Mousekeeping tips

[DisneyHardin]

So our Mousekeeper knew the money was for her, I put it on the edge of the table under the tent thing that had her name on it stating she was our mousekeeper. We were really neat, but I still left $2 or $3 per day. On our last day we had some chips/snacks that we hadn't even opened but didn't have room to take home in our suitcase with all the souvineers. I left that stuff on the table with a note that they were more than welcome to have it. Hopefully they enjoyed the pringles.

 

[noahdove]

I too leave a "mousekeeping tip" each day in a special envelope $1 per person in the room..I also leave a tip wherever I stay..I have special envelopes that I use that tells where we are from

 

[kmedina]

I usually tip $4 to $5 daily depending on the hotel/mess. My friend's Mom is a maid and always tells a story about how a famous basketball player "stiffed" her when he stayed there. My husband also works at a hotel/casino and knows some guest room attendants who have mentioned they were stiffed as well. Based on that, I would say that some expect tips or why would they say they were stiffed. Most people do tip, but there are a lot that do not. They are not tipped as often as a waiter but are tipped as often as a pizza delivery person. There are a lot of people who do not tip them either thinking it is included with the delivery charge or just not wanting to.

For a maid that cleans 12 rooms a day in Las Vegas (anyway), she will usually get a tip from 6 or more of the rooms. Their salaries are not as low as waiters, because they have way less "covers" per day and more people leave without tipping a maid than without tipping a waiter (although that happens from time to time as well). Housekeepers are paid less than front desk agents/receptionists in most markets despite a previous poster's comment.

If I forgot a tip, I would feel bad too. I would not mail it in and just try to remember next time. Doubling up is not necessary, but a daily tip is better than one large tip at the end. Someone could be getting "stiffed" while someone else will be getting a very large tip if you have more than one mousekeeper throughout your stay.

Tipping is a touchy subject, since it is all optional. If you leave and feel bad about not tipping, tip next time. On the other hand, if you are opposed to tipping, you should not. Be prepared for people you tell to think that you are wrong but then again, you think they are wrong too!

 

[bellemeeko1]

normally its just the 2 of us so I leave $5/day otherwise I leave $2/person/day

 

[Disney71]

normally its just the 2 of us so I leave $5/day otherwise I leave $2/person/day

We do the same thing.....I put the tip money in the envelopes before we leave home, ensuring I won't forget Not sure if it is related or not - but we have received towel animals almost every night at every disney resort we have stayed at.

 

[GailT]

yep always in any hotel im in and i always pick up too i hate leaving the rooms messy.....

Ditto, I always clean up, I could never have a housekeeper, I would clean it before they alked in my house to clean it.

 

[WDW*Dreamer]

When I think of the stupid things I'll spend $5 on at the drop of a hat, I can't see the harm in using that same money to make someone else's day a little lighter.

In fact, this thought process helps me avoid throwing money away on crap. When I catch myself about to throw away $5 on something I don't need (typically junk food) I will stop myself and mentally credit my "tipping account"

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Just Curious - when you go other places besides Disney and stay for an extended time do you tip the housekeeping then also? I have mixed feelings on this. I did tip last year but because I felt guilty as everyone else in my party was.

Yes - I am in my 40s and my parents always tipped when we traveled and taught me to do it. When I travel for business my tips are always paid for by my company so they believe they are necessary too.

 

[gardenia]

I usually tip $4 to $5 daily depending on the hotel/mess. My friend's Mom is a maid and always tells a story about how a famous basketball player "stiffed" her when he stayed there. My husband also works at a hotel/casino and knows some guest room attendants who have mentioned they were stiffed as well. Based on that, I would say that some expect tips or why would they say they were stiffed. Most people do tip, but there are a lot that do not. They are not tipped as often as a waiter but are tipped as often as a pizza delivery person. There are a lot of people who do not tip them either thinking it is included with the delivery charge or just not wanting to.

For a maid that cleans 12 rooms a day in Las Vegas (anyway), she will usually get a tip from 6 or more of the rooms. Their salaries are not as low as waiters, because they have way less "covers" per day and more people leave without tipping a maid than without tipping a waiter (although that happens from time to time as well). Housekeepers are paid less than front desk agents/receptionists in most markets despite a previous poster's comment.

If I forgot a tip, I would feel bad too. I would not mail it in and just try to remember next time. Doubling up is not necessary, but a daily tip is better than one large tip at the end. Someone could be getting "stiffed" while someone else will be getting a very large tip if you have more than one mousekeeper throughout your stay.

Tipping is a touchy subject, since it is all optional. If you leave and feel bad about not tipping, tip next time. On the other hand, if you are opposed to tipping, you should not. Be prepared for people you tell to think that you are wrong but then again, you think they are wrong too!

Disney is NOT Vegas. Their housekeepers are unionized and start at $11 an hour. Their job is not a tipped position. If you want to tip, go ahead, but don't try to make others feel guilty.

