A Disney Housekeepers point of view (videos)

[ArielRae]

Found some videos on YouTube from a Disney housekeeper. She did it during her college program and gives some good info on her experience and some tips on being a good resort guest. I found her videos entertaining and you should check them out.

Here are a few of her videos:

 

[Hopefully]

I'm glad you liked it I found it neither interesting nor helpful

 

[adisneyaunt]

Only watched the first one. Was not Entertaining. Was not anything more than Common Sense and think it borders on offensive and/or rude, along with boring. Nothing personal of course... she did an adequate enough job with the video.
However...
The CM's Job is to clean the room whether that person/S are dirty, considerate or Inconsiderate.

I happen to be one of those Clean People, who leaves a Happy note of thx and a tip each morning on the table.... who appreciates coming back to a trash bin emptied, counters wiped, bed made type of room...but, don't wanna be told "how" to be a good guest..
Just my take.

 

[happymommy]

She just sounds like she wants to whine. Wait until she has kids with medical issues, and she's steam cleaning puke out of the carpet and giving her toddler a bath in the middle of the night, monthly.

I had the best ever housekeeper last trip - a lovely older lady. I leave the room very tidy and also a tip daily.

 

[Amelia :)]

Next time one of my customers at work drops some trash I'm going to turn to my boss and yell "I'm not picking it up!! I'm not a SERVANT". You know, even though I'm paid to be there.

 

[ArielRae]

Wow people. I didn't post this to show a housekeeper whining. I don't see it as whining or complaining. She just is pointing out that it isn't always great to be a housekeeper and I found it entertaining to hear their point of view of the less glamorous parts of the job. Most people talk to you about the bad days they have at work not the perfect days. Not may people would want to watch her talk about how great and perfect the day to day stuff of the job. You want to hear the "Dirt" of the position and that is what she shared. Just the same reason people watch shows like TMZ or Soap Operas to get the dirt. You don't want to hear how perfect everything is.

 

[Amelia :)]

I think the issue is when you're paying $300 a night plus tips everyday, it's not particularly nice to hear that you are such an inconvenience to the staff. Most rooms are on the smaller side with limited storage, so I'm not sorry if it's a little messy, especially when I've payed so much to be there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a horrible inconsiderate guest, but when I'm getting my family out the door by 6.45 some mornings I may forget to pick up a piece of trash or open the curtains.

 

[cruising spud]

Thanks for posting this. To me, it's always nice hearing someone else's point of view. I remember that at one hotel I stayed at, someone from housekeeping told me that she was not allowed to touch a guest's possessions. Nothing. So, now, I always clean up an area at the sink and put all my toiletries there-makes it easier for housekeeping.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks for posting this. To me, it's always nice hearing someone else's point of view. I remember that at one hotel I stayed at, someone from housekeeping told me that she was not allowed to touch a guest's possessions. Nothing. So, now, I always clean up an area at the sink and put all my toiletries there-makes it easier for housekeeping.

If that's true then all housekeepers have broken their rules.

 

[cruising spud]

Bumbershoot-if you reread my post, you will notice I mentioned that this was the policy at one hotel. I have no idea if all hotels try to follow this rule or not.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think the issue is when you're paying $300 a night plus tips everyday, it's not particularly nice to hear that you are such an inconvenience to the staff. Most rooms are on the smaller side with limited storage, so I'm not sorry if it's a little messy, especially when I've payed so much to be there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a horrible inconsiderate guest, but when I'm getting my family out the door by 6.45 some mornings I may forget to pick up a piece of trash or open the curtains.

I believe she means people who just toss trash all over because of the attitude of "Well, houskeeping is paid to clean up after me". It is the same in retail when people throw clothes on the ground or in restaurants when people make a huge mess at the table. Some guests take advantage and become super sloppy. Those are the ones who are annoying. Paying for something doesn't give you the right to be a huge slob.

 

[Anniefrances]

I didn't see her point of view as whining or expressing annoyance about being a little messy or neglecting to pick up a few things - rather, I heard legitimate complaining about guests who are excessively messy and deliberately dirty. Big difference.

 

[steviethegreat]

When my mom and I go anywhere, we basically live out of our suitcases and we pre-make the bed, just because we can. We try to clean up after ourselves, but I have definitely left shoes and the like on the floor. I think I even left my iPod on the bed. I think what this girl was saying was that she has obstacles to overcome if you specifically want things in a particular order. I also like that she explained that tips or no tips is totally fine with her.

When I go anywhere with my sister, her stuff is EVERYWHERE. Literally, -everywhere-. It's a scavenger hunt at the end of any trip because it's like her suitcase exploded. I'm sure that housekeepers have an interesting time cleaning, sweeping, etc, around her stuff.

But where some people feel she's complaining, I never got that. But I CAN say that if I was explaining what I do every day, (background checking), and I was giving helpful hints on how to get your job faster, people would turn around and say that same thing. 'It's my job to call you every time I can't read your handwriting, It's my job to hound your former supervisor until they scream at us that they won't provide a reference because you never asked them in the first place', etc. Everyone has helpful tips about their jobs that can be taken the wrong way.

