Ok I Understand the Excessive Wear and Tear

[JWG]

DH made sure to point out a door covered in laminated decorations when we were at AKV (Jambo) in June.

It seems to come up in those "decorate your resort room" threads ALL the time. People will be going on about decorating windows and whatever, then someone will invariably pop up and say they are going to liberally apply Scotch tape to the room door at AKL. And I am invariably the ONLY one who thinks it's a HORRID idea. So I try to avoid those threads.

Fights tend to start when I point out that the doors at AKL are, in fact, INTERIOR doors made of WOOD. This is different than an EXTERIOR door made of METAL, which are the sort of doors you find at resorts where the rooms do not open into an interior hallway. I fail to see how this fact is remotely controversial. Wooden doors are much more likely to be damaged by tape than a metal door designed to withstand the elements. My personal opinion on door decorations has NOTHING to do with the physical difference in building materials. I don't want my dues to go up because the doors have to constantly be refinished or replaced due to all the adhesive. That's all.

Yes, I would LOVE for AKL to ban door decorations. I would LOVE for guests to be required to sign an acknowledgement at check in stating that they understand they are NOT allowed to tape stuff to the doors, and violators will be prosecuted. But it is what it is.

I'm surprised these haven't been banned as a fire hazzard. The last time we stayed at BWV (not over the holidays) I couldn't believe the number of balconies with light strings all around them. I couldn't have them on my apartment's balcony back in the day for that very reason.

I also think they need to start going back to people on assessing charges for damages - but then you have to pay attention once he guest checks out. The rooms are "themed" to their resort style and that's good enough for us.

 

[BeesKnees]

Yes, I would LOVE for AKL to ban door decorations. I would LOVE for guests to be required to sign an acknowledgement at check in stating that they understand they are NOT allowed to tape stuff to the doors, and violators will be prosecuted. But it is what it is.

If the resulting damage starts to drive up maintenance fees to the point where they have a hard time selling DVC memberships they will take action. Until then I guess we are out of luck.

I guess my question is where does the DVC draw the line now? Surely if you screw up a room so bad that it is unrentable for a period of time they can come after you.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think DVC needs a set of HOA type rules. Those rules apply to all of the "houses" in the "neighborhood" whether they are owner occupied or leased. The rules are in place to maintain uniform appearances and keep property values up. If you violate the rules you face penalties. But DVC would have to actually ENFORCE the rules, and hold people accountable for damage, theft, and other violations. But that would involve time and payroll. In the end it would probably cost us the same as it costs us to foot the bill for damages now.

 

[JWG]

I think DVC needs a set of HOA type rules. Those rules apply to all of the "houses" in the "neighborhood" whether they are owner occupied or leased. The rules are in place to maintain uniform appearances and keep property values up. If you violate the rules you face penalties. But DVC would have to actually ENFORCE the rules, and hold people accountable for damage, theft, and other violations. But that would involve time and payroll. In the end it would probably cost us the same as it costs us to foot the bill for damages now.

All true. And, I'd rather pay the same for working order accommodations that have been appropriately cleaned and maintained then pay what I pay now for the ability to take stuff to the walls.

We've been lucky, we've never had to switch rooms and have never had major issues. Are biggest problems to date have been:
- Bad mold in the bathroom of the 2nd BR/Studio
- Burnt out light bulbs (seems like mousekeeping may notice when they clean?)
- Wet carpet (twice?!) - not sure if coincidence they cleaned the carpets twice before our stays?
- Missing kitchen/room items (dishes/crib/vacuum/etc.)
- Non-functioning blinds/shades/curtains
- "worn" furniture - not broken, but a bit more than gently used
- Questionable spills/stains

I just take flip flops with me for most hotel stays now a days. Don't go barefoot much if at all.

 

[Bell30012]

Why not sell tape for use on the wood doors at the resort gift store? Then Disney could make sure that the tape was non-residue type. A nice little note on the back of the door could remind guests that these doors damage easily and that tape is on sale for a nominal fee in the store.

