This should be very interesting!

[inkkognito]

We just got a new "toy" at Petsmart that I absolutely have to take on our cruise next week! We recently intergrated a new cat into our household. The existing cat is 5 years old and VERY psychotic, and the new one is 2 but thinks he is a kitten and loves everyone. I had noticed Toonces, the resident cat, sniffing around quite a bit, and Tony noticed Stitch, the newcomer, doing a potty break under the bird cage. I did some detective work with my nose and discovered some "accidents." I thought I found them all, but when we were at Petsmart today, they had an ultraviolet light for $14 that lets you find "spots" very easily. Sure enough, I discovered that those wicked beasts have been using the bedroom closet as an outhouse!!
The box also says that it's great for travelling to check the cleanliness of hotel rooms. Needless to say, I am very intrigued, so my next trip report will have some new and exciting ifo. I'll be able to check out the true cleanliness of the Marriott and our stateroom! I just hope there hasn't been an upchucking youngster in good ol' 5650 lately, because you can see remnants even when you think you have thoroughly cleaned an area. Before she died, my old cat Muse threw up a lot, and we scrubbed up the areas with all sorts of carpet cleaning potions. But her spots are still visible under the unforgiving glare of ultraviolet.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Michelle]

Are you guys sure you really want to know? I think I would never sit on a bedspread again if I saw what is REALLY on there.

 

[thedisneymom]

I'm curious to see what the new toy shows. Also, would like your experienced opinion on a comment made recently on another thread. Do you know if Disney changes the blankets and bedspreads before the next cruise. We know our sheets are clean, but what if someone had a virus or severe cold( the blankets could be "covered" with germs. What are your thoughts?

 

[inkkognito]

I don't know Disney's exact policy, but when we were on our three-peat and remained on the ship inbetween cruises, we saw them changed bedspreads between each cruise. I'm not sure if they do it for every stateroom or for certain areas of the ship, but they were definitely doing replacements.
My little gadget shows just about any type of body fluid, and different types are different shades of color under the light. There is a handy-dandy "guide" on the side of the box. It seems like the sort of thing that would be sold at Sharper Imagine, but Petsmart is the only place I've ever seen it.
Those cats thought they had me fooled, but the jig is up now!!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Cruise]

I'm with Michelle... if I knew, I'd probably never leave the house again...ugh....

As for changing the bedspreads, I try not to think about that either. Not so much for the "virus" factor but because I don't like to think about people coming in from the pool, hanging up their wet suit and then just plopping down on the bed without so much as a robe on... blehhhhhhhhh. Same reason I won't do the Suriel (and, yes, I know they clean it between each appointment).

Though I'll probably go buy one of these lights anyway just out of a sense of sick fascination

Julie

 

[thedisneymom]

The images you are creating in my mind-well let's just say not a pretty sight! I'm going to pretend I didn't read this topic , and go and have some "Disney Dreams".

 

[SMDent]

I have one of those lights too, but when I'm checking, it's for scorpions!

Yes they do glow when alive and for some time after they are dead. Not 1000% fool proof mind you, but with a severe allergy to the venom, I have no desire for hospital trips.

I lived in Tucson, that's where I found out about the allergy, stung twice in two weeks. Kept a sting kit ever since.

As for the bed sheets.... a couple places sell the bed sacks that youth hostels in Europe require. It's either silk or a synthetic blend sheet that is folded and sewn across the bottom. I think they make ones for couples too. If that is a concern.

I did read in one travel magazine that when the magazine did tests, it was the higher end hotels that had problems, not the cheaper chain places.

Sandy

Almost a week to go!

 

[Werner Weiss]

I almost wish I hadn't done the Google search where I found this article: http://www.restassured.com/app.html

 

[Makaroni5]

Wow, I didn't put too much thought into the bedspread as I always flip my sheet over the top for sleeping anyway, as I like the sheet next to me. Now I'm thinking bad thoughts about the spread, but I do think you can know a little too much, if you know what I mean. I think I'll pass on the "toy" at least for my cruise anyway and try to just think pleasant thoughts and enjoy! Only 22 more days and we all can't wait!!!!!

