Please TIP, for goodness sake.

[neurosx1983]

...is this a real post? The bus service is designed so you don’t go off their property and spend money elsewhere hence being trapped on Disney property. Their not shuttling you out of the goodness of their heart...see Minnie Vans for details on that.

Exactly. Nothing is free. Your vacation price INCLUDES all of that stuff and, yes, its a way to keep you on property. It's not a charitable service.

 

[Punkrockbebop]

why would you confuse Disney charging the crazy rates they charge with giving a worker a couple of bucks to show appreciation? The worker didn’t make the rates, he or she just works there. So much angst for a couple of dollars for a tip there and back, by someone who handles your bags.

it really is your choice whether you pay the crazy rates to stay in a Disney resort. There are many other options of places to stay nearby.

 

[L&Lfan]

I guess it’s better than nothing but I’m sure cash is preferred. Going to the trouble of buying a bunch of gift cards doesn’t strike me as the best strategy. Just bring $5 bills.

That’s how I feel, but the OP doesn’t physically touch cash .

 

[Punkrockbebop]

I believe there are some here that seem to be deliberately misunderstanding in order to obfuscate, so I’ll just let the rest of the discussion take its course. It’s pretty obvious I’m not just talking about someone just driving you on a bus but someone who is also handling your bags, as well as others who provide a service at a pretty lousy paying job. And it’s also pretty obvious I never said Disney was running a charity with MDE, but because they provide that service, it saves you $60-100 or so for the cab fare Round Trip, so a few bucks tip shouldn’t be a hardship In that case. It’s not hard to understand what I said, and it seems you are deliberately trying to twist things and search for a fight. We don’t agree, that’s ok. I’m fine with that.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I believe there are some here that seem to be deliberately misunderstanding in order to obscufate, so I’ll just let the rest of the discussion take its course. It’s pretty obvious I’m not just talking about someone just driving you on a bus but someone who is also handling your bags, as well as others who provide a service at a pretty lousy paying job. And it’s also pretty obvious I never said Disney was running a charity with MDE, but because they provide that service, it saves you $60-100 or so for the cab fare Round Trip, so a few bucks tip shouldn’t be a hardship In that case. It’s not hard to understand what I said, and it seems you are deliberately trying to twist things and search for a fight. We don’t agree, that’s ok. I’m fine with that.

Come on now. You knew this would rile people up when you started the thread, did you not?

 

[Punkrockbebop]

Come on now. You knew this would rile people up when you started the thread, did you not?

For $1-2 tips?? No, I sure didn’t, I actually thought people would agree. I’m not a forum regular, I had no idea this was a controversial topic here.

 

[SaintsManiac]

For $1-2 tips?? No, I sure didn’t, I actually thought people would agree. I’m not a forum regular, I had no idea this was a controversial topic here.

Gotcha. Sensitive topic always.

 

[V.B.]

I think there's also a generational/culture shift element to it in two ways (and I say this as a younger-ish adult):
1) Unlike other services, like delivery or driving, which are commonplace and therefore people know you need to tip, baggage handling is not something that a person experiences/deals with on a regular basis anymore. Think about it - if you're checking into most hotels in the US that aren't part of the Disney experience, how often does someone help with bags? It's not something people are used to thinking about and remembering to tip for.
2) Also, I can't remember the last time I carried cash. A few weeks ago, when the topic came up among my friends at dinner, not one of us had a dollar (or twenty, or any denomination of paper money) in our wallets, pockets, or bags. When we take Lyft/Uber/a cab or get delivery or eat out, you can do the tip on card or by electronic means, so unlike my parents (who always have at least some cash in their wallets, usually making sure some of it is in small bills, particularly when they travel), it doesn't occur to a lot of people now to keep small cash on them in case you need to tip someone. Particularly on vacation, and especially to Disney where you plan on using either card or your magic band to pay for everything, it wouldn't be first on a lot of people's minds...until you get on the bus and realize it but can't exactly create an ATM out of thin air, or hold up the driver to ask them to wait while you go pull out money somewhere.

Yes, thank you. I was trying to think of a way to say what you just did, but you explained it better than I would have.

 

[Punkrockbebop]

Gotcha. Sensitive topic always.

I see that, now. Lol. I wasn’t even directing it to anyone in particular, just really amazed and surprised that people going to the RIVIERA weren’t tipping. Seems super strange to me, as the Riviera is the priciest resort, and I live in NYC where everyone tips. It’s a normal part of the culture, here.

 

[DLgal]

I see that, now. Lol. I wasn’t even directing it to anyone in particular, just really amazed and surprised that people going to the RIVIERA weren’t tipping. Seems super strange to me, as the Riviera is the priciest resort, and I live in NYC where everyone tips. It’s a normal part of the culture, here.

The Riviera is a mid level, moderate resort. It's nowhere near the priciest at WDW.

 

[dina444444]

The Riviera is a mid level, moderate resort. It's nowhere near the priciest at WDW.

It’s a deluxe dvc resort

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

@punkropbebop, ‘obscufate’.... I like this word. I am going to try and slip it into conversations today.

