Unsettling “security” checks.

[Tom P.]

The hotel just wants to change the idea that this is some space 'you' control for days on end.

For what purpose? You've said that the goal is neither to prevent the crime nor to catch the criminal. So why do hotels want to change that idea then?

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

For what purpose? You've said that the goal is neither to prevent the crime nor to catch the criminal. So why do hotels want to change that idea then?

I thought he said the hotel wanted to prevent the crime not catch it . Or maybe i read his post wrong

 

[flynnibus]

For what purpose? You've said that the goal is neither to prevent the crime nor to catch the criminal. So why do hotels want to change that idea then?

It's to establish domain. It's a deterrent to the idea that this becomes some space you control. It helps establish the idea that you can't just wall up and do whatever you want here. It's not 'YOUR' space. This helps combat the idea of someone setting up 'shop' because it's not a space they can really control anymore.

Sure it combats the over the top setups... but its more like establishing presence and setting the expectation that you can't just close the hotel out.

It's not a direct combatting of crime - it's similar to the idea of 'show of force' or police presence in an area. It's to project... not defend.

 

[Tom P.]

I thought he said the hotel wanted to prevent the crime not catch it . Or maybe i read his post wrong

No, unless it was a typo. He said:

But this 'prevent the crime' or 'catch the criminal' were never the points of such checks.

 

[flynnibus]

I thought he said the hotel wanted to prevent the crime not catch it . Or maybe i read his post wrong

More like... shoo them away and make yourself --not-- look like a warm host for the activity... instead of trying to play police yourself.

 

[RollerCoaster]

I love being of someone always keeping my area in tip top shape for me. I don't know why people are so opposed to housekeeping. It's a perk.. use it.

It's not a perk, you're paying for it. I love housekeeping too.

 

[flynnibus]

It's not a perk, you're paying for it. I love housekeeping too.

It's a perk of using a full service hotel. No need to split hairs. Just like some hotels offer beverages, food, etc without special line items on your bill. We all understand it's being paid for as part of our stay and its not charity. But its still a perk of using vendor A vs vendor B.

 

[RollerCoaster]

Over the years how many cases of meth labs, prostitution, child trafficking, weapons etc have been found in resort rooms to justify these "security checks"? Is this an excuse to make sure you don't have people in the room you have not payed for?

Meth labs in Disney hotel rooms. You're very naive.

 

[LAKid53]

For DVC, is this really true? Aren’t the folks who purchased as their home resort the owners? Can this be a difference justifying why for a hotel it may be okay but not okay for DVC properties?

It's a leasehold, according to my deed. Different than owning a home.

 

[LAKid53]

They knock, if the sign is on the door. And tell you they are "security". That's what they did during my visit a week ago. And every visit since the policy change started. They come in, take a look around, collect my trash, ask if I need anything and leave. They don't go through my belongings, open closets, dressers, etc. Just collect trash. In and out in under 5 minutes. I'm in the room 90% of the time when a CM checks.

Only if you don't answer after a reasonable time, will they enter the room. Engage both the deadbolt and the flip lock when in the room. However, if the flip lock is engaged and you don't answer, that's when real Disney security may show up.

While the change in policy may be attributed to the shooting in Las Vegas, it may also stem from the large number of guests who NEVER took the Do Not Disturb sign off their door their entire stay. Imagine what THAT room would look like after a week....

 

[Goofyernmost]

Why i always opt out of housekeeping and get $10 per nite of stay on a disney gift card.i empty my own trash put it by housekeeping cart..grab my towels and washcloths when i need to.so convenient

I suspect that opting out of housekeeping will not stop them from making random room checks. It's two different things. They may do the look around during housekeeping, but, that doesn't mean that they don't check things out without picking up your towels.

 

[tattykattav]

We were changing clothes for dinner my husband butt naked when two disney cast entered without knocking my husband the clown he is just stood there grinning but they DID go thru our backpack on hook by door and two Wal-Mart bags so they do go thru oh and they FORGOT the trash they said they were there For. We laughed at their embarrassment of my hubby so guess we're even lol
I did turn my nanny cam footage of their ransacking of it to HR and got a call and apology and told they were not to go thru our bags and will be reprimanded (spelling sorry)

 

[jloucks]

We were changing clothes for dinner my husband butt naked when two disney cast entered without knocking my husband the clown he is just stood there grinning but they DID go thru our backpack on hook by door and two Wal-Mart bags so they do go thru oh and they FORGOT the trash they said they were there For. We laughed at their embarrassment of my hubby so guess we're even lol
I did turn my nanny cam footage of their ransacking of it to HR and got a call and apology and told they were not to go thru our bags and will be reprimanded (spelling sorry)

Interesting.

