Are things actually back to “normal” in Disney World? In some ways, yes. But in other ways, things are still not quite back to where you might expect them to be.

While most Disney World hotels have reopened, many restaurants are available for guests to enjoy again, social distancing is essentially done away with, and mask rules have relaxed in many spots, other things are still modified. Some entertainment has yet to return, certain restaurants haven’t quite gone back to their full buffet service or full dining times, and, perhaps most notably for those who love to come back to a freshly made hotel bed…housekeeping is still different. So just what is going on with housekeeping at the moment and what can you expect during your next trip? Here’s what we’re seeing.

What Disney World’s Website Says

When Disney World first reopened post the pandemic-related closures, a LOT of things looked different. From mask rules to social distancing, there were a number of changes to get used to — and differences in housekeeping was one of them.

When we checked in to our hotel for the first time post-closure, Disney asked whether we’d like housekeeping service every other day (or every 4th and 8th day for Disney Vacation Club members) or decline it completely.

Housekeeping was modified when Disney World’s hotels reopened and it remains modified. According to Disney’s website, prior to a guest’s arrival, the hotel room undergoes a “thorough cleaning.” This cleaning gives attention to things like high-touch areas and floors (steam cleaned and vacuumed between guests).

Inside the room, guests will find glassware that has been individually wrapped, as well as other items that have been cleaned, sealed, or otherwise wrapped in packaging that is meant for a single use.

During your stay, Disney’s website notes that guest rooms will get a “light” cleaning service every other day. This service includes:

• “Removal of trash and used towels
• Replenishment of towels and amenities throughout the room and bathroom
• Wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces
• Vacuuming if needed”

Guests are also welcome to decline this service if they want to.

Note that things are a bit different for DVC members. According to Disney’s website, if you’re a DVC member and you’re using your membership to stay in the hotel, you’ll get housekeeping service on the 4th and 8th days of your stay, unless you decline it.

Click here to get a FULL room tour of the Incredibles rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Staffing Issues

Limited housekeeping makes sense given what Disney CEO Bob Chapek recently indicated when it comes to Disney’s staffing issues. During an earnings call held in 2022, Chapek said “The two areas that have been difficult is hospitality. And right now we’ve got 90% of our hotels at Walt Disney World open, and we’ve got all of our hotels at Disneyland open, but also sort of cooks, think kind of short-order cooks.”

Housekeeping is likely included in the “hospitality” staff that is a bit lacking at the moment. That also makes sense given some of the housekeeping positions we saw Disney posting last year, with some pretty substantial signing bonuses attached to them.

Click here to see more about Chapek’s statements on staffing

But Things Are Changing

Though Disney’s website notes that light service is provided every other day, it appears things are starting to change. We’ve visited several Disney World hotels over the past several days and asked Cast Members there about the situation with housekeeping. Their answers have greatly varied.

In other words, what level of housekeeping you might get in Disney World right now may heavily depend on what hotel you visit. And it’s important to keep in mind that this is an ever-changing situation. Housekeeping rules and policies can change again, so things might be very different in just a few weeks compared to how they’re done right now.

So what does housekeeping actually look like at the different hotels? Here’s what we know!

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

At Disney’s BoardWalk, the Cast Member said that they are not doing “regular” housekeeping yet. But the housekeeping team members there will come at a guest’s request, and they will change the towels and take out the trash.

Outside from guest request, the housekeeping Cast Members only come every two days.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, a Cast Member told us that housekeeping is still being done every other day, but the housekeeping team is now making the beds in the rooms, which is different than how things were being done previously.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

At Fort Wilderness, a Cast Member informed us that housekeeping is modified and being performed every other day.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

At the Grand, a Cast Member informed us that they are doing full housekeeping services every single day for regular rooms. Disney Vacation Club rooms, however, get full service every three days.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

A Cast Member at the Polynesian told us that housekeeping is doing full cleanings in the rooms every other day. They also shared that guests have the ability to decline housekeeping entirely and get a credit on their account.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter

According to a Cast Member we spoke with at French Quarter, housekeeping is being done every other day.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

In terms of housekeeping at Disney’s Riviera Resort, a Cast Member told us that they are still operating on limited room attendance and because it is a Disney Vacation Club Resort they do not make the beds every day.

The housekeeping Cast Members will, however, make sure guests have fresh towels and linens if needed.

Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

At the Swan, an employee told us that housekeeping is not being done on a daily schedule, but instead is based on request only. The employee shared that they are focused on housekeeping services at check-in and don’t really run traditional housekeeping services throughout the day unless a guest calls in or makes a request at the front desk.

The employee did note, however, that a guest can put in requests for the duration of their stay.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the Cast Members informed us that housekeeping is being done every other day, but they have increased the service so they are now vacuuming the rooms, making the beds, wiping things down in the room, switching out the towels, and doing other things as well.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

We spoke to a Cast Member who indicated that at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, housekeeping is typically coming to service the rooms between 8AM and 4PM. The housekeeping team will visit the rooms throughout the day, and guests can call housekeeping at any point for assistance.

If a guest calls for housekeeping, they will stop by and turn over the guest’s room or provide the guest with any other items they may need.

Again, keep in mind that this is all based on our conversations with the Cast Members who were working at the hotel at the time, and things are subject to change. If you really want a certain level of housekeeping during your trip, be sure to call ahead to your hotel and see what their policies are at this moment.

We’ll continue to ask about housekeeping and post any updates as we find them. Stay tuned for more Disney news!

Click here to see 7 common mistakes to avoid when booking your Disney World hotel

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What type of housekeeping services have you received during recent trips to Disney World? Tell us in the comments!

The post Everything We Know About Housekeeping at Disney World Hotels Right Now. first appeared on the disney food blog.