Tipping bus drivers at Disney World?

[Girlie Goofy]

Do we tip the bus drivers at Disney World? Do we also tip the water taxi drivers there? If one doestip them, how much is appropriate?

 

[PamOKW]

No tip is necessary and I think they may actually not be permitted to take a tip. The exception would be if you book one of the special cruises. These drivers do expect a tip.

 

[shelle94]

I don't tip but I always make sure to thank them as I'm leaving the bus.

 

[Girlie Goofy]

Thanks for the immediate reply. I had never thought about tipping the drivers, and started thinking about it and it was driving me bugs! Now I won't cause a problem trying to tip, and holding up the line.

 

[PamOKW]

Shelle94 is right. A "thank you" (and a smile) is always appreciated.

 

[the Legend]

I believe it is Disney policy not to accept tips however saying that a well-meant 'Thanks' always goes down well

 

[DisneyFanLisa]

I always tip the bus driver. Why? My brother uses a wheelchair and the bus driver has to lock him in place. This takes extra time and on some of the busses, a lot of extra work! Almost all of the drivers accepted the tip. I will add that if I were ever travelling without my brother, I would not tip.

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

A thankyou and a smile goes a long way when you use the WD bus transportation.

DisneyFanLisa , that is different, I would tip that way also. I know it is their job but they are doing that extra step.

As far as tipping, where does it stop, I know I pay alot to go to DW and I scrimp and svae all yr. plus max my charges out so tipping to me is something that is person. I tip the mousekeepers and the valet guys and I also tip at resturants. I don't think anything else is nessecary but then again maybe the rest of you disers have some ideas I could use.

 

[PamOKW]

Gail -- If you use bell services or if you have housekeeping do anything special. Beyond that, I think you've got all the tipping covered.

 

[PlutoPal]

I have never seen anyone tip the bus drivers and I dont think that anyone tips the Taxi Drivers either.

 

[Belle5]

We stayed last September at the Vistana Villages time share property. They advertised "free shuttle to Disney theme parks". We had a rental van so we only needed to use the "free" shuttle on the fatefull day of September 11th when my DH left the kids and I to go to the parks alone while he drove a couple of hours north to take care of some business. We boarded the bus and saw that indeed, tips were expected. I was surprised, to say the least, being used to Disney transportation, which is truly free. I noticed that as each person left the shuttle they were putting a few dollars in and there I was riding with 6 of us to tip for (each way) . I did end up leaving a hefty tip, but was very glad that every other day we were driving a rental vehicle. I really left a nice tip on the way back when she evacuated us out of the parking lot after we were evacuated!

All this to say, if you are not saying on Disney property, you may feel pressured to pay for your "free" shuttle!!!

 

[shelle94]

My boyfriend struck up a conversation with one of the free shuttle drivers. I was shocked to find out that depending on which company they drive for, many of the shuttle bus drivers do not get paid an hourly wage or if they do it is very low. That is why tips are "expected".

 

[Belle5]

Shelle94,
I can't say as I blame them for wanting tips if they are not paid much! The reason I point this out is that it's not comparing apples to apples when considering the terms "free transortation" by WDW standards and "free shuttle" from SOME off property locations. I know that I would want to tip those, who as you said, are not making much of an hourly wage and rely on those tips to make the job worth their while. However, when planning a budget, it makes WDW property seem a little more economical. I'm just glad we had a rental van most days or our planned budget for 7 people would have been shot after staying for 11 dyas and tipping both ways!