Funny I was looking thru my receipts from our last trip and noticed I tipped 36$ at boma on our 124.00 bill. It was our first night and I had way to much Pixie dust in my eyes because are Server was marginal at best. This is saying a lot considering its a buffet. I work hard for my income and don't get bonuses or tips for doing my best...I agree I am done feeling I have to tip 15-20 % for marginal service.
Tipping our vacation away!
- Thread starter highflyer747b
- Start date
Jen D
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2001
I have also gone to hotels (not Disney) where I have tipped daily, and the service got worse every day. This has happened twice now. It is utterly baffling. Maybe if the getting the tip in advance gives a false sense that the guest is satisfied?
Not going to be a sucker next time. If the service declines, the tip goes.
Not going to be a sucker next time. If the service declines, the tip goes.
ducklite
<font color=teal>Take the Poly, it's fabulous!<br>
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
Let's first discuss the limo driver from the airport. You're saying that because you tip the bellhop, you shouldn't tip the limo driver?
Conversely if you tip the limo driver then in your perspective, you shouldn't tip the bellhop?
Don't they both perform a service? Why would you tip one and not the other? And which would you choose to stiff?
As far as the prices being high, no, they aren't at all. I would pay the same amount for a comparable meal here in NJ. Even if you think they are high, why would you hold that against the server, as if the server is the one who set the prices?
Some tip housekeeping, others don't. I do. I figure that they are not well paid to begin with, and they keep the room spotless. If they aren't making a living wage, they will find other work. And then they will be replaced with possibly people with lower standards who will not care to do the job as well. (I hope that makes sense.)
I also look at it in another way, I'm so very fortunate to be able to go to WDW. I think of the children of many of the workers who perhaps have unfulfilled needs while I am able to fulfill my "want". Am I really going to miss a few dollars a day? Not likely.
If you really don't want to tip, you can always take Mears to and from the airport, cart your own luggage to your room, and eat at counter service restaurants.
I prefer to feel pampered, and feel that tipping is part of the price.
As my DH says, "we're dropping thousands of dollars on a vacation, let's not nickle and dime ourselves to death."
Anne
Conversely if you tip the limo driver then in your perspective, you shouldn't tip the bellhop?
Don't they both perform a service? Why would you tip one and not the other? And which would you choose to stiff?
As far as the prices being high, no, they aren't at all. I would pay the same amount for a comparable meal here in NJ. Even if you think they are high, why would you hold that against the server, as if the server is the one who set the prices?
Some tip housekeeping, others don't. I do. I figure that they are not well paid to begin with, and they keep the room spotless. If they aren't making a living wage, they will find other work. And then they will be replaced with possibly people with lower standards who will not care to do the job as well. (I hope that makes sense.)
I also look at it in another way, I'm so very fortunate to be able to go to WDW. I think of the children of many of the workers who perhaps have unfulfilled needs while I am able to fulfill my "want". Am I really going to miss a few dollars a day? Not likely.
If you really don't want to tip, you can always take Mears to and from the airport, cart your own luggage to your room, and eat at counter service restaurants.
I prefer to feel pampered, and feel that tipping is part of the price.
As my DH says, "we're dropping thousands of dollars on a vacation, let's not nickle and dime ourselves to death."
Anne
highflyer747b
Disneyholics
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2001
Obviously this is a very emotive subject 
which it seems has resulted in what I feel are some quite condescending comments. If you read my post, the question was NOT whether to tip or not to tip, but where we should draw the line - we are all entitled to our opinions and should be able to express our comments without having cheap digs made at us. Believe it or not, I am a generous tipper when it is warranted.
Just to clear things up, I do tip the driver and the bellhop seperately, however I will only tip the hotel bellhop(s) once on arrival and departure as I am sure they pool their tips.
When I stay at any hotel, the least I expect is a clean room. I don't understand how a distinction can be made between a "clean room" and a "very clean room", but the cleanliness of a room is not something that should be dependant on a tip. However, I have tipped housekeeping when they have gone the extra mile (ie towel animals, anticipating needs like when one housekeeper noticed we had some wine with us and left some wine glasses the next day, etc).
When I'm on vacation I shouldn't have to think about what people are paid and whether or not my tip will supplement their income sufficiently. It's all about service - I expect excellent service and will always reward excellent service.
which it seems has resulted in what I feel are some quite condescending comments. If you read my post, the question was NOT whether to tip or not to tip, but where we should draw the line - we are all entitled to our opinions and should be able to express our comments without having cheap digs made at us. Believe it or not, I am a generous tipper when it is warranted.Just to clear things up, I do tip the driver and the bellhop seperately, however I will only tip the hotel bellhop(s) once on arrival and departure as I am sure they pool their tips.
