What would you do?

[ont/ohana]

When we check out we always do the towel-tub thing and as the previous poster wrote..we have left unopened water in the fridge for mousekeeping with a tip. '
We fourtunatly have not had a cleaning problem, and when I call down for extra blankets we always have them very quickly!!
I hope we never encounter the issue some posters have had

 

[mello]

Maybe it's time to "fine" those who leave a unit in an "unusual mess"?

I was thinking the same thing. That's just not right to leave things that way when you check out. That said, it sounds like Mousekeeping needs to add checking fridges, cupboards and drawers to their normal routine.

 

[Madi100]

This was talked about on our last trip by DH and some other members. The other guest was very unimpressed by the cleanliness. She said at other resorts when they check in the dishes are in the dishwasher so you know they are clean. How do we know these dishes are clean? I can wash my dishes with water only by just rinsing them off and put them away. Our microwave was not thoroughly cleaned. When we pulled our couch out, there were crackers underneath it. While it's great for those that feel they need to pick-up their room before they leave, it states no where that it has to be done. So, I'm paying for someone to do it, and it's their responsibility. And, even if I did do some of the cleaning, there is no way that housekeeping can tell that who is and not cleaning, and they should do it away. I agree on the checklist. The hardest part, I think, is that some of these rooms are cash rooms, not timeshare. I'm not sure if it's because people "live" in these rooms more then they do typical rooms, but my general impression was that there had been some families in our room before us that had been hard on it. You would think that since we "own" them we'd have a little pride and take care. I guess not for all.

 

[fishermouse]

But I also wonder what kind of condition people are leaving the rooms in when they leave. Before my family left, we cleaned the microwave, emptied out the frig (and cleaned anything that was spilt), and even had the trash collected and waiting in one spot. Anything I can do to make the clean-up faster for the mousekeeping and get "you" in your room quicker is just curtious. I really don't think mousekeeping should be responsible to clean out the food we leave behind in the frig. But neither should the people coming in after us. Maybe it's time to "fine" those who leave a unit in an "unusual mess"?

I agree here we always clean out the fridge and cabinets, I will leave unopened beer/soda for housekeeping but that's all. Usually with a note attached to take or dispose of. The last thing I do before leaving is start the dishwasher. Counters microwave etc are wiped down, probably looks like we never used anything, DW thinks I go a little to far sometimes, but it's our second home...wonder what some homes must look like?

 

[Chuck S]

I'm glad I'm not the only member that tidies up before we check-out, though I have on occasion left dishes i the sink if we had an early flight. One of my former employers could trash a hotel room in one night, newspapers strewn about, room service dishes left everywhere, towels strewn about, soda cans thrown around. I could never room with him when we had to travel out of town. And of course, he never left a tip for the maids.

 

[Madi100]

I agree here we always clean out the fridge and cabinets, I will leave unopened beer/soda for housekeeping but that's all. Usually with a note attached to take or dispose of. The last thing I do before leaving is start the dishwasher. Counters microwave etc are wiped down, probably looks like we never used anything, DW thinks I go a little to far sometimes, but it's our second home...wonder what some homes must look like?

Is housekeeping allowed to keep the stuff? I've often thought of doing this, however, didn't know if it was against the rules for them to take stuff left behind. It could become an issue of theft.

 

[disfreaks]

We just left OKW a couple of days ago. I too, clean things before we go to make their job easier. I think if everyone just picked up after themselves it would be a big help. We also triple check all cupboards, drawers, washer, dryer, etc. I did leave some salad in the fridge, and burgers in the freezer, but both were sealed up. I had asked at the bell desk if anyone would take them, and he replied that housekeeping will usually take things that are sealed up. I hated just throw away a box of hamburgers, especially since it was still sealed. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside once and walked by a room that was being cleaned. The mousekeeper came out and said do you believe this? The table and floor were littered with color crayons, beds unmade (yes, I know you don't have to make the beds in a hotel room, but I usually do), crumbs and food all over the place. I realize that these people are paid to do this job, but that place was disgusting and I really felt sorry for her to have to go in and clean that up. I try to approach it with the attitude that if I can make it easier for them, someone else can get into their room sooner. Our room was clean when we checked in, but I did find someone's movie ticket stubs from August in a cupboard. Hard to see unless you stand on tiptoe, though.

 

[dbprimeaux]

We pay very high maintenance fees and expect a "GOOD" job from the mousekeeping. I know the pay for the mousekeepers aren't the best, but it is what they get paid to do... I get paid to do my job, and must do it. I would have been VERY upset if I checked in to our "home" and it was in that condition. You pay for what you get....I would have bought an off-property timeshare if I expected that kind of service...

