Robbed at BWV

[Srbright]

The 'Disney can do no wrong' crowd on here are simply amazing. Of course Disney is responsible. It doesn't matter if the company is contracted out. They represent Disney. Heck, Disney even advertises that you can check your bags and head to the park. It's part of the DME video. So how can people say Disney isn't responsible. Who is responsible? The OP, for using the service that Disney advertises as safe?

I do not know why people keep saying that it is Disney's fault that the OP had her things stolen.

It has nothing to do with being a Disney apologist or fanatic. It is a simple matter of contract law.

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/ibc/DisneyWorldIBC/IBC/popups/popup_terms.html

When you make a reservation at a resort you agree to abide by the terms and conditions (you have to click the box) and you do the same thing when you buy into DVC. The ME T&C are even more stringent, saying specifically that the are not responsible for valuables such as cash or cash equivalent.

Unless you can prove that Disney maliciously or negligently caused your loss (you yourself said you left it) then you have no claim. You believe you were robbed.

1) did you get the bag count slip from them before you left the bag with them?
2) You weren't there when the bags were delivered. Perhaps house keeping went through and thought it was trash and threw it away.

You should be thanking the management for going above and beyond because they had no liability to you

Stacy

 

[lililoo12]

I do not know why people keep saying that it is Disney's fault that the OP had her things stolen.

It has nothing to do with being a Disney apologist or fanatic. It is a simple matter of contract law.

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/ibc/DisneyWorldIBC/IBC/popups/popup_terms.html

When you make a reservation you agree to abide by the terms and conditions (you have to click the box) and you do the same thing when you buy into DVC.

Unless you can prove that Disney maliciously or negligently caused your loss (you yourself said you left it) then you have no claim. You believe you were robbed.

1) did you get the bag count slip from them before you left the bag with them?
2) You weren't there when the bags were delivered. Perhaps house keeping went through and thought it was trash and threw it away.

You should be thanking the management for going above and beyond because they had no liability to you

Stacy

Thank you. I agree, but we are the odd ones somehow.

 

[EllaJuniper]

I want to say something but the comments are so mean I don't wanna touch it with a ten foot pole. Easy killers,

 

[nkereina]

So sorry this happened to you! but I am also relieved to hear that no one was held at gunpoint at my beloved home resort!
I carry luggage locks in the front pocket of all my suitcases - even though I can no longer lock them at the airport - I always put a lock on every bag that I leave with valet/bell services. Just a little added security and a little extra PITA for anyone who wants to check out what's in there. The only open bags we ever leave are our grocery bags. I travel a lot and am just not that trusting.
And I have also watched countless racks of luggage left lined up and basically unattended in many many hotel parking lots and lobbies. An easy target for anyone looking to grab something and keep walking.

You can buy TSA approved luggage locks. They have a hole in the bottom that is universal and allows TSA agents to open them with an instrument they have, without having to cut the lock off. This way, your bag can stay locked even in flight, with TSA still having access to it. I know my local AAA office sells them and I'm sure you can find them online. Just make sure they are the TSA approved ones. They are available in both combination and padlock style.

 

[jlw3535]

I want to say something but the comments are so mean I don't wanna touch it with a ten foot pole. Easy killers,

Honestly - This board, which can be such a wonderful tool, has turned into a depository for every little thing that can possibly be complained about.

Disney is expected to be more responsible for someone's belongings than they expect to be for themselves.

Mickey Mouse gets reported because he posed for a picture at a M&G before signing an autograph, reportedly causing a meltdown in a "veteran 2-year-old" who expected the autograph first because THAT'S HOW ITS ALWAYS DONE.

Disney world is the ONLY place that people cut in line, stop in a walkway to read a map, try to cheat the system, etc. etc. Disney is criticized because a "Happy Birthday" button only gets the bearer several birthday salutations from cast members instead of it raining free Mickey Bars when they walk by a cart.

Disney tries to create a magical experience for people, but its the people who keep screwing it up with their behavior - just like the outside world. People's expectations are out of whack.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

 

[ObsessedWithDW]

Honestly - This board, which can be such a wonderful tool, has turned into a depository for every little thing that can possibly be complained about.

Disney is expected to be more responsible for someone's belongings than they expect to be for themselves.

Mickey Mouse gets reported because he posed for a picture at a M&G before signing an autograph, reportedly causing a meltdown in a "veteran 2-year-old" who expected the autograph first because THAT'S HOW ITS ALWAYS DONE.

Disney world is the ONLY place that people cut in line, stop in a walkway to read a map, try to cheat the system, etc. etc. Disney is criticized because a "Happy Birthday" button only gets the bearer several birthday salutations from cast members instead of it raining free Mickey Bars when they walk by a cart.

