Why Do People Feel It's OK To Decorate Resort Windows?

[Monny2AE]

I can't believe you are actually comparing a naked lady to WDW. Really?

The point is that Disney is a magical FAMILY friendly place. Your comments about not caring if it's someone's birthday or not are not in line with what WDW is all about in my opinion.

I've never decorated a window (yet) but I don't see any problem with it as long as it is cleaned up when you are finished. If someone wants to make their family's stay a little more magical, then let them.

I'm off to start designing my window clings for my stay in January. And yes...I will remove them when I leave.

 

[mana_liz]

I don't stop to look, but I have no choice but to see them because I'm surrounded by it. And it is being forced on me because I pay for Disney resort vacation, not a bunch of nonsense that only applies to one family.

Using your logic, if you were driving down I4 and there was a billboard of a naked woman you (or your kids) wouldn't have to look so what's the big deal of it being there? Your logic suggests that you just look away and it's no big deal. We both know that's nonsense.

And you're not paying for the right to put up decorations in your window. You're paying to stay at a resort that other people are occupying. Someone previously mentioned they disliked people hanging towels from their room/balcony. What's the difference? Maybe that towel is special to one of their kids? Maybe that towel is a statement on something?

Where do you draw the line?

Actually I am paying to decorate my windows...since the window is still part of the room I'm paying for...also I'm paying to go to Disney World...the parks...I stay on-site because it's convenient. I stay at a value resort because it's cheaper...I really don't care about how my few window clings ruin the ambience of a resort that has a gaint big wheel or bowling pin.

If it's ambience your looking for maybe Disney World it's for you...it's really for the kids or the kid at heart...and you seem like neither to me.

Your billboard comparison is a mute point...I don't look at billboards because I'm paying attention to my driving not some sign advertising where the next Cracker Barrel is. Like I said look where your going not where you've been.

 

[mana_liz]

Also, do you not think that Disney should offer this service...because they do...you can call the Disney Florist dept. and for a fee they will come decorate your room.


Does it ruin the look if they come do it or just if I do it myself?

 

[SydneyFalco]

Of course people should be allowed to do it.

Of course it looks trashy.

Welcome to the modern world.

Daycare... EVERYwhere.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Mousekeeping has decorated our windows on (if I remember correctly) every one of our trips. The kids always love to see what they have done. Stuffed animals in the windows, or towel animals, whatever. We have not done it but we always leave it. I think it's cute. Until discovering DIS, I assumed all the windows we saw were done by Mousekeeping. (We never have seen any lights or anything that I can recall.)

 

[inaweofbnl]

Also, do you not think that Disney should offer this service...because they do...you can call the Disney Florist dept. and for a fee they will come decorate your room.


Something good came out of this thread...I was not aware that Disney Floral would decorate the room as well as provide flowers and goodies. Thanks, I will use them on our January trip.

 

[roxy83]

I never even thought to decorate our hotel window...until MOUSEKEEPING did it. We arrived back to our room a few years ago with a sign in the window from Mickey and all of our stuffed animals on display. Ever since then we have had fun with it. We met alot of really cool people thanks to our windows and theres. We decorate tastefully (which of course is subjective) and will continue to do so.

I am always perplexed at how many people go to Disney with attitudes. All I have to say is loosen up, have some fun, and make AWESOME memories with your families. My tinkerbell picture is not affecting your memories but rather your perception. Perhaps if we went into each situation with a positive attitude our perception would be different.

 

[SallyfromDE]

Ok, here's the thread I was talking about. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1902076

I would hate to have someone go to all the trouble of making and collecting the decorations, bringing them with them, decorating the window, and then be charged an additional $25 a day until they take them down. It may not be uniformly enforced, but I wouldn't want to risk it.

It was because of that washable marker they used.

Well, I have never actually seen a room/door/window decorated except in pics. I do know there was a thread back a few months ago about Disney charging to do this. I think they should. Basically b/c the markers/tape leave residue that's hard to get off windows. I go to Disney to relax-I really wouldn't mind seeing it but it does cheapen the look of the resort. I can't imagine bringing all the stuff to decorate when I usually forget something at home. When at the Poly in Aug we had a neighbor put up a small board to write messages on of course w/ a LGMH & people signed it. I also noticed it was down the next day. Wondering if Disney asked them to take it off the door????

Well, I'm not a fan of POP or ASM because I happen to think the resorts look cheap and gaudy. But we stay there because the kids like it.

Who knows about the message board. I wouldn't go that far. And lights only at Xmas. We put magnets on the door to match our Halloween theme for MNNSHP. But the heat kept making them fall off Maybe the board had the same problem?

Perhaps you should keep you eyes looking ahead or at the "ambience" of the resort, and not look at/in other people's windows.

Bah humbug.

