Tipping in WDW

[torsie24]

I've started this thread - as I want to check I don't forget anyone who neesd tips in WDW!

Until was reading the other tipping thread I hadn't even considered the ME driver for getting the bags off the bus!

So 20% (ish) for TS meals, $1/bag for people who carry my bags anywhere, $2/day for mousekeeping (2 of us in the room).

But, what if the desk at the hotel give me my garden grocer order? What do i tip then?

Or what if they get me a room upgrade?

Urgh, so tricky!

 

[wilma-bride]

Personally, and this is purely me, I tip the following people:

Servers in table service/buffet restaurants (10% for buffets, 20-25% depending on service elsewhere)
Housekeeping - we normally leave $5 day for family of 5
Valet parking - a couple of $ per time, when we leave and when we collect
Bus drivers, if they handle bags for us - $1 per bag
Bartenders - $1 per drink, unless gratuity is automatically included
Room service - a couple of $$

I would not tip front desk staff for an upgrade or anything else. If you order groceries, you would normally get them delivered to your room by Bell Services, in which case I would tip.

There are possibly others I haven't thought of but that is mainly it as far as tipping goes for us.

 

[torsie24]

Cool, thanks about the front desk info.

I'm not expecting a free upgrade, I'm asking if I can pay for one, so really they'll jsut be doing their job by checking...I'm not holding out a lot of hope though.

 

[doverfox]

i would say tip what your happy with.
buffets less than table service unless they are really helpful like we had at chef mickeys last year when he got one of the characters to come back a second time to see the girls
table service between 10-20% in a cheaper resturant they have done the same work as a more expensive one.

we will be staying at dvc for first time and understand you only get mouse keeping every 4 days do we leave 4 days worth of tips for 1 days worth of mousekeeping or just 1 days tips?

dave rachel and the girls
i wish i hadnt mentioned the t word.

 

[wilma-bride]

Cool, thanks about the front desk info.

I'm not expecting a free upgrade, I'm asking if I can pay for one, so really they'll jsut be doing their job by checking...I'm not holding out a lot of hope though.

I've heard that upgrades are reasonably common at AKL, more so than other places anyway. I wouldn't necessarily offer to pay for one at the outset, wait and see what room you've been allocated first then ask.

 

[wilma-bride]

we will be staying at dvc for first time and understand you only get mouse keeping every 4 days do we leave 4 days worth of tips for 1 days worth of mousekeeping or just 1 days tips?

dave rachel and the girls
i wish i hadnt mentioned the t word.

We are DVC owners too and we tend to tip about $10 for full clean and $2 or $3 for trash and towel.

 

[torsie24]

I've heard that upgrades are reasonably common at AKL, more so than other places anyway. I wouldn't necessarily offer to pay for one at the outset, wait and see what room you've been allocated first then ask.

I've heard this too, but certainly wont get my hopes up.

I don't want to seem like I'm expecting it though, but didn't think £700 was worth the upgrade whereas the difference on the US site is only like $150 so if I can pay $150 for savannah view at check in I will for sure. I figure if it's empty they'll be happy to fill it and make a bit of extra $$.

Will they show me a map as to where my room is so I know if we have a savannah room or not before we trek up there do you think?

Dave - don't feel abd about the 't' word. I'm glad you bought it up, as wanted to check I wasn't going to make any tipping faux pas!

 

[wayneg]

Only stayed at AKL once, last August for 3 mights got free upgrade. Some people think the upgrades are given more to people on short stays rather than longer stays.

 

[torsie24]

Only stayed at AKL once, last August for 3 mights got free upgrade. Some people think the upgrades are given more to people on short stays rather than longer stays.

I guess the short stay thing would make sense.

As I've said it would be nothing but a bonus, as I'm execting to get what I have paid for, but I will certainly ask, and enquire the price if there's not a room for free.

If only there was a way I could stop daydreaming about the check in CM taking a shine to me and wishing us a wonderful engagement by putting us in the Royal Asante Suite Everything will be a dissappoinment if I dont!

 

[wilma-bride]

They will definitely give you a 'map' at check in and show where your room is but they tend to show the numbers in blocks so, unless you knew which numbers the Savannah view rooms were, it would be hard to tell.

 

[torsie24]

They will definitely give you a 'map' at check in and show where your room is but they tend to show the numbers in blocks so, unless you knew which numbers the Savannah view rooms were, it would be hard to tell.

Eeee, so do I need to ask for an upgrade before then?

I don't want to walk up to the desk like, "Hi! Upgrade me! NOW!"

I hate asking for stuff!

 

[wilma-bride]

Eeee, so do I need to ask for an upgrade before then?

I don't want to walk up to the desk like, "Hi! Upgrade me! NOW!"

I hate asking for stuff!

This is how I would do it:

Check in as normal, the CM will give you your KTTW and your room assignment and all the other usual stuff. When he/she tells you your room number, just ask politely 'Is that a standard view' (or whatever it is you've booked). If it is, then ask politely if there are any upgrades available - if there are and they're not prepared to let you have it free, they should tell you how much it will cost.

Don't worry about feeling foolish, don't forget these CMs probably get people asking them evey day about upgrades and the like.

 

[BoingBoingBaggie]

Question time from me - when you are on the Disney Dining plan - do you see a total bill to be able to work out the ammount that you should be leaving?

 

[torsie24]

Thanks Joh - that sounds a very sensible way to do it.

Baggie - yes you do get a reciept on DDP i think.

 

[wilma-bride]

Question time from me - when you are on the Disney Dining plan - do you see a total bill to be able to work out the ammount that you should be leaving?

Yes, the bill will tell you the toal value and it will also give you a suggested tip amount based on 18% at most places.

 

[BoingBoingBaggie]

Yes, the bill will tell you the toal value and it will also give you a suggested tip amount based on 18% at most places.

Cool - thanks for the info. One less thing to worry about now.

 

[iluvtot]

Yes, the bill will tell you the toal value and it will also give you a suggested tip amount based on 18% at most places.

Hi, do you know if it's ok to pay the tip with a fairfx card, or should it be with cash?

Thanks
Jules x

 

[wayneg]

Hi, do you know if it's ok to pay the tip with a fairfx card, or should it be with cash?

Thanks
Jules x

Lsat 3 trips we haven't used cash at all(except tolls) when you get to sign for your meal there is a line left for you to add a tip.

 

[iluvtot]

Lsat 3 trips we haven't used cash at all(except tolls) when you get to sign for your meal there is a line left for you to add a tip.

Thanks, but will that be the same with the DDP? Oh and how do you actually 'pay' on the DDP?
Think I am having a few 'blonde' moments tonight!

Jules x

 

[wayneg]

Thanks, but will that be the same with the DDP? Oh and how do you actually 'pay' on the DDP?
Think I am having a few 'blonde' moments tonight!

Jules x

Never done DDP but I believe we get a print out with what the meal would have cost with the usual 18-20% tip figures on, there will be somewhere to leave the tip, they won't miss out on that.