“It’s for your safety.”

[chicagoshannon]

This also sounds like a situation that Disney is so understaffed with housekeepers they can't get to all the rooms in a reasonable amount of time. The OP didn't say what time she came back to her room but I would guess sometime in the afternoon. If I come back to my room at say 3pm and my room hasn't been cleaned that is NOT my problem, it's Disney's. To be treated like a criminal because the housekeeper hasn't come to my room in a timely manner is unacceptable!

This just screams staffing problem to me.

 

[pattyw]

This also sounds like a situation that Disney is so understaffed with housekeepers they can't get to all the rooms in a reasonable amount of time. The OP didn't say what time she came back to her room but I would guess sometime in the afternoon. If I come back to my room at say 3pm and my room hasn't been cleaned that is NOT my problem, it's Disney's. To be treated like a criminal because the housekeeper hasn't come to my room in a timely manner is unacceptable!

This just screams staffing problem to me.

Exactly! The housekeepers couldn't keep up before when they didn't have to visit each room. We've come back to our room mid to late afternoon and countless times our room wasn't serviced yet. No big deal- we usually call housekeeping or find a housekeeper nearby to get more towels, toiletries. Can't do that now! They will alert security and they will demand entrance to our room! No more relaxing before dinner.
Why not just hire more housekeepers instead of security? We'd all rather have a clean room than be bothered by security guards!

 

[AndreaA]

Wow talk about out of touch. Security measures that Disney is taking turning into sexual assault. If this turns into something where people are entering Disney resorts to pose as employees so they can sexually assault people then Disney needs to hire an armed security force to patrol their property.
I started traveling internationally when I was 19. I lived in a developing country for two years. Yes I needed to be careful but I can’t believe how scared everyone is now.
I have a daughter too and I’ll teach her to be smart but I’m not going to teach her to be scared of everything.
You know what makes me feel like people are out of touch? When my six year old has to learn at school how to hide under her desk in case of an intruder, when school shootings become the norm, and then when establishments increase security measures and people complain about it.

I’m actually completely UNafraid. I’ve never been in a #metoo situation and in fifteen years working in the tech industry in what would be considered a “good old boy” company, I never felt slighted or harassed or even “mansplained” to by my co-workers or managers/directors. HOWEVER, I’m not an idiot, and a strange man coming to my hotel room door in the middle of the afternoon when I’m in a state of undress is NOT something I would appreciate, and I’m sure that people who HAVE been in bad situations would like it a hundred times less.

It isn’t about expecting that a sexual assault could happen (although it’s certainly possible), it’s about the tone-deaf actions of Disney during a time when people - especially women - are particularly sensitive to actions that have even the whiff of impropriety, and with good reason! While greater society is trying to grapple with the fact that unfortunately many girls and women have put up with a ton of crap over the years and are unwilling to do so any longer, Disney is doubling down and deciding to send random men (with no visible badges, as far as I’ve read) into the rooms of guests? You don’t have to assault someone to make them feel uncomfortable and frankly, a man doesn’t need to outright assault someone to get his jollies.

 

[PAsFab5]

I fully support all efforts to make us all safer.

I work at a facility where I am subject to random searches of my vehicle and personal bags, drug and bomb sniffing dogs as well as metal detector checks. I comply with all these requirements without complaint because this is the environment we live in today, sadly.

However, I think there is a line that must be drawn here. I believe most people would agree that a hotel room is used for sleeping, getting dressed and showering. These are parts of everyday life that I don’t wish to share with strangers. I will not comply with searches occurring while myself or a member of my family is doing something that we should be allowed to do, in private. If we want to nap or shower, no matter the time of day, we should be comfortable doing so and not think....what if they knock while I am showering and I don’t hear them and I cannot let them in timely? Will they just come in? Will they look into the bathroom and see me showering?

I believe this is a intrusion on our most basic rights and because of this we won’t consider a Disney resort until the kinks are worked out.

 

[LYSE]

If that happened to my wife I would expect her to slam the door on his face.

Did he shove you out of the way? I'm wondering because the doors don't seem wide enough to walk by you easily and they have a bias towards closed.

 

[natfrac]

DH and I are at the BWV now, and this security thing will change the way we vacation. As others have said, it does nothing to increase security. We stick to our west coast time schedule (due to timing of DH meds), so we stay up/sleep in late. We’ve had them banging on our door two mornings in a row. While we love the Boardwalk, we’re done with Disney hotels after this trip until they get their security act together.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

DH and I are at the BWV now, and this security thing will change the way we vacation. As others have said, it does nothing to increase security. We stick to our west coast time schedule (due to timing of DH meds), so we stay up/sleep in late. We’ve had them banging on our door two mornings in a row. While we love the Boardwalk, we’re done with Disney hotels after this trip until they get their security act together.