The kids love to walk around and look at the windows. But we've never actually stopped and walked up to one. We just casually walk by and look.

 

[memphismovin]

It doesn't normally occur at the deluxes, only the values and moderates which have their windows facing the walkways. Although I have seen photos of people putting Christmas lights and even inflatables on their balconies!

It DOES happen at ALL resorts...I am guilty guilty guilty and really don't care. We've decorated $600/night Contemporary concierge rooms (including our balconies), AKL concierge, Caribbean Beach and you can bet I'm bringing a 6ft tree with all the trimmings, lights, clings and garland with us to the All-stars this holiday. They even have a decorating contest at Fort Wilderness every year.

Saying that we shouldn't decorate is like trying stop bad "tourist" fashion in the parks...everyone has the right to be individual. Our rooms are our oasis from the craziness of the parks. Whatever makes us feel at home is what will be with us. Anyone who has gone on the Disney ships can tell you that more rooms have door signs than not. It's a part of the Disney culture now. One not to be gone any time soon.

...on a personal note...to the person that made the "maybe its a value thing" comment. You are no better than anyone else because of where you choose to stay and to make a comment like that is just ignorant. People choose resorts for a multitude of reasons and I find it insulting to be suggested less because of staying at a "value" resort. When given the choice in planning our trips, my first thought is about WHERE is best for us. The All-Stars have the best busing service in my experience and THAT is why we will stay there...not for the price. This is the exact reason I will not stay at the Yacht and Beach Club resorts where this mentallity runs rampant.There are hundreds of loving families enjoying the value resorts each week and I'll be proud to be one of them Christmas week

 

[amgangi]

For those of you who have stayed at AKL and decorated, are the exterior doors to the rooms wood or metal? I made a couple of magnets to adhere

 

[greenpea89]

I am neither for nor against window decorating and to be honest I haven't given it a lot of thought but I do see a big difference between decorating the inside of your room with a Christmas tree or birthday/anniversary/happy vacation decorations and the decorating of windows and doors. I also think that mousekeeping placing a few stuffed animals in a window is very different from clings, blinking lights, and posters printed off of a computer that are placed in a window, or giant doors signs.

I also don't see a big difference between the joy you receive by celebrating your special event with window decorations and those that celebrate by having a party in their room, those that allow their children to excitedly race to the elevator early in the morning, or those that use the pools until late at night. None of these things bother me but I know that others may be disturbed by them so we try not to do these things. I think it's basic courtesy and when we stay at Disney we are in environments with large numbers of people that spent the same amount of money as we did to stay in the same resort so it's important to try to be courteous and respect the feelings of other guests.

I do think that as these decorations become more and more elaborate that Disney may feel the need to step in and regulate the situation.

Since taste is such an arbitrary and personal matter and people really seem to love decorating their windows and doors I think that the resorts should offer window decorating packages for sale at each resort - themed to the resort of course - with different characters or concepts depending on the celebration (sort of like the buttons - general, first visit, birthday, anniversary, etc.). It ties into the new Disney theme this year in addition to providing an additional revenue steam for Disney. This would also allow Disney to choose items that would not damage the window/ door surfaces or paint in the rooms while at the same time please all of their guests by enhancing the theming of the resort and, at the same time, tactfully remove the potential of some of the more garish displays to possibly infringe on another guest's experience. I think it's a win-win.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I am neither for nor against window decorating and to be honest I haven't given it a lot of thought but I do see a big difference between decorating the inside of your room with a Christmas tree and birthday/anniversary/happy vacation decorations and the decorating of windows and doors. I also think that mousekeeping placing a few stuffed animals in a window is very different from clings, blinking lights, and posters printed off of a computer that are placed in a window, or giant doors signs.

I also don't see a big difference between the joy you receive by celebrating your special event with window decorations and those that celebrate by having a party in their room, those that allow their children to excitedly race to the elevator early in the morning, or those that use the pools until late at night. None of these things bother me but I know that others may be disturbed by them so we try not to do these things. I think it's basic courtesy and when we stay at Disney we are in environments with large numbers of people that spent the same amount of money as we did to stay in the same resort so it's important to try to be courteous and respect the feelings of other guests.

I do think that as these decorations become more and more elaborate that Disney may feel the need to step in and regulate the situation.

Since taste is such an arbitrary and personal matter and people really seem to love decorating their windows and doors I think that the resorts should offer window decorating packages for sale at each resort - themed to the resort of course with different characters or concepts depending on the celebration (sort of like the buttons - general, first visit, birthday, anniversary, etc.). It ties into the new Disney theme this year in addition to providing an additional revenue steam for Disney. This would also allow Disney to choose items that would not damage the window/ door surfaces or paint in the rooms while at the same time please all of their guests by enhancing the theming of the resort and, at the same time, tactfully remove the potential of some of the more garish displays to possibly infringe on another guest's experience. I think it's a win-win.

