There are so many people on a Walt Disney World vacation that add to the magical feeling of your vacation that it’s easy to get confused on who to tip and how much is appropriate to thank them for helping you out so here’s a list of people to thank and general ranges for appropriate amounts to help answer your questions.
Transportation
Once you arrive in Orlando, if you are not renting a car, as many people don’t, you need to get to your resort and may have a rideshare driver, a shuttle service, or a private car driver. Rideshare apps will give you some options for tipping, usually 15-25%. Shuttle service drivers are usually tipped for handling your baggage – usually $1-3 per bag. Lastly, private drivers should be tipped between 15-25% of your ride fare of which some companies will charge an amount in advance. Bring along cash for both your shuttle and private car driver and use the app or cash for a rideshare driver.
If you decide to rent a car or bring your own car, Walt Disney World’s deluxe and deluxe villa resorts, Universal Orlando’s Preferred and Premier resorts as well as their main garage, Disneyland’s official resorts, and Universal Hollywood all offer valet parking. It is customary to tip your valet driver upon pickup of your car $2-5 cash.
Resort Tipping
Now that you’ve checked into your resort, let’s talk about the wonderful workers at your resort that add to your magical stay.
Since I intentionally try to time my flights to maximize my play time, I find myself using the resort’s bell services desk on most of my trips. They can store your bags at the resort when you check in if your room isn’t ready or keep your bags on your checkout day if you wish to play at the parks or go shopping before you leave. Tip $1-3 cash per bag both on drop off and pickup as most likely you will have different people doing each job.
One of my favorite parts about any trip is coming back to a resort room that has fresh towels, the bed nicely made, the room vacuumed, and everything tidied in the bathroom. Housekeeping, also known as “Mousekeeping” when on Disney property, is filled with hard working employees and they should be tipped $3-5 cash per day.
In the Parks
When you are in the parks there are quite a few opportunities to tip someone that helps you out.
Dining is the most common tip. If you are eating at a table of 6 of more, Disney and Universal table service restaurants will automatically add 18% to your bill. At other restaurants it is suggested to tip 15-20% of your bill and that can be added at the time of checking out on a card if you don’t have cash with you. Please note that if you have a Disney dining plan that includes table service, tips are not included and should be paid at the time of service. Disney’s pre-paid restaurants and dinner shows such as Cinderella’s Royal Table or Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue will have the gratuity already included. Not getting a full meal but grabbing a drink instead in one of the bars on property? Be sure to add $2-3 per drink for the bartender. Cash is appreciated.
Pampering and Recreation
Let’s next talk about those more personalized services that you can have in the theme parks. Whether it’s your little ones experiencing a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or a haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop, a cash tip of 15-20% is greatly appreciated by the fairy godmothers and barbers. But the little ones aren’t the only ones that can be treated on vacation. Senses Spa at Walt Disney World, Tenaya Spa at Disneyland, and Mandara Spa at Universal Orlando will automatically charge you 20% service charge in lieu of gratuity. Booking a specialty fireworks cruise for your trip? A cash tip of 15-25% to your captain is greatly appreciated. Lastly, VIP tours are the ultimate in splurging in the parks and your VIP guide should be tipped 15-20% or about 1 hour’s worth of your tour in cash.
There are so many others in the parks that will help make your day magical that won’t be able to accept any tips. For Walt Disney World and Disneyland, you’ll find the Cast Compliments option in the main menu on the app. Try to get their name and hometown, if possible, from their nametag so they can have the compliment put in their records – they will receive a certificate with your compliment! At Universal Orlando, it’s all about social media to give kudos to their team members. Again, try to get the team member’s name and hometown, if at all possible, and then add the hashtag #UOFistBump and tag @UniversalOrlandoResort to your social media post when mentioning the great service you and your family received. These little things will be greatly appreciated by the workers!
Lastly, don’t forget the simply phrase “Thank You”. While you are on vacation and away from your daily responsibilities, there are hundreds of employees working hard to make your trip one to remember. Take a moment to thank those around you and spread some of that joy back to those creating it for you.
