Tip for ME Driver?

[anbouk]

Just wondering do you tip the Magical Express Driver, or does Disney tip them already ?

 

[babyrich]

Just wondering do you tip the Magical Express Driver, or does Disney tip them already ?

The ME drivers sort of request tips. They have a sign up that lets you know they might like a gratuity.

We usually give $1/person, maybe $2 if they stored something underneath for us.

 

[JennyWren]

I typically tip them $1/pp each way.

 

[davedmaine]

$100 each way.. not really, but I'm just trying to fit in with the stories that everyone else is going to tell on this post.. (if it's anything like the mousekeeping tipping thread)

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's customary to tip anyone in the service industry who handles your luggage. Many people also tip if the driver was especially helpful, informative, or entertaining. Many people don't tip if the driver overtly requests/demands a tip, even with luggage handling.

Those are all facts. My opinion is, a sign in the front of the bus indicating some version of "driver accepts tips" isn't akin to requesting them. The sign is simply to inform passengers. Many - like the OP - don't know. Heck, I've had other passengers ask me about tipping while the driver was getting off the bus.

 

[Alesia]

$100 each way.. not really, but I'm just trying to fit in with the stories that everyone else is going to tell on this post.. (if it's anything like the mousekeeping tipping thread)

Well I tip $100 and I give him fresh baked cookies and a gift certificate for a massage.

If they handle your bags, then yes, you should tip them - $1 to $2 per bag is customary. If he doesn't touch your bags, then it's entirely up to you.

 

[DebbieB]

It's customary to tip anyone in the service industry who handles your luggage. Many people also tip if the driver was especially helpful, informative, or entertaining. Many people don't tip if the driver overtly requests/demands a tip, even with luggage handling.

Those are all facts. My opinion is, a sign in the front of the bus indicating some version of "driver accepts tips" isn't akin to requesting them. The sign is simply to inform passengers. Many - like the OP - don't know. Heck, I've had other passengers ask me about tipping while the driver was getting off the bus.

If you take a cab across town for lunch, a tip is expected even if there is no luggage. The thing with DME is you are not paying so there is no "keep the change". If the driver did a good job, it's nice to give a buck or two in appreciation.

 

[Anthony1971]

I always give the driver a few dollars as I have a stroller. If i did not I would likely tip him a dollar 2 if he was nice.
For the record I rarely see anyone tip even when getting bags so if you do not tip you will not feel out of place.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you take a cab across town for lunch, a tip is expected even if there is no luggage. The thing with DME is you are not paying so there is no "keep the change". If the driver did a good job, it's nice to give a buck or two in appreciation.

There is a huge difference between a cab driver and the DME bus driver. The bus drivers are making a lot more money. I know that when we took the Mears shuttle back from US/IoA, our driver was talking to another driver, while he waited for everyone to get there. He was asking the driver how his 'transfer' was going. The other driver said it was taking longer than he had thought, and he just couldn't wait to make the move over to DME..said he was looking forward to having a larger paycheck. Not saying the DME drivers are making $50 an hour, but I doubt they are on the same level as a cab driver.

So..having said all that.....If the driver handles your bags, then yes, a tip is in order. Maybe $1-2 per bag (up to you).
If the driver merely drives the bus, but is entertaining and personable?? I tip him anyway.

My sad tale of woe....There was the time that I was going to WDW using carryon only. So, my carryon bag was larger than the normal tote I use. I had the driver's tip money all ready in my pocket. I get to the bus, the driver sticks out his hand for my bag...not a word from him. I get on the bus. He finishes loading the bags, and gets on the bus. Nothing from him..no welcome, no nothing. He merely announces each resort as we get there. And then stands up and gives a little speech about gratuities being gratefully accepted...even though there is signage stating that right behind him. No niceties come out of his mouth as people get off...just hand them their bag and keeps his hand out!!!
So, when I got to my resort, I took my bag and my $5 stayed in my pocket!!

On the other hand...I had a tote bag with me on another trip. So, nothing being stowed. The driver welcomed every single person to 'his' bus. He was so upbeat and cheerful. He drove safely, while giving us little tidbits of info about the area. He was great. He helped every single person off that bus. Even though I had no bag, that driver got $5 from me. He was soooo pleased, and surprised.

So, it's up to each person to decide whether or not they want to tip the driver.

 

[bdklein]

Just wondering do you tip the Magical Express Driver ?

I always give them the number 2 horse in the 8th race.

 

[serene56]

we used ME once. We were seated in the back and was not sure if we were supposed to tip or not so we figured we watched and saw what other people did and not one time did we see one person giving any tips so we figured we were not supposed to.

Now I feel bad. We will be ready next time though

 

[Port Orleans fan]

Many people don't tip if the driver overtly requests/demands a tip, even with luggage handling.

This.

