How do you keep your Resort Room organized?

[shannonstar]

I take white trash bags to put the dirty laundry in. As a bag gets full, I tie it off and put it in the suitcase. I don't like to just put dirty clothes in the suitcase without them being airtight.

I usually use my largest suitcase as an extra "drawer" by placing it on a luggage stand. Anything that can't hang (lack of hangers or whatever reason) stays in there until used.

I have another white trash bag that the clean socks and underwear stay in, that gets placed in a drawer. Since I've heard about other people putting their dirty laundry in drawers, nothing goes in a hotel drawer unless it's bagged.

I think the big thing is to make sure the room is as neat as possible before you go to bed at night, so you aren't running around trying to find things in the morning. Waking up to chaos is not a good way to start the day!

I totally forgot to mention that I line the suitcases with plastic. Thanks! I also line don't take anything out of the plastic bags when putting them in the drawers. It's just easier than them touching where other people's clothes go.

I also pack flushable wipes. I find them useful for so many things. And I have been known to pack lysol. Just because.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I too forgot to mention I line my suitcases with trash bags as well. My dad was in travel for decades, and he always recommended this to people in case of the bags being stuck in the rain and such. I'm 23 and still at home, so even though pops doesn't get to have a say in how much I pack - "Natalie, you only need one pair of dungarees and sandals!!" though these days I'm traveling much lighter - he does insist on lining all my bags! It's great though, as I then line the one drawer I use with the trash bag. I also take an extra as lining for when I go home, because I skeeve the drawers...I'm sure they're clean, but I'm just nervous!

I also do pack Lysol wipes because, again like the drawers, I'm sure the bathroom is clean, but I was raised in a family where the women are all paranoid!

I forgot to add - RAID THE TRAVEL AISLE! Take as small sizes as you think you can get away with. That way you can toss stuff during the trip or before you go home, and not have a mess all over the vanity or spilling out of the over-the-door organizer.

The power strip is fantastic too. Not only do you see everything and make sure nothing gets left behind, but when you're heading out you can quickly grab all the devices at once!

Can I just say something? I love that there are DISers out there as obsessively organized as I can be! I feel even more at home! Haha!

 

[pha1226]

We stay at Pop so space is limited. We also drive so we have a little extra room to pack things. I do:

pop up laundry hamper

extra hangers - I have everyone's clothes and save the drawers for undies, socks, swim things and pajamas. I also hang wet swimsuits on hangers from the line so that I can fit more.

small plastic bins - little bins from the dollar store or Target dollar spot to organize around sink. Toothbrushes and toothpaste in one, dh's shave stuff and comb in one, etc. Not much room on the little shelf. I also put one on the table for everyone's KTTW cards so we always know where they are.

I tried the over the door shoe hanger but didn't really like it. I use those round collapsing hanger things (with 3 sections and mesh around the outside) and hang them on the clothes rod for girl's hair accessories, suntan lotions, first aid, medications, etc).

Magnets for door - I hang all of my planning materials (schedule, ADRs) on the door.

Command strips - I had several of the removaable command strips on the wall for extra hanging space.

 

[shannonstar]

BarbieGal457 - We may indeed be related. I am so glad to know that I am not alone.

 

[Kim1964]

OP, in ten trips to Disney, I've only ever had success once in requesting a particular time for housekeeping (YC CL last summer and they asked me at check in to pick a two hour window for housekeeping). I tell you this because I don't want you to be disappointed if it doesn't work out. That said, we had awesome, early housekeeping at CSR the one time we stayed there.

I make sure we pack souvenirs when we get back to the room so they don't clutter up the table/desk. CSR has plenty of counter space for toiletries.

 

[LindaBabe]

My strategy is a little different because of the time that we go to WDW -- weather can vary greatly from day to day in Feb -- and because we are there for a competition every year. Our stays at WDW are usually about 2 weeks and we travel a lot throughout the year. We pretty much do the same thing everywhere we go so nobody really needs to be reminded.

We unpack everything within 20 mins of getting to our room. Suitcases go inside each other and get stacked in the back of the closet (but we leave 1 big suitcase open on top for things that we buy and won't use right away since they have to clear customs -- so much easier if everything is together -- and all receipts go into the front pocket of that suitcase). Our laundry bag goes into the front corner of the closet, since we always do at least one load of laundry during the trip.

Shoes line up by the connecting door and sweaters are folded and put on the shelf of the closet. We hang as much as we can and if we need more hangers we call mousekeeping and they bring a bag of hangers right away. Everyone gets their own drawer but the cupboard in the wardrobe is for everyone's swim things.

