Laundry Threads [Merged]

[Tinkerbell916]

Hi ~
We will be in Disney World the end of the month. We will be staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter.
I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a place where I could do laundry?
Also, do they have laundry soap that I can purchase or do I have to bring it with me?
Thanks so much!

[Busy Mom]

I haven't been there yet, but POFQ does have laundry facilities and I believe that you can purchase laundry there. I actually bought detergent from Garden Grocer. I bought 2 containers that are 2 loads each. I think the brand is All if that matters to you. I also saw individual packets of Tide at the travel size section in Target. Each were about $1. I decided against that because it would require scissors and squeezing out those packets plus Garden Grocer was cheaper. I'll be there next week and can let you know specifics when I get back if you'd like.

[TinaMouse]

I use the POFQ laundry each time I'm there. It's attached to the pool bar. It's a nice spot because the kids can swim (if they're old enough to be out there alone or perhaps with another adult) and you can pop in and out of the laundry facilities.

I take my own detergent/softener (and just got the 3 in 1 sheets to take down this time), but they do sell it in the laundry. I take a lot of quarters with me b/c that stupid quarter machine seems to be broken each time I go. LOL. I'm sure it's not. The dryers seem to need a double turn to get everything dry so either spread it out or plan on running the cycle two times. Either way, it usually ends up costing 2:1 washers vs. dryers. They're good size tubs, though.

The laundry can be busy at times. I usually try to go in the middle of the day during the kids' rest/pool time. It can be REALY busy at night. I also did great (this one was at Pop Century) by going around 6 a.m. if you happen to be a morning person.

I hate bringing dirty clothes back. This trip will be 11 days and we're only packing clothes for 6 plus the ones on our back. I plan to do laundry twice. Yes, you heard it here. TWICE.

Hope that helps. Do you have any other questions?

[Robynmarie24]

I was just wondering if anyone knew if the laundry facilities (we're staying at POR) have hours or are they open 24/7? Thanks!

[Drince88]

Pretty sure they're open 24/7. It was very late when I used them last time (I think I was done around 1 or 2 am?)

[wishiwasthere]

I second the 24/7.

It can get pretty crowded though at certain times so if you have a time in mind alway have a backup time just in case you can't get in.

[tappenfeat]

POR has a very nice laundry facility next to the pool area...RIGHT next to it. It was very nice because my girls swam as I did laundry and I could see them clearly.

I did the laundry at night by the pool (and it was empty)...with a full moon...for some reason that was one of my favorite memories!

After the clothes were dry, I took them out and folded them on a pool side table.

[MrsGrumpy]

Can I piggyback on to this thread, and ask if the hours at Pop Century are also 24/7?

[danyoung]

I always have to jump into laundry threads and say that while I understand the need with larger families, I just can't imagine wasting that much time on my hard earned vacation to sit around and do laundry. I make sure I have enough clothes to last, and then do laundry soon after I get home. Of course this is a whole lot easier when the only one you have to do laundry for is yourself!

[danyoung]

...and I believe that you can purchase laundry there.

Really? Cool - I'll take 3 pairs of socks, 5 sets of fashionable underwear, assorted t-shirts . . .





I knew what you meant, but I just hadta!!

[Drince88]

I'd be shocked if all the resorts weren't 24/7.

And Dan, I generally agree with you on that thought. The one time I remember doing laundry, though, was at the end of the 'land' portion of a land/sea vacation -and I'd overestimated my abilities to eat neatly. Too many shirts with too many dribbles that weren't supposed to be there - meaning not enough clean clothes for phase II! I figured it was easier to stay up late the night before the cruise and do the stuff that I needed, then to do it after getting on the ship.

[jsilkey]

We are planning on doing laundry. We are going to be gone 12 days total, with 10 in the parks. We are doing only carry on for luggage b/c of the plane changes.

