tipping!

[Harrop]

G'day everyone,

As you can probably tell I'm from Australia and my family is leaving for WDW on the 17th jan!!! We will be staying at Saratoga Springs and I would like to learn a bit more about tipping in America. Currently in Australia tipping doesnt even exist so my family is not sure what we have to do/what people expect from us during our visit to WDW.

Is tipping required? Why do you tip? What happens if you dont tip? How much do you need to tip?

We will be using the DME form Orlando to the resort, and we will be staying there for 2 weeks and the only place we will be visiting outside of WDW is Universal Studios and IOA.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thankyou

 

[bananiem]

You don't have to tip for counter service. If you go to a sit down restaurant where they take your order and bring it to you, then 15-20% is usually good. If they did outstanding service you can go higher. If the service was bad, go lower.
Buffets, where they just bring you your beverage...I'd leave a couple dollars on the table, depending on how many of us there were.

For the housekeeping maid I've left $5 per day for the 4 of us. I leave it each day so in case the maid changes while we're there they still get the tip.
I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[TJ's Mom]

As to why people tip - Servers in restaurants do not make even minimum wage in America. It has been years since I have waited tables so I am not sure of the wages for them today. But after taxes and them paying tips to the bartenders, bus boys, etc, they hardly make anything from their wages. They basically work for tips. So if you do not tip them, they could be paying to wait on you.

 

[bicker]

In the United States, the cost of service for certain jobs is split between the service provider's employer and the patron of the service (you!). That means that prices are deliberately lower, based on the expectation that paton will provide an appropriate gratuity.

While tipping is expected, the amount of the tip is at the discretion of the patron. This system gives the person who is in the best position to determine how good the service was, this patron, direct control over how much compensation the service provide gets.

At WDW resorts, the following are tipped positions -- jobs where you are expected to provide a tip:

• valet (parking attendant) - $2-$5 when you retrieve your vehicle
• bellstaff (luggage handling) - $1-$2 per bag for each service you need (typically transporting your bags from your arrival vehicle to your room is one service, and transporting your bags from your room to your departure vehicle is another service, but if you arrive before check-in time, you also should tip for secure storage of your bags)
• restaurant servers and bartenders - 15%-20% of the total bill

Some folks also give small gifts (often money) to other employees (such as custodians and housekeepers) but those folks aren't in tipped positions, and you don't need to feel that tipping them is expected.

What happens if you dont tip?

Someone who provided you service will have a harder time supporting their family.

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

In the United States, the cost of service for certain jobs is split between the service provider's employer and the patron of the service (you!). That means that prices are deliberately lower, based on the expectation that paton will provide an appropriate gratuity.

While tipping is expected, the amount of the tip is at the discretion of the patron. This system gives the person who is in the best position to determine how good the service was, this patron, direct control over how much compensation the service provide gets.

At WDW resorts, the following are tipped positions -- jobs where you are expected to provide a tip:

• valet (parking attendant) - $2-$5 when you retrieve your vehicle
• bellstaff (luggage handling) - $1-$2 per bag for each service you need (typically transporting your bags from your arrival vehicle to your room is one service, and transporting your bags from your room to your departure vehicle is another service, but if you arrive before check-in time, you also should tip for secure storage of your bags)
• restaurant servers and bartenders - 15%-20% of the total bill

Some folks also give small gifts (often money) to other employees (such as custodians and housekeepers) but those folks aren't in tipped positions, and you don't need to feel that tipping them is expected.

Someone who provided you service will have a harder time supporting their family.

I completely agree with this whole post. This has a lot of good info so I would keep in mind about what was said in this thread. Have a great trip! Maybe you should consider writing a trip repot when you return!

 

[shortbun]

I'm not arguing, I just wonder where it is written that houskeeping is NOT a "tipped position." I have travelled extensively(fact not brag, lol) and tipping is expected at most hotels in the world-that's the earth, not the "world." Also, when I worked as a housekeeper for summers at the beach in college, we counted heavily on our tips to make ends meet so I have two points of reference for this occupation and both would lead me to tip.

 

[VAgal76]

I think Bicker hit the nail on the head.

I used waited tables and it can be a tough job (depending on the number of tables you're running and how busy the place is). I made $2.20 an hour - this included extra pay for being a trainer. So, yes they make their money off tips.

 

[bicker]

I'm not arguing, I just wonder where it is written that houskeeping is NOT a "tipped position."

The status of housekeepers varies from hotel chain to hotel chain. So the only way to know is to ask. I did so during an online chat with the General Manager of the BoardWalk Resort, back in 2003 I believe. He confirmed that housekeepers at WDW earn a full rate pay rate, and are classified by Disney just like front-desk clerks and engineers, i.e., non-tipped personnel. Later, through some research someone did on pay rates WDW offers (posted here on the DIS -- check the archives), we learned that housekeepers actually get paid the same as the custodians who clean the rest rooms in the theme parks, $6.80 per hour to start. It's not much, but it is the same as the custodians, who folks generally don't tip either, and is a lot more than the bellstaff and valets, who don't even earn minimum wage from Disney.

 

[shortbun]

The status of housekeepers varies from hotel chain to hotel chain. So the only way to know is to ask. I did so during an online chat with the General Manager of the BoardWalk Resort, back in 2003 I believe. He confirmed that housekeepers at WDW earn a full rate pay rate, and are classified by Disney just like front-desk clerks and engineers, i.e., non-tipped personnel. Later, through some research someone did on pay rates WDW offers (posted here on the DIS -- check the archives), we learned that housekeepers actually get paid the same as the custodians who clean the rest rooms in the theme parks, $6.80 per hour to start. It's not much, but it is the same as the custodians, who folks generally don't tip either, and is a lot more than the bellstaff and valets, who don't even earn minimum wage from Disney.