We have a couple of rules we follow -- nothing gets left on beds, especially before they're made...it's just too easy for things to get lost. The clothesline is always out, since the wet things get hung up right away. And when we're packing up for the parks we put everything we're taking below the window so nothing gets left behind. Once my DDs baton competition is done, everything she used for just that is packed and ready to go home. For us, it's the snack area that often gets out of control, but we try to keep everything in one place.

We always do a 5 minute tidy to get things where they're supposed to be before leaving for the parks -- it's nice to come back from a long day with nothing to do. And we've found that if you keep your room tidy and stuff up off the floor, mousekeeping does a much better job of cleaning your room.

THIS! Plus, I got some little fabric folding boxes or trays at the dollar store, I roll my unmentionables/socks and put them in a tray in the suitcase. t-shirts/knit tops in another, rolled. When I get there, I just lift the trays out and put them in the drawer. Hang the trousers/skirt shoes underneath. Suitcase in the closet or under the bed.

I have an extra folding tray that goes on the dresser to corral "pocket stuff" -power strip for chargers. My toiletries stay packed between trips, so the bag just comes out of the suitcase and goes under the counter int he bathroom if there's a shelf, on the counter if there's not. Hamper in the closet/or bathroom depending on configuration. When the hamper is full (long trip) I do laundry.

I'm always out of the room early, so I request early Mousekeeping.

 

[jujube]

Okay, my OCD will be showing on this one. I put an outfit for every day in a two gallon baggie for each family member. We use these baggies in the backpack each day to keep things dry in case of a water ride, rain, need to change clothes due to the above, etc. We also use them to put maps, extra fp's receipts, etc. (This comes in handy for scrapping later and I even write the date on each bag)

I put the suitcase against the wall by the bed in the back corner. Then every night I roll up the dirties and prepare the suitcase for home. When one is full, I put it aside and stack the next.

I know I have a problem, but it works for me.

I use the 2 gallon ziploc bags as well. After we arrive, we each get a drawer and that person's bags are put in them. When the outfit has been worn, it goes back in the bag. After a few days, I wash clothes. We are DVC members and have a w/d but even before that, I could not bring home dirty laundry-one of my quirks. The suitcases go striaght into the closet.
We love the over the door shoe bags-each person has a row for their toiletries.

 

[bumbershoot]

I tried tipping the cleaning crew extra ( like, a LOT extra), to do our room kind of early, and they took the tip and our room wasn't cleaned at all the next day Like, at one point, I had to like, ask for the stuff to clean the room myself. And this was concierge level at a deluxe. So, in a regular room in a moderate, I'm kind of worried. Help?

I've been thinking about this, and I think it's important to realize that you might have entirely different housekeepers each day. So it's possible you tipped a lot to one housekeeper, then s/he was off for his/her weekend, and you got someone totally different after that day.

OP, I also buy these little mesh folding cubes from the Container Store that fold flat, so they're great for luggage. I take the smallest size which is $2.99, and pop it open when I get there. I put it in the middle of the desk/table, and that's where small loose items go when we're in the room - iPods, wallets, change, the like. That way I can keep it all corralled! When I take that stuff out to go to the parks, I then put my glasses, wallet, and InvisAlign retainer case in there (sorry to be gross, but those babies cost me my entire summer's pay!)

Hey, we have some fabric cubes from Ikea that I think will be taken out of DS's dresser and put into use for our trip!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Well...I have apparently found a thread that I feel comfortable revealing my scary, over-organizing, must keep things in order or I will melt, habits.

After spending the past 4 trips with a family of 4 in a Value room crowded:) Here are some of my favorite tips for being obnoxiously organized.

1. I always buy a hanging shoe organizer - not the kind that goes over the door with pockets...rather one that hangs from the closet and has square compartments. I used that for shoes, socks, pj's and DH's Tshirts. Thanks to the new, silly small dressers at POP, DH no longer gets his own drawer.

2. I go to the dollar store and buy a toothbrush holder with suction cups..I use that on the bathroom mirror - toothbrushes and toothpaste go there.. saves some much needed counter space.

3. I bring suction cups with hooks to decorate the windows..(yes.. I am one of THOSE people). I had a few left over and found they were a great help. I stuck one on the shower wall to hold our bath puff thingy (me no likey face cloths). I also stuck a few to the bathroom door mirror and they held our hats.

4. Magnetic clips for the back of the door - hung our lanyards there and used them to hold copies of our ADR's and park hours and maps. I also use one to hold those slips they give you when you make a purchase in the Parks to be sent back to your resort - can't tell you how many times we misplaced those things before I designated them their own "clip".

5. Small magnetic basket for the door as well. BEST thing ever - all wallets, sunglasses, car keys and room keys go there - no scramblin around in the morning for those babies.

6. I keep all the non-essentials and hopefully not needed things in plastic bags in one of the suitcased on the floor, under the sink (ie..medicine, band aids, ponchos, umbrellas, extra sunscreen and batteries...etc.)

