Why No More Surprises from Mouse Keeping? About This Page:

[mommyofour]

This was the first trip we've made to WDW (we've been many times) that housekeeping did NOTHING. We even had to request extra towels (there are 6 of us) each day. Maybe we had a new housekeeper, maybe they're cutting back, but our Mousekeeping envelopes were certainly taken each day. While I know that doing something special is an extra - this is the first time in all our visits that nothing was done - not even one night. Our kids were disappointed to say the least - last year - same resort, they made a slide out of towels and had the kids stuffed animals sliding down it one day, to give you an example. Each day was something else - even if it was just having one of the animals peeking out from under the pillow - two seconds made for a lot of smiles - this year the lack made for a lot of tears.

This was the first time we were disappointed in housekeeping in all our travels to WDW.

[ilovejack72]

for mousekeeping I just went to the $ store and bought the mickey mouse xmas cards I'm going to use them for the mousekeeping money hope I get a little magic

[karmic]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

Disney does give CMs optional classes in making towel animals, but the classes take place on the CM's time, not Disney's.

The whole nature of magic is that it's something out of the ordinary. When magic is "normal," it's no longer magic. As I've often said, the harder you chase the magic, the more likely it is to slip from your grasp. Slow down, and give the magic a chance to find you. You won't know where or when that will happen, and that's part of what makes it magic.

It's undoubtedly true for the CMs, too. When making magic is something you want to do, it's as magical for the person making the magic as it is for the recipient. When it becomes an expected part of the job, it's not going to be nearly as rewarding.

Thanks to online communities such as this one, it's easier than ever for folks to learn about the magic (and disappointment) other people have experienced. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not.

Very well said, Dave and my sentiments exactly.

[Disney Dream'n]

we stayed at POP last month and when we check in there was one LITTLE critter in the window on the ledge. I left a tip each morning in a "Mousekeepers" envel. and didn't find any others during our stay. It must be just a random bit of fun.

[Sonny Eclipse]

I was suprised this trip as well by the lack of towel animals, etc. We stayed at Riverside and our mousekeeper would arrange the stuffed animals at times but most of the time it was nothing.

During our trip last year, our Mousekeeper did all sorts of imaginative things with towels and posing our stuffed animals in the room. It was really great to come back every day to a different surprise.

I guess it is hit or miss.

[DisneyMom87]

I agree that magic is not magic if it is expected or experienced on a regular basis. And I am all about letting it happen, that is what makes it fun!
However, for those of us who have stayed on property once or twice, it may be hard to determine magic from what is normally provided by the hotel. My assumption after our first visit & experiencing the mousekeeping surprises, was that this was a regular thing, just that little extra perk for staying at a Disney resort! Friends who stayed at other Disney resorts had experienced it as well. And, if you have kids and you experience the mousekeeping "magic" you know this is a highlight of the trip. This is one of the things my kids have talked about the since our last trip 3 years ago. Before this last trip they kept asking "What will they do this time?"
Also, some of us, my family included, do not make as many trips to WDW as some other people, so we try to soak up as much of the magic as possible 'cause we may not be back for a while! I guess the lesson learned for me is that every trip to Disney World is different.... there are always magical experiences, but they most likely will not be the same as the last trip, but still magical all the same!