Disney Bed Bug Problem

[fla4fun]

I have been going to Disney for years, and never encountered any bedbugs. I do give the room a thorough search when I check in, before getting my luggage from the car, but once I've done the search, I relax.

I am sure Disney is as proactive as they can be regarding this issue, because they don't want the bad publicity of a bedbug outbreak. The local news would pounce on that in nothing flat!

 

[bluejasmine]

I am a germaphobe and I worry about all sorts of things in hotel rooms but really you can get bed bugs, or lice at a 5 star hotel just as well. There isnt any use to worry about it as its out of your control, your already more aware and know what you need to do to check the room when you arrive. As others stated, leave your luggage outside the room and check the bed with a pad, or lint roller or flashlights and check for cleanliness and if for some reason there is a problem go to front desk immediately and get it worked out. WDW is known for their customer service so they will do what ever they can to make you comfortable. Just enjoy your vacation!

 

[anniebean]

Ok...so maybe this is a stupid question, but if you sleep with the lights on, are you safe? I only ask this because we do because of my stupid fear of the dark. Husband and kids are used to it by now, but still......

We will be going in late May staying thru early June....so I guess I'll be checking the beds and headboards really well.

Like many other of the posters, I'm itchy now. I'm at work so I'm sure coworkers will think I've got cooties or something.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Ok...so maybe this is a stupid question, but if you sleep with the lights on, are you safe? I only ask this because we do because of my stupid fear of the dark. Husband and kids are used to it by now, but still......

We will be going in late May staying thru early June....so I guess I'll be checking the beds and headboards really well.

Like many other of the posters, I'm itchy now. I'm at work so I'm sure coworkers will think I've got cooties or something.

Doesn't make a difference ....
"Sleeping with the lights on is not likely to deter hungry bed bugs either. "
Source:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp

 

[rdunative]

wow! Thanks for the great info!

 

[jewelmicky]

My DD8 has asthma. I heard about the special cleaning before our last trip and called to request it this time also. We stayed at POFQ last visit, this time we'll be at POR. The extra cleaning made a HUGE difference for her. I have always dreaded hotel stays with her.....we have to be very careful. Some chains have gotten pretty good with hypoallergenic bedding and such. But, she would almost always wake up after the 1st night stuffy and itchy....only getting worse by the end of the trip.

But, last year at POFQ was Awesome! She had no issues at all. They take extra care with dusting, change the heater/air filters, and it made her visit much better. I don't know about the bedbud issue, I doubt that would make a difference....but, if they are taking a bit of extra care maybe they would be more likely to see if there is an issue.

I was so happy with the extra cleaning, I made sure to tip mousekeeping very generously for the extra time and effort it took.

When I called to request the service, they only asked what it was for, and where very nice about it.

 

[robinb]

My DD8 has asthma. I heard about the special cleaning before our last trip and called to request it this time also. We stayed at POFQ last visit, this time we'll be at POR. The extra cleaning made a HUGE difference for her. I have always dreaded hotel stays with her.....we have to be very careful. Some chains have gotten pretty good with hypoallergenic bedding and such. But, she would almost always wake up after the 1st night stuffy and itchy....only getting worse by the end of the trip.

But, last year at POFQ was Awesome! She had no issues at all. They take extra care with dusting, change the heater/air filters, and it made her visit much better. I don't know about the bedbud issue, I doubt that would make a difference....but, if they are taking a bit of extra care maybe they would be more likely to see if there is an issue.

I was so happy with the extra cleaning, I made sure to tip mousekeeping very generously for the extra time and effort it took.

When I called to request the service, they only asked what it was for, and where very nice about it.

I'm glad that the special cleaning makes things better for your DD . I really like to read about how Disney goes the extra mile for the health of their guests . However ... I do hope you're not suggesting such of thing for people who are afraid of bed bugs.

 

[Jestocost]

I am headed in to Disney in May 2011 and am freaked out over this. I have read and re-read what to do the best thing to do is search the room and to put your luggage in a plastic garbage bag when not in use. You could go as far which is what I am going to do is put my clothes in the large ziplock bags. I want to have a good time on out first trip to Disney but I am freaked out!

Does it say anything to you that you had to resurrect a thread that's nine months old to find someone who posted about a significant issue with bed bugs at Disney?

 

[cruisin'Mike]

I just searched for info on bedbugs at Disney because we heard a second hand report from my wife's coworker's sister that they had bedbugs in their room "near Epcot". I'm not going to freak out about it, because honestly, who hows how true it even is. But what is the best advice on checking the room for evidence of bedbugs. I just want to check it out when we get there to be sure it's clear.

 

[ctink23]

Thanks, jewelmicky, for the info about the extra cleaning. I also have asthma and often suffer in hotels. Had no idea you could request an extra cleaning/filter change, etc! Glad it helped your DD. I will definitely be looking into this.

 

[lsenquiz]

I just searched for info on bedbugs at Disney because we heard a second hand report from my wife's coworker's sister that they had bedbugs in their room "near Epcot". I'm not going to freak out about it, because honestly, who hows how true it even is. But what is the best advice on checking the room for evidence of bedbugs. I just want to check it out when we get there to be sure it's clear.

