This week's episode had me question the CM room access

hertamaniac

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 9, 2017
The discussion point had me think about a couple of things. Maybe the Dis-Unplugged legal advisor has some input on these?

  • What would stop someone from bringing in a door jam (or similar) to secure a room from unwanted entry?
  • What if during a CM access (if someone was unaware they were entering or have entered) that they are challenged?
    • I almost always have a baseball bat in my room (only as a possible last defense for an unlawful entry) and wonder if I would be held legally liable if I "stand my ground" per Florida law?
    • Does this law only apply to homeowners and not visitors at a hotel/resort?
  • My fear is that this apparent new policy puts Disney CM's in extreme risk of physical harm. My understanding is that the CM is supposed to notify the occupants that they are entering, but if someone is in the shower, have a TV on, asleep, or other that someone might interpret that entry as an intruder.
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I have wondered about the door jam too. I assume if they try to get in and can't, they might assume something is up and then justify "forcing entry."

My plan is to simply create my own signs for our next trip. We will be sleeping in every morning since we come from the west coast and will likely not wake up until somewhere around 10-11am (we don't adjust to the time change on purpose...helps with our nighttime touring in the summer when it isn't so hot). I will put a sign up that says "Please don't knock before 10am...sleeping in! Feel free to return any time after 10am." I will also let our housekeeper know and ask that they not disturb us before 10am.

We also ALWAYS put up the latch when we are in the room. No matter what. At every hotel we go to. At the very least, it allows us to communicate with the person on the other side that they need to come back another time. We will have our kids in the room with us, so there will never be a time when one of us is "alone" in the room and potentially in the shower or something. But if so, we will have a sign for that as well. ;)
 
The discussion point had me think about a couple of things. Maybe the Dis-Unplugged legal advisor has some input on these?

  • What would stop me from bringing in a door jam (or similar) to secure my room from unwanted entry?
  • What if during a CM access (if I was unaware they were entering or have entered) that I assault them?
    • I almost always have a baseball bat in my room and wonder if I would be held legally liable if I "stand my ground" per Florida law?
    • Does this law only apply to homeowners and not visitors at a hotel/resort?
  • My fear is that this apparent new policy puts Disney CM's in extreme risk of physical harm. My understanding is that the CM is supposed to notify the occupants that they are entering, but if I am in the shower, have a TV on, asleep, or other that I might interpret that entry as an intruder.
What?! Who brings a baseball bat with them on vacation? Might be best to stay home. Sounds too stressful for me.
 


What would happen if you beat, with a baseball bat, a cast member or security guard doing a job you've been warned about in advance? Hopefully sued into the stone age and banned from Disney property. Use the latch and deadbolt when you're in your room.
 
I'm trying to figure out if this is a serious post. Why not just keep the deadbolt and slider bar locked when in your room, I highly doubt a CM is going to call security to break in after only one knock at the door.
 


Unfortunately I think the OP was genuine in expressing their method of protection.
 
Whenever i stay at a hotel, i always make sure i put that Do Not Disturb sign out, because housekeeping will come by while I'm still sleeping. One time the room (or front desk) didn't have a sign, so i wrote it on one of the note papers they have and stuck it in the keycard slot.

I also prefer to not have someone come into my room while I'm out of my room, but thats just me.

But if Disney insists on randomly popping into rooms when nobody answers to the knock, you're either gonna get me on the can in the restroom, in the shower, or in my birthday suit taking a nap.
 
I didn't say that we always stay on-site at Disney resorts. I live local and sometimes we'll stay offsite, so if this policy expands beyond Disney, I think any means to protect yourself from an unlawful entry may be appropriate. This expands the scope of my question(s).

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What?! Who brings a baseball bat with them on vacation? Might be best to stay home. Sounds too stressful for me.

You think that resorts are magically shielded from potentially bad things? If so, then why are they instituting this policy?

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I didn't say that we always stay on-site at Disney resorts. I live local and sometimes we'll stay offsite, so if this policy expands beyond the perceived safe-haven of Disney, I think any means to protect yourself is appropriate. This expands the scope of my question(s).

So, choose your personal defense means (lamp, bat, metal bar, etc.) at your WDW resort, the question and safety concerns for CM still stands.

It's troubling that your first thought is arming yourself with a weapon (a metal bar?) rather than literally just using the locks provided to keep people out. Move furniture in front of the door if you're really concerned. You act as if there are constant assaults and break-ins at Disney hotels. Of course anything can happen, but with so many rooms, I'd say Disney's record when it comes to stuff like this is pretty close to spotless.

And the answer is the same: If you assault a cast member – especially one doing their job – you will be sued, probably thrown in jail and definitely banned from property.

Heaven help Disney if people start recreating the end of Home Alone in their hotel rooms.
 
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It's troubling that your first thought is arming yourself with a weapon (a metal bar?) rather than literally just using the locks provided to keep people out. Move furniture in front of the door if you're really concerned. You act as if there are constant assaults and break-ins at Disney hotels. Of course anything can happen, but with so many rooms, I'd say Disney's record when it comes to stuff like this is pretty close to spotless.

And the answer is the same: If you assault a cast member – especially one doing their job – you will be sued, probably thrown in jail and definitely banned from property.

Heaven help Disney if people start recreating the end of Home Alone in their hotel rooms.
It reminds me of how often you hear about a relative entering a house late at night being shot at by a gun wielding owner.

I would like to know how many times the OP has had to wield a bat, metal bar etc... in order to protect themselves in a hotel room. I would ask directly but it’s obvious that the conversation would not go well.
 
It's troubling that your first thought is arming yourself with a weapon (a metal bar?) rather than literally just using the locks provided to keep people out.

Heaven help Disney if people start recreating the end of Home Alone in their hotel rooms.

Not my first thought, but a thought. I would be remiss if I didn't present a potential scenario that a CM may encounter.

I think everyone should use their locks, but do we know that will keep CM/security out of your (global context) room?
 

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