 

[TTAfanatic]

I have to wonder how many of you have done housekeeping as a job. I have a new respect for them ever since I did it in '08. We work harder than most servers. Housekeepers bring you towels like a server is to bring you napkins, it's part of their job. That being said, it's a lot of stress on your back, and with how guests are now-a-days with their standards of rooms, it's really tough to get a room "perfect." There are many threads on this board about housekeeping. Yes, I understand sometimes you don't get the best service, I've been there many times.

Housekeepers are essentially in the same boat as servers. Both are gratuity is optional. You don't have to tip a waiter if you have bad service, but when you have good service, tip. it's that simple. That being said, regardless, I tip. If it's good service, I tip $5 a day, and for any service other than that it's $2-$3 a day.

 

[macraven]

i figure if i can afford to stay onsite, i can leave mousekeepers a tip.

you never know if that couple of $$ you leave makes it possible for that employee to provide more for there family.


the small amount i leave is not going to break me.

 

[kaligal]

If you send it and the person who gets it is honest, they can look up who it was that cleaned your room that day and give it to them. If they aren't honest, they can pocket the money. I have sent a tip to a hotel after forgetting to leave one when running out the door to catch a flight.

IMO, nobody deserves a tip more than hotel maids. They have the hardest work, get treated the crappiest and make almost nothing.

I do as much of their job for them as I can and I still tip.

 

[greengeen]

...Housekeepers are essentially in the same boat as servers. Both are gratuity is optional. You don't have to tip a waiter if you have bad service, but when you have good service, tip. it's that simple. That being said, regardless, I tip. If it's good service, I tip $5 a day, and for any service other than that it's $2-$3 a day.

I don't think you get it. Housekeepers are not in the same boat as servers. I don't know anyone who considers tipping a server "optional", because they depend on tips - their hourly rate is intentionally low because they're SUPPOSED to get tips. This is not the case at all with housekeepers at WDW. They get a regular, reasonable rate and are not expected to get tips.

 

[momtotaryn]

I don't think you get it. Housekeepers are not in the same boat as servers. I don't know anyone who considers tipping a server "optional", because they depend on tips - their hourly rate is intentionally low because they're SUPPOSED to get tips. This is not the case at all with housekeepers at WDW. They get a regular, reasonable rate and are not expected to get tips.

So how much do Mousekeepers make at WDW? What is a regular, reasonable rate for working as hard as they do?

 

[Missytara]

So how much do Mousekeepers make at WDW? What is a regular, reasonable rate for working as hard as they do?

I doubt you will find that information.

Disney posts job availabilities on line and doesn't even post a salary range.

They release very few statistics, other than what is shared with their corporate shareholders and I am sure that does not include salaries as well.

 

[TTAfanatic]

Okay, but if they aren't good at serving you, do you leave the server a good tip? Probably not. So why do you not tip someone who picks up your trash, dirty towels, etc etc. It's the same thing and the housekeepers do a heck of a lot more work than servers. I'm sorry I've done both and I'd rather be a server because it's easier. Again I don't believe you've been a housekeeper. So go get a housekeeping job and get back to me.

 

[greengeen]

Okay, but if they aren't good at serving you, do you leave the server a good tip? Probably not. So why do you not tip someone who picks up your trash, dirty towels, etc etc. It's the same thing and the housekeepers do a heck of a lot more work than servers. I'm sorry I've done both and I'd rather be a server because it's easier. Again I don't believe you've been a housekeeper. So go get a housekeeping job and get back to me.

Go get a housekeeping job at WDW and get back to me. It's a union job. It's not Vegas or the Catskills or Motel 8. But hey, it's your money - do whatever you want. Just don't be telling Dis boarders that tipping houysekeeping is a must do. It's NOT.

 

[brunette8706]

Go get a housekeeping job at WDW and get back to me. It's a union job. It's not Vegas or the Catskills or Motel 8. But hey, it's your money - do whatever you want. Just don't be telling Dis boarders that tipping houysekeeping is a must do. It's NOT.

*
I agree with your stance. We've stayed at the Poly which is a great hotel, love the theming but the room was not really "clean". Same with the WL, resort was GORGEOUS, room was less than stellar, when it came to cleanliness. Further, who tips the Concierge wait staff? I understand they are not supposed to accept tips. Yet, they do serve people with food, and drink etc. Plus they clean up the dirty dishes left behind. Unless mousekeeping was really fantastic I usually do not tip.

Brunette

 

[TTAfanatic]

I never once said you must tip, I simply stated if they do a good job, leave them at least a thank you card. And you must not be able to see my sig. I have worked housekeeping at disney world. thanks though.

 

[carly chloe]

Not saying either is right or wrong- but alot of people who go to WDW are factory workers or such and work DAMN hard for their money tto and they don't get a tip. If they were paid terrible and had to reprt thier tips that's a different story. Glad some people can afford tips but if a family has been saving every last penny to take thier family to WDW they shouldn't feel guilty.