Who to tip

[wendy sanford]

Who do you tip? The one who take luggage from car to storage, the one who brings luggage to the room, the one who takes luggage from room to storage, the one who takes luggage from storage to car? Who do you tip, anyones imput would be great.

 

[ducklite]

I tip all four.

Anne

 

[GladysK]

None of them.

 

[goofy4tink]

Oh my. This was my dh's biggest question. In fact, he asked me to ask all my dis buddies what they thought!! He felt he was constantly tipping anyone that touched our bags. He tipped the man who put our bags on the rolling rack, he tipped the guy who drove the bags to the longhouse. Then the same in return. Now, he is not a chintzy tipper. He tipped $10 each time, since he felt we had a total of 8 pieces of luggage....3 duffles, 1 carry-on, 1 big camera case and two back-packs and a tote bag. With the exception of the duffles, the other stuff was no big deal. So now we have tipped over $40 for bell services.

 

[matcoland]

I think this tipping stuff has gotten way out of hand. For all the money we pay for a WDW trip it seems very cheap of WDW to allow tipping.

Why not make it more like an all inclusive resort where they never take a tip. I mean, come on, any time somebody puts a hand on my bag I have to give them a buck....just seems so cheesy.

I am not a cheap person....and after blowing $4K on a WDW trip another $100 in tips over 10 days won't kill me, but it's not like they really do anything for the tip.

When eating I can see tipping....but for all of these other things I feel like I am being nickle and dimed to death.

Like the house keeping....why do I have to leave $2 a day for that exactly? House keeping is part of the price I paid to stay there....the house keeper isn't doing any special to my room so what exactly am I tipping for? As my family says...you are tipping so they don't use your toothbrush to clean the toilet. So $2 a day for peace of mind. That's insane. I would rather they raise the price of the room $2 a night and pay the maid that way.

Whatever happened to Walt's theory of "tipping should not get anybody any extra or better service at WDW" ....if that's the case it should just not be allowed.

The whole thing bothers me.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Tip all of them OR take your own bags.
Disney is not going to tip these people for you if you don't, their pay scale is based on the fact they get tips.
How would you like it if you had the job and then everyone stiffed you because they figure I am paying enough already for Disney so tough luck for you buddy.

 

[dznyntnh]

I don't think wdw is being 'cheap' by allowing tipping.

Tipping is something one does to express appreciation of a job well done. I agree that it seems like everyone has got there hand out, but that is not only at wdw, that is at practically every resort you ever see.

My biggest pet peeve is the whole tipping the maid thing, its not a 'tipped' position and tipping here is an option. While I may leave a tip on my final day there, if the service has been extraordinary, I do not leave a tip everyday.

Everyone has their own idea of what and who is appropriate to tip. Its a very volatile subject.

For me, I tip the bellman (if I don't carry the bags myself), waitresses (10%-20% depending on service), maids depending on level of service (not towel animals, but if its clean and consistent).

 

[matcoland]

See, that's just it...I would prefer to load my bag myself or handle my bag myself...not like it's a big deal to do. But they don't always seem to go for that...because they want that tip. I am also not out to tick them off or hold them back from making a buck.

And with the logic of "disney pays them on the assumption they will also get tips" then if I handle my own bag now that person is not getting a tip and therefore not getting paid "what they should". So then I am the bad guy for doing it myself.

My sister gives me the same logic about house keeping...they make so little, how would you like it if you made that little? Well, first of all if I don't like what I make I would do better for a raise or get a better job that paid more. They are captain of their own universe and are not slaves there. Second...tip or not housekeeping does the SAME EXACT job either way.

When I eat I tip based on service...if I get good service I will tip well (20-25%)...if I get average service maybe 15-20% depending on how it works out evenly or whatever...if I get crappy service I tip accordingly.

With bag handling all the guy does it grab my bag from the curb, put it in a van 2 feet away. How can he do that good or bad? Bad could meaning tossing it and good meaning gently placing it in....but really, they all toss it in there for the most part...not a big deal, it got worse treatment on the plane I am sure.

Back to the maid....my family tips the maid for the SOLE reason of "keeping them happy" so they don't get a toothbrush full of toilet water! That is not tipping for a service, that's tipping out of fear...which is probably what many do. If I make a special request like extra towels or something I could see tipping for it....but other wise they are doing the job they are paid for and NOTHING ELSE, right?