Disney tries to create a magical experience for people, but its the people who keep screwing it up with their behavior - just like the outside world. People's expectations are out of whack.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Preach it! I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[phorsenuf]

When the valet took our luggage he asked how many bags we had and we said "alot" so he didn't bother counting or giving us a claim ticket. Second off we were going straight to our room and the cart was in a area only accessible to employees. Yes I usually keep the gift cards in my luggage but by unforseeable circumstances they were in another bag. I usually don't leave valuables out and the one time I did "poof", yeah I learned my lesson I will not do this ever again. You know what though I really don't care what was in the bag, the simple fact that it was taken was upsetting. Whether it was just magazines or not I still would have reported it. As far as me not being a nice person that is far from the truth. I have worked my entire life and been in the service industry so don't even go there. The whole point of writing this is to warn people, maybe someone like me who never thought this would happen to them. It "does" happen and I hope I can save someone the trouble that I went through.

They always give claim tickets. It's to protect their butts. But, if for some odd reason they didn't give you one, why the heck wouldn't you ask for one? I can't imagine not having a receipt for what I left in their possession. And how would they know where to deliver it to if they didn't fill out a ticket?

 

[bumbershoot]

Second off we were going straight to our room and the cart was in a area only accessible to employees.

Wait.

I have read AND experienced that BW's luggage-takers (some want to call them valet, others bell services) are NOT the people who will be the luggage-bringers. That they will not just follow you. It's one of the places where they double up on people, so one person unloads your car and a different person will bring it to you.

So I'm confused.

 

[DizzDoll]

I guess it's "like" a good thing that I don't work in the service industry, because if you "like" stood there giving me a death stare like you did that "little person", your crap would still be sitting in the middle of the lobby.

this.

 

[Baliezer]

Honestly - This board, which can be such a wonderful tool, has turned into a depository for every little thing that can possibly be complained about.

Disney is expected to be more responsible for someone's belongings than they expect to be for themselves.

Mickey Mouse gets reported because he posed for a picture at a M&G before signing an autograph, reportedly causing a meltdown in a "veteran 2-year-old" who expected the autograph first because THAT'S HOW ITS ALWAYS DONE.

Disney world is the ONLY place that people cut in line, stop in a walkway to read a map, try to cheat the system, etc. etc. Disney is criticized because a "Happy Birthday" button only gets the bearer several birthday salutations from cast members instead of it raining free Mickey Bars when they walk by a cart.

Disney tries to create a magical experience for people, but its the people who keep screwing it up with their behavior - just like the outside world. People's expectations are out of whack.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We leave our bags,quite frequently, with bell services. I give a fat tip and ask for reassurance, that they are tagged properly..and pretty much wait, until they go in the back.

I did have a bag go missing, but I went into the luggage area with them and FINALLY found my bag. It had fallen and was not with my other bags. I wasn't angry, just PERSISTENT. I don't give up easily.

 

[Jacquie668]

Honestly - This board, which can be such a wonderful tool, has turned into a depository for every little thing that can possibly be complained about.

Disney is expected to be more responsible for someone's belongings than they expect to be for themselves.

Mickey Mouse gets reported because he posed for a picture at a M&G before signing an autograph, reportedly causing a meltdown in a "veteran 2-year-old" who expected the autograph first because THAT'S HOW ITS ALWAYS DONE.

Disney world is the ONLY place that people cut in line, stop in a walkway to read a map, try to cheat the system, etc. etc. Disney is criticized because a "Happy Birthday" button only gets the bearer several birthday salutations from cast members instead of it raining free Mickey Bars when they walk by a cart.

Disney tries to create a magical experience for people, but its the people who keep screwing it up with their behavior - just like the outside world. People's expectations are out of whack.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I guess you are paving that road really well with all your "good intentions" you must have with this post! It is great to be above the world pointing judging fingers at people! How wonderful of you!

To get BACK on topic, OP, I am sorry the situation occurred. Things like this happen anywhere and it is good you managed to get a refund. I do think though that the Terms and Conditions do work against you in these types of situations, but the fact that you did get a refund for your missing items does say that Disney and staff did do a positive and nice thing for you as they could have refused to give you any compensation. Perhaps they were stolen, but who really knows as the items were left unattended.

I can understand the need to vent about the situation and I myself would be upset if that happened to me. I think the life lesson here is quite clear, never trust strangers with your stuff. Personally I hold onto my items with a death grip and with luggage that I do have to "let go of" I never put anything like money or real valuables in them. Good luck on future vacations OP!

