Tipping at Walt Disney World might be complicated. Is gratuity included on the Disney Eating Plan? Do you tip your bus driver? Is it okay to provide cash to Forged Members who make a magical second? This submit solutions questions on when tipping is anticipated, acceptable, and the way a lot to price range for suggestions at eating places, resorts & past. (Up to date April 26, 2025.)
Gratuities have come up within the feedback with frequency, typically by worldwide guests for whom tipping tradition in america may be very, effectively, international. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a subject I’ve been significantly wanting to cowl, because it’s so controversial amongst People.
It’s additionally an unnecessarily convoluted matter, with an emphasis on unnecessarily. For starters, there are a few essential items of background data that can present helpful context in understanding gratuities at Walt Disney World.
First, Florida regulation permits sure positions to be categorized as tipped workers, which entitles the employer to a tip credit score of ~$3 per hour. Acknowledged in another way, tipped workers might be paid $3 per hour lower than regular minimal wage. Minimal wage in Florida is at present $13 an hour, and the required money wage for tipped workers is $9.98.
As of September 30, 2025, the minimal wage is $14 per hour, and the tip credit score is $3.02, leading to a tipped minimal wage of $10.98 per hour. For probably the most half, minimal wages for non-tipped workers should not related in Central Florida; the labor market is tight and only a few companies are capable of “get away” with paying the minimal.
Second, Forged Members in positions that aren’t categorized by Walt Disney World as tipped are required to refuse a tip 3 times earlier than accepting. Even in the event you do resolve to press forward on this uncomfortable alternate, bear in mind that any suggestions given after refusal are required to be turned in to managers, and should not acquired by the Forged Member. It’s very effectively attainable some simply pocket the cash (we hope so!), however you shouldn’t financial institution on that. (Notice that this was correct when this information was initially printed–I’m unsure what present coverage is as of 2025.)
If you happen to obtain exemplary service from a Forged Member ready that isn’t tipped, your only option is to go to Visitor Relations and ask to depart a Forged Praise. This isn’t only a solution to say thanks, however is a vital in receiving official (inner) recognition and might even be a consider promotions.
Fortunately, it’s additionally now attainable to do that digitally through the My Disney Expertise app. We cowl how one can depart Forged Compliments through the app and why it’s best to do it right here. Making some extent of doing this for under-appreciated roles like custodial, parking, and so forth., is a good observe. Reward is commonly heaped upon considerate princesses or superlative servers, however not a lot for roles that historically have much less visitor interplay.
As you’ll be able to in all probability surmise from the above, it’s awkward and unproductive to try tipping Forged Members who should not in tipped positions. Until they’re in some gray space or questions are anticipated, we gained’t cowl each place Forged Members can fill beneath. If they don’t seem to be listed, assume tipping shouldn’t be needed or acceptable.
Tipping Gray Areas
Since we initially printed this information to tipping at Walt Disney World, gratuities have ‘expanded’ even additional in america. A lot of this started a number of years in the past, however actually proliferated throughout COVID. That made sense on the time, as eating institutions of all varieties had been open for enterprise and frontliner staff within the service business had been going above and past. Most shoppers had been okay with tipping on takeout orders; many had been glad to take action and felt it 100% justified.
Quick-forward 5 years and the circumstances are completely different–and sentiment is shifting. It’s a subject I’m seeing come up time and again in mainstream media, with surveys reflecting evolving American attitudes and “tipping fatigue.” (See “One-Third Of People Assume Tipping Is Getting Out Of Management, Survey Finds” in Forbes, “Almost 9 in 10 People Are Fed Up With Tipping, In accordance To a New Survey” in Meals & Wine, in addition to “People Are Tipping Much less Than They Have in Years” and “Tipping Is In every single place and Shoppers Are Fed Up” within the Wall Road Journal.)
Solely factor is evident in relation to all the new locations providing the choice to tip: there’s no clear consensus amongst People. That is very true in counter service places the place you’re being handed an order. It’s the same story in just about each place that has touchscreen ordering with a tip possibility virtually as an afterthought. There is no such thing as a “rule of thumb” or normal American etiquette in relation to these venues. If you happen to’re a international customer (or perhaps a home one) confused by these conditions, welcome to the membership.
I can solely converse for myself, and I usually tip one thing in these eventualities–normally 5% or just a few {dollars}. To be completely trustworthy with you, I don’t accomplish that out of some moral obligation, however out of guilt–and since the scenario is awkward. In lots of of those circumstances, you’re anticipated to tip earlier than your meals or beverage has even been ready. I need my order being completed accurately and dealt with with care, so tipping a nominal quantity is actually a bribe to make sure that.
