Mousekeeping

[xkwisit]

We are going on our 1st DVC trip next week. We are spending 6 wonderful days at Saratoga Springs. I know mousekeeping does not come in everyday, but I believe on the 4th day they do, correct? Previously when we've gone we've always left a tip for our mousekeeper in our hotel room daily. Do we do the same for our villa too, & if so, how much?? There are 7 of us staying in a 8 person villa.

 

[danielle782001]

They do come on the 4th day...A confirmation of the exact date is on your resort confirmation letter...So daily tipping does not apply...

Tipping in DVC is an individual choice...many do and many more do not...

Many believe we should not leave a tip because we pay dues that include paying for this service...Others believe that a tip is in order...You can find some threads to see the arguements for and against and the formulas used to come up with a tip.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Remember.. They will not do a full cleaning if you're only staying six nights. The housekeeping visit will be for trash & towel service, plus a few small incidentals.

MG

 

[toocherie]

I leave $5 on trash and towel day. In a studio.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Many believe we should not leave a tip because we pay dues that include paying for this service...Others believe that a tip is in order...You can find some threads to see the arguements for and against and the formulas used to come up with a tip.

Do you have a link to any of the tipping threads? TIA.

 

[danielle782001]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2228473&highlight=Tip+Mousekeeping+DVC

 

[danielle782001]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2193734&highlight=Mousekeeping+DVC+tipping

 

[danielle782001]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2146068&highlight=Mousekeeping+DVC+tipping

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are going on our 1st DVC trip next week. We are spending 6 wonderful days at Saratoga Springs. I know mousekeeping does not come in everyday, but I believe on the 4th day they do, correct? Previously when we've gone we've always left a tip for our mousekeeper in our hotel room daily. Do we do the same for our villa too, & if so, how much?? There are 7 of us staying in a 8 person villa.

For stays of seven nights or fewer, on day 4 your towels will be replaced and your trash removed. You will get your shampoo, soap and other incidentals replaced. They will not make beds, they will not vacuum, they will not clean up the villa. If you stay eight nights or more, on day 4 you will get a full cleaning and on day 8 you will get the trash and towel service.

So, unless you require extra service from housekeeping (which you will be required to pay for), there really is no need to tip them. Housekeeping is a non-tipped position.

 

[Tozzie]

For stays of seven nights or fewer, on day 4 your towels will be replaced and your trash removed. You will get your shampoo, soap and other incidentals replaced. They will not make beds, they will not vacuum, they will not clean up the villa. If you stay eight nights or more, on day 4 you will get a full cleaning and on day 8 you will get the trash and towel service.

So, unless you require extra service from housekeeping (which you will be required to pay for), there really is no need to tip them. Housekeeping is a non-tipped position.

Is there anywhere it is written that it isn't a tipped position? The only place I have been able to find the information is on these boards and I really would like a more official source.

 

[jekjones1558]

Is there anywhere it is written that it isn't a tipped position? The only place I have been able to find the information is on these boards and I really would like a more official source.

I have asked this question multiple times and I have yet to see any official Disney document stating that DVC mousekeeping is not a tipped position. We always tip, except once (out of 30+ trips?) when we had repeated issues with quality of service. I have read posts from DISers (and heard tales from others) who have worked as maids at some point and I was moved by their stories about what they have had to deal with from guests. Sad statement of how little respect some travelers have for vacation properties. I am ever so grateful to mousekeepers who make my vacation enjoyable because they take pride in doing a good job. If a tip can make a mousekeeper feel like she is appreciated, it is money I am happy to spend. Of course this is just my personal bias and I absolutely respect the decision of others not to tip. To each her/his own.

 

[Luv]

When we bought our DVC points, no tipping was one of the features the sales gal mentioned. We stayed 1 night at Hilton Head and there was a sign by the beach pool saying something about not having to tip. Imagine our surprise when at our first stay at OKW the bell hop had his hand out!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

When we bought our DVC points, no tipping was one of the features the sales gal mentioned. We stayed 1 night at Hilton Head and there was a sign by the beach pool saying something about not having to tip. Imagine our surprise when at our first stay at OKW the bell hop had his hand out!

While tipping housekeeping may be up for debate, I think it's universally agreed upon that bell services should be tipped.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

As should valet..

MG

 

[CarolAnnC]

Bell Services and Valet are definitely working for tips. Mousekeeping is something that I tip for and have not regretted. I know they work hard, and I like to show appreciation by leaving a gratuity.

I would just like to give a thank you here for everyone respecting the opposing views on the tipping issue. Too often these "hot issues" can turn argumentative and it is a pleasure to see a thread where everyone can share their own views, without trying to insist they are right and the other views are wrong. Kudos to you guys!!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

With the mousekeeping at DVC and trash and towel on Day 4-How many towels do you get when you arrive?? Do they leave you lots to start with?

 

[CarolAnnC]

With the mousekeeping at DVC and trash and towel on Day 4-How many towels do you get when you arrive?? Do they leave you lots to start with?

This is a standard towel package that comes standard in each bathroom (the first one is free) - additional packages can be ordered from Housekeeping:

Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat

 

[Deb & Bill]

With the mousekeeping at DVC and trash and towel on Day 4-How many towels do you get when you arrive?? Do they leave you lots to start with?

You get one bath towel and one face cloth for every official sleeping space. So for the one bedroom villas that sleep five, you'll get five of each. For the one bedroom villas that officially sleep four, you'll get four of each. Just hang up the towels after you use them and they'll be dry the next time you need them. If you are in a one bedroom or larger, you can wash and dry them in your villa.

 

[Entropy]

We left a mess so we left a tip.
I'm not saying that we trashed the place but there was some extra work involved there involving two teenage boys and a lot of popcorn.

 

[flipflopmom]

A comment and 2 questions:

Comment: I am OCD about cleaning. For a studio stay, a full clean is just about what I tipped daily when staying Non-DVC. So I can take that money and apply it to a full cleaning on day 4.

Question 1: If you do tip, do you tip on day four and check out?

Question 2: I think I already know the answer, but DH wanted me to ask anyway. If you pay for an extra towel package at check in, are those replaced as well on Day 4? I'm pretty sure it is a one time extra, but...... For a studio stay, I would want the extras, since sometimes we shower a couple of times a day (am, midday after pool/nap, etc.)