 

[BeesKnees]

I think DVC needs a set of HOA type rules. Those rules apply to all of the "houses" in the "neighborhood" whether they are owner occupied or leased. The rules are in place to maintain uniform appearances and keep property values up. If you violate the rules you face penalties. But DVC would have to actually ENFORCE the rules, and hold people accountable for damage, theft, and other violations. But that would involve time and payroll. In the end it would probably cost us the same as it costs us to foot the bill for damages now.

Yes, because basically to protect yourself if you see even the slightest thing wrong you would request a CM to come tour the room with you so you don't get blamed for something the previous occupant did. You certainly could not trust Disney, not anymore.

 

[BeesKnees]

Why not sell tape for use on the wood doors at the resort gift store? Then Disney could make sure that the tape was non-residue type. A nice little note on the back of the door could remind guests that these doors damage easily and that tape is on sale for a nominal fee in the store.

Because Disney would charge so much for the tape people will still bring their own from home.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Because Disney would charge so much for the tape people will still bring their own from home.

The other problem is there are so many truly SPECIAL people who don't have to follow the rules. Saying they allow "wood safe" tape is an invitation to people to cover the doors with crap, using whatever sort of tape they darn well please. And those same special people will justify their use of cheap tape the same way they justify everything else - "Rules do not apply to me because I am special."

I would still prefer an all-out BAN on door decorations, and a prominent policy on charging guests who choose to violate the ban. For me it is only half about the damage. The other half is about the look of the resort being diminished by every door down the hall being "decorated". A door here and there is bad enough - no need to encourage more decorations by implying that decorations applied with special tape are welcome.

 

[Starr W.]

DH made sure to point out a door covered in laminated decorations when we were at AKV (Jambo) in June.

It seems to come up in those "decorate your resort room" threads ALL the time. People will be going on about decorating windows and whatever, then someone will invariably pop up and say they are going to liberally apply Scotch tape to the room door at AKL. And I am invariably the ONLY one who thinks it's a HORRID idea. So I try to avoid those threads.

Fights tend to start when I point out that the doors at AKL are, in fact, INTERIOR doors made of WOOD. This is different than an EXTERIOR door made of METAL, which are the sort of doors you find at resorts where the rooms do not open into an interior hallway. I fail to see how this fact is remotely controversial. Wooden doors are much more likely to be damaged by tape than a metal door designed to withstand the elements. My personal opinion on door decorations has NOTHING to do with the physical difference in building materials. I don't want my dues to go up because the doors have to constantly be refinished or replaced due to all the adhesive. That's all.

Yes, I would LOVE for AKL to ban door decorations. I would LOVE for guests to be required to sign an acknowledgement at check in stating that they understand they are NOT allowed to tape stuff to the doors, and violators will be prosecuted. But it is what it is.

Well can you imagine what the door would look like after "Duct Tap Suzy" stayed there. I would never think to bring duct tape with me to child proof. She went on about it, I think Deb & Bill remember her.

I travel light, can't for the life of me figure why I want to use precious suitcase space for stuff to decorate my door with?

 

[tjkraz]

I would still prefer an all-out BAN on door decorations, and a prominent policy on charging guests who choose to violate the ban. For me it is only half about the damage. The other half is about the look of the resort being diminished by every door down the hall being "decorated". A door here and there is bad enough - no need to encourage more decorations by implying that decorations applied with special tape are welcome.

Most of the things you are referring to are already prohibited in the POS. Problem is apparently Disney doesn't want to do anything about it.

For instance:

9. Exterior Appearance. No Owner shall decorate or alter any part of a Unit or a Vacation Home so as to affect the appearance of a Unit or a Vacation Home from the exterior. Such decoration or alteration shall include painting or illumination of the exterior of a Unit or a Vacation Home, display of plants or other objects upon balconies or railings or exterior window sills or ledges, reflective film or other window treatments, draperies, window shades, screen doors and lights. The Association shall have the sole discretion, which may be based on aesthetic principles only, to determine compliance with this provision.