Like the vast majority of different People captured by latest survey information, I don’t actually look after these eventualities. I normally don’t return to companies the place there’s the choice to tip for cursory service like this. Talking of companies I don’t return to, the identical goes for any with a non-optional service cost that’s separate from the gratuity and never marketed up entrance. I’ll pay this plus a gratuity precisely as soon as. I gained’t make an enormous deal about it or ask to talk with a supervisor; I’ll merely vote with my ft/pockets and by no means return.
For my part, there’s zero distinction between this and a resort price, which I hate. If it’s a non-optional share price, it ought to merely be added to the menu costs. This isn’t completed, after all, to obfuscate costs and in order to not lose enterprise. With me, it has the other impact–I’d somewhat pay larger however clear costs, whereas a enterprise that tries sleight of hand to trick me into paying extra. To every their very own on that.
Fortuitously, you gained’t run into a lot of this at Walt Disney World. Only a few counter service places even provide the choice to tip and, to one of the best of my data, these are all run by third events. Which means that you simply’ll be more likely to see this at Disney Springs or a handful of the motels than wherever within the parks & resorts which can be owned and operated by Walt Disney World.
Level being, in the event you’re visiting america, you’re prone to run into these conditions, particularly past the Disney bubble. Though some advocates or critics might declare there are clear-cut guidelines about these eventualities, that’s false. People are very a lot divided on the proliferation of tipping. You possibly can learn the above-referenced articles or surveys for more information–we’re simply bringing this to your consideration so that you’re conscious that there are actually (many) conditions past the extra black-and-white ones beneath the place you is likely to be introduced with the choice to tip.
With that out of the way in which, listed below are the extra apparent eventualities for tipping at Walt Disney World…
Transportation
- Mears Join Driver – Sure, no matter whether or not they deal with your baggage. Base tip of $3-5 per occasion, plus $1-2 per bag. (Notice that Disney’s Magical Categorical drivers should not Forged Members. They’re Mears–similar because the taxis round property.)
- Lyft/Uber/Taxi – Sure. Of their idealistic nascent levels, ride-sharing apps sought to get rid of tipping. As extra has come to mild about their drivers being under-compensated, the answer has been making them dependent upon suggestions, somewhat than paying them extra and growing base fares. We advocate tipping between 15% of the fare (longer rides) and 20% of the fare (shorter experience). Our rationale for this vary is the proportionate sunk-time of the shorter experience (significantly true for experience sharing).
- Minnie Vans – Sure. These are actually categorized as tipped positions by Disney, and these Forged Members can settle for money or in-app suggestions with out following the “refuse 3 times” rule. Identical tipping practices apply as for Lyft/Uber/Taxi.
- Valet – Sure. $2-5 to anybody who touches your automotive keys.
- Any Different Free Disney Transportation – No. Whether or not or not it’s monorail, boat, or bus drivers, the reply right here isn’t any. In contrast to Disney’s Magical Categorical drivers, these are all Disney Forged Members, and tipping isn’t any extra acceptable right here than it will be to the Forged Member who operates Tomorrowland Speedway.
Resorts
- Bell Providers – Sure, $2-3 per bag. As a common rule, it’s best to tip anybody who touches your baggage in your view. That is additionally a great reminder that it’s best to convey money in the event you usually wouldn’t carry it, since most luggage-centric tipping conditions might be cash-only.
- Concierge – No. Whereas they might cheerfully present nice service and help in serving to plan your day or make reservations for you, these should not tipped positions. (That is most positively not the customized at off-site motels, the place it’s best to tip the concierge.)
- Mousekeeping – It relies upon. That is in all probability probably the most controversial one on this listing. Whereas Mousekeeping shouldn’t be categorised as a tipped place, their workload and the private service-oriented nature of their place leads many visitors to depart them suggestions. At a minimal, we might advocate tipping in the event you depart a large number. On this case, $5 per day per room looks as if a good quantity. (Much more in case your child pees the mattress or different “labor intensive” accidents necessitate a deep clear.) If they’re simply altering the trash, making beds, and bringing contemporary towels, take into account tipping extra of a well mannered gesture. Put a ‘thanks’ submit it notice over the cash, or place it into an envelope addressed to Mousekeeping. Don’t need to trouble with a tip right here? Go away the “Room Occupied” enroll.
- Private Providers – Sure. This covers issues like spa providers, golf caddies, rental boat operators, carriage guides, fishing guides, and so forth. That is additionally the one space that additionally extends into the theme parks, with places like Concord Barber Store, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, all of which name for across the similar tip as you’d depart in a desk service restaurant.
