Question about balcony door in one-bedroom

[bangzoom6877]

When we go on our first trip as members in July 2010, we will be staying in a one-bedroom at BWV, standard view.

I am concerned because both the livingroom and the bedroom have a balcony, and our children will be staying on the pullout couch in the livingroom. The boys will be 3 and 5 when we go. I am worried about them getting up during the night and opening the balcony door and going out there. They do not normally wake up in the middle of the night but you never know. Is it easy for a small child to unlock and open the door? I am worried about this for when we are sleeping in the middle of the night. During the day of course we will be with them to watch them.

 

[DebbieB]

You could put the living room chair in front of the door, I would think it would be hard for a 3 or 5 year old to move, especially with the bed pulled out (it barely fits in between).

The 1 bedroom I had last week at BWV had just 1 small balcony and there was no door in the living room (boardwalk view - 4011).

 

[Kmango]

I don't have a specific recollection of the BWV doors, but I know at SSR and AKV, the locks are sufficiently complicated that my intelligent 24 year-old friend couldn't figure them out.

 

[mom2grace]

At VWL, there is an upper lock as well as the lock at the handle.

 

[bangzoom6877]

To open the door to the balcony, do you have to pull it toward you or push it out toward the balcony?

The chair blocking the door sounds like the best idea, but if the door pushes open then the kids can still unlock it and push it open if they climb on the chair. Hoping it pulls open!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

At BWV the doors push out onto the balcony.

 

[5forDiz]

As Mom2Grace said about an upper lock at VWL; I seem to recall that from our stay at BWV in July (standard view 1br #3121).

I'd suggest in addition to what pp said about putting chair in front of door on inside that closing the curtains as well and place the balcony chairs in front of door on the outside; this would prevent pushing the door open onto the balcony or would imho at least make enough noise to wake you if the kids manage to get the door open.

Also, there are portable door alarms that are rather inexpensive to purchase - they are battery operated and not much bigger than an Ipod. You hang them on a door knob, etc. and the slightest bit of movement will cause a loud alarm to sound. Most stores that carry baby/child products ( like toys r us, babies r us etc. ) usually has them for sale and you might even find them in stores like Bed Bath&Beyond, etc.

 

[jekjones1558]

I like the idea of the alarm. The BWV balcony doors only have a lock that turns, so if you have motivated kids they could climb on the back of the chair, turn the lock and get onto the balcony. Most (though not all) of the rooms have a balcony off of the living room and the master. Would you have to worry about them going out of the room as well?

 

[bangzoom6877]

I like the idea of the alarm. The BWV balcony doors only have a lock that turns, so if you have motivated kids they could climb on the back of the chair, turn the lock and get onto the balcony. Most (though not all) of the rooms have a balcony off of the living room and the master. Would you have to worry about them going out of the room as well?

Yes, I am also worried about them being able to get out of the room, but I assumed that there is either a chain lock or something of the sort at the tope of the door leading to the hallway, thus preventing them from getting out since they will be too short to reach it. We would just have to make sure there is nothing around that they can climb onto and unlock the top lock.

I am a bit nervous now that I know that the doors push open toward the balcony at BWV. Now I am thinking the chair idea may not be so great. Not sure about the door alarm either. Though it seems like a good idea, if it is really that sensitive to the slightest movement I am wondering if it would go off constantly, also disturbing my neighbors.

Anyone with experience with little ones in a villa and information about what you have done to prevent them from getting onto the balcony would be greatly appreciated! I do not think my kids would try to get onto the balcony, but hey, you never know, and I know I am a worry wart but I try to think of absolutely everything when it comes to my children!

Would a CM maybe be able to assist me at the time? Perhaps they have dealt with this issue before?

 

[Granny]

You might want to request a ground floor room. That pretty much takes the balcony concerns out of play, though there's no guarantee you'll get the requested ground floor. My guess is that you'd have a good chance though, especially if you check in early and tell them you are willing to wait for a ground floor room to open up.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

I don't have a specific recollection of the BWV doors, but I know at SSR and AKV, the locks are sufficiently complicated that my intelligent 24 year-old friend couldn't figure them out.

TOO FUNNY.

 

[sparkyboy]

We were at WLV in Sept. with our twin 4 y/o grandbabies on the 4th floor. I moved the chair in the living room over in front of the balcony door. DGS had the room door locks figured out within the first half-hour so then we had to move him and DH to bedroom and DGD and I slept on the sofa. At least we slept, right?

 

[5forDiz]

Yes, I am also worried about them being able to get out of the room, but I assumed that there is either a chain lock or something of the sort at the tope of the door leading to the hallway, thus preventing them from getting out since they will be too short to reach it. We would just have to make sure there is nothing around that they can climb onto and unlock the top lock.

I am a bit nervous now that I know that the doors push open toward the balcony at BWV. Now I am thinking the chair idea may not be so great. Not sure about the door alarm either. Though it seems like a good idea, if it is really that sensitive to the slightest movement I am wondering if it would go off constantly, also disturbing my neighbors.

Anyone with experience with little ones in a villa and information about what you have done to prevent them from getting onto the balcony would be greatly appreciated! I do not think my kids would try to get onto the balcony, but hey, you never know, and I know I am a worry wart but I try to think of absolutely everything when it comes to my children!

Would a CM maybe be able to assist me at the time? Perhaps they have dealt with this issue before?

Guess you can call the resort; I'm sure you are not the first parent that has had this concern.

I know your primary concern is your kids safety so ultimately you may have to resort to a door alarm even at the risk of a neighbor hearing that. Or stay in a studio until the kids are older.

Check out this link as well for door safety bar, I remembered seeing this advertised on tv, maybe it will be a solution

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/...8-_-183726&code-macs=MP8NEXTAG&code=MP8NEXTAG

Best wishes on your planning

 

[bangzoom6877]

Guess you can call the resort; I'm sure you are not the first parent that has had this concern.

I know your primary concern is your kids safety so ultimately you may have to resort to a door alarm even at the risk of a neighbor hearing that. Or stay in a studio until the kids are older.

Check out this link as well for door safety bar, I remembered seeing this advertised on tv, maybe it will be a solution

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/...8-_-183726&code-macs=MP8NEXTAG&code=MP8NEXTAG

Best wishes on your planning

Thanks for the idea of the door safety bar! I will definitely check this one out. I will also speak to a CM at the resort when we plan our trip.