Inside Edition undercover report on WDW hotels. 5:58 pm eastern

[MichWolv]

I've seen a number of reports on hotels recently that have me rethinking using glasses in a hotel room. I had assumed, until seeing these reports, that used glasses were taken somewhere and run through a dishwasher, and were replaced with glasses that had come from the dishwasher. These reports make clear to me that I'm wrong, and that isn't what's happening. Worse, they aren't even being handwashed with dishsoap.

In other words, I had assumed that used glasses were being cleaned like they would be in a home -- either in a dishwasher or by washing with handsoap. I believe that most others assume the same thing. Some posters to this thread seem to think that we had unreasonable expectations to begin with. I don't think so, but I've certainly lowered my expectations after seeing and hearing about these reports.

I am now far less likely to use a glass in a hotel room.

 

[PoohsGang]

If you go on their website, insideedition.com, you can see a short little teaser for it right on the front page.

The part I like the best is the woman listing the 'things' you can catch from it. Yeah, idiot, you can. You can also catch those from a thousand other places besides the glasses. Such as the doorknobs.

Are you saying theres nothing wrong with the way they clean them?

 

[Kamikaze]

Are you saying theres nothing wrong with the way they clean them?

I've made my point quite clear in the thread already, read the whole thing before you reply.

 

[happymom52003]

If you go on their website, insideedition.com, you can see a short little teaser for it right on the front page.

The part I like the best is the woman listing the 'things' you can catch from it. Yeah, idiot, you can. You can also catch those from a thousand other places besides the glasses. Such as the doorknobs.

You are totally missing the point here. Doorknobs are EXPECTED to be dirty, especially in public places. Just like bathroom door handles, elevator buttons, etc.
That is why most normal people WASH THEIR HANDS before they eat, and I even wash my hands upon arriving home after being out somewhere. Which is NORMAL HYGIENE practice, not being a "germaphobe".
A glass on the other hand, goes DIRECTLY to one's mouth, which is how germs are spread. And while most of us wash the hotel glasses or do not use them at all, the point is that WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO.

 

[TestTrack]

Call me crazy but I think this is good for WDW(at least for us guests).

From what I have been reading in many of the resort's reviews...housekeeping has been a fairly common problem. Typically the complaints are dust not swept up and bathrooms not cleaned.

You can bet that now that WDW has some dirt on their hands(no pun intended) they are going to get this mess cleaned up(pun intended) real quick. Hopefully we see an improvement in the housekeeping at EVERY resort.

 

[mpoppins217]

I've been hesitant to post here because everyone is getting so upset by what others have as their opinions but I figured I would give it a shot and see how flamed I get.

I think why everyone is getting so upset over this is because it was Disney. Was this a problem? Absolutely. Does it gross me out? 100% Will it change how I use hotel rooms and where I stay. Not a chance. Because I guarantee you that this happens other places too (which I think the show talked about but I may be wrong because I didn't see it and couldn't get the clip to work on the inside edition page). So one (or two) maids cuts corners. That doesn't mean everyone of them does. And I'm pretty sure that whoever that was has been fired by now. And I would find it insulting if I was a maid to hear people ranting about what a horrible job I do and how they don't trust me because of one bad apple when he/she puts a lot of effort into her job. If this was a hilton (which charge comprable amounts) would you all be in as big an uproar? It's because it has the name of Disney that we all adore attached to it. I think everyone needs to step back and look at the big picture. Have you ever gotten sick before? If you haven't then it's probably safe to assume that this hasn't happened to you, and you have ended up with the housekeepers that do their jobs. Of the people on here defending Disney, I don't think anyone is saying don't be cautious. By all means take a look around when you get in there and see if something needs attending to (I'll admit the story about the blood on the sheets made me nauseous), but there's no need to scrub everything from head to toe. If you're going to be that afraid of getting sick, why stay in a hotel? Heck, why even leave your house? It seems like you're worrying too much on what is supposed to be a vacation for you and you need to just relax and enjoy yourself.

And if this worries you, you wouldn't believe what goes on at your local restaurants and movie theaters (and using the 'this is different you're paying a lot' line doesn't work because everyone is saying its gross and you could get sick, which could happen anywhere that cuts corners). I would hate to see what would happen if everyone here saw the video I did on lemons in restaurants. Would you stop eating at restaurants too? (I'd post the video but it was sent to me in an email and I'm rather computer illiterate).

 

[frazierle]

last night

I caught it here in New Orleans last night. It was the Contemporary and the Hilton there in Orlando. And they both had dirty maids I bought cleaning supply's a few weeks ago with all the bed bug commotion, now I have to wash dishes:veryconfu I might as well stay home.......NOT:ROFLOL: Dirty Disney is still better than home....:sohappy:

 

[happymom52003]

I've been hesitant to post here because everyone is getting so upset by what others have as their opinions but I figured I would give it a shot and see how flamed I get.

