occupied room

[kamik86]

But what would they do? Steal your stuff and THEN go tell the front desk they need another room? Then the desk would know immediately who was in your room and took your stuff. Or would they steal your stuff, and then leave, and not do their own vacation, just because they happened on an opportunity? I just don't see that happening.

And then they claim they didn't take anything and just left the room and its a big he said/she said because no one can prove anything. Especially if whatever they take is something that would be difficult to prove was yours if it was found in their stuff (so you can't take a laptop but cash, jewelry watches, there is no way to prove it wasn't theirs already.

 

[Greysword]

No worries, Roz. Thanks for posting!

Why write a letter now? . The mistake was acknowledged you were given an apology. Nobody has harmed or hurt. What are you trying to accomplish with a letter? It's amazing how people are always trying to get something for nothing in this society.

A letter will formally document the issue and inform senior management of the issue. If the line staff handled the problem correctly, they can be rewarded for their efforts. If the issue was not corrected satisfactorily, then senior management needs to know that, as well. The letter serves as a separate communication tool to a different demographic in the organization and removes some of the plausible deniability.

Anyway, OP I'm glad you posted this! I think we'll open our room door a little more cautiously now when we first check in . And we will always have the door bolted when we're inside!

LOL! Aren't we supposed to send in a single member of our party with a magnifying glass to check for bugs before we bring in our luggage, anyway?

* We first reported this to the DVC General Manager. She claimed it
was an anomaly. I explained the reason(s) for the problem, and she
continued to deny it. Unfortunately, we knew the system and could not
be bluffed. When we went higher up the chain, it was finally admitted that
there is a problem. But, it is too costly to fix for the amount of times it
happens. Even when we walk in on people that are sleeping at 3:00am.
If you want it fixed, write to Crofton or Iger and ask them to get into it.

I understand the resorts side of the house making these decisions, but I do wish the DVC management would at least allow the membership to make the decision for the vacation club side. If it is a money issue solely, then I would prefer they inform us of the concern, the cost (per point) for a special assessment to fix it, their recommendations, and allow us to make the decision as a group (via a vote). At least, this sort of action would put the responsibility on the membership instead of Disney management.

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

And then they claim they didn't take anything and just left the room and its a big he said/she said because no one can prove anything. Especially if whatever they take is something that would be difficult to prove was yours if it was found in their stuff (so you can't take a laptop but cash, jewelry watches, there is no way to prove it wasn't theirs already.

Exactly what I was going to say. I had a camera stolen from my house by the cable worker that came in. I KNOW it was him because the it was there when I let him in but gone when he left. I called the company, he denied it so nothing they could do. There was no proof.

Sometimes people do dishonest things to others even at Disney World. Keeping valubles put away when you leave your room seems like the best lesson learned from this occurrence.

 

[majic2615]

I walked in on an occupied room at a Holiday Inn in Ontario Canada in 2010. Unless I'm waiting for a roommate to come to the room, I always throw the deadbolt when I'm in the room.

 

[coopersmom]

Exactly what I was going to say. I had a camera stolen from my house by the cable worker that came in. I KNOW it was him because the it was there when I let him in but gone when he left. I called the company, he denied it so nothing they could do. There was no proof.

Sometimes people do dishonest things to others even at Disney World. Keeping valubles put away when you leave your room seems like the best lesson learned from this occurrence.

Ditto. We had a rather expensive flat screen monitor stolen by an HVAC company. We know it was them. They were the only ones in our attic beyond my husband and myself, but because no one saw and they denied it happened, we got zero resolution.

The opposite could also occur. Someone you walked in on could accuse you of taking something and it's once again a they-said/you-said situation that could get easily ugly or, at least, awkward.

Though you'll walk away slightly inconvenienced but unscathed in most situations of this ilk--and yeah, it's happened to me at (non-Disney) hotels, on both sides of the picture--there's no way to spin it that's good, or a totally inconsequential thing. At the very least it's always unsettling and potentially much worse.

