Help with Cleaning...Maybe?

[cynzilla]

Hi...I was wondering if anyone may be able to help me. I have been to Disney twice in the past 2 years. EACH TIME, I get here, when I am sleeping, I notice that my mouth, nose and airway gets REALLY, REALLY DRY.

The last stay at the Grand Floridian in October was so bad, I actually woke up choking and couldnt swallow. I sent my hubby (a $50 cab ride to the local Walgreens) to go get a humidfier.

I am not familiar with Florida fauna, however could it be the cleaners or something they use in the room, because I only "get dry" while in the room-and even stranger AT NIGHT? I don't sneeze or have watery eyes (aka typical allergy symptoms)....just so dry at night, I can't even swallow.

I am traveling again in April (to the Boardwalk) this time, so if anyone has any suggestions as to what this is, any help would be great.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I don't know if it's the fauna or something in the rooms but DD10 seems to have some kind of reaction when we go to WDW. In order to keep her off of albuterol and prednisone we request a special allergy cleaning where they use low allergen detergents for the linens and towels, they shampoo the carpets and use low allergen cleaners for the room, I believe they use a low allergen detergent on the bedspreads, they change the air filter and I think they may vaccum the curtains. I'm not positive about all that they do but since we've started requesting this cleaning, DD10 no longer has breathing problems when we go to WDW.

The one downside to this kind of cleaning (if you can call it a downside) is that it takes longer for your room to be ready when you first arrive plus it's not as easy to change rooms if you're unhappy with your location because the cleaning really is much more extensive than they typically do between guests. We did ask for our room to be changed once but the cleaning had clearly not been done yet when we walked in our room (the cover of the air filter was sticking out and we could see the half inch thick dust so there's no way it was changed). I don't think I'd feel right asking if they had already done the cleaning.

FYI: Allergy symptoms vary from person to person and even in the same person they can vary by allergen. When DD10 does have her allergy problems at WDW, the symptoms are entirely respiratory. It starts off as a cough that gets progressively worse through the week until she's at the point where her O2 sat is dropping because she's not getting enough air. No itchy, water eyes. No sneezing. She's not asthmatic but something down there triggers something similar to an allergic asthma (her allergist/pulmonoligist swears it's not asthma but rather an allergic reaction; he explained the difference at one point but I can't recall the technical reason that they're different).

 

[cynzilla]

Thanks....is that the VIP cleaning I heard about?

 

[clanmcculloch]

Yes it is. Some people recommend you don't call it that but rather explain that you need a medical cleaning and why because sometimes CMs will hear somebody ask for the VIP cleaning and just think that the person wants something special. Make sure the cleaning is listed as a medical need.

 

[declansdad]

Shut off the air conditioning.

 

[bjgrazi]

More than likely it's the air conditioning that is doing it to you. Cleaners or allergens wouldn't dry you out. They'd make your nose/eyes run. Your best bet is to keep a bottle of water next to the bed.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Actually, allergies can dry you out like this. When certain pollens are out, I have this happen at night. Basically it's because my sinuses make it impossible for me to breathe through my nose when lying down so I breathe through my mouth and wake up choking with such a dry mouth and throat that I can't even make saliva form. Our air isn't on when this is happening.

I would think that if this was the air conditioning then OP would have this happen places other than WDW.

 

[cynzilla]

Thank you all for your help.

Yes, the more I hear the more I think it is allergies. I never smelt any detergent smell on any of the linens, so I wouldnt have even suspected they used any.-LOL

However, this last time (at the GF) I saw the housekeeper sprinkle some carpet powder in my Father's adjoing room.

The trip before last (when we stayed at the Coronado) I was waking up with red bloodshot eyes and the dryness as well I thought it was my medications, yet the dryness was still happening. It was 46 degrees at night and 60 during the day, we didnt have the ac on.

How long ahead should I request this, and via telephone or fax?

Thanks again for everyone's help

 

[declansdad]

Turn off the air conditioning.

 

[chamonix]

One important thing you could do (you, not Disney) is make sure you are very well hydrated. Make sure you are drinking a ton of water, all day. It's easy to get dehydrated without really knowing it (no matter the temp/season). You can be very dehydrated without being thirsty! They say that by the time you feel thirst you are already very dehydrated.

The reason you are more dehydrated than usual is due to all the walking at the parks, and you are not only dehydrated but probably sleeping more deeply than usual from the extra exercise...which could also cause the mouth breathing at night. All that walking plus the wind/air, being outside probably much more than you are used to.....(basically all day every day at WDW!)

Since you know you are dehydrated in this situation, make sure to drink at least twice as much water as usual. Another thing I do when this happens to me is sleep with a wet washcloth under my (near my) face. Yes, you may have to sleep on a damp pillow, but it's much better than waking up choking at night. The best way to hydrate though is to "take it internally" (by drinking lots and lots of water).

Did it help when you used the humidifier? If so, make sure to bring it next time and save yourself the late night trip! Personally, I don't think the cleaning will help. Be sure to come back and let us know, though! good luck!

 

[daneenm]

I get dried out like this every time I stay in a hotel. It is the air conditioning for me. The problem is if you turn it off (which we made the mistake of doing one in Florida), the room gets so humid that everything gets wet.

 

[peemagg]

We use nasal saline to keep things hydrated. It does help and it also keeps the sinuses clear.

 

[cynzilla]

Thank you everyone. I will try any suggestions.

NO-THE HUMIDFIER didnt help and I was still dry and choking.

I do try to stay hydrated, espcially in when I visit the Animal Kingdom due to the plantings there making it so hot and humid....which inturn makes you hotter and sweatier.

I will try the special cleaning this time and if not then I will know it is the a/c.

It is very scary not to be able to breathe, and to wake up like that. Thank you for all your help.

 

[jmartinez1895]

The cleaning has always helped us out, we also make sure to ask them to change the air filter. That is not part of the VIP cleaning so you have to tell them you want that done as well. We also have to turn the AC so that it does not get very cold ( due to another health issues). If you do turn off the AC or turn it down call housekeeping or leave a not. The first time we did this, they turned it back on while we where out and we came back to a very cold and dry room.

 

[rizwan]

well don't know much about it