Alarm Clocks

[Maistre Gracey]

You know, many people here are complaining the clocks had the wrong time.

1) Many hotel clocks today can only be set with a device from housekeeping, so nobody should be able to screw up the time.

2) If they are incorrect, that is yet another flub from housekeeping. It's their job to check that.
(They also need to check all lights and remote batteries but we'll leave that one for another thread.)

MG

 

[McCrae]

Problem will be out of town guests like myself. I don't even bring my cell phone to Orlando since I live in Canada and I worry about roaming fees.

Why don't you switch data roaming off when you visit Disney? Plenty of free Wifi available and of course you don't need data roaming to use the alarm clock function.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I was upset about the DVD player but it seems we were the only ones that enjoyed them. We have lots of DVDs in our owners locker. I find netflix slow over wifi. But I understand reception still have them if you ask. I hope so. Maybe they should do the same for the clocks. What next.. Ask at reception if you want a door.. lol..

 

[kittyab]

Why don't you switch data roaming off when you visit Disney? Plenty of free Wifi available and of course you don't need data roaming to use the alarm clock function.

I am not a cell phone freak. I dont use it for every little thing. It stays home.

 

[kittyab]

I was upset about the DVD player but it seems we were the only ones that enjoyed them. We have lots of DVDs in our owners locker. I find netflix slow over wifi. But I understand reception still have them if you ask. I hope so. Maybe they should do the same for the clocks. What next.. Ask at reception if you want a door.. lol..

We used it. Every morning my DD would run downstairs pick out a movie to watch that night.

 

[DenLo]

I don't see the need for a clock in the room. I can't believe how many times an alarm goes off at a weird hour or the music comes on extremely loud. I found that the light from the clocks were often too bright at night, but if you turned it off or angled it away from the bed, you couldn't see the clock at night anyway. My smart phone works better than any alarm clock, the time is accurate. I am familiar with how it works and don't need to waste time figuring out how to fix the time or set an alarm. Now with USB outlets on the night stands it is even better as I can charge my phone and still check the time at night and if need be use the phone light as a flashlight for trip to the bathroom.

Besides you can always do a wake up call at a Disney hotel.

 

[tjkraz]

I can be as cynical as anyone when it comes to corporate double-speak. But in the case of the clock radios, I truly believe we've reached a point where the majority of guests don't want them around anymore. Nightstands aren't enormous, particularly in setups where one nightstand is shared between two beds. To most guests, space once occupied by a clock radio is now better reserved for tablets and smartphones.

These are $10 clock radios. They aren't even worth stealing. The cost is immaterial. It's more about responding to changing guest preferences and expectations.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I can be as cynical as anyone when it comes to corporate double-speak. But in the case of the clock radios, I truly believe we've reached a point where the majority of guests don't want them around anymore. Nightstands aren't enormous, particularly in setups where one nightstand is shared between two beds. To most guests, space once occupied by a clock radio is now better reserved for tablets and smartphones.

These are $10 clock radios. They aren't even worth stealing. The cost is immaterial. It's more about responding to changing guest preferences and expectations.

I am 52 years old. I never recall running out of room in my nightstand.
If I did I would get rid of my lamp. It's the largest item and after all, I have a flashlight built into my phone.

MG

 

[tjkraz]

I am 52 years old. I never recall running out of room in my nightstand.
If I did I would get rid of my lamp. It's the largest item and after all, I have a flashlight built into my phone.

MG

And I'm glad the radios are gone. So between you and I, DVC has a 50/50 split opinion.

Seriously though, I'm not saying there's any "right" or "wrong" on this topic...just that opinions will vary and many people are bound to find themselves on the wrong side of the majority. By all means, share your feedback with DVC. Originally they had no plans to offer clocks on demand, but it sounds like that position has changed. I don't view this as being an inflexible position.

Disney sends surveys after every resort stay so it would have been very easy to ask guests about the usefulness of clock radios. Invariably there are times where we find ourselves in the minority.

(I also travel with a cord to plug my iPhone into the TV, so I'd stream Netflix or iTunes videos before borrowing a DVD. Changing times. I do wish Disney would invest in some sort of video-on-demand system, and I've mentioned that in surveys.)

 

[Maistre Gracey]

And I'm glad the radios are gone. So between you and I, DVC has a 50/50 split opinion.

Seriously though, I'm not saying there's any "right" or "wrong" on this topic...just that opinions will vary and many people are bound to find themselves on the wrong side of the majority. By all means, share your feedback with DVC. Originally they had no plans to offer clocks on demand, but it sounds like that position has changed. I don't view this as being an inflexible position.

