I am nearly germaphobic...

[rheffelf]

Too bad you can't wrap the toilet in a plastic bag

 

[Deb & Bill]

Another comment, since this resort only opened the first section in 2004 and just opened the last section in 2007, it's hardly due for a rehab.

 

[crisi]

I'm not Howard Hughes, but I wouldn't tolerate filth with a smile and my normal sweet disposition.

I have to say that in about three dozen DVC stays, my family has never had issues as described here. Not once. If I ever do, I will call the appropriate people, make them fix it to my exacting standards, and then go on with my vacation.

I've never had a room that was in GREAT shape. The best one was last time - and that one wasn't perfect. Otherwise we've fallen victim to mold in the shower (its Florida), rusty fridge, someone's Froot Loops under the couch, someone who dripped what I suspect was pancake batter between the glass front of the stove (not attractive, but not a big deal), and endless broken drawers (missing knobs, broken hinges, drawers off their tracks). And one coffee cup that managed to get put away without getting washed (or, from what I could tell, rinsed). To me, none of these issues has been worth calling housekeeping - if the housekeeper doesn't find it worthwhile to call maintenance for a broken drawer before I get in the room, she can do it when I leave.

The other thing I've learned on these boards is that I'm amazingly non-picky. I notice that there is mold in the shower, and shug it off - its way cleaner than the apartment shower I shared with four other people in college. I see a little rust on the fridge and it isn't attractive, but it isn't like I'm setting unwrapped food on it. Unrinsed cup, well, I have access to a bottle of Palmolve and a sink, I can wash it quick. Germy remotes? I'm not going to be licking them or anything - my hands are going to touch as bad during a day in the MK and I find latex gloves to be hot and uncomfortable. I notice these things, and talk about them because other people care, but they have never been so bad that I've cared. I know at least once here, the room we checked out of was checked into by another DISer within months that posted pictures of the HORRIBLE STATE of the room - looked just like what we stayed in, and it wasn't that bad - but apparently, I'd stayed in the slum room.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

We all live differently. I think that is why there are many different DVC resorts and they all have a different theme and feel. OKW takes a lot of flack for being "run down" but I like the homey "lived in" feel. I guess that is why I live in a house that is more than 100 years old and is located downtown. Old doors, old windows, no driveway... you get the idea. To some it would seem "run down" as the floors and walls are dented and marked. For me, I could never live in "suburbia" for others, that (all new) is the only place to be. An older sink, for example, is never going to shine like a brand new one! That doesn't mean that it isn't clean.

Having said all that.... I do not expect a "dirty" room, but I don't expect a "sanitized" one either. I just expect a clean room. If you need "sanitized" then you probably should bring your own supplies. It is the only way to know your room is cleaned the way you want it. While you can see dirt, you can't see germs and, dirt does not equal germs!

One last thought..... be aware... too many people are "over-sanitizing". There is some pretty strong evidence that this is contributing to less healthy kids, weaker immune systems, more allergies and respiratory troubles. Here is just one of many articles.............

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20774622/

 

[AKLFan3]

My family and I are also germaphobes, which is why we travel with Lysol wipes (or something equivalent) and wipe down the door handles in our room, TV remote and place kleenexes on the nightstand so we have something to put our watches and glasses on before we go to sleep. We had a room at OKW in February that badly needed to be refurbished. So if I were you, (and what we're planning to do for our OKW trip in April) is to call housekeeping as soon as you check in if you are unsatisfied with the level of cleanliness in your room. Then, wipe down all surfaces that you feel are not up to your standards. I know EXACTLY how you feel about not feeling very comfortable if your room is grubby. We felt the same way in February and I actually did not look forward returning to our room in the evening after a long day at the parks. We also do not bother using the dishes and kitchen utensils, we just bring our own paper plates and plastic utensils & cups. However, this only works because we don't cook and eat at the restaurants for all meals.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My family and I are also germaphobes, ...We also do not bother using the dishes and kitchen utensils, we just bring our own paper plates and plastic utensils & cups. However, this only works because we don't cook and eat at the restaurants for all meals.

What do you do when you go to a restaurant? Do you bring your own flatware and dishes?

 

[Alexander]

What do you do when you go to a restaurant? Do you bring your own flatware and dishes?

I swear I was thinking the same exact thing!

Sometimes you just gotta "let it go". I will never forget when DS was about 4and he decidee to lick the railing handle while waiting in line for the Winnie the Pooh ride. I thought I was going to die! He was fine! Has lived to the ripe ol' age of 9 so far and hasn't even had a sniffle!

