An open letter to Disney about mandatory room checks.

[Jennasis]

I wonder if they are going to just random rooms now. I can't imagine the man power it would take to go to every single room every day. And of course you have the housekeepers going in that counts as a check. So if you have housekeeping while you are out, that is your check.

We are DVC so do not get daily housekeeping. We get daily trash removal now and I've noticed our trash is empty when we return to our room so I know its getting done.

 

[Lilsia]

We are DVC so do not get daily housekeeping. We get daily trash removal now and I've noticed our trash is empty when we return to our room so I know its getting done.

I think they are counting that as your "check".

 

[Poprivet]

They come in to clean the room daily anyway.... If I'm in the room, I will flip over the door lock, keeping them out while I'm there.
I work for a printer of promotional plastic products, one product we print is door hangers, Might make one up saying "WE ARE SLEEPING" on 1 side and "AVAILABLE FOR ROOM CHECK/CLEANING" on the other side...


POP

 

[maxiesmom]

They come in to clean the room daily anyway.... If I'm in the room, I will flip over the door lock, keeping them out while I'm there.
I work for a printer of promotional plastic products, one product we print is door hangers, Might make one up saying "WE ARE SLEEPING" on 1 side and "AVAILABLE FOR ROOM CHECK/CLEANING" on the other side...


POP

Reports are they ignore any homemade door hangers.

 

[maxiesmom]

Glad you didn't have a problem, but many others have,, including me.
Short version, in March in afternoon with sign up, first housekeeping knocked and insisted on coming in. Then security came in 15 minutes with the sign up.
So, the sign, to me, is totally worthless. Disney needs to get their act together on this issue and train everyone the same. So, yes, it does and will happen until something changes.

The sign doesn't state they will skip your room. I think it actually states something to the opposite of that. The sign only alerts you are in the room. It doesn't mean they will skip your room check.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Now I have to worry about putting out the room occupied sign, putting the chain on, and unplugging the phone while I'm in the room, and remember to do this every day. What a pain.
Why is Disney getting stupider every year????

Just a heads up, we had several issues with unplugging the phone at our resort back in August before all this security stuff even happened. Our first night, literally within 15 mins of being in the room, my toddler (not quite 2 and not verbal enough to understand not to) called the Fire Dept from the room phone. He managed to call them again that night after dinner so I unplugged the phone (after 2 separate return calls from the fire Dept and me apologizing profusely and explaining that it was my toddler who had called). We were in a 2 bedroom villa and had another room phone in a bedroom that was left plugged in since he never went in there. I figured the hotel could still reach us, so unplugging the living room phone was easier than handcuffing my son to me the whole time we were in the room (kidding, of course).

The next day after we got back from the parks, our room phone starts ringing. It's the Fire Dept asking if anything is wrong and notifying me that they just received another call from our room. Apparently housekeeping plugged the phone back in when we were gone and before we noticed, my toddler had made a call. We unplugged it again and the same thing happened the next day, except I caught my toddler before he was able to press any buttons and we again unplugged the phone.

About 30 mins later, the kids are in bed, asleep, and I'm about to jump in the shower. I had left my cell on the table and it starts ringing and wakes up the kids. I didn't answer it in time, and just saw that it was a number I didn't recognize. I finally get the kids back to sleep, get ready to get in the shower again, and someone's pounding on the door. I then have to get dressed to answer because the rest of the adults in the room had gone for a walk.

Due to the knocking, the kids are awoken again and my toddler is screaming because it's 1130 pm, we've had a full park day and he's now been woken up twice. An employee was at the door telling me that they tried calling me but I didn't answer. I ask what they want and they say that there seems to be a problem with my room phone. I explained that I unplugged it and the reasons why and if they need to reach me, they can call my cell or the other phone in the room. I was told that all phones must remain plugged in or I would basically continue to be bugged.

So, the phone was plugged back in and though we tried to hide it by covering it with blankets and tried to keep my son away from it, he still managed to call the fire Dept 2 more times over the course of our 12 night stay, the "Front desk" once, and he was awoken from sleep one other time from the phone ringing to notify us that our package was ready to be picked up/delivered.

