When Walt Disney World reopened from the few-month-long COVID-19 closure in 2020, housekeeping services at Disney resort hotels were understandably reduced. According to those recruiting new housekeeping cast members, some hotels may never return to their schedules from pre-pandemic.
As of March 2022, the following resort hotels have resumed their daily or regularly scheduled housekeeping services:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
- Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
As you might notice, the above does not include anything below a Deluxe Resort level or Disney Vacation Club Resort.
There is still a shortage of housekeeping cast members and there has been a constant slew of job fairs to try to fill the vacant positions. According to people we spoke to who attended a job fair this weekend, they were told by a Disney recruiter that “Disney is moving towards room service being offered every other day as the standard.” The recruiter went on to state that guests who want the additional, daily housekeeping service could pay to add it. This is something that is already offered to Disney Vacation Club members staying in villa accommodations.
Given the list above, it is assumed that the Deluxe Resort guests will receive daily housekeeping services included with their stay, but again, that is purely speculation at this point based solely on it already having returned to those hotels. Anything below this level would likely be subject to the daily charge.
You may recall that Disney offered a program where guests could decline all housekeeping services and in return receive a Disney Gift Card amounting to $10 a night to use during their trip. Disney already seemed to be heading in this direction pre-pandemic given there was already a shortage of cast to clean rooms, so it would make sense that now they will enact a policy to better fit their situation and cut more costs. We also can not forget that Disney started charging resort guests for parking just a few years ago.
As this is a rumor, nothing has been confirmed at this time beyond what recruiters are telling those applying for housekeeping positions. We will keep you up to date on this developing story as more becomes available.
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