Tipping Disney Bus Drivers?

[Figaro]

Hi!

We are going to be at WDW during the first part of December and are taking friends with us who have never been there. I use a wheelchair and one of our friends will need to use an ECV (rented offsite) as he is unable to walk any distance because of serious heart disease.

We have always tipped the bus drivers a couple of bucks when we get off the bus because I know how much of a pain loading and strapping down the wheelchair is and I was wondering if we should double that because of our friend using the ECV?

Thanks for any help!

 

[SueM in MN]

We have never tipped the WDW bus drivers. The official policy that I have seen written is that most Disney CMs do not accept tips. In the written info we got at check in on our last trip, it states:
Tipping: We are often asked about gratuities. At WDW, it is customary to tip the following positions foo exceptional service: bartender, bell services, cocktail server, food and beverage server and valet parker.
We've never tipped people except in those categories.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Sadly, Bus drivers cannot accept tips. However, a thank you and a smile really does go a long way.

As for it being a pain... nah... it's our pleasure.

 

[LauraLea]

Chip 'n Dale Express,

We will be attending the HDD on Christmas Day. Are bus drivers and other non-tipped CM allowed to accept small gifts? I would like to pass out just small tokens of our appreciation to the CMs that have to work and be away from their families on Christmas Day.

Laura

 

[ducklite]

Make sure to get the bus drivers name and write a letter when you get back expressing your appreciation, send it to

WDW Guest relations
PO Box 10000
LBV, FL 32930

Anne

 

[Figaro]

We always write guest relations whenever we deal with really great cast members. And no one has ever turned down a tip yet! (smile)

I honestly have never heard that the WDW bus drivers aren't supposed to take tips. And Chip n' Dale, you are sweet to say that wheelchairs aren't a pain but oh how are they are for everyone who has to wait to be able to sit down and the poor bus driver who has to hook up all those complicated straps. We've at least figured out how to take them all off when we get to the bus stops, so that is one step saved for the poor bus driver.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Figaro
We always write guest relations whenever we deal with really great cast members. And no one has ever turned down a tip yet! (smile)

I honestly have never heard that the WDW bus drivers aren't supposed to take tips. And Chip n' Dale, you are sweet to say that wheelchairs aren't a pain but oh how are they are for everyone who has to wait to be able to sit down and the poor bus driver who has to hook up all those complicated straps. We've at least figured out how to take them all off when we get to the bust stops, so that is one step saved for the poor bus driver.

Personally, I have little or no tolerance for someone who cannot wait patiently for someone less fortunate than they are. I am sure your efforts are appreciated, kudos to you.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Personally, I have little or no tolerance for someone who cannot wait patiently for someone less fortunate than they are. I am sure your efforts are appreciated, kudos to you.

Amen to that!

Why isn't housecleaning on that tipping list?

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
Amen to that!

Why isn't housecleaning on that tipping list?

Disney doesn't consider houskeeping a "tipped" position. They are paid at least minimum wage and, although many of us do tip, something like 80% of hotels guests don't tip housekeeping.

Disney lists the positions in which the employee is paid less than minimum wage and tips are an integral part of the employees compensation.

 

[inkkognito]

Another token of appreciation you might want to consider is "What Would Walt Do?" pins. I think the website is www.whatwouldwaltdo.com
You buy the pins and then present them to CMs who go above and beyond the call of duty. You can also post a little note about them on the WWWD website.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com