The Ultimate Guide to Doing Laundry at Walt Disney World Resort: Tips from a Family of Four

Last Updated on December 28, 2024 by Allison Lancaster

As a family of four with two young kids, we’ve been to Walt Disney World more than 20 times in the last three years. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that laundry is a non-negotiable part of our trips. From spilled Mickey ice cream bars to those surprise Florida rainstorms, clean clothes are a must. Over the years, we’ve tried just about every laundry option available at Disney, and we’re here to share our personal tips, experiences, and favorite methods for staying on top of it all while maximizing park time. Here is the ultimate guide to doing laundry at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Ultimate Guide to Doing Laundry at Walt Disney World Resort: Tips from a Family of Four

1. Renting a DVC Villa with In-Room Laundry Facilities

When we’re staying at a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villa, doing laundry feels almost effortless. The one-bedroom and larger units come equipped with full-size washers and dryers, and we’ve made great use of them during our longer trips. Even when we’ve stayed in studio villas, the free shared laundry facilities have been a lifesaver.

Our Experience:

On our first stay in a DVC villa, knowing we were going into a room that had in room laundry facilities, I was so excited (it’s the little things, right?). We packed light, knowing we could throw in a load every couple of days. With little ones, it was especially handy for cleaning up those Mickey-shaped spaghetti stains or unexpected accidents.

Pros:

• Ultimate Convenience: Tossing in a load after the kids are asleep is a breeze.
• Free Detergent: Disney provides starter detergent packs, though we’ve found it helpful to bring our own pods for extra loads.
• Time Savings: No trekking to a shared facility or making sure you’re there the minute the dryer buzzes.
• Privacy: No waiting on strangers to finish with the machines.

Cons:

• Cost of Accommodations: DVC villas can be pricey, especially during peak seasons.
• Availability: Booking a villa as a non-DVC member requires planning far in advance.

2. Valet Laundry Services at Your Resort

For those times when we’ve wanted to focus 100% on park fun, we’ve used Disney’s valet laundry services. This option has come in handy during shorter trips but it is the priciest option of all in my opinion.

Our Experience:

It’s the simplest option of all, you simply hand off your bag of clothes to housekeeping and they return them the next day. Your clothes don’t leave the resort and you know they are cared for with the utmost Disney care that you can expect. However, the price tag makes it a splurge we only indulge in occasionally.

Pros:

• Effortless: Drop it off, forget about it, and focus on the magic.
• Quick Turnaround: Standard service is within 24 hours, with express options available.
• Great for Emergencies: Perfect for those moments when you run out of clean socks or need an outfit refreshed.

Cons:

• High Cost: The per-item pricing adds up quickly.
• Limited Control: We’re a little picky about detergents, so this option isn’t ideal for sensitive skin.

Check out Disney’s official valet laundry details here.

3. Using On-Property Laundry Facilities

The on-property laundry rooms are our go-to when we’re staying in standard resort rooms or when we’re on a budget. Every Disney resort has self-service laundry facilities, and we’ve become pros at timing our loads.

Our Experience:

The machines are easy to use and convenient at most resorts. We have found from time to time the washers/dryers either stay pretty full or are sometimes broken and out of service. This can be a bit frustrating if you are relying on this to pack lighter for your trip. We’ve also had a few experiences of people opening the dryers while our clothes were still drying, etc. On vacation, this can be frustrating if you’re doing laundry frequently. This option is best if you’re planning a few hours at the resort and can sit near the laundry facilities to ‘babysit’ the loads of clothes.

Pros:

• Affordable: At around $3 per load, it’s an economical choice.
• Tech-Friendly: We love the app-based payment system—no quarters needed!
• Always Open: Laundry rooms operate 24/7, which is great for late-night loads.

Cons:

• Shared Machines: You’re at the mercy of other guests’ schedules.
• Time Commitment: Managing loads can take a chunk out of your day.
• Location: Depending on your room’s distance from the laundry facilities, lugging clothes can be a workout. We tend to put ours in the stroller and roll it down/back.

4. Outsourcing to The Laundry Room Orlando

This is, hands down, our favorite way to handle laundry during our Disney trips. The Laundry Room Orlando offers pick-up and delivery service straight to your resort. While it’s not the cheapest option, the convenience it provides is unbeatable.

Our Experience:

On a particularly busy trip last year, we decided to give The Laundry Room Orlando a try. It was a game-changer. We scheduled a pick-up the night before, dropped the bag of clothes with bell services for pick up and went about our day. The following day, mid-day I received a text that our clothes had been dropped back at bell services for us. No stress, no lost park time, and perfectly clean outfits for the rest of our trip.

This is my favorite option for laundry while we’re at Disney World. I will often schedule a pick/up drop off the day prior to heading home so we don’t have to deal with a ton of dirty clothes when we get back home. Worth it!

Pros:

• Huge Time-Saver: With two kids in tow, we can’t overstate how much time this saves.
• Professional Results: Clothes come back fresh, clean, and perfectly folded.
• Convenient Scheduling: The pick-up and drop-off process is seamless.

Cons:

• Price: It’s a premium service, but we think it’s worth every penny.
• Coordination: You’ll need to plan ahead for pick-up and delivery.

What We Recommend

After trying all the options, here’s our breakdown of what works best for different scenarios:

• For Long Trips: A DVC villa with in-room laundry is perfect for extended stays or trips where you want to pack light.
• For Tight Schedules: The Laundry Room Orlando is worth the splurge to maximize park time and minimize stress.
• For Budget-Conscious Travelers: The on-property laundry facilities are affordable and accessible.
• For a Treat: Valet laundry is a great option for those who want to feel pampered while staying in the Disney bubble.

Personal Tips for Stress-Free Laundry

• Pack Smart: Bring travel-sized detergent pods or sheets that won’t leak in your luggage.
• Mid-Trip Reset: Doing laundry halfway through the trip means fewer clothes to pack and more space for souvenirs.
• Timing is Everything: Early mornings or late evenings are the best times for less crowded laundry rooms.
• Use a Laundry Bag: Keeping dirty clothes separate from clean ones makes sorting easier when it’s time to wash.

Final Thoughts

Doing laundry at Walt Disney World Resort doesn’t have to be a chore. From in-room machines to professional pick-up services like The Laundry Room Orlando, there’s an option for every family and budget. For us, balancing convenience and cost has been key. With a little planning, you can keep everyone in clean clothes and focus on what really matters: making magical memories as a family.

What’s your go-to laundry solution at Disney? Let us know—we’re always looking for new tips to try!