Great post! I think this really sums up what I was thinking.

 

[memphismovin]

You know...I think most of my shock in this thread has come from the fact that we are on a DISNEY board. How is it that self proclaimed "disney" people are the ones having this ridiculous debate? I always thought that if anyone had a problem it would be first time guests or school/sports groups not really understanding the climate of Disney park goers. Certainly not other people who spend hours and hours soaking in every bit of Disney info as many of us do. I can honestly say reading this thread is the first time I've ever even heard of people being offended by other's personal decor. Disney is a group experience...the people around you at every turn are what make Disney so special. I've often thought while staying during very low crowd levels how boring it would be if it were always like this. While walking onto rides is great what would it be like to sit alone for a parade. Enjoying how others experience Disney is part of the fun and that includes room/window decor. I think everyone who has a problem with the decorating needs to take a step back and remember where YOU are. This is not a private retreat to an unknown island. This is the happiest place on earth and I think that embracing a tradition of families decorating their windows can only add to the magic. And not by cookie cutter Disney "approved" decor...there should be no rules outside of family appropriate and non-damaging items.

I'm sorry, but as someone with a permanently packed suitcase full of Disney decorations for any holiday we might spend there, this topic really gets under my disney skin. lol Can't we all just take a breath and appreciate that we can spend time with our families in such a beautiful way?

 

[memphismovin]

For those of you who have stayed at AKL and decorated, are the exterior doors to the rooms wood or metal? I made a couple of magnets to adhere

The doors are metal just like the other resorts. Just keep in mind that they put 4ft african shields on each door so your space may be a bit limited

 

[Todd&Copper]

I can't imagine personally wasting the luggage space with decorations, nor taking the time to bother putting doo-dads up in the window, but I don't really care if someone else wants to do it. I personally think it is tacky, but I also find capris, Crocs, and lime green clothing tacky but am not about to suggest we ban everything just b/c it is tacky.

 

[dburg30]

I'm a DVC member so yes, I think that gives me the right to decorate my room and the windows for my daughter this X-mas. Just keep walking by and don't look...

Why would being a DVC member give you more of a reason to decorate? I just became a DVC member also, and my 205 points are 'worth' .5% of some unit somewhere on ALKV 2 property. Not .5% of the property, 1/2 or 1 percent of unit 101A, whatever that is.

I believe it's called common sense.

The reason we do it is to give back some joy and to make our room a little different than the others. It turns a stark expanse of stucco, steel and glass into home. Plus it's real easy to find our room.

It's similar to why people decorate their work space, personal touch.

But why do you automatically assume that it's giving joy to others? Because it's your idea?

I can't believe you are actually comparing a naked lady to WDW. Really?

The point is that Disney is a magical FAMILY friendly place. Your comments about not caring if it's someone's birthday or not are not in line with what WDW is all about in my opinion.

I've never decorated a window (yet) but I don't see any problem with it as long as it is cleaned up when you are finished. If someone wants to make their family's stay a little more magical, then let them.

I'm off to start designing my window clings for my stay in January. And yes...I will remove them when I leave.

OK, so maybe the persons billboard was a little out there, but the point still exists, why just because you like it, does it mean that it has to be on display for everyone to see? And dont use the 'dont look at it' thing. I'm also paying to be at that resort, to enjoy DISNEY'S theme, not yours. Why should I have to 'just look forward' so I dont have to look at your window? I want to see the theme around me, not just in certain areas, and bottom line, unless your decorations fit the theme, you could indeed be taking away my enjoyment that I too paid for.

Also, do you not think that Disney should offer this service...because they do...you can call the Disney Florist dept. and for a fee they will come decorate your room.


Does it ruin the look if they come do it or just if I do it myself?

Do they decorate the windows or just the room? I have NO problem if you want to decorate your ROOM, inside where you are staying. And actaully I dont get why you wouldnt decorate inside instead of on the windows and doors anyway. If you are in your room, and you've decorated your windows and doors, you arent enjoying them. You are just exposing people on the outside to them.

Mousekeeping has decorated our windows on (if I remember correctly) every one of our trips. The kids always love to see what they have done. Stuffed animals in the windows, or towel animals, whatever. We have not done it but we always leave it. I think it's cute. Until discovering DIS, I assumed all the windows we saw were done by Mousekeeping. (We never have seen any lights or anything that I can recall.)

I've seen very few windows that mousekeeping has done that use tape and clings, and lights and such. Sure I've seen little towel animals sitting on the ledge. But that's not something that detracts from the theme. Any thing they do is meant more to be a suprise for you on your return to the room, and IMO isnt really meant to be kept up the whole time of your trip.


