Of our 6 DVC stays, we've gotten towel animals more times than not.
We've gotten towel animals at OKW, BWV, VWL (twice) ... all DVC reservations
Missed them when staying at Ft W cabin, WL, POR & AKV ... only one of the four was a DVC reservation.
Note, I spoke with a housekeeping manager and was told that the housekeepers make these out of old towels Disney has "mouse eared" for disposal and they're made on the housekeeper's own time. As such, I do not expect towel animals. I'll be much more appreciative of a well cleaned room when I arrive over a critter or two hanging out.
This past trip, it seemed as if towel animals might be becoming "standard". We had them placed in the rooms at BWV, Vero and OKW. Some were more elaborately done than others -- including glued on eyes, etc. Last year there was one in my room at SSR as well.
We had an incident with our mousekeeping staff. After the mousekeeping manager was unable to rectify the situation, we spoke with the hotel manager (I told the manager I was going over her head, didn't like her response).
On our trash & towel day, we had this elaborate swan within a heart that must have used up 5 towels. It took up half the bed. I think I have a picture of it somewhere.
That was the only towel animal (more like scene) I have had in a DVC unit. I agree with PP, I prefer a clean room and for them to be in and out quickly.
We have had that one twice but no other animals at DVC. We did have a variety of animals on our Disney Cruise. The best was a monkey. They used my DH sunglasses and a gold chocolate coin.
We usually find a little one in the bathroom or in the entry way when we arrive. But unless you are getting a full cleaning (and even then, probably not), you won't get one on trash and towel day. The housekeepers at DVC resorts have a big job trying to get the villas cleaned on check out day and full cleaning day.
Just remember, if you don't get one it's not important to determining the level of happiness on your trip. Yes, people have actually said their trip was ruined because they didn't get a towel animal. Durrrrrr!!!
We have always had a few at OKW over the years, but I have noticed a definite increase in the number of towel animals lately. Several times we have had the elaborate swans. I usually move them intact into the window area over the tub between the master bathroom and bedroom. We have seen lots of little ducks etc. too.
Years ago I never saw one. The past few years there has usually been at least one in my DVC room. One trip we had two when we checked in. They've never left a me new one on Trash & Towel or Full Cleaning days.
I've also had a couple of stays over the past few years at Pop. The first time we got new animals each day. We had quite a collection at the end of the week. The second time there was an animal in the window the day we checked in but it was taken away when they cleaned the next day. We never got another one that whole week.
I've never had one at DVC yet as my first stay is booked this summer BUT at POR this past February our Mousekeeper left us the most amazing towel animals
We made certain to let her manager know because it's just one of those special things.. this manager said our MK is one of the resorts best and she had me call the actual manager to make certain the top person at the resort was aware. It made me feel good to pass on the praise at a job well done and how someone tries to go the extra mile.
Besides the circles that make up Mickey Mouse on the beds, we had a cute little chick, with pasted on eyes in the master bath. We were in a 2 bedroom at BWV in March. I don't know if there was anything in the studio bathroom area, but they did have a MM on the bed in that part as well.