We are thinking that w/ the humidity in Sept there is no way to bring enough fresh clothes. Anyone know any more about the laundry facilities at Pop? Cost? Location? Are they generally busy? Any tips on best times?

Thank you!!

[dahunter1129]

The laundry at Pop that I used is by the 50's pool. It was clean, and open 24/7 when we were there, but you need your KKTW card to get in. Washers and dryers were $2.00 each then, in 2006. I went late, about midnight, and I was the only one there.

[Drince88]

jsilkey, are you getting a garden grocer (or equivalent)? How are you planning on dealing with sunscreen? 3 oz containers are not very big for that many days of sunscreen. And you can't fit THAT many in a quart container.

[jsilkey]

All together there are 11 of us. There is one group of 3 who are for sure checking bags, so they will have to bring some of what we need. We may need to fill in some of the kids allotted liquids just w/ sunscreen

I can only use one kind, I am horribly allergic to others, as is my mom. So we have to bring it, it is too big a risk that we wouldn't be able to find exactly what we need. We both blister really bad from regular sunscreen. Mom used some in Rome during the summer when she was getting direct sun and she still has scars from the sunscreen rash!

We will probably bring powdered laundry soap and very few cosmetics, we are going to use the shampoo, etc. from the hotel

I was thinking about Gardengrocer for water, but with no fridge, I don't know if it would really save much. Maybe a couple of refillable mugs, we don't drink much pop, but we could use them for ice water. I am not totally sure....any other hints or tips are much appreciated

[Busy Mom]

Oops - I definitely didn't proofread that statement did I? Detergent - that's an important word to miss I think. LOL

On that note though, wouldn't it be nice just to buy new clothes as needed. I'm doing laundry because I don't own enough to make it through 9 days especially since I'm betting that we'll wear at least 2 different outfits a day due to the heat.

[dahunter1129]

The tap water in Florida is pretty nasty tasting IMHO, but if you can stomach it, all the counter service places will give you ice water free. Just a thought, does the company that makes the suncreen you use have a website? Check to see if they offer samples, maybe they will send you some.

[TinaMouse]

You do need your KTTW card to get into the laundry facilities....

[Tinkerbell916]

Thanks everyone for the info!
I also was hoping to be able to do laundry at least once but probably twice. We are going to be in Disney for 9 nights.
Yes, it would be great to just throw out and buy new and not have to worry about laundry! Maybe if I hit the lottery....
So, I will bring a roll of quarters to purchase detergent and for the machines. I would have liked to have brought my own detergent but I am flying and I am not sure if I will be able to... I might call the airlines...

Thanks again for your help!

[Euphemia53]

TWO QUESTIONS:

Are the laundry facilities still $2.00 at All-Star Music

Do you still feed the machines with quarters or do you now need something else (ie: a card or dollars)?

THANK YOU!

[MrsGrumpy]

I would have liked to have brought my own detergent but I am flying and I am not sure if I will be able to... I might call the airlines...

I've been reading good things about those Purex 3-in-1 sheets. I'm going to bring those on our trip. They don't seem like they'd take up much room in the suitcase.
Link

[wishiwasthere]

I have the Purex 3-in-1 sheets for our trip this week. I will let you guys know how they work. They don't take up a lot of room at all.

[Drince88]

TWO QUESTIONS:

Are the laundry facilities still $2.00 at All-Star Music

Do you still feed the machines with quarters or do you now need something else (ie: a card or dollars)?

THANK YOU!

I believe they're still $2.00 - though you should anticipate 2 dry cycles for a full wash cycle. And I'm pretty sure it's still quarters. They have change machines in the laundry rooms, but I wouldn't count on them working if you get to the laundry at midnight (i.e., get the quarters earlier in the day if you don't have them from you penny press stash!)

[Tinkerbell916]

The Purex Sheets sound great! I have never heard of them! I think I am going to purchase them for the trip!
Thanks again!

[TinaMouse]

3rd person doing the 3 in 1 sheets next week. LOL!