Tipping other crew members?

[Dug720]

Perhaps this is a new policy. We tried to do this exact thing in the past and were told no, but that the positive comments would go into their record and help with things like time-off, and promotions.

That's why I figured I'd share. Maybe it's new. Who knows? LOL. But now between the answers I got here and the answer I got at PlanDisney, I know there are a few things I can do if I want to recognize a crew member that I feel is outstanding.

PlanDisney is hardly official, no matter what their name implies.

My guess is that those tips put in through Guest Services do end up pooled for the group the crew member belongs to for some kind of party or something.

It remains that for those non-tipped positions (and even for tipped positions), the absolute best thing you can do is mention the crew member by name (mention their position and if possible where they are from - pics of them with their nametag showing helps with that). That does go into their files and is used in considerations for raises and/or promotions.

I think there's a very good reason those running trivia, etc. are not allowed to accept tips. It could easily be seen as a bribe.

 

[RedHead0186]

PlanDisney is hardly official, no matter what their name implies.

The PlanDisney website appears to be part of the official Disney 'portfolio' ("disney. go. com"). I get that it's just 'average joes/janes posting their experiences and not Disney cast members, but it at least appears to be 'sanctioned' by Disney, yes? (Not trying to be argumentative, honestly asking as I've never totally been clear on where they fit in).

 

[Mags2002]

I went ahead and asked PlanDisney about tipping other crew members and figured I would share the response I received as there IS a way to tip those other cast members. You just can't give the tip directly to them.

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/qu...itions-prepaid-gratuities-go-question-546049/

I have never heard of this. I certainly don’t know of anyone who has received such a tip

 

[FastPasser.]

My guess is that those tips put in through Guest Services do end up pooled for the group the crew member belongs to for some kind of party or something.

I don’t know about DCL but tips received by WDW CMs in non-tipped positions either in person or through Guest Relations from a Guest were used in that manner. At least in the departments I was in.

 

[Dug720]

The PlanDisney website appears to be part of the official Disney 'portfolio' ("disney. go. com"). I get that it's just 'average joes/janes posting their experiences and not Disney cast members, but it at least appears to be 'sanctioned' by Disney, yes? (Not trying to be argumentative, honestly asking as I've never totally been clear on where they fit in).

They are the former "Disney Mom's Panel" - so yes, they are selected by Disney. But they have been known on multiple occasions to give answers that are not always 100% accurate. It could be what they have experienced or heard.

I do think since Disney presents them as part of their portfolio they should have to run their answers by someone at Disney for accuracy - but based on incorrect things that have been posted, I don't think that's 100% happening if at all. Maybe if they get enough complaints about something that doesn't happen that one of the PlanDisney responders said was how things were - and people say they expected it because of the answer on PlanDisney they'll figure out they really need to be monitoring those responses.

 

[SnowWhite2]

When my kids were in the kids club (Edge/VIbe), they would get room service Mickey bars for the CMs. I'm not sure how that started - my kids asked them if they wanted one or if the CMs asked my kids to get the bars for them. That happened on several cruises. My kids also asked me to write the names of the Edge/Vibe staff on the comment cards at the end.

 

[FastPasser.]

I do think since Disney presents them as part of their portfolio they should have to run their answers by someone at Disney for accuracy - but based on incorrect things that have been posted, I don't think that's 100% happening if at all.

I thought that was the case as well but the disclaimer at the bottom of the page states that the panel members are independent contractors and their responses are not reviewed or approved by Disney Destinations. That’s surprising.

 

[Dug720]

I thought that was the case as well but the disclaimer at the bottom of the page states that the panel members are independent contractors and their responses are not reviewed or approved by Disney Destinations. That’s surprising.

Oh, I know it's not happening. I was just saying I think it *should* be happening. Not many people are going to read the disclaimer.

 

[Mags2002]

When my kids were in the kids club (Edge/VIbe), they would get room service Mickey bars for the CMs. I'm not sure how that started - my kids asked them if they wanted one or if the CMs asked my kids to get the bars for them. That happened on several cruises. My kids also asked me to write the names of the Edge/Vibe staff on the comment cards at the end.

Oh wow. If your kids tell you they are doing this on the cruise, please stop them! The CMs could get into all sorts of trouble for eating food brought to them like this.
Definitely write the names of the Counselors on comment cards though!

 

[Mags2002]

Just to add further comment, everyone should really stop worrying about trying to find ways to “tip” CMs. A lot of you worry so much and spend extra money trying to bring things to give out to people. Truly, those of us in non-tipped positions do not expect anything at all. The absolute best thing you can do to show your appreciation is remember our name and write it on the comment card

 

[happycamper47]

. The absolute best thing you can do to show your appreciation is remember our name and write it on the comment card

 

[SnowWhite2]

Oh wow. If your kids tell you they are doing this on the cruise, please stop them! The CMs could get into all sorts of trouble for eating food brought to them like this.
Definitely write the names of the Counselors on comment cards though!

My kids are now in their late 20's. The counselors would egg them on to get them food and my kids loved the attention. There were other things that happened that I won't mention because people will get upset and I don't think it happens anymore. After I found out I stopped them from bringing them food and stopped them from doing the other things that the staff took them to do.

 

[Mags2002]

My kids are now in their late 20's. The counselors would egg them on to get them food and my kids loved the attention. There were other things that happened that I won't mention because people will get upset and I don't think it happens anymore. After I found out I stopped them from bringing them food and stopped them from doing the other things that the staff took them to do.

I’ve been around for a while, so I’m guessing it has to do with getting chicken tenders and/or fries?

 

[SL6827]

I'm sure Disney wouldn't mind turning over more positions to tipped. Give it time.

 

[Sakura1017]

You can tip anyone that you want to. I usually bring cards and envelopes and write a handwritten note and place my tip in there.

 

[Mags2002]

Just to add further comment, everyone should really stop worrying about trying to find ways to “tip” CMs. A lot of you worry so much and spend extra money trying to bring things to give out to people. Truly, those of us in non-tipped positions do not expect anything at all. The absolute best thing you can do to show your appreciation is remember our name and write it on the comment card

Adding on to this, unlike in the Park, on the ships if you want to mention a special interaction with a character, you can just name the character and they will be sure to get it

 

[FastPasser.]

Adding on to this, unlike in the Park, on the ships if you want to mention a special interaction with a character, you can just name the character and they will be sure to get it

Is that because characters on ships may have only one friend, see, I didn’t forget this time, but could have many friends at the parks?

 

[Calantha]

Adding on to this, unlike in the Park, on the ships if you want to mention a special interaction with a character, you can just name the character and they will be sure to get it

That's good to know. We had a fantastic experience with Captain Jack Sparrow on the Magic in May, but I didn't know what to write.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Just to add further comment, everyone should really stop worrying about trying to find ways to “tip” CMs. A lot of you worry so much and spend extra money trying to bring things to give out to people. Truly, those of us in non-tipped positions do not expect anything at all. The absolute best thing you can do to show your appreciation is remember our name and write it on the comment card

My friend who was cruise staff on Wonder and then Fantasy said her favorite was when she got hand written note. I bring things for crew that became like family over years

 

[FastPasser.]

My friend who was cruise staff on Wonder and then Fantasy said her favorite was when she got hand written note. I bring things for crew that became like family over years

One of my most memorable moments is while I was, believe or not, a WDW bus driver. A mom and her young son came up to me after we arrived at our destination and said “my son is a big fan of the buses and wanted to meet you”. I said, really, of course. I shook his little hand and he handed me a card he had made up involving bus drivers and Superman. Holy crap, it was hard holding it together. I think I still have the card.