11. Decor of Vacation Homes. No Owner shall alter the furnishings, appliances, personal property or decor of any Unit or Vacation Home without the prior written consent of the Board. The Association shall determine the interior color scheme, decor and furnishings of each Unit and Vacation Home as well as the proper time for redecorating and renovating the Unit or Vacation Home and its contents.

15. Balconies. Plants, pots, receptacles and other movable objects must not be kept, placed or maintained on ledges or balconies, except as permitted by the Board. No objects shall be hung from balconies or window sills. No cloth, clothing, rugs or mops shall be hung up or shaken from windows, doors or balconies. No cooking shall be permitted on any balcony of a Unit. Owners shall not allow allow anything to be thrown or to fall from windows, doors, balconies or the interior of the building from hall doors.

In other words, Christmas trees and lights, door decorations, stuff hanging from balconies, stuff hanging from windows...all prohibited.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well can you imagine what the door would look like after "Duct Tap Suzy" stayed there. I would never think to bring duct tape with me to child proof. She went on about it, I think Deb & Bill remember her.

I travel light, can't for the life of me figure why I want to use precious suitcase space for stuff to decorate my door with?

Would a package of those plastic outlet covers really take up more space than a roll of duct tape? I don't get what all she was planning to tape. DS and I were talking about it this morning. The sliding glass doors at AKL have a lock AND a little hook latch on them. And the hook latch is up high on the door. Was she planning to leave her toddlers unattended long enough for them to sort out how to reach the locks AND unlock them? And if her prodigies are that advanced then what makes her think a flimsy piece of TAPE is going to make a difference?

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The other problem is there are so many truly SPECIAL people who don't have to follow the rules. Saying they allow "wood safe" tape is an invitation to people to cover the doors with crap, using whatever sort of tape they darn well please. And those same special people will justify their use of cheap tape the same way they justify everything else - "Rules do not apply to me because I am special."

I would still prefer an all-out BAN on door decorations, and a prominent policy on charging guests who choose to violate the ban. For me it is only half about the damage. The other half is about the look of the resort being diminished by every door down the hall being "decorated". A door here and there is bad enough - no need to encourage more decorations by implying that decorations applied with special tape are welcome.

Banned door decorations would be fairly easy to police. It would only take a CM walking down each hall once a day, with a notice of a $100 fine for each day the door is decorated.

Someone on our floor at BCV had their door and wall outside their villa decorated with an elaborate collage of photographs of himself to celebrate a milestone birthday. My brother-in-law had to explain to his kids why there were two men kissing in some of the pictures.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Most of the things you are referring to are already prohibited in the POS. Problem is apparently Disney doesn't want to do anything about it.

In other words, Christmas trees and lights, door decorations, stuff hanging from balconies, stuff hanging from windows...all prohibited.

Oh, WOW! So there really ARE rules? I have had several friends comment on the balconies at BLT being "decorated" for everyone on the monorail to "enjoy". And we wondered why the BLT powers-that-be don't SAY SOMETHING. And here is their justification for saying it! Wow, wow, wow.

 

[BeesKnees]

The other problem is there are so many truly SPECIAL people who don't have to follow the rules. Saying they allow "wood safe" tape is an invitation to people to cover the doors with crap, using whatever sort of tape they darn well please. And those same special people will justify their use of cheap tape the same way they justify everything else - "Rules do not apply to me because I am special."

I would still prefer an all-out BAN on door decorations, and a prominent policy on charging guests who choose to violate the ban. For me it is only half about the damage. The other half is about the look of the resort being diminished by every door down the hall being "decorated". A door here and there is bad enough - no need to encourage more decorations by implying that decorations applied with special tape are welcome.

I don't know about the rest of you but I don't spend much time staring at my door while on vacation. The decorated door ban is not the direction I would like to see it go. How about a tape ban and a letter in every welcome home pack with some common sense dos and don'ts about taking care of the room to reduce maintenance costs?

I think that some people do not connect the dots or even if they do they need reminded. Kids jumping on the beds is no big deal because they are not their beds. Climbing all over the furniture with shoes on is no big deal because someone else will have to clean it.