Life's too short to worry so much!

 

[wltdsnyfan]

When we stayed at SSR I ran everything we were goingto use through the dishwasher (even though they were cleand) just so I knew they were clean.

When we left I ran everyting that we used through the dishwasher again.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

Listen.... I work in a restaurant on the weekends. I'm 44 and have been working in restaurant since I was 15 - nearly 30 years.
I have worked in all kinds of restaurants... pubs to fine dining... and let me tell you.....
Your DVC kitchen and tableware get better care than restaurant stuff.
For all you germaphobes out there... if you knew...... you'd almost never eat in a restaurant.
While most restaurants attempt to keep things well sanitized, this process is only as good as it's "weakest link". The guy that is makiing minimum wage as the dishwasher may not be cleaning things to germaphobe standards...

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Listen.... I work in a restaurant on the weekends. I'm 44 and have been working in restaurant since I was 15 - nearly 30 years.
I have worked in all kinds of restaurants... pubs to fine dining... and let me tell you.....
Your DVC kitchen and tableware get better care than restaurant stuff.
For all you germaphobes out there... if you knew...... you'd almost never eat in a restaurant.
While most restaurants attempt to keep things well sanitized, this process is only as good as it's "weakest link". The guy that is makiing minimum wage as the dishwasher may not be cleaning things to germaphobe standards...

I agree with you on that. I do not want to know what goes on in a kitchen at a restaurant I am better off not knowing.

 

[nydizfan]

I have been a member since 1994 and only a couple of times have I had a problem with cleanliness of a room. I also work in the restaurant business and have been for 30 years. (chef) . If I told you what goes on behind the kitchen door as it has to do with cleaning dishes and flatware, you would never eat in a restaurant. And this goes for only the germaphobes because you cant really get things spotlessly clean. Do things get dropped on the floor and picked up with just a wipe off.. yes, many times many times.

 

[TDC Nala]

haven't had a lot of problems with DVC but I am not really a germophobe. However there was half a bagel left in the microwave for my AKV stay in February. (and it wasn't MY bagel).

Didn't call anybody, just took the bagel out and wiped down the oven.

 

[susieh]

This thread seems to be a mix of responses from 'normal people' and 'germaphobes' - sorry if that description offends some people but the fact that many people waste resources putting everything through the dishwasher when they arrive and re-cleaning an apartment that has been cleaned by housekeeping offends me!

I wonder if anyone has done a study or survey to see if chidren brought up in a very sanitized house are less or more healthy than one brought up in a less sanitized one?

 

[Tiger926]

This thread seems to be a mix of responses from 'normal people' and 'germaphobes' - sorry if that description offends some people but the fact that many people waste resources putting everything through the dishwasher when they arrive and re-cleaning an apartment that has been cleaned by housekeeping offends me!

I wonder if anyone has done a study or survey to see if chidren brought up in a very sanitized house are less or more healthy than one brought up in a less sanitized one?

This never fails to happen here on the DIS - people who are not that into cleaning get insultive (you have offended many of us who like things cleaner by calling us not 'normal') and post links to oversanitizing, etc. This is the thing: some of us have weaker immune systems than others, some of us have asthma/allergies to mold or dust, some of us have had children almost die from catching viruses from being exposed to others who didn't feel the need to stay inside while they were very ill.

The OP posted a legitimate question about this topic - the fact is, hotels are shared by many different people, so the need for sanitation is there. Your sanitation level may not be mine, but there is no need to get insulting about it. There are lots of ill children -Make a Wish children to be exact at WDW - so it's important to pass sanitizing tips around. Regardless of whether you or someone else has not sanitized and touched remotes, lightswitches, etc., has no bearing on the OP's family or her level of cleanliness. We are a very green family as well, but we do re-wash the dishes and glasses because catching a contagious illness from the last room occupants is not high on our list of fun while on vacation - been there, done that with an infant, and it's very scary!

We always wipe down remotes, lightswitches and phones as the infectious disease specialists that I've dealt with in my life, have all concurred that wiping down these areas between visitors is essential in not spreading germs. I do it myself because the dirty rag that the maid uses to clean my room for me, doesn't quite cut it. Remotes and phones in hotel rooms hardly ever get cleaned, and they can and have been swabbed and proven to carry some serious viruses and bacteria - these could be devastating to some people's immune systems. Do I use antibacterial cleaners at home? Nope, as this I believe is oversanitizing (we use vinegar, Lotus sanitizer - it uses water! and green/organic natural cleaners), but, remember, when in a hotel room, you are being exposed to other people's germs from all over the world, again, not good for some people's systems, so extra cleaning is prudent in this situation.

