Launderette upgrades on DCL fleet

[tvguy]

Why should we waste guest services’ time moving laundry that has sat there for an hour (to say nothing of the time of the guest who just wants to do their laundry— why should they walk to guest services and wait in line instead of handling the laundry left in a machine?)?

Why would it be less objectionable for guest services to move it on top of a free space than a guest?

I don’t like the idea of strangers (guests or guest service CMs!) touching my clean laundry, but I can avoid it by setting a timer and returning to fetch my items when the cycle is complete. The machines are a shared community resource and they shouldn’t be tied up by people who can’t make it back to collect their belongings— I’m pretty sure the norm in every shared laundry facility is that people who don’t want their clothes set aside by strangers need to return and handle their own laundry in a timely fashion.

We just stayed in the laundry room and read a book until the washing and drying was done.

 

[grumpy's fan]

I would love to hear a report on the laundry situation on Magic and Dream. Trying to pack as light as possible and also determine if I can wait until we are on the ship or need to do it on a WDW resort day.

On the Dream now

The machines are set up so that you tap your key card directly at the washer/dryer—no loading tokens

We washed several times and it was problematic locating open washers-each time we ended up having to move from one Laundrette to another on a different deck

This was after checking the availability screen in each launderette—By the time we got there it was unavailable.

 

[Budzooka]

Never had an issue with the laundry room and we are considerate and set a time to return when the cycle is complete.

 

[Girl of the South]

Out in the “real world” laundromats, people move forgotten laundry all the time. I would not hesitate.

 

[lanejudy]

If Disney’s policy is not to remove or touch guest property from the machines, why is it OK for you to do it?

There is probably a different level of liability involved. Your situation with a malfunctioning washer is very different from the family who starts a load in the morning and then heads out for an excursion — intentionally inconveniencing other guests. I have no problem removing items from either a washer or a dryer after 20-30 minutes or so, whether it’s on DCL, at WDW, while camping, or the rare occasion that I use a public laundromat at home. I’m always waiting nearby — close enough to be back before the machine finishes. If a person doesn’t have enough time, then they shouldn’t start a load in the first place.

 

[Sleepyluke]

Why would it be less objectionable for guest services to move it on top of a free space than a guest?

GS will also not move your stuff off of a lunger at the pool , they don't want to be in the middle of guests arguments. Remember, to make one of you happy, the other is not....

Absolutely move clothes that have been sitting for 30-45 min. Yes people are busy and need some leeway, but there are also just as many entitled people that will leave it until convenient for them, regardless of the repercussions to the rest of the ship.

And yes, you better bet in the real world laundromats, your clothes are taken out if everything is taken and you are MIA....

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

GS will also not move your stuff off of a lunger at the pool , they don't want to be in the middle of guests arguments. Remember, to make one of you happy, the other is not....

Absolutely move clothes that have been sitting for 30-45 min. Yes people are busy and need some leeway, but there are also just as many entitled people that will leave it until convenient for them, regardless of the repercussions to the rest of the ship.

And yes, you better bet in the real world laundromats, your clothes are taken out if everything is taken and you are MIA....

Yeah, I see “I’ll just leave my laundry in the machine for another hour or two and nobody else can touch it” as an extension of the chair hog problem. The entire ship would be better off if people only tied up community resources when using them, but most guests only think about their own convenience. I will consolidate towels and placeholder items if a pool chair has been empty for more than 30m, and out of dozens of times of moving stuff, only once has anybody every come back wondering what happened to their chairs (and it was another 30+ min later)….but I’m meandering off topic.

The best solution for everybody is for people not to do laundry in community machines unless they are prepared to either monitor their laundry cycle progress or wait around in the laundry room or make peace with someone else potentially touching their clothes. It would be great if Disney posted a clear rule/expectation like they do with chairs to say either it’s 5/15/30 minutes before you can move along unclaimed laundry, so that people who aren’t familiar with community laundry norms (or have different norms wherever they do laundry) know what to expect and act accordingly.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If Disney’s policy is not to remove or touch guest property from the machines, why is it OK for you to do it?

Because it's a employee policy, not a guest policy?

I've used many self-serve laundry facilities in my travels and when I had apartments. There's always been people who do not show up in a timely manner, and if the washers/dryers were done, and someone's waiting, it's generally been allowed to sit in the machine for 15 minutes or so before someone will move the items out and place them on table or shelf.

And, yes, I've been the one who missed my machine stopping and had my clothes pulled out and placed on the table. But, only once. I was embarrassed (due to my lack of promptness) , but not mortified, or mad that they did it.

