Tipping at the resorts

[old lady]

Is it required? I remember once one of my uncles stayed at the Contempory Resort and did not give any of the bell hops a tip. They gave him a bad look because he did't. Was he suppose to?

 

[jcarwash]

It's not required of course, but I would say it's customary that for anyone who is handling your bags (bus driver, bell hop, etc.) that you would consider giving them a tip.

On the other hand, I don't think it's expected that anyone would really give you a bad look or hard time if you didn't tip.

 

[mirage0306]

Required, no, but I really wouldn't dream of not tipping the people who assist with our bags.

 

[jperrot1]

You should tip the bellmen, magical express driver, housekeeping, bartenders, waiters, and........ hope I didn't miss anyone. It's not very classy for them to give you a dirty look, though. I do 1-2 dollars a bag, and 3-5 dollars for maid service. I tip 20% (rounding up to the higher dollar or two amount) to waiters. When I have the tables in wonderland card I just pay the bill because the tip (18%) is already included.

 

[Lynne M]

It's not required to tip the bell hops, but unless they give you poor service, it's customary, and yes, expected. Though it was bad form to give your uncle a dirty look.

Bellhops are among those jobs known as 'tipped positions'. Their base salary is very low, because there is an expectation that the customer will tip. For instance, the minimum wage for tipped positions in FL is $4.77. The minimum wage for non-tipped positions is $7.79.

 

[pepe of ohio]

It was stated long ago, ( talking 30 years or so ) in their brochures... Tipping is not necessary or required, but appreciated...

Caught our eye back in the late 70's staying at the CR....

 

[theemily]

Just chiming in as a CM who works at one of the resorts...

First off, I'm so sorry that your uncle was given a dirty look or bad service for not tipping - that's inexcusable. The bellmen I work with always try to give the same level of service to all guests, whether or not they're being tipped.

Secondly, the bellmen, valets, and housekeepers do work for gratuities, as they're paid a non-tipped minimum wage (about half of the standard minimum wag). Gratuities are not required, but if you feel you got good service from anyone handling your bags/cleaning your room/etc., leaving a gratuity is appreciated. Many people ask me what to tip the bellmen - the general rule of thumb is $1 or $2 per bag, keeping in mind that if your bags are extra heavy or will take up 2 carts, you might want to be more generous.

Hope that helps!

 

[maxiesmom]

It is customary to give anyone who handles you bag a dollar or two per bag. I've started going to the bank before each trip and getting $50 in ones, just for tips. And that doesn't take into account tipping at the restaurants.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Tipping isn't required. We always tip for bag service at least $1 per bag.

We do tip mouse keeping just because we stay for so long, make lots of requests and mess up the room pretty good for a family of three.

 

[gerling1029]

My daughter has an appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique in September. Is it customary to tip the fairy godmother in training?

Thanks,
Jackie

 

[LAS321]

I had no idea there was a different minimum wage rate for tipped and non-tipped positions!
We always tip the ME bus driver, the bell staff who handles our bags and mousekeeping. The bus driver and bell service people we tip $2-3 for 2 carry on bags and usually $4-5 for the person who takes us to the lobby for airline check-in. For mousekeeping, we leave $3 a day for 2 people. We leave it each day because the mousekeepers aren't always the same over the weekends.
Last year when we brought our bags to the lobby for airline check-in the CM that checked in our bags gave us a real attitude when we didn't tip her. I felt so uncomfortable about what might be done to our bags that I went back and apologized and told her I forgot....it was very awkward. This year the guy who checked in our bags made a real point of telling us that he was like curbside check-in at the airport....translation: you need to tip me! But after last year I was ready with my money!!

 

[karriealex]

We normally tip 5 dollars a day to mousekeeping for a family of 4 but we are very neat. It has been quite awhile since we stayed club level and I forgot how much it was suggested that I tip turndown service. How much would you all suggest?

 

[gogo]

We use taxis at least a couple of times while staying at the resorts to get to restaurant reservations. Is it necessary to tip the CM who calls the cab over? I didn't but then wondered if I should have.

