Tipping Mousekeeping?

[poohnpiglet3]

This may sound bizarre, but what do you do? Since we only got trash and towel service while we were there, is tipping housekeeping the norm?

Sherri

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

We tip on the day of the service and that's
it. $3 on the bathroom counter should cover it........at least that's what we leave.
Remember, it's only out with the old towels, a restock and emptying the trash.
Hope that helps.

 

[Beca]

I got flamed once for answering that I didn't on another board. Maybe it is how I grew up, but I REALLY didn't know that people DID tip housekeeping. I was also a flight attendant for 8 years, and the airline gave us "tipping guidelines" that we were supposed to follow on our overnights, and that was NEVER mentioned...weird!

So, in my paranoia over being "not correct" I did a search on this subject on the resort board, and it does seem that most posters (at least, the ones that chimed in) tip. I have now started tipping housekeeping wherever we go. But, there is no getting around that WDW considers mousekeeping a "non-tipped" position (meaning...they make more than tipped employees, and do not report them).

So...risking being "flamed" again....I think it is probably a really nice thing to do (I even have the "envelopes" that you can print out with cute disney characters on them to leave for mousekeeping...PM me if you want the link to them), I don't think it is expected (at least WDW doesn't feel that way).

I'm not sure if this was what you wanted, or if you were looking for a discussion of "how much"...but, it's my $.02.

Glad you had a wonderful trip!!!



Beca

 

[kathleena]

I don't think anyone should be flamed for their actions either way on this subject. We all have decided what we think we need to do or not do. Respect for those decisions is in order, I think.

The OP has asked "What do you do?"

My answer: I don't tip for T&T. It's not a tipped position, so I don't tip. Just like I don't tip the CM that checks me in, the CM that drives the bus, the CM that helps me with a Fast Pass. They are not tipped positions. Bell Services, Valet and Food Servers are. So I tip them.

 

[Coach Rick]

I'm with Kathleena on this one. I feel as though I pay quite a bit for MF, and DVC should be paying the help accordingly. If however a staff memeber happens to go above and beyond, then that person deserves to be recognized, and I have done that on occasion.

 

[Maria395712]

I tip housekeeping wherever I go. about $2-3 each day and each room if I have 2 . I also tip valet both ways, when we go on all inclusive vacations we also tip everyone. my children son 18 and daughter 20 are in the food service business and rely on tips their pay is only $2.13 an hour. I guess that's why we tip
maria

 

[twotoohappy]

t&t I left $2- and $5- on check-out (studio). To me, a buck or two here or there won't break me, and it will let mousekeeping know I appreciate them

 

[jekjones1558]

twotoohappy:

My thoughts exactly. If we get towel animals or other little extras, I tip $5 on T & T day and checkout. I like to think that maybe my very small token made somebody feel that their work is noticed and appreciated.

Hey, Beca. I'd like the link to envelopes to see if there are any different than those I have. How about posting the link in case there is anyone else interested?
Jean

 

[DIZNYFAN]

We do not tip them especially since we never have anything for them to do. We wash the towels so they do not have to change them we vaccuum and dop the dishes and take the garbage out every day. So we do not leave them a tip.

 

[rocketriter]

I agree that, in light of WDW's position on tipping mousekeeping, it should be optional.

That said, it's also true that even a "higher" housekeeping wage is mighty low. In addition, DVC members tend to be very picky about the condition of our villas on check-in, even though they're lived in harder than ordinary hotel rooms (less frequent professional cleaning, more cooking and so forth).

There's also the factor of motivation. I don't much worry about "setting a bad precedent" by leaving a tip. (God forbid somebody would like a slightly better standard of living. We certainly wouldn't want them to get used to that!) But I do care about the factors that motivate good customer service. Whatever rules Disney may think they're imposing on the staff, in the hotel trade around the world a tip for housekeeping is commonplace and, like tipping in a restaurant, it motivates better service when it's done in response to better service.

These are some of the reasons why, if I check into a spotless villa, I definitely leave an extra ten-spot when I check out--more if my interim cleaning is good or I get a courteous little extra of some sort from the staff.

