I feel so bad for you. I guess it's because I once had a young man do my room check-housekeeping had called and asked if I needed any housekeeping. When I said "No", they reminded me that they had to do the room check. The poor kid who showed up looked terrified-I envisioned all the housekeepers sitting around, laughing and saying, "Let's send [whoever he was] to do it!" He asked me several times what he could get me, and when I finally remembered coffee, since I only drink the decaf, he seemed so relieved and brought me a big bag. So maybe whoever asked for towels actually helped them feel better.
Yes, the first few times you do them on your own (as someone mentioned earlier, when you see two CMs together it usually means one is being trained), there's a of bit awkward angst going on even for a curmudgeonly sort like me. I will say that the majority of room checks--which also serve as a time to take out the guests' trash--occur when no one is in the room. At least when I was a CM, we couldn't start room checks prior to 10 AM and had to finish them NLT 4 PM, although that didn't always happen.
I'm also reminded that sometimes they will send two if upper management has been alerted that the room is a wreck, say, from a prior room check. Before anyone jumps the gun and says, "OMG! They're checking on the cleanliness of our rooms?!"--just no. lol However, I have seen some room conditions that would churn your stomach. When that would happen, sometimes two CMs would be dispatched to verify and report the conditions complete with photos. At that point, it was upper management's call re: how to handle the situation.
I knew they did these checks before our last trip in March, but when on vacation I didn't even realize that's what it was. They came to collect the trash and ask if we needed anything and were always so nice, we just thought of it as service.
That is the usual task assigned to room checks--trash pickup. Thus, two items are accomplished in one visit. We truly didn't wish to disrupt anyone's vacation for more than a few moments.
Should you ask them for these things before they come or on the spot? I would hate for them to have to make two trips if avoidable
Generally speaking, if you request an item(s), they dispatch someone who is most likely not doing room checks as each is often a duty unto itself--housekeeping vs room checks/trash pickup. Not every resort, however, will set up their system the same way. When I worked, there was a separate person whose primary duty was to do room checks/trash pickups (it's a small resort). That person did the majority of them. Other CMs assigned to custodial or housekeeping duties might wind up with a handful each. When the person who normally did them was off or sick, then the other CMs had many more to do in addition to their normal duties. While you can ask any CM for items, and they've been trained to never say "no," it's usually the housekeeping staff or runners (we called them housekeeping assistants) who bring them to you. All that to say, I'd ask the person you see vice calling the front desk.
The issue with informing guests at check in is that some fraction of guests complete on-line check-in, get a text with their room number, and just go directly to their room without visiting the front desk. We are usually in this group. On the other hand, we have no problem with the daily room check and actually stage our trash containers near the door when we leave for the parks, knowing the CM will have an easier time emptying them that way.
True. As for leaving trash near the door, thank you! That does, indeed, make it easier for the CMs to collect and saves a few minutes in what is usually a very busy shift. That being said, the CM will (should) still take a quick look around your room(s). But, having all the trash in one spot is heavenly.
If they can't get in because you have wisely locked the door from the inside and you are in the bathroom and can't possibly get to the door to answer their knock, they will call you and set up a time to come to your room.
Correct.
That used to be the rule - in fact it was like $8 for an extra towel pack, but I think that’s no longer the case & these days you can get clean towels whenever for no extra charge. In the past we’d just wash our own towels if needed since we prefer 1+ bedroom villas & since our stays are always for @ least 8 days we’d get clean towels on day 4 anyway.
Likewise for coffee, I used to bring coffee w/ me & now if you call housekeeping or swing by the front desk on your way out they’ll bring you more coffee.
I haven’t asked about more laundry soap & still bring my own because I’m not a fan of the laundry soap provided.
Before I bought
DVC my cash stays at WDW were when there was daily housekeeping, so the daily trash pickup (as I like to think of it) doesn’t bother me
.
Yes, they will.
First, for the CM's that draw the short straw and has to do room checks, I feel for you, but also, WDW needs to come up with a better solution to do this. When someone makes a reservation, WDW needs to make it very clear about their daily room checks and this can be done by a very simple form that you have to check to agree before finishing your reservation. But, even though we knew about it and never had an issue before, all that changed on our last trip over New Years
On our last trip, they entered once while I was in the shower and then another time when my DW was in the bathroom. Unfortunately, we were not able to use the latch to secure the door, because both times my DW and then myself would leave the room with our DD's heading to the lobby/store etc. and the other would then meet us when they were done. The worst one was with my DW, she heard them open the door so she yelled that she was in the bathroom. WELL, they replied back that they were there to do a room check and it will only take a minute
Needless to say, my DW yelled back telling them to come back later! I meant to take my indoor camera, but I forgot it. I added it to our packing list and will definitely be taking it from now on.
Yeah, that happens on occasion, and it's embarrassing for the CM, too. Hopefully, that particular CM backed out when he/she heard your DW. They're supposed to and then return later or have the front desk call to set up a time--that's SOP.
I am sure that Disney discloses daily room checks - it's mentioned in the contract for the Riviera points I bought in 2023, for one thing.
I speak with experience when I say that no matter where Disney discloses it - they could name the resort "Daily Room Checks Here Inn" and people would still claim they had no idea. People. Do. Not. Read. Anything.
Amen.
At some resorts, it's almost impossible to find the trash/recycle room.
