4. Tip well!

Not all cast members are allowed to accept tips, but for those who can, it is a good practice to tip generously whenever possible. I would even take this into account in your trip budget if you can.

Cast members who can accept tips tend to fall into familiar categories. Wait staff at table service restaurants, Mousekeeping, luggage handlers, spa services, hairdressers, some recreation roles, club level concierge staff, and some childcare roles all benefit from tips. The amount to tip will vary depending on the role. Recommended amounts vary for resort staff, but for things with a solid price attached like table dining or the spa, 18-20% is the baseline to start at these days. If you can go beyond that, may your blessing come back to you for showing someone some extra love.

Other cast members throughout Walt Disney World aren’t necessarily allowed to accept tips, but generosity is a good practice overall when thanking those who can.

5. Thank-you notes

This is something I’ve seen a number of people engage in over the years, and I think it’s a great practice—particularly if you are modeling it for kids. Some guests make small thank you cards that they can easily hand off to cast members during their trips. It’s a simple but really sweet gesture with a personal touch.

While there are guests who really go all out with this (down to custom printed cards), it doesn’t have to be too complicated if you want to give it a go. A simple handwritten note with a basic thank you signed by your family is a kindness you just don’t see often anymore. There are also occasions throughout the Disney parks experience where you may have the opportunity to leave a small, encouraging thank you note on the fly, such as when you are leaving your resort room (a great addition to leaving a tip for Mousekeeping staff) or when you sign your dining check.

Not everyone has the time or headspace to do cards and notes—that’s all right. The simple act of showing gratitude to cast members as you go throughout your day can make a positive difference. Thank them for work well done in whatever way you can.

6. Engage in real conversations

The biggest way to show appreciation to Disney cast members is the simplest of all: engage with them as new friends and welcomed partners in your vacation.

It is easy to view people simply in the roles of functionaries as we go through our day. It can be difficult to look up and meet the eyes of someone we don’t know, to see beyond the moment and getting from A to B. It’s well worth learning to pause and engage with a fellow human being for a few moments, even during a vacation.

Cast members often report enjoying engaging conversations with guests about their hometowns, rides they work on, and unexpected commonalities. It can really break up the monotony of a long workday, and it’s one of the opportunities that makes Disney parks special. Yes, there are times when someone is doing a job that requires focus or the line needs to keep moving—these may not be the best times for an extended chat--but other opportunities present themselves regularly.

You don’t have to be a social butterfly to do this. Basically, it comes down to being kind, being grateful, and looking for opportunities to show both outwardly. I am extremely introverted and can be stunningly socially awkward, but I’ve learned how to engage in these little moments with cast members, and it can be really wonderful. It’s also great practice for those who are a little shy, as Disney cast members can be some of the sweetest, most hospitable people you’ll meet on a vacation.

There are enough people around these days who don’t care who they bulldoze to enjoy their vacation, who assume an average cast member deserves to be blasted over decisions made by Disney’s highest management. There’s a time and a way to raise concerns about issues in your vacation, but the most effective path is usually the one that starts from the place of courtesy. Cast members need to be more than sounding boards for complaints. There are far too guests now who do the opposite—instead, they look for opportunities to be kind and actually light up someone’s day.

Be one of the people who makes working at Disney parks a pleasant experience. Learn their names, show gratitude, be quick to have compassion, and share encouragement. This is a good practice across the board, well beyond a Disney parks vacation.

What are some other ways to show appreciation to Disney cast members? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook! Thanks for reading!