7. Big suitcase gets put up on the luggage rack in the closet area- all dirty laundry goes in there - not on the bathroom floor, not on the floor next to the bed...in the suitcase.

8. I buy 12x12 plastic storage bags at the Dollar store - I keep one in on the top of the dresser for all gathered scrapbook materials.

9. I used the plastic cups that they provide to organize things as well..one hold my make-up, another hair accessories, another for Qtips..etc..

Hope that helps.

 

[Marlton Mom]

I'm the meanest (MommyWifeBeeyotch) in the world so I threaten to throw stuff away that gets left out on the counters and dressers. I also have been known to scoop stuff en mass into the top drawer of a dresser and let the offending parties find it for themselves.

We keep small valuables like pins in zip locks with the person's name on them because they will get lost in the bedding for sure. We also have designated zones like this table is only to be used for rechargables and if you are not recharging it it lives in your drawer... no leaving it plugged into the power strip we take and blocking some one else from recharging their phoneIpodCamera. Since we were smart enough to all get the same phones we can leave the recharger unit plugged in, just not the device once it's charged.

I like to put fabric softener sheets in with the clean clothes since we pack a couple days in advance and we can use them in addition to our Purell laundry sheets when we do laundry on the road (always my husbands job ) We also have designated dumping zones for laundry and trash and god help anyone who messes up the system and the room.

Finally I pack a leaf blower, not the one I use at home but the travel size leaf blower. As Alton Brown says, you really shouldn't have something in your house or drawers that only can do one job. I like to think that what's in my drawers is none of that man's business.... but he does have a point, even if it's at the top of his head! When it gets toward the end of the week and the will to go on leaves us, I break out the leaf blower and blow everything (and everyone!) out of the room and up and over any balconies than might block it's way. I also use the leaf blower to wake up the living dead, because after so many days of death marching it through the parks for rope drop and fire works, the will to live vanishes. There is nothing like leaf blower revelry to put a little life back into the dead.

~Marlton Mom
PS. Do not ask me where one can purchase a travel size leaf blower. Like the Mickey Waffle maker it lives on in people's hearts but not in their retail stores.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Must find travel size leaf blower...must find travel size leaf blower...must find travel size leaf blower....

Now putting that in my notes for next trip...in my color coded planner...typed in Disney font (wonder if I can find Disney clip art with a leaf blower?)...laminated.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

Y'all are all making me feel so much better!
And I love "batcrap insane".

I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said, except that it is nice to know it's not just me.

 

[BMC423]

I didn't read the whole thread so sorry if I repeat some ideas... that tends to happen when a lot of like minded people get together.


1. Line suitcases with big heavy duty bags of any kind.

2. My DS outfits get put in ziploc bags... I also use those bags to store things on park days like cameras and phones so they don't wet.

3. I pack our my suitcase and DH's the same way... tops on one side and bottoms on the other shoes get packed in those little shoe spaced or between the tops and bottoms (in plastic bags of course). Underwear is packed in ziploc bags. (I have seen people have their luggage opened and they have their underwear all over the place. My DS bag also gets all the toiletries... I pack 1 Shampoo, conditioner, soap for DH and Me. My DS gets his own stuff.

4. When we get our room...everyone gets their own drawer, I try to pack clothes in reverse order... so that when I put them in the drawers at WDW they are in day order. All shoes go by the connecting door. All suitcases get moved out of the was and 1 big heavy duty bag gets placed in the corner of the room... that is our hamper. Towards the end of the trip I will do laundry with the PUREX laundry sheets ( I LOVE THESE THINGS) and all clean clothes get packed away along with anything we have purchased.

5. Whenever returning from a park or DTD we would empty or pockets, bags etc of trash and put away anything we bought or wanted to save. Some mentioned bins by the door, I second that...a bin or a tray to hold sunglasses, hats things like that. I personally store all of that on the bag on my stroller.

6. I also second bringing a pack of disposable cups... I use them as toothbrush/ toothpaste holders. To hold my hair brushes and combs. And of course for drinking.

7. I also bring a small tray for the bathroom.... I bring dishwashing liquid and a sponge... because we like to use the coffeepot and if you those refillable mugs its nice to be able to wash them in the room. Last year my son was still using a bottle so we used the tray as a drying rack... same thing will happen this year for sippy cups.

 

[diskids2]

First, I love this thread...so many great ideas.

Second, I think I will begin to use batcrap insane. I love it!