To those of you who don't sanitize and have Teflon immune systems, good for you, but please remember, some of us do not, nor have children who do not, so suggesting that we are not 'normal' or contributing to some type of oversanitizing problem is not necessary. A little bit of common germs do strengthen our immune systems, but for babies, elderly or any other immunocompromised people to catch streph, staph or rhotavirus, as examples of bacteria that live on hard surfaces, these could be deadly.

To the OP, I wish you a good vacation and a room that is clean and safe for you and your family to stay in, but if not, wipe it down yourself - I'm sure you'd do a much better job anyway - I know I do!

Tiger

 

[GGOOFY1]

Very well said Tiger926

 

[DisFlan]

Sheesh, with everyone wiping switches, remotes, faucets, etc with all kinds of cleaning stuff...plus whatever housekeeping comes in and adds, how am I to know what toxic brew has been slathered all over the villas? Will we have to start RINSING everything off when we get there?

Maybe all you guys can get together and coordinate your cleaning chemicals or leave a note or something? At least with housekeeping, I can call and ask. I'm allergic to a lot of that stuff, so I'd really like to know what's there.

If you did catch anything, how would you know it wasn't from one of the handlebars on a ride, or from a kid in line sneezing on your kid? You're more likely to catch something out in the parks than in one of the rooms.


DisFlan

 

[mvc1997]

It just makes sense to put all the dishes through the dishwasher on arrival.

We also bring wipes and go over the rooms etc.
After having a room that someone had put snot all over the light switches (no we didn't call housekeeping) we always bring our own cleaning supplies.

Bedspreads, get moved tp the chair in the bedrooms. I don't even want to think about them.
When we leave we also put used dishes in the dishwasher so mousekeeping knows they are clean and saves her time. If mousekeeping had to properly clean each villa, from dishes, entire kitchen surfaces, bathrooms (all surfaces), bedrooms, windows, blinds etc., etc,. dues would be through the roof and they would need a half day to clean each one.

If everyone did their part, the rooms wouldn't take housekeeping so long to clean them. I just wish they could keep the floors cleaner.

Still DVC is the best way to have many priceless vacations with loved ones!

BTW, the last time we stayed at OKW we watched a villa get the VIP treatment!! It took two days!

Maybe the OP should ask about that.

 

[DisFlan]

I wonder if anyone has done a study or survey to see if chidren brought up in a very sanitized house are less or more healthy than one brought up in a less sanitized one?

It's pretty well accepted by scientists and medical professionals that if children grow up in an overly clean environment, their immune systems are never adequately challenged and a number of them grow up with diminished response systems. They think this might be one (and I stress one) of the reasons asthma has increased so dramatically in children and young adults in the last 20 or so years. (Yes, I do know what I'm talking about.)

This does not mean all children in "clean" environments will grow up with problems, or that all children in "dirty" environments will grow up healthy. It's merely one of the contributors.

As for myself, I'm more interested in what allergenic substances are used in a villa. If people want to hyperclean their environments, that's fine with me - up to the point where it might make me sick.

DisFlan

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's pretty well accepted by scientists and medical professionals that if children grow up in an overly clean environment, their immune systems are never adequately challenged and a number of them grow up with diminished response systems. They think this might be one (and I stress one) of the reasons asthma has increased so dramatically in children and young adults in the last 20 or so years. (Yes, I do know what I'm talking about.)

This does not mean all children in "clean" environments will grow up with problems, or that all children in "dirty" environments will grow up healthy. It's merely one of the contributors.

As for myself, I'm more interested in what allergenic substances are used in a villa. If people want to hyperclean their environments, that's fine with me - up to the point where it might make me sick.

DisFlan

Excellent post, DisFlan.

 

[Alexander]

If you want to build up a stronger immune system, get a job working with kids! I've been teaching for over 14 years been thrown up on, sneezed-on, wiped snot off of desks and papers, etc. All in all, I've had two minor colds.

If anyone is so afraid of germs that they feel the need to santize everything in their sight, they should probably avoid places like WDW!

I agree with previous posters about all of the different chemicals being used in the rooms! That can harm the health of my children more than a few germs.