 

[GrammyJudy]

If you use magical express how do you tip the person who brings your bags to your room since you are not there? I always top housekeeping and after reading on the dis we have tipped the me bus driver the last couple of years if we out a bag or stroller under the bus. Of course we tip in the restaurants or at the poolbar.

 

[gogo]

If you use magical express how do you tip the person who brings your bags to your room since you are not there? I always top housekeeping and after reading on the dis we have tipped the me bus driver the last couple of years if we out a bag or stroller under the bus. Of course we tip in the restaurants or at the poolbar.

Probably what others mean is, like you, if they have something under the bus then they tip the busdriver. The last two trips, our plane arrived late and I picked up my own bags from baggage claim and had the busdriver store them under the bus. When we arrived at the resort, I tipped him for handling them for us.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We tip Bell Service, valet and waiters/bartender. Housekeeping is NOT a tipped position, therefore I don't leave a tip for them any longer. The housekeepers make around $9 to $12 an hour, no way I'm going to tip them.

If I don't have change to tip on me at the time, I don't use the service.

 

[Sandi]

If you use magical express how do you tip the person who brings your bags to your room since you are not there? I always top housekeeping and after reading on the dis we have tipped the me bus driver the last couple of years if we out a bag or stroller under the bus. Of course we tip in the restaurants or at the poolbar.

For Magical Express, you don't need to tip the luggage delivery person. It is included in the service.

My understanding is that Housekeeping is not a tipped position at WDW, but I typically do tip. (Of course, I tip housekeepers at any hotel and always have because that's what my parents did.)

I tip the ME driver because they are handling our carry on bags.

If anyone announces that they expect to get a tip, they typically do not receive a tip. I hate that. (I don't consider the sign in the ME busses that say something along the line of "gratuities appreciated for exceptional service" as an announcement that the driver expects a tip.)

 

[nkereina]

Is it required? I remember once one of my uncles stayed at the Contempory Resort and did not give any of the bell hops a tip. They gave him a bad look because he did't. Was he suppose to?

Bellhops are among those jobs known as 'tipped positions'. Their base salary is very low, because there is an expectation that the customer will tip. For instance, the minimum wage for tipped positions in FL is $4.77. The minimum wage for non-tipped positions is $7.79.

Exactly what I was going to say! Having worked in a hotel, most hotels that are full service hire bellmen into tipped positions. They make an hourly wage equivalent to that of a waiter or waitress, they split their tips among all working the same shift, and they are required to report them on income taxes. If you would always tip a server, you should always tip a bellmen. Not required, but it would be a bold statement not to.

Probably what others mean is, like you, if they have something under the bus then they tip the busdriver. The last two trips, our plane arrived late and I picked up my own bags from baggage claim and had the busdriver store them under the bus. When we arrived at the resort, I tipped him for handling them for us.

Yes, the only instance you should tip anyone related to DME is if the driver stores any piece of luggage under the bus for you. We always tip a few dollars per bag once he retrieves it for us at the resort. He is not in a tipped position, but it can be taxing work in that Florida heat.

My understanding is that Housekeeping is not a tipped position at WDW, but I typically do tip. (Of course, I tip housekeepers at any hotel and always have because that's what my parents did.)

Rule of thumb is anyone you feel provides exemplary service, or that you want to provide exemplary service, feel free to tip! Never hurts! Housekeepers at WDW are not in tipped positions. In fact, many times housekeepers in large tourist areas are even unionized which means they make a higher wage and have better benefits than the average hotel housekeeper. I don't know if WDW housekeepers are unionized (I know they are in Vegas), but I would not be surprised. In any event, leaving them a few bucks may get you extra towels or a towel animal, and then it's a win win for everyone

 

[jillgunter]

Yes, we always tip the bellman. If they bring my luggage up they earned it! We had one at the beach one time(it was just a girls trip). He put all our luggage in the correct area. I was like wow! Anyone that gives you a service in that type of industry deserved a tip if they gave good service. Next time have some cash in your pocket

 

[jillgunter]

My daughter has an appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique in September. Is it customary to tip the fairy godmother in training?

Thanks,
Jackie

We did this on the Disney Cruise. I know when I payed there was no were to put add a tip. So I dont know! I didnt see anyone tipping.