Mousekeeping at DVC About This Page:

[westie22]

We're thinking about buying into DVC. One question. I see that Mousekeeping doesn't come but every 4 days. Do they leave enough toiletries and coffee to make it that long or would you need to bring your own with you?

Thanks!

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by westie22

We're thinking about buying into DVC. One question. I see that Mousekeeping doesn't come but every 4 days. Do they leave enough toiletries and coffee to make it that long or would you need to bring your own with you?

Thanks!

These items are only replaced on service days. The resort will have some available for purchase if needed. And often times if you run into a housekeeper in the halls, they'll give you extra toiletries as needed.

Keep in mind that DVC is a timeshare. The annual dues paid by DVC members fund 100% of the operating costs of the villa accommodations. So we are collectively paying the salaries of every housekeeping Cast Member. We pay for every bottle of shampoo and every pack of coffee. That's why timeshares tend to be more conscious of cost controls than standard hotels.

In most areas DVC provides significantly greater services than other timeshares. There are timeshares with 7-day minimum stays where the room is only cleaned between guests. Some require that owners clean their own villa before departing. Some charge separate cleaning fees, booking fees, utility fees, and so on.

If you feel the need for daily room cleanings you can actually pay for it upon arrival. It starts around $30 per day for a Studio villa. That may seem a bit high but if you do the math DVC will still save money (even with extra cleaning fees) compared to what you would pay in the long-term by remaining a cash guest.

[DVCBird941]

You should have enough TP, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner etc for the 4 days. Coffee on the other had you only get ONE packet every 4 days, its a pre-measured and filter packaged that makes one pot. So if you are big coffee drinkers you will need to bring your own coffee AND filters, not to mention creamers/sweetners for how you take your coffee.

[Griffin]

Originally Posted by DVCBird941

You should have enough TP, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner etc for the 4 days. Coffee on the other had you only get ONE packet every 4 days, its a pre-measured and filter packaged that makes one pot. So if you are big coffee drinkers you will need to bring your own coffee AND filters, not to mention creamers/sweetners for how you take your coffee.

This is what we found as well.

[mzozzietj]

Originally Posted by Griffin

This is what we found as well.

Same here, the coffee is definitely not enough. But we rent a car and pick up what we need the first night. I have to run out for diapers, baby food, etc anyhow. I do need to add the filters to my list though... I ALWAYS forget those. Does anyone remember what shape/size filter they take? We have one of those re-usable gold kind at home so I have to buy them anyhow.

TIA

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by DVCBird941

You should have enough TP, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner etc for the 4 days.

Things like TP, paper towels, kleenex, garbage bags, dish soap and dishwasher detergent can be replenished at no cost. They usually leave enough in the room but if you happen to run out, a call to housekeeping will get more delivered.

Toiletries, coffee and laundry detergent (in villas with W/D) are only replenished on service days. Or you can pay to purchase more.

I agree that we've never run out of the toiletry items but I guess it depends on how many people you have sharing and how many showers they take in a 4-day period.

[ilovedisney247]

The only thing I've ever had enough of to last me four days is dish washing liquid! I always bring my own coffee/tea and toiletries! Actually I don't bring them--I have them stored in my Owner's Locker--which is a great service!

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

We stayed 5 days at BCV in June, and we never ran out of soap, towels, etc.

[rescuesk]

I've neverrun out of soap, towels, toilet paper, etc, but we bring our own coffee and tea because those starter packets are not enough! :We usually pack coffee from home and have been known to bring our coffee grinder along, too! Or you can do a grocery stop along the way and pick up the neccessary things.

[Kynna]

We bring coffee from home because free isn't cheap enough for the coffee in the starter packets. We are on vacation so good coffee is essential. We also bring extra laundry detergent. There is usually plenty of everything else. We bring shampoo for our various hair types so I can't really speak to that.

[rescuesk]

Does anyone remember what shape/size filter they take?

They are 10 cup coffee makers, regular basket style.

[dworldluver]

We actually like the fact that mousekeeping doesn't come in every day. Gives us more a sense of home. We also bring our own coffee, tea, filters and grinder. We also take sugar packets - put in checked luggage or send with someone driving but thinking about doing Owner's Locker next year. We also will be around at least one day when the mousekeeping staff is on the move in the hallways and will ask for tp or a clean towel or two if we need them before or after the 4th day. If you get a mug with your ddp or buy one it is a moot point because you can go to the store or qs for the resort and get your coffee, tea or hot choc.

[Pax]

Purely out of curiousity, and since it's mostly on-topic for the thread: if you want more than the default level of mousekeeping ... can you pick a specific frequency or schedule of days that mousekeeping will come in?

For example, could you ask for a full cleaning on the 4th day, alongside that supplies-refill stop ... without having to ask for daily mouskeeping?

[tkd lisa]

Here's what you get for the start.

A small bottle (maybe 3 or 4 oz) of liquid dish soap.
One (or sometimes two) packets of dishwasher detergent (one bedroom or bigger).
One sponge
One dishtowel
One filter pack of coffee with various loose condiments like sugar, sweetner and cream. I've always seen at least 4 or 5 of each kind, sometimes as much as 10.
One small (2 ounce) bottle of shampoo, one of conditioner, one of lotion in a studio or a one bedroom. I assume you get one set per bathroom, so some of the larger accomodations might get you 2 or 3.
Two bars of soap (one "face" and one "body") in each bathroom.
One package of laundry soap in one bedroom or larger (and I think one dryer sheet, but I'm not sure on that).

One bedrooms and bigger have actual dishes, studios come with at least four paper plates and bowls, and at least 4 plastic spoons forks and knives, and four glasses and four coffee cups. I've seen up to 10 of the disposable items, and you can always grab a few extra sweetners, salts, forks, etc. when you're at a counter service place. If you actually eat in your room, you will likely run out of plates and bowls in a studio.

As far as my family goes (and I have two teenagers), the bathroom toiletries except the soap are gone the first evening. I always bring a full bottle of conditioner and several travel size shampoos. Our soap lasts, but if we're staying more than a weekend I bring stuff to wash clothes (you have access to free washers and dryers even if you're in a studio).

I've never had any DVC housekeeper provide toiletries at no cost (we forgot toothpaste one time and they told us to buy it in the store), except at Vero Beach.

But I believe it is well worth it because you get a lot more amenities and space. Toiletries are cheap in comparison. Enjoy!

[unewillow]

Okay...so how does tipping work? Do you still figure $1-2 per person/per day and leave something on the 4th day and your last day? Or do you leave less on the 4th day since that CM isn't really doing a full cleaning? I'm trying to figure out how much to budget. Thanks!