When I stay at any hotel, the least I expect is a clean room. I don't understand how a distinction can be made between a "clean room" and a "very clean room", but the cleanliness of a room is not something that should be dependant on a tip. However, I have tipped housekeeping when they have gone the extra mile (ie towel animals, anticipating needs like when one housekeeper noticed we had some wine with us and left some wine glasses the next day, etc).
When I'm on vacation I shouldn't have to think about what people are paid and whether or not my tip will supplement their income sufficiently. It's all about service - I expect excellent service and will always reward excellent service.
Carrieberry
<font color=9999CC>Has to post on the right thread
- Joined
- Nov 30, 1999
I wholeheartedly agree with you.
E
eeyore0062
Guest
I tip servers 15%- 20%, even at the buffets. If I can't afford a tip, then I eat at counter service.
I tip a dollar a bag to the valet and the bellhop. If I can't afford that, then I tote my own bags.
I tip the valet $2 for parking or retrieving my car. If I can't afford it, then I park and retrieve my own car.
I tip Mousekeeping $2 per person per night, every morning. This is not optional, if I can't afford to tip those poor people who have to clean up after me, I won't go on vacation, or I will stay in a rental home, and clean after myself.
I tip the bartender $1 per drink. If I can't afford the tip, then I don't order.
We always budget tips into the vacation. These people work hard to make sure that we have a terrific and magical time... showing my appreciation through tips is little to ask.
I tip a dollar a bag to the valet and the bellhop. If I can't afford that, then I tote my own bags.
I tip the valet $2 for parking or retrieving my car. If I can't afford it, then I park and retrieve my own car.
I tip Mousekeeping $2 per person per night, every morning. This is not optional, if I can't afford to tip those poor people who have to clean up after me, I won't go on vacation, or I will stay in a rental home, and clean after myself.
I tip the bartender $1 per drink. If I can't afford the tip, then I don't order.
We always budget tips into the vacation. These people work hard to make sure that we have a terrific and magical time... showing my appreciation through tips is little to ask.
We tip at least $1 per bag to anyone who touches our bags and usually round up.
We tip 20% to the waitstaff for meals.
We tip $5 per day for mousekeeping for the 4 of us. Remember with mousekeeping that it will probably not be the same person cleaning your room as it was the day before so it doesn't make any sense to tip the next day if your room was clean on the previous day. I know some people don't like to tip if they don't know if they haven't gotten good service, but I would rather leave the tip ahead of time then give the tip to the wrong person.
We tip 20% to the waitstaff for meals.
We tip $5 per day for mousekeeping for the 4 of us. Remember with mousekeeping that it will probably not be the same person cleaning your room as it was the day before so it doesn't make any sense to tip the next day if your room was clean on the previous day. I know some people don't like to tip if they don't know if they haven't gotten good service, but I would rather leave the tip ahead of time then give the tip to the wrong person.
I never thought much about tipping until our oldest daughter spent some time at a service job. Her pay was low, and tips helped her make ends meet. I also just finished reading the book, "Nickel and Dimed in America," about a journalist who went "undercover" in a variety of low paying jobs in the United States. Waitressing and housekeeping were two of her jobs. What an eye-opener. Naturally, I don't tip for a poorly done job, but I (and this is just me, I'm not casting stones) feel guilty for not tipping on vacation. I feel that I'm "paying it forward" with an act of kindness.
Kathy
Kathy
highflyer747b
Disneyholics
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2001
Anne,
I am making this assumption based on the fact that I have worked for many years in the hotel industry, from bell hop to managerial level. This may or may not be the case at WDW but generally it is. My, what a wonderful working atmosphere there would be if everyone were chasing after their own tips.
I am making this assumption based on the fact that I have worked for many years in the hotel industry, from bell hop to managerial level. This may or may not be the case at WDW but generally it is. My, what a wonderful working atmosphere there would be if everyone were chasing after their own tips.
donnamerry
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2001
this is the one part when transferring luggage from one resort to next is that there is alot of tipping involved. After calling bell services from your room for pickup you have him to tip. Then you get to your next resort (granted sometimes if your room is ready your luggage may be IN the room already) but if not you check in to your room and luggage is brought up - you are then tipping this guy. Then when you checkout your luggage is picked up from your room taken to the 'holding station' til you leave. WEll you tip this guy. When your ride arrives it is brought out by someone else and you are tipping this guy! Then you get to airport and tip the skycaps there! LOL!
Anyway, lots of baggage tipping! (moving to another resort or not!)
Anyway, lots of baggage tipping! (moving to another resort or not!)
