Expensive watch taken from room

[chainkid]

We leave things in our rooms all the time like laptops and cameras. Have never had a problem and we stay at the value resorts. Have never once even thought that someone has taken anything.

You are making a huge mistake leaving things like that in your room. I learned the hard way. I had my grand villa broken into at the boardwalk and we had over $11,000 worth of laptops , camera's, park passes and other valuables stolen. Disney is not responsible and claims they don't have camera's outside your room. I made the mistake of thinking Disney is safer than a regular hotel room Since then I have learned of several robberies from Disney rooms which are probably gangs working with housekeeping. I had insurance but be aware the limit of Disney liability is $1000.oo and your chances of any recovery are slim to none. I will not longer bring valuables to disney.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

You have to also look at the hotel's point of view. If they paid everybody the value of "stolen" items they would have dozens of ppl reporting stolen items everyday. Nobody can prove if they were or were not really stolen.

I have been lucky I guess because we have never had anything from a room stolen. I have forgotten things and then immediately called and nobody ever turned it in and housekeeping claims to know nothing about it. My own fault for leaving it laying there.

But the only things of value we ever have with us are our laptops. We don't lock those up just put them in the computer bag we brought them in. I would hate for them to get stolen but there is no hotel safe big enough for laptops.

Our watches are only $300-$400 watches so no where near "expensive" but we have a routine with our watches and jewelry.

We take them off to shower and immediately put them back on after the shower. Without fail. Every day. Neither of us would ever leave a watch laying there because it is our habit to put it right back on.

The things I forget the most are expensive bottles of perfume. I have done it numerous times. And never once has it ever been turned in to lost and found.

If we had a theft I would immediately report it to hotel management and file my own police report. I am not sure if my homeowners would replace things stolen while out of state. I doubt it. So it would just be a loss we would have to eat it and replace the items ourselves.

We don't leave any cash or credit cards in our room. It is all with us at all times. We carry a minimal amount of cash on us and use our debit cards for everything.

OP I am sorry it happened to you but I wouldn't hold my breath that Disney is going to do anything about it.

 

[Punzie]

Maybe ill print this list and do a scavenger hunt of my rooms when I travel from now on... There has to be people like me who would forget to empty the shower curtain rod upon leaving...

 

[Lsdolphin]

OMG I can't believe these suggestions! I am going to use some of them at home and I guess I would have to leave a list of my hiding places attached to my will!

 

[Lsdolphin]

Maybe ill print this list and do a scavenger hunt of my rooms when I travel from now on... There has to be people like me who would forget to empty the shower curtain rod upon leaving...

That would be me! LOL

 

[Kristine316]

Why do people always blame the victim of a crime???

Just because you don't lock something up and it get's stolen doesn't make it your fault.

If I steal something from my fellow employees purse that she left sitting on her desk is it her fault?

I guess anything we leave in our locked hotel rooms is fair game for the hotel staff?

I 100% agree with this!! It seems whenever one of these topics is started we have those who instantly blame the victim and try to find reasons why it is the victims fault and not the thief.

I realized this the hard way several months ago when I replied in a thread about things "missing" from Disney hotel rooms. I had a 32oz bottle of Wen stolen from my room at POR. I say "stolen" because I looked back to make sure all the lights and tv were shut off as I walked out and clearly saw the shampoo bottle sitting behind a packet of cleansing wipes on the little shelf above the sinks. This is a large bottle... there is no way it was tossed out by accident or jumped from the shelf on its own. The make up wipes were still sitting on the shelf but, the huge bottle of Wen was gone.. explain that one considering the wipes were leaning against the Wen.

Anyway, I had people tell me that I was in the wrong because I didn't put my shampoo in the safe. I couldn't believe that.. who on earth thinks to put a bottle of shampoo in a safe.. honestly? Never even crossed my mind.. and yes we had things in the safe so its not like we weren't thinking about protecting valuables.

Anyway, I was happy with Disney's response as they were very apologetic and gave us a credit for the shampoo. They did however refuse to admit it was stolen.. the woman I spoke with from Mousekeeping kept insisting that it must have been thrown out by accident. I have never bought that... but, I didn't make waves I just accepted the credit. I did however have to run to Walmart and buy more hair care products.

A victim is a victim.. no one has the right to enter a room and steal.. it doesn't matter if 5 one hundred dollar bills were sitting out in plain view.. that does not give a pass to someone who thinks they can take it. Right is right.

 

[Lsdolphin]

The tape on the safe comment made me curious, found this...guess savvy travelers with need to travel with money have come up with interesting ways to protect it! Not sure if I'd go this far, but it is an interesting read!