 

[rae519]

I got to get me one of them!
Thanks Barb!!!! And Werner Weiss for the article - wow! You were right, but we should know what we are paying for!!!


Rae

 

[disneyholic family]

most top of the line hotels (including the disney cruise lines i assume) change the bedspreads between guests.....
nevertheless i always make my kids take off the bedspread before they sit or lie down on the bed...
i also try to only stay in hotels that cover the blanket with a duvet (even though hotels change the blankets between guests as well)....

i would tell you what a neighbor of ours caught from hotel bedding (or so he told his wife when she caught them from him)...but i've always had my doubts about what he does on his business trips anyway....
besides, what he caught is disgusting and not rated for a family discussion board...

 

[mmouse37]

I saw a 20/20 report on the cleanliness of hotel rooms with that light, you would not want to know everything they found....stains on the floor, wall, bedspreads, etc.

I would rather live in a state of bliss (ignorance). I do not need to know every stain that is around. If we look closely at anything, we could find something wrong...like restaurants....I have no desire to look in the kitchen of my favorite restaurant. Disney consistently gets high marks for sanitation after each inspection and that is enough for me.

Even if you did find stains in your cabin, what would you do, ask to move....every cabin on that ship probably has one "hidden" stain or another somewhere. I would think it would just drive you nuts knowing specifically where every mess was.

Keep me in my state of bliss and I will just turn down the bedspread....but, don't you think there are probably just as many stains....on the sofa as the bedspread??? Are people not going to sit on that either???? I'd rather stay in the dark!!!

MJ

 

[Jeanne434]

Oh my goodness- I do NOT NOT NOT want to know! Suffering from OCD makes life challenging enough without carrying ultraviolet lights around looking for nasty invisible to the naked eye stuff! I wish I had never opened this thread. yuch. Why would you want to know? What are you going to do about it anyhow? Just wash your hands, avoid licking the bedspead and try not to think about it! lol

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

they had an ultraviolet light for $14 that lets you find "spots" very easily.

Hi Barb. As a word of caution, you might want to have a go at this on a scientific basis. Use home - which you know to be a certain degree of cleanliness - as your "control" environment. I would imagine if you first check a clean/controlled environment and illuminate any unexpected stains, you can then apply the same method to DCL or any public offering for that matter. Just a thought...

The box also says that it's great for travelling to check the cleanliness of hotel rooms.

Are boxes always truthful? You might want to take what they "say" with a grain of salt, tequila & lime...


Gosh - don't take this thing to an assisted living facility. I'd imagine you'll end up wanting to wear a body condom...

 

[mcnuss]

As someone who stays a couple of nights every week in a hotel room, I have to say that I would not want to know. Like disneyholic, I try to only stay places that either double sheet the bed (so the blanket is covered)(Disney does this btw) or use duvets. If I am at a hotel that uses bedspreads, I remove it to the closet. Since I am not going to ask if it was changed & wached between guests, it's just easier to get rid of it.

One of the ways I maintain my sanity about all these hotel stays is by "pretending" that I am the only person who has ever stayed in that room.

 

[PRaffen]

For me, there's such a thing as "too much information" and this is definitely it for me. LOL (although I'm sure I won't be able to resist reading Barb's report).

 

[tiptoen]

I guess now we can look for "Hidden Mickey Stains".

 

[Fay Ray]

I have one word for this thread........LYSOL!!!

Hey Barb,
I love the name Toonces.....does he drive you around???

 

[Fantasia Sam]

OMG - now I'm paranoid !! That said I've not caught anything to date from any of my trips but I certainly always were a robe or towel before I sit on the bedspread. We usually take the bedspread off when we go to bed so I think I'll be OK.

Does make you think though.....

 

[Gillian]

I'm with Jeanne - EWWWW!

It's just better not to think about it. Or use a lot of Lysol!

I don't recall triple sheeting (bottom, top & on top of the blanket) at any of the disney resorts I've stayed in this year. Just 2 sheets at AKL, Polynesian & beach club villas. And the FW cabins. Maybe if you stay concierge or if you request it? Do they have this on the ships? I can't remember.