An open letter to Disney about mandatory room checks.

[georgina]

I would think though that for the majority of people who decline housekeeping it's not because of an interruption.

I mean to decline housekeeping means your room isn't going to be cleaned and you won't have replishments of toiletries and towels for that day. That's the actual reason for declining housekeeping. DND signs are so you won't be distrurbed. It's just that in the hotel industry the DND basically was used for both with the exceptions of hotel brands that have utilized double-sided or two signs (1 to indicate not to disturb and 1 to indicate cleaning of the room).

While I agree with your first statement (it's not about an interruption), I don't agree at all that the actual reason for declining housekeeping is because someone doesn't want towels and toiletries refreshed. For me it is totally that I don't like people in my room while I am out. I have declined housekeeping for years because of this, long before gift cards. Because of the new policy of daily visitation, I did not decline housekeeping my last (as in most recent AND never again on property) trip.

 

[snappy]

While I agree with your first statement (it's not about an interruption), I don't agree at all that the actual reason for declining housekeeping is because someone doesn't want towels and toiletries refreshed. For me it is totally that I don't like people in my room while I am out. I have declined housekeeping for years because of this, long before gift cards. Because of the new policy of daily visitation, I did not decline housekeeping my last (as in most recent AND never again on property) trip.

Having CM’s in the room when there is no reason to be there is unappealing to me as well. I usually changed resorts when onsite so I never stayed in one room long enough to need cleaning. HK didn’t vacuum or do much in the bathroom anyway, what’s the use. None for me. Luckily, there are many, many great off site options if you still want to visit the parks. Not staying at Disney resorts is no great loss for me, personally. I have had many great stays at pool homes, other time shares and terrific hotels, from reasonable to expensive. I will say I enjoyed the vibe at the boardwalk for 10 plus years. The rest for me, meh. A lot of posters on this board feel differently, that’s their prerogative. No judging from me. To each his own.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Having CM’s in the room when there is no reason

We feel there's no reason. Probably the public-facing CMs feel there's no reason. Disney feels there's a reason. Disney owns the rooms.

 

[snappy]

We feel there's no reason. Probably the public-facing CMs feel there's no reason. Disney feels there's a reason. Disney owns the rooms.

Yup and the joke for me is that one of Disney’s stated reasons is for guest enjoyment.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yup and the joke for me is that one of Disney’s reasons is for guest enjoyment.

But they need to balance guest enjoyment with safety. And they are doing what they feel they need to do.

 

[snappy]

But they need to balance guest enjoyment with safety. And they are doing what they feel they need to do.

If only it was both consistent and effective.

 

[maxiesmom]

We have no idea if the room checks are effective, as we are not that sure what exactly they are intended to stop. I have heard child trafficking mentioned along with looking for weapons. It could be either, both, or something else we are unaware of.

 

[snappy]

Yea we may never know “what’s behind the curtain.” I get it, it’s “their deal.”

“My deal” is changing our usual summer trip to go to NYC. A particular Broadway play, the Met, and my favorite 2 upscale hotels (split stay) are calling me. Celebrating our youngest DD’s college graduation dinner in NYC instead of usual Cali Grill at Disney. My husband prefers manhattan to Orlando anyway now so I am happily complying. DD’s preference as well. Wish we could go this year during the semi annual restaurant week like we usually do. Can’t beat 3 course lunch for around $25 and 3 course dinner for around $35 at hundreds of restaurants. I get a kick out of reading reviews of the menus and making my reservations on open table. It’s allowed us to eat at restaurants we likely wouldn’t go to. Great marketing strategy. And hotel rates are great too!!! I was shocked how wonderful summer rates are starting around June 24th through the summer, especially around July 4. Off Broadway options limited but my brother is in the industry and steers us to the best options.

Happy trails!

Edited to say, imho, planning the ultimate offsite trip, lol.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sounds like it is something totally different from a trip to Disney. And a choice that may have been made even if there were not such a thing as room checks at WDW.

There is a whole big world out there, I have never been one to say a Disney vacation is the only vacation.

 

[snappy]

Sounds like it is something totally different from a trip to Disney. And a choice that may have been made even if there were not such a thing as room checks at WDW.

There is a whole big world out there, I have never been one to say a Disney vacation is the only vacation.

Perhaps but the exact same travel party went to Disney last summer. Disney helped make my decision for me! I am talking to you shorter park hours, parking fees, room checks.

 

[snappy]

There is a whole big world out there, I have never been one to say a Disney vacation is the only vacation.[/QUOTE]

And I don’t believe I said you did.