With all that said, I really dont care. I dont like a lot of them because I do think they look cheap and tacky, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over them. I actually feel sorry sometimes that I know people went to a lot of trouble to make them, and are proud of them, but they sometimes just dont look all that good. But, alas, so long as that person is happy, I guess that's what's important. But I do think they should put them inside and look at them the whole time they are in the room and see if they feel the same at the end of their trips as they did at the start

 

[Baltazar]

But why do you automatically assume that it's giving joy to others? Because it's your idea?

I don't have to assume, last trip we were on the first floor and every time we opened our door, people felt the need to tell us how great our window was.

We'd hear kids outside the window going mommy this or mommy that.

So it was a resounding success.

[edit] holy cow, a 6 page thread on window decorating.

 

[mana_liz]

Why would being a DVC member give you more of a reason to decorate? I just became a DVC member also, and my 205 points are 'worth' .5% of some unit somewhere on ALKV 2 property. Not .5% of the property, 1/2 or 1 percent of unit 101A, whatever that is.



But why do you automatically assume that it's giving joy to others? Because it's your idea?



OK, so maybe the persons billboard was a little out there, but the point still exists, why just because you like it, does it mean that it has to be on display for everyone to see? And dont use the 'dont look at it' thing. I'm also paying to be at that resort, to enjoy DISNEY'S theme, not yours. Why should I have to 'just look forward' so I dont have to look at your window? I want to see the theme around me, not just in certain areas, and bottom line, unless your decorations fit the theme, you could indeed be taking away my enjoyment that I too paid for.


Do they decorate the windows or just the room? I have NO problem if you want to decorate your ROOM, inside where you are staying. And actaully I dont get why you wouldnt decorate inside instead of on the windows and doors anyway. If you are in your room, and you've decorated your windows and doors, you arent enjoying them. You are just exposing people on the outside to them.

I've seen very few windows that mousekeeping has done that use tape and clings, and lights and such. Sure I've seen little towel animals sitting on the ledge. But that's not something that detracts from the theme. Any thing they do is meant more to be a suprise for you on your return to the room, and IMO isnt really meant to be kept up the whole time of your trip.


With all that said, I really dont care. I dont like a lot of them because I do think they look cheap and tacky, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over them. I actually feel sorry sometimes that I know people went to a lot of trouble to make them, and are proud of them, but they sometimes just dont look all that good. But, alas, so long as that person is happy, I guess that's what's important. But I do think they should put them inside and look at them the whole time they are in the room and see if they feel the same at the end of their trips as they did at the start

Last time I checked the window was part of MY ROOM...so I can decorate if i choose...


Since the decorations are DISNEY...and it's DISNEY WORLD...they do fit with the theme of DISNEY WORLD.

Seemes to me that you do care since you took the time to reply to quite a few other posts...if your really don't care why post a comment at all.

 

[Luvamouse]

You know...I think most of my shock in this thread has come from the fact that we are on a DISNEY board. How is it that self proclaimed "disney" people are the ones having this ridiculous debate? I always thought that if anyone had a problem it would be first time guests or school/sports groups not really understanding the climate of Disney park goers. Certainly not other people who spend hours and hours soaking in every bit of Disney info as many of us do. I can honestly say reading this thread is the first time I've ever even heard of people being offended by other's personal decor. Disney is a group experience...the people around you at every turn are what make Disney so special. I've often thought while staying during very low crowd levels how boring it would be if it were always like this. While walking onto rides is great what would it be like to sit alone for a parade. Enjoying how others experience Disney is part of the fun and that includes room/window decor. I think everyone who has a problem with the decorating needs to take a step back and remember where YOU are. This is not a private retreat to an unknown island. This is the happiest place on earth and I think that embracing a tradition of families decorating their windows can only add to the magic. And not by cookie cutter Disney "approved" decor...there should be no rules outside of family appropriate and non-damaging items.

I'm sorry, but as someone with a permanently packed suitcase full of Disney decorations for any holiday we might spend there, this topic really gets under my disney skin. lol Can't we all just take a breath and appreciate that we can spend time with our families in such a beautiful way?

Amen to this Memphis! ITA

I can't imagine personally wasting the luggage space with decorations, nor taking the time to bother putting doo-dads up in the window, but I don't really care if someone else wants to do it. I personally think it is tacky, but I also find capris, Crocs, and lime green clothing tacky but am not about to suggest we ban everything just b/c it is tacky.

And yet I also agree with T&C...

To each his own, if it doesn't hurt me and isn't offensive to people (tacky not withstanding), fine. I for one am happy to see people so thrilled to be there. But I'd never consider putting anything up on our window or door myself. I may hate wine, but it doesn't make me get all huffy when others drink it. Well, unless they get drunk and spill it on me, but that's another thread...

 

[RNtheRN]

It wuoldn't be so bad if they hung $50 all over the place. I might even enjoy it.