So just a heads up that unplugging the room phone may not work to your advantage, though leaving it plugged in can obviously have it's own set of problems too.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Just a heads up, we had several issues with unplugging the phone at our resort back in August before all this security stuff even happened. Our first night, literally within 15 mins of being in the room, my toddler (not quite 2 and not verbal enough to understand not to) called the Fire Dept from the room phone. He managed to call them again that night after dinner so I unplugged the phone (after 2 separate return calls from the fire Dept and me apologizing profusely and explaining that it was my toddler who had called). We were in a 2 bedroom villa and had another room phone in a bedroom that was left plugged in since he never went in there. I figured the hotel could still reach us, so unplugging the living room phone was easier than handcuffing my son to me the whole time we were in the room (kidding, of course).

The next day after we got back from the parks, our room phone starts ringing. It's the Fire Dept asking if anything is wrong and notifying me that they just received another call from our room. Apparently housekeeping plugged the phone back in when we were gone and before we noticed, my toddler had made a call. We unplugged it again and the same thing happened the next day, except I caught my toddler before he was able to press any buttons and we again unplugged the phone.

About 30 mins later, the kids are in bed, asleep, and I'm about to jump in the shower. I had left my cell on the table and it starts ringing and wakes up the kids. I didn't answer it in time, and just saw that it was a number I didn't recognize. I finally get the kids back to sleep, get ready to get in the shower again, and someone's pounding on the door. I then have to get dressed to answer because the rest of the adults in the room had gone for a walk.

Due to the knocking, the kids are awoken again and my toddler is screaming because it's 1130 pm, we've had a full park day and he's now been woken up twice. An employee was at the door telling me that they tried calling me but I didn't answer. I ask what they want and they say that there seems to be a problem with my room phone. I explained that I unplugged it and the reasons why and if they need to reach me, they can call my cell or the other phone in the room. I was told that all phones must remain plugged in or I would basically continue to be bugged.

So, the phone was plugged back in and though we tried to hide it by covering it with blankets and tried to keep my son away from it, he still managed to call the fire Dept 2 more times over the course of our 12 night stay, the "Front desk" once, and he was awoken from sleep one other time from the phone ringing to notify us that our package was ready to be picked up/delivered.

So just a heads up that unplugging the room phone may not work to your advantage, though leaving it plugged in can obviously have it's own set of problems too.

As serious as calling the fire department is when you don't need it I can't help but laugh in a good natured way at your predicament and how mischievous your toddler was. Sorry you had that going on during your trip!

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

As serious as calling the fire department is when you don't need it I can't help but laugh in a good natured way at your predicament and how mischievous your toddler was. Sorry you had that going on during your trip!

Thanks! I look back on it now and laugh, but I did feel terrible at the time for bugging the fire Dept so much. It does make me wonder though how people with landlines at home keep their little ones away from them. We only have cell phones so I think the temptation of playing with something new was just too much for him.

 

[mousehockey37]

Thanks! I look back on it now and laugh, but I did feel terrible at the time for bugging the fire Dept so much. It does make me wonder though how people with landlines at home keep their little ones away from them. We only have cell phones so I think the temptation of playing with something new was just too much for him.

I understand not having a "home" phone doesn't give the opportunity to teach about it.

Side note... This makes me laugh because I think over to the schools abroad that are getting rid of clocks with arms because kids can't read them to tell the time. Hopefully Disney doesn't make that switch... I mean, that'd be one eyesore of a clock on Cindy's castle.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I understand not having a "home" phone doesn't give the opportunity to teach about it.

Side note... This makes me laugh because I think over to the schools abroad that are getting rid of clocks with arms because kids can't read them to tell the time. Hopefully Disney doesn't make that switch... I mean, that'd be one eyesore of a clock on Cindy's castle.

