Tip the VIP tour guide?

[Kidanifan08]

For those who have done the VIP tours, do you tip the guide? If so, how much? We are planning on doing the minimum 6 hours with 8 people in our group.

 

[Baklava]

Touringplans.com says,
"
What about tour guides? Do I tip them?

Not the Walt Disney World tour guides. They’re not allowed to take your tip. If you’re with a private tour group, a tip very well may be expected. Speak with your tour carrier for guidelines."

Standard tipping for tour guides elsewhere is 10-20% but it appears "Tour Guide" is on Disney's list of non-tipped positions.

 

[baler31]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Ride-Delegate-Memoir-Disney/dp/1941500099

• Plus, you'll learn about the perks and privileges of being a VIP Tour Guide, from corn dogs to illicit cash, and the lengths to which Disney will go to keep its VIP guests happy

We have had numerous VIP guides. Our most recent was April 2015 and our confirmation ( and all the others we have ever received) clearly states that tipping is not permitted. However, this said SOME will accept tips and it does not take 3 offers. Always possible that this has changed since April but if tipping is not allowed it should be on your confirmation with all the other info about what they can and cannot do. I have seen conflicting reports on this as well so always possible that it changed. I would still refer to your confirmation or call the number provided on the confirmation.

 

[kmb584]

I tipped our tour guide $200/day in June (we did the tour twice, once for 6 hours and then again for 7.5). It wasn't refused and when I booked it I asked about tips as they weren't allowed in 2013 and was told that the VIP guides could now accept tips.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Thanks for the replies. We'll have to check out the book baler31 recommends on Amazon! I just reviewed our confirmation letter, which was sent in April, and it indicates that VIP Tour Guides cannot accept gratuities. I was just curious if this was something that people ignored and went ahead and tipped anyway. Given the total cost of the activity, my initial preference would be not to tip. But perhaps by the end of the tour, my opinion will change.

 

[louey]

What is the going rate say for a May trip 2016 for the VIP Tour? I know it will probably increase a little by then but just curious what the going hourly rate is as of right now? They show a range on website.
Thank You

 

[Kidanifan08]

duplicate

 

[Kidanifan08]

What is the going rate say for a May trip 2016 for the VIP Tour? I know it will probably increase a little by then but just curious what the going hourly rate is as of right now? They show a range on website.
Thank You

May would probably be considered low season. We are using the VIP service this month, and it is $360/hr with a 6 hour minimum for up to 10 guests.

 

[louey]

May would probably be considered low season. We are using the VIP service this month, and it is $360/hr with a 6 hour minimum for up to 10 guests.

Ok, Thank You for the reply . I really would love to do this.

 

[mondragon]

We did it for 2 days back in April. It was so worth it with those who have never been to the parks and since they did not speak English, the tour was done in Spanish since our guide was bilingual. She was extremely nice. Did everything we wanted to in Disney (even some rides 2x). Did the shows and met the characters the kids wanted to meet. No idea what it cost since my aunt and uncle footed the bill for everything. All I know he gave her around $400 at the end of the second day. She had no problem accepting it.

 

[twodogs]

Our guide in May said she could accept it if she refused it three times. She said WDW even has a little form they have to fill out and turn in to report the tip to the IRS. So it is not unheard of. I didn't have cash because I had read that they couldn't accept tips, and then when I said to her that this was my understanding, she said the thing about refusing three times. So then I had to panic and get cash from my mom and it was awkward.

 

[mondragon]

Our guide in May said she could accept it if she refused it three times. She said WDW even has a little form they have to fill out and turn in to report the tip to the IRS. So it is not unheard of. I didn't have cash because I had read that they couldn't accept tips, and then when I said to her that this was my understanding, she said the thing about refusing three times. So then I had to panic and get cash from my mom and it was awkward.

Weird. So you asked to give a tip 3x and the 4th time you asked they accepted? I think ours accepted it the first time and it was cash. She just pocketed it. Did you also treat the tour guide to lunch and dinner?

 

[BSmithington]

I tipped our guide $500 two weeks ago. She was great.

 

[mustlovecats]

What is the going rate say for a May trip 2016 for the VIP Tour? I know it will probably increase a little by then but just curious what the going hourly rate is as of right now? They show a range on website.
Thank You

I think the pricing changes every September. The new range is $400-$600 so it will be at least $400/hour. They should have pricing for May 2016 so you can always call and ask (it would still be subject to change but it would give you the best estimate).

 

[Micca]

Our guide in May said she could accept it if she refused it three times. She said WDW even has a little form they have to fill out and turn in to report the tip to the IRS. So it is not unheard of. I didn't have cash because I had read that they couldn't accept tips, and then when I said to her that this was my understanding, she said the thing about refusing three times. So then I had to panic and get cash from my mom and it was awkward.

While you were generous, she should probably be reprimanded. Telling you about the rules is not cool, nor is making you panic and have an awkward moment. Not cool at all.

 

[MichelleB]

I have to ask….what on earth do they do that makes paying $360/hr worth it? I'm not judging…..just curious.

 

[twodogs]

Weird. So you asked to give a tip 3x and the 4th time you asked they accepted? I think ours accepted it the first time and it was cash. She just pocketed it. Did you also treat the tour guide to lunch and dinner?

I said we had a great day and thanked her. Then I said I understood they couldn't take tips but again thanked her for the fun day. She said, "we CAN take tips, we just have to refuse the first three times..." Awkward silence followed. So then I said I wasn't prepared since I didn't think they could take tips and had to ask my mother for cash (I am 43 years old so this was weird). I handed it to her, and she took it. She did not refuse it "the first three times" as I guess she figured she could take it since she'd explained their "policy". If she hadn't accepted it right away, I would have felt I had to "offer three times" since I now knew she could take it if I did this. So it was uncomfortable.

 

[twodogs]

I have to ask….what on earth do they do that makes paying $360/hr worth it? I'm not judging…..just curious.

Here is my recent review. Not sure it would be "worth it" for everyone, but here is my take on it:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ultimate-vip-tour-review-from-our-may-trip.3417420/#post-53808296

 

[twodogs]

We did offer to,pay for her lunch but she said it was paid for by Disney for her. We did not eat dinner with her as we finished the tour at 5:30pm.

 

[mondragon]

We did offer to,pay for her lunch but she said it was paid for by Disney for her. We did not eat dinner with her as we finished the tour at 5:30pm.

Ok good. We offered to pay for her lunch but said she needs to step away for a moment and that she will meet us in 45 minutes. Figured maybe she went to eat by herself.