I think I will do this the next time (if there is a next time) we go to WDW. I am curious what "security" is up to in my room. The camera part, not the nakid part. =P

Post a couple videos of security digging thru your bags on youtube and with enough publicity and some spin headlines, things might change.

*ominous music playing* *cue grainy dark footage of people rummaging around your room snoopin thru your stuff* Voicover: "Honeymoon couple shocked to find out strangers in their room while they are away? Shocking!? Yes! Legal, yes, if WDW has anything to say about it. How your right to privacy doesn't matter and more on channel 11 news at 9!"

 

[Silveroak]

Just wrapping up a split stay (Kidani/Poly) this week. Along the way we were notified at both resorts of the daily trash service that is really a security check (a search of your room and belongings for weapons)

This is no doubt in response to Las Vegas. I’m a realist and can understand the policy although it is security theatre at best. I’ve also been a bit put off at the level of absolute disregard for our privacy. There is still a placard on the door though now it says room occupied in lieu of do not disturb and let me tell you we were disturbed 4 out of six days. We are early risers and love the afternoon swim and nap before assessing the evening plans. Four times we were woken up by a cast member entering our room without permission through the room occupied sign. I should have prefaced this with the info that is passed on to guests stating if you put the sign out this then triggers housekeeping (yes housekeeping does the “security check” not actual security) to bypass your room and place a phone call to arrange their entry to complete the Security check. Our sign was put out every day and not one day were we called on the days we were away, they came in anyway. On the days we were there pleasantly slumbering and were awoken, we politely told them we don’t want the trash service and assured them all was ok; only to find our trash emptied later that night.

We have teen aged children who we allow to stay in the room at times and now we have to worry about a total stranger from housekeeping coming in weather we want them pet not.

This policy does not make me feel more secure, in fact, we have never felt less confident in our private space here in WDW than we did I this week.

Perhaps they should just search my vehicle and luggage upon arrival and leave my room alone. Those in charge of this ridiculous policy might also actually search the rooms and maybe just maybe rethink the newest cash grab that has come in the form of the start wars lightsaber and staff cases I’ve see every day that 100% could house an actual weapon.

 

[Silveroak]

There are also the people who bring their pets with them and leave them unattended in the rooms. Disney can’t protect against someone’s dog or cat chewing through the lamp cord. It costs too much money to be sleeping in the same bed as the previous occupants animals. If EVERYONE would follow the rules it would be cheaper, safer, and less invasive. But alas, everyone thinks they are special and entitled to things (since they have paid so much) so Disney has to step things up and EVERYONE pays.

 

[larryz]

We were changing clothes for dinner my husband butt naked when two disney cast entered without knocking my husband the clown he is just stood there grinning but they DID go thru our backpack on hook by door and two Wal-Mart bags so they do go thru oh and they FORGOT the trash they said they were there For. We laughed at their embarrassment of my hubby so guess we're even lol
I did turn my nanny cam footage of their ransacking of it to HR and got a call and apology and told they were not to go thru our bags and will be reprimanded (spelling sorry)

Oh, you have GOT to post that on YouTube and put a link here...

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

I'm sure Disney has uncovered plenty of meth labs...

And I get the human trafficking angle but I'd be willing to bet that the issue is so small that statistically it is non existent.

So they should stop doing it because it may only ever stop 1 person being trafficked ? Or may only uncover 1 more meth lab on property ?

 

[Disney.Mike]

So they should stop doing it because it may only ever stop 1 person being trafficked ? Or may only uncover 1 more meth lab on property ?

If one person has a heart attack because of obesity should the foods everyone eats be regulated?

At some point people will complain about the lack of privacy and the intrusion into personal space. Then Disney will either have to back off or double down.

That said, on my last 9 night trip I went back to the hotel for 2 days for a nap. One of these days they attempted to check the room but it never woke anyone up (the deadlock was latched) I only knew this because the lock was open like someone attempted to open the door.... so i'm not sure if they tried to wake us up or not really. Other than that, there were no clear indications they came into the room any other day. Like I said, I understand the reasoning behind this but I think its more for liability mitigation than actual effectiveness

 

[Tom P.]

So they should stop doing it because it may only ever stop 1 person being trafficked ? Or may only uncover 1 more meth lab on property ?

Yes.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

Ok lets do this, If someone gets a speeding ticket in a Mustang should Ford but a geo-sensing speed limiter in each car?
Or is this just some kind of virtue signaling from you? If it is, please offer some substance to justify the privacy intrusion on millions of people every year.

Where is this privacy intrusion ? If you read the terms and conditions of your contract with Disney (and an expanding number of hotel chains) there will be a section about this. If you are unhappy about these terms then don't stay at Disney. It is that simple.
There is a vocal minority that are shouting about their loss of freedoms. The sensible majority work with the hotel and have no bad experience.