After I have gotten settled in, much like I do at home, I take my shoes off as soon as I come through the door for fear I will track something in on the carpet. Carpets = socks. That is how I was raised and how I act to this day. When we bring people with kids I do not let the kids walk around with drinks in their hand. At the table or in the kitchen. Common sense. Even a well-mannered child can be clumsy or not pay proper attention to what they are doing.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Before my next trip I am going to make copies of the terms tjkraz posted, and I will slip them under any decorated doors I happen to run across.

I wonder if I can clip art some DVC letterhead?

 

[BeesKnees]

Most of the things you are referring to are already prohibited in the POS. Problem is apparently Disney doesn't want to do anything about it.

In other words, Christmas trees and lights, door decorations, stuff hanging from balconies, stuff hanging from windows...all prohibited.

11. Decor of Vacation Homes. No Owner shall alter the furnishings, appliances, personal property or decor of any Unit or Vacation Home without the prior written consent of the Board. The Association shall determine the interior color scheme, decor and furnishings of each Unit and Vacation Home as well as the proper time for redecorating and renovating the Unit or Vacation Home and its contents.

I don't think that means you can't have a Christmas tree, at least not inside the unit, I think it means you can't alter the existing decor like paint the walls or make slip covers for chairs and whatnot.

 

[Nanajo1]

all due respect...i wouldnt want to go to someones house i cant put my feet up on the coffee table!!!

Guess you wont be coming to my house for Thanksgiving.

 

[BeesKnees]

I guess with all the talk of decoration I could explain how we decorate our room. It is a little 100 buck gadget called WD Live. It converts any TV into a digital picture frame. While we are there at Christmas it is scrolling through all the Christmases we have shared with loved ones. 4th of July has all the pictures of family and friends coming to our home for food and fireworks. Anniversaries has wedding pictures and other anniversary trips. You get the idea.

I love having our pictures with us and this trip we will have the WD live plus the Ipad so we won't have to move the WD Live back and forth from the bedroom to the living room.

I can understand wanting a tree but for us this is better. Nothing feels as much like home as having your pictures on display. No nail in the wall required.

It can also be used to play some of our favorite movies and TV shows so we aren't stuck with disney programming.

 

[cseca]

I don't think that means you can't have a Christmas tree, at least not inside the unit, I think it means you can't alter the existing decor like paint the walls or make slip covers for chairs and whatnot.

I have to agree with you there.
I don't ever do any decoration in the rooms but I don't see anything in the POS that would cover the banning of christmas tree. If you put the tree on the balcony, yes... that's a no no. Or decorate the balcony ... no no.
But a tree in the room I don't see it covered. Unless you say christmas tree = alteration of the unit decor... then ... a lot of everyday things guests do in the room would be considered altering.
You can move the toaster/coffee maker to a different outlet, is that considered altering?
Or move the coffee table to make way for the sofabed?
Or moving a side table/chairs to make way for luggages.

Don't get me wrong, I don't decorate AT ALL. I don't have time and energy to do all that.
BUT, so far DVC has been very lax regarding this rule. If Disney thinks those things should be banned then they might need send out emails and put in each unit a clear list of rules. Just to make sure everyone knows what is allowed and not.

 

[BeesKnees]

I have to agree with you there.
I don't ever do any decoration in the rooms but I don't see anything in the POS that would cover the banning of christmas tree. If you put the tree on the balcony, yes... that's a no no. Or decorate the balcony ... no no.
But a tree in the room I don't see it covered. Unless you say christmas tree = alteration of the unit decor... then ... a lot of everyday things guests do in the room would be considered altering.
You can move the toaster/coffee maker to a different outlet, is that considered altering?
Or move the coffee table to make way for the sofabed?
Or moving a side table/chairs to make way for luggages.

Don't get me wrong, I don't decorate AT ALL. I don't have time and energy to do all that.
BUT, so far DVC has been very lax regarding this rule. If Disney thinks those things should be banned then they might need send out emails and put in each unit a clear list of rules. Just to make sure everyone knows what is allowed and not.

I wouldn't even be able to take my wife with me anymore because she makes any room look better.