I think why everyone is getting so upset over this is because it was Disney. Was this a problem? Absolutely. Does it gross me out? 100% Will it change how I use hotel rooms and where I stay. Not a chance. Because I guarantee you that this happens other places too (which I think the show talked about but I may be wrong because I didn't see it and couldn't get the clip to work on the inside edition page). So one (or two) maids cuts corners. That doesn't mean everyone of them does. And I'm pretty sure that whoever that was has been fired by now. And I would find it insulting if I was a maid to hear people ranting about what a horrible job I do and how they don't trust me because of one bad apple when he/she puts a lot of effort into her job. If this was a hilton (which charge comprable amounts) would you all be in as big an uproar? It's because it has the name of Disney that we all adore attached to it. I think everyone needs to step back and look at the big picture. Have you ever gotten sick before? If you haven't then it's probably safe to assume that this hasn't happened to you, and you have ended up with the housekeepers that do their jobs. Of the people on here defending Disney, I don't think anyone is saying don't be cautious. By all means take a look around when you get in there and see if something needs attending to (I'll admit the story about the blood on the sheets made me nauseous), but there's no need to scrub everything from head to toe. If you're going to be that afraid of getting sick, why stay in a hotel? Heck, why even leave your house? It seems like you're worrying too much on what is supposed to be a vacation for you and you need to just relax and enjoy yourself.

And if this worries you, you wouldn't believe what goes on at your local restaurants and movie theaters (and using the 'this is different you're paying a lot' line doesn't work because everyone is saying its gross and you could get sick, which could happen anywhere that cuts corners). I would hate to see what would happen if everyone here saw the video I did on lemons in restaurants. Would you stop eating at restaurants too? (I'd post the video but it was sent to me in an email and I'm rather computer illiterate).

I agree with alot of what you said, but no one on here said that they scrub the room from head to toe, that they are so afraid of getting sick that they can;t enjoy their vacation, or that they are so afraid of germs that they dont want to leave their house or stay in a hotel room.
I think I was the one who went into the most detail about what I do in a hotel room, and I just do not see how anyone can draw the conculsions that because I
A. Dont use the glasses/utensils unless I wash them
B. Wipe down the toilet seat and sink with a simple clorox wipe
C. Wear socks on a floor that turns your feet black in a matter of minutes
D. Don't lay on the bedspread
E. Stand on a towel in the shower

that I am a germaphobe who worries too much and can't enjoy my vacation:shrug:. I just don't see the logic in making that kind of comparison.

 

[George]

I caught it here in New Orleans last night. It was the Contemporary and the Hilton there in Orlando. And they both had dirty maids I bought cleaning supply's a few weeks ago with all the bed bug commotion, now I have to wash dishes:veryconfu I might as well stay home.......NOT:ROFLOL: Dirty Disney is still better than home....:sohappy:

Some people pay extra to stay at hotels that feature dirty maids.

D. Don't lay on the bedspread

I am really paranoid about dirty bedspreads. I've gotten to the point where when I walk into a hotel room, I remove the bedspread and place it in the closet. I assume it's never been cleaned and is disgusting.

 

[Eyorefan]

Exactly. We all know that there are going to be germs in the room -- a hotel room is a public place that is used by hundreds and thousands of people -- it's unreasonable to think otherwise. I think the main point is that the housekeepers should be doing their best to clean, disinfect, or perform whatever other actions are necessary. That is their job.

After that, it's up to you, the guest or consumer, to do whatever else you feel necessary to get the room up to your standards, cleanliness-wise. You want to bring Lysol? Fine. You want to bring pillow cases? Fine by me. Plastic cups? Good for you.

In paying for a room (esp. a premium room) this SHOULD entitle you to a certain level of service, including cleanliness, and I think that's the whole point here. I myself will continue to use the plastic cups and avoid the bedspread, but after that, I am going to accept the fact that there are going to be other germs and I'll probably continue to fight them off just like I have done for the last 33 years.

I totally agree with this. I'm not one who freaks out about how clean my hotel room is, but there is a certain level of clean that you SHOULD be able to expect when you pay to stay at any Disney resort. Disney is always stressing how staying on property gives their guests extra "magic". Well, subpar services such as this are not magical.

