Discomforting “security checks”

scout68

We dig the Duck
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
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.
 
Well, you are posting this around a few boards aren’t you. Short answer here, you can read the longer on another. The big issue for hotels, especially Disney, is human trafficking especially kids. They are looking for that so searching cars and luggage wouldn’t necessarily address that. They will search when they want because warnings would only alert the perp. The stranger from housekeeping or security is a Disney employee so no real concerns there.
 
Well, you are posting this around a few boards aren’t you. Short answer here, you can read the longer on another. The big issue for hotels, especially Disney, is human trafficking especially kids. They are looking for that so searching cars and luggage wouldn’t necessarily address that. They will search when they want because warnings would only alert the perp. The stranger from housekeeping or security is a Disney employee so no real concerns there.
I’ve posted in two places. So yes, I guess you could say “around”. It’s a weird way to open your rebuttal. I’ve been a member of both for a long long time. As for human trafficking; you’re misinformed. We we were informed at both resorts that it a measure installed in direct response to Las Vegas. Human trafficking is a horrible situation and should be addressed at every turn. I don’t see how a garbage check would uncover a traffic ring at a $700.00 a night resort. Being woken from a nap in the middle of the day in a private space you have rented does not make one feel more safe. Quite the opposite.
 
We haven't had any issues with the checks and we're late risers and usually in the room until close to noon, BUT I have read quite a few posts of those who were in the same situation as you. We were on our honeymoon so maybe we were given a wide berth.

Unfortunately, it is a sign of the times and there's not a ton that can be done about it because the company policy is what the company policy is. Although, there may be a few things that you can do on your next stay that may make the afternoon nap easier:
  • Speak with the hotel manager and ask them what they recommend. They will know the staff policy best and maybe some insight might make the whole process better for you. Or at least help you make decisions based on the policy.
  • Don't leave the 'Room Occupied' sign on the door all day. It helps staff know when you will be in the room and when you're not. If the sign is out at 8a and still out at 2p, they won't be able to tell for sure if you're in the room or not. ( Not that this was your experience - just a tip for all )
  • If you see someone from housekeeping in the hall as you are going to nap, let them know with an approximate time you will be out of the room. We actually had a housekeeper at AKL ask us as we were walking back to our room how long we would be in the room. We gave her a general idea ( we were just stopping back in the room from breakfast to grab something we forgot ) and she noted it.
In your case, I'd certainly let Disney know once you are home about the experience. They can't make improvements if travelers don't speak out.
 


In Paris they search all luggage of Disney hotel guests when they checkin so don’t be surprised if it ever comes to wdw
 
We are rope droppers and ‘survived’ EEMH recently. Our room at AKL was always cleaned when we returned to the resort for a nap around 3ish. We put the room occupied sign up and were not disturbed.
I can empathise with the OPs concerns in that I would not want someone to enter the room without knocking when I was showering etc. It may give them a shock if not me 😉. I noticed that the turn down service only knocked when the room occupied sign was not displayed.
At UOR HRH the doors still have safety bars and internal locks. Perhaps that is a better option is safety is a concern?
 
We haven't had any issues with the checks and we're late risers and usually in the room until close to noon, BUT I have read quite a few posts of those who were in the same situation as you. We were on our honeymoon so maybe we were given a wide berth.

Unfortunately, it is a sign of the times and there's not a ton that can be done about it because the company policy is what the company policy is. Although, there may be a few things that you can do on your next stay that may make the afternoon nap easier:
  • Speak with the hotel manager and ask them what they recommend. They will know the staff policy best and maybe some insight might make the whole process better for you. Or at least help you make decisions based on the policy.
  • Don't leave the 'Room Occupied' sign on the door all day. It helps staff know when you will be in the room and when you're not. If the sign is out at 8a and still out at 2p, they won't be able to tell for sure if you're in the room or not. ( Not that this was your experience - just a tip for all )
  • If you see someone from housekeeping in the hall as you are going to nap, let them know with an approximate time you will be out of the room. We actually had a housekeeper at AKL ask us as we were walking back to our room how long we would be in the room. We gave her a general idea ( we were just stopping back in the room from breakfast to grab something we forgot ) and she noted it.
In your case, I'd certainly let Disney know once you are home about the experience. They can't make improvements if travelers don't speak out.
A refreshing, well measured and thoughtful response; thank you. We plan on the same tone and tenor with our reach out to the powers that be. I guess I’d be a bit more tolerant if it were a true and realistic saftey endeavor. Not housekeeping emptying garbage as fast as possible. (Yes. I observed).
 


As you said, it’s not a “do not disturb” sign.

Also, pretty surprised by the number of people who don’t use the door latch.
Actually I said it was a “room occupied” sign and not a do not disturb. (Not intended to be snarky). ...and 2 of the 4 times we were disturbed it was the very distinctive sound of the door latch catching only to have to open the door half awake to housekeeping/cast member/security looking to get into my room.

