The infamous vallet question

[Coach Rick]

I hate to bring this up, but I have done a search, and just can't seem to find the answer.

Recently we stayed at BWV. The walk from the parking lot can be a bit of a walk after walking all day in the parks. So my question is about tipping.

I wasn't sure how much is adequate, and if you need to tip both when they park the car, and bring it to you, or do you just tip once?

Please excuse my ignorance on this topic as I consider myself frugal (or as my DW claims - CHEAP ) and usually just park my own car.

 

[iwaseeyore]

We tip 2 or 3 dollars when dropping the car off and when picking it up.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My husband always gives about $2 when dropping off and when picking up. Sometimes more.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You tip when they bring you the car when the service is complete.

 

[Sammie]

We tip both ways.

However if you are only going to tip once, then tip when they bring the car to you.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Cheap Yankees like us, tipping? What are you thinking?

Well actually, I use valet all the time when at WDW, since DS is wheelchair bound (hey, I get it for free for two reasons), so we tip. Sometimes I tip on drop off, if they help with the bags. Heck, if they are brave enough to get my DS's wheelchair out of the back, I give a big tip. I always tip on pick up, a higher amount if they help load stuff. Base tip then would be $2, and if they go above an beyond, maybe a fiver, or however many singles I can find easily in my pocket.
(Of course, you could also get a wad of $2 bills, so they think they are getting a fiver ; seriously, when I worked for the circus, some of my colleagues used to do that, but that was waaaay back in the 80s when $2 bills actually circulated. And I really did work in the cicus for a summer; paid for my freshman yr of college)

 

[robinb]

I tip $2 when I pick up. I'll tip sometimes when I drop off if they help with luggage or if it's raining. I'll tip more on pick up if it's raining or otherwise unpleasant.

 

[Kadorto]

I always tip between $5-10 on the pick up and drop off. depends on if they help with the luggage, if its raining, how quick they bring the car up etc... After reading some of the responses I guess we tip on the high side...but I think the level of service we usually receive is deserving of a decent amount.

 

[robinb]

I always tip between $5-10 on the pick up and drop off.

They must love you! I bet they fight over who can get your car .

 

[Coach Rick]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess when I was there a couple of weeks ago I did the right thing. I used valet only once, mostly because I felt uncomfortable with what was right. I did tip $2 on pick up of the car, or in my case the full size van we had rented. I know I will be using it extensively in August. DM uses an ECV, and believe me if they help with unloading that thing they will get more than $2.

 

[robinb]

I find the unloading thing tricky. I have tipped and not tipped. Be aware that you'll have to tip for the same bags again when they arrive in your room. I guess that next time I will tip to have help with my bags, but I won't tip a whole $1 per bag.