 

[jakeman]

I agree with alot of what you said, but no one on here said that they scrub the room from head to toe, that they are so afraid of getting sick that they can;t enjoy their vacation, or that they are so afraid of germs that they dont want to leave their house or stay in a hotel room.
I think I was the one who went into the most detail about what I do in a hotel room, and I just do not see how anyone can draw the conculsions that because I
A. Dont use the glasses/utensils unless I wash them
B. Wipe down the toilet seat and sink with a simple clorox wipe
C. Wear socks on a floor that turns your feet black in a matter of minutes
D. Don't lay on the bedspread
E. Stand on a towel in the shower

that I am a germaphobe who worries too much and can't enjoy my vacation:shrug:. I just don't see the logic in making that kind of comparison.

I can though.

Your list, in my opinion, is too much effort on my vacation, especially when I stay in dozen of different hotels a year and never do anything of that nature and have never had any adverse effects.

Whether or not the steps you listed affects your vacation is your personal opinion. In my opinion, your list would drive me crazy.

 

[Eyorefan]

I can though.

Your list, in my opinion, is too much effort on my vacation, especially when I stay in dozen of different hotels a year and never do anything of that nature and have never had any adverse effects.

Whether or not the steps you listed affects your vacation is your personal opinion. In my opinion, your list would drive me crazy.

I think the lesson here is that everyone has different ways of doing things.

 

[jakeman]

I think the lesson here is that everyone has different ways of doing things.

I agree completely. I think what I was getting at is perception is 9/10 of reality. If you perceive your hotel room to be clean then these extra steps seem a little nutty. If you perceive that is it dirty, or less clean, then they probably seem perfectly sane.

It doesn't really matter. In all honesty the less clean are probably more on the mark than the clean ones, but its the perception that is there. I think the room is clean, other folks do not and take the steps they feel necessary to acheive a state of cleanliness they are comfortable with.

Are either of us going to die from ebola? Probably not. Are we going to enjoy our vacation equally? Probably so.

 

[happymom52003]

I can though.

Your list, in my opinion, is too much effort on my vacation, especially when I stay in dozen of different hotels a year and never do anything of that nature and have never had any adverse effects.

Whether or not the steps you listed affects your vacation is your personal opinion. In my opinion, your list would drive me crazy.

Wow, your are entitled to your own opinion of course, but these steps probably do not even take me a full minute to complete. If you find that to be too much effort, how in the world do you even get yourself dressed everyday?

Just joking.

I just think you must be exagerarting a bit or did not play close attention to my list if you think it requires any effort to do those things. I mean, seriously....I spend more time dragging our luggage into the room than I do completing my "list".

And as I have pointed about before, it is not just about the germs. To me, the 2 1/2 seconds of "effort" it takes to pull the comforter off the bed (that countless people have had _ex on and it has not been washed), is worth it to me to not be grossed out!

 

[jakeman]

Wow, your are entitled to your own opinion of course, but these steps probably do not even take me a full minute to complete. If you find that to be too much effort, how in the world do you even get yourself dressed everyday?

Just joking.

I just think you must be exagerarting a bit or did not play close attention to my list if you think it requires any effort to do those things. I mean, seriously....I spend more time dragging our luggage into the room than I do completing my "list".

And as I have pointed about before, it is not just about the germs. To me, the 2 1/2 seconds of "effort" it takes to pull the comforter off the bed (that countless people have had _ex on and it has not been washed), is worth it to me to not be grossed out!

:lol:It's not so much the effort as it would be the remembering and actually having a list on vacation part. Yeah, I tend to over use the "in my opinion" line to make sure what I saying is not miscontrued as stating fact. That can be a rampant problem on these boards sometimes.

No harm, like I said, to each their own. :wave:

 

[Pete C]

Your office and workstation/keyboard/phone probably have as many germs as those hotel rooms. You just can't get away from every germ. I only really get germaphobic about public bathrooms' toilet seats and door handles since I see too many people grab the handle without washing their hands. Hotel rooms I just don't really think about and I just enjoy myself. People are getting a little too germ crazy. People have not been dropping dead at hotels last time I checked and there are millions of rooms that probably have about the same level of sanitary cleanliness. I have seen the exact same expose for another hotel chain.

Bottom line...the sheets and pillowcases are cleaned for each guest, it's vacuumed regularly, and the bathrooms at least look spotless. I will probably avoid the glasses in the future, but most Hilton chain hotels have plastic cups now so its a non-issue. BTW, I can't wait for the new Hilton on WDW property! The largest Hilton in the States.

 

[CrashNet]

Nasty, yes, but you really would have to live in a bubble to ever fully keep yourself away from all germs. Think about public door handles, railings, buttons, floors, benches, the air itself. That's what we have an immune system for.

There are limits to that way of thinking though...materials that can be used (glasses, plates, bedding) should always be washed by hotels. And don't get me started on bed bugs...I've heard horror stories.

 

[WIX]

I could NOT possibly agree more . . . THANK YOU!!!

how can you defend this action? You are PAYING BIG BUCKS FOR A CLEAN ROOM. shouldn't you get WHAT YOU PAID FOR? next you will say, hey if Disney uses green Hamburger or mouldy turkey that's okay as well.

