Do Not Disturb Gone! (BLT)

[saskdw]

I relate to the dislike of the new policy's negative impact to innocent guests, but I wonder if hotel practices in most other countries would actually be even more intrusive?

I have not researched this question. Perhaps some of you who have extensively traveled abroad can comment on the presence or absence of such practices overseas.

We aren't worldly travelers either so I'm not sure about oversea practice's.

We are from western Canada. For a lot of years we didn't take vacations as we felt we couldn't afford the vacations we wanted.

Fortunately our financial situation is now one that we can afford to take yearly vacations to Orlando for a couple weeks at a time.

In 2008 we went on what we thought would be a once in a lifetime vacation to Disney World for 10 days. We loved Orlando so much we have been going there every December for 2 weeks every year since. We love Universal as well as WDW and always stay onsite at one of them. Typically it's been 2 years WDW and one year Universal as a rotation. It's really the only major place outside of Canada we've been, other than a couple of short trips to Philadelphia to watch our favorite NHL team the Flyers play.

What I can tell you is that in Canada they don't do "security" checks and would be surprised if that ever happens here.

As a comparison I've found Disney's housekeeping to always be a little more intrusive than the Royal Pacific resort at Universal where we usually stay there. We typically have the DND sign up quite a bit and only need housekeeping every 2nd or 3rd day. My wife has sleeping problems and our Disney vacation style is quite a bit different than other peoples. This past December royal Pacific did an outstanding job of leaving us alone. Not only did they not knock on the door, but when they left a message of the phone it just went straight to message and the phone didn't ring. The message light lit up on the phone and the message was simply asking us to call if we wanted our room serviced.

I actually told DW about this policy last night and some of the conversation on DIS and she was quite upset. Here is the problem:

It's quite common in the morning for me to get up and go to the fitness center to work out while she is sleeping. The door can't be latched because than I would be locked out. Sometimes she falls into a deep sleep in that 9am-11am range and might not hear a knocking at the door. If they barge in while she is sleeping she will completely freak out. She also might not be comfortable awswering the door when I'm not there. It is also common for us to not leave the room until 2pm-3pm some days. We are night owls on vacation and I'm not interested in being disturbed at all while we are in the room. I also don't feel like I need to explain this or schedule times while on vacation.

Right now it looks like Universal will get all our business. As the Universal resorts are owned or operated by Loews the only way I could see them adopting this type of policy would be if the entire chain adopted it. If that happens we will most likely just vacation in Canada and not spend the $10k+ a year in the USA. We would switch from winter vacations to summer vacations I guess.

 

[Bound and Rebound]

To be fair, our sign wasn’t even up

 

[saskdw]

To be fair, our sign wasn’t even up

While that's completely different if the sign wasn't up.

I still feel like these "security" checks are a joke.

 

[pattyw]

Right now it looks like Universal will get all our business.

Same here. We stay at the Hard Rock Hotel club level- they have housekeeping all day and into the evening doing turn down service. Whenever we've not wanted service during the day, we ask them to do it during turn down times- and they do no problem!

Universal has figured out fast, efficient security and I have confidence that they will do the same if and when they make any changes to their do not disturb policy.

 

[saskdw]

Same here. We stay at the Hard Rock Hotel club level- they have housekeeping all day and into the evening doing turn down service. Whenever we've not wanted service during the day, we ask them to do it during turn down times- and they do no problem!

Universal has figured out fast, efficient security and I have confidence that they will do the same if and when they make any changes to their do not disturb policy.

We just came back from 10 Days at Universal.

We have always had great customer service at Royal Pacific, but we really felt the customer service Universal wide was really up a notch this year.

It starts at the resort. Royal Pacific staff and management were perfect. This wasn't a surprise as they usually are. But we really felt every staff member we encountered Universal wide was of a higher quality than years past. Restaurant staff, park staff, security check points, stores, etc.

Could just be luck of the draw I guess, but it really felt like Universal was making an effort to take their game up a notch.

 

[My3SweetSuns]

I sweatergod, if a big security man comes into my room to check it out, he’s leaving with my dirty towels and a bag full of trash! Ha!
If you’re coming in, you might as well be useful to me.

 

[bellrae]

I just googled the new Hilton policy and it states

"Hilton is joining other hotels in re-thinking the ubiquitous “Do Not Disturb” sign.
The McLean, Va.-based company is now suggesting that a team

They're making people leave the room?! I missed that one.

In my case I had been sitting on the bed with my legs raised. I was told to ‘service’ the room I couldn’t be on the bed. They wanted me to stand around - I wasn’t prepared to do that given how I was feeling, hence my request to them that they come back later (I was also dressed in pjs, which was awkward). They told me they would be back at 4pm. I got dressed and went to the lobby to talk to them about the incident and decided to go to dinner. When I got back the room hadn’t been serviced, which given the circumstances just made me angrier.

 

[pattyw]

We just came back from 10 Days at Universal.

