Staff stalking bathrooms

[monarchsfan16]

Thanks for the replies. However, these were NOT acting like bathroom attendants. I'm very familiar with that concept and go to theaters in NYC all the time. These "attendants" were standing outside the bathroom doors at attention like guards would stand. They did not open doors for people. They did not help with towels or soap or anything at all. If a person came out within about 120 seconds, the "attendant" did nothing but stand at attention outside the door. If you were in for more time, they would come inside and stand near the utility closet. They would wait for you to finish. They would watch you wash hands. Then they came back outside to stand at attention. There was nothing evident that they were doing other than watching guests. That's why I posted. This behavior was not consistent with a bathroom attendant to help guests. Nor were they actively cleaning much of the time if at all.

I observed this on the Wonder on the 2016 norovirus cruise, and thought the same thing, that they were watching for sick people. Considering the statements I overheard from sick people as I walked down the hall (knowingly boarding sick and trying to hide it but getting "caught"), I was grateful. I did not feel stalked, but I did feel as though Disney was looking out for my best interests. Perhaps there was a stomach bug outbreak on your cruise and they were trying to contain it before it got excessive?

 

[xiphoid76]

This is one of our favorite things about DCL - the staff by the bathrooms - they are there to go in and clean, nothing else. They clean almost every 15 minutes or so - wipe down the counters, clean the toilets and replenish the towels (and always fold them into a point). It is truly an amazing service that puts DCL way above the other cruise lines.

 

[cruisehopeful]

What you describe would have creeped me out, but I would have been creeped out by the thought that something was going on that they needed to watch for. Well, they do their best and it's too bad some people do weird stuff and then everyone needs to be babysat when using the toilet because of it.

 

[braysmommy]

The attendants tend to be there more often during busy times. I always see them in the restrooms by the MDRs at dinner, in the restrooms by the theaters around show times, or just about any of the "public" restrooms on embarkation day prior to staterooms being available. I've always assumed it was because those were times when supplies would need to be restocked often and the restrooms could get messy if there wasn't someone there to keep up with the cleaning. But if you stop by the restrooms at a time when there aren't a lot of people around, then you are less likely to see an attendant.

Same, my DS when little ALWAYS had to use the bathroom at dinner. I got to know the attendants well and gave them great reviews by name on comment card at end of cruise. We have also tipped them in the past.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

They seem to rotate the attendants between all of the bathrooms. I remember seeing the same one over and over. She was really sweet. I remember catching her use her dance moves as she listened to a dance party that was going on in the lounge. Several of the attendants were also eager to help us with our scavenger hunts on the EBPC. Kudos to all the CMs, especially housekeeping, for keeping the ship so clean and nice looking!

 

[remlap]

i can never recall someone just standing there. However, the public restrooms are super clean and frequently have seen someone cleaning. I had always assumed they had a rotation of a few public restrooms to cycle thru. As clean as they always are, I was sure it wasn't many.

 

[ScooterScott44]

I would love to hear more about what the OP observed, mainly what was the CM wearing. If they were in the typical black and white, it is possible the OP just happened upon them while they were in between cleanings.

As for someone being posted due to reports of sick passengers or someone being troublesome, makes sense. Again if they were in the black and white uniform maybe a guest complained about frequently finding a CM in the bathroom so they were instructed to stand outside, unless they were actively cleaning.

 

[CamColt]

The attendants tend to be there more often during busy times. I always see them in the restrooms by the MDRs at dinner, in the restrooms by the theaters around show times, or just about any of the "public" restrooms on embarkation day prior to staterooms being available. I've always assumed it was because those were times when supplies would need to be restocked often and the restrooms could get messy if there wasn't someone there to keep up with the cleaning. But if you stop by the restrooms at a time when there aren't a lot of people around, then you are less likely to see an attendant.

I agree with this. It seems the times I see them most is when I use the restroom near a MDR before dinner.

This.

Pretty much every theatre in NYC has restroom attendants. They help patrons know when a stall is available (something that is a challenge in the full-length doored restrooms on DCL), keep it clean, etc. They are NOT keeping tabs on you.

Keep in mind if the person using the restroom locks the door correctly, this should not be an issue at all as the little color indicator changes to red to let you know the stall is occupied. However after walking in on someone once I can say not everyone uses this tool.

