How do you keep your money/valuables safe while at Disney?

[Bonnie151]

Originally Posted by frostedpink

DH thinks fanny packs are geeky. But honestly...after the upsetting event of having my credit card used fraudulently, I really don't care if I look like a geek. I would rather be safe..

I agree. I think they are completely naff, but that hasn't stopped me from buying one ( and it's a really ludicrous 2012 Olympics one to boot ) to take to Spain next week.

[minnie mum]

Originally Posted by frostedpink

1- Hotel safes.....are they really "safe" from the housekeeping staff?
2- Should I use Disney Dollars rather than a credit card?
3- What sort of purse/bag do you use to carry around your room keys, credit cards, etc while at the parks? DH won't allow me to buy a fanny pack, so I have to come up with something else.
4- Should I buy one of those RFID protective wallets/sleeves for my credit card?

1. We have always used the room safe in our WDW resort and have never had a problem. We keep our passports, extra cash (only carry what we need for one day in our wallets), jewellery, prescription meds, electronics that we aren't taking into the park, extra credit cards (we only take one into the parks) in the safe.

2. No. They're only good at Disney. Same with the gift cards. We keep a small amount of cash in our wallets (around $100 each) and charge most things on our KTTW. We also carry one credit card as a back up.

3. First of all: say WHAAAT??? I can think of three alternatives: a) get a new DH 2) give him a life lesson he'll never forget iii) use a cross body bag like mine- it's very secure, I can easily access the contents, it doesn't get in the way on rides, and it holds more than most waist packs. DH carries the bulkier stuff in his backpack.

4. If you have a card(s) with a RFID chip then this would be prudent. If not, then why bother?

[LSUfan4444]

The biggest advice I can give is to use credit cards the entire time. From the time you get out of your car (if you're driving) or the time you arrive at your local airport. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, use debit cards or gift cards.

If someone gets your cc number and charges something, you can alaways refute the charges. Yes, you can do the same with a gift card or debit card, BUT the main difference is if it is done on a CC, you still have your money while the charge is being refuted. If it happens on a gift card or debit card, the bank holds your money. if you can apply your disney redeption card to your vacation before you go, thats what you need to do. Then, just keep track of what you spend while in disney and pay it off when you get home.

[LSUfan4444]

The safes in the room are safe and are a good option for storing valuables in the room. As far as carrying your personal important info, I use a bifold business card holder as my wallet and keep it in my front pocket. In it I keep room key, health insurance cards, an ID (not my license, I ALWAYS bring a second one so if you lose it you can do not have any issues at the airport on the return flight) and some cash.

[MNCruzn]

Originally Posted by frostedpink

After having my credit card number stolen recently (after booking reservations for Disney both online and via phone..hmmm?) I am trying to brainstorm ideas on how to keep my stuff safe while there. Specifically I'm thinking:

- Hotel safes.....are they really "safe" from the housekeeping staff?
- Should I use Disney Dollars rather than a credit card?
- What sort of purse/bag do you use to carry around your room keys, credit cards, etc while at the parks? DH won't allow me to buy a fanny pack, so I have to come up with something else.
- Should I buy one of those RFID protective wallets/sleeves for my credit card?

I really the PacSafe products.

Here is one that may do the trick

http://pacsafe.com/stashsafe-100-gii...eft-fanny-pack

This pretty much has everything you want. It block RFI, and the straps are "slash resistant", meaning you can lock this to a bench or table leg and someone isn't going to run off with it without some major effort involved. The down sid is that it is a fanny pack. Maybe your husband should carry everything in his pockets if he is anti-fanny pack?

PacSafe does offer other 'non-fanny pack' options. They are not cheap, but you can decide if the extra measure of protection is worth the price.

[frostedpink]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone!!!

I like that REI hip pack, and I think I'll just leave my debit card at home. Why even take the chance.

3littlecuties - I'm so sorry that happened. It seems awfully fishy if several others in your neighborhood had the same thing happen. Sounds like it was the postman or maybe someone that works for the city that sold all of the data? Tell your DH to put a permanent (well, 7-year) security freeze on his credit. Sounds like he might already be doing that.

[KimK2006]

We keep all valuables in the room safe. Never had a problem. We take limited cash and one credit card to the parks. (And we only take the credit card b/c it is a Disney card and we get the free pic at Epcot with it, otherwise, we wouldn't take it.) We charge everything to our room.

I use over the shoulder Coach "swingpack". It is small and I don't have to "carry" it. I have to say I am with your DH on the fanny pack.....

[ChipnDalebowl]

1- Hotel safes.....are they really "safe" from the housekeeping staff?
2- Should I use Disney Dollars rather than a credit card?
3- What sort of purse/bag do you use to carry around your room keys, credit cards, etc while at the parks? DH won't allow me to buy a fanny pack, so I have to come up with something else.
4- Should I buy one of those RFID protective wallets/sleeves for my credit card?

1.) Probably not---you'd need another key should you lose the one in the safe and need to get to your stuff. The hotel likely has a master key. Who has the master key is the big question. We never use the safes on property or any hotel for this reason.

2.) Disney Dollars are like cash--lose them, and well, there's no way to know they were yours.

3.) I just keep everything in my wallet in my pocket...no fanny packs or anything easily snatchable.

4.) Only if your credit card has an RFID chip in it, otherwise having the protector sleeves makes no difference. There should be a note on the card if it has the RFID chip. If you'd rather one without the chip, call your card company and request one without it. I have seen no positive benefit to RFID in credit cards.


The only valuable thing that often stays in my room is my mp3 player, and that I keep at the bottom of my duffel bag full of clothes. Its inconspicuous. If I left it on the table all day, well, then I'm asking for trouble. Use common sense and a majority of the time you'll be absolutely safe.

[Disneyholic]

Originally Posted by dixiegirl

DH and I always use the room safe and have never had a problem. If you lose the key to the room safe they have to come and replace the lock as there is not a "spare" key. Had this happen one year at POR. (DH lost the key).

The WDW hotel safes only have one key. NO ONE, not housekeeping or front desk, has a duplicate or master. If you lose the key, like the person I quoted, they have to have a licensed locksmith come in an replace the lock, which you will be charged for.

[bