Weird room check

[gottalovepluto]

They actually have everything to do with guns. Hotels (not just Disney) started doing daily room checks after the Las Vegas shooting a few years ago. They are making sure there isn't someone holed up with an arsenal in the room.

Yes but it was quickly expanded in the industry as a way to also keep an eye out for human trafficking.

 

[mwmom]

You are assuming that human trafficking only happens in seedy environments, where low amounts of money are exchanged. SADLY many involved in this are wealthy and a place like Disney provides all the cover that they need. Disney is often the first name that comes up in investigative reporting and discussions on the problem in Florida. It is an international location where thousands come and go daily. The transportation system makes it easy for an individual to travel to a hotel without a car and return to their family easily. These people will pay large amounts of money that would make a room price nothing.

Housekeeping staff can be trained to see all the red flags. One reason we had a huge issue with them is we trigger red flags. We are two or three adults registered in the room. BUT DS#1 is disabled so my room has children's books, hot wheels, plush, etc ... but no registered child. With the key system the hotel knows when you are in your room. They could easily always do room checks when empty, but too often they insist on seeing the room while guests are inside. That is likely because they want eyes on the guests.

A room check can see children's items or clothing but no child is registered to the room. Another trigger would be certain types of small clothing inappropriate for a child. Certain personal toiletry items. Actually having very few suitcases or personal items. Computers, pagers, card swiping equipment. Excessive amounts of alcohol. Any adult paraphernalia. Refusing cleaning and Do Not Disturb Signs.

Disney continuing to do these checks has likely kept the resort less susceptible to the activity. The worse PR for Disney would be for them part of any story.

Good explanation. I have been wondering what they were looking for during the checks. Makes sense and I don’t mind them at all if it keeps kids safe.

 

[GoingSince1990]

At the very least Disney could try to be a bit smarter about how to utilize and prioritize their limited security resources. How likely is it, for example, that a family who bought into DVC 10 years ago, have been coming every year ever since, and are currently staying in a villa with Grandma in tow, are plotting a terrorist massacre or are engaged in human trafficking?

 

[Nursemanit]

They actually have everything to do with guns. Hotels (not just Disney) started doing daily room checks after the Las Vegas shooting a few years ago. They are making sure there isn't someone holed up with an arsenal in the room.

As my post clearly says - guns can be in suitcases - so it is not about guns -They can not open or search your bags. You are confusing the excuses given for the reason.

 

[LYSE]

As my post clearly says - guns can be in suitcases - so it is not about guns -They can not open or search your bags. You are confusing the excuses given for the reason.

I have a short barreled rifle with a folding stock that fits nicely in my diaper bag/back pack.

I once had a co worker learn that our manager was a big gun guy with 20-30 guns, his first comment was about how he didn't see any when he came to a team barbecue at his house...

 

[dieumeye]

I’ve got a general question about room checks: what staff members are doing room checks? Is it regular housekeeping staff or a different group?

 

[Goofy4]

At the very least Disney could try to be a bit smarter about how to utilize and prioritize their limited security resources. How likely is it, for example, that a family who bought into DVC 10 years ago, have been coming every year ever since, and are currently staying in a villa with Grandma in tow, are plotting a terrorist massacre or are engaged in human trafficking?

I'm with you, but then they would be profiling for those to not check. Thus, everyone gets their 15 second stamp of approval.

 

[pens4821]

I’ve got a general question about room checks: what staff members are doing room checks? Is it regular housekeeping staff or a different group?

I’m curious about this too. I always assumed it was more security than housekeeping. But many people in this thread making comments about them taking the trash (or wanting them to) is making me double think what I thought. I would never think at all of them taking the trash out.

We’ve been to Disney at least twice (maybe three times) since they started doing this and only encountered them once. It was this last trip. He knocked, I opened the door. Said he was there for a room check if that would be ok. I said yes. He asked me to close the door, then he used his key to enter. I honestly didn’t pay attention to what he did and don’t remember. I don’t even remember if he went towards the bathroom of not but he was in and out quickly.

 

[LYSE]

I’m curious about this too. I always assumed it was more security than housekeeping. But many people in this thread making comments about them taking the trash (or wanting them to) is making me double think what I thought. I would never think at all of them taking the trash out.

We’ve been to Disney at least twice (maybe three times) since they started doing this and only encountered them once. It was this last trip. He knocked, I opened the door. Said he was there for a room check if that would be ok. I said yes. He asked me to close the door, then he used his key to enter. I honestly didn’t pay attention to what he did and don’t remember. I don’t even remember if he went towards the bathroom of not but he was in and out quickly.

