Proper etiquette for tipping?

[JWG]

$1-2 per bag rounded up to what bill I have to bell services.

We don't typically tip mouse keeping as we don't see them more than once and that's always subject to them actually showing up.

 

[Dean]

We experience the same room cleaning issues as you do, I can't understand why they don't know their own schedule. A few years ago I held a cleaning schedule class at SSR. It started as a front desk conversation about our missed cleaning and escalated to several manager types and CM's each with a different idea of what the schedule should be. I finally logged into the member website to show them the correct schedule. They were very thankful and commented that they were never given the correct info and this was at a DVC resort, not a shared resort. They did mention that some guests will take the staged supplies basket left outside their door not knowing that it is placed there for the housekeepers and not the guest. They also stated that some guests will collect baskets from other rooms to get daily fresh towels.

Bill

Even those who have not experienced issues only have to hang out here for a while to understand there are plenty of them. Again, not bad just not as good as expected or it could be.

I'll also point out that there are other groups that work as hard or harder and for just as low of wages that don't get tipped such as the groundskeepers, those picking up garbage or linen, etc. I find it schizophrenic to pick and choose in this manner for those that do tip.

 

[Dean]

double post, sorry

 

[Dean]

And tipping housekeeping is tricky, because you're tipping *in hopes* that they will do a good job. A note left is a note being given to someone who likely didn't clean that room before you got there. A tip left is not tipping the person that cleaned yesterday, but the person about to clean. It's like a bet.

From what I've seen studies prove that tipping does not improve service and in many cases, actually makes it worse long term.

 

[jekjones1558]

OP, as you can tell from replies, DVCers have differing ideas on tipping. So that means you should feel fine doing whatever seems right to you!
We are tippers. We tip housekeeping $10 for T&T day and $20 on checkout for a 1 bedroom. We tip more if we get exceptional service, and we usually do. We never tip less than $10 to Bell Services and if they do our 2 suitcases plus our Owners Lockers then we do $15 or more if we have some small bags also. RAC we do about $4-5 per bag. We have no real "system." We just tip from the heart.

 

[apple9117]

All the tips here were very helpful! It's clear everyone has different tipping methodologies. The different examples were very informative and will help on our upcoming trip!

 

[SamSam]

We tip bell service $1 - $2 a bag. We tip housekeeping $5 at the end of our stay in a studio, $10 for a 1 bedroom. I know it's not a tipped position, but I choose to tip anyway. Everybody should do what feels right to them, tipping or not tipping is a personal decision.

 

[disneynutz]

So we are about to stay in a grand villa for 7 nts. My general rule of thumb for a 2 bd, is my dh and I give 20, and if we have other guests, we ask them to put something down as well usually $10 for single $20 for double. With the grand villa, I will probably ask each family to put in $10-20, leaving the maid a tip of at least $60.

WRT bell services, we tip $1-2/bag. Sometimes we do both ways other times not so much... Since we are staying at OKW this next time, when they pick up our bags, they are probably going to pick us up as well, so we will probably go with $2/bag

So let me understand, you are going to give someone $60 for doing their job which will take 5 minutes, collecting dirty towels, leave fresh ones, collect the trash and leave some supplies.

I have to ask, why?

Bill

 

[MataHari22]

This may be just me, but I typically don't tip mousekeeping. According to Disney it's not a tipped position, but I know some people do. If I saw that they had done something especially nice, I probably would.

For bell services, I think the typical tip is $5 for each bag, both to the person taking it and to the person who delivers it to you. It seems unfair to me to tip one or the other, because the person who takes all the bags might not end up getting tips that way, or vice versa.

We don't tip housekeeping. The fact that Disney and their employees unions have decided that it's a non tipped position is enough for me plus they get paid time off for finishing their section. I wish that they would get rewarded for doing a better job instead of finishing early.

Bill

We don't tip housekeeping because it is a non-tipped position unless we need special assistance from them.

I tried to google something from Disney that officially says that housekeeping is not a tipped position, but all I could find was just quotes on boards like this, or just posts in Disney type blogs. Does anyone have a link or something from Disney that says this? This is the first time I've ever read this, and I was just wondering what the source of this information was. Thanks.

 

[supersnoop]

I tried to google something from Disney that officially says that housekeeping is not a tipped position, but all I could find was just quotes on boards like this, or just posts in Disney type blogs. Does anyone have a link or something from Disney that says this? This is the first time I've ever read this, and I was just wondering what the source of this information was. Thanks.

