RUMOR: Walt Disney World plans to charge hotel guests for daily housekeeping services
When Walt Disney World reopened after being shut down for a few months due to COVID-19 in 2020, housekeeping services at Disney Resort hotels were understandably scaled back. According to those recruiting new housekeeping cast members, some hotels may never return to their pre-pandemic hours.
As of March 2022, the following resort hotels have resumed daily or regular housekeeping services:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
- Contemporary Disney Hotel
- 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 may notice, the above does not include anything below a Deluxe Resort or Disney Vacation Club Resort level.
There is still a shortage of housekeeping actors and there have been a constant multitude of job fairs to try and fill vacancies. According to people we spoke to who attended a job fair over the weekend, a Disney recruiter told them that “Disney is moving towards room service being offered every other day as the norm.” . The recruiter went on to say that customers who want the extra daily housekeeping service could pay to add it. This is something that is already offered to Disney Vacation Club members staying in villas.
Given the above list, it is assumed that Deluxe Resort guests will receive daily housekeeping services included in their stay, but again, this is pure speculation at this point, based solely on the fact that he has already returned to these hotels. Anything below this level would likely be subject to daily charging.
You may recall that Disney offered a program where guests could opt out of all housekeeping services and in return receive a $10 per night Disney gift card to use during their trip. Disney already seemed to be heading in this direction before the pandemic given that there was already a shortage of casting to clean up theaters, so it would make sense that they now adopt a policy to better accommodate their circumstances and further reduce the costs. We also can’t 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 tell those applying for housekeeping positions. We’ll keep you posted on this developing story as more become available.