 

[Morrighan]

Are you talking about bags that are stored underneath the bus? You can't handle those bags yourself. First, you'd be touching other peoples stuff to get to yours, second I'm sure there are liability issues with you shoving yourself in the luggage compartment to get your bags!

You don't want them handling your luggage, don't bring the luggage to the shuttle - that's your choice. I don't think the bus would have room for everyone to bring on and handle their own luggage.

If you are talking about a backpack or small bag, I've never had problems holding them on my lap.

Wait....is this seriously a thing? You're not allowed to handle your own bags in the US?? Here in Norway everyone handles their own bag unless they for some reason or another need assistance. I'm ignoring the tipping aspect since I think any driver here would think you were rather strange for trying to tip them for handling your bag.

 

[40ariel]

For $1-2 tips?? No, I sure didn’t, I actually thought people would agree.

Last year I read the Touring Plans tipping at Walt Disney World page. It was very helpful for me. Since I stick to a budget it was helpful to be able to allow for tips within my budget.

 

[Punkrockbebop]

@punkropbebop, ‘obscufate’.... I like this word. I am going to try and slip it into conversations today.

Typo corrected lol thanks

 

[Punkrockbebop]

Wait....is this seriously a thing? You're not allowed to handle your own bags in the US?? Here in Norway everyone handles their own bag unless they for some reason or another need assistance. I'm ignoring the tipping aspect since I think any driver here would think you were rather strange for trying to tip them for handling your bag.

It’s nice that Norway pays a living wage. I have a friend who lives in Norway and I’ve been to visit a few times. A funny thing happened with the airport bus, actually! A bunch of students were dropped off at a base along the way, and when I got to my stop, my luggage was gone. Apparently they had taken the wrong bag. My friend and I took a cab along the route, and found it at their bus stop by the side of the road. A scary moment for me, but the funniest part was how anyone we spoke with said, it probably wasn’t stolen as there is no theft there.

 

[Farro]

Wait....is this seriously a thing? You're not allowed to handle your own bags in the US?? Here in Norway everyone handles their own bag unless they for some reason or another need assistance. I'm ignoring the tipping aspect since I think any driver here would think you were rather strange for trying to tip them for handling your bag.

Well I dont know if it's a thing here as the only time I've been on a bus with luggage is the Magical Express. I'm happy for them to do it as I dont want to be struggling around in the under bus luggage compartment.

 

[Beer Me]

Just a side note about carrying/not carrying cash. While maybe 99% of transactions can be electronic there are still some businesses that don’t except cards.

One of the best pizza places in my small town is cash only as is my dog groomer. They are small businesses and I suppose don’t want to pay merchant fees. But it’s not just small towns. I’ve been to a bar in San franciso and a restaurant in Brooklyn that were cash only.

Then there are personal transactions. Yeah, there’s Venmo or whatever but not everyone has an app or wants to use it to exchange a few bucks. One type of personal transaction where it’s really convenient to use cash is tipping.

Even if you never normally use cash you should be prepared when traveling. If you know you’ll be in situations where people are driving you and carrying bags, cleaning your room, parking your car etc make sure you have some cash! “I never carry cash” is a lousy excuse for stiffing people who are serving you.

 

[Farro]

Just a side note about carrying/not carrying cash. While maybe 99% of transactions can be electronic there are still some businesses that don’t except cards.

One of the best pizza places in my small town is cash only as is my dog groomer. They are small businesses and I suppose don’t want to pay merchant fees. But it’s not just small towns. I’ve been to a bar in San franciso and a restaurant in Brooklyn that were cash only.

Then there are personal transactions. Yeah, there’s Venmo or whatever but not everyone has an app or wants to use it to exchange a few bucks. One type of personal transaction where it’s really convenient to use cash is tipping.

Even if you never normally use cash you should be prepared when traveling. If you know you’ll be in situations where people are driving you and carrying bags, cleaning your room, parking your car etc make sure you have some cash! “I never carry cash” is a lousy excuse for stiffing people who are serving you.

Agree. Our greatest hot dog places here are usually cash only shacks!

And for vacations, one of the things on my to-do list is to get cash for tips!

 

[SeanWM48]

Coming from the U.K., we find your tipping system confusing and extreme. The percentages expected at restaurants especially a buffet is way higher than what we would tip at home. The one thing I will never get my head round is why tipping in restaurants is based on a percentage of the bill, is it more effort to carry the most expensive dish than the cheapest dish, or an alcoholic drink instead of a glass of water. Regardless of which country your tipping in why is it based on a percentage of the bill? Bags I get, you pay an amount per bag, makes perfect sense.
Most of us visiting from the U.K. stay for 14 days sometimes more, so all those small tips here and there really start to mount up. As DVC members I enjoy having a kitchen to prepare meals, less tips to pay. With the exchange rate at the moment I find a lot of Disney restaurants over priced as it is.

you're asking all the right questions.

Just because it’s a smart business idea does not make a free airport ride any less of a courtesy. It’s free and it’s saving you at least $60 to a little over $100 RT. So, what’s $1-2/bag to show some appreciation to an employee?

throwing a couple bucks to the guy handling the bags, i agree. but if you think that's actually a free ride i'm afraid i've got some bad news. there are no courtesies. the costs are wrapped up into the prices we pay.