DancingBear
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2001
My two cents regarding some of the issues discussed here:
I would only tip the bellhop who brought the bags to my room, not to the one who just (with my assistance) loaded up the cart at my car and rolled it into the lobby while I checked in. At some hotels that will be the same individual, which requires that guy to wait at a respectable distance until check-in is completed. As this requires more bellmen, at many hotels the person bringing your bags to your room is a different person. I hope that the tips are pooled in this instance, but I don't feel obligated to tip that first guy.
A good bellman will bring in your stuff and get it situated in the room. As we drive to WDW and always have a cooler and lots of other stuff, I tip well for this service if well-performed, between $2 and $3 per "bag".
For wait staff, I use 15% as the standard for good service, and go up or down as I deem appropriate.
I tip about $1 per person per day for housekeeping, but I don't know a good way to deal with the fact that different people may clean your rooms during a stay.
I would only tip the bellhop who brought the bags to my room, not to the one who just (with my assistance) loaded up the cart at my car and rolled it into the lobby while I checked in. At some hotels that will be the same individual, which requires that guy to wait at a respectable distance until check-in is completed. As this requires more bellmen, at many hotels the person bringing your bags to your room is a different person. I hope that the tips are pooled in this instance, but I don't feel obligated to tip that first guy.
A good bellman will bring in your stuff and get it situated in the room. As we drive to WDW and always have a cooler and lots of other stuff, I tip well for this service if well-performed, between $2 and $3 per "bag".
For wait staff, I use 15% as the standard for good service, and go up or down as I deem appropriate.
I tip about $1 per person per day for housekeeping, but I don't know a good way to deal with the fact that different people may clean your rooms during a stay.
My husband was a restaurant server for several years while in college. (Applebee's and Cracker Barrell) I thought of something he always says from a "server" point of view. If you receive very good service the server should receive 20%. Servers only make around $2.00 - $2.50 an hour. They DO NOT make minimum wage at most restaurants. However - if you should receive very poor service my husband refuses to leave any money at all. He says that if you leave less that 15% - the bad server will assume YOU ARE JUST CHEAP . But if you leave nothing - no money - he/she may realize they are responsible for performing a poor job.
I thought this was an interesting way to approach bad service.
I thought this was an interesting way to approach bad service.
MaryAnn--if you leave no money the server may just assume YOU'RE VERY CHEAP OR IGNORANT. If the service is so bad that I tip less than 15% I try to let a manager know as I am leaving. The only time I remember having to do this I was told they were short staffed and the waiter was working a double station. Not my problem, the manager should have chipped in.
Here's my argument for tipping the baggage handler (the one that greets you at your car as you're checking in, then tags and takes your luggage inside) and the valet clerk (the one that takes your car as you arrive at the hotel). I usually ask if they pool tips with the bellman or valet (as the case might be), if no. Then they should be tipped.
In both these cases you are tipping for good service and in both cases very important services.
For your luggage you want each bag (heavy box, cooler, etc) to be tagged appropriately and stored properly inside the hotel until you can get to your room. The baggage handler is the one who will do this. If the baggage handler has done this, then the bellman's job will be a snap and you're really only tipping the bellman for his quickness at getting the bags to you and any details about the hotel you might ask them. Remember the baggage handler works outside in the heat and cold too. The bellman enjoys an airconditioned life. A $1 per bag tip to the baggage handler is appropriate when tips aren't pooled with the bellmen.
A similar situation exists with the valet clerk. They're responsible for correctly marking your car tag with your name and car license. This insures for a swift return of your car to you when you want to pick it up. So here you're tipping if they provide quick service and accurately write your information down. Ask to see the tag to make sure then tip them $2 for thanks. Here in Vegas, if you plan to return shortly to your car and want your car left "up front" a tip of $10-20 will insure that service. Also if valet is 'closed' or 'for hotel guests only' a $5-20 tip will usually get you in.
Now, I must disclose that I am currently working as a Baggage Handler at a major casino/hotel (1600 rooms) in Vegas where we don't pool tips with the bellman. Bellman make anywhere from $75-$200 a day in tips. We make between $30-$100 (on a very good day). I'd say about 2 out of 5 guests tip on arrival.
In both these cases you are tipping for good service and in both cases very important services.
For your luggage you want each bag (heavy box, cooler, etc) to be tagged appropriately and stored properly inside the hotel until you can get to your room. The baggage handler is the one who will do this. If the baggage handler has done this, then the bellman's job will be a snap and you're really only tipping the bellman for his quickness at getting the bags to you and any details about the hotel you might ask them. Remember the baggage handler works outside in the heat and cold too. The bellman enjoys an airconditioned life. A $1 per bag tip to the baggage handler is appropriate when tips aren't pooled with the bellmen.