I then worry...what if everybody else tips the maid and I don't, she/he will probably give me less of a service then....that's not right. Either way I will tip the maid...but basically out of the fear that my service will degrade if I don't....which is also why I would tip daily and not at the end of the trip. Also, if you tip at the end you may be tipping a new maid that didn't do the work for your entire trip.

I would tip the bellman...he is providing a service....well, not really but kind of....if you ask me if they have a bellman at the hotel it should be part of the package but I see both sides on that one. But the bellman is one of those things I can easily walk past and not use....it is clearly an optional service, so I don't mind tipping that guy. If they puts my bags on a golf cart and shuttle me to my room I will tip them....they provided a service that I didn't already pay for. But I already paid for the shuttle from the airport to the hotel so I shouldn't have to tip there....after all, I don't tip the guy loading my bag onto the plane, or the guy who puts it from the plane to the pickup area.

It's really the maid and the other bag handlers I have issues with. Would be interesting to see what people who actually have those jobs for a living say about all of this....I am sure they are for the tip, but would be interesting to see what percent do and don't tip.

I guess I just prefer to have everything paid for in advance, so if a tip is needed included it in the price...because clearly in these cases I won't get better service with or without a tip in mind.

 

[MHopkins2]

matcoland, please don't feel that I'm singling you out - I'm just using your post because you covered so much ground.

Originally posted by matcoland
I am not a cheap person....and after blowing $4K on a WDW trip another $100 in tips over 10 days won't kill me, but it's not like they really do anything for the tip.

You're right, another $100 after paying $4K won't kill you. And they "really do" perform a service for the tip - they carry your bags. It's that simple. If you don't want to tip, or don't feel comfortable doing so, or it makes you feel nickel and dimed, carry your own bags. I assure you, the bellhops won't knock you to the ground trying to wrench them out of your hands - a polite "no thank you" will get the job done.

When eating I can see tipping....but for all of these other things I feel like I am being nickle and dimed to death.

Where is the difference for you between a waitress and a bellhop? In both cases the compensation structure is the same - minimal hourly wage from the employer (often less than minimum wage) plus tips from customers who use their services.

Like the house keeping....why do I have to leave $2 a day for that exactly?

IMO, you don't. It's nice if you do (and I always try to remember that $5 makes next to no difference to me, but might put a smile on the housekeeper's face), but it's not required. Unlike waitresses, bellhops, and valet parkers, housekeepers are not a tipped position at WDW.

House keeping is part of the price I paid to stay there....the house keeper isn't doing any special to my room so what exactly am I tipping for? As my family says...you are tipping so they don't use your toothbrush to clean the toilet. So $2 a day for peace of mind. That's insane. I would rather they raise the price of the room $2 a night and pay the maid that way.

I agree. If you're only tipping to avoid something skanky happening to your belongings, that's the wrong reason to tip. I'd like to think that that's not a concern at Disney resorts anyway, but that's probably me being naive.

 

[ducklite]

You have the option to not use the valet and bell services and move your luggage/park your car on your own. Personally when i'm on vacation I like to be pampered, and have no problem shelling out a few bucks for that.

As far as WDW being "all inclusive", I don't think it could work--there are too many "day guests" using the services of "tipped" positions--servers, bartenders, valet's, etc. It works at all inclusive places that are remote--most are also "cashless" so "locals' and "day trippers" can't access the facilities there.

Anne

 

[MHopkins2]

Personally when i'm on vacation I like to be pampered, and have no problem shelling out a few bucks for that.

Ditto!

 

[matcoland]

Just to clarify here...

I am not complaining about the bell hop, food server, or valet tip....especially bell hop or valet where those are not normal services that I already paid for. I use a valet when I feel lazy...paying $2 for somebody to run for my car is okay by me!

It's mainly the maid tip and also the shuttle van bag tip....because those are service I have already paid for and won't be getting much (in most cases, again, all of this is a generalization on services!) extra service for house keeping or shuttle service if they think they are going to get a tip....because if they do or don't they are still providing me the same over all service, one that I paid for ahead of time.

I totally agree about paying more to be pampered...like the Poly golf gart guy that takes you and your bags to your room...I will pay for that in the form of a tip because it is not an expected service. Same for using the bell hop to take my bags from the van to the lobby of the hotel....that's the same as the bag guy at the curb of the airport and I can choose to use them or not.....that stuff is just fine, and in the food service area I am all for it because any good server knows they will get a better tip for taking care of you.

