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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
December 2002 - Issue 2.16
* Happy Holidays *
PassPorter.com -
http://www.passporter.com
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Welcome to PassPorter News, an online newsletter
about PassPorter travel guidebooks and the
Walt Disney World Resort!
PassPorter News is available by free subscription
to all readers and friends of our labor of love --
PassPorter Walt Disney World: The unique travel
guide, planner, organizer, journal, and keepsake!
Learn all about at:
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/about.htm
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In This Newsletter:
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* From the Authors: On The Road Again
* Feature: Tips on Trip Tipping (or Giving Gratuities at Disney)
* Feedback: Comments On Our Last Feature Article
* Updates: New Cinderella Character Breakfast
* Tips: Housekeeping, Preparing Tips, Souvenirs as Tips
* Q&A: What's So Special About Caribbean Beach?
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DID YOU KNOW? (A word from our sponsor -- us!)
The new PassPorters are coming in January!
Our updated edition of our beloved Walt Disney World guide is available in spiral, deluxe, and deluxe refill (looseleaf). The guide is completely updated and includes many new features, including actual room rates and park pass prices, more off-site hotel information, more Allie's KidTips, and more coupons! It's our best edition yet.
We also have a new baby coming in January/February -- PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and its Caribbean Ports of Call! This is an in-depth guide to the Disney cruise -- over 200 pages of info, advice, menus, photos, maps, diagrams, and worksheets. It comes in paperback, deluxe, and deluxe refill.
Learn more and pre-order your 2003 editions at:
WDW:
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/2003.htm
Cruise:
http://www.passporter.com/dcl/guidebook.htm
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FROM THE AUTHORS: On the Road Again
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Hi, friends!
Yes, we're going to Disney! We'll be down in the "World" from Thursday evening (tomorrow) to Sunday evening, as we are once again special guests at the RADP Holiday Meet. If you'll be in or near Walt DIsney World on Saturday, December 14, please come say hi at Epcot's International Gateway at 1:00 pm. You'll find more information on the RADP Meet at
http://www.wdwig.com/radp7.htm
Thank you all for your enthusiasm for our new guidebooks, especially our new Disney Cruise Line guide. We've been very pleasantly surprised at all the positive comments and pre-orders we've received to date! If you haven't yet heard about our new guidebook, please visit
http://www.passporter.com/dcl/guidebook.htm
We expect to send our next newsletter on Thursday, December 26! Have a
merry and safe holiday!
Thanks,
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Travel Press
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FEATURE: Tips on Trip Tipping (or "Giving Gratuities at Disney")
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by Jennifer Watson
Many Disney travelers feel unsure about how much to tip during their vacations. We find it helps to remember this adage: "only tip if you've been pleased with the service." Beyond that, there are no hard and fast rules -- only some general guidelines, which we outline below.
Tipping is a thank-you for good service. Tipping does not need to be mandatory if you did not receive good service. If service was unsatisfactory, ask to speak to the manager and relay the problem rather than simply not tip.
Here are some general guidelines for gratuities on your Disney vacation:
GETTING THERE:
- Skycap (airport baggage handler): $1/bag ($2 for particularly heavy bags)
- Airport Parking Shuttle: $1/person
- Town Car/Limo Driver: Tip about 20% total. If your trip consists of two legs, tip 10% on the way there and 10% on the way back. Keep in mind that you may not have the same driver on your drive back. If your driver carries your luggage from baggage claim, consider adding $1/bag for the extra service.
- Taxi: 15% of fare, (you may want to add more if s/he helps you with your bags)
- Shuttle Van/Bus: $2/person
LODGING:
- Valet Parking: $1-2 when your car is delivered
- Bell Services (hotel baggage handler): $1/bag ($2 for particularly heavy bags). If your luggage is going to be stored (either before or after check-in), consider tipping twice--once for the person who receives your bags, and again for the person who delivers them from storage.
- Housekeeping: $1/day/person (left in a marked envelope). For turndown service, or if you request an item be delivered to your room, such as a hairdryer or iron, tip $1/item. Tipping housekeeping is an age-old custom, but it is not expected at WDW. If you feel it's unnecessary, don't feel obligated.