A similar situation exists with the valet clerk. They're responsible for correctly marking your car tag with your name and car license. This insures for a swift return of your car to you when you want to pick it up. So here you're tipping if they provide quick service and accurately write your information down. Ask to see the tag to make sure then tip them $2 for thanks. Here in Vegas, if you plan to return shortly to your car and want your car left "up front" a tip of $10-20 will insure that service. Also if valet is 'closed' or 'for hotel guests only' a $5-20 tip will usually get you in.
Now, I must disclose that I am currently working as a Baggage Handler at a major casino/hotel (1600 rooms) in Vegas where we don't pool tips with the bellman. Bellman make anywhere from $75-$200 a day in tips. We make between $30-$100 (on a very good day). I'd say about 2 out of 5 guests tip on arrival.
Hmmm. . .are we the only ones who get a luggage cart and haul our own luggage to our room? If we have a driver who helps load and unload the luggage, he gets a nice tip, but I would rather transport my own luggage to my room.
Peg
Peg
BedKnobbery2
<font color=blue>Saucy Pants!<br><font color=red>W
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2002
I guess I'm a little weird, but I love to tip. Having worked in the service industry, I know that an unexpected (or unexpectedly large) tip can really make someone's day.
One time, when I was staying at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC (it was a good rate LOL), I was in my room tending to paperwork when the housekeeper cleaned my room. This was day 3 of my visit, and I'd left a generous tip each day, for which she thanked me profusely. After having witnessed an obviously wealthy couple in the restaurant leaving a $3 tip for a $60 meal (and their service was fine, we were right next to each other and had the same server), I was curious, and asked if getting tips was the standard or the exception. I would have thought in a place like the Waldorf, where I would assume most people could afford to tip decently, it would be the norm. She said it was about 50/50, with the average being $2-3. She also said that it seemed that those people who were the most demanding were the ones least likely to tip.
I am surprised to read here that even with decent tipping, the service has gone down.....my experience has been the opposite, but then, I haven't stayed on property for a while...so I'm interested in seeing what happens on our forth-coming visit.
Regarding tipping amounts, I leave 20% as a standard for meals, and less if the service was truly mediocre and/or awful. For housekeeping, I must confess, it largely depends on my mood/what I have in my wallet. I usually leave a minimum of $5, but have left up to $20 (usually when I leave a note, asking for extra towels/glasses/etc).
One time, when I was staying at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC (it was a good rate LOL), I was in my room tending to paperwork when the housekeeper cleaned my room. This was day 3 of my visit, and I'd left a generous tip each day, for which she thanked me profusely. After having witnessed an obviously wealthy couple in the restaurant leaving a $3 tip for a $60 meal (and their service was fine, we were right next to each other and had the same server), I was curious, and asked if getting tips was the standard or the exception. I would have thought in a place like the Waldorf, where I would assume most people could afford to tip decently, it would be the norm. She said it was about 50/50, with the average being $2-3. She also said that it seemed that those people who were the most demanding were the ones least likely to tip.
I am surprised to read here that even with decent tipping, the service has gone down.....my experience has been the opposite, but then, I haven't stayed on property for a while...so I'm interested in seeing what happens on our forth-coming visit.
Regarding tipping amounts, I leave 20% as a standard for meals, and less if the service was truly mediocre and/or awful. For housekeeping, I must confess, it largely depends on my mood/what I have in my wallet. I usually leave a minimum of $5, but have left up to $20 (usually when I leave a note, asking for extra towels/glasses/etc).
tinagirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2001
I'm with you Peg. Since we each have one suitcase to us, we just pull them up ourselves (except at POR when we brought WAY too much luggage, and a kind GUEST offered to help...hehe)
Especially in a hotel with elevators like the deluxes, I just don't feel it is necessary.
~Tina
Especially in a hotel with elevators like the deluxes, I just don't feel it is necessary.
~Tina
Greg K.
Happy DVC Member, DIS Vet, and Catholic Deacon
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
...valet parking.
I give a buck every time they bring the car around. Which can get pricey if you're staying for several days or more.
Otherwise, I'll toss in a 20% tip for a good meal nicely served. And two dollars a day to housekeeping. A buck a bag for luggage delivery. And that's about it.
Most of those employed in the service industry could not afford a nice WDW vacation. I want to let them know how happy and grateful I am for being lucky enough to do it!
I give a buck every time they bring the car around. Which can get pricey if you're staying for several days or more.
Otherwise, I'll toss in a 20% tip for a good meal nicely served. And two dollars a day to housekeeping. A buck a bag for luggage delivery. And that's about it.
Most of those employed in the service industry could not afford a nice WDW vacation. I want to let them know how happy and grateful I am for being lucky enough to do it!
Indigo- just curious about the figures you gave- could you explain for all of us how much of that is actually your "bring home" amount versus how much is taken out for taxes, etc.. ex. if a bellman makes $200 on tips how much is for taxes and how much would be his. Thanks.
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