Housekeeping surprises at DVC?

[kaufmancat]

I have noticed that people who are not DVCers who stay at the other WDW resorts have talked about the wonderful surprises the housekeeping staff left for them every day (neat towel arrangements, etc.) I realize that we don't get trash and towel service every day, but when we have gotten it, we never had any such surprises from our staff. Why not? Has anyone else experienced this difference between DVC and other resorts. I know it isn't a BIG deal but don't we deserve the same magic?

outside WDW '72 '87 '00
Swan '97 OKW '01 BW '01

 

[tiggersnj]

I'm happy to say that housekeeping has left behind some cute towel designs. I guess it would depend on how busy they are on any particular day. They usually did this on a full cleaning. We also stay for two weeks, so maybe this is something they do when your there for more than a week.

 

[DebbieB]

We got some towel designs in the bathroom on trash & towel day at Boardwalk. I left a tip, not sure if that helped.

 

[PamOKW]

I've stayed at OKW, BWV, GF, CSR and CBR many times over the years and have never had a towel arrangement or anything else like animals arranged, etc. (The exception being turndown service at the GF where the comforter was elaborately rolled) I've also never received any acknowledgement of birthdays, anniversaries, problems at the resort, etc., etc. with pictures, balloons, baskets or anything else. You read about these things here but I've never experienced any of them.

On the other hand WDW and DVC staff went out of their way to help with a medical problem so I'm willing to call it even.

 

[baileybrad]

I don't care as long as they do a good job taking care of the place. A tip will usually get some reaction but even that doesn't always trigger a special response.

 

[dianeschlicht]

LIke Brad, as long as it's cleaned, I don't care. I have noticed that on the first T&T day, if they notice we are using the kitchen a lot, they will leave extra DW powder and kitchen towels etc. I have never been dissapointed in what housekeeping has done. Sometimes when we arrive, things have been missing in the kitchen, but they have always been brought to us right away when we have requested them. BTW, why would you tip housekeeping? They are only doing there job, nothing special. It isn't like someone doing a personal service like hairdresser or waitor. No body tips you for doing your regular job.

Disneydiane

 

[HorizonsFan]

Tipping Housekeeping is always a hot topic! I tend to tip at the end of the stay based on the kind of service I get. I feel like a guest should not have to pay extra for good service but should show appreciation for someone who does their job very well. Bad service = no tip.
Here's a link to a thread about tipping Housekeeping from the Resort Board:

http://wdwinfo.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page?q=Y&a=tpc&s=40009993&f=15009194&m=111097451&p=1

There's some good info in there...

Dave

 

[PamOKW]

I always tip housekeeping in any hotel/motel and I also tip when staying at DVC. Just like the valet, the bellhop, etc. I think the maid deserves a tip. I base the size of the tip by the size of the unit. I also give extra to help cover the days when a cash customer would have been providing a tip. Other members don't tip at all. I also give a tip when they bring something to the room. I just think if we maintain some tipping level DVC will be considered a good place for housekeepers to work.

 

[chris1gill]

LOL... Here's what I have to say on this issue... We often stayed at other Disney resorts.. we never got anything special either.. stayed at Boardwalk/OKW... then we finally figure out we should leave a tip (I would never have known this without the boards)... Anyways... WAMMO!! The day I left a tip, was the day we got something special LOL... cute little decorations with the towels, etc... we even took pictures of this adorable setup... so from that point forward, WE TIP HOUSEKEEPING... and now we get special stuff too... Who would have believed it....

 

[akdisfan]

We have always stayed at OKW and everytime we've went there have been surprises from housekeeping. Last time we went we came back after a T&T and all the kids toys we arranged like they were having a little party and the toy Mickey and Donald were holding the Mickey balloons the kids had gotten the day before. The kids were thrilled. We've been lucky each time we've went to get people from housekeeping who believe in Disney Magic.

 

[mikesmom]

Last time at BWV we got a cute towel creature from housekeeping. Last June (our anniversary) we received a cake on our anniversary "from the cast at BWV". Yes we do tip housekeeping, but always at the end, how would they know that on the 2nd day?

 

[dvc_bwv]

Do the little surprises have anything to do with having kids staying with you? My DH and I always tip and have never been "gifted" with any surprises. When we were there last September (when we purchased DVC, were staying at DL)I noted on our final payment that this would be our honeymoon and still nothing. I was a little disappointed that WDW didn't acknowledge this at all when we were there.

Norma & Wayne

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't recall getting any little cute towel designs or anything. We were at Beach Club for our honeymoon 10 years ago, and when they found out it was our honeymoon, we got a little basket with cookis, and some chocolates, and a bottle of sparkling cider. That was a regualr hotel, not a DVC thing though.

Disney Doll

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

Although we have not always had special little things in our room from housekeeping it has happened several times, and at resorts other than DVC. The best one was for my DW 40th birthday. We surprised her with the trip and by inviting most of our immediate family who could go. 10 of them and we got the GV. We had adults and children and called for a Mickey & Minnie cake for the evening, it happened to be TT day. When we got back from the parks all of the childrens stuffed toys were in the chairs at the dining table. The table was set and they had a towel decoration as a centerpiece. They put up some big signs with "Happy Birthday from Housekeeping and your cake is in the frig.". I don't think that it was because we have always left a tip but because they like getting into the fun with the guests. With the number of times we have gone to OKW we have seen and talked to many of the same CM's over the years. DVC is home to us and we have been privileged to call many of the people that we have meet our friends. The housekeeping people work hard at WDW and whenever they see a chance to have fun with the guests they leave it in the form of "little surprises".

 

[Beachangel]

I always tip the housekeeping staff but at the end. I'm a neat freak so believe HK is in & out of my room. My sister overtips since her rooms with 4 kids are disaster areas. My sister's rooms always get special treatment ie setting up the animals, etc but not mine. The only special treatment we received (actually my nephew) is when he got lost at MK. When we returned from the park that night, there was a hot, t-shirt & park pass for him on the bed. Can you imagine?

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the THINKS you can think up, if only you try." Dr. Seuss

 

[mouseobsessed]

We have stayed at several different resorts and have always received some special treatments.(usually it's animal towels). We always tip at the end of our stay so I don't think that has anything to do with it. It doesn't seem to matter whether we are traveling with our DD or not. (and I have to admit we're just as excited about it whether she is with us or not!)