Disney sends surveys after every resort stay so it would have been very easy to ask guests about the usefulness of clock radios. Invariably there are times where we find ourselves in the minority.

(I also travel with a cord to plug my iPhone into the TV, so I'd stream Netflix or iTunes videos before borrowing a DVD. Changing times. I do wish Disney would invest in some sort of video-on-demand system, and I've mentioned that in surveys.)

To be honest, while on vacation I don't use an alarm. I just like to have a clock in view without fumbling for my phone, especially during the night.

When I travel (extensively) I do use the alarm as one of my many back ups to make sure I get my butt out of bed. I also like the clock so when I'm getting ready for work (in the hotel) I can keep tabs on the time easily to make sure I'm on time.
The vast, vast majority of hotels still have clocks... Thank goodness.

MG

 

[Micca]

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not at a DVC resort!!

MG

 

[gdrj]

I was recently on vacation (not at Disney), I was awakened by an alarm clock at 4 AM (I didn't set it). As I stumbled to figure out how to turn it off, I realized I probably hit the snooze accidently so I unplugged it! Ten minute later the battery back-up had it go off again. Later that morning my wife asked me why the clock was in tub wrapped in towels!

I'm not going to miss the clocks.

 

[gdrj]

Changes in what are in hotel rooms over the years:

-shower caps
-shoe shine kits
-Emory boards
-Irons and ironing boards use to be by request only
-Hair dryers use to be by request only
-Room Keys
-Fee's for lost keys
-Safe deposit boxes only at front desk
-Matches and ashtrays
- Phones in bathrooms (yuch)
-shag carpet and lovely wall paper

In 17 years as a member I probably used the alarm clock (on purpose) a couple times. Years ago we had a travel alarm. As far as DVD player maybe a couple times, years ago when my kids were young.

 

[BillPA]

Changes in what are in hotel rooms over the years:

-shower caps
-shoe shine kits
-Emory boards
-Irons and ironing boards use to be by request only
-Hair dryers use to be by request only
-Room Keys
-Fee's for lost keys
-Safe deposit boxes only at front desk
-Matches and ashtrays
- Phones in bathrooms (yuch)
-shag carpet and lovely wall paper

In 17 years as a member I probably used the alarm clock (on purpose) a couple times. Years ago we had a travel alarm. As far as DVD player maybe a couple times, years ago when my kids were young.

I purchased DVC, I didn't buy a hotel room. I don't care what the hotels got rid of. I would just like to have in the unit, what I paid for when I joined. What's next, removing the washer and dryer? And I'm sorry some of you can't set a clock, but kudos for admitting it.

 

[McCrae]

I am not a cell phone freak. I dont use it for every little thing. It stays home.

if you are not willing to keep up with modern technology and its uses its not really Disney's problem if you don't like the changes they make.

Alarm clocks are a thing of the past and will soon be gone from every hotel room in the country.

 

[BillPA]

I'm done with this...

 

[gdrj]

I purchased DVC, I didn't buy a hotel room. I don't care what the hotels got rid of. I would just like to have in the unit, what I paid for when I joined. What's next, removing the washer and dryer? And I'm sorry some of you can't set a clock, but kudos for admitting it.

My point was meant to be that accommodations change over the years or for that matter at home or elsewhere. At home for example we no longer have a landline, no I'm not suggesting Disney get rid of that anytime soon. However 10 years from now Landlines may be a thing of the past.

 

[LBarLRanch]

I don't see the need for a clock in the room. I can't believe how many times an alarm goes off at a weird hour or the music comes on extremely loud. I found that the light from the clocks were often too bright at night, but if you turned it off or angled it away from the bed, you couldn't see the clock at night anyway. My smart phone works better than any alarm clock, the time is accurate. I am familiar with how it works and don't need to waste time figuring out how to fix the time or set an alarm. Now with USB outlets on the night stands it is even better as I can charge my phone and still check the time at night and if need be use the phone light as a flashlight for trip to the bathroom.

Besides you can always do a wake up call at a Disney hotel.

Agree completely. Bright light and 3am alarm. We don't need or want them.

 

[bwang123]

Someone should do a poll of what age people are who think hotels should keep alarm clocks.

36 and under = 99.2% no alarm clocks
37 - 59 = 33.66% keep alarm clocks
60 and up = What? They removed sundials from the rooms?