I think I'd be looking for the opposite. Has housekeeping ever been a tipped position, anywhere?

 

[disneynutz]

I tried to google something from Disney that officially says that housekeeping is not a tipped position, but all I could find was just quotes on boards like this, or just posts in Disney type blogs. Does anyone have a link or something from Disney that says this? This is the first time I've ever read this, and I was just wondering what the source of this information was. Thanks.

I have no reason to lie but if you need proof, you can check with the union.

Bill

 

[MataHari22]

I think I'd be looking for the opposite. Has housekeeping ever been a tipped position, anywhere?

I always thought so, yes. I have always tipped housekeeping everywhere I've traveled.

I have no reason to lie but if you need proof, you can check with the union.

Bill

Wow, I'm not saying anyone is lying. I am just wondering where I can find the source of the info, since I have always tipped for housekeeping. Not just at WDW, but any place I've gone. Wondering if it's not the industry standard to tip housekeeping or Disney has just decided for their staff that the position is a non tipped one. I am looking for clarification. This is the first I've ever read housekeeping is not a tipped position.

 

[disneynutz]

For me I don't auto tip, if the service person does an excellent job, goes above and beyond, they get rewarded. I don't reward them for showing up to work.

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

I always thought so, yes. I have always tipped housekeeping everywhere I've traveled.



Wow, I'm not saying anyone is lying. I am just wondering where I can find the source of the info, since I have always tipped for housekeeping. Not just at WDW, but any place I've gone. Wondering if it's not the industry standard to tip housekeeping or Disney has just decided for their staff that the position is a non tipped one. I am looking for clarification. This is the first I've ever read housekeeping is not a tipped position.

Here is a link to the current union agreement, housekeeping is on page 56.

http://www.uniteherelocal362.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-2014-FT-STCU-CBA-2.pdf

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

Wow, I'm not saying anyone is lying. I am just wondering where I can find the source of the info, since I have always tipped for housekeeping. Not just at WDW, but any place I've gone. Wondering if it's not the industry standard to tip housekeeping or Disney has just decided for their staff that the position is a non tipped one. I am looking for clarification. This is the first I've ever read housekeeping is not a tipped position.

There seem to be a lot of articles on the internet about how you "should" tip for housekeeping, but only 30% of people actually do tip. The position is not paid based on the expectation of tips. Waitstaff and bellstaff are all paid below minimum wage, while housekeeping averages $11/hour industry-wide.

 

[deedisneydream97]

I need to change my post about not ever using bell services...just used them for the first time while transferring from Jambo House to Kidani Village. $5 each way (pick up and delivery) for two large suitcases and one small shopping bag of food.

There seem to be a lot of articles on the internet about how you "should" tip for housekeeping, but only 30% of people actually do tip. The position is not paid based on the expectation of tips. Waitstaff and bellstaff are all paid below minimum wage, while housekeeping averages $11/hour industry-wide.

Housekeeping gets paid $10 to $14/hr. I am more than happy to leave a few bucks for the person that takes away my wet, icky towels and replaces them nicely with clean, dry ones. Having to look at what is in the bathroom waste basket can be an ick factor also. If they actually do finish a room in 5 minutes as someone claimed, then they are completing 6 - 12 rooms per hour....for $10 to $14.

On the other hand, bell services get paid $5.40/hr for putting suitcases on a wheeled cart and bringing them up to your room. They have the potential of earning an additional $40/hr depending on the number of bags they pick up/deliver and how many trips they get called for.

So.....I feel that the ladies dealing with peoples' messes deserve a few extra dollars. Why? Because I WANT to give them a few extra dollars. I don't care if the person doing my T&T was not the person that got my room ready before check-in. The person doing my T&T is collecting MY mess.

But that is my own personal feeling and we are all free to do what we feel is best. It doesn't really matter to me if a position is tipped or untipped. I do resent the fact that 18% tipping is forced upon diners when sometimes the service is less than good. Although most times, I add the additional 2% for a 20% tip because most of the wait staff I've dealt with have been friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.....and if they are not sure about something, will bring over someone who is.

