Let's Talk About Laundry... of the Dirty Variety

[RUDisney]

OK, I know that alot of people have commented on the convenience of doing their laundry while relaxing around the resort pools. How hard is it to get a machine mid-afternoon? We'll be staying in a BWV Studio, so we have 2 options... save our dirty laundry until we get home or do some of it while we're there. I don't mind washing it if it's relatively easy to get a machine, plus the benefit of not having to carry 8-days worth of clothes for all of us is nice. How many machines are there and are people waiting in line to get one?

 

[Eeyore1954]

Hi! I've not stayed at BWV before, but have done laundry at other places. Never had any difficulty getting a machine; I think because I did it mid-afternoon or early evening. My DW and I used to just pack the clothes and wash at home, but then we discovered one year it was easier to unpack clean clothes. The only problem I had was making sure I have enough quarters!

 

[DawnCt]

For WDW, I always pack enough clothes to last for the 8 or so days that we generally go. I have a nylon Army green duffle bag that is designated the "hamper". We hang this on the back of the bathroom door and when it is full, close it up and carry it back as luggage. I check it through the airline just as I would a suitcase, thus eliminating the need to repack. This leaves a lot more room in the suitcases; sometimes enough room to be able to pack a smaller suitcase inside of another.

 

[Eeyore1954]

I like DawnCT's idea! We've usually packed a nylon carry-on bag that we fill with all our Disney "stuff" from each trip and then lug it on the plane. But any idea that let's me take more STUFF home is even better !

 

[mrsltg]

Even though it costs your first born, DH and I send our laundry out to be done. We spent $20 on laundry services last year (8 day trip) and just had the essentials done. We had underwear, socks, shirts, and clothes soaked in Shamu water (eeewww!) laundered. I felt it was well worth the cost!

Erin

 

[Chance's Mom]

Ohhhhh! I like the sound of that-sending my laundry out!

I did indeed stand in line to do laundry at the ASMo in January (MLK weekend) The resort was full and so were the laundry facilities. We had no clean underwear, so I had no choice. I waited until about 8 pm--big mistake. The laundry facilitities at the ASMo are "well-used" (a little yucky) I did however have an enjoyable time chatting with the other people waiting to do laundry.

Funny, when I stayed at the GF, I had the laundry room (very nice) to my self--there was one in each building!

If you are going to do laundry, a few tips:

Pack a laundry kit:
One dollar bills
Tablet detergent (These are individually wrapped)
Dryer sheets

The laundry supplies at the resorts are over priced!


A mother's work is never done!

 

[robinb]

I always do laundry part way though our stay. My bags are heavy enough that I don't need to pack all those clothes too! I pack laundry tablets, dryer sheets & a "stain magnet" sheet. I'm not sure of the stain magnet works, but I can't always separate clothes like I should. I also just bought a mesh pop-up hamper that for storing and carrying laundry. It folds down totally flat and will take up little space in my suitcase and has a pocket on the side for soap, etc. I bought mine at Menards, but Wal*Mart also carrys them.

BTW, RUDisney will not have to worry about change for the washing machines since the ones at BWV are free for DVC members and their guests (even those renting points). If you need more soap, etc you can buy it at the laundry room and I think the Screen Door might also have some.

 

[Ityldu]

We've never had a problem finding a washer/dryer at WL or DxL. In June we'll be trying out Polynesian, although sending it out sounds better .

Lucky me, DH takes over laundry duties while in Disney.

I do love the idea of bringing mesh bag and detergent tablets. I didn't even know they made tablets for laundry. I'll be purchasing them soon. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think the resort has a lot to do with it.
I did laundry at one evening while staying at CSR and had the place to myself.
ASMo was bad.
(Both times were in January --*slow* season.)
ASMo just doesn't have near as big of a laundry facility as they should.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's been a while since I did laundry at the BW when we stayed ina studio. I think there are two or three washers and about five dryers. There is alot of competition for them at the end of the week during the afternoon. I'm a early waker, so I usually get up at 6AM and get a couple of loads of laundry in and completed by 8AM. I had no problem getting laundry done at OKW when I did it early in the week. As the week rolls on, it's a little harder.

At the Polynesian, they have several washers and dryers. Maybe 12 or so of each. Similar to the laundry room at Port Orleans.

Everyone wants to do laundry while they are sitting around the pool in the middle of the afternoon. Whatever you do, please be considerate of others and remove your laundry when it is done. Washers take about 30-35 minutes. Dryers' cycle is about 40 minutes.