- Room Service: 15% of food bill (unless a gratuity is automatically included)
- Concierge: $5-10/visit
DINING:
- Counter-Service Eatery and Food Courts: Nothing
- Buffet Eatery (not Food Courts): 10-15% of bill
- Full-Service Restaurant: 15-20% of bill
- Wine Steward: 15% of wine bill (if you used their services)
- Bartender/Lounge Server: 10-15% of bill (if you used their services)
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Spa Treatment: 15-20% for a full-service treatment, 10% for a self-service treatment (such as the Surial Ritual Chamber aboard the Disney Cruise Line)
- Main Street Barber Shop or other Beauty Treatment: 15% of bill
Note: Walt Disney had strong feelings about tipping that are still reflected in official policy at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Walt did not want guests "bribing" employees to receive preferential treatment, such as getting a table by tipping a dining room host/hostess, a better room by tipping a desk clerk, or bypassing a line by tipping a ride attendant. He wanted all guests to have the same high level of service, regardless of financial means. As a result, most Disney employees are expressly prohibited from accepting tips, and can be terminated for doing so. You can certainly express your appreciation by offering a gratuity, but expect that your offer will be very politely declined. Express your appreciation by sending a written commendation to WDW Guest Communications. These letters can do more for a cast member's career than any tip you may have given.
Guest Communications
Walt Disney World Co., Inc.
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040
E-Mail:
wdw.guest.communications@disney.com
CRUISING:
- Baggage Porters (at terminal): $1-2/bag
- Dining Room Server: $3.75/night
- Dining Room Assistant Server: $2.75/night
- Dining Room Head Server: $1/night
- Stateroom Host/Hostess: $3.60/night
(Note: Dining Room staff and your stateroom host/hostess are customarily tipped in a lump sum, at the end of the voyage. Disney Cruise Line provides tip envelopes for this purpose, and you can charge those gratuities to your room by visiting Guest Services on Deck 3.)
- Palo Server: The per-person charge ($5 for dinner) is intended to cover your meal gratuity, but a 15% tip for wine and beverage service, and an additional tip for exceptional service are very much in order.
- Room Service: $2/person
- Bartender/Lounge Server: Check your bill to see if a tip was automatically added to your bill. If not, $10-15% of bill
- Shore Excursion Tour Guide: $1-2/person
- Kids Counselors and Other Crew Members: Not necessary, but a thank-you for special service is always appreciated.
TIPPING NOTES:
- All the above suggested tip amounts are based on your bill before tax -- you do not need to include tax when you calculate your tip.
- Keep single dollar bills handy for tipping.
- In a restaurant keep in mind that you are tipping on service, not the quality of the food.
- If you're using a coupon or discount, your tip should be based on the full bill, not the discounted amount.
- Make sure to examine your bill carefully before determining your tip amount. For large groups or certain locations (such as the lounges on the Disney Cruise Line), a tip may automatically be included.
- Feel free to add a creative extra for special service, such as a pre-paid phone card or a token from your hometown or country.
A word about tipping housekeeping, or "mousekeeping" as we like to call it at Walt Disney World. You should leave your tip in your room on a daily basis, rather than leave one tip at the end of your stay -- different housekeepers may attend your room each day. Leave your tip in an envelope marked "For Housekeeping," or your tip may not be collected. If you'd like to make fun "mousekeeping" envelopes before you go, visit this site for artwork:
http://users.adelphia.net/~heidiw/maid_envelopes
>> To learn more, visit The Original Tipping Page at:
http://www.tipping.org
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FEEDBACK: Comments On Our Last Feature Article
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Reader Diane Bartscherer writes:
>>I enjoyed your tips for staying healthy while traveling, but you left out a very important piece..... handwashing! If you can't wash with soap and water use some antibacterial hand cleanser, and wash those hands often!!! I never go to WDW without some hand cleanser in my bag. Thanks, and I enjoy your newsletters and books!<<
You're absolutely right, Diane! Thanks for the tip!
