Ok I don't want to sound dumb but what about tipping?

[ssatterly]

I will be on the gold plan and i thought that tipping was included? Also i don't mean to sound cheap BUT I have been on many vactions and I have NEVER tipped a housekeeper or anyone but restrant servers (execpt on a cruise) So what is the deal whit tipping at Disney? Is it a have to thing or is it up to you? I want to do the right thing I am not trying to sound cheap but i am the type I don't like to do something if it is not a have to thing. (unless some one does something that really stands out)
Please help!

 

[The Sweetness]

I dont think it is required to tip anyone, unless a gratuity is included in your tab at a restaurant.

I do however tip many people. If I valet my car, I tip $2 when I leave it, and $2 when I am back. At restaurants, I tip 20% of the entire bill. If I am lucky enough to score an Illuminations cruise, I will tip the boat captain $20. And as for the housekeeping, If I get one room, it will be $5 each morning. If 2 rooms, $3 each.

Thats just me. I think its an appropriate way to show my appreciation for the services being provided to me

 

[SnackyStacky]

There are certain places where tipping is appropriate regardless of whether or not you're at Disney.

Certainly, restaurants are one of those places! The guideline is 15% of the total bill for good service. If they go above and beyond, you go more. They go less, you give less.

Valet parking is another of those places. If there's only one attendant, about $4 when they pick up the car is appropriate. Otherwise, $2 when you drop the car off, $2 when they pick it up.

Bell services is another place where tipping is always appropriate. $2 per bag is a good guideline.

Housekeeping I would say is one of those grey areas. I would say it's really up to you. $1-$2 per person per day is a good guideline if you do choose to tip. Housekeepers are usually (at least in my understanding) hired knowing that it's not a tipped position.

Skycaps, drivers (taxi, limos, shuttles....), room service.... there's a whole bunch more, but really the only thing that seems to catch people off guard is the housekeeping one.

 

[rockin_rep]

I absolutely always tip. It may not be required but i think it is expected and ALWAYS appreciated. It is part of the 'cost' of doing business, so to speak. And it makes "ME" feel good, too!

We often decorated cute envelopes at home for the housekeeper's tips. The kids enjoyed being creative as part of the anticipation of our trip. It's great fun to come back to the room at night and find all the stuffed toys lined up, or extra little treats (soaps, candy etc) on the kids' bed.

"SOME PEOPLE KNOW THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING and THE VALUE OF NOTHING." ~ Oscar Wilde

 

[dixieamy]

This will be our second disney trip, and I've never ever thought about tipping the housekeeping until I started reading these boards a few months ago. Now, I really feel bad. On our trip last October, the Mousekeeping always lined the kid's animals up in the hotel window, and they were always so excited each evening when we got to our room! Also, one day they left two towel animals in the room. I really thought it was just part of their job.

I've always tipped valet drivers, bellmen, and waiters, but will definitely tip the Mousekeeping on this trip.

Amy

 

[kaylajr]

Okay Just my two cents worth here but let me give you the other sides perception

no i'm not at WDW but in a high tourist area in NY
i started 7 years ago as a housekeeper and worked my way up to management

before working there i rarely tipped Housekeepers i truthfully just didn't think about it

but it IS appreciated and most time people who tip will get better service

i would always tell the girls i hired that it was up to the customer but i know that the ones that tipped a little everytime DID get better service

now i tip a few bucks anytime i am in a hotel and a housekeeping situation
the amount depends on ow long i am there and how much they do

another thing is if the housekeeper is in the room everyday i will leave a few bucks everyday
otherwise it is at the end

JMTCW

 

[diswedwish]

I asked our itinerary planner for the Plat. Plan who else we needed to tip (specifically spa, parasailing, and horsebackriding). She said that all tips, for tipped positions, apparently some of the above are not are included on the Plat. (and I would assume the Gold Plan) for everything *except* valet, bell services, and housekeeping. So those are the tips not included in your plan, but that are tipped positions at Disney.

HTH

 

[Leota]

Well, I can tell you first hand that tipping your mousekeeper doesn't always lead to better service! We had the worst ever mousekeeper in Poly Concierge & we were tipping her $5.00 a day. I even asked the concierge desk a couple of times on my trip for certain cleaning functions (daybed made, clean cups, basic stuff) to be performed which weren't being done.
Nope, just didn't get done when we had that one keeper, no matter if we tipped or not.
Now I tip according to service rendered instead of a set formula. I also don't stay at the Poly Conc. anymore.....

 

[dave21]

our first trip in 2001 we got fantastic service from the mousekeepers. we also did the decorated envelope idea each day with a tip inside. our kids had a blast each day when we returned wondering what special thing they would do that day. on our last night we asked if we had the same mousekeeper each day. as it turned out, we did, so we asked who it was and before we left we met her in person, thanked her in person and gave her an extra tip. before we left she gave our kids a towel in the shape of a heart.

on our last trip, we did the same thing with the envelopes in the beginning, but never got any "extras", so we adjusted the tips accordingly. the kids were kinda bummed out after the neat things on our first trip.

i have no problem tipping for good service, in fact i probably tip too much, but when i get poor service i have no problem letting them know either.

