One of the most frequent questions we receive here at Modern Life is Good is, “Who should you tip at Walt Disney World?” Tipping can cause guests large amounts of confusion, especially if they are visiting from countries where tipping isn’t customary. However, tipping is expected at Walt Disney World in several situations and should be included in your vacation budget.
Whether tipping should be compulsory causes great debate in many online forums. Whatever your beliefs on this matter are, and it does tend to depend on where you come from, it does not really matter as tipping is custom and practice in Florida. Florida laws for tipped employees are complex, and it would be worth reading this post before deciding not to tip.
Who should you not tip at Walt Disney World?
It is probably simpler to start by stating who you do not need to tip at Walt Disney World. Tipping is not expected & will usually be refused by:
- Counter service restaurants, although counter service restaurants who then waiter serve your meal is a grey area.
- Park ride attendants
- Disney on-site transportation
- Hotel reception staff & concierge
Who should you tip at Walt Disney World?
The list of who you should tip at Walt Disney World is larger than those you shouldn’t tip. However it worth remembering the majority of your interactions will likely be with cast members in the previous list.
Tipping is expected:-
- Housekeepers or in Disney Speak Mousekeepers. $1-2 a day a person is the usual rate and should be left daily, rather than the end of your stay, as your room attendant will change.
- Bar staff should be tipped $2-3 a drink or 18% of the total bill.
- Anyone who touches your luggage, including the Magic Express, $1-2 a bag.
- 18-20% of the total bill at Table Service Restaurants. There are a few locations where service is included and these are indicated in advance.
- Salon & Spas 10-15% of the total bill.
- Valet parking $2-5
- Personal services eg, cruise captain, golf caddies, waterski instructors, etc. 15%
It is worth noting that if you are on free dining at Walt Disney World or have purchased the Disney Dining Plan, tipping is still expected. You will be presented with a bill of what your meal would have cost, with suggested tipping amounts, if paid for out of pocket.
Finally, if you are dining at a table service restaurant, groups of 6 or more have an 18% tip automatically added to the bill.
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Do you have a question about Walt Disney World? We have batched together a selection of useful information about Walt Disney World, which you will not find elsewhere on Modern Life is Good. Our Walt Disney World Useful Information will answer many of your queries.
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