After reading the post about being robbed at Disney..

[ShellyLynn3630]

I got to thinking and was wondering just why are there people at the resorts lurking around if they are not staying there or legitimately visiting it to eat or shop.

 

[vicki_c]

Because the resorts are open to the public.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think you can say for sure there are many people lurking about. And I don't know how you could figure out who was lurking, and who was there for a meal, or to meet up with friends, or to shop. You could call all of those activities lurking about as well.

I also don't think there is any way Disney can prevent every crime. We just all have to be aware that we can't totally let our guard down, even at WDW. Don't leave your purse/camera bag/diaper bag anywhere out of your sight. Don't bring a bunch of valuables with you on vacation, and then not lock them up in your safe, or at least lock them in your suitcase. Bad people are everywhere, unfortunately.

 

[DebbieB]

The thing that is crazy about Disney security is if you arrive at a resort in a car and don't have a WDW permit, they screen you at the gate and take down your license #. If you get on a bus at Downtown Disney, there is no screening.

 

[woodkins]

I got to thinking and was wondering just why are there people at the resorts lurking around if they are not staying there or legitimately visiting it to eat or shop.

How do you know it was not a person who was staying at the resort

I read the "robbed" thread and it could have been anyone who took a camera bag/purse that was left unattended in a scooter that was parked outside a room. Could have been a teenager playing a prank, or thinking it was funny, another hotel guest, a resort employee etc. There is no way to know. Not all guests are WDW are upstanding citizens.

 

[scanne]

When we were at WL last week, I saw two men putting those pizza brochures under the doors in the hotel. We had walked out of our room to the elevator and they were just walking up and down the hall putting the flyers under the doors. I saw a security guard in the hall, so I hoped that he stopped the guys. In all honesty, they gave me the creeps, like they were looking for a room left open or something. I mean, maybe they were just advertising for their business, but I just got that creeped out feeling....glad I saw a security guard patrolling the halls....

 

[brenbrady]

When we first started going to Walt Disney World and for quite a few years after we always had to show our card to get on the buses and on the Monarail at the Polynesian, I don't know when that stopped, I just remember being surprised one year when we came and you could get on the transportation with no problem. In fact I've heard people staying off the park using the transportation and pools without anyone questing them. Maybe they should tighten up security.

 

[woodkins]

Disney "security" measures that are in place are simply showing your license and or KTTW. Almost any felon in the United States is able to get a drivers license, so yes WDW security will have a record of that individual being on property that is the extent of their security.

Showing a room key would not make me feel any more or less safe. All that shows is that you paid for a room on property, something that any unsavory character can do. A child molestor, drunk driver, petty thief, rapist or armed robber all can show a license or photo id to visit a resort and can reserve and pay for a room on WDW property.

There are no background checks in order for people to visit a vacation resort, WDW included. People need to remember that although WDW is the happiest and most magical place for many of us it is still the "real world" with all kinds of people in it, some nice and some not quite so much.

 

[Tara922c]

Who is to say the person who stole the bag was not staying at the resort? All types of people steal, and just because they paid to stay at a Disney resort, doesn't mean they do not ever steal. Example, I was talking to a now ex-coworker about disney, she goes at least once a year. She told me about this wonderful underwater digital camera she has, and then went on that she got it for free because she found it at the bottom of the lazy river at Typhon Lagoon. To me, that is the same thing as stealing. Another example, about a year ago we had a charge for 1000 bucks from Disney World. It was made at one of the resort gift shops. We had to fight that charge for months! (disney doesn't give back money too easily!) My point is you can't trust someone simply because they can afford to go to disney, and stay on disney property. We have to remember that even at Disney, we have to keep an eye on our valuables.

 

[Captain's Wife]

I got to thinking and was wondering just why are there people at the resorts lurking around if they are not staying there or legitimately visiting it to eat or shop.

Well, for one thing, they're delivering pizza flyers. Please, if you see this happening, report it. They are NOT supposed to be there, but WDW is a HUGE piece of property, and it is very hard for them to catch up to these guys.

And, as has been said, be careful, be careful, be careful.

 

[Tim in CA]

Wow. Are you really ignorant enough to equate a drunk driver with a rapist or felon? I hope you realize that every single day cops and JUDGES are arrested for DUI. LOL. Think about how you sound.

Sorry, I don't find it a problem equating someone who breaks the law and risks my family's life by driving drunk with any of the other rule breakers that they listed... all are scum... all have the potential to ruin a family's life... all could be cops and JUDGES as you pointed out as well... and unfortunately, all can still be present at WDW. If you don't see a problem with someone driving drunk, I think that's a bigger problem than someone thinking it is a problem equating a drunk driver with "real" criminals....

.... but I digress....

My parents have a place about 45 minutes from WDW, and many of the people that stay in the parks will often times take a day trip to Disney to enjoy the fabulous properties that are there, lounge by the pools, etc. None of them see the problem in it, some even consider it a joke. If a bunch of retirees are able to "crack" security to use a pool... thieves can do the same.

One thing to remember is that most security at Disney is there just for show and to give people the illusion that they are safer than they really are. The "bag checks" when we go into the parks? If Disney was truly serious about keeping guests safe, they'd install metal detectors like many theme parks do... but that would scare the guests, so instead we'll have a show of security to make people "feel" they are happy.

