Tipping CM on Backstage Tour

[Ms. Heimlich]

Is it customary to tip the tourguides on the tours in Disney?

We are taking the Backstage Magic Tour and didn't have any idea if we should tip.

Any help would be appreciated.

JR

 

[mcgrawfan]

I don't think so. We never tipped our tour guide. I would doubt they could accept it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Don't tip the guide, this is not a tipped classification. *
2) If they accept cash, it is a termination offense.
3) However, some guests INSIST they take the tip.
4) If they take cash, they have to turn it over to a manager immediately.
5) However, any employee CAN accept gifts up to $75 in value.
6) If you feel you must tip, give them a gift.

* Common tipped employee categories include Bell Service, Waiters/Waitresses, Bartenders, etc. Maids are not tipped employees, but no one says anything if they take the cash.

 

[shyjade]

What about tipping the bus/shuttle drivers? I've always tipped a couple bucks to the bus driver when staying offsite and being shuttled between airport/hotel and hotel/parks.

I've never stayed onsite before, so is tipping customary? (Bus driver between airport & hotel, hotel & parks)?

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

What kinds of "gifts" would be acceptable?

Any suggestions.

If we have an exceptional tourguide I would like to show my appreciation.

Thanks.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What kinds of "gifts" would be acceptable?

Any suggestions.

If we have an exceptional tourguide I would like to show my appreciation.

Thanks.

Aren't there forms you can fill out for management to acknowledge them (I'd recommend telling the CM you were going to do that; also are there forms that you can give the CM which he/she then turns in to his superior?)

 

[Bev J]

The best tip you could give would be a letter written on behalf of the CM complementing them on their job.

Bev

 

[iwynlea]

We went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour at MK, and I know that no one in our tour group tipped or provided any sort of gift to our tour guide...quite frankly, it didn't even occur to me to do so, although our guide was FANTASTIC.

However, on the two Disney cruises we've been on, we brought phone cards or small-denomination gift cards ($10 or $15) for Target or Wal-Mart to give to CMs who provided extraordinary service, so if you really want to have something to give your guide, something like that might work?

 

[JulieWent]

I tried to tip our guide for the Epcot DiveQuest, and he absolutely refused. So, I'm guessing the poster who said it isn't allowed is on the money. (Pun intended.)

Julie

 

[MNRMommy]

I have heard of people taking WWWD (What Would Walt Do) buttons or cards and giving them to special CM's they thought went above and beyond. I did a quick google search and saw that cafepress.com has some but those don't look as neat as the ones I remember seeing here a long time ago on a thread. Maybe I will make my own with a little written (well typed) out thank you on the back.