- Tour Guides – No, if it’s an everyday behind-the-scenes tour, like Wild Africa Trek or Behind the Seeds. If it’s a personalised or non-public expertise, equivalent to a VIP Tour, you do tip. The steerage for that is in all places; some visitors select to tip a share of the general value of the tour (5% to twenty% is the everyday vary), an quantity per individual on the tour ($50 to $100 per individual, on common), the price of one hour of the tour because the tip, or just a flat quantity.
Eating
- Desk Service Servers – Clearly. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re on the Disney Eating Plan or paying out of pocket, you must add a tip. (Gratuity was once included on the Disney Eating Plan, however had been eradicated over a decade in the past.) Customized in U.S. cities is 18-22%. This would possibly shock these of you from smaller cities who’re used to fifteen%, which can very effectively be the norm there, however in Orlando, it’s 18-22%. Be conscious that in some instances, an 18% gratuity is routinely added to your invoice–evaluate that to make sure you don’t double-tip.
- Buffet Servers – Sure. There’s some sentiment you can tip buffet servers lower than conventional desk service servers, which is probably going predicated upon you doing a part of the “work” by getting your individual meals. Simply take into accout these servers usually convey you drinks and clear extra plates than a standard server would. Our rule right here isn’t any completely different than desk service.
- Bars & Lounges – Sure. Both $2-3 per drink in money to the bartender or, extra probably, the usual 18-22% on a tab.
- Quick Informal Servers – I believe so? Few issues are extra uncomfortable for me than venturing into a brand new fast-casual (learn: fancy counter service) restaurant, ordering and paying, after which having an iPad flipped over to me to enter a tip. It’s all the time unclear whether or not it is a default characteristic of their software program, or in the event that they do present some kind of ‘additional service’ that may trigger their workers to be categorized as tipped. Normally, I’ll err on the facet of warning and tip 10-12%, however this varies by location and isn’t a tough and quick rule.
- Counter Service Forged Members – No. There’s not even an possibility to depart gratuity on the register or on receipts.
- Outside Merchandising Carts – No. Despite the fact that this, in some instances, is mainly only a cellular bartender, you don’t tip right here.
All advised, there are plenty of conditions that necessitate tipping at Walt Disney World. How typically and the way a lot you must tip is dependent upon a number of variables, together with how many individuals deal with your baggage, how typically you utilize paid transportation, private providers, and so forth.
In relation to how a lot it’s best to price range for suggestions at Walt Disney World, it’s actually inconceivable for us to say. It may very well be as little as $40 in the event you don’t do any desk service meals, or within the a whole lot of {dollars} in the event you do plenty of sit-down eating. What we’ll say is that we’d advocate bringing not less than $10-15 in money for each evening of your journey (so round $70-100 for a weeklong journey, give or take) in a wide range of denominations.
We are saying this as individuals who not often carry money at house, and have been within the awkward place of scrambling to attempt to discover cash for suggestions whereas at Walt Disney World. It’s higher to err on the facet of warning and have an excessive amount of money than not sufficient. After working out of money on a few journeys and having to trouble with that, we now all the time convey greater than the utmost (there have been too many occasions when doing break up stays or no matter after we’ve made extra journeys to Bell Providers than deliberate for baggage storage, transfers, and so forth).
Lastly, no matter your private emotions on tipping, don’t take that out on service business staff in tipped positions. It’s a delusion that gratuity is a reward or incentive for distinctive service. Below Florida regulation, workers in tipped positions have a decrease minimal wage, which means that their suggestions are actually an assumption constructed into their wage. It’s merely a burden that has been shifted from their employer on to the buyer for some purpose.
You might disagree with this method, significantly in the event you’re a world customer used to workers being paid a residing wage and never coping with these shenanigans (or in the event you’ve learn up on systemic discrimination bolstered by tipping tradition). That’s effective, however you can’t “choose out” of tipping simply since you disagree with it as a matter of coverage. You aren’t going to impact social change by stiffing a server who has zero hand in writing Florida legal guidelines or in dictating societal norms and mores in america. The one factor you’ll be able to choose out of is eventualities the place tipping is anticipated–so don’t do desk service eating in the event you’re morally opposed (or no matter) to tipping.
Sadly, since these are principally unwritten guidelines and norms, there may be plenty of room for interpretation; tipping practices do evolve, and likewise differ by area and even metropolis inside america. That is partially on account of variations in employment regulation, requirements of residing, and native customized. All of this makes tipping a very tough matter to deal with, and by no means ought to our recommendation right here be seen as definitive. The above is our understanding of tipping at Walt Disney World and our private practices, however your mileage might differ.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about motels on our Walt Disney World Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you must know!
Your Ideas
Do you agree or disagree with any of our strategies on tipping? Any supplemental data so as to add, or issues we missed? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