 

[Erica1016]

Never had an issue with the laundry room and we are considerate and set a time to return when the cycle is complete.

We got updates in the App telling us it had started and when it would be done. I think we also got a warning and if not, it told us it had completed. It was pretty easy to be back just as it was finishingi up!

 

[ShaneDJ]

I don't think you should be touching other people's property.

You should be more responsible and be at the washer/dryer when the cycle finishes.

It is not "your" washer/dryer, it is a shared resource.

If the cycle is done and you are not there, your clothes will be moved.

 

[Flossbolna]

We got updates in the App telling us it had started and when it would be done. I think we also got a warning and if not, it told us it had completed. It was pretty easy to be back just as it was finishingi up!

Your machine also tells you how long it will take. So easy to just set a timer on your phone for 5 minutes less than that and be back in time.

 

[smile5sunshine]

Can you still open them without your KTTW?
Otherwise I can see them being left full for ages.

 

[Van Houten]

Your machine also tells you how long it will take. So easy to just set a timer on your phone for 5 minutes less than that and be back in time.

I found that the cycle duration displayed on the machine is much more precise than the notifications from the app. On many occasions the app would state that the cycle was finished long before the actual cycle was done. At that point the machine is still doing its job, but the sensor on it would display green (free) instead of red. This also creates a problem with status/availability in the app.

 

[auntlynne]

I found that the cycle duration displayed on the machine is much more precise than the notifications from the app. On many occasions the app would state that the cycle was finished long before the actual cycle was done. At that point the machine is still doing its job, but the sensor on it would display green (free) instead of red. This also creates a problem with status/availability in the app.

I noticed that, too. But that gets you back in time to move your own clothes.

 

[jdb in AZ]

The one and only time I moved someone else's clothes to the shelf, I noticed the clothes were still on the shelf at the end of the cruise, days later.

Meanwhile, I understand the need for the laundrette; kids tend to go through a lot of clothes. But it's my vacation, and I've learned to pack a few more clothes and not bother with laundry.

 

[anricat]

The one and only time I moved someone else's clothes to the shelf, I noticed the clothes were still on the shelf at the end of the cruise, days later.

Meanwhile, I understand the need for the laundrette; kids tend to go through a lot of clothes. But it's my vacation, and I've learned to pack a few more clothes and not bother with laundry.

I wish I could do this. But on a longer cruise (8, 9 or 10 nights) with several days prior and several days after, I just don't own 2 weeks worth of clothes - nor would I want to pack them of I did.

 

[Van Houten]

I wish I could do this. But on a longer cruise (8, 9 or 10 nights) with several days prior and several days after, I just don't own 2 weeks worth of clothes - nor would I want to pack them of I did.

My DW and kids have enough clothes to last them a couple of weeks, but I do not, and since I'm in charge of getting the luggage from point A to point B and back, I have no desire to pack that much stuff anyhow. So it's either regular laundry or no vacations at all.

 

[DCLMP]

I hope you are not removing other people's items

If people leave their clothes in the washer and don’t come back and people are waiting on washers. Heck yeah I remove it and have had done it several times. If you don’t want your clothes touched be back on time.

 

[DCLMP]

There is probably a different level of liability involved. Your situation with a malfunctioning washer is very different from the family who starts a load in the morning and then heads out for an excursion — intentionally inconveniencing other guests. I have no problem removing items from either a washer or a dryer after 20-30 minutes or so, whether it’s on DCL, at WDW, while camping, or the rare occasion that I use a public laundromat at home. I’m always waiting nearby — close enough to be back before the machine finishes. If a person doesn’t have enough time, then they shouldn’t start a load in the first place.

On the long European cruises washing clothes is a battle. There is always a wait for washers and dryers. If the laundry rooms are busy It’s very rude not to stay on top of when the cycle ends and be there. Yes people will remove clothes after a few minutes. No one wants to waste more time than necessary doing laundry.

I’m glad DCL starting offering the deals on laundry service that helps.

 

[auntlynne]

I wish I could do this. But on a longer cruise (8, 9 or 10 nights) with several days prior and several days after, I just don't own 2 weeks worth of clothes - nor would I want to pack them of I did.

I’ve used washers on 4 night cruises! I think I did twice on my 8 night one. And I’m not a family. And I come home with items never worn, despite removing items from my list - and planning on wearing dinner clothes twice (without needing washing).

The cycles are very short. It is easy to fit it in without missing out on fun activities.