So, we searched around for the best and most clever advice for hiding at least some of your money in your hotel room, in your rental car, and on your person. For many of these 007-style moves, you’ll need:
1.a few small zippered plastic bags
2.some tape, like duct tape
3.a small screwdriver
4.a rubber band or two

Once you’ve separated your cash into piles and put them into separate zippered bags, squeeze the extra air out of the bags and let’s start hiding!

In your hotel room

Many travelers don’t trust the in-room safes because there’s always a way they can be opened. Often, and especially on cruise ships, they often have a common code that is well-known by the staff who must help travelers who forget how to open their safes.

Some hotels now offer newer in-room safes that let travelers set their own code. These are more secure, but in a pinch, it’s still likely that they can be opened by someone on the hotel staff.

Here are the most clever recommendations we could find for hiding money in a hotel room:
Inside the shower curtain rod
Inside zippered cushions on chairs in the room
Inside the frame of older televisions – use the screwdriver to take off the back
Inside older telephones – use your screwdriver here too
Taped to the bottom of a drawer – use the bottom drawer, it’s harder to reach
Inside the cover on the ironing board
Taped to the bottom of a heavy piece of furniture in the room
Dropped inside the toilet tank
Inside an empty shampoo bottle with a little tissue paper on top
Under the mattress – pushed to the center, and only after the bed has been made for the day

We even read recommendations of cutting the hems of window curtains and storing cash in there, or pulling up the carpet in the corner of the closet and storing cash in there. Now we know why some hotels look a little on the ratty side! But we don’t recommend destroying property to store your cash.

Just make sure you remember where you hid all your money and give yourself a little extra time before you leave to retrieve it from the hiding places!

Maybe you should forward this list to the DEA sounds like something they could use!

 

[criscoloo]

You have to also look at the hotel's point of view. If they paid everybody the value of "stolen" items they would have dozens of ppl reporting stolen items everyday. Nobody can prove if they were or were not really stolen.

I have been lucky I guess because we have never had anything from a room stolen. I have forgotten things and then immediately called and nobody ever turned it in and housekeeping claims to know nothing about it. My own fault for leaving it laying there.

But the only things of value we ever have with us are our laptops. We don't lock those up just put them in the computer bag we brought them in. I would hate for them to get stolen but there is no hotel safe big enough for laptops.

Our watches are only $300-$400 watches so no where near "expensive" but we have a routine with our watches and jewelry.

We take them off to shower and immediately put them back on after the shower. Without fail. Every day. Neither of us would ever leave a watch laying there because it is our habit to put it right back on.

The things I forget the most are expensive bottles of perfume. I have done it numerous times. And never once has it ever been turned in to lost and found.

If we had a theft I would immediately report it to hotel management and file my own police report. I am not sure if my homeowners would replace things stolen while out of state. I doubt it. So it would just be a loss we would have to eat it and replace the items ourselves.

We don't leave any cash or credit cards in our room. It is all with us at all times. We carry a minimal amount of cash on us and use our debit cards for everything.

OP I am sorry it happened to you but I wouldn't hold my breath that Disney is going to do anything about it.

OP here: Let's put it this way...I am a mom of 2 young children who gets very little help from DH while on vacation. I agree that he shouldn't have had an expensive watch with him on vacation and yes, he was careless about it. I do not expect to ever see the watch again, nor do I expect Disney to do anything about it. All I was hoping to gain by posting this incident was to find out whether anyone else has experienced a similar theft (we did NOT lose or misplace it in the room, nor did it fall into the trash cans (both of which, by the way, the housekeeper failed to empty that day) and how Disney responded. People shouldn't be so quick to judge or feel that we got what we deserve for not being more careful or not using the safe, but then again, I keep forgetting that many of those we share the world with are mean-spirited rather than sympathetic. To those who were sympathetic to our plight, thank you.

 

[DisMama3]

I 100% agree with this!! It seems whenever one of these topics is started we have those who instantly blame the victim and try to find reasons why it is the victims fault and not the thief.

I realized this the hard way several months ago when I replied in a thread about things "missing" from Disney hotel rooms. I had a 32oz bottle of Wen stolen from my room at POR. I say "stolen" because I looked back to make sure all the lights and tv were shut off as I walked out and clearly saw the shampoo bottle sitting behind a packet of cleansing wipes on the little shelf above the sinks. This is a large bottle... there is no way it was tossed out by accident or jumped from the shelf on its own. The make up wipes were still sitting on the shelf but, the huge bottle of Wen was gone.. explain that one considering the wipes were leaning against the Wen.

Anyway, I had people tell me that I was in the wrong because I didn't put my shampoo in the safe. I couldn't believe that.. who on earth thinks to put a bottle of shampoo in a safe.. honestly? Never even crossed my mind.. and yes we had things in the safe so its not like we weren't thinking about protecting valuables.