 

[maxiesmom]

They always give claim tickets. It's to protect their butts. But, if for some odd reason they didn't give you one, why the heck wouldn't you ask for one? I can't imagine not having a receipt for what I left in their possession. And how would they know where to deliver it to if they didn't fill out a ticket?

The OP couldn't be bothered to tell them how many bags they had. So I'm guessing they were in a hurry, and couldn't be bothered to wait for a claim ticket. And it bit them.

 

[sephorachick]

Sorry this happened to you but you learned a big lesson to keep that kinda stuff in your purse & with you at all times. I'm glad you got compensated but sorry this ruined your vacation. I'm careful with stuff like that so would put it directly in my purse or carry bag w/ me.....

 

[kris4360]

So we decided to rent a car in november for the first time. When we pulled into the resort the valet asked if we needed assistance, my husband said no but I said yes since we had grocery bags with us as well as luggage. Well I put this plastic bag from a store in the airport on the hook along with all our bags. The valet had taken my pocketbook out and put it on the cart, but I didn't feel comfortable with that so I took it off. Anyhow we get to the room and we call to have the luggage brought up. It was really late by then so we left to get dinner, and when we got back i passed out. In the morning I asked my husband to get my plastic bag I had gotten from the airport. It was gone. I totally lost it bc our disney gift cards were in there. Checked the room like 5 times and the car. Somewhere between the valet storing the cart to the bellman bringing it, it dissappeared. There was a yankee hat in the bag that I had bought from the airport so my husband thinks they grabbed the hat and threw the bag out. Since I had a bunch of magazines in there I am assuming that the cards were mixed in with the magazines so they did not see the gift cards. Here is the real kicker, the valets are subcontracted so they are not Disney employees. So the manager tells us to get in touch with "cars" the valet company since we were not sure exactly when the bag was taken. Cars tells us to get in touch with the hotel manager, catch 22. I had receipts for some of them so we needed to drive to target to get them replaced. We eventually got compensation from the hotel manager. But a whole day was wasted and my expectations and any any admiration I had for disney was gone. As a true disney fanatic and dvc and annual passholder i was absolutely crushed. I felt like a fool for not holding that bag along with my pocketbook. I would normally carry the cards in my little travel pouch that I got from Liberty travel but they had fallen out of there and I quickly threw them in the bag I had gotten at the airport. I just never thought in a million years that I would have to worry about that. Just so you know most of the valets on property are subcontracted and do not go through any backround check like the disney employees do. What really sucks is that I suffer from manic depression and I go to Florida to revitalize myself. I can tell you I think that is the most depressing trip of my life. Between being robbed and the hotel manager blowing us off at first I feel so betrayed by everything that Disney stands for. So keep an eye on your stuff if you use valet. I'm not talking suitcases but plastic food or merchandise bags. I thank god that I took my pocketbook off of the hook bc it could have been worse.

Thank goodness you had your receipts and were compensated! Don't fret about comments here, we are all human and we mess up sometimes.

 

[disneychic2]

Ok several times you refer to the 'little person' are you describing the persons physical trait? If so totally unecessary to what you are relating & quite honestly awful OR 'little person' as in beneath your status in life Maybe you're just trying to be snarky its coming across as the west end of an eastbound horse perhaps you are unaware

You go girl!

I don't think theft happens a lot. I have no problems letting Disney handle my bags. But I don't leave cash or gift cards or anything like that with them either. There is being trusting, and then there is being not smart. And leaving cash or the equivalent with any luggage service, or valet, or bus driver is just not smart. It is a shame the OP had a momentary lapse in judgement and was distracted, and someone took advantage of that.

I will say it astounds me how trusting some people on these boards are. You see so many posts from people who think nothing of leaving their computers and valuables strewn around the room, instead of locking them up. People who think nothing of leaving a bag full of camera gear and souvenirs in their stroller while they go on rides. Theft is a crime of opportunity. Don't give crooks the opportunity!

Very well said!

When the valet took our luggage he asked how many bags we had and we said "alot" so he didn't bother counting or giving us a claim ticket. Second off we were going straight to our room and the cart was in a area only accessible to employees. Yes I usually keep the gift cards in my luggage but by unforseeable circumstances they were in another bag. I usually don't leave valuables out and the one time I did "poof", yeah I learned my lesson I will not do this ever again. You know what though I really don't care what was in the bag, the simple fact that it was taken was upsetting. Whether it was just magazines or not I still would have reported it. As far as me not being a nice person that is far from the truth. I have worked my entire life and been in the service industry so don't even go there. The whole point of writing this is to warn people, maybe someone like me who never thought this would happen to them. It "does" happen and I hope I can save someone the trouble that I went through.