I've been to many WDW seminars for travel agents and Disney has NEVER put this information out there. I qualified as a "Disney Expert" for many years which required much time on site and also classroom/testing. Never were we told to advise our clients that housekeeping was a non tipped position. I also shared rooms with many other "Disney Experts" and we ALL tipped liked crazy. It's not in any of their literature either; several cruise lines.nclusive resorts and tour operators publish their no tipping policy or tipping guidelines with tipped positions highlighted. That Disney has these policies but does not publicize them is weird. Well, thanks for the info. I'm going to keep tipping. Luckily, I make more than $6.80 per hour(can't imagine supporting myself or anyone else on that wage) and I can afford to tip.


LOL, Harrop! Good luck getting concrete information! Obviously, none of us handle things the same way. Maybe that's all you need to know. Have fun!

 

[bicker]

I've been to many WDW seminars for travel agents and Disney has NEVER put this information out there. I qualified as a "Disney Expert" for many years which required much time on site and also classroom/testing. Never were we told to advise our clients that housekeeping was a non tipped position.

I'm glad I could clear this up for you.

That Disney has these policies but does not publicize them is weird.

I agree.

For me, what I tend to use as my clue in this regard is whether or not the hotel provides printed materials for the housekeepers to use to solicit tips. If the hotel prints up, "Your room was serviced by XXX. We hope you have a great evening..." then I take that to mean that a gratuity is expected. If a housekeeper makes up their own, or there is no such telltale, I take that as an indicator that the position is a non-tipped position.

I believe the status is a matter of public record, since it affects tax policy applied to the hotel. So it shouldn't be that hard to learn, if you ask the right question to the right person.

 

[freckles and boo]

I apologize if this is redundant, but I always look to see if the "gratuity" has been added. In many restaurants, parties of six or more will find that 18% is automatically added to the bill. This is particularly true on the east coast of Florida because there are many European tourists and they are perceived as poor tippers. If you find that a tip has already been added, don't double tip. They probably won't tell you! I don't know if any Disney restaurants do this.

ETA My husband also is militant about tipping the subtotal, not the taxes. He is a little miserly.

 

[bicker]

Miserly or not, tipping on the sub-total is actually appropriate. Those of us who tip on the total after tax can rest comfortable in the knowledge that we're overtipping a bit. I typically do so deliberately.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I apologize if this is redundant, but I always look to see if the "gratuity" has been added. In many restaurants, parties of six or more will find that 18% is automatically added to the bill.

I was going to add this also. The rate that may be added to a larger party can be anywhere from 15-20%, so depending on the size of your family, you may find it has been added. If you're not sure, just ask your server if the gratuity is added to the bill. They will be glad to tell you.

As far as tipping maids.... while their positions may be considered a "non-tipping" position, it is a courtesy to tip them. Their wages are low, and their work is hard. $5 a day is a great thing for them, and won't break your budget.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Buffets, where they just bring you your beverage...I'd leave a couple dollars on the table, depending on how many of us there were.

I respectfully disagree with this one. At buffets - if my dishes are cleared promptly, drinks refilled, server stopping by occasionally to see if everything's OK, I leave 15%. A good server at a buffet IMO works as hard as someone who is bringing your dish to you. I think a good guideline at buffets could be 10%.

I know I can't go to dinner w/ Cindy at the GF, and the bill be $130 for my family and only leave a couple dollars, it just not in me.

 

[joshsmom]

I didn't see anything (or did I miss it??) about the DME bus driver. We always give him/her something. They do load your bags into and off of the bus. I know there's a sign that usually says "tipping is appreciated." What do people tip the DME folks?

 

[bicker]

DME covers all the gratuities for the baggage they handle themselves (your checked luggage), but not for carry-ons, so that's a great reminder.

It is appropriate to tip $1-$2 per bag.

 

[joshsmom]

DME covers all the gratuities for the baggage they handle themselves (your checked luggage), but not for carry-ons, so that's a great reminder.

It is appropriate to tip $1-$2 per bag.

For three of us, we usually end up tipping the DME guy (or gal) $10.00, so I think that's just about right. My son has one carry-on and my mom and I each have 2.

 

[bicker]

That's even a little generous. I wouldn't have a worry if I were you.

 

[Catananche]

I got confused on my last WDW trip: when we had dinner in a steakhouse I paid by credit card. When the waiter brought the slip to sign, it had the meal total, then a "Gratuity" of 20% added, then "Tip" with space for me to fill in an amount. I always thought gratuity and tip were the same thing ! I thought 20% was adequate for the OK service we received, so I ignored the tip box.

I had not seen this before, but is this quite common?

 

[freckles and boo]

I got confused on my last WDW trip: when we had dinner in a steakhouse I paid by credit card. When the waiter brought the slip to sign, it had the meal total, then a "Gratuity" of 20% added, then "Tip" with space for me to fill in an amount. I always thought gratuity and tip were the same thing ! I thought 20% was adequate for the OK service we received, so I ignored the tip box.

I had not seen this before, but is this quite common?

That is exactly what I was referring to in post #11 on the first page. It is the same thing and if you hadn't noticed you might have overtipped. Trust me, I doubt they would have brought it to your attention.

ETA - If you feel the service was not up to snuff, you could have spoken to a manager and reduced the tip.