Is there tip box on Magical Express and buses that takes you from resort to park?

[Alice777]

Just want to prepare myself with dollar bills.

Is there tip box on Magical Express bus and buses that takes you from resort to park?

Eventhough it's free rides, if there's tip box, I would like to tip them one or 2 dollars.

 

[pas130]

We tip the driver after he unloads our bags. Tips are allowed on the Magical Express, but I am not sure about the Disney buses. I've never tipped them, nor have I noticed a tip box.

 

[Jestocost]

There is no tip box and unless the DME driver stows your bags under the bus and retrieves them at your resort, no tip is expected. The DME drive usually waits just outside the door at your resort and you can tip him or her then. I've never tipped a driver on property and don't know that I've ever seen anyone else do it.

 

[Alice777]

Thank you. When we are in Vegas, free shuttles doesn't have tip boxes either but some of us give tip in the driver's hand.

 

[goofy4tink]

Bus drivers within WDW aren't supposed to accept tips. DME bus drivers can accept them. Should you tip your DME driver? If the driver stows your bag(s) beneath the bus? Yes, he will expect to be tipped for luggage handling. Otherwise, no gratuity will be 'expected'. But...I have had tip money in hand, ready to give the driver. And I put it right back in my pocket....the driver actually mentioned that they are allowed to accept tips. There is signage that says this...I don't need the driver telling me. He then held guests in the bus until he unloaded the stowed bags. I finally took my bag from him, and walked away...tip money in my pocket.
On the other hand, I've tipped a driver just because he provided a great ride...great driving, informative about the area, just really pleasant. I had no bag but tipped him anyway.

It's up to each person.

 

[Jestocost]

He then held guests in the bus until he unloaded the stowed bags.

Did you find this unusual for some reason? On every DME and DCL cruise transfer bus I can remember taking, the driver always has had the passengers wait on the bus until the luggage is unloaded from below the bus.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

WDW Transportation drivers are not considered tipped positions, just as ride operators and quick food counter service cast members are not tipped.

If the DME driver begs for tips by reading the sign the says that tipping is allowed for exceptional service -- and then explaining exactly how he provided "exception service" -- I tip nothing. Otherwise, I tip as seems appropriate.

 

[goofy4tink]

Did you find this unusual for some reason? On every DME and DCL cruise transfer bus I can remember taking, the driver always has had the passengers wait on the bus until the luggage is unloaded from below the bus.

Yep. They said that it was for the safety of the guests, but there are a lot of guests with no bags to get. If it's a safety issue, then stand at the bottom of the steps, assisting any who may need it. Then get the bags. That's the way it has been for most of my rides.

 

[mouse driver]

As a former bus driver @ WDW the official Disney position is that accepting tips is not permitted.
The unofficial practice is that after refusing the tip 3 times you are allowed to accept it. However, I never did because you never know if you are being set up or not.

As a DVC member and guest-I never offer a tip.

If you are really impressed with a driver's service then go to your resort and ask for a manager. Tell the manager about your experience. Don't just tell a cm and think that the information will get to the right person. make sure you get the driver's name. They can track down the correct driver if you let them know his/her name and what what route and time was.

DME buses are owned by Disney but the drivers work for Mears.

 

[goofy4tink]

As a former bus driver @ WDW the official Disney position is that accepting tips is not permitted.
The unofficial practice is that after refusing the tip 3 times you are allowed to accept it. However, I never did because you never know if you are being set up or not.

As a DVC member and guest-I never offer a tip.

If you are really impressed with a driver's service then go to your resort and ask for a manager. Tell the manager about your experience. Don't just tell a cm and think that the information will get to the right person. make sure you get the driver's name. They can track down the correct driver if you let them know his/her name and what what route and time was.

DME buses are owned by Disney but the drivers work for Mears.

Thanks for the input...and welcome to the Transportation board! Thanks for the reminder as to how to acknowledge a CM...be it in a park or driving a bus! I try to take note of the name and bus number of any driver who has made the ride extra special, or handled a 'situation' really well!

 

[mouse driver]

Thanks for the welcome.

I have been reading on and off for quite awhile and finally decided to join.
It is incredible the amount of detailed knowledge on this forum.

 

[bumbershoot]

Did you find this unusual for some reason? On every DME and DCL cruise transfer bus I can remember taking, the driver always has had the passengers wait on the bus until the luggage is unloaded from below the bus.

Whereas I've maybe had this situation happen once (being held on the bus), and I'm just assuming it happened to try to be fair; I don't actually remember such an experience. So for me it would be weird.