disney world bed bugs

[epcotbeertaster62]

Hi everyone,
We are heading to WDW in April. We were there in January and had a great time. We have been reading about recent bedbug issues in Disney resorts. Has anyone else heard about this? Our last 2 stays were at Boardwalk, and Port Orleans, and no problems at either resort.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Hi everyone,
We are heading to WDW in April. We were there in January and had a great time. We have been reading about recent bedbug issues in Disney resorts. Has anyone else heard about this? Our last 2 stays were at Boardwalk, and Port Orleans, and no problems at either resort.

I have heard nothing about that... not that I necessarily would, but, having had my share of battles with bedbugs when I owned a residential care home, I wouldn't worry about it too much. They are not inherent, but, are usually brought in by someone in their luggage or clothing. Not an indication of cleanliness. Once they find out about them, they are usually dealt with easily, not cheaply. So if it's true then by now it has probably been taken care of completely, at least until the next group brings some in. Keep your clothing closed up in a suitcase or some other sealed setup and they will not be a bigger issue.

 

[Jahona]

Hi everyone,
We are heading to WDW in April. We were there in January and had a great time. We have been reading about recent bedbug issues in Disney resorts. Has anyone else heard about this? Our last 2 stays were at Boardwalk, and Port Orleans, and no problems at either resort.

I've not experienced bed bugs any of the times I've visited in the last several years. I check the usual spots on the bed anyways just out of habit. Disney, I believe, uses bed bug dogs to check the rooms and are quick to action when a case shows up. The problem with bed bugs is that they are always brought in by an outside source. Usually hitching a ride on the previous occupants luggage and slowly build. They aren't caught right away in that case and that's how the infestation grows.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Just check your bed--including the headboard, and the drawers. I never use the drawers, and I keep all our clothes in spacebags--clean and dirty. Make sure and vaccumn or steam your luggage before you bring it into the house. I always check the room, at any hotel/resort, before I bring in our luggage. Twice, I found them and was given another room. What was scary was that people were in one of those rooms later that day. ( Yes, they did verify/agree they were bedbugs.)
Contrary to what you hear, they are easy to find and easy to identify. The fact that I've only found them twice in many, many visits over the years is why I continue to stay at certain resorts. So, I wouldn't worry. Just check before you bring in your bags. It never hurts to be cautious.
I also bring bedbug spray. It's a natural, plant-based, non-toxic spray. I wouldn't use a chemical based spray as many people let their babies and toddlers crawl on the floor. And, I would never expose anyone to toxic substances.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

Never had a issue with those at Disney and I go around 5-10 times a year. Does it happen? Probably. 20,000 + rooms it's gonna happen but it's def not a common thing there. As said above if you are worried just heck ur room before settling in. They are pretty good about switching your room if need be

 

[epcotbeertaster62]

thanks guys looking forward to drinks in Epcot, round of golf or two.

 

[Gabe1]

I have heard nothing about that... not that I necessarily would, but, having had my share of battles with bedbugs when I owned a residential care home, I wouldn't worry about it too much. They are not inherent, but, are usually brought in by someone in their luggage or clothing. Not an indication of cleanliness. Once they find out about them, they are usually dealt with easily, not cheaply. So if it's true then by now it has probably been taken care of completely, at least until the next group brings some in. Keep your clothing closed up in a suitcase or some other sealed setup and they will not be a bigger issue.

Yeah, there a couple sites that list out reports. But my guess would be that most bitten are not researching a place to post about the bites no matter what city or hotel they were bitten in. There are also threads on most WDW type forums addressing the creepy critters.

http://www.bedbugregistry.com/hotel/FL/Orlando/Walt-Disney-World-Resort#
http://bedbugger.com/2008/01/12/disney-guests-paid-off-to-keep-quiet-about-bed-bugs/

 

[Dartha Stewart]

Some great advice and travel tips from one of the absolute best in the business:
http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/hotel-impossible/video/resolve-hotel-bed-bug-problem

are usually brought in by someone in their luggage or clothing. Not an indication of cleanliness.

^Exactly this. And ironically, the cleaner, better-rated, and more popular of a facility, the more likely you are to have bedbugs enter. More travelers coming through your doors = higher risk of unwanted luggage hitchhikers. So obviously WDW is a higher risk of having bedbugs than, say, Uncle Joe's Roadside Inn off exit 4056 in the middle of Nothingsville. Yet while any place that depends on guests as a source of revenue is at high risk of getting bedbugs...with the right professional procedures in action, any and every lodging facility, movie theater, hospital, or public aircraft can quickly evict these critters as quickly as they entered.

The bad news is, until we have a better educated public on the do's and don't's of bedbug-prevention travel habits (check thoroughly before cozying into your room, never just go in, throw down your luggage onto the beds/floors, and so on), these little pests will remain a nasty annoyance.

The good news is, they're just that, annoying pests. They aren't going to kill you or inflict some sort of illness. As a matter of fact, a gnat, housefly, or any form of currency in your wallet right now contains more germs & greater risk of getting you ill than you can ever receive from a bedbug. But because the name inflicts such gross impressions and fear (naturally, it's never pleasant to hear "bed" and "bug" in the same sentence, let alone word), these critters have somehow managed to become the more feared, apocalyptic media focus.