What time did they start knocking?

 

[AFwifelife]

Guess I'll just start hoping now that they will get to our room in the morning and I don't have to worry about security showing up. This next trip I'm probably going to be alone with 2 preschoolers. If anyone is brushing past me to get in the room where my kids are, I will freak. Opening a door isn't an invitation inside and if someone hasn't properly identified themselves there's no way I'm going to say ok.

 

[Lisann]

This is all so ludicrous, in the name of security.

Disney is not going about this the right way at all. I suggest those of you who have experienced this first-hand, flood guest services with your negative comments, etc. Maybe Disney will look twice at this insane policy.

 

[drummerwife]

My DH and I have two upcoming trips, one in April for the Star Wars races and one in July. We frequently stay in the room after a race to just unwind and or take a nap. I will be informing the front desk that if the room occupied sign is up they are NOT to disturb us. I have not only a right to expect privacy in a room that I rent (as long as I’m using the room in a reasonable manner and I’m not disturbing other guests), I also have 4th amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. Disney has to have a specific reason to need to inspect my room not just a general “security” check.

 

[Lynne M]

My DH and I have two upcoming trips, one in April for the Star Wars races and one in July. We frequently stay in the room after a race to just unwind and or take a nap. I will be informing the front desk that if the room occupied sign is up they are NOT to disturb us. I have not only a right to expect privacy in a room that I rent (as long as I’m using the room in a reasonable manner and I’m not disturbing other guests), I also have 4th amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. Disney has to have a specific reason to need to inspect my room not just a general “security” check.

The 4th amendment applies to search and seizure by the government. It does not apply to a private company wishing to enter a room that they own, on property that they own.

In other words, the 4th amendment prohibits the Orange County police department from searching your room without a warrant. It does not prohibit Disney from entering their own hotel rooms.

 

[Colleen27]

Wow talk about out of touch. Security measures that Disney is taking turning into sexual assault. If this turns into something where people are entering Disney resorts to pose as employees so they can sexually assault people then Disney needs to hire an armed security force to patrol their property.
I started traveling internationally when I was 19. I lived in a developing country for two years. Yes I needed to be careful but I can’t believe how scared everyone is now.
I have a daughter too and I’ll teach her to be smart but I’m not going to teach her to be scared of everything.
You know what makes me feel like people are out of touch? When my six year old has to learn at school how to hide under her desk in case of an intruder, when school shootings become the norm, and then when establishments increase security measures and people complain about it.

I don't think it is being overly fearful to have the perspective that the odds of an "everyday" crime like sexual assault, theft, etc. are higher and more worth taking precautions against than those of a headline-grabbing but rare crime like a mass shooter event. Any article aimed at women traveling alone will stress not opening the door to a stranger, and while Disney is absolutely one of the safer places a person can travel, that doesn't mean to abandon common sense at check in.

Disney has had problems with people distributing flyers for fake pizza places under room doors as a means of stealing credit card numbers, and they've had problems with people stealing parked strollers to resell on Craigslist. Why is it plausible that they'd be an attractive target for a mass shooting but unthinkable that someone might take advantage of this change to victimize guests?

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

My DH and I have two upcoming trips, one in April for the Star Wars races and one in July. We frequently stay in the room after a race to just unwind and or take a nap. I will be informing the front desk that if the room occupied sign is up they are NOT to disturb us. I have not only a right to expect privacy in a room that I rent (as long as I’m using the room in a reasonable manner and I’m not disturbing other guests), I also have 4th amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. Disney has to have a specific reason to need to inspect my room not just a general “security” check.

You know it’s their property right? The police would need a warrant to enter but Disney changed their policy regarding employee entrance and the do not disurb signs.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

How did them being abrasive about doing a security check turn into a concern about sexual assault?
Not saying they can’t be polite about having to check someone’s room but I think you’re being quick to bring the issue of sexual harassment/assault into this.

I think it's a concern even if I don't agree with everyone's viewpoint I do think it's a concern. If all reports were of the person being polite professional and appearing non-threatening there likely would be a lot less concern there. But there have been experiences where the demeanor of the person caused concern..it's a natural and understandable feeling if someone is insisting on entering and for a female having a male do that can automatically put up internal defenses. No I'm not going there with sexual assault but I do understand the real concern multiple posters have brought up having over the various threads.