We can't stand it when the ME drivers wraps bills around each finger (making a fist full of cash) and begins waving it around when he or she is getting luggage from underneath the bus. In our opinion, this is the same thing as asking/hinting for a tip. Therefore no tip is given.

We will not give a tip when it's hinted, requested, or demanded by an employee (including restaurants). Any of this is a MAJOR tip turn off.

 

[CleoPahd]

Drivers that are pushy and make it known they are looking for tips...no way! However, in most instances, if the driver is polite, helpful in assisting us up and down the stairs and takes out carry bags to store for us, the yea, I'll give a few dollars.

 

[Lewisc]

The customary tip for a courtesy shuttle bus driver who handles your luggage is $1-$2 per bag. The "bin bags" that get carried on the plane get stowed under the bus.

Disney pays the tip (service fee) to the CM who delivers your bags to your room. Disney pays a little extra to DCL drivers as compensation for handling luggage. Disney doesn't pay anything extra to DME drivers who handle your luggage.

 

[kerplop]

This.

We can't stand it when the ME drivers wraps bills around each finger (making a fist full of cash) and begins waving it around when he or she is getting luggage from underneath the bus. In our opinion, this is the same thing as asking/hinting for a tip. Therefore no tip is given.

We will not give a tip when it's hinted, requested, or demanded by an employee (including restaurants). Any of this is a MAJOR tip turn off.

This actually happened to us with a bellhop on last year's trip to the World. It was horrible and he badgered us so much that in the end we gave him a handful of change to get him to GO AWAY.

 

[vacationclub]

There is a huge difference between a cab driver and the DME bus driver. The bus drivers are making a lot more money. I know that when we took the Mears shuttle back from US/IoA, our driver was talking to another driver, while he waited for everyone to get there. He was asking the driver how his 'transfer' was going. The other driver said it was taking longer than he had thought, and he just couldn't wait to make the move over to DME..said he was looking forward to having a larger paycheck. Not saying the DME drivers are making $50 an hour, but I doubt they are on the same level as a cab driver.

What is the "huge difference"? You didn't say what either a cab driver or a DME driver makes for a salary, so how do we know what the difference is...or if there is a difference?

Many cab drivers may actually make more than a bus driver if they own their own cab. If they can pay for a medallion in big cities, they must be doing something right. Not sure how this compares to an Orlando area cab driver. But I'm gonna take a guess that if you're working in the State of Florida, for the Walt Disney Company, doing a job like driving a bus, you're not getting rich, and a cab owner/operator may be doing better in some cases.

My sad tale of woe....There was the time that I was going to WDW using carryon only. So, my carryon bag was larger than the normal tote I use. I had the driver's tip money all ready in my pocket. I get to the bus, the driver sticks out his hand for my bag...not a word from him. I get on the bus. He finishes loading the bags, and gets on the bus. Nothing from him..no welcome, no nothing. He merely announces each resort as we get there. And then stands up and gives a little speech about gratuities being gratefully accepted...even though there is signage stating that right behind him. No niceties come out of his mouth as people get off...just hand them their bag and keeps his hand out!!!
So, when I got to my resort, I took my bag and my $5 stayed in my pocket!!

That's a great story! I was once on an airport shuttle bus that takes people back to their cars and the driver had Rush Limbaugh blasting on the radio in the bus, almost as if he wanted everyone to be exposed to his opinions. I had 4 bags, including 2 hard cases. No one on the bus was giving him a tip....including me. I eventually rode his shuttle again on a later trip. I think he got the message and had no radio playing in the bus; I tipped him that time.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

This actually happened to us with a bellhop on last year's trip to the World. It was horrible and he badgered us so much that in the end we gave him a handful of change to get him to GO AWAY.

OMG!

Next time don't give in, and just say thank you. If that doesn't work, tell him or her to take a hike and report it to management. Remember, it's your money.

 

[kerplop]

OMG!

Next time don't give in, and just say thank you. If that doesn't work, tell him or her to take a hike and report it to management. Remember, it's your money.

Yeah it was really awful. We asked for a cart to take to our room to get our luggage and he refused to let us do it ourselves. We weren't quite ready yet, but wanted to take our time (not like an hour, but 10 minutes?) and he refused to wait. Instead he took the cart right to our room, threw our bags on it, took it down to our car and waited while DP ran to go get it since we weren't prepared to go just yet. Then he tossed our bags into the back of our SUV (despite the fact that DP is meticulous in packing the back area so nothing slides around, slammed the door shut, and said "How about a tip for my services?". When we told him we didn't have any cash since we weren't expecting to tip, he suggested we go get some and he'd wait. We did say no and we were sorry, then went about fixing the bags in the back. And he waited there and walked around the car. Like I said in the end we reached in an handed him toll money to get him to go away. And you bet your bippy I wrote to Disney as soon as we got home to complain. It was horrible!