 

[vickalamode]

I always make sure to unpack and put everything in drawers and hung up in the closet. The resorts only give you about 10 hangers when you check in, but you can call and request more for free and somebody will bring them up to your room. I am OCD about hanging up shirts and I always request about 10 or 15 more hangers to be brought to my room. I put all of our shower stuff in the shower. I bring a medium sized plastic rubbermaid container for the rest of the stuff like hair straightener/makeup/toothbrushes/etc and leave it under the vanity with all the stuff in it, and we just pull it out when we need it.

As for mousekeeping: I was a mousekeeper at All Star Music, although ALL hotels have the same schedule. We arrive at work at 8am and leave at 4:30pm.

By the time we get from our morning meeting and start being able to clean rooms, it is 8:30am. We were always instructed to try to do rooms that were checking out FIRST, and then occupied rooms afterwards.

Basically, mousekeeping will come any time between 8:30am and 4:00pm. I know 4:00pm is pretty late but it's a hard job with lots of rooms to clean... (as an aside, being a housekeeper at Disney was the worst job I have ever had! I cried every day!)

 

[HelenParr]

I find it key to keep surfaces clean of excess "stuff" - it's amazing how much stuff you pick up during the day: napkins, park maps, time charts, buttons, receipts, etc. We keep an extra, large hat out for all slips, receipts, maps, anything paper or small we might want to sort, scrapbook, or review later.

On longer trips this gets repacked into large ziplock or plastic bag, and put it preplanned suitcase flap. And we have ONE spot where passes, roomcards, and important stuff goes when we unpack our pockets and bags after parks. Saves tons of time trying to figure out what thing your pass is hiding under!!

We bring a power strip/surge protector to set up a designated area for plugging in cell phones and other gadets. Finding accessible plugs is not easy.

 

[Minnesota!]

Okay, my OCD will be showing on this one. I put an outfit for every day in a two gallon baggie for each family member. We use these baggies in the backpack each day to keep things dry in case of a water ride, rain, need to change clothes due to the above, etc. We also use them to put maps, extra fp's receipts, etc. (This comes in handy for scrapping later and I even write the date on each bag)

I put the suitcase against the wall by the bed in the back corner. Then every night I roll up the dirties and prepare the suitcase for home. When one is full, I put it aside and stack the next.

I know I have a problem, but it works for me.

This is exactly what we do. We pack 2 outfits for each kid in the gallon baggies. EVERYTHING for the outfit. I put all my shirts in baggies too (rolled...keeps them wrinkle free). Then when we get there, we unpack immediately. All shirts for DH and I get hung up, the boys baggies go in their own drawers, and one drawer is my/DH's shorts/capris and socks/undies. I bring at least one gallon ziplock with in my backsack each day - keeps things dry when raining or on a water ride. I can throw all our receipts, etc. in the baggie. End of day I can just take the baggie out and throw it in the suitcase. Next day grab a new baggie. Comes in so handy!

Our suitcases get put to the left of the sink, and the smaller suitcase stays on the luggage rack. We put our dirty clothes in that and I do laundry 1/2 way through. Our shoes get lined up by the "connecting door" space, and anything else - beach towels, etc. get put up on the shelf.

I don't worry about germs in the drawers or what not. I figure I come in contact with a bazillion more germs just venturing out of my room.

 

[GSUJillybean]

Vicki, I can imagine that job would suck.

I'm not like, angry about the tip thing-- I totally get that stuff happens and I'm not about to begrudge a Mousekeeper a decent tip for something probably out of her control.

I don't even want to demand a specific time. I just kind of wonder if there's a way I could plan my day so I don't interrupt them. I wonder if I can request to be done last?


I swear, I'm not a jerk. I promise. I just don't want them to have to clean around us, without going WITHOUT mousekeeping altogether, if that makes sense.

 

[vickalamode]

Vicki, I can imagine that job would suck.

I'm not like, angry about the tip thing-- I totally get that stuff happens and I'm not about to begrudge a Mousekeeper a decent tip for something probably out of her control.

I don't even want to demand a specific time. I just kind of wonder if there's a way I could plan my day so I don't interrupt them. I wonder if I can request to be done last?


I swear, I'm not a jerk. I promise. I just don't want them to have to clean around us, without going WITHOUT mousekeeping altogether, if that makes sense.

You don't have to tip the mousekeeper, but if you feel like they are doing a good job and you want to leave them a little something extra it's appreciated! As you can imagine, it's not easy to live on $200 a week

You should ask at your front desk if they can have them note it on your room to be cleaned around a certain time. Every morning, each housekeeper is given a printout of their rooms they need to clean that day and it will have any special requests from the guests staying in that room noted on the page, like the time frame that would be best for them for housekeeping to arrive or if they asked for a linen change etc.

 

[minnie mum]

Totally off topic, but just noticed that I've gone over the 2,000 post mark this week. And still no tag fairy in sight. Maybe if I'd coined the term 'bat-crap crazy'.....