Not Dining, but Kids Night Out Tipping Question..

[Tricia1972]

I posted this on the proper forum, but with 275 reads and no answers I am doubtful that I'll find help over there.

So I come here, where I know we ALL have an opinion on tipping...

When using Kids Night Out Babysitting service (so the adults can go and have an adult dinner) they charge us $16.50/hour for two children.

When making reservations they quoted this price and stated that any gratuity would be extra.

What is appropriate in this case? A percentage of the total bill or a flat dollar amount?

If tipping a percentage or dollar amount, what is an appropriate percentage or dollar?

 

[lpberg]

If you used the service for 3 hours, that'd be $49.50. A 10% tip on that would be about $5.00; 20% would be $10.00. I would *assume* that they don't automatically tack on the gratuity for you. And if my DH was with me, he'd probably tip on the high side if he'd had a few drinks!

 

[TiggerDad3]

I find it a bit surprising that they even allow tipping, since they really don't want you to tip the housekeepers because they want all to get equal service... I kind of think that the same would apply here, you would think that they would want all the children to be watched after and treated equally!

I think that rounding that 16.50 up to 19 to 20 per hour would be fair for all involved if it is policy to tip them? That seems like it would fall into the fair percentage range.

 

[tinkandpan]

I think the last time we used her- we rounded up to whatever the next level of bills we had was. We weren't too crazy about how much we tipped since we paid her the minimum amount of hours (4 hours) for 2 hours of service. I think for example it was 60 something and we gave 75?

 

[Freyja]

I find it a bit surprising that they even allow tipping, since they really don't want you to tip the housekeepers because they want all to get equal service... I kind of think that the same would apply here, you would think that they would want all the children to be watched after and treated equally!

I think that rounding that 16.50 up to 19 to 20 per hour would be fair for all involved if it is policy to tip them? That seems like it would fall into the fair percentage range.

Sorry, don´t want to steal the thread. But does Disney really not want you to tip housekeeping?

In regards to the OP, I´d probably tip 20%.

 

[fall08CP]

When I was looking through the job descriptions for Cast Members, it does say that housekeeping is an untipped position.

 

[PatsGirl]

I find it a bit surprising that they even allow tipping, since they really don't want you to tip the housekeepers because they want all to get equal service...

Where did you hear that they don't "want" you to tip housekeeping? This is the first I've heard of it. I would never NOT tip housekeeping and have never heard that it was discouraged at WDW.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just to clarify, Kids Night Out has nothing to do with the housekeeping, it's a babysitting service that some hire in order to go out for the night (usually for dinner) without the kids.

 

[MODisneyfan]

Just to clarify, Kids Night Out has nothing to do with the housekeeping, it's a babysitting service that some hire in order to go out for the night (usually for dinner) without the kids.

I think that I would just do 10.00 a child.. I know that is not alot but I am sure that they get paid well and don't just live off tips alone.. That is what I give when we have used any babysitting service with my nephew..

 

[Pumbaa_]

I have no children so bear with me.

They charge you 16.50 AN HOUR! AND expect a tip on top of that? Are they serious?

Granted, I have no children so don't know the going rate, but I would think that fee included everything.

Talk about sticker shock!

 

[Pumbaa_]

It has been posted a few times that Mousekeeping is not a tipped position. It says it in each resorts newsletter you receive at checkin

Posters have also reported that during interactions with housekeeping management, it has been reinforced that mousekeeping is not a tipping position.

It was explained that the hotel model is based on the West Coast model (makes sense, Disneyland was the first), rather than East Coast, where tipping mousekeeping is the norm.

 

[PatsGirl]

I never knew this info about mousekeeping tips. Thanks. I'll need to look into it further before I can feel comfortable about it because as you say, here in the Northeast, housekeeping is definately a tipped position. You do get minimum wage and its not like 20% is expected but I think the average tip here (and by Northeasterners at Disney) is probably a few $$ each night. (I leave $1/pp/night so a 4 night visit usually yields anywhere from $15-20 assuming the job is done well).

 

[Pumbaa_]

i know the feeling patsgirl. More than one person has reported this from disney management and it is in the newsletter you get at checkin. One of the statements I have read (credited to a manager) is that they want all guests to get the same service regardless.

Many people state they leave tips in the hope of getting towel animals. Disney is saying it shouldn't matter.

We now do DVC and do not get any service while we are there, so not as much of an issue for us now.

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, I do know that tipping didn't help me get the Bounceback promotion card in my room last year But luck would have it, I was able to book this morning for our upcoming Free Dining August trip.

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

Being a mother of three, I have thought about using the babysitting service, but was a little nervous about it! I am weird about people I don't know watching my kiddos I mean I know it is Disney and all, but you hear horror stories of what happens when you're gone At least mine aren't infants anymore and could tell me if something went wrong

On another note. We also tip Mouskeeping if they have done a good job. There were days that it looked like nothing had been done but making the beds. I think on our first visit they even forgot to take out the garbage once or twice. If something like that happens then we don't leave a tip. When we do tip we leave $1 per person in the room. In our case we leave $5 per day. I am not sure about the "not supposed" to tip thing. I can say that they have never NOT accepted it!

 

[Pumbaa_]

but who did you tip? You got lousy service one day, not tip the next but got great service so tip the next. Your mousekeeper may change regularly, so in fact you may have been tipping the slacker not the great service one, KWIM?

Anyhoo, sorry to hijack your thread

 

[Tricia1972]

I have no children so bear with me.

They charge you 16.50 AN HOUR! AND expect a tip on top of that? Are they serious?

Granted, I have no children so don't know the going rate, but I would think that fee included everything.

Talk about sticker shock!

Shhhh, that was kind of my thought too. I'd think that $16.50/hour should about cover it. The fact that they outright mentioned gratuity made me think it was expected and left me VERY curious as to what I should tip.

mom_of_3 - I hear you on being nervous. These guys are FANTASTIC and the kids just LOVED them both times. Our boys are 5 and 2 and actually said that we should have them come over one night next time we go to Disney.

 

[ChrisMouse]

Tricia,

Did you request any specific gender or age group for your kids nite out experience?

I wasn't sure what to choose since I have one boy and one girl...so I requested "grandmotherly"...hoping it's not boring for them!

And even though I have sticker shock over the whole thing, it's incredibly wonderful to think of getting to go on a "date" with my husband during our trip.

(I'm trying SO HARD not to be nervous about it!)

 

[Tricia1972]

I didn't specify which type, we have two boys so I just asked for someone who is good with boys. We were VERY happy with the service. Came back and everything was clean and even more organized than what we left it. I know it's nerve wracking leaving them with 'strangers' before you go, but you'll be very happy with the service and will REALLY enjoy your date night dinner.

 

[buzz1fan]

We are thinking of using this service. Our boys will be 1 and 4 when we go. Do they stay in the room while you are gone? I would not feel very comfortable with someone taking them out of the room. Is there a mimimum amount of hours? We are staying at AKL, and where thinking Jiko for dinner. Any other information you have would be great for me.