When is wrong WRONG with some of you? :shrug:

is Disney this perfect place? Should you not expect to get what you paid for and be happy about it?

and like another poster said, $300 bucks a night, Not COUNTING THE PARK TICKETS AND OTHER EXPENSES.

$300 per night, I can stay four blocks from the U.N building in NEW YORK for that price. Right across the street from the Chrysler building.

and you want to justify these actions.

That's insane.

and I'll tell you this, You know who should be fired, The hotel Manager should. why? because this starts at the top down. and if you don't set a precedent, then, this is what you get.

there is no justification for this action, NONE. and anyone who thinks that there is, just because its Disney, has been standing too close to the campfire for a long time.

 

[happymom52003]

AGAIN, people...for the last time....It is more than just germs and being afraid of getting sick. It is the overall "ickyness" of some of these things.
I walk around my house all day in socks, and at the end of the day the bottoms of my socks are just as white as when I put them on.
But after a few minutes in a hotel room they are black.
Do I think I will get sick if I walk around the hotel room without socks? Of course not. I just find it to be gross. I mean, what exactly is it that is turning your socks black?
And I KNOW there are germs everywhere. I know they can't be avoided, and I am not a germaphobe. And I know that if I walk outside for any amount of time, my feet are going to turn black. But that is expected, because it is the outdoors. I do not expect my feet to turn black on carpet that is supposedely "clean".
Which is why I wear socks. I dont freak out and spray lysol everywhere or bring a steam cleaner with me on vacation. I simply put a pair of socks on, and them throw them in the dirty laundry when I am done wearing them.
I've come to the conclusion after reading this thread that there are three types of people:
1. People like me who get grossed out by the gunk strangers leave behind, and therefore try to avoid at least some of the gunk by doing things like wearing socks and pulling the comforter back.
2. People who have never thought about it until now, either because it really has never crossed their mind, or because they choose to block it out because they are on vacation.
3. Those who just don't care if they lay their face down on a comforter that for all they know could have had two sweaty naked people on it the day before doing only God knows what.:lol::hurl:

 

[Epcot82Guy]

wow...

First, there are several debates going on here. If glasses are used and not properly handled, that is a violation of either local health code and/or Florida statute, I guarantee you (if you really want me to, I will dig and find them). Therefore, if we are dealing with unrinsed, uncleaned glasses, that is a problem. However, while it is a little gross, understand that health codes do not meant to (and are not designed to) accomplish the germ reduction it seems many of you are seeking. For those of you who are purell toting, hand washing people (you know who you are, so no one need guess or disclose anything on this board), be careful with your kids. You are likely doing them a great disservice by engaging in many of these activities in their younger years. Our bodies were designed to fight nature. If we put them in a sterile environment, these weapons do not develop properly, and that can spell BIG problems down the road. Kids do and should get dirty, so just use moderation, again, noting that there are big differences between glasses cleaned and rinsed by bare hands in a sink and glasses just flipped over after use.

Second, this is clearly not a Disney only problem. This could have appeared in any hotel-related discussion. Disney does not pay that well, and even places that do (which are few for housekeeping) deal with issues like this. Keep in mind that increases in wages mean extra dollars on your credit cards. That is not meant to say unsanitary approaches are acceptable; I simply feel that people have to include all aspects of a debate. If you find it unacceptable, be ready to put your money where your mouth is (as I would guess 99% of people here would).

Third, while it is not an excuse, understand that management does deal with these problems on a daily basis. The expectation is that they deal with each problem appropriately. But, the reality is that Disney's pay does not afford the best right now. Therefore, while blood on the sheets should ilicit a strong response, he likely lumps it together with the other problems he saw. A mediocre teacher would likely not react so passionately to a child punching another child ina playground spat as would the parent of the children who have never dealt with fighting and their child before. Human nature, albeit nature that should be suspended in the hospitality industry IMHO.

I guess I will come clean (ha ha... funny pun) and admit that I am more of a germophile than a germophobe. This trend toward uber sanitization we have in our country is extremely scary. The biologist in me is really worried about what we are doing to both our children's immune systems and new strains of bacteria and viruses. If you don't believe in this, ask any botanist about what many of the hybrids have done to disease resistance in plant species. You may just ask for that dirty cup...

Sorry for the rant. I just find it scary sometimes how overboard our society has gotten. This is definitely a problem, but not quite to the level some see it IMHO (again, that means opinion).

I will end with a question... did anyone confirm that the guests had left the room for their stay? Not that it makes it better, but guests who are not checking out have fewer concerns about germ transmission that do guests who are coming in fresh. Just a thought.