Grand Californian Hotel is being sued in regards to Bed Bugs – News Story

[Darkbeer1]

OK, first off, the incident is reported to happen in 2014, and not a sign of current conditions.

Also, Disney has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

But this is a discussion board, so here we go…

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/family-727161-suit-bites.html


>> According to the complaint, the hotel already had a history of complaints by guests about bed bugs when the Joneses drove more than 350 miles from their San Leandro home to Anaheim to give their three daughters, then ages 4, 9 and 16, “a magical Disney summer” with a trip to the theme park in August 2014.<<


>> “The housekeeping manager suggested the family's bites were probably mosquito bites, dismissing their concerns that they could have been bed bugs,” the suit states.

The condition of each family member worsened and doctors at an Oakland hospital confirmed that the bites indeed came from bed bugs, the suit states.<<


More details at the link.


But of course, Bed Bugs can happen anywhere, but the Hotel industry has figured out how to deal with them, including using dogs (usually beagles) to sniff them out, and an efficient kill method (heating the room and contents hot enough to kill them).


But I think the issue is how Disney responded to the issue, and since it hasn't been resolved in an agreement before the lawsuit was filed, well, the family wasn’t happy with how the company has dealt with them. And that is the issue….

 

[Darkbeer1]

Just thought of one thing, no manager would bring up Mosquitos today, due to Zika.... (And yes, Zika has been found in Orange County, California).

https://www.google.com/search?q=zik...=&oe=#q=zika+orange+county+california&tbm=nws

 

[whoever]

Disney will settle. Isn't worth fighting. It can happen anywhere.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Disney usually settles prior to a lawsuit being filed, so this is one of those rare ones, and seems it comes down to who the family has been treated by the Walt Disney Company and its staff in regards to the matter. To some folks, it is not the financial issue that is most important (which requires a non-disclosure agreement), but having their issues dealt with directly.

So it will make the news cycle this week, and then if the family wants to keep fighting, then we might have a trial....

 

[Kindermouse]

Does the DLR not have a bed bug sniffing dog like they have for the WDW resorts? Do they not follow they same protocol? I always assumed they did. There are reports on this website of families getting bitten by Bed Bugs at the deluxe resorts at WDW but they all report Disney being thorough, professional, and compassionate in fixing the problems and they report that there wasn't a need to hmm and hah over whether or not the room has bed bugs since Disney bought in their dog to confirm it. Though some don't feel like they were compensated enough, or could have been compensated for their trouble and discomfort more I haven't heard reports that Disney failed to act and move their room, have their belongings cleans and comped them for clothes and toiletries while they waited for their stuff to be returned. How could DLR have such lackluster policies for handling this when their Florida counterpart has this procedure down pat?

 

[Astylla]

Interesting as this lawsuit family us in my backyard but agree it will settle as there's no way to guarantee where it originated from. It's more how it was handled likely but it's all he said she said at this point too. Regardless it's unfortunate.

 

[Laz]

This happened in 2014. I would think this would be hard to prove.

http://www.foxla.com/news/local-news/196460965-story

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bed-727353-disney-family.html

 

[Happyinwonerland]

That's the closest I could find to an eyeroll.

 

[JKalai]

Although bed bugs can be found anywhere, at any hotel, at anytime... It is kind of screwed up that it seems like it wasn't taken seriously and it was automatically assumed by management that it was mosquito bites. They should have had someone sent up to the room to take a look at the bed and they should have been moved.

I don't think it requires a lawsuit though.

 

[smiths02]

Although bed bugs can be found anywhere, at any hotel, at anytime... It is kind of screwed up that it seems like it wasn't taken seriously and it was automatically assumed by management that it was mosquito bites. They should have had someone sent up to the room to take a look at the bed and they should have been moved.

I don't think it requires a lawsuit though.

I was going to shake my head, but if it is true that Disney did nothing once notified, then maybe Disney does need to be sued. There should be a protocol that is followed...it's not like this is some franchise operated Motel 6...Disney certainly has the resources to clean the room, get the family's belongings cleaned and get the family moved to another room.

