An open letter to Disney about mandatory room checks.

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Ninja Mom

I have felt similar concerns. You should have been in the room when I first learned how many points it would take to stay a night at the Poly Bungalows. My eyes popped out. Combine that with what DVC is getting to purchase into the program (last I heard was $220/vacation point) and you are left concluding DVC is only for the Uber rich. We have two contracts for our membership but nothing we have will allow us to stay at the Poly Bungalows realistically. So, we have written that option off the boards.

I concur totally that money is now the priority. Disney stock in the last few years has traded in a band between about $90 and $120 a share. Five years ago it was at around $65 a share. I guess a doubling of the stock isn’t good enough or the Star Wars/Toy Story building is sucking more money than anticipated. In the past the philosophy was to give people an excellent family oriented entertainment experience and the money would take of itself. Build it and they would come. And boy did they. But I feel those days are over.

My challenge to anyone here who might feel the same way and has concerns about the subject of this thread to contact Disney management and share your concerns. I used to have a phone number for Disney Executive Offices but as has been the case for most contacts they have changed.

The WDW.GUEST.COMMUNICATIONS@DISNEYWORLD.COM email address is current as Ninja Mom provided.

I appreciate knowing that while I screwed up on that dang 4th amendment argument you guys still have my back. I felt it was a risk but I felt it was the right thing to do.

I still think getting the word out is good too. A friend of mine suggested and quite seriously to contact CBS’s 60 Minutes and share the letter minus the 4th amendment argument. While the traditional media has received the massive Disney public relations info about this, I doubt they have heard from “the other side”. As you know I am apt to write a book on the subject. Anyone want to help me create a submission to 60 Minutes?
 
Because this topic is Disney related.



Actually this is a discussion board set up to discuss ALL things Disney. Good, bad, or otherwise.



I have read every post from @Ninja Mom in this thread and have not seen her trying to change anyone's beliefs.

obviously we see things different, but I will refrain from disagreeing or I will get threatened with a timeout. Good day.
 
I don't have the motivation to read all of the posts, but as someone who deals with the 4th amendment every day, I don't see it applying here because the government / police aren't conducting these checks. I see Disney's point in wanting to have eyes (trained or not) on every room every day. The people that are staying there are at most lodgers in a hotel and have limited privacy because guests know that other people including housekeeping and hotel staff have a key to get into the room and could theoretically enter at any time. Just like every new policy, I'm sure that the staff are trying to adhere to it and guests at times are getting their feathers ruffled.

I still choose to stay at Disney, but being in the policing field I also realize how vulnerable Disney could be because it is a huge tourist destination. That being said, if someone really wants to hide weapons in a room or in a car, they could probably do so. Disney just wants to be able to point to the fact that they are making a reasonable effort protecting its customers.

Look at Las Vegas, which is probably why this all started. People were immediately suing the hotel because a person brought in a bunch of guns and started shooting out the window. How was this hotel's fault? Somehow despite it not being the hotel's fault, they will settle. Disney recognizes that liability now and that fact that if something bad happens, nobody will want to come there and profits will be down. They have to keep the happy bubble that is Disney World, the happiest place on Earth, even if it is just an illusion.

My favorite quote that was driven into my head in the academy by George Orwell is this, "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." And that is what the police are doing everywhere, but especially at Disney World....the ones you see and the ones behind the scenes.
 
Look at Las Vegas, which is probably why this all started. People were immediately suing the hotel because a person brought in a bunch of guns and started shooting out the window. How was this hotel's fault? Somehow despite it not being the hotel's fault, they will settle. Disney recognizes that liability now and that fact that if something bad happens, nobody will want to come there and profits will be down. They have to keep the happy bubble that is Disney World, the happiest place on Earth, even if it is just an illusion.

If one person checking into a hotel resort alone (whether a Disney Hotel or not) .........hauls in 12 large pieces of luggage......I would certainly hope it raises an eyebrow. Even before the Vegas shooting occurred. :smooth:

People and employees are so busy, even the obvious can sneak right past them:rolleyes1
 


I still think getting the word out is good too. A friend of mine suggested and quite seriously to contact CBS’s 60 Minutes and share the letter minus the 4th amendment argument. While the traditional media has received the massive Disney public relations info about this, I doubt they have heard from “the other side”. As you know I am apt to write a book on the subject. Anyone want to help me create a submission to 60 Minutes?

Three60guy, I think you have the best of intentions......but that could so blow up it in your face.

I even agree with some of your concerns, even though I would rather be safe than entirely comfortable.

BUT........I can see it now....." Look how the Massive World of Disney and it's famous Mouse have decided to get in front of the problem of threats or possible violence whether they be by foreign or domestic sources....tonight on this episode of 60 minutes."


No one likes change....Disney has huge kinks to smooth out on this new policy.....and the real problem (IMO) is that many vacationers are most upset because they don't want to be the guinea pig that Disney "tries this out on".

I sympathize with them on this. Unfortunately I have to possibly experience this next month.. I guess we will see
 
So, is the only option to leave? Like one person said, we don't want to leave. All we want is to enjoy it like we were sold in the first place.

The only option for you may be to leave. You aren't going to enjoy it like you were sold in the first place. Things have changed and it isn't going back to how you envisioned it. It maybe time to move on. If you do not enjoy it, it isn't right for you anymore.

60 Minutes-don't listen to whoever told you that.
 
I think, no matter how it is worded, any sort of outcry to a news outlet will come off sounding like "my ability to take a nap in peace is more important than the safety off all of the guests" even if that is not what is meant. And may indeed have the opposite effect and end up showcasing the lack of checking at most resorts, thus increasing the number of resorts that end up doing room checks.
 


Look at Las Vegas, which is probably why this all started. People were immediately suing the hotel because a person brought in a bunch of guns and started shooting out the window. How was this hotel's fault? Somehow despite it not being the hotel's fault, they will settle.
It annoyed me that that happened TBH.

I feel like general public probably sees settlement and goes for acceptance of blame whereas in enough cases it's simply not to drag their name through the mud. Some things are settled in court long before what actually happened is fully fettered out.
 
I have been thinking about what Disney has been doing the past few months. If you think about it they have done things which should have the effect of reducing attendance at Walt Disney World. Supply and Demand. Who wants to pay $40/day to park at the parks or pay for nightly parking at their resort?

Where in the world did this come from? Theme park parking is $22, not $40.
 
The ratio of useful/on-topic discussion to generic ranting and chatting about everything from guns to dog poop is not good, guys. Can we talk about what the OP wanted to talk about, please? Otherwise, there's not much point in keeping the thread open.

An internet thread went off topic? Say it ain't so! ;) Although this did give me an idea. I'm going to train service dogs to alert people when room service comes in unannounced. That would solve several problems at once.

I knew I had some entrepreneurial motivation somewhere....
 
I think it's important to put perspective on some of the reports. Not doubting what did or didn't happen. The most egregious reports were back in January when the policy was brand-new and (quite obviously) hadn't been rolled out with training or standard processes. There have been very few negative reports more recently, other than instances where a nap was interrupted by a knock. Mistakes were made but it does seem as though they are getting it better now.

Sorry, I'm not convinced your opinion is accurate.
 
The world knows about the policy. It was announced on the Disney Parks blog, it was covered by all of the major Disney travel fan sites, and it was discussed on this and other Disney fan message boards, on Facebook Disney fan pages, and other social media. It even made it into the travel press and mainstream media. It's been out there for several months.

I'm pretty confident the large majority of people checking in for their vacations have no clue about this policy.
 
Dear OP, if you're going to take additional time to reach out further to Disney or news outlet, then I suggest that you take some time to research reports about trafficking through Orlando. It's reasonable to consider that this matter is related to the "room searches." If so, then any argument needs to consider this in addition to any room search discussion relating to terrorism or fire arms. Thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts. I do think it's important to continue to share significant concerns- whatever they may be.
 
I don't have the motivation to read all of the posts, but as someone who deals with the 4th amendment every day, I don't see it applying here because the government / police aren't conducting these checks. I see Disney's point in wanting to have eyes (trained or not) on every room every day. The people that are staying there are at most lodgers in a hotel and have limited privacy because guests know that other people including housekeeping and hotel staff have a key to get into the room and could theoretically enter at any time. Just like every new policy, I'm sure that the staff are trying to adhere to it and guests at times are getting their feathers ruffled.

I still choose to stay at Disney, but being in the policing field I also realize how vulnerable Disney could be because it is a huge tourist destination. That being said, if someone really wants to hide weapons in a room or in a car, they could probably do so. Disney just wants to be able to point to the fact that they are making a reasonable effort protecting its customers.

Look at Las Vegas, which is probably why this all started. People were immediately suing the hotel because a person brought in a bunch of guns and started shooting out the window. How was this hotel's fault? Somehow despite it not being the hotel's fault, they will settle. Disney recognizes that liability now and that fact that if something bad happens, nobody will want to come there and profits will be down. They have to keep the happy bubble that is Disney World, the happiest place on Earth, even if it is just an illusion.

My favorite quote that was driven into my head in the academy by George Orwell is this, "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." And that is what the police are doing everywhere, but especially at Disney World....the ones you see and the ones behind the scenes.

I think Disney is putting more of a burden on themselves. Let's say someone does bring in a bunch of guns and kills people. Won't all of the lawyers be claiming that Disney should have seen that? After all they are going into everyone's rooms every day specifically to look for that. I would be more worried about missing something then saying "how could we have known".
 
Well Preferred parking is $45 now but it was $40 before the increase. That's probably what the OP is referring to.

Fair enough. The OP posed the question “Who wants to pay $40 for parking at the parks or pay to park at their resort?” The way that was phrased made it sound like people have no choice but to pay $40 to park at the parks (because they actually don’t have a choice as to whether or not they pay to park at the resorts).

There are, apparently, people who want to pay $40 to park at the parks...because they have the option to pay $22.
 
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