The person that poster was referring to as "not a nice person" was not you! Someone referred to the staff as a "little person" and said they gave them "death stares" to get them to do what they wanted. Not you at all!

OP, I'm sorry this happened to you! I do hope that you have your faith in Disney restored as this is just one incident after presumable many many wonderful memories and trips. I hope you were able to put this behind you and have a wonderful time.

 

[rgf207]

Honestly - This board, which can be such a wonderful tool, has turned into a depository for every little thing that can possibly be complained about.

Disney is expected to be more responsible for someone's belongings than they expect to be for themselves.

Mickey Mouse gets reported because he posed for a picture at a M&G before signing an autograph, reportedly causing a meltdown in a "veteran 2-year-old" who expected the autograph first because THAT'S HOW ITS ALWAYS DONE.

Disney world is the ONLY place that people cut in line, stop in a walkway to read a map, try to cheat the system, etc. etc. Disney is criticized because a "Happy Birthday" button only gets the bearer several birthday salutations from cast members instead of it raining free Mickey Bars when they walk by a cart.

Disney tries to create a magical experience for people, but its the people who keep screwing it up with their behavior - just like the outside world. People's expectations are out of whack.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Disney is also the only place where , somehow, a company can be absolved from all responsibility because they have a loyal group of followers.

I'm not saying that the OP didn't make a mistake. 1) She should have received an accurate claim ticket and 2) she should have taken better care of her valuables. The point i'm trying to make is that Disney is advertising a bag check. Their Magical Express video says (and I'm paraphrasing), "Leave your bags with the front desk and head to the parks." We, as Disney guests, have no reason to believe that it's a) not run by Disney and b) not safe. Also, even if the OP did not state the number of bags when she arrived, shouldn't the attendant count for himself the amount of bags and write it on the ticket? That's part of his job. If he handed her the ticket without an accurate count, couldn't the OP just write any number down and claim it was stolen? So, there's another reason why Disney is partly responsible. They did not do their part either.

Disclaimers or not, Disney needs to share some responsibility. Even if the bag was not stolen but rather misplaced, that is Disney's responsibility. You're right, the OP can't prove that it was stolen but it wasn't there when she received the rest of her belongings. Whose fault is that? It's not the OP's. She didn't store her bags, Disney did. Let's dismiss the notion that her bag was stolen. Let's say it was misplaced. Again, whose fault is that? Not the OP's.

What I'm getting at is that Disney shares some of this responsibility and they have, in essence, admitted fault. They compensated the OP. If they truly believed they were not at fault, they would not have compensate her. Like it or not, they admitted fault.

What really bothers me is the people here who defend Disney under any circumstance. I swear, Mickey Mouse, himself, could have slapped the OP in the face and lit her luggage on fire and people here would defend Disney.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I'm sorry that happened to you and I'm glad you were compensated.

Most Valets are actual Disney employees. My good friends husband has worked at Disney for over 20 years(in many roles) but he is currently a valet. He works for Disney, not an outside company. So the information you were given that all valets are contracted out is false. My friend currently works at the AKL Villas, but has worked at other resorts before that.

She told me that the Valets at the Value resorts are contracted out, but that's it, as far as I know. Maybe people called out sick or something and the valets you had were fills ins? Either way what happened stinks and I'm sorry your vacation started off so crappy.

 

[Bob NC]

Disney is also the only place where , somehow, a company can be absolved from all responsibility because they have a loyal group of followers.

I swear, Mickey Mouse, himself, could have slapped the OP in the face and lit her luggage on fire and people here would defend Disney.

LOL, very accurate!!!

 

[Srbright]

Disclaimers or not, Disney needs to share some responsibility. Even if the bag was not stolen but rather misplaced, that is Disney's responsibility. You're right, the OP can't prove that it was stolen but it wasn't there when she received the rest of her belongings. Whose fault is that? It's not the OP's. She didn't store her bags, Disney did. Let's dismiss the notion that her bag was stolen. Let's say it was misplaced. Again, whose fault is that? Not the OP's.

What I'm getting at is that Disney shares some of this responsibility and they have, in essence, admitted fault. They compensated the OP. If they truly believed they were not at fault, they would not have compensate her. Like it or not, they admitted fault.

What really bothers me is the people here who defend Disney under any circumstance.

It has nothing to do with Disney (outside the fact that it happened at Disney).

Contract law has been around for about.... 400 years (give or take a political regime or two). Well before Disney was born or ground broken.

Also, replacement is customer service, not admission of guilt.

Stacy