Anyway, I was happy with Disney's response as they were very apologetic and gave us a credit for the shampoo. They did however refuse to admit it was stolen.. the woman I spoke with from Mousekeeping kept insisting that it must have been thrown out by accident. I have never bought that... but, I didn't make waves I just accepted the credit. I did however have to run to Walmart and buy more hair care products.

A victim is a victim.. no one has the right to enter a room and steal.. it doesn't matter if 5 one hundred dollar bills were sitting out in plain view.. that does not give a pass to someone who thinks they can take it. Right is right.

It's funny you mention the shampoo. I recently started locking my good makeup in my suitcase when not in the room and my husband was making fun of me. It's a shame that this is what it is has come to in life.

I also second that it is sad that people are so quick to blame the victim. Or make suggestions of what they should have done like they are so perfect and never make mistakes.

OP, I'm sorry about your husband's watch. I hope something comes of it and I would definitely file a police report. After the recent house keeper being watched and caught, maybe the police report could be helpful if another housekeeper becomes a repeat offender.

 

[criscoloo]

OP here: Let's put it this way...I am a mom of 2 young children who gets very little help from DH while on vacation. I agree that he shouldn't have had an expensive watch with him on vacation and yes, he was careless about it. I do not expect to ever see the watch again, nor do I expect Disney to do anything about it. All I was hoping to gain by posting this incident was to find out whether anyone else has experienced a similar theft (we did NOT lose or misplace it in the room, nor did it fall into the trash cans (both of which, by the way, the housekeeper failed to empty that day) and how Disney responded. People shouldn't be so quick to judge or feel that we got what we deserve for not being more careful or not using the safe, but then again, I keep forgetting that many of those we share the world with are mean-spirited rather than sympathetic. To those who were sympathetic to our plight, thank you.

OP again: to reiterate, at no time did we accuse anyone specific of having taken the watch especially the housekeeper. Do I think she did it? In my opinion, yes (just a gut feeling I got from my limited interaction with her. She was thoroughly annoyed by us having been in the room much of the day.). But, did I ever voice my opinion out loud to anyone at Disney? Absolutely not, because I know that someone else other than the housekeeper could have accessed the room. We would never falsely accuse someone without any proof because their livelihood

 

[criscoloo]

OP again: to reiterate, at no time did we accuse anyone specific of having taken the watch especially the housekeeper. Do I think she did it? In my opinion, yes (just a gut feeling I got from my limited interaction with her. She was thoroughly annoyed by us having been in the room much of the day.). But, did I ever voice my opinion out loud to anyone at Disney? Absolutely not, because I know that someone else other than the housekeeper could have accessed the room. We would never falsely accuse someone without any proof because their livelihood

And reputation could be placed at risk without any proof. That would be devastating to an innocent person.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

True!

Nothing was stolen but I got a scare a few years ago at CSR when I was traveling solo. I had left the room, went to DS, but almost immediately started feeling ill, so turned around and went back to my room. I hadn't been gone, but maybe an hour or so. Anyway, I was in my own little world, in deep thought, when I unlocked my door and stepped in to find a man lying on my bed watching TV. I screamed bloody murder and a housekeeper came running out of the bathroom, apologizing profusely. Apparently the man was a friend of hers just visiting and she'd let him into the room while she was cleaning. I didn't think the housekeepers were in the rooms long enough to have a guest get that comfortable. You could tell she thought I might tell on her and just kept apologizing, asking me not to tell her supervisors, saying that was the first time it had ever occurred. Again nothing was stolen and other than almost giving me a heart attack no harm was done, but that "friend" could have easily walked out of that room with anything he wanted while the housekeeper was in the bathroom cleaning.

Soooooo not right!!! ewww he was laying on your bed!!! ewwww

Now please don't go tell me other people lay on the bed before I get there. The fact is he was laying on the bed after she checked in.
I don't know that I would have not reported her. It's wrong. It's her job to clean not entertain a friend!!!
Ughhhhhh. Glad I'm reading this thread because it's giving me second thoughts about what I am willing to bring with me on vacation.

 

[maxiesmom]

I also second that it is sad that people are so quick to blame the victim. Or make suggestions of what they should have done like they are so perfect and never make mistakes.

I don't think that is the point. No one is saying they are perfect. The point is to remind people that if they have anything of value, it needs to be locked up or left home.

Some people seem to get Disney Brain and think nothing bad happens on Disney property. Just take a look at all of the stuff left behind in strollers, and you will see what I mean.

Of course no one has a right to take your stuff. But people with Disney Brain leave valuables out in plain sight in their rooms all of the time. You will even see posts from people who do it, and brag that they have had nothing bad happen. This thread serves as a reminder that bad stuff can happen, and if you are relying on luck to keep your valuables safe, you may end up sorry.

 

[DisMama3]

I don't think that is the point. No one is saying they are perfect. The point is to remind people that if they have anything of value, it needs to be locked up or left home.