 

[disneynutz]

I was told by a Mousekeeping Manager that Disney's official policy is that nothing is kept by the Mousekeepers. As far as helping to clean you room, putting trash in the trash can, towels in a pile, etc is expected. Anything more is not expected and is frowned upon. It seems that the Mousekeepers are given x amount of rooms to clean. If one gets done early because we helped them do their work, they are done for the day and are sent home. If they finish early, they will hang out in a room, hiding until it's time to go home.

 

[Chuck S]

I was told by a Mousekeeping Manager that Disney's official policy is that nothing is kept by the Mousekeepers. As far as helping to clean you room, putting trash in the trash can, towels in a pile, etc is expected. Anything more is not expected and is frowned upon. It seems that the Mousekeepers are given x amount of rooms to clean. If one gets done early because we helped them do their work, they are done for the day and are sent home. If they finish early, they will hang out in a room, hiding until it's time to go home.

I wonder why they don't just send the housekeeper who is finished over to help another housekeeper? Maybe we could actually get into our room earlier. I mean, if one has several messy units, wouldn't that mean overtime, while sending someone else home early that could be working at the regular hourly rate? Poor management.

 

[Rozzie]

I was told by a Mousekeeping Manager that Disney's official policy is that nothing is kept by the Mousekeepers. As far as helping to clean you room, putting trash in the trash can, towels in a pile, etc is expected. Anything more is not expected and is frowned upon. It seems that the Mousekeepers are given x amount of rooms to clean. If one gets done early because we helped them do their work, they are done for the day and are sent home. If they finish early, they will hang out in a room, hiding until it's time to go home.

Back in a former life when I cleaned cabins in Yellowstone, whoever finished up first went over and went and helped whoever was most behind. The motto was "no one is left behind" LOL. If we all pitched in, we all got out on time, or even early. The system worked great. We also had to have a supervisor check each room out to ensure cleanliness.

I wonder why this is too much to ask of DVC?

 

[disneynutz]

Back in a former life when I cleaned cabins in Yellowstone, whoever finished up first went over and went and helped whoever was most behind. The motto was "no one is left behind" LOL. If we all pitched in, we all got out on time, or even early. The system worked great. We also had to have a supervisor check each room out to ensure cleanliness.

I wonder why this is too much to ask of DVC?

I guess no system is perfect. I'm sure that friends help each other out. Disney knows how long it takes to clean a average room and the Mousekeepers are assigned based upon that average. I know that Disney is working to make the process more people proof. The service carts are pre-loaded based upon the computerized schedule for the next day. Every sheet, towel, and pillow case is accounted for. Oh another thing I found out. The reason that the bottom sheets are not fitted is that the machines that Disney uses to iron and fold the sheets, won't accept the pleated corners. Just think, thousands and thousands of rooms cleaned daily.

I need to correct my previous post. Sealed non perishables like sodas are donated to a food bank. Disney doesn't want their employees walking out with food and drinks. They wouldn't be able to tell if it was left behind after check out or if it was borrowed from a occupied room. From a management perspective it's much easier not to allow it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If the faster, more efficient housekeepers have to help out the slower, less efficient housekeepers, pretty soon the good ones are getting burned out from doing twice the work for the same pay as someone doing half the work.

If they got paid by the room, that would be an incentive to complete more rooms. As long as the rooms were done correctly.

 

[Sammie]

Definitely let someone know at the resort and also to Member Satisfaction. The problem is not with the maids but with upper management all the way to the top. Disney is understaffed and can not find enough housekeepers and yet they continue to build more and more DVC resorts. The problem is not going to improve.

 

[nunzia]

If the faster, more efficient housekeepers have to help out the slower, less efficient housekeepers, pretty soon the good ones are getting burned out from doing twice the work for the same pay as someone doing half the work.

If they got paid by the room, that would be an incentive to complete more rooms. As long as the rooms were done correctly.

Very true and a very good point. The idea of all for one and helping each other out is lovely and does happen..however..There will always be those who slack on purpose just to wait for the quick, efficient ones to pick up their slack, and it isn't fair. I would think a number of rooms assigned is fairer, and if someone gets stuck with a total pigpen then someone who wants extra hours can help. And naturally they should have a supervisor checking each room for proper cleaning before a housekeeper gets to leave.


I've never worked in housekeeping, but I do work part time in a book/music/video store, and when I used to work nights I can tell you our evening close had the same issues. I'd hustle to get books done on time and was allowed to leave when done. Now, after we got our new store, they are making everyone stay and leave together, so natually there is always someone who has spent the night visiting, and messing around, and now others have to help with their department. That builds alot of irritation.

 

[Rozzie]

If the faster, more efficient housekeepers have to help out the slower, less efficient housekeepers, pretty soon the good ones are getting burned out from doing twice the work for the same pay as someone doing half the work.

