Grumpy
07-18-2009, 10:04 AM
http://www.examiner.com/x-1712-Walt-Disney-World-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Walt-Disney-World-101-How-much-should-I-tip-during-my-stay
Do you know when it is customary to tip during your Walt Disney World vacation? If so, do you tip enough? If you do not know when and how much to tip, you are not alone. Many guests visiting Walt Disney World do not realize when it is appropriate to tip and/or how much to leave.
Below are some general tipping guidelines I have collected over the years.
Housekeeping
Not many people realize that they can tip their housekeeping cast member. It is not required to do so, but it is a nice gesture to leave a little something at the during your stay.
Some Disney housekeepers do more than just pick up your room and bring you fresh towels. Many times when we return from the parks all of our souvenirs are lined up in the window waiting for us. Or we have some interesting towel art on one of the beds. The kids cannot wait to see what is in the room for them when they return from a long day at the park.
A decent enough tip is $2-5 per night you are staying at the resort. It is best to leave it in an envelope labeled “For our Housekeeping Cast Member,” in an obvious space. This way they know it is for them. I generally leave it every morning for them, because you are not guaranteed to have the same housekeeper your entire stay.
Bell Services
All of the Disney resorts offer bell services cast members who are available to take your luggage to your room. The tip amount is based on how many bags you have. It is generally $1-2 per bag and a little bit more if you packed an extremely heavy bag.
Dining
When enjoying a wonderful meal it is customary to tip 15-20 percent of the final bill. Disney has set a standard tip (an amount they automatically put on the bill for large parties) of 18 percent. You can always tip more if your server went above and beyond during your meal.
Guests using the Disney Dining Plan need to keep in mind that tips are not included in the plan. You can either leave cash for your tip or you can use your Key to the World room card.
If just enjoying a drink at the bar you can use the same rule of 15-20 percent of the final bill, but many guests tend to tip an average of $1-2 per drink, depending upon the service and types of drinks.
Other areas to consider tipping
Valet parking: $1-2 when you pick up your car.
Room service: 15 percent of the bill
Concierge: $5-10 per visit
Disney’s Magical Express: $1-2 per person
Buffet Eating: 10-15 percent of the bill
Spa Treatment: 15-20 for full service; 10 percent for self-service
Main Street Barber: 15 percent of bill
Keep in mind tipping is also based on how you feel you were served. If a particular cast member went above and beyond I tend to leave a little bit more.
For more information about Walt Disney World visit www.disneyworld.com or call 407.WDW.INFO. For more information about Disney Dining or to make advanced dining reservations call 407.WDW.DINE.
Do you know when it is customary to tip during your Walt Disney World vacation? If so, do you tip enough? If you do not know when and how much to tip, you are not alone. Many guests visiting Walt Disney World do not realize when it is appropriate to tip and/or how much to leave.
Below are some general tipping guidelines I have collected over the years.
Housekeeping
Not many people realize that they can tip their housekeeping cast member. It is not required to do so, but it is a nice gesture to leave a little something at the during your stay.
Some Disney housekeepers do more than just pick up your room and bring you fresh towels. Many times when we return from the parks all of our souvenirs are lined up in the window waiting for us. Or we have some interesting towel art on one of the beds. The kids cannot wait to see what is in the room for them when they return from a long day at the park.
A decent enough tip is $2-5 per night you are staying at the resort. It is best to leave it in an envelope labeled “For our Housekeeping Cast Member,” in an obvious space. This way they know it is for them. I generally leave it every morning for them, because you are not guaranteed to have the same housekeeper your entire stay.
Bell Services
All of the Disney resorts offer bell services cast members who are available to take your luggage to your room. The tip amount is based on how many bags you have. It is generally $1-2 per bag and a little bit more if you packed an extremely heavy bag.
Dining
When enjoying a wonderful meal it is customary to tip 15-20 percent of the final bill. Disney has set a standard tip (an amount they automatically put on the bill for large parties) of 18 percent. You can always tip more if your server went above and beyond during your meal.
Guests using the Disney Dining Plan need to keep in mind that tips are not included in the plan. You can either leave cash for your tip or you can use your Key to the World room card.
If just enjoying a drink at the bar you can use the same rule of 15-20 percent of the final bill, but many guests tend to tip an average of $1-2 per drink, depending upon the service and types of drinks.
Other areas to consider tipping
Valet parking: $1-2 when you pick up your car.
Room service: 15 percent of the bill
Concierge: $5-10 per visit
Disney’s Magical Express: $1-2 per person
Buffet Eating: 10-15 percent of the bill
Spa Treatment: 15-20 for full service; 10 percent for self-service
Main Street Barber: 15 percent of bill
Keep in mind tipping is also based on how you feel you were served. If a particular cast member went above and beyond I tend to leave a little bit more.
For more information about Walt Disney World visit www.disneyworld.com or call 407.WDW.INFO. For more information about Disney Dining or to make advanced dining reservations call 407.WDW.DINE.