 

[Disneylovingdad]

But what would they do? Steal your stuff and THEN go tell the front desk they need another room? Then the desk would know immediately who was in your room and took your stuff. Or would they steal your stuff, and then leave, and not do their own vacation, just because they happened on an opportunity? I just don't see that happening.

Yeah neither do I but lets say they did, and you realized something was missing and they denied it, Disney and the Police have no authourity to search their bags without consent. But I am more concerned with them making an allegation against me than them actually taking something. I would really not think it would be something that is likely but it is still a possibility. I am just surprised this could actually happen in the first place.

 

[m3retired]

But I am more concerned with them making an allegation against me than them actually taking something.

An allegation against YOU if they entered your room by mistake? C'mon now, you know that old song snippet: Paranoia will destroy ya!

 

[Disneylovingdad]

An allegation against YOU if they entered your room by mistake? C'mon now, you know that old song snippet: Paranoia will destroy ya!

No. An allegation against me if I enter their room. Definitely not a paranoid person. Im a realist and this world is filled with opportunists and people who want something for nothing. You don't even have to go off these boards to find some of them.

 

[m3retired]

Oh, I've always got kids and other people in tow so it would be hard to say I did something!
But I get ya'.

 

[MickeyT]

To back up what Rusty said this has happened since the key card has been used. We were at CBR in 1989. Brand new resort. Us, a family from SC, sitting in the room and amazed to be staying at Disney. In walks a lady and granddaughter from Pennsylvania. She starts explaining and we invite her on in. She called front desk and proceeded to give them a piece of her mind. They asked her to come back to the desk and they would staighten it out. She told them to send someone for her luggage now because she could not drag it all the way back.

Long story short she visited with us and we became friends. Bell services came and got her luggage with a key to a different room. We ended up in the parks together and sitting at the pool together. A lemonade out of lemons type situation.

 

[maxiesmom]

To back up what Rusty said this has happened since the key card has been used. We were at CBR in 1989. Brand new resort. Us, a family from SC, sitting in the room and amazed to be staying at Disney. In walks a lady and granddaughter from Pennsylvania. She starts explaining and we invite her on in. She called front desk and proceeded to give them a piece of her mind. They asked her to come back to the desk and they would staighten it out. She told them to send someone for her luggage now because she could not drag it all the way back.

Long story short she visited with us and we became friends. Bell services came and got her luggage with a key to a different room. We ended up in the parks together and sitting at the pool together. A lemonade out of lemons type situation.

You, and the lady you invited into your room, both sound like my kind of people. You were very nice to be so helpful, and I like that she stood up for herself and made them come help her with her luggage.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

WDW is huge, with thousands of rooms, and it's just surprising that it doesn't happen more often. Do the rooms have deadbolts also so only the occupants inside can unlock them? Seems like most places have those as well as the latch.

I think that the only reason I would ever want to be compensated for a room key error would be if I was walked in on in a compromising situtation, or if I was robbed. Otherwise, being the one given the room key to an occupied room, that is not a good reason to be comped.

I totally agree!


AKK

 

[Inn0c3nc3]

I beg to differ with those saying that it's outrageous or ridiculous to want to be comped in a situation like this. I took entertainment marketing and hotel management classes for a few years and I've interned in three different hotels. Most of the things I was taught (in classroom and in the hotels) is that you do what is in your power to make the guest happy. While some people might not be too bothered by this situation, there are some people it would or could greatly upset. I've heard of people demanding compensation for a stained towel, or getting incredibly enraged and upset by little tiny stupid things like light bulbs being out. While I don't think they necessarily deserved something for minor annoyances or troubles, most times if they want it, they will get it. Because most people stay at hotels with an expectation of good service. In a place like Disney, most people are paying a higher or equal price for a fraction of the space they could have off property. I think a company like Disney, known for a "difference" in their service and standards, is better off comping someone a night, or giving a little in any way they can to make the guest happy than to leave a bad taste in someone's mouth. It's especially not good if a person who has never stayed at Disney World starts off their trip on a bad note. Just my opinion, not trying to offend anyone who thinks either way.

 

[katrina1122]

Happened to me at WL back in 97. They gave us a free view upgrade.

