VIP Cleaning

[wdwlver]

If you don't need allergy cleaning, please do not ask for it.

The special level of cleaning they do for guests with true respiratory, allergy or immune system issues is specialized care given to guests who NEED extra assistance. Disney does not value them anymore then anyone else. They are accommodating health problems.

As the mother of a son who truly cannot stay in a room that has not had special cleaning, changed out linens, sanitized carpeting, freshly cleaned curtains, air filter switched out, wiped down walls, etc I PROMISE all of you I would rather have to call down and ask for a fresh bedspread if I were grossed out by the thought of someone else having used it before then have a son who has reason enough to NEED a specially cleaned room. My son was taken by ambulance from a Ritz Carlton and a few years ago while staying at the Contemporary we had to rush him in and have breathing treatments/injections/oral steroids administered while staying in a room that wasn't given an allergy/asthma cleaning. It was after this event we learned about VIP Cleaning services. For our family, the special cleaning has made the difference between us being able to vacation or not.

If everyone who just wants a clean room (and I don't argue this, Disney should give EVERY guest a clean room) asks for this service, it will not be possible to make sure that those who truly need it get it.

Of course, no guest should suffer dirty towels, linens or carpeting...but the industry standard is that clean towels, changed sheets, the use of cleaning products and freshly vacuumed floors are considered a clean room. An allergy cleaning goes far beyond this.

As far as VIP cleaning, do any of us want to pay the prices Disney would start to charge if they were expected to provide that service to every single incoming guest? Imagine the wait for check ins then! Seriously though, a clean bathroom is something every should have. If you ever show up and your room is not clean, get them to rectify it instantly. I don't mean to say anyone should vacation in a less than clean room. HOWEVER, don't abuse a system set up to help those who have real medical needs to make sure they do it. I would trade any of you my 'ultra clean' Disney rooms if you are willing to trade your children's easy breathing to my son.

** One last note before I close: I am not saying that anyone who has posted is planning on doing this...I am aware however, that many people read public boards and it is a worry for me that this offering may be taken advantage of and not be available for those who really need it.**

I agree. My daughter has severe allergies (anaphylaxis) to certain foods and I carry an epi pen and medical information with me at all times. We get the VIP cleaning out of necessity not for any other reason.

I had never asked for VIP cleaning before my daughter was born and wish like crazy I didn't have to ask now, but it is THAT important.

Please don't request unless truly medically necessary.

 

[Canyon girl]

I understand that many who have to have this level of cleaning are scared that this discussion will increase others to have this done as well, but if people knew the truth about what this entails to their vacation plans, I don't think that everyone will rush and call for it. DH and I are going back and forth on what to do. DS has allergies that seem to be worse in humid climates. Until we moved to the desert, DS was on allergy medication. Now he just has occasional problems that respond to Benadryl. I am concerned about the excess mold that is normally found in the bathrooms in FL and how it will affect him. I am considering just asking for a modified cleaning (thoroughly clean bathroom, clean comforters, and clean air filter). This will not take a lot of extra time, but it SHOULD be enough to help him have a better sleep and less medication during his vacation. The downside to this that others that have had these cleanings will probably tell you is that you get the room you are assigned. If you get to your room and you don't like the location, they can't exactly go back and clean a room in a different location. It would take too long. For the extensive VIP cleanings, they probably have to take any room that is empty the day before and work on it. It may not be your desired location. So, everyone really has to take this into consideration. Actually choosing to have this done is not for the faint-hearted. I second the plea from a PP. Please don't request this just because you are afraid of the swine flu. If you are afraid of catching something, bring your own clorox wipes and lysol. It doesn't take long to do your own surface cleaning.

 

[wdwlver]

Very good point, Canyon Girl. Once you say you need a VIP cleaning, you will not be reassigned a room if you don't like the one you're given. Also, when we checked into BCV on 8/1, it took all day for the room to be ready. We were coming from BWV and checked in around 8:30 AM but our room was not ready until 4. They had other rooms we could have taken ready and waiting, but we had to wait for the specially cleaned room.