People have reported that Disney does the right thing at WDW, they should at CA as well.

 

[5forMickey]

I'm gonna bet there is more to the story. I can't imagine the Hotel not bending over backwards to take care of this. We have only stayed a few times at the Grand but many times at the DLH. They always go above and beyond to address the smallest of problems that I just can't see them not doing all they could for this family. And if the family was being at all reasonable Disney would have just settled to avoid publicity. Maybe the family is looking to gain unreasonable amounts?

 

[DisneylandDarling]

It's interesting that there was only one report of bedbugs at the GCH in the last 5 years, and even that was dismissed after no evidence was found. If no other reports came in, it makes me wonder if they got them from somewhere else.

 

[Elima2015]

Hmmm. This seems to be a stretch to me. We have, very unfortunately, encountered bed bugs twice in our lives. Once was years ago in Europe and once was domestically just a few months ago. We learned quite a bit recently. The article states a doctor at a hospital confirmed the bites were bed bugs. While both times I have encountered them, the bites looked very similar and exhibited classic signs of bedbugs, you need a bug to confirm that is in fact what bit you. They look like small mosquito bites or perhaps even chigger bits. They do not leave a "bedbugs were here" sign on your skin. Article states bites on the face - both times my face was clear - it was exposed legs and arms that they went after. Bedbugs are skittish and don't like movement, which a face is likely to do as it breaths (although I wouldn't discredit the claim on this - they are certainly capable of biting a face). Article said they had to throw everything out - you don't actually have to do that at all. Heat kills bed bugs. Dryer on high heat for 45 min, you can buy a special tent with a space heater and thermometer to heat everything up. Lastly, I doubt a hotel would take that lightly. Bedbugs are awful and can be a PAIN to get rid of, so I would think GCH would have jumped all over getting rid of them. Plus, they would likely have not been the only ones impacted. Bedbugs are icky and even the thought of having them is enough to make anyone squirm. So I don't doubt this family is feeling an ick factor. I just don't think suing Disney is the right course of action nor do I think it will uphold in court.

 

[5forMickey]

I doubt a hotel would take that lightly. Bedbugs are awful and can be a PAIN to get rid of, so I would think GCH would have jumped all over getting rid of them. Plus, they would likely have not been the only ones impacted.

100% this --- very well spoken!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I've seen WDW reports of bed bugs and Disney responded quickly and thoroughly to each instance I've read. It's obviously an issue if housekeeping is nonchalant about such a complaint, but it should have been addressed right then and there. The parents stayed in the room to the point where their daughter has permanent scarring?! That's horribly irresponsible of the parents and I hope a judge tells them so. Maybe they stayed 1 more night but for goodness sakes I would have been screaming bloody murder at the front desk the next morning if my family had woken up with more bites the next day! (Thank God I've never had personal experience with bed bugs but wouldn't the following guests have noticed the bed bugs?... something doesn't smell quite right.)

 

[DisneyFan0304]

I was there last week and as I was going to my room when I checked in there was someone coming out of a room across the hall with a beagle. I didn't see or hear anything else about it all week. I guess they were just checking.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'm gonna bet there is more to the story. I can't imagine the Hotel not bending over backwards to take care of this. We have only stayed a few times at the Grand but many times at the DLH. They always go above and beyond to address the smallest of problems that I just can't see them not doing all they could for this family. And if the family was being at all reasonable Disney would have just settled to avoid publicity. Maybe the family is looking to gain unreasonable amounts?

Maybe, but there was a poster on here in the last couple weeks that didn't bend over backwards for a water spot on carpet.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was there last week and as I was going to my room when I checked in there was someone coming out of a room across the hall with a beagle. I didn't see or hear anything else about it all week. I guess they were just checking.

I had no idea about beagles and bedbugs! I knew beagles were awesome little dogs!

 

[Kindermouse]

I was there last week and as I was going to my room when I checked in there was someone coming out of a room across the hall with a beagle. I didn't see or hear anything else about it all week. I guess they were just checking.

See I just knew they had to have a bed bug sniffing dog. WDW resorts have one so I figured DLR did too.