Sliding doors to balconies?

[bangzoom6877]

I called BWV recently to inquire about the balcony door in the 1BR villa, in the livingroom. I am concerned because we have 2 small children who will be 3 and 5 when we go on our first trip "home" to BWV, staying in the livingroom of the villa. I don't want them to be able to open the door to the balcony. I was told that the door to go out to the balcony is a sliding door, and not one that opens either to the inside or the outside.

Are the balcony doors too heavy for a 3 or 5-year-old? I am thinking maybe they will be but still want to have a backup plan just in case so I can block them from opening it in the middle of the night. I know the chances of this are slim but even with a slim chance it makes me nervous!

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at BWV many times in 1 bedrooms and that is not correct, they are not sliding doors. They open out with a door lever. There is a lock that you have to turn also, it's pretty high up I don't think a 3 or 5 year old could reach it unless they got a chair. I would suggest getting one of those alarms that activate with motion.

I stayed there last month in a 1 bedroom and we had a room that was different. The living room did not have a door to the balcony, only the bedroom. It was on the 4th floor above Big River, under an "arch" (room 4011), the balcony was very small.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm not certain, but I believe that the balcony sliders have a second lock on them that is mounted high so children can't reach it.

 

[CarolAnnC]

DebbieB is correct, the BWV does not have sliding doors. It has doors that open out.

 

[5forDiz]

I've stayed at BWV many times in 1 bedrooms and that is not correct, they are not sliding doors. They open out with a door lever. There is a lock that you have to turn also, it's pretty high up I don't think a 3 or 5 year old could reach it unless they got a chair. I would suggest getting one of those alarms that activate with motion.

I stayed there last month in a 1 bedroom and we had a room that was different. The living room did not have a door to the balcony, only the bedroom. It was on the 4th floor above Big River, under an "arch" (room 4011), the balcony was very small.

Like Debbie & CarolAnn too have said, our stays at BWV have been in rooms with door that opens out onto balcony ( hinged ).

In addition to answers/suggestions you will get on this thread, the earlier replies to your concern may help with your overall planning

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=28374060#post28374060&highlight=

 

[bangzoom6877]

I've stayed at BWV many times in 1 bedrooms and that is not correct, they are not sliding doors. They open out with a door lever. There is a lock that you have to turn also, it's pretty high up I don't think a 3 or 5 year old could reach it unless they got a chair. I would suggest getting one of those alarms that activate with motion.

I stayed there last month in a 1 bedroom and we had a room that was different. The living room did not have a door to the balcony, only the bedroom. It was on the 4th floor above Big River, under an "arch" (room 4011), the balcony was very small.

Was your room a standard view or preferred/BW view? We will be getting standard view.

How high up are the locks? I was hoping they would be high up enough for the kids not to be able to reach them.

 

[5forDiz]

The lock is not on the door handle/lever (which is pretty much height it would typically be in most people's home). The lock is above the door handle/lever so I would say the lock itself is about 4 1/2 feet above floor level maybe a bit more.

 

[DebbieB]

Was your room a standard view or preferred/BW view? We will be getting standard view.

How high up are the locks? I was hoping they would be high up enough for the kids not to be able to reach them.

4011 is a boardwalk view. I've stayed in standard view also, I think they are all the same, I don't recall any sliders.

I agree with 5forDiz, they are probably 4 1/2 feet from the floor. I'm 5'2" and think they are about shoulder level on me. I think it would be hard for a small child to turn. Another option is to put some kind of tape over the lock after you lock it.

 

[5forDiz]

Maybe this will help give you better idea. There are 2 photos on All Ears that show door to balcony. Try this link and click through to photo 57 for BWV resort; you can see door handle & lock above it in this living room photo
( photo 34 shows door in master bedroom but not as well as 57 ).

http://allears.net/acc/bwvss.htm

 

[spiceycat]

if you kids are like my brother - then understand - definitely get one of those alarm things that will go off - preferrable with a lock so the kids can't use a pillow and then take the thing off...

and yes he was 3 1/2 when he did these things.

the chairs are close enough that a strong child could use one to get to this thing.

that say the balconies are pretty safe. unless of course they are climbers - then you got problems.

 

[ChickieToo]

I don't know about the patio type doors that swing, but for sliders you can always bring a tension rod with you and then place it high up between the door frame and the back side of the sliding part of the door.

Tension rods are adjustable and you can therefore fit it to any size slider. Get the right size by measuring a slider you may have at home. It would probably pack right in your suitcase.

I have a DD9, but I have to admit, when she was small this possibility never crossed my mind. Maybe because to this day the minute she gets up she comes into our bed to cuddle, so I never had that worry. Shame on me!

 

[DebbieB]

This picture is a good shot of the door handle/lock.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thank you DebbieB! It looks like they may not be able to reach the lock above the handle. We'll see. I just may pick up one of those alarms just to be on the safe side.