We have always had great customer service at Royal Pacific, but we really felt the customer service Universal wide was really up a notch this year.

It starts at the resort. Royal Pacific staff and management were perfect. This wasn't a surprise as they usually are. But we really felt every staff member we encountered Universal wide was of a higher quality than years past. Restaurant staff, park staff, security check points, stores, etc.

Could just be luck of the draw I guess, but it really felt like Universal was making an effort to take their game up a notch.

We've also noticed the top notch customer service at Universal. We've talked to many team members and they said that their managers give them power to help customers and offer remedies like complimentary food,drinks, room credits, etc. when necessary. At Disney you have to wait in long guest services lines, ask for managers, email them, etc.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Disney is at the forefront, but the policy of checking rooms every day is likely to be implemented everywhere. What are you going to do?

But regardless of how many companies decide to implement something similar the truth is they will all likely have different ways of implementing it, different criteria for their policy, different approaches to their version of a policy that basically states someone will be looking in on someone's room. Some may choose to use vague terms, some may choose to use a wide variety of terms, etc.

As with many things how you are interacted with, how a policy is handled means quite a lot in terms of acceptability and willingness to patronize a business or entity.

That seems a bit extreme to me, but I guess I just don't feel that strongly about the new policy. I may be wrong, but I suspect most people will adjust and Disney will go on as usual. Others will choose different vacation spots.

Sorta depends on how they end up proceeding with the new policy. As with the dog policy they tweaked things. Initially they didn't have an FAQ when they released their information that they would have a new dog policy and then after complaints or concerns or questions they at least came up with an FAQ.

Also with the dog policy there needs to be enough time for Disney to get a feel of it so I do understand that aspect of the new policy. Frankly this doesn't affect me one bit right now as I suspect it will be years (maybe not my normal 6 year span but still years) before I get back to Disney and the policy may be quite different then so it's a cross that bridge when I get to it type situation for me personally but I do understand how others feel and I do get and share their concerns.

 

[disneyseniors]

Sorry this happened to you! I can't imagine the exhaustion after 26.2
Miles!!

3:15 is too early to "demand" entry. In my opinion, they should not knock at all, nor demand entry, when the sign is up if it can be avoided at all. I still think the 5-6:30 pm hours (or so) would be their best bet. Most people are not sleeping at that hour. Naps are usually finished. Even the littlest ones aren't usually in the bath yet, etc. most families would likely be out of the room for dinner or headed to dinner, etc. or at least awake. If they've come to the room throughout the day and not been able to knock/enter due to the sign being up, then during his timeframe the "demand", if this is soooo necessary, would hopefully be least disturbing. I sure some might be showering, etc but hopefully the latch could be used and they might need to wait a bit. And hopefully, by this time of day, they've already been able to access the room while the family has been out and about.

Now, of course, this would probably require them to alter their housekeepers work hours. But so be it if they insist on this!

But, But, that makes too much sense! Common sense is in short supply with this policy!

 

[TLSnell1981]

That seems a bit extreme to me, but I guess I just don't feel that strongly about the new policy. I may be wrong, but I suspect most people will adjust and Disney will go on as usual. Others will choose different vacation spots.

We’ve rented houses before and also enjoy going out of the country. Hotels are a totally different level of service in Europe. The staff is helpful, not rude or intrusive.

Maybe, Disney will get this worked out soon, but I’m not holding my breath. I’m just not interested in dropping that kind of money to jump through hoops and be at Disney’s mercy. This new security enhancement has the potential to be a nightmare.

 

[HopperFan]

Well it did happen, and I got a profuse apology from management after I went and gave them some feedback. For the record, it wasn’t the cleaning lady herself, but her supervisor, who had a list of rooms in his hand to call upon. The man that came to the door said and I quote “you are obligated to give us access to service the room once a day”. The front desk tell me that this is an incorrect interpretation of the new rules (which they admitted they are having trouble implementing), and that he should have instead asked to do a security sweep (which he did not). At any rate, when you have let housekeeping in every day for a week, and only put the sign up for three hours to have a shower and nap in peace, only to have them bang on your door until you answer, it leaves a very bad taste in your mouth.

This is my concern, as a female who often travels with a disabled son - I would NEVER let a MAN enter our room unless I had called ahead and arranged a maintenance visit. At that point I knew I would be dressed and waiting, phone in hand.

Some man standing there demanding entry ............. I think I likely would become "ugly" ........ at the least I would tell him he has to wait outside until I got dressed, got my DS ready, got my phone, purse etc and we would exit the room so he could walk through ... I would take his photo (time stamp) and would not re-enter the room until he left. BUT after he left, I'd probably walk us straight to the front desk and demand a manager. Ugly would continue.

The post about the marathoner at WL says they demanded to service her room- do they let you stay in the room while they do so?

As a female, traveling with a disabled son ....... I do not want to be in the room with a male who came uninvited demanding to enter. I would leave the room even if they offered me to stay.