If they got paid by the room, that would be an incentive to complete more rooms. As long as the rooms were done correctly.

I see your point, but still think the pay by room thing doesn't seem like a good idea either. I have caught them sitting down and watching TV on the bed, even found one asleep once. I am not saying the Yellowstone was perfect, but we split up the rooms in the morning where everyone had equal rooms by the number needed to clean. Full Cleanings counted as 2 overnight cleanings. We all wanted to get out early, so we all busted and got the job done. Sure we had one or two that had a track record of being "slow" and management would stay with them and send the rest of us home. No way were our teamwork approach to be taken advantage of. That way no resentment was ever created. It worked great. Sure Disney is a huge tanker and we were just a raft in comparison, but there are some holes in that tanker!!

The main problem I have, not with how they assign rooms to clean, and that a supervisor does not check them out. If they even had a "team leader" that went and spot checked to initial complete, a lot of the headaches would be averted. To be honest, it blows my mind with how rooms are left. I had a kids dirty diaper left on top of the counter.

I guess what I saying is the system is broken, I don't know how they could do to fix it....but it appears it's only going to get worse with the addition of more rooms combined with a growing labor shortage down there.

 

[Inkmahm]

I need to correct my previous post. Sealed non perishables like sodas are donated to a food bank. Disney doesn't want their employees walking out with food and drinks. They wouldn't be able to tell if it was left behind after check out or if it was borrowed from a occupied room. From a management perspective it's much easier not to allow it.

I'm actually glad to read that. If the Mousekeeping staff can't keep it, I'm more than happy to have the sealed food left behind go to a local food bank. At least it isn't wasted that way.

 

[dreaming_of_disney__]

Just something else I'm thinking about... Disney looks at the bottom line, like any other large corporation they do only what they must to keep customers coming back year after year. And we do - DVC attests to that. Which brings me to my point that even with the housekeeping issues that persist, we still keep coming ...I'm not going to let a few dirty dishes etc. mess with my magic. Disney knows that too. For one complaint actually filed with Disney I and sure there are at least 10 that go unreported. So as much as we complain, unless our behavior changes and we stop coming to Disney where is the incentive to change their ways.

I've heard that its not that "magical" being a Disney employee. If Disney was smart they would turn being an employee into something people compete for. Imagine the perks you could provide to your staff if you were a disney executive... bonuses in the form of free stays or annual passes or tickets or merchandise or whatever... given to housekeeping that consistently do a good job, goodness our villas would be sparkling . Yes there is probably a shortage of housekeeping staff in Orlando and it's only going to increase, so if a person loses a job one day they can find another the next. Another reason why hosekeeping may be less then stellar... they don't need this job when they can so easily find one just as good down the road.

So Disney needs to offer incentives for a job well done... more then just a paycheck... Something I've never understood about big buisness... execs get huge bonuses for good job performance why does this not trickle down to the front line employees as well?

Finally, I may be wrong about all of this... Maybe Disney is already offering incentives I don't know... but if they are they clearly need to do more.

Just my opinion...

Chantelle

 

[dianeschlicht]

So Disney needs to offer incentives for a job well done... more then just a paycheck... Something I've never understood about big buisness... execs get huge bonuses for good job performance why does this not trickle down to the front line employees as well?

Finally, I may be wrong about all of this... Maybe Disney is already offering incentives I don't know... but if they are they clearly need to do more.

They used to have incentives that involved guests giving specific kudos to cast members. I wouldn't imagine mousekeepers are among those who get much of that though, since most of us never see them.

 

[donmil723]

Just have to say that on our trip 10/13-10/19, our studio at BCV was very clean. Although I have been lucky that I've never gotten a room that looked like it wasn't cleaned between occupants at all, some rooms have been a little less clean. This time everything was sparkling. Could even tell that the balcony was cleaned!!! Also had to call housekeeping a couple of different times for more hangers and wine glasses/corkscrew and both times they came very fast. Also had the new sheets and towels. Both were very nice and the bottom sheet stayed tucked in so much better. Another thing we noticed (and made a point to tell management) was that the staff seemed so much happier--housekeeping, bell staff, desk personnel, etc. A bellman heard me saying this and agreed! Also, got two phone calls from Bill Thompson, the general manager of the Y & BC and BCV. One to welcome us and the second one at the end of our trip thanking us for staying there. NIce touch! Plus they have added so many activities around the hotel and pool! I had a great stay in May but the changes between then and now were VERY noticeable and they were all for the good! I really think management at least at BCV has been hearing about the less than stellar housekeeping and other issues and are trying to correct things! Keep up the good work, BCV!!!!!

Donna