 

[ElizabethB]

The difficulty here is -- who is to say who really needs VIP cleaning? Do you need a certification from a doctor to request it?

If not, it's just a judgment call by parents.

 

[buzznina]

During one of our stays at CSR, we had issues with mousekeeping doing a very poor job of cleaning our room. The 3rd day on the way out to one of the parks I stopped at the counter and conveyed my unhappiness to the manager and he said he will put us on the VIP cleaning list, and that was the first time I had heard of it.

 

[fairestoneofall]

Now I'm wondering if I should request a more thorough cleaning. DS has asthma and some food (and environmental) allergies. He always ALWAYS gets sick when we are on vacation. I never realized that I could request a more thorough cleaning of our room to help him. I don't think we need it to the extent that a PP described. But certainly, a thorough cleaning, fresh linens/bedspreads and changed air filter might actually help him from getting so sick.

We are staying in the FW cabins for our next visit. Has anyone requested a more thorough cleaning there?

 

[jaycns]

The difficulty here is -- who is to say who really needs VIP cleaning? Do you need a certification from a doctor to request it?

If not, it's just a judgment call by parents.

I don't think that's difficult at all.


If someone (or their child) can live life outside of WDW normally without special consideration then they don't need it at WDW. If someone does have to restrict exposures, specially clean or otherwise make accomadations during everyday life, then it would be a no brainer to use the available service to help provide the same level of care at WDW that is needed everywhere.

If someone (or their child) have no chronic conditions (or acute if the issue would overlap the time they would be on vacation) for which they take extra steps at home, why on earth would someone expect Disney to provide them with a VIP cleaning?

If you have medical needs ask. If you don't, then it's not for you. Plain and simple.

 

[tarak]

I don't think that's difficult at all.


If someone (or their child) can live life outside of WDW normally without special consideration then they don't need it at WDW. If someone does have to restrict exposures, specially clean or otherwise make accomadations during everyday life, then it would be a no brainer to use the available service to help provide the same level of care at WDW that is needed everywhere.

If someone (or their child) have no chronic conditions (or acute if the issue would overlap the time they would be on vacation) for which they take extra steps at home, why on earth would someone expect Disney to provide them with a VIP cleaning?

If you have medical needs ask. If you don't, then it's not for you. Plain and simple.

I think this is a very good way to approach things. As I posted before, my son is allergic to peanuts and we have to carry an epi pen with us wherever we go (as long as he's there ). I would be concerned about cross contamination on a comforter, for example, if a previous guest had eaten an uncrustable on the bed. Mold might gross me out, but it wouldn't harm anyone in my family, thank goodness. I had planned to call and inquire about dining because of his allergy, so to that extent, we have to plan a bit more when we travel. So clean comforters and blankets would be fine for us.
However, as much as I'd love that same treatment when I travel to WDW next month, I don't need to ask for it (and don't intend to), since he will be home with DH - none of us traveling in September have that allergy so we don't have to worry about it.

 

[cinderella73]

ITA Basically if you have a life threatening condition that could benefit from the VIP clean do it. If not please dont. I hate needing it because if I hate my room I cant get out of it once they have it cleaned. Plus it takes a long time to be ready. I wish I didnt have to even get one done at all. But we need all linens and bedskirts removed as well as the cleaning. Otherwise I would just wipe it down myself.

BTW kudos to Disney for doing this ! Its why we are so loyal to them . They really consider each persons needs. We wouldnt be able to visit without these VIP cleanings. Its the only place we can safely vacation.

 

[jaycns]

Now I'm wondering if I should request a more thorough cleaning. DS has asthma and some food allergies. He always ALWAYS gets sick when we are on vacation. I never realized that I could request a more thorough cleaning of our room to help him. I don't think we need it to the extent that a PP described. But certainly, a thorough cleaning, fresh linens/bedspreads and changed air filter might actually help him from getting so sick.