There are a ton of cameras around property, there isn't a place the public can go where they aren't in view of someone, which is a nice thing to have to keep people safe, but unfortunately I think far too many people are lulled into a false sense of security since they are at the "happiest place on earth".... nothing bad can happen there, right?

Tim

 

[bumbershoot]

I got to thinking and was wondering just why are there people at the resorts lurking around if they are not staying there or legitimately visiting it to eat or shop.

If you were a criminally-minded person living in Orlando, where would *you* go for your "work"?



Some people were asking how people knew if the thief was from offsite...the OP said "the prime suspect is NOT a cast member or guest".

 

[hollywoodpc]

The person was just trying to say that anyone can get in . It was not a post to equate them . And Disney Security is very meaningless on this kind of thing . The Front Desk people try to give you warm fuzzies by saying these pizza folks are not allowed but , security is not interested in this . Disney Security is there to make you feel better . They ask few questions of anyone and go about their business which is little more than making a showing . Have you ever paid attention to the screenings they do going into a park ? Tell them a story about having a tampon in a compartment of what you are carrying and ask , do I really have to show that ? . Most times they will say it is ok . You can pass . They have to be there to make the guests feel safe . If you feel safe , they have done what is asked of them . That is just an example of a story you can say . Come and enjoy your stay but , understand that the security you can see is not the real security there . What you see is for looks . If you feel a crime has been committed or is being committed , dial 911 . Now try to loosen up a bit and have some fun . This thread is very heavy .

 

[Junebugwv]

I would be suspicious of anyone who would steal someone's place before a parade. He/she would be capable of anything. Sticky feet......sticky fingers.

 

[Brian Noble]

Disney "security" measures that are in place are simply showing your license and or KTTW. Almost any felon in the United States is able to get a drivers license, so yes WDW security will have a record of that individual being on property that is the extent of their security.

They don't even do that. When visiting resorts for meals, I am asked to show ID, but unless the guard has a camera hidden in his hat, he's not recording the information anywhere.

You simply cannot expect any place to be 100% safe, and you should always take reasonable precautions with anything you'd be sad to lose.

 

[woodkins]

Wow. Are you really ignorant enough to equate a drunk driver with a rapist or felon? I hope you realize that every single day cops and JUDGES are arrested for DUI. LOL. Think about how you sound.

I wasn't comparing the severity of their crimes, just explaining that people from all walks of life and all varieties of criminals can visit WDW (although most drunk driving convictions are felonies, and many drunk drivers are murderers which I find just as horrendous a crime as a rapist-but that is my personal opinion).

And yes, every single day cops and judges are arrested for DUI AS WELL AS Rape and a wide variety of felonies. A person's chosen profession does not always reflect their character. Just last week an off duty police officer in our area was arrested for a violent rape of a jogger in a public park.

I am neither ignorant or naieve & I believe I sounded very clear in my explaination that ALL types of criminals and characters from ALL professions and walks of life are free to visit WDW resort which is why I urged people to use the same precautions at WDW that they would use in their everyday life. I think you should take your own advice and think of how you sound

 

[DisneyBride'03]

And yes, every single day cops and judges are arrested for DUI AS WELL AS Rape and a wide variety of felonies. A person's chosen profession does not always reflect their character. Just last week an off duty police officer in our area was arrested for a violent rape of a jogger in a public park.

I thought cops and judges undergo some kind of screening to determine their mind set and character...? Some judges are elected....Yes, there have been people in the capacity of law enforcement that have broken the law....but every single day
..cops and judges are arrested....for a wide variety of felonies....???Really...?

 

[rockydek]

In June...I saw a young family take about 40 pool towels to their room. They were trying to walk very fast to their room. A woman and two men about 30 years old. They saw me look and they all made an attempt to turn sideways to hide them.

Also ...at Kidani in June every night we were out after 11 pm as soon as we got in our room a pizza delivery brochure came under our door within 5 minutes...I swear this person was waiting for the late bus to arrive.

 

[woodkins]

I thought cops and judges undergo some kind of screening to determine their mind set and character...? Some judges are elected....Yes, there have been people in the capacity of law enforcement that have broken the law....but every single day
..cops and judges are arrested....for a wide variety of felonies....???Really...?

Get a job in the DA's office, you would be SHOCKED at how common it is..literally every day. Mostly drinking and driving, drug crimes and domestic violence but yes, nearly every day. I am also in NYC area so large population of law enforcement related population work and live in my area.

 

[LilyWDW]

I thought cops and judges undergo some kind of screening to determine their mind set and character...? Some judges are elected....Yes, there have been people in the capacity of law enforcement that have broken the law....but every single day
..cops and judges are arrested....for a wide variety of felonies....???Really...?

They do have to do testing, but honestly it is real easy to get past it. Plus, they don't have to do it all the time... people can change, for the good and the bad.

It comes down to this... Disney property isn't locked down and, even if they screen every person who comes in, people will still get by. That is how you get clean background checks on people who HAVE committed crimes... they just were never caught before. You have to take personal responsibility for your self.