 

[bettybooplove]

Wow I can’t believe some of these stories I’m hearing.

We have another trip in a couple of weeks and I’m very nervous about these intrusive “visits.”

I’ll be frank, I’m just not as nice as some of you and these stories would have different endings if I was involved.

I’ve never liked housekeeping because I’ve had items go missing and when I’m in my room I want to relax, not scurry around a vacuum cleaner. Now I’m being told that the girls with soap and shampoo are also playing double duty as security? Please.

I guess I was confused. I thought Disney didn’t like bad press and lawsuits.

 

[mjr0483]

What the Front Desk told you is 100% accurate.

When there is a breakdown from what the front desk says but what happens in the field, that's a problem. And it sounds like an excuse.

 

[dansdad]

When there is a breakdown from what the front desk says but what happens in the field, that's a problem. And it sounds like an excuse.

Most definitely.

 

[mjr0483]

It sounds like lots of bugs need to get worked out. Good thing I am not going until August 2018. But we will be in Disneyland on April 3!.
If I leave the room at 7AM and come back to the room for some rest from 2PM to 5PM. I will probably get kicked out. But Whatever stupid sign they give me is going on the door and it will be latched (Always when we are in the room anyway). They will not be coming into the room. It's my vacation and they need to do a security check on their time, NOT mine.

 

[BK2014]

I’ll be frank, I’m just not as nice as some of you and these stories would have different endings if I was involved.

How would the story have ended? Posts like this make me wonder what you (and others who have posted similar sentiments) think will happen if you were to refuse to comply with Disney's policies? It is not likely to end with you changing their mind and being given an apology and some fastpasses for your troubles. Depending on how ugly it gets, it likely ends with someone being escorted off property by the county Sheriff's department.

I guess I was confused. I thought Disney didn’t like bad press and lawsuits.

If a guest really had an ugly reaction to this policy, I don't know that the the press would necessarily be sympathetic to the guest. Rather, it may well be something along the lines of "Disney daily security check helps to identify unstable guest". It is a well publicized change in policy. I have seen stories on the NBC nightly news and CNN.com. What basis would anyone have to sue because Disney carried out their poorly thought out but well publicized policy? A guest was upset by a policy they knew about, but didn't like and went anyhow and is now surprised that they were upset during their trip because of said policy, so they sue?

 

[TLSnell1981]

How would the story have ended? Posts like this make me wonder what you (and others who have posted similar sentiments) think will happen if you were to refuse to comply with Disney's policies? It is not likely to end with you changing their mind and being given an apology and some fastpasses for your troubles. Depending on how ugly it gets, it likely ends with someone being escorted off property by the county Sheriff's department.



If a guest really had an ugly reaction to this policy, I don't know that the the press would necessarily be sympathetic to the guest. Rather, it may well be something along the lines of "Disney daily security check helps to identify unstable guest". It is a well publicized change in policy. I have seen stories on the NBC nightly news and CNN.com. What basis would anyone have to sue because Disney carried out their poorly thought out but well publicized policy? A guest was upset by a policy they knew about, but didn't like and went anyhow and is now surprised that they were upset during their trip because of said policy, so they sue?

There’re are variables...like how the “checks” are implemented. I have little faith that each incident will be handled appropriately and with consistency. We already have reports of “two knocks” and “pounding until the door is opened”. I really don’t believe these are isolated incidents.

 

[bettybooplove]

How would the story have ended? Posts like this make me wonder what you (and others who have posted similar sentiments) think will happen if you were to refuse to comply with Disney's policies? It is not likely to end with you changing their mind and being given an apology and some fastpasses for your troubles. Depending on how ugly it gets, it likely ends with someone being escorted off property by the county Sheriff's department.



If a guest really had an ugly reaction to this policy, I don't know that the the press would necessarily be sympathetic to the guest. Rather, it may well be something along the lines of "Disney daily security check helps to identify unstable guest". It is a well publicized change in policy. I have seen stories on the NBC nightly news and CNN.com. What basis would anyone have to sue because Disney carried out their poorly thought out but well publicized policy? A guest was upset by a policy they knew about, but didn't like and went anyhow and is now surprised that they were upset during their trip because of said policy, so they sue?

You’re very naive if you think someone has to get ugly (why does “ugly” have to be the opposite of nice; we weren’t all raised by animals) in order to get their point across. You’re also very naive about what law enforcement can and cannot do, and it seems you’re not aware of your rights. Or the power of media.

On a vacation some of us would simply prefer not to be treated like prisoners who have their rooms stripped down and searched.

 

[BK2014]

You’re very naive if you think someone has to get ugly (why does “ugly” have to be the opposite of nice;

I was simply using the word used by the post right above yours.

You’re also very naive about what law enforcement can and cannot do, and it seems you’re not aware of your rights

Please explain? What is it that you think I am naive about, and what rights am I unaware of?