 

[Dean]

But that is my own personal feeling and we are all free to do what we feel is best. It doesn't really matter to me if a position is tipped or untipped. I do resent the fact that 18% tipping is forced upon diners when sometimes the service is less than good. Although most times, I add the additional 2% for a 20% tip because most of the wait staff I've dealt with have been friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.....and if they are not sure about something, will bring over someone who is.

18% isn't forced unless it's a larger party but it's a condition of the discount options. This is pretty standard for larger parties historically. Many restaurants have stopped doing it but it's for other reasons, the IRS changed how they interpretted it and it would cost the companies more money if they continued that rule. And there are ways to get it removed in most cases if it's truly reasonable.

 

[jessicaanne86]

Hi all!

So the DW and I are used to going on Disney Cruises, and at the end of the cruise, they give you suggested tip amounts for the servers, housekeeping, etc. I was wondering if there is a proper etiquette / amount for tipping at DVC resorts?

- Housekeeping: For stays of 7 nights or less, they just provide trash and towel service on day 4. Wondering what people leave for tip?

- When using bell services to move your luggage from one resort to another for split stays, wondering what people give for tip?

Thanks everyone!

$5 for each bag for bell services.

Also make sure to tip housekeeping nightly, or with each cleaning rather because if you wait until the end of the week the person who cleaned it won't likely be there for the tip. I generally tip $5-10 per night depending on the hotel

 

[RobbW]

Here is a link to the current union agreement, housekeeping is on page 56.

http://www.uniteherelocal362.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-2014-FT-STCU-CBA-2.pdf

Bill

What I find very interesting is the discussion of gratuities/tips and "service charges" starting on page 61 of the union agreement to which you linked. While this thread has been concentrating on tipping housekeeping, this section of the union agreement relates to food & beverage (F&B) gratuities. As far as I know, tipping is a show of gratitude/appreciation for exemplary service and has always been a voluntary activity. However, Disney's union agreement seems to imply that tipping is not only expected but required, and will earn you a stern talking-to from management if you decide to forego tipping your F&B servers.

We've all seen the fine print on restaurant menus that indicate a gratuity of 18% (+/-) will automatically be added to bills of parties of 6 guests, 8 guests, etc. Many restaurants I've been to also include language indicating this automatic gratuity can be adjusted by the guest. However, Disney doesn't consider this automatic 18% a "tip" and instead refers to it as a "service charge." The union agreement states that if a guest decides to reduce the "service charge" or not to leave the the 18% at all (i.e. the guest "refuses to comply with our policy"), it is the server's responsibility to inform a manager, and the manager will then come talk to the guest about the policy. The union agreement states that if it is determined the guest refused to pay the "service charge" due to poor service, then Disney will not be responsible for making up the difference between the tip the guest left and the standard 18% "service charge."

 

[deedisneydream97]

18% isn't forced unless it's a larger party but it's a condition of the discount options. This is pretty standard for larger parties historically. Many restaurants have stopped doing it but it's for other reasons, the IRS changed how they interpretted it and it would cost the companies more money if they continued that rule. And there are ways to get it removed in most cases if it's truly reasonable.

I should have noted that I was specifically speaking about Disney and not industry-wide.

I am looking at a dinner receipt from last week when I used my TIW card for two people. It lists the entree and beverage costs, followed by the 20% TIW discount, followed by Subtotal. Beneath subtotal is: 18% gratuity followed by the amount. Followed by: Tax. Followed by: amount Due, which is the subtotal, plus 18% gratuity, plus tax. There is then an additional item beneath: Tip, followed by a blank line, where you can fill in an additional amount above the 18% that has already been added to your bill. Even though it may be a condition of the TIW discount, I still don't like being forced to pay 18% if the service was not good. Or if the food was cold or not very well prepared (but then that is a kitchen issue and not waitstaff....unless they took too long to pick up their order). I paid for the privilege to have the TIW card. And some would argue that the wait staff at a buffet should not get the same percentage tip as the wait staff at a regular sit down place since you are getting your own food at a buffet. I disagree, because the waitstaff is constantly clearing plates and replenishing drinks. But to each their own.

I can't locate the receipts right now for the first few nights when we had the meal plan, but I think those receipts had the recommended tips printed on it, but did not automatically add it to the bill.

But getting back to the OP's original question, my own personal experience is $2 for a suitcase, $1 for a food shopping bag for bell services. $2 or $3 on T&T day, $3 to $5 on check-out day.