We know a couple who swear they came home from a stay at the swan and dolphin(an epcot resort) with bed bugs. No idea if it is true but we just got back from a stay at the dolphin and we saw no evidence of any and I really looked.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We know a couple who swear they came home from a stay at the swan and dolphin(an epcot resort) with bed bugs. No idea if it is true but we just got back from a stay at the dolphin and we saw no evidence of any and I really looked.

The bigger problem right now is the biting flies at WDW. They are fierce and those bites will hurt and itch like crazy for days.

 

[WDWlover717]

Hello! DH and I are headed to the World in July. I have searched and searched and searched for bed bug issues at Disney. I worried myself so much that I couldn't sleep at night for a while! One website I found useful was www.bedbugregistry.com. All you have to do is type in the address or name of the hotel you're staying in and it will pull up any reports of bedbugs. Also, at Walmart in the pharmacy section where they keep the lice needs, you can find a double pack of Bedbug Spray. It's in a lime green box. It says you can use it as a preventative or to actually kill them. Just make sure you keep the air running to ventilate the room. I haven't tried it, as we DO NOT have bed bugs in our house....believe me, I've searched EVERYWHERE! However, I will spray our beds and everything I need to as a preventative after I've checked our room! Maybe these to things will put you at ease if you are a worry wart like me!!!

 

[4orm]

Type in your home address too - you'd be surprised how common it is.

 

[WDWlover717]

I don't need to type in my home address! I know I DO NOT have bedbugs!!! EWW.

 

[LilyWDW]

I don't need to type in my home address! I know I DO NOT have bedbugs!!! EWW.

I think what the PP is saying is that anyone can make a report about any place on that site. The reports do not have to be supported by any evidence or proof. So, I could log on now and submit a report about any hotel, even if I have never stayed there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello! DH and I are headed to the World in July. I have searched and searched and searched for bed bug issues at Disney. I worried myself so much that I couldn't sleep at night for a while! One website I found useful was www.bedbugregistry.com. All you have to do is type in the address or name of the hotel you're staying in and it will pull up any reports of bedbugs. Also, at Walmart in the pharmacy section where they keep the lice needs, you can find a double pack of Bedbug Spray. It's in a lime green box. It says you can use it as a preventative or to actually kill them. Just make sure you keep the air running to ventilate the room. I haven't tried it, as we DO NOT have bed bugs in our house....believe me, I've searched EVERYWHERE! However, I will spray our beds and everything I need to as a preventative after I've checked our room! Maybe these to things will put you at ease if you are a worry wart like me!!!

Leave your sprays at home. Disney takes care of the rooms and have their own methods to rid any rooms that have bed bugs.

If you fly, you might bring them in on your luggage since it may be next to other luggage that already has bugs.

But the bigger problem right now at WDW is the biting flies. They are horrible and leave big, red welts that itch like crazy. And the bites last forever.

 

[LilyWDW]

Leave your sprays at home. Disney takes care of the rooms and have their own methods to rid any rooms that have bed bugs.

If you fly, you might bring them in on your luggage since it may be next to other luggage that already has bugs.

But the bigger problem right now at WDW is the biting flies. They are horrible and leave big, red welts that itch like crazy. And the bites last forever.

Good point. DON'T spray anything that isn't approved by Disney! It is not your home and, to be blunt, you do not have the right to use any sort of chemicals on their property.

 

[Lynne M]

Hello! DH and I are headed to the World in July. I have searched and searched and searched for bed bug issues at Disney. I worried myself so much that I couldn't sleep at night for a while! One website I found useful was www.bedbugregistry.com. All you have to do is type in the address or name of the hotel you're staying in and it will pull up any reports of bedbugs. Also, at Walmart in the pharmacy section where they keep the lice needs, you can find a double pack of Bedbug Spray. It's in a lime green box. It says you can use it as a preventative or to actually kill them. Just make sure you keep the air running to ventilate the room. I haven't tried it, as we DO NOT have bed bugs in our house....believe me, I've searched EVERYWHERE! However, I will spray our beds and everything I need to as a preventative after I've checked our room! Maybe these to things will put you at ease if you are a worry wart like me!!!

If you can still return the spray, I'd see if you can get your money back. They're little better than scams, sold to take advantage of people's fears. There's no such thing as a bed bug preventative; you can't pretreat for them. And they can only be eradicated with potent insecticides that are used by professional exterminators. if you could repel or kill them easily with a spray from walmart, they wouldn't be such a problem to treat once they get into your home.

The bed bug registry site should also be taken with a grain of salt. Anyone can post anything there; there's no verification of reports. People often mistake bites from other insects or rashes like PMLE for bedbugs bites.

The single best thing you can do to protect yourself is to inspect your room when you arrive. Google 'bedbug check', and you'll find what you need to know.

 

[Sammie]

If you are traveling, always inspect your mattress for bed bugs by pulling back the covers and looking carefully at the seams and tufts for bed bugs or bed bug evidences (black fecal spots). If you find a bed bug, don’t spray them yourself. This may cause them to move around and infest other areas. Instead, contact the hotel management inform them of the bugs and ask for another room immediately. Leave the spraying to a professional.