One thing I am often amazed at is when using the bathroom near the adult pool is every time I go in, the toilet paper is folded showing someone had just been in there cleaning. The bathroom doesn't seem to be used much but they are on that constantly!

 

[mmouse37]

Yep, if red is showing on the lock its occupied. If someone does not lock the door it will still show green and another person could walk in on them. I have found once in awhile that they don't work as they should (showing red while empty).

MJ

 

[Happyinwonerland]

For those who suspect they were monitoring for ill passengers, what would the attendants do if someone was ill? "Excuse me ma 'am, I overheard your diarrhea, please come with me" seems a bit un-Disney like. I think they were probably just there to keep the place clean. Maybe they were just new and not great at their jobs yet.

 

[freshmanjs]

I would love to hear more about what the OP observed, mainly what was the CM wearing. If they were in the typical black and white, it is possible the OP just happened upon them while they were in between cleanings.

Standard black and white uniforms that the bathroom cleaning staff wears. I'm not sure about the happened upon theory. They were there all the time during daylight hours for a week. Every single time I went to any restroom in public area, standing outside.

 

[Bonnie1222]

I did notice more of a presence outside the restaurant restrooms. And I am glad to see it. One night on our cruise a few weeks ago someone had an incident in the ladies room that was not pretty but never said anything. I walked in, saw the mess and immediately told the attendant standing outside. She immediately shut the restroom down. She let all of us finish but would not let anyone else in until she cleaned everything up.

The cruise before that one of the toilets started to leak. I only had to walk outside to get it handled.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

This is one of our favorite things about DCL - the staff by the bathrooms - they are there to go in and clean, nothing else. They clean almost every 15 minutes or so - wipe down the counters, clean the toilets and replenish the towels (and always fold them into a point). It is truly an amazing service that puts DCL way above the other cruise lines.

Have never seen this on any of our cruises. Ever.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Do you think they could have been posted outside the restrooms to keep a watchful eye on unaccompanied minors?

 

[squirk]

Do you think they could have been posted outside the restrooms to keep a watchful eye on unaccompanied minors?

I would not be surprised if that was part of it, if only as a deterrent to anyone with harmful intentions. I don’t think a pedo would try anything knowing a CM would get a good look at him going into/out of the bathroom.

But I still think keeping a heavily-used bathroom sparkling clean is the main reason.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Do the restroom attendants expect tips as well?

I don't know if they expect a tip but I often do.

 

[dclpluto]

I did notice more of a presence outside the restaurant restrooms. And I am glad to see it. One night on our cruise a few weeks ago someone had an incident in the ladies room that was not pretty but never said anything. I walked in, saw the mess and immediately told the attendant standing outside. She immediately shut the restroom down. She let all of us finish but would not let anyone else in until she cleaned everything up.

The cruise before that one of the toilets started to leak. I only had to walk outside to get it handled.

I sure hope they let everyone finish. If they wanted me to get out before I finished I will ignore them. Time to get out there’s a mess out here. Ok I haven’t wipe my butt yet but ok I will get out. Ya right

 

[Bonnie1222]

I sure hope they let everyone finish. If they wanted me to get out before I finished I will ignore them. Time to get out there’s a mess out here. Ok I haven’t wipe my butt yet but ok I will get out. Ya right

Yes, she guarded the door in so nobody new could come in. What amazed me is someone did that and just left the mess. And it was NASTY and all over the stall.

 

[squirk]

Yes, she guarded the door in so nobody new could come in. What amazed me is someone did that and just left the mess. And it was NASTY and all over the stall.

People are gross. Disney knows it. That's why they watch the bathrooms so closely.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I have seen attendants inside and out of the lavatories on our cruises within the last few years. As others stated, mostly by the MDR's during peak times. Doesn't bother me. Watching out for shenanigans, cleaning up after someone who was not so clean or had an accident etc. Hard working and always pleasant to talk to if you are waiting in a long line outside the MDR's. Now if you are at Remy and you stand up to use the restrooms, you are escorted. I was surprised, slightly embarrassed and then charmed. Cut back on your liquids if you don't want an escort when dining there! LOL One cruise we even made it a point of taking pictures of all the bathrooms on the Dream (unoccupied, of course!). They are all themed differently and immaculate.