Hotels

[glendalais]

I have a question about tipping at a hotel. I have read that all hotel workers should always be tipped, but I have also read that Disney hotel employees (especially housekeeping) are unable to accept tips because their jobs are "non-tipping" positions. I'll admit that I haven't stayed in a lot of hotels as an adult, so I don't know the etiquette for tipping. Is it like the restaurant industry, where it's customary to tip a certain percentage and then add more if the service went above and beyond in the guest's eyes? I'd really like to avoid being seen as a stupid cheapskate guest on my upcoming trip to WDW.

Yes and No.

Mousekeeping and Bellhop are non-tipped roles at WDW (I don't know about the Hotels of the DLR, honestly). However, it is customary when staying a hotel (Disney or not) to tip the bellhop if he brings your bags to your room, and to leave a few dollars per day for Housekeeping. How their management reconciles these two factors of what the contract says and what etiquette says, I don't know, but I think more often than not (particularly for Mousekeeping, who can't go through the normal procedure of refusing three times since they're normally there when the Guests aren't), they let them keep it.

[EeyoresButterfly]

My top 10 (in no particular order). Some of these I genuinely feel bad for the guest, and some I hate saying because without a doubt I will be yelled at.

1.) Your absolute favorite ride which is the whole reason you came to Disney is down for maintenance and will be for the duration of your trip.

2.) Sorry, we just ran out of Fastpasses for this attraction.

3.) (Insert Character here) is going in for the day. Sorry you missed them. (this is especially true if it is a child's favorite character)

4.) I'm sorry you waited 90 minutes in that really long line, but the attraction is having technically difficulties and we have to ask you to leave just as you are getting ready to board.

5.) This attraction is wheelchair-friendly and you can take your wheelchair through the Standby Line.

6.) A responsible adult must ride with your child. I'm sorry your child waited 60 minutes for Dumbo only to not be able to ride it because you get motion sick, but I can't let them on by themselves.

7.) I'm sorry you waited, but (Insert character here) has to go in or cannot come out as planned. (Injury backstage, a person got pulled, or one case a kid with Chicken Pox hugged Minnie)

8.) You cannot stand in the planters during the parade. (Thank God they are gone!)

9.) I'm sorry you sat on the bridge an hour and a half early to see the parade, but no guests are allowed to sit on the bridge. (We do not tell them it is priority seating.)

10.) No I have not seen your child, and neither has security. Go to baby care by first aid and your child will be taken there by a CM when they are found.

[Zazu]

Zazu, just one clarification - CRO doesn't "screw up" when they overbook - they do it on purpose! Unfortunately, it's a part of how to run hotels these days. You count on no shows and overbook to fill rooms.

When CRO overbooks by 3 rooms in a 650-room hotel, that's deliberate overbooking. I can handle that.

When CRO overbooks by 47 rooms in a 650-room hotel, that's a screw-up!

[Zazu]

Oh good, I had heard it was a great cruise and the kids are not realy all over the place, but I was still a littl trepidatious, Thanks for the info. I think I want to go on a cruise with Disney sometime. :D:

Oh you do, you do! We've been on 12 cruises now, one being a 25-day Transatlantic+Mediterranean.

You'll see kids at meals, shows, and if you deliberately go near their pools or Deck 5. Otherwise they can actually be hard to find.

If you really want to enjoy the cruise, invite a cast member to sail with you and use their discount. (hint, hint--we need another excuse) :cruisshp:

[Theme Park Where]

When CRO overbooks by 3 rooms in a 650-room hotel, that's deliberate overbooking. I can handle that.

When CRO overbooks by 47 rooms in a 650-room hotel, that's a screw-up!

Agree with that definition of screw up! Even in a 2000 room hotel, 47 walks is a bit much!

[Shorty82]

If you really want to enjoy the cruise, invite a cast member to sail with you and use their discount. (hint, hint--we need another excuse) :cruisshp:

Pick me, pick me! I really want to go on a Disney Cruise one day.

[joanna71985]

I have personally dealt with # 3 and 7- not fun! :(

[Rob562]

We were recently upgraded to a *suite* at the DL Hotel. It consisted of two rooms and we did not need the second. It was not one of the cool Pirate or Mickey Mouse suites. Now THAT would be an upgrade! :D: It was nice for them to give us the two rooms, but I bet a family with kids would have appreciated the room more. It's too bad that they can't check all the details to move people, (I know, too time consuming) and move a family of four or five to the two rooms and put us in any single. We are not really fussy at the DL Hotel.

I came across this video a few weeks ago of a couple that was upgraded to an Executive Suite at Coronado Springs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tA7VHQyCh0

For being a Moderate resort, that is one VERY nice room... (with all the arches and walls, I think i cound the equivalent of FIVE standard-size rooms between the bedrooms and the common room...)

-Rob

[GaTechGal]

I acutally experienced Theme Park Where's #10. Back in 2003 (I think that's the correct year) we were checking in to the Wilderness Lodge (our dream hotel) on the day after they opened Mission Space. The whole resort was crawling with press types. This couple was checking out and giving the desk clerk hell. I just stood there calmly looking around (it's a georgous lobby). This nice guy helps me, taps on the computer for a bit, taps some more, and says, "I'll be right back". I look some more and try and ignore the nasty couple next to me still giving the clerk hell. I'm thrilled when I identify the theme from Silverado on the background music. The nice clerk comes back and says "Mrs. Allen, I'm really sorry but all the rooms with bunk beds are full. We'll be glad to upgrade you to a courtyard view room tonight and then move you tomorrow if you want." Without any hesitation (since I know that it's a nice upgrade) I say "OK." "Really, really??!!" he answers, then leans over the lovely granite counter and gives me a hug. This kids were disappointed for about 10 seconds until they saw the view off the balcony and the size of the bed (they were afraid they would butt head in their sleep). And as we left with the bellhop up to our room, the SG's next to me at the counter were still giving the desk clerk hell. Life's too short for that type of disturbance. Any day when I get a upgrade and a hug from a CM at Disney is red letter.

[joanna71985]

What is your Top Ten worst things to tell a guest, if you would like to share. I would be interested in hearing them. Inquiring minds, you know... ;)

Susi-Q

I probably won't have 10. But I will try.
1. "I'm sorry, ___is done for the day (insert character)". You would be surprised how many people wait til the last second to try to see a character

2. "Unfortunately, Pooh has fallen into his honey and won't be back til ___ (I have had this happen several times, where the character went in for a snack and something happened. So I got to go tell the line there would be at least a wait for the character to return).

3. "I know you HAVE to get somewhere in a hurry, but you may not run in front of a float. There are ropes here for a reason (I wouldn't say the second part, but seriously! Don't people realize that Little People + Big Float= BIG mess?)

4. "I'm sorry, you may not sit/stand on that railing to view the parade. It is not safe"

5. "I am terribly sorry, but we are all out of that item"

6. "I'm sorry, but Heelys are not allowed in the parks. I am going to have to ask you to stop (this one is hard, because just about everyone and their mother uses those things).

7. "Due to the weather, ___ won't be coming out. I'm sorry"

8. "I'm sorry, you can't stand here. This is an exit, and we need to keep it clear"

I will try to come up with 2 more.