If you can't wash your hands with soap and water as often as you like, pack a travel-size container of Purell to sanitize your hands wherever you may be. You can learn more about Purell at
http://www.purell.com/consumer.htm
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UPDATES: What's New and Changed at Walt Disney World
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Cinderella Comes to the Grand Floridian
Deb Wills' All Ears newsletter reports that 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort will debut a new lineup of characters for its long running character dinner experience. Starting on January 5, current headliners Pooh and Friends will be heading back to the Hundred Acre Wood, to be replaced by Cinderella's Gala Feast. Cinderella will (of course) always be on hand, and other characters present may include Prince Charming, the mice Suzy and Perla, the Fairy Godmother, villain Lady Tremaine, and her daughters Anastasia and Drizella. Typically, four or five characters will be present at any one dinner.
The food at the 1900 Park Fare dinner buffet will remain the same (this is one of our favorite dinner buffets at Walt Disney World). Dinner costs $23.99 for adults, $10.99 for children 3-11, and includes soft drink and dessert. Priority seating is available up to 120 days in advance through Disney Dining (407-939-3463).
As far as we know, this is the first character meal featuring Cinderella to take place outside the gates of Magic Kingdom. Considering her popularity, this may be just the spark Disney has needed for the 1900 Park Fare dinner. The lineup of characters has changed several times over the years. At one time, Mickey and Minnie were the hosts. Then Disney Villains invaded, and they in turn were booted out by Pooh and Friends.
>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com.
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DISNEY TIPS FROM FELLOW READERS
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Here are some tips on tipping at Disney:
REMEMBER HOUSEKEEPING
"When staying at a Disney hotel, don't forget about the housekeeping staff. We always leave a daily tip along with a note. Sometimes it's a simple thank-you note or other times we may ask for advice or extra towels, etc.(which we always receive)."
-- Contributed by Michelle C.
PREPARE TIPS BEFORE LEAVING
"Are you always fumbling around looking for those bills to leave a tip for that wonderfully helpful cast member, maid, or towncar driver? Well, don't! We make up Disney tip envelopes before we leave home with Disney themed clip art on them and fill them with the appropriate tip. On the envelopes for the maids, we note the day on them. Envelopes for the town car driver get a "thank you" for taking us to Disney and for returning us safely home. Just throw the ready-made tip envelopes in your purse or backpack (or PassPorter) and you always have the correct tip right at your fingertips!"
-- Contributed by Bobbi Jo G.
COLLECT SOUVENIRS FROM HOME
"Before we left for our vacation, we collected souvenirs from our area to give with tips on our vacation. I then put these items (such as key chains, post cards, etc.) in a note card with a little bit of history about the item. One item was a refrigerator magnet that had a recipe for Cincinnati Chili. I explained how we eat that chili (which by the way can be eaten 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way). This was something I could put together while flying to Florida."
-- Contributed by Betty Roberts
>Notes: Send us your tips! You may see them in this newsletter. Two lucky folks will win a copy of PassPorter each month, too! Visit:
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/contest.htm
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Q & A WITH JENNIFER & DAVE
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In this column we answer your frequently asked PassPorter and Disney questions.
Jaymie asked, "We have stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and loved it. Our next trip is not until 2004 but being the obsessive planner that I am...you know the routine. I just wondered what does everyone love about Caribbean Beach Resort? I keep hearing negative things about it, being large and so far to walk to the pool, bus stop, food court, etc. I have seen some pictures and it is cute but we go to the beach every year so I am wondering if we would really like it that much. Any input?"
Dave replied, "The one aspect of Caribbean Beach Resort that in my opinion makes it worthwhile is the size of the rooms, which are larger than Disney's other Moderate Resorts. After that, it's mostly a matter of personal taste--architecture, layout, recreation offerings, the kind of food offered at the restaurants, etc.
Plus one other factor. Let's call it "first love." When you've just had your best Disney vacation ever, whichever resort you were staying at is going to take a very special place in your heart. The resort certainly has to play a part in that satisfaction (the vacation wouldn't be so memorable if you had a mediocre resort experience), although the parks and unanticipated "magic" also play a big part. The fact that every Disney resort has a passionate group of fans shows just how well all of Disney's resorts do their job."
>Things to Do: Send us your questions about PassPorter or Walt Disney World and we'll do our best to answer them! E-mail:
questions@passporter.com
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