Tips for Bell Services Question

[Buzzw0rthy]

We just back from SSR.

Have a quick question for the group... what is an appropriate tip for the bell services team?

The morning of our check out we called the bell services desk around 730 and asked if they could come pick us up at 830. We were staying in one of the furthest buildings in the Paddock section from the Main building complex where you catch the Magic Express bus to the airpot. They showed up at 830 on the spot. They loaded our 2 suitcases and all of our backpacks (4) and stroller onto the golf cart and gave us a ride. Rolled our bags to the airline check in and set us up to have our backpacks stored for the rest of the morning so we could go on another quick adventure.

When I gave the bell man a tip he looked at me stunned and was like thank you so much for the generosity sir.

I didn't think for all that he did to load our crazy amount of stuff and give us a ride back that the tip was too much in my mind. Based on the scenario or just in general what are your tipping habits for the bell services team?

Thanks for all input!

 

[starry_solo]

I would have tipped him $15-25...probably around $20.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

$20. sounds about right.

 

[Buzzw0rthy]

Thanks for the replies.

Glad to know I was in line! We did 25. I figured 10 for our bags, 10 for the backpacks and stroller and another 5 for the ride to the front desk area.

 

[bumbershoot]

When I gave the bell man a tip he looked at me stunned and was like thank you so much for the generosity sir.

FWIW I've gotten extremely sweet responses even for much smaller tips (like when I have just my owner's locker brought up). Either they are all very kind OR there's a lot of people out there who don't tip at all.

 

[jo-jo]

Once we called bell services for help to bring our bags down to airline checkin from BLT. Because we were afraid he would beat us there, my DH went down a few mins before. Up in the room, he took our bags and I tipped him. He took off and so did I. He got down to airport checkin about 30 secs ahead of me, I was just close enough to see him turn down the second tip my DH tried to give him. I was so impressed.

 

[71 Truck]

Never had bell services transport us to the front of the resort so for us it may only be bags.
I usually tip 2 to 3 dollars per item from our room to the front desk/car port area where I will load them into my car.
I usually tip 2 to 3 dollars per item to pick up in my room and then have them put them in storage.
When I retrieve them from storage to load in my car I tip an additional 1 to 2 dollars per item because they do not have to go as far.
At the Disney Cruise port I tip about the same when they take my bags to put them on the ship.
When we get off the ship because we have to go through customs and then out to the parking garage depending on how long customs takes it is 20 to 30 dollars.
Every time, when I tip the person that takes my items they are very happily and surprised at how much I give them.
I have a felling bell services cast members don't get as many or as much tips as most people would think.

 

[kniquy]

We usually figure a few dollars per bag, so when bell services came to move luggage for 7 of us I know we tipped over $20. That was just moving the bags and not giving us a ride anywhere.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

At VGF I usually tip $20.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

FWIW I've gotten extremely sweet responses even for much smaller tips (like when I have just my owner's locker brought up). Either they are all very kind OR there's a lot of people out there who don't tip at all.

I used to work bell services dispatch at a deluxe. Dispatch is not a tipped position, but in that role I became very aware of Disney tipping practices. While many guests tip appropriately (and nicely and generously), there are also a good number of guests who do not tip at all. The guys I worked with were always very thankful when they were tipped. It was surprising to me how often they were not tipped.

OP, I think your tip was very nice for the service you received. I would have recommended tipping the same amount for the bags/stroller/transport to lobby.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I have had amazing experiences with the Grand Floridian bell services cast members. Here is an example. I called for help checking out of our villa. We were going to drive home, and my 85 year old mother was going to take Disney Magic Express and fly to her home. I figured I would have the bellman take out luggage to my car, and then we would walk with my mom to put her on the bus. It is not a bad walk between the Villas and the main building.

The bellman asked where we were headed. We told him: We are driving home, my mom is taking the bus. Actually, after we put her on the bus, we are going to Gasparillas quick service for breakfast. Then we’ll head home.

The bellman puts all our stuff on a large cart and drives us to my car at the Villas parking lot. We load my car. He then offers to take my mom to the front of the Grand Floridian to get her checked in for the bus. And he recommends that we go park at the Convention Center so we’d have a short walk to the car after Gasparillas.

So he has us follow him so he could get us to the right parking lot. We park. We got back on the cart, and go with my mom to get her on the bus. At this point, I tip him well and assure him we can continue by ourselves. We proceed to Gasparillas and have a nice breakfast. We walk out and get in our car at the convention center lot, right outside of Gasparillas, to head home.

It appeared that he was trained to listen and to solve our problems. We were blown away by the service.

 

[keishashadow]

FWIW I've gotten extremely sweet responses even for much smaller tips (like when I have just my owner's locker brought up). Either they are all very kind OR there's a lot of people out there who don't tip at all.

Agree when it comes to tipping re luggage when staying DVC, rather thanks has always been expressed. Discussed it once with an especially friendly bellman who was giving us the royal treatment at Poly when traveling with small child and all the extra gear that comes with them. He mentioned DVC’rs have earned a rather frugal reputation among the staff. Never a good idea to generalize with people as a group, but after reading many posts here over the years as to the subject of tipping, I’m not doubting him.