Ahh, that makes sense. Our landline growing up was on an end table about 2 feet off the ground so I just assumed a lot of people have them lower. I've never asked my mom how she kept us away from it though.

For some reason it didn't actually quote the part of your post I was trying to quote.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Thanks! I look back on it now and laugh, but I did feel terrible at the time for bugging the fire Dept so much. It does make me wonder though how people with landlines at home keep their little ones away from them. We only have cell phones so I think the temptation of playing with something new was just too much for him.

Growing up the phone was attached to the wall which would have made it harder for me to reach it at that age that's for sure.

In our current house though we built it without landlines but to the other poster's point I'll sure be teaching kids on usage of a physical (i.e. non-cell phone) phone because they'll encounter it all over the place including likely their work..but probably not at age 2 lol.

 

[Lilsia]

Thanks! I look back on it now and laugh, but I did feel terrible at the time for bugging the fire Dept so much. It does make me wonder though how people with landlines at home keep their little ones away from them. We only have cell phones so I think the temptation of playing with something new was just too much for him.

Well we just beat our kids, that works too. It has been a while since our kids where little and we have always had a land line along with cell phones. I think we just had them put up higher and just watched them. It is too much temptation when they are right there within reach.

 

[mousehockey37]

Ahh, that makes sense. Our landline growing up was on an end table about 2 feet off the ground so I just assumed a lot of people have them lower. I've never asked my mom how she kept us away from it though.

For some reason it didn't actually quote the part of your post I was trying to quote.

I'm also surprised that you didn't get any formal billing or anything from the Fire Dept. I guess since they didn't have to come out, that it was no harm no foul and no charges to reclaim.

I just know, like some others, that after the first 2 calls, it wouldn't have happened again... Our parents would've probably done something that is now considered cruel.

 

[mjr0483]

Just a heads up, we had several issues with unplugging the phone at our resort back in August before all this security stuff even happened. Our first night, literally within 15 mins of being in the room, my toddler (not quite 2 and not verbal enough to understand not to) called the Fire Dept from the room phone. He managed to call them again that night after dinner so I unplugged the phone (after 2 separate return calls from the fire Dept and me apologizing profusely and explaining that it was my toddler who had called). We were in a 2 bedroom villa and had another room phone in a bedroom that was left plugged in since he never went in there. I figured the hotel could still reach us, so unplugging the living room phone was easier than handcuffing my son to me the whole time we were in the room (kidding, of course).

The next day after we got back from the parks, our room phone starts ringing. It's the Fire Dept asking if anything is wrong and notifying me that they just received another call from our room. Apparently housekeeping plugged the phone back in when we were gone and before we noticed, my toddler had made a call. We unplugged it again and the same thing happened the next day, except I caught my toddler before he was able to press any buttons and we again unplugged the phone.

About 30 mins later, the kids are in bed, asleep, and I'm about to jump in the shower. I had left my cell on the table and it starts ringing and wakes up the kids. I didn't answer it in time, and just saw that it was a number I didn't recognize. I finally get the kids back to sleep, get ready to get in the shower again, and someone's pounding on the door. I then have to get dressed to answer because the rest of the adults in the room had gone for a walk.

Due to the knocking, the kids are awoken again and my toddler is screaming because it's 1130 pm, we've had a full park day and he's now been woken up twice. An employee was at the door telling me that they tried calling me but I didn't answer. I ask what they want and they say that there seems to be a problem with my room phone. I explained that I unplugged it and the reasons why and if they need to reach me, they can call my cell or the other phone in the room. I was told that all phones must remain plugged in or I would basically continue to be bugged.

So, the phone was plugged back in and though we tried to hide it by covering it with blankets and tried to keep my son away from it, he still managed to call the fire Dept 2 more times over the course of our 12 night stay, the "Front desk" once, and he was awoken from sleep one other time from the phone ringing to notify us that our package was ready to be picked up/delivered.

So just a heads up that unplugging the room phone may not work to your advantage, though leaving it plugged in can obviously have it's own set of problems too.