BWV has a nice big folding table in the laundry room.

I always bring my laundry basket from home. We drive and use the laundry basket to carry stuff. Then we use it to collect dirty laundry. Then when we don't have a washer and dryer in our room, I use it to carry the dirty and clean laundry back and forth to our room. I usually get a response like, "Where did you get the laundry basket?"

 

[moosebug]

DH would just kill me if I sent off his undies to be washed!!!! I think afternoon would be good since most people at still at the parks.

 

[BethC1952]

I did laundry twice at PO Riverside (once planned, once because we decided on a late night swim the night before we left and didn't want to take our wet things with us to our Disney Cruise!).

The first time I had the laundry room (and the pool) to myself at 4 PM on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend because everyone else was at the parks.

The second time was 7 AM the next morning, and I don't think anyone else was awake. I put our bathing suits, shorts, etc. in the washer, went to the food court for tea and a quick snack, came back to put the clothes in the dryer, sat at the pool until they were done, and went back to my room and didn't see another soul (except a few sleepy souls at the food court).

Beth

 

[Bob NC]

We were going to send a small load out to be washed at CR last week, UNTIL we looked at the prices....It costs $3 to have a pair of socks washed....Washing a golf type shirt is $6.50. I can't recall exactly, but I think a pair of underwear was around $4.

Yeowwwwwww!

 

[JKW]

We usually stay at WDW for about 8-10 nights. The first year we stayed my hubby(bless his soul) was a little embarrassed when I took all of our dirty clothes, souvenirs, and all but 1 suitcase down to the front desk and had it all sent home through UPS. Now we do it all the time. We usually send it out the day before we leave. We keep one suitcase to keep extra clothes and whatever else we'll need for the last day. When we get home the laundry usually shows up about 2 days later.

 

[Dimplenose]

What a brilliant idea to do laundry early in the morning. For some reason I'm the only person in my family that can't cope with the time difference between UK and US time. I usually have to kill time until my sleeping beauties wake up.

I'll definitely have to do at least one if not two loads as we're staying for two weeks. I think the dirties will walk to the airport by themselves if I don't!!

 

[tinkymom]

Ok - here's how we do it. 50 weeks a year I do laundry at home. The two or so weeks we go on vacation hubby does the laundry - so it's truly a vacation for me. I'm sure Disneedad will reply on how he does the laundry - since I don't pay much attention during vacation. I believe he takes DD (12) to the swimming pool and lets her swim while the laundry is being washed. This gives me some time alone to read, or watch tv or shop, or whatever. It's great!

 

[kimmar067]

RUN, don't walk to the nearest Wal-Mart to purchase one (1) collapsible hamper....thanks robinb !!

Also:
When we stayed at DxL (old habits die hard!!!) we were in the bldg (#36) right next to the quiet pool and laundromat. Frst thing in the AM I put 2 loads in, sat by the pool and read a book. A little more than an hour later, my clothes were clean and dry, and my dear, but lazybone, family was up and about and ready to hit the parks...!!!

 

[jlima]

We stayed at the Dolphin last July. On the morning of the 5th I tried to do laundry. Discovered the machines took tokens! (after losing quarters in machines because I didn't read the signs!) Token machine in laundry room either empty or broken; ditto in the game room. Went to front desk. Clerk said to use token machine near pool tables across lobby. That machine also was either empty or broken. Back to front desk; clerk didn't know how many tokens the machines took. I purchased $3 in tokens & went back to the laundry room & started my 2 loads; then on my way back to the room got more tokens to dry. Couldn't believe I had to chase my tail like that just to do laundry. I may have been worth it to send it out. Moral of the story - always check if you need tokens!!!

 

[WDW2002]

Originally posted by Chance's Mom
laundry facilitities at the ASMo are "well-used" (a little yucky)

could you elaborate a bit more on this?? do you mean after being used all day they got dirty or are the machine old and tatered or what?? I will likely have to do laundry mid way on out 14 day trip but I hate yucky laundry mats.

 

[ellyn2000]

I love to take home clean clothes so I don't mind doing laundry @WDW. Last year I went very early to the laundry room @ASMo and it was already packed. You just wait your turn and it moves pretty quickly. One piece of advice----check your clothing carefully after removing from the washer. I had some things that had what looked like black oil on them out of the washer. These were new Disney shirts that we had just bought. I didn't dry them (hung up to dry when I got back to room) and re washed when I got home. I'll be very careful when I do it again. Like some others, I enjoy visiting with other guests while we wait for our laundry to finish.