 

[maxiesmom]

I beg to differ with those saying that it's outrageous or ridiculous to want to be comped in a situation like this. I took entertainment marketing and hotel management classes for a few years and I've interned in three different hotels. Most of the things I was taught (in classroom and in the hotels) is that you do what is in your power to make the guest happy. While some people might not be too bothered by this situation, there are some people it would or could greatly upset. I've heard of people demanding compensation for a stained towel, or getting incredibly enraged and upset by little tiny stupid things like light bulbs being out. While I don't think they necessarily deserved something for minor annoyances or troubles, most times if they want it, they will get it. Because most people stay at hotels with an expectation of good service. In a place like Disney, most people are paying a higher or equal price for a fraction of the space they could have off property. I think a company like Disney, known for a "difference" in their service and standards, is better off comping someone a night, or giving a little in any way they can to make the guest happy than to leave a bad taste in someone's mouth. It's especially not good if a person who has never stayed at Disney World starts off their trip on a bad note. Just my opinion, not trying to offend anyone who thinks either way.

Part of the problem is that people have such high expectations, that even Disney has a hard time meeting them. People go bananas over not getting towel animals, for not getting the room location they requested (many people don't seem to understand what "request" means), they get very upset over the smallest of things. Disney would be comping rooms left and right. And all that would mean is they would then jack up the prices for the rest of us.

I have to disagree with you. Expecting compensation for the smallest of issues has gotten way out of control. No company should be expected to make amends for such small things. It has gotten to be beyond ridiculous. Not every little thing wrong should = money or goodies.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Part of the problem is that people have such high expectations, that even Disney has a hard time meeting them. People go bananas over not getting towel animals, for not getting the room location they requested (many people don't seem to understand what "request" means), they get very upset over the smallest of things. Disney would be comping rooms left and right. And all that would mean is they would then jack up the prices for the rest of us.

I have to disagree with you. Expecting compensation for the smallest of issues has gotten way out of control. No company should be expected to make amends for such small things. It has gotten to be beyond ridiculous. Not every little thing wrong should = money or goodies.

I totally agree

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Part of the problem is that people have such high expectations, that even Disney has a hard time meeting them. People go bananas over not getting towel animals, for not getting the room location they requested (many people don't seem to understand what "request" means), they get very upset over the smallest of things. Disney would be comping rooms left and right. And all that would mean is they would then jack up the prices for the rest of us.

I have to disagree with you. Expecting compensation for the smallest of issues has gotten way out of control. No company should be expected to make amends for such small things. It has gotten to be beyond ridiculous. Not every little thing wrong should = money or goodies.

I totally agree

 

[SueM in MN]

WDW is huge, with thousands of rooms, and it's just surprising that it doesn't happen more often. Do the rooms have deadbolts also so only the occupants inside can unlock them? Seems like most places have those as well as the latch.

I think that the only reason I would ever want to be compensated for a room key error would be if I was walked in on in a compromising situtation, or if I was robbed. Otherwise, being the one given the room key to an occupied room, that is not a good reason to be comped.

Yes, they have a deadbolt and a bar that works like a chain.

 

[bethnkatesmom]

We checked into Poly on last Sunday. I was thrilled that we got the longhouse and floor we requested. We were even more excited when we saw that it was a corner bedroom. We walked into the room and there was a half driken container of milk, cereal box, sweatshirt on balcony, travel documents and unmade futon.

We went back to the lobby and explained what happened and looked like someone just left some stuff behind. They were very apologetic and the manager told us they were going to give us a different room. We explained that we really liked the room and would wait for it to be cleaned again if possible but they moved us to the Hawaii building. We could not believe the fairy dust that rained down on us this week and had a fabulous time. We were supposed to stay in a Royal room at POR but got upgraded to Poly because it would not be done and then got upgraded to club level!

 

[Linda T.]

It happened to us at CBR in 2010. No one was in the room when we went in. We saw suit cases, cups, clothes, etc. and quickly left the occupied room. I went back to registration, and they were extremely apologetic. The CM couldn't have been any nicer, and they upgraded our room to a garden view which I thought was very nice of them.