But she wasn't asking for suggestions of what she "could have done" is my point. No need to make it worse by pointing out the obvious.

And I agree that people get disney brain, I'm not denying that. And there DO need to be reminders . And people who brag, well, I will leave that to karma. My point is I often see on these boards people comment just to chew people down. They offer no helpful advice, just like to criticize others (and that is what I meant by my comment ). She clearly was feeling cruddy about the situation and was just looking for others who have been through the same.

 

[maxiesmom]

But she wasn't asking for suggestions of what she "could have done" is my point. No need to make it worse by pointing out the obvious.

Threads often take on a life of their own. Most of them go off on tangents. Trying to control what others post, and tell them what they should or shouldn't say will only make you nuts. If anyone gets way out of line the Mods will take care of it.

 

[Sleepy425]

How young are your kids? I have a 1 and 3 year old, and they are ALWAYS playing with my jewelry (none of which is worth much at all). I find things in the most random places. If something went missing in my hotel room, they would be getting the third degree (well the 3 year old would, the 1 year old just drools and babbles) before I reported anything missing. And even if I didn't find it, I wouldn't be 100% sure they weren't responsible - my little darling once managed to get my phone into the toilet while I was standing RIGHT NEXT to him brushing my teeth - so really anything is possible with youngins.

 

[Patience]

We never travel with good jewelry, internationally or domestic. When we travel, I generally wear my wedding band but not my engagement ring and plain diamond stud earrings or maybe my pearl studs. That's it. My husband wears his wedding ring, no watch (we use our phones to check the time). It's just too easy to take a watch off and forget it in the room. Especially at a theme park where we are dressed casually, I prefer to remain "plain" and not worry about my good jewelry being stolen or misplaced.

 

[DisMama3]

Threads often take on a life of their own. Most of them go off on tangents. Trying to control what others post, and tell them what they should or shouldn't say will only make you nuts. If anyone gets way out of line the Mods will take care of it.

Was just offering my opinion. Like you.

 

[Kristine316]

I don't think that is the point. No one is saying they are perfect. The point is to remind people that if they have anything of value, it needs to be locked up or left home.

Some people seem to get Disney Brain and think nothing bad happens on Disney property. Just take a look at all of the stuff left behind in strollers, and you will see what I mean.

Of course no one has a right to take your stuff. But people with Disney Brain leave valuables out in plain sight in their rooms all of the time. You will even see posts from people who do it, and brag that they have had nothing bad happen. This thread serves as a reminder that bad stuff can happen, and if you are relying on luck to keep your valuables safe, you may end up sorry.

I do not disagree with the idea of "Disney Brain" or that we all need to keep vigilant about keeping our valuables safe, because unfortunately that is the world we live in... even on Disney property.

I guess for me I was just totally stunned that a few people in another thread, with the same theme, told me that I was wrong because I didn't put my shampoo in the safe. Yes.. Wen is expensive for shampoo.. believe me I understand that but, I honestly never thought of putting my large shampoo bottle in the safe. I don't think too many people would even think of using the safe for toiletries ... yet now I am somehow to blame because I didn't.. really? I certainly never felt like I was to blame that it was stolen because I didn't lock up my shampoo... that just seemed really ridiculous to me.

I just have a lot of sympathy for people who are on victims of crime. I can relate to those people.. my heart goes out to them. It actually ticks me off when an innocent person is a victim and I gues I never question what they could have done differently. I just look at the perp and think to myself that the world would be a whole lot better if people like that didn't exist.

Its sort of like when someone is murdered. Many people look for reasons why because it makes them feel better if they can explain away why that person was a victim. If somehow they can tell themselves.. "oh, this person was a victim because they were out all night in a bad part of town".. or "they didn't lock their doors".. or "they let the wrong person in the house".
People will tell themselves it will never happen to them because they are very security minded and vigilant and won't make the same mistakes. It gives a certain amount of comfort. Sometimes though people are victims from no fault of their own.. and things are just really random and that is a truly scary thing for the rest of us.

 

[nkereina]

The best place for anything of value or that is irreplaceable is at home! But for things we must bring on vacation with us, I highly recommend safe deposit boxes. These rooms are usually in an area where CMs work near 24/7, are under heavy surveillance, require multiple keys to access, and signatures of whoever accesses it. The best part is that it is of no charge to you as a guest.

Sorry if I missed it in the thread, but did OP ever find out anything further? I would be interested to see what the hotel found on the door log. It logs all key swipes so unless someone ducked in when housekeeping had the door propped open, it should be pretty telling.

I once left my smart phone behind at a high end hotel (not Disney). I went back to the room to grab it and it was not where I left it and the housekeeper happened to be in there at the same time. I asked her if she had seen it and she said no. My friend who I was with called the phone and low and behold, ringing came from her cart. I ran to the cart and found my phone hidden between some towels.