We are staying in the FW cabins for our next visit. Has anyone requested a more thorough cleaning there?

A clean room, fresh linens should be provided to everyone. The changed air filter/freshbedspread would be a special request to have provided. It would be up to you if you should request that beforehand or wait until you get there.

You could request them to change the air filter out and bring a fresh bedspread upon check in if you think it would be medically needed to keep your son healthy. I would assume they would be very good about helping you get what your son needs for medical reasons.

A VIP cleaning is so much more detailed than you are describing needing. And once it is done, you don't really have the chance to request a move should you not like where you end up. You might end up getting into your room much later in the day (way after the stated check in time in some cases) and the chance of you getting a last minute upgrade is practically zero. If I didn't have to request VIP cleaning, I really wouldn't want to. There is a definate trade off.


I am not a CM or anything like that but I would think it would be no problem to have your son's needs met at FW. My son's needs have been accomadated at WL, Contemp, Poly, CSR, GF and on the Disney Cruise. Part of the reason Disney draws our family back time after time is their handling of our son's medical needs.

ETA: We don't have food allergies here so I don't know much about it but I do know that Disney will work with accomadating food allergy needs as well. I am sure someone else would have more info to pass on to you about that. HTH

 

[jaycns]

During one of our stays at CSR, we had issues with mousekeeping doing a very poor job of cleaning our room. The 3rd day on the way out to one of the parks I stopped at the counter and conveyed my unhappiness to the manager and he said he will put us on the VIP cleaning list, and that was the first time I had heard of it.

Disney must have more than one thing they refer to as a "VIP Cleaning".

I mean, poor housekeeping on Disney's part would in no way mean that they would assume you wanted your linens/towels washed without detergent, your room scrubbed with only baking soda/water/elbow grease,etc.

I am sure they must have a different 'VIP Clean' that is more along the lines of "keep this room spotless or else".

I am sure that what they did for you was different than a medical needs VIP Clean.

 

[jaycns]

I DO think they should go through the rooms & do more dusting though....this last trip we had to move the couch/futon b/c we thought we dropped a phone down the back & when we moved it...yuck!!! Alot of dust & broken candy back there. We also noticed very dusty lights on the beds-now I do think the rooms should be clean-no matter what level resort you stay in-I have never heard of VIP cleaning-I wouldn't ask for it but if I saw a dirty room I would let the desk know. The curtains did need a washing too. JMO.

Eww gross. I would have so not enjoyed finding that in any hotel room. Disney dropped the ball by giving any guest a room with lots of dust and old candy/crumbs. That is just wrong. Sorry that happened to you!

 

[fairestoneofall]

A clean room, fresh linens should be provided to everyone. The changed air filter/freshbedspread would be a special request to have provided. It would be up to you if you should request that beforehand or wait until you get there.

You could request them to change the air filter out and bring a fresh bedspread upon check in if you think it would be medically needed to keep your son healthy. I would assume they would be very good about helping you get what your son needs for medical reasons.

A VIP cleaning is so much more detailed than you are describing needing. And once it is done, you don't really have the chance to request a move should you not like where you end up. You might end up getting into your room much later in the day (way after the stated check in time in some cases) and the chance of you getting a last minute upgrade is practically zero. If I didn't have to request VIP cleaning, I really wouldn't want to. There is a definate trade off.


I am not a CM or anything like that but I would think it would be no problem to have your son's needs met at FW. My son's needs have been accomadated at WL, Contemp, Poly, CSR, GF and on the Disney Cruise. Part of the reason Disney draws our family back time after time is their handling of our son's medical needs.

ETA: We don't have food allergies here so I don't know much about it but I do know that Disney will work with accomadating food allergy needs as well. I am sure someone else would have more info to pass on to you about that. HTH

I know that we don't need a VIP cleaning. I can only imagine how you struggle to keep your child healthy. And I do respect that not everyone should request a VIP cleaning. I get that.