 

[McKelly]

My DSis took a job as a housekeeper at one time and I remember her coming home from work one day absolutely delighted that she made twenty bucks in tips. (This was a small hotel in a small town) I had never thought of tipping housekeeping until then and now I ALWAYS do. She did not make very much money and I know she busted her buns. And she appreciated (as I would) those tips GREATLY!! Just my two cents.

 

[mousebrat]

Here goes our 99th post!

We will be leaving shortly on the gold plan. Our understanding is the same as what diswedwish was saying. We are taking money to tip mousekeeping and bell services (we are not bringing a car). Past that, we will have some extra money on hand for extraordinary service. For instance, the tip that is included on your meals will be 15%. If somebody deserves 20%, I will tip extra to compensate. That being said, on the gold plan, you will be ordering all sorts of expensive things most people don't order, so they get a de facto extra tip without having to provide that much more service.

As far as parasailing and other activities go, the gold plan package, which I am paying a princely sum for, includes tips and I do not plan on tipping those people. I do not know what positions are tipped and what aren't. I wish it were more clear - that is the whole flaw with the American tip system (boy, could we get into a debate there).

Anyways, if people have anymore feedback on tipping under the gold plan or when using silver wishes, I would like to hear it.

 

[trracers]

I used to be a waitress, so I always "over tip". I remember those days, and it is hard work. My husband gets upset if our waitress is "not great" and I still tip well, but I remember having bad days and those are the times that you really appreciate people understanding and thanking you anyway.

I tip housekeeping daily because I am never sure if it will be the same person all week and am always afraid that I will end up tipping the wrong person if they go that extra mile and leave towel toys, etc.

I tip the bell services people that handle my luggage, as well as the town car driver that helps with out luggage between $1-$2/bag.

I am doing the Magic Kingdom Fireworks cruise and the Illuminations Cruise (for the 2nd time, we just LOVE that) and I will tip the boat captains $25 each.

 

[TDC Nala]

The information handouts given out at the WDW resorts contain the following paragraph:

"Our guests frequently ask us what the custom is for tipping. At Walt Disney World Resort, it is customary to tip the following positions for exceptional service: bartender, bell services, cocktail server, food and beverage server and valet parker."

 

[jay-nee]

Here is our question... Waht about at the buffets, where the wait staff is serving the drinks and clearing the tables, but not serving the actual meal. We have always tipped at 15% there, but my mothers says that it way too much for a buffet.

So, what's the general thought?

Thanks for the input!

 

[DutchsMommy]

Interesting question jay-nee. I have often wondered about tipping at a buffet. When we go we generally will tip less than a full sit down meal.

 

[pearlieq]

The standard rule for a buffet is 10% of the check, as opposed to 15-20% for a table service meal. As always, that tip gets adjusted up or down depending on the quality of service.

 

[jay-nee]

Thanks so much for the 10% guideline. We always tip more for excellent service... It makes the meal to have great service!

Now Jordan at Alfredo's could have learned a few things... But, we have had a multitude of excellent server experiences at WDW that far outweigh that one horrible one... Arrogance at its finest!

Looking forward to eating at Cape May Cafe, Fresh, and 1990 Park Fare for the 1st time ever... Also, we are doing Hoop-Dee-Doo too! What fun!

 

[shellybaxter]

I've never understood why buffets were tipped less. The wait person is not bringing as much stuff, but they are sure taking more away. And they have to be more aware of your table, when you get more food, when to take away more dishes, etc. Our table at buffets, especially with little ones, seem to be much more cluttered, messy, and disorganized. I always tip the regular 15 to 20%. I figure it's worth it, because buffets are already less expensive than our regular sit down meals.

Shelly

 

[ctrabada]

I tip 15-20% for buffet meals because they need to be very attentive to your table. As you get up to bring more plates, they need to remove the used ones, replace silverware, etc. Plus not everyone gets up at the same time, so there is constant flow at the table with new plates, old plates, beverages, etc.

We tipically tip 20% across the board; if we get sub-par service, they'll get 10-15%; excellent service gets more than 20%.

I used to tip mousekeepers at the end of the trip, but now plan to do it daily, $5/day for DH, DD7 and me. We are not messy and generally keep the room pretty neat.

We tip bell services $1-$2 per bag.

 

[ladydancer]

Originally posted by jay-nee
Here is our question... Waht about at the buffets, where the wait staff is serving the drinks and clearing the tables, but not serving the actual meal. We have always tipped at 15% there, but my mothers says that it way too much for a buffet.

So, what's the general thought?

Thanks for the input!

I am at a Las Vegas board quite often as most people know LV has a billion buffets to chose from. With that being said.... the overall general view is to tip $2.00 a person.

I have always tipped housekeeping. It usually starts when I first arrive. I generally will look for them in the hallway and ask for xtra washclothes and pillows, at this point I will give them $5.00. Then I tip daily as I don't know if I will have the same housekeepers everyday.