Daily housekeeping is one of the perks of staying in a hotel but there are lots of reasons people may choose to decline it: privacy, security, or maybe you just like taking care of things yourself.
Now Disney is giving you another reason to opt-out of housekeeping: a Disney gift card.
But how do you get a gift card for declining housekeeping services at Disney World?
What does opting out of housekeeping mean?
It means you’ll receive no housekeeping services.
Your room won’t be vacuumed, your trash may not be emptied (you may have to do it yourself), the sheets won’t be changed, your bed won’t be made; all the traditional housekeeping/Mousekeeping services won’t take place during your stay.
Which resorts are eligible for a gift card for declining housekeeping services?
Currently this perk (officially known as “Service Your Way”) is only available at Value and Moderate resorts.
You can’t opt out of housekeeping at the Deluxe resorts or at Deluxe Villa resorts.
Note: guests staying on Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points – whether they own them or are renting them – do not receive full daily housekeeping services. DVC stays receive daily trash service and a full cleaning on day 4 unless you opt to pay for additional days.
What other requirements are there?
Your stay must be longer than 1 night and your room can not have been booked as part of a group or convention.
How do you sign up to decline housekeeping?
You used to only be able to decline housekeeping by going to the front desk, but guests are now also able to decline directly in the My Disney Experience app (so handy!).
Here’s how that works:
1. Scroll down on the main screen, find your resort, and click the check-in button
2. Click on “Modify Your Check-In”
3. Scroll down to “Service Your Way Program”; tap the pen to edit
4. You can either select yes or no
5. Hit “About the Program” for more details
Don’t forget to hit “Continue” and “I Agree” to finalize your selection.
Once you decline housekeeping, you’ll receive a Disney Gift Card via email.
Can people doing online check in still participate?
Yes! Just go down to the front desk and let them know that you would like to opt out of housekeeping and sign up for the “Service Your Way” program and they’ll get it set up.
How much do you get on your gift card?
Your gift card will be electronic and you get it emailed to you shortly after signing up to at the front desk to opt out. Since it is electronic, to redeem it you can simply use your phone (there’s a barcode that can be scanned).
To determine the value of your gift card multiply the number of nights you are staying times $10 and then subtract $10 from that total.
So, a 4 night stay would receive $30, an 8 night stay would receive $70, etc.
Where can the gift card be used?
You can use it all over Disney World property, including restaurants and shops (basically anywhere Disney Gift cards are accepted, which is the majority of places on property).
You can also use it at Disneyland, on Disney Cruise Line, at the Disney store, and even online at shopDisney.
What if you need supplies during your stay?
If you find yourselves needing towels, sheets, or soap, etc., you have a couple options:
- If you see a housekeeper nearby, ask them if you can snag what you need from their cart.
- Dial housekeeping from your phone and tell them what you need and it will be delivered to you.
Remember, even if you ask for clean sheets to be delivered, they won’t put them on the bed for you, you’ll need to do that yourself.
Does this mean that nobody will ever come into my room?
Not necessarily.
In an effort to increase security, a Disney employee is required to enter your room at least once per day. As a reflection of this new policy, the “Do Not Disturb” signs have been replaced with “Room Occupied” signs.
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Stephanie
Thursday 6th of February 2020
Without housekeeping services, do you have to ask for towels and toilet paper or do they still supply that?
Shannon Albert
Friday 7th of February 2020
We usually snag supplies from the housekeeper with the housekeeping cart as needed.
AndreaPodj
Friday 24th of January 2020
I just tried to opt-in via the app and am not finding the Call to Action for Service Your Way. Has it been removed?
Sabina
Monday 30th of December 2019
I followed all the prompts but do not see the option for "Service your way" on my app. I only see the Hotel Pin and then directly under that is the room preference section. Could it be i am trying to do this too soon and don't have a room assigned yet?
Kevin Lawson
Saturday 2nd of November 2019
We are a family of 6 (4 kids) and have booked 2 rooms at Pop for 11 nights. Will we be eligible to get $100 per room ($200) or just $100 since we are all one family
Rachel
Saturday 21st of December 2019
You should have per room as it would require housekeeping for both rooms.
CBO
Friday 18th of October 2019
Does anyone know if housekeeping is still REQUIRED to enter your room? I know that it started back in 2017, but curious if they are still required to do that? Our family enjoys privacy and travels with valuables, so we ALWAYS keep our DND sign on the door. We are currently booked at CS, but I'm thinking about cancelling because we don't want someone just coming in our room without us being there. I chatted with a CM last week and they said they have never been required to enter and will not, if there is a sign on the door. Any updated information available? We haven't stayed on property since before 2017, when all of this came out. Thanks!
Jeanine
Thursday 5th of March 2020
I’ve found that you can call the front desk and request the security visit while you are in the room. They are happy to accommodate you!
Shannon Albert
Monday 21st of October 2019
Yes, somebody always comes in the room for security purposes, even with the DND sign on the door.