If a change of air filter and clean bedspread would keep my son from being miserable, it might be worth that at least. I know we keep our air filter changed. And I cannot open my windows during spring and most of the fall. He simply gets to where he can't breathe. And he's pretty miserable. So, I keep him indoors, or limit his outdoor activity. It drives him nuts, but that's the way it goes. We carry an EpiPen and his inhaler.

I was watching our November vacation video and it's obvious in his voice how congested he was.

 

[wifisker]

I'll start by saying DD and I certainly don't need the VIP cleaning and wouldn't think of requesting it. We're pretty healthy on average.

BUT this thread got me thinking about resort cleanliness in general. I travel a bit for work and it grosses me out every time to think that the comforter may have had any number of other people using it before me... with any number of germs, crumbs or other 'nasties' all over it. It almost makes me sick and it's really hard to relax and get a good night's sleep.

Has anyone just requested a new bedspread when they've reserved a room at either WDW or other hotels? Is that reasonable or are they likely to view you as such a pain that maybe they'd get revenge by hanging up used towels or something?

 

[swald91]

Eww gross. I would have so not enjoyed finding that in any hotel room. Disney dropped the ball by giving any guest a room with lots of dust and old candy/crumbs. That is just wrong. Sorry that happened to you!

The thing is it wasn't in plain sight....we had to move the futon & behind it was the candy & dust -that won't stop me from going to Disney-it wasn't like the room was disgusting-I'm pretty sure the room was vacuumed everyday-we have 2 kids who just seem to bring crumbs & dirt with them from everywhere!!!!

 

[angwill]

If you think behind the couch was bad never look behind the TV stand. lol

I did have a mousekeeper tell me they are supposed to change out the comforter at the end of a guests stay so it should be fresh according to her.

As for complaining if the room is not clean don't do it as I learned the hard way when we had a vendictive mousekeeper who retaliated when we told her manager what she wasn't doing during our last stay. Let's just say I will ask to move if it is bad enough to complain from now on.

 

[Sammie]

There is absolutely no reason for anyone to request a special cleaning unless you or your child suffers from a condition that warrants something special being done that you also do on a regular basis at home and every time you travel including to relatives.

As to the manager who replied to the complaint about a room saying they would do a VIP cleaning that simply means a manager will inspect the room after it is cleaned to make sure the problem was taken care of. Nothing special was done.

Having a room set up for a child or adult with special needs is more expensive and definitely more time consuming as special products have to used to clean the room. Usually this type of room is not available for use until very late in the day.

If this situation is abused, you can believe the cost will be passed on to the customer.

If you are just learning about this service from reading the forums I would say mostly likely you do not need it. Most parents of special needs children are already aware of what their child needs before hearing it discussed here.

 

[Singinglizzie]

I agree that this type of service should be reserved for those who truly need it, but I think the title "VIP cleaning" suggests its something else. When I first heard about a vip cleaning, I thought gee I have allergies, maybe I should ask for one. Disney ought to rename this type of cleaning to something like "Medical Necessity Cleaning" , so that it would be clear to the common person that it isn't a service for just anyone.

 

[dclfun]

Along with accommodating most dietary and accessibility needs I think it's amazing that Disney is able to accommodate this kind of extensive cleaning and make such a difference in the life of a person who may not have otherwise been able to go on vacation. Everyone deserves a clean room, but I'd think very few guests would need this level of cleaning, and if they need this level of cleaning they'd be aware before reading about it on a message board.---Kathy

 

[BreezysMom]

So we all agree that Disney Mousekeepers should do a better job of cleaning and not spend their time making TOWEL ANIMALS??

Because the recurring gripe on this DIS seems to be disgruntled guests due to no towel animals left during their entire stay???

I have never understood this?

I do my own VIP cleaning. I bring bleach wipes and wipe down anything and everything I can, especially the TV remote If I find cleanliness issues, I report them ASAP. They have always been addressed immediately.

As far as the official service offered by Disney, I think that is great that a guest can count on that when their child/family member has health needs that require it. Disney never ceases to amaze me.