 

[darrengs]

I was looking for something in my sons room, I came across a "privacy please" sign in his drawer from a stay at the Yacht Club several years back. Wonder what it would fetch on eBay, LOL.

Disclaimer: We did not steal it, he was joking one morning when we were leaving the room and removing the sign that he could use one at home, so we would leave him alone when he was "sleeping in". Housekeeping was in the hallway and gave him one and said "here, take this one home".

 

[snappy]

Collector’s item.

 

[darrengs]

Collector’s item.

Exactly.

I wish I knew it was there in April when we went, I would have brought it for fun.

 

[abinormal]

For me it is totally that I don't like people in my room while I am out. I have declined housekeeping for years because of this, long before gift cards.

Same here. I’ve twice came back into a hotel room to find a staff member rifling through my suitcase. That second time was enough to make me a DND user for life.

Since I would also drive myself crazy wondering if/when I would be interrupted in my room and not be able to relax or rest, there’s no way I would be happy staying somewhere I couldn’t have a DND sign.

I realize that staff may need to and have the right to access the room for suspicious activity. That has always been the case in every hotel ever. That’s very different from insisting upon daily on-demand access.

I would not even consider staying at a Disney resort, because of this policy.

 

[KCSherri]

Maybe something like this: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/...yees-arrested-in-child-pornography-sting.html And that's only the latest of its kind....

So...you’re saying that the Disney employee is now going to be getting onto people’s computers in their rooms to see what they’ve downloaded???!!

I don’t see why Disney can’t offer a TSA-Precheck style program, especially with their frequent guests. Those of us who have been going for years and years can opt in (and even pay a cost, I get it) and NOT be subject to room checks. Disney will know that we are a “known visitor”, as TSA knows that we are a “Known Traveler.” I think it would be a win-win; Disney wouldn’t have to send employees into EVERY guest room on a daily basis, therefore saving time and money. And guests would sleep/rest easier, knowing they won’t be disturbed.

 

[maxiesmom]

So...you’re saying that the Disney employee is now going to be getting onto people’s computers in their rooms to see what they’ve downloaded???!!

I don’t see why Disney can’t offer a TSA-Precheck style program, especially with their frequent guests. Those of us who have been going for years and years can opt in (and even pay a cost, I get it) and NOT be subject to room checks. Disney will know that we are a “known visitor”, as TSA knows that we are a “Known Traveler.” I think it would be a win-win; Disney wouldn’t have to send employees into EVERY guest room on a daily basis, therefore saving time and money. And guests would sleep/rest easier, knowing they won’t be disturbed.

I'm wondering how much, if any, money it would save them. I wonder what percentage of guests opt out of housekeeping on a regular basis. It doesn't seem they are spending much extra now to do the checks as they are rolled in with housekeeping for the most part.

 

[snappy]

So...you’re saying that the Disney employee is now going to be getting onto people’s computers in their rooms to see what they’ve downloaded???!!

I don’t see why Disney can’t offer a TSA-Precheck style program, especially with their frequent guests. Those of us who have been going for years and years can opt in (and even pay a cost, I get it) and NOT be subject to room checks. Disney will know that we are a “known visitor”, as TSA knows that we are a “Known Traveler.” I think it would be a win-win; Disney wouldn’t have to send employees into EVERY guest room on a daily basis, therefore saving time and money. And guests would sleep/rest easier, knowing they won’t be disturbed.

I’d be willing to pay for pre check frequent visitor status. Hell, IMHO, since I have been a DVC owner for 11 years, they already know where I live, and lots of other data about me including who I have traveled with in the past 6 years, who I have traveled with lately, etc., along with everybody’s ages, etc.

 

[snappy]

I'm wondering how much, if any, money it would save them. I wonder what percentage of guests opt out of housekeeping on a regular basis. It doesn't seem they are spending much extra now to do the checks as they are rolled in with housekeeping for the most part.

It would be interesting to know how successful Disney is with encouraging guests to opt out with their $10 a day gift card to opt out of HK Program. I have read that Disney is giving sign in bonuses to housekeepers when hired because they can’t keep enough to handle housekeeping. Has that been confirmed?

 

[maxiesmom]

It would be interesting to know how successful Disney is with encouraging guests to opt out with their $10 a day gift card to opt out of HK Program. I have read that Disney is giving sign in bonuses to housekeepers when hired because they can’t keep enough to handle housekeeping. Has that been confirmed?

Has anyone figured out how much money a night they are making with the new parking fee? I'm sure it has to be a massive number.