 'oops!' and asked if we wanted this room or a different one. This was on the river, we really liked its location, so we said we'd stay here, he called housekeeping and when we got back that night, the room was spotless, so that started our tipping routine. We never met our mousekeeper, but we exchanged notes, when she found out we were on our honeymoon, she got us a little mickey mouse. She really deserved it and did some playful things with our stuffed toys. There is nothing like coming back to the room with 'baby pooh' staring out the window waiting for you to get back 'home' I know it's not a tipped position, but I'll tip any to show my appreciation, in addition to letting a manager know about the excellent service.

darren

 

[WALT PENN]

I am not usually a tipper for housekeeping,however when on vacation with my family I tip because my son has bed problems and I tip because cleaning up his bed is something that would normally not have to be done,so I tip out of guilt.

 

[WebmasterPete]

This is one of those personal preference areas. I was always taught to tip housekeeping, but then again, my Mom worked as a housekeeper for many years in a hotel. What's funny is that Disney recommends tipping your Cabin attendant on the cruise, and they basically do the same things as hotel housekeepers. I don't think there is a right answer...it's up to the individual to decide whether they feel their housekeeping service warrants a tip. For the record, I tip only on the last night of my stay based on the service I received.

Pete

 

[Pen]

I tip when I travel with DH and 2 DDs because we tend to be really messy travelers (eating in the room, etc.)

But when I travel with my mom, I never tip because she actually CLEANS THE ROOM before we leave it every morning! I swear, she makes the beds and wipes down the shower and sink, etc. If it is time for a bedding change, she pulls the sheets herself! She would probably vacuum if one were available! She says she is just too embarrassed for anyone to see our mess!

I sometimes wonder if housekeeping ever opens our door and then leaves, thinking someone else has already visited!

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

May I ask what a towel animal is and do they appear at ASMo?

 

[safetymom]

The housekeepers fold,bend, shape the towels or several towels into shapes that look like birds, animals, etc. They use your washcloths and sometimes the larger towels to make these creations.

They also apply stickers etc. A lot of work goes into some of these creations. Lovely to look at but not yours to keep since they are made from the hotel towels. Sometimes they will also arrange your stuffed animals or things in the front window. Hard to explain but very cute and much appreciated by many.