Questions from a small town

[Idaho Mouse]

A little background, I grew up in a very small town, only 900 people. We did not travel much when I was growing up but we are now able to do a lot more traveling and have fallen in love with Disney. We just made our third trip in a little over a year. The first in a moderate, then offsite and the last time at a deluxe resort. I think we are hooked on deluxe now.
Since we are new to travel and extremely new to the level of service at a deluxe resort, I am intimidated to use some of the additional service. I would like to take advantage of the additional amenities that deluxe resorts offer but I don't want to look like an idiot when I don't know what to do. I know the Disney cast members will assist but it's still a little nerve racking to me.
Now for my questions. To start what is concierge (not Club level) and is this an additional service that requires a fee, tip etc.? I have seen the concierge desk in the lobby but don't understand what it is. What is an appropriate tip for bell service, valet, housekeeping etc.? What other services should be expected at a deluxe resort that are not at moderates? TIA

 

[Sue M]

Concierge will assist you in getting tickets to tours, etc. I rarely use them but did with booking the Segway Ft Wilderness Tour. No tips. I don’t think they’re allowed to accept tips.

Tipping: we tip Bell Service $1.00 per piece of luggage. Housekeeping $1-2.00 per day, per person. We leave tip daily because housekeeper can change a few times during your stay so leaving a tip at the end of your stay may not get to the housekeeper that’s been cleaning your room most of the time if your last day she is off.
DME driver gets tip. If he is handling my luggage I tip $1 per bag. If not I just give him $2.
I don’t have a car at wdw so I don’t know about Valet tips.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Honestly I don’t think you will see much difference in services provided at a Deluxe and a Moderate. The main diferences are better locations (closer to parks with more transportation options), indoor hallways (which are great in rainy weather), and more dining options at the resort. Bell Service is identical between Moderates and Deluxe resorts. It is all Disney and you will be treated well anywhere as they have great service.

 

[Disnsyncey]

Just fyi, concierges in general DO accept tips, as usually they help guests plan things, dining, tours, (especially hard to book things) etc and help them enjoy their stay more. The concierge at your Disney hotel might do a lot of different things than a normal concierge, as many people's plans are already made, but if somebody is completely clueless about their Disney vacation, the concierge would be the one to straighten them out.

 

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

Not sure which Deluxe resort you are considering, but I believe all deluxes have a gym, and there is no charge for using them. A few deluxes have Spas, which offer facials, massages, etc., but these are for a fee. Most deluxes have daily activities, such as Movies under the Stars, campfires, arts and crafts, etc. Most of these are No Charge also.We stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and they also have cultural and animal viewing activities for free. I believe they all have poolside games every afternoon for kids. Some resorts rent bicycles and/or boats for a fee also. We only use the Concierge desk for making changes to reservations or booking tours once we are checked in. We have never tipped them. We generally tip housekeeping $5 a day, and do it daily. Bell Services and Magical Express driver $5 a bag.

 

[Lynne M]

"Concierge" has different meanings at different hotels. In a hotel in Manhattan, for example, a concierge can help you book that hard-to-get theater ticket or dinner reservation, arrange for personal shopping, order something from a florist, etc. They do get tipped.

But at a Disney resort, it's just a fancy name for "guest services." They're the people you go to if you have a question or a problem during your stay, kind of like guest services in the parks. You'd go to that desk if you need a park map, or have questions about the recreational activities at the resort, that sort of thing. They can help you make a reservation for a meal or a tour if you don't understand how to, but they have no special pull to get you a reservation at a sold-out character meal, for example. There's no charge for their services, and they don't accept tips.

 

[Lynne M]

Oh, and in terms of services and tipping, deluxes at Disney really aren't any different from moderates or values at Disney. The only thing I can think of that's different is that deluxes offer valet parking if you want to use it (you're never required to use it).

Please don't feel intimidated at any Disney resort. They all get tons of first-time visitors, and not-so-experienced travelers, and nobody's going to look down on you if you ask a question. It's just not that kind of a place.