 

[TDC Nala]

I do not tip for trash and towel.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

We try to show our appreciation for the efforts of the mousekeeping staff, by tipping on regular cleaning day, as well as t&t day. We were suprised with the cutest towel animal, with a note asking us if we had a" magical day", so I would say that they appreciate our gesture too!!
When we check out, we usually leave the left over (unopened) groceries or beverages to mousekeeping as well. We couldn`t very well take them on the plane, so we hope they go to good use for whoever will be cleaning that day.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

We had left some unopened groceries in one of our rooms and asked about that and we were told that they are under strickt orders to throw it out as you never know what somone would do to things like that. Not to say DVC members would poison somone but they would rather not take any chances for good reason I would guess.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Diznyfan,
I can understand thier thinking (especially in this day & age), but unopened cans of diet pesi
oh well!

 

[Dean]

Disney considers mousekeeping to be a non tipped position (officially and in writing). While it's certainly up to the individual as to whether to tip or not, I certainly won't unless they do something besides just clean the room.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

I meant to say Pepsi. (I better start reading what I type)

 

[canda]

A 2bd room at HHI has two toilets, five sinks, 3 tubs/showers, counter space, dishes to wash, fridge to clean, it is about 1400s/f verses the normal 300 s/f a regular hotel room normaly is.

just because they only might clean 1 day, we still have 5 or more days worth of filth to get up.

Regardless of what our finacial situations may be, If we had money to buy DVC, then we are very rich and blessed to most of the world.

What is an extra 10 to 15 to us on vacation,.... it is nothing, but if they are tipped that a couple of times a day, then that will add up at the end of the week.

The CEO of Loews spent some time at each job at the hotels. THe housekeeping has to do a room in 30-45 min. It took him 4 hours. He said it was the hardest job in the hotel.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Originally posted by canda
A 2bd room at HHI has two toilets, five sinks, 3 tubs/showers, counter space, dishes to wash, fridge to clean, it is about 1400s/f verses the normal 300 s/f a regular hotel room normaly is.

just because they only might clean 1 day, we still have 5 or more days worth of filth to get up.

Regardless of what our finacial situations may be, If we had money to buy DVC, then we are very rich and blessed to most of the world.

What is an extra 10 to 15 to us on vacation,.... it is nothing, but if they are tipped that a couple of times a day, then that will add up at the end of the week.

The CEO of Loews spent some time at each job at the hotels. THe housekeeping has to do a room in 30-45 min. It took him 4 hours. He said it was the hardest job in the hotel.

ITA. It's not just trash and towels, mousekeeping cleans the room so when we arrive we don't have to deal with the mess of the people staying before us. And as you said, an extra $5-$10 won't hurt my (or most other's that can afford to join DVC) wallet, but it can add up and make a difference to someone doing a dirty job that doesn't pay big bucks. I am sure it is greatly appreciated. Of course if the room wasn't cleaned well I would feel differently, but if all is in good order I think a tip is in order.

 

[canda]

ITA. It's not just trash and towels, mousekeeping cleans the room so when we arrive we don't have to deal with the mess of the people staying before us.

What you just said there got me thinking, what do other timeshares do about housekeeping? Do the owners have to clean before they leave?

Was housekeeping part of our contract with Disney as the property manager?

I don't want to take someone for granted when they have worked hard for me, even if it was before I got there and after I leave.

Oh, and they do remember those of us who have been around a while and visit our home resort often. I passed a mousekeeper on the path last week and she said "uze'ss sa folks downs heres agains?" (she kinda talks in a creole type accent, but I think they call it gullah down there.) And Laverne in the gift shop remembered me and called my by name when I entered into BCM the first day.

So yes, they remember who tips and is nice to them, and they appreciate it.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Other timeshares most certainly do have housekeeping!! Marriott timeshares have daily housekeeping, a full cleaning each and every day! You can even make an appointment if you want them to come before/after a certain time. Honestly, you paid $20,000, and you don't think housekeeping should be included?! Puleeze! It's common sense to at least clean in between guests. Why would I pay $20,000, and then have to do a thorough cleaning when I arrived? Yuck!! That really is a disgusting thought! You would never pay for a hotel room where the manager handed you a mop and bucket and told you to start cleaning when you checked in, so why are you willing to lower your values just because it's Disney?

No offense, but I've seen the condition some of you leave the Magic Kingdom in after the parade, and I am NOT going to clean up your mess when I check in--at ANY resort, for ANY price!