Hello Andy, and welcome back to planDisney. I'm happy to provide some information about gratuities that can help you continue planning the perfect Disneyland Resort vacation! To get started, keep in mind that tipping is not required, but customary in certain instances and very much appreciated. How much you give is up to you.
Inside the theme parks, it's common to tip at
table service restaurants where servers take your order and bring food to your table. Typically, your bill will include a suggested gratuity based on a percentage of the total cost of your food and drinks. It's common to leave between 15% and 20%. A tip is automatically added as part of the bill for large parties. Gratuities are also customary for VIP tours.
At the Disneyland Resort hotels, there are a few additional instances in which tipping is customary. You'll want to have extra cash on hand for many of these:
- If you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian Hotel and choose to park your car with the valet service, the driver typically receives a tip when they return the car. I generally give a $5 tip in this instance.
- If someone from Bell Services handles your luggage, they generally receive tips of $1 or $2 per bag. You can also choose to bring your own luggage to and from your room.
- It's common to leave a tip in the room each day for housekeeping services. Typically, I leave $5 on the desk or bedside table with a thank you note so they know it's a tip.
- Bartenders at pool bars, restaurant bars, and lounges also commonly receive tips. I typically leave an amount equal to 20% of the total bill.
- If you have a treatment at the Tenaya Stone Spa, a suggested gratuity is added to your bill (similar to the table service restaurants).
Andy, will you be using the Disneyland mobile app during your visit? If so, make sure to submit a compliment if a Cast Member goes above and beyond in making your visit special. Just tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom menu (≡) and scroll down to Cast Compliments under "Help & Feedback." You can show your thanks to someone who shared great recommendations, was very friendly, and more.
I hope this information has added a little pixie dust to your planning, Andy! I wish you and your family the most wonderful visit to the Disneyland Resort. If you have any other questions ahead of your trip,
you know where to find us!
Your pal,
Kriss