If the room gets serviced it counts as your check, daily trash service came with the checks since they might as well do something while there but if housekeeping wasn't able to do it they send someone up to do it specifically, not sure who those people work for but they have always taken the trash with them when requested.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I’ve got a general question about room checks: what staff members are doing room checks? Is it regular housekeeping staff or a different group?

I think it's housekeeping. I watched a video from a former Disney College Program participant that was placed in housekeeping at Port Orleans Riverside and did room checks. But this is only one person's account and I don't know how accurate that really is. Disney could've just placed her in that role since they had no one else to do the checks.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I think it's housekeeping. I watched a video from a former Disney College Program participant that was placed in housekeeping at Port Orleans Riverside and did room checks. But this is only one person's account and I don't know how accurate that really is. Disney could've just placed her in that role since they had no one else to do the checks.

Wow. Checking for weapons, evidence of drugs being used or manufactured, and human trafficking taking place, is quite a responsibility to place on the shoulders of a college program participant.

 

[hildarumpole]

I see the “checking for human trafficking” theory quite regularly, but I would be amazed if human traffickers would pay WDW hotel prices while traveling with their victims when there are lots of vastly cheaper motels not far away. And even if the kidnappers did want to treat their captives to a WDW resort stay for some reason, what would the CM be looking for to identify suspected human trafficking? Adults whose race seems to be different from the kids who are with them? I guarantee Disney is not going to open that can of worms.

Years ago, just prior to Disney instituting room checks there was a news story asking for the public's help in identifying a young girl, aged 9-10 who was featured in photos and videos on porn sites with various men in different locations. They showed a photo of them in a Disney resort room, I believe CBR. I don't know if she was ever identified and found, but it was a real wake up call. Victims of human trafficking can sue hotels where they are abused in FL, so between that concern and the horror of exploitation happening in a family-oriented vacation destination, Disney had to step up security. Personally, the checks don't bother me, especially since it's for a greater good.

 

[nursejackie]

After all my stays over the years I have never heard of or experienced a room check. Next week it's just me and a tween so I won't be answering the door to anyone at CSR.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’ve got a general question about room checks: what staff members are doing room checks? Is it regular housekeeping staff or a different group?

Always been housekeeping when I’ve run into it.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Wow. Checking for weapons, evidence of drugs being used or manufactured, and human trafficking taking place, is quite a responsibility to place on the shoulders of a college program participant.

Shows you how seriously the company takes these checks…

 

[dieumeye]

Shows you how seriously the company takes these checks…

I get what you’re saying, but I think a person in college is capable of receiving basic instruction on signs of human trafficking, drugs, and weapons, and then visiting rooms with, say, a checklist of things to check or look for.

A precautionary check doesn’t require the skills of a CIA operative or FBI special investigator. Although I hope that if any of the front line people thought they had seen something suspicious, a more skilled person would be available to follow up to make a more thorough and informed assessment.

What’s weird to me though is putting those duties on housekeeping. Those employees were already hired do a job, and the security thing seems like a whole other job on top of that. That’s why I wondered if it was housekeeping or additional security staff performing these checks.

 

[_19disnA]

We have never had anyone from Disney do a room check while we were in the room. We are mostly at the parks during the day so I have to assume if they checked our room it was at that time. Honestly, part of security is you don't advertise your procedures and/or exactly what you are looking for. Doing so simply helps those with bad intentions makes plans on ways to avoid the security. None of use really know what Disney is looking for, but I see lots of speculating about what they are/aren't looking for. I am glad they take some measures to make guests feel safer. Any experienced traveler knows to latch their door from the inside so someone from the staff isn't able to walk into your room unannounced if you happen to be in the shower or sitting on the balcony. That is something good to do regardless of where you are staying on vacation.

 

[Narcoossee11]

After all my stays over the years I have never heard of or experienced a room check. Next week it's just me and a tween so I won't be answering the door to anyone at CSR.

Your room has been checked when you were out at parks.
Flip your security hook so they don't enter. They will call you so you can let them in.
OR they will pound on door like above comments

 

[meliscan]

I have had my room checked in other cities. I don't like to let people in my room once I have checked in. (I clean the room and I don't want them touching my stuff or walking off with my electronics). I have noticed it in the larger cities, Las Vegas , New York and Chicago. It has slowed down in recent years from what I can tell.

 

[_19disnA]

When you stay at any hotel you are there as a guest on their private property. If you refuse to let the staff have access to your room is likely something to raise concerns.