I never once felt like she was chastising. But I did feel like she enjoyed her job a lot! So clean or don't clean. Leave your shoes on the floor or pick them up. Put your bedtime stuff in the night stand or leave it on the bed. It doesn't matter. She's still going to do her job. She's just able to do it faster if you pick up a little bit.

And lastly, if I had to walk into a dark room that may or may not contain another guest, I'd be terrified, too. There are crazy people everywhere. You never know. So we always leave the lights on and the curtains open. We always come back to everything turned off anyway.

 

[elaine amj]

Thanks for posting OP - I surprised myself by watching the whole first video and most of the next one. I liked how she explained things and even when she was talking about very boring stuff, her face was rather engaging to watch. And I didn't think she was on a whine-fest at all. Like she said, if you leave stuff on the floor, she would still clean it. Just pointing out that picking up after yourself makes the housekeeper's job a little easier (and that this was often more appreciated than a tip). And that if you want your floor vacuumed well or your surfaces wiped down, picking up your stuff makes it easier for the housekeeper to do.

In my office, we had staff complaining that our cleaners didn't wipe down the desks well. After some discussion with the cleaners, our boss sent out directions that surfaces that were picked up and tidied would be wiped down. If there was clutter on it, well...no complaining.

Makes sense.

I also liked her suggestion about leaving notes if you want something. This doesn't always work if there's a language barrier - but I've actually never thought about leaving a note if I want more towels. Thinking about it, I'm sure housekeepers would much prefer that than a phone call (my usual method) - especially if they are given so much freedom in how they manage their time.

Overall, it sounded like she liked her job I'm sure its not the most glamorous posting for the CP - but it sure sounds like it had some perks (particularly the consistent schedule).

 

[IrishNYC]

I also liked her suggestion about leaving notes if you want something. This doesn't always work if there's a language barrier - but I've actually never thought about leaving a note if I want more towels. Thinking about it, I'm sure housekeepers would much prefer that than a phone call (my usual method) - especially if they are given so much freedom in how they manage their time.

I usually call if it's something I need before they'll be cleaning again, or else I leave a note if it's something they can take care of when they're making their usual rounds, whether I'm at Disney or Holiday Inn or Four Seasons. Extra soap/shampoo gets a note next to the daily tip. If I need towels for the next morning, I'll either see if i see a cart nearby and ask for some, or call. I hate to inconvenience anyone.

 

[Euby]

Thanks for sharing these. I'll be sure to leave notes if I need something. I had to live in a hotel for 8 months (long story) so I kind of became part of the hotels family. I would do my best to keep things neat. One tip that I picked from being on a cruise was to use an over-the-door shoe holder to hold your toiletries. Using that kept things off the counter. Plus command hooks helped keep things off the floor.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for sharing these. I'll be sure to leave notes if I need something. I had to live in a hotel for 8 months (long story) so I kind of became part of the hotels family. I would do my best to keep things neat. One tip that I picked from being on a cruise was to use an over-the-door shoe holder to hold your toiletries. Using that kept things off the counter. Plus command hooks helped keep things off the floor.

I know at least the Disney Cruise Line has banned the over the door holders. They were doing too much damage. Just be aware that anything that accidentally causes damage to the room my cause you to have to fork out more $$$. I would never recommend command hooks, as they are not as infallible as people seem to think.

 

[ajh88]

I actually thought the videos were fun and interesting. I don't think it is unreasonable for someone to say things that they do or don't like about their experiences. I got the feeling her motivation (at least initially) was to provide information and perspective for people who might find themselves assigned to housekeeping as part of the CP. I do think she provided some of that information for people. I didn't take her video as whining either - just suggestions that might make your housekeeper's job easier (if you care about that) and/or help you to have the best service possible. We try to keep our room tidy anyway, but I did like her tip about leaving notes - I hadn't really thought about that. She also worked DVC, which I'm sure made a bit of difference in the level of mess that she dealt with.

I actually found the 3rd video the most entertaining - actual stories from rooms she had to clean. Yikes!

Another tip, from a girl I work with who used to do housekeeping at a chain hotel - throw away your soaps (if you use the hotel provided bars) before you leave - that way the housekeeper doesn't have to touch them. I do it routinely now but had never thought about it before she mentioned it.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Thank you for posting these helpful videos. I found it useful to see the perspective from the other side. The mousekeeper in the video is not whining at all about her job. She seems respectful of the guests and her purpose in assisting them. I like the way she provides helpful tips that can improve a guest's stay.


~NM

 

[eileenjez]

Another tip, from a girl I work with who used to do housekeeping at a chain hotel - throw away your soaps (if you use the hotel provided bars) before you leave - that way the housekeeper doesn't have to touch them. I do it routinely now but had never thought about it before she mentioned it.

I was just wondering about this. I usually take them home and use them.