Wow talk about out of touch. Security measures that Disney is taking turning into sexual assault. If this turns into something where people are entering Disney resorts to pose as employees so they can sexually assault people then Disney needs to hire an armed security force to patrol their property.
I started traveling internationally when I was 19. I lived in a developing country for two years. Yes I needed to be careful but I can’t believe how scared everyone is now.
I have a daughter too and I’ll teach her to be smart but I’m not going to teach her to be scared of everything.
You know what makes me feel like people are out of touch? When my six year old has to learn at school how to hide under her desk in case of an intruder, when school shootings become the norm, and then when establishments increase security measures and people complain about it.

Respectfully your daughter and school shootings become the norm..yeah IDK we had lock down drills in school over 16 years ago (ETA: edited: years--appearantly I can't do math lol) though I was in high school at that point; I'm sure middle and elementary schools probably started doing it as well. It's not the new norm..it's been that way for a while at least. Heck one time the drill wasn't a drill it was real when a bullet casing was found near the bathroom. Bomb threats at schools also happened when I was growing up.

But one thing I will say is the media is different nowadays as there's instantaneous access to information. When I was in school we didn't really have cell phones or the kids who had them were rare, payphones were plentiful, heck FB didn't even open up to the public until right before I started college so access to information was slower--you watched the news for the most part though the internet was around (except at our house it was still dial up lol) it just was a lot different.

Also one being concerned about the situation the posters are talking about is a lot different than one being concerned constantly about the outside world. I would agree in certain situations the "won't live in fear" applies but this one IMO does not. Someone being concerned that a male insisting on entry into the room--with no way to escape other than the very door that the person is knocking on is a lot different than being concerned about day to day life. It's a specific situation they are talking about not a general feeling of unease.

Someone on another thread had what I thought was a really good suggestion when confronted with this situation. She, being alone, simply stood by the open door while security did their quick check. She had an escape route, if needed, and therefore felt quite safe.

I appreciate you bringing this up and think it is good advice. I'd much rather a poster provide helpful advice aimed at de-escalating one's concern.

If you allow the person to enter the room and can feel comfortable with switching places with them essentially (with them in the room and you at least by the exit of the room) then at least you can stand by the exit of the room in case you need to escape rather than feelings of being trapped.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Once she explained to the call center, they could have connected her to the front desk.

If the call center CM doesn't want to, ask to speak to their manager, because they can get you to the front desk.

A nasty situation with some guy pounding on the door...

It only takes a half hour or so to have your call answered.

 

[tlmadden73]

Wow . .

So it seems BECAUSE you told the housekeeper you would be in your room and didn't need service that they sent security up there?

To prove what? That you don't have a stash of guns in there?

If you were doing something nefarious would you BOTHER telling housekeeping you are going to be in your room?

 

[Meglen]

I have wrote this is the other threads. Never open a door to someone who is not family. If they are housekeeping or secruity they have a key. Most rooms have windows near the door take a look out and tell them to open the door. If they can't open the door than it's there own issue not mine.

 

[TLSnell1981]

DH and I are at the BWV now, and this security thing will change the way we vacation. As others have said, it does nothing to increase security. We stick to our west coast time schedule (due to timing of DH meds), so we stay up/sleep in late. We’ve had them banging on our door two mornings in a row. While we love the Boardwalk, we’re done with Disney hotels after this trip until they get their security act together.

Totally unacceptable. If this is the new normal, we will skip WDW all together. Not going to pay to be stressed out on VACATION!!

 

[StageTek]

I was told he was sent from the main office (???) to inspect my room for security reasons. I must have looked at him like he had two heads because he said “I’m allowed in the room.”

Even those who are pointing out that the rooms are Disney property have certain rights must understand that THIS is not acceptable.

To those of you I ask about this possibility: Keep the latch closed, advise the person that you will call security to verify and tell them you have 911 ready to dial on your phone. They can wait until a female officer is available and then they BOTH can enter the room.

Is it true that we guests MUST open the door and allow someone in the room without verification?

 

[Jennasis]

I'm agreeing with the individual who suggested standing in the doorway while the inspection goes on. Keep the door open and stand out there. Or ask them to hold ID up to the peep hole?

Honestly, this new policy doesn't concern me at all. Not even a little...but I do understand why it is upsetting to others.