As for all inclusive...I see your point, I didn't mean all inclusive to that degree I guess....just as far as regular services are concerned in the hotel.

And yes...that extra $100 is not a deal breaker...I just wish it was taken care of up front so it was something I didn't need to worry about. Not to mention making sure I have some singles on me for tipping....because how bad would that look if I didn't!!!

Maybe a system where you can fill out a card at the end of your stay to rate the maid or whatever and then fill in an optional amount for a tip...something like that would work better I think.

Now I am curious...how many of you tip the maid for the main reason of avoiding the angry maid issue

 

[siouxi31]

I was just thinking about this very subject. In the past, I carried my own bags only because the whole bellboy thing was confusing--there were so many people involved. It's like when you get your hair cut, you tip the shampooer, the cutter, and the stylist.
Do you think you can just tip the last person who touched the luggage? I would think that it's like being a foodserver--at the end of the night you give a cut to the bus boys, bartender, etc.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by matcoland
Now I am curious...how many of you tip the maid for the main reason of avoiding the angry maid issue

First--thanks for clarifying--I think we were all a little confused by your first post.

I tip the housekeeper not because I'm afraid that she'll clean her toenails with my toothbrush, but because I think it's a hard, underpaid, thankless job. When possible I like to hand it to her directly, most try to refuse at first, but the smile on their faces when you give it to them is priceless.

I know that many housekeepers are immigrants who are sending money home to support families in very poor countries, and hopefully I'll make the difference so a child will have milk or meat on the table at dinner time.

Anne

 

[diathoney]

I tip for service rendered. If the person who brings my bags to the room, unloads them at the door and leaves - minimal tip. If they ask me where I want the bags, tell me about the services offered at the hotel, ask how we like the room, etc. - he/she will get a nice tip.

The same applies to housekeeping. If the room is straightened up, counters and sinks sparkly, floors clean and all done without me being in the room (unless I'm sick) - I leave a tip. If I return from the park at 4PM after being gone since 8AM and the room is not done or the bed is made and clean towels are left, but the rest of the room hasn't been noticeably touched - minimal tip.

I've cleaned houses and waited tables, I realize the effort required and the pay received. If the service is good, the tip is good.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can find this in any of the Directory of Services handouts that you're given when checking into a Walt Disney World resort. This particular paragraph is specifically from Caribbean Beach, May 2003.

"We are often asked about gratuities. At Walt Disney World Resort, it is customary to tip the following positions for exceptional service: bartender, bell services, cocktail server, food and beverage server and valet parker."

They don't list housekeepers as a customary tipped position, but a lot of guests like to tip them anyway.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by wendy sanford
Who do you tip? The one who take luggage from car to storage, the one who brings luggage to the room, the one who takes luggage from room to storage, the one who takes luggage from storage to car? Who do you tip, anyones imput would be great.

I tip $10 each time the guy that takes out and puts back my luggage into my vehicle. I pay the guy that takes my luggage to my room and back down to the lot $20 each time. I pay $5 a day tip for the maids. I spend alot of money on my 2-3 trips to WDW a year and I enjoy tipping. If you don't want to tip the luggage people then by all means carry your own bags. Me? I prefer them to handle everything including driving me to my room. I'm on vacation!

 

[FonFon]

We tip $1 a bag for the guy that loads up our luggage and takes it to our room. Every experience we've had - it's the same guy that loads it onto the cart and wheels it down to the room. (In fact, the last time, our guy saw us out of the sliding glass door, and opened it for us to get into the room that way.) We park the car ourselves - one will park while the other checks in. We usually carry our own bags out.

And we tip wait staff/bartenders. But I tip for service - I have been both, and know when someone is going the extra mile, and have no problem tipping them for the extra mile.

I have never even heard of tipping housekeeping in any hotel until I got onto these boards. I thought that the cleaning of our room was covered in the nightly rate of the room.

 

[tnkrbell]

We allways tip the bellhop 1.00 per bag. the maid 2.00 a day.
waitresses 20% (except at a buffet I do 15%)
I had no Idea I was suppose to tip the staff in concierge!!!! But thanks to these boards I know I am suppose to.

 

[Liz]

If you're worried about them doing something weird with your toothbrush, lock it in your suitcase before leaving the room each day!

We tipped mousekeeping when we stayed at the Dolphin and Dixie Landings. We started tipping the maid at ASM but quit after seeing the job was being done minimally well.