tips for guides

[jjharts]

Just wondering how everyone pays their guides' tips - do you give it in local currency or USD? If local currency - do you wait til you get there and hit an atm or do you order currency in advance?? Are envelopes provided? Trying to figure out the best way to plan for this

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by jjharts

Just wondering how everyone pays their guides' tips - do you give it in local currency or USD? If local currency - do you wait til you get there and hit an atm or do you order currency in advance?? Are envelopes provided? Trying to figure out the best way to plan for this

Personally, I plan on giving them local currency. Generally, one of the Guides is a local, and they have to have some way to deal with local currency. Although I imagine they have some way to convert US dollars, but they probably lose out on the exchange fees. I'd assume the non-local guide has something set up, also. I can't imagine them carrying around that much cash until they get home.

I don't want to take a chance of not making it to an ATM at the end of the trip, so I usually order extra currency for the tips, and just tuck it away safely with my passport. Envelopes are provided, but I've started bringing Thank You cards with me to put the money in.

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[jjharts]

Sounds like the way to go - thanks

[Gonecruisin]

Thank you cards! What a great idea!

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by Gonecruisin

Thank you cards! What a great idea!

(It wasn't actually my idea originally. I wish I could remember who first suggested it, but I agree, it's a great idea!)

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[sayhello]

Originally Posted by jjharts

Sounds like the way to go - thanks

You're welcome!

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[SingingMom]

We, however, tipped in US currency. One of our guides was from the US, but the other was from the UK. Hope it worked out for him!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

[margie100]

They provide envelopes stapled in the back of the welcome booklet they give you on the first day. I bring enough in US dollars for both, but if I still have local currency left at the end of the trip, I give that to the local Guide -- topping it up with US dollars. (I hold back just enough for what I might want to buy at the airport.) I always give the US-based Guide US dollars. I figure that minimizes what all three of us lose in exchange rate and fees.

[carpenta]

Just a thought. Besides the money we just returned from a cruise on the Dream and gave small bottles of pure Vermont Maple Syrup. Our waitstaff as well as our room steward, were really loving an extra gift from your hometown. Our waiter said he was bringing with him back to Serbia to enjoy with his family. Just another way to say Thanks.

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm not sure about ABD countries, but I do know that in some places, the people prefer American dollars over the local currency.

[silmarg]

Considering Italy ABD in 2014.

Is there a suggested tip?

Trying to wrap my head around the total cost of the trip.

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by silmarg

Considering Italy ABD in 2014.

Is there a suggested tip?

Trying to wrap my head around the total cost of the trip.

From ABD's website:

Adventures by Disney has taken care of certain tips and gratuities for all included meals and activities such as tips for porters, housekeepers, drivers, activity providers, local experts, and dining room staff for included meals.

Adventure Guide Gratuities: Gratuities for your Adventures Guides are not included. If you feel that your Adventure Guides have provided excellent service, we suggest the following discretionary gratuity: Per Guest/Per Adventure Guide/Per Day - $6-$9 USD.

For example:
" For a 9-day adventure, the Adventure Guide gratuity per guest, per Adventure Guide: $54-$81 USD.
" For a family of 4 for a 9-day adventure: $216-$324 USD per Adventure Guide. For 2 Guides, this is a total of: $432-$648 USD.
Adventure Guides accept local currency, U.S. dollars, and travelers checks.

I have always tipped the Adventure Guides more than the "suggested" amount. They are just that fantastic!

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[DisneyKevin]

I would suggest finding out where your guides are headed after your Adventure and tip accordingly.

Giving a guide headed back to London after a Knights and Lights Adventure a gratuity adds an additional burden to exchange currency.

And the Thank You cards were my idea. Trying to find them at Downtown Disney after a Backstage Magic Adventure was nearly impossible.

[SingingMom]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

I would suggest finding out where your guides are headed after your Adventure and tip accordingly.

Giving a guide headed back to London after a Knights and Lights Adventure a gratuity adds an additional burden to exchange currency.

And the Thank You cards were my idea. Trying to find them at Downtown Disney after a Backstage Magic Adventure was nearly impossible.

Thank you cards are a nice idea. I used the hotel stationary & wrote notes.

I would never ask, as it is certainly a personal opinion, but I always wondered what "extra tipping" means to people. ;-). We gave extra because we felt our guides went above & beyond, but once we got home, wondered "was it an adequate increase? Should it have been even more?"

We adored our guides. Two very special men who facilitated a trip to never forget!

PS: did anyone tip blue badge guides? I understood ABD took care of that.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

[DisneyKevin]

Originally Posted by SingingMom

Thank you cards are a nice idea. I used the hotel stationary & wrote notes.

I would never ask, as it is certainly a personal opinion, but I always wondered what "extra tipping" means to people. ;-). We gave extra because we felt our guides went above & beyond, but once we got home, wondered "was it an adequate increase? Should it have been even more?"

We adored our guides. Two very special men who facilitated a trip to never forget!

PS: did anyone tip blue badge guides? I understood ABD took care of that.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

In the past, we have tipped above the suggested amount based on what we asked the guides to do above and beyond the regular tour guide duties.

We took into account special request we've made, restaurant reservations made, helping adjust a schedule because of something we couldn't or didnt want to do.....things like that.

We have tipped the Blue Badge guides as well. They are SPECTACULAR, especially Stephen in London. We dont tip them nearly as much as the Guides, but we did add something, just as a way to show our appreciation.

For those who havent "Adventured" yet, please keep in mind that ABD says tipping the "step on" guides is not necessary. This is something we chose to do.

We also tipped a bus driver that drove us to Tuscany on the Viva Italia Adventure. Anyone that can make that harrowing drive up to the villa deserves a reward of some kind.

Tipping is a very personal thing. I always feel that if someone has gone beyond their job description for my benefit...well, that deserves a tip.