Put some rubber bands around or tie a knot around the receiver. The phone usually has a long cord. Put it in the drawer or under the bed.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I'm also surprised that you didn't get any formal billing or anything from the Fire Dept. I guess since they didn't have to come out, that it was no harm no foul and no charges to reclaim.

I just know, like some others, that after the first 2 calls, it wouldn't have happened again... Our parents would've probably done something that is now considered cruel.

I'm not sure how the billing works for those scenarios, I just know we weren't charged and they seemed pretty understanding. They said it does happen occassionally so I know I'm not the only one.

And I understand what you're saying about consequences for the child. I swear, we don't just let our kids run wild! At that time though, he just flat out was not able to understand rules and punishments. There were concerns about his development, but thankfully he's caught up to his milestones finally and can now understand "no" and listens about as well as you'd expect a toddler to!

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Put some rubber bands around or tie a knot around the receiver. The phone usually has a long cord. Put it in the drawer or under the bed.

Good ideas, thanks!

 

[DisneyNYGalTraveler]

I just returned from both Pop Century and All Star Music. I generally stay in the room in the mornings and hit the parks in the afternoon and evenings. Despite opting out of housekeeping, my door was knocked on every single morning (whether RO sign was on the door, or not) at both resorts and entered twice while I was still in bed or in the bathroom (I had the latch on the door.) One time a man came to my door who didn't speak English or at least not to a degree I could understand what he was saying. He tried to enter the room but I told him no way and he said he'd be back. I called front desk and was told they'd get to the bottom of it (spoiler alert, they never did.) This new policy is harassing and invasive and makes you feel like you are in a nanny state. It may hinder me ever staying at a Disney property again and I am a passholder. If you aren't the 'family' who are out of the room all day they are suspicious and treat you like a criminal who isn't supposed to be there. So much for a 'magical' stay.

 

[Nancyg56]

I just returned from both Pop Century and All Star Music. I generally stay in the room in the mornings and hit the parks in the afternoon and evenings. Despite opting out of housekeeping, my door was knocked on every single morning (whether RO sign was on the door, or not) at both resorts and entered twice while I was still in bed or in the bathroom (I had the latch on the door.) One time a man came to my door who didn't speak English or at least not to a degree I could understand what he was saying. He tried to enter the room but I told him no way and he said he'd be back. I called front desk and was told they'd get to the bottom of it (spoiler alert, they never did.) This new policy is harassing and invasive and makes you feel like you are in a nanny state. It may hinder me ever staying at a Disney property again and I am a passholder. If you aren't the 'family' who are out of the room all day they are suspicious and treat you like a criminal who isn't supposed to be there. So much for a 'magical' stay.

This would result in a visit from me to the resort manager. I am more than willing to comply with this policy, and have stated on more than one occasion that I will judge for myself if it is overly intrusive, however I know that If was intruded on like this I would make it stop.

 

[darrengs]

I just returned from both Pop Century and All Star Music. I generally stay in the room in the mornings and hit the parks in the afternoon and evenings. Despite opting out of housekeeping, my door was knocked on every single morning (whether RO sign was on the door, or not) at both resorts and entered twice while I was still in bed or in the bathroom (I had the latch on the door.) One time a man came to my door who didn't speak English or at least not to a degree I could understand what he was saying. He tried to enter the room but I told him no way and he said he'd be back. I called front desk and was told they'd get to the bottom of it (spoiler alert, they never did.) This new policy is harassing and invasive and makes you feel like you are in a nanny state. It may hinder me ever staying at a Disney property again and I am a passholder. If you aren't the 'family' who are out of the room all day they are suspicious and treat you like a criminal who isn't supposed to be there. So much for a 'magical' stay.

Are you saying they unlocked the latch to enter?

 

[KrazeeK120]

Are you saying they unlocked the latch to enter?

I’m wondering that as well. If so, that’s the first time I’ve heard of that happening.

Also, to @DisneyNYGalTraveler, just an FYI...you can’t call the front desk from your room. When you call the “front desk,” you are talking to an offsite call center.