I’m just a bit frustrated at the fact that I pay absolute top dollar for a resort and can’t peacefully sleep in the afternoon. Seem crazy to be feeling like a sh*t for saying that but that’s exactly what it is. 4,5,6 hundred dollars a day and you can’t be left alone?

Frustrating.
 
That would irritate the heck out of me, too. Especially, as you said, for the amount of money being paid to stay there. I agree with a previous poster that you should express your thoughts to management--everyone will benefit from your feedback.
 
We had it happen only once at Yacht Club. I invited them in and laid back down in the bed. They didn't stick around lol. Honestly though, Disney is up front about the room checks so it didn't bother us. What we did do one afternoon is told the concierge at the desk we would be showering before dinner to please not send someone in and no one came by.
 
We stayed at Disney earlier this year and had none of those issues. Use the deadbolt when in your room and then no one will be able to enter unannounced. We never saw anyone from security and housekeeping made up out room daily when we were out of the room. The nature of security precautions in today's world is that businesses aren't going to disclose their specific security measures for a lot of good reasons.

When staying at any hotel, don't leave cash or things of obvious value laying around in the open when not in the room. Leave those things in the room safe, carry them with you or leave them at home. Then you don't have to worry about housekeeping (or anyone else from the staff) entering your room when you aren't there.
 
Actually I said it was a “room occupied” sign and not a do not disturb. (Not intended to be snarky). ...and 2 of the 4 times we were disturbed it was the very distinctive sound of the door latch catching only to have to open the door half awake to housekeeping/cast member/security looking to get into my room.

I’m just a bit frustrated at the fact that I pay absolute top dollar for a resort and can’t peacefully sleep in the afternoon. Seem crazy to be feeling like a sh*t for saying that but that’s exactly what it is. 4,5,6 hundred dollars a day and you can’t be left alone?

Frustrating.

It doesn't sound like you read the room occupied sign. It does state something to the effect that having the sign up does not keep them from knocking.
 
This started shortly after Vegas and should not have been a surprise. It’s now been part of two of my February trips. (As in 2018 and 2019)

a search of your room and belongings for weapons

No one is searching your belongings. They are barely looking at your room.


Four times we were woken up by a cast member entering our room without permission through the room occupied sign.

Entering your room is different than what you posted later.

After the *first* time, when you went to the front desk to discuss scheduling housekeeping, what did they say?

In Paris they search all luggage of Disney hotel guests when they checkin so don’t be surprised if it ever comes to wdw

I don’t know what the set up there is like, but Wdw is open to the outside world. At what point would they search luggage?
 
It doesn't sound like you read the room occupied sign. It does state something to the effect that having the sign up does not keep them from knocking.
My displeasure IS the knocking, the disturbance, the fact that the door was opened again after our bringing the original disturbance to the attention of the desk. I’m on vacation. I live a life of regular disturbances and look forward to those few moments where I will be left in peace. Maybe your vacation goals are different. I wouldn’t judge you if they were. I think entering people’s rooms to put on a theatrical show of security is not a fair trade for the loss of privacy. It’s an opinion and I get that. I would wager someone who had nefarious ideas would have little to no problem disguising them to circumvent the new security checks. So what is it really accomplishing? Someone could just as easily hide anything they want in their vehicle, be it a truck or one of the many campers and trailers that I spotted during this trip. Those aren’t so muched as glanced at never mind searched.
 
This started shortly after Vegas and should not have been a surprise. It’s now been part of two of my February trips. (As in 2018 and 2019)



No one is searching your belongings. They are barely looking at your room.




Entering your room is different than what you posted later.

After the *first* time, when you went to the front desk to discuss scheduling housekeeping, what did they say?



I don’t know what the set up there is like, but Wdw is open to the outside world. At what point would they search luggage?
How are you so confident that your belongings aren’t being look at? I’m no tinfoil hat wearer but I would hope they are searching the room renters belongings. That would be thorough security. It would be naïve and extremely irresponsible to think something that would be an offense to have in a person’s room that is intending to do harm would be left on the bed or laying on the table, no?
 
It doesn't sound like you read the room occupied sign. It does state something to the effect that having the sign up does not keep them from knocking.

If the sign being hung on the outside of one’s door doesn’t keep you from being disturbed then what exactly is the sign for? To stop them from just entering? If that’s the case then you’d need to have it hung around the clock to have any semblance of what should be assumed and privacy.
 
But, if you have health issues & are taking a nap, getting scared awake (by the knocking) can have devastating effects. Some aren't concerned about this, but for those of us who have the issues, it really ruins the whole trip.
Its not going away..I just can't see how anything like this ruins the whole trip...If you use housekeeping.....there is no security check. If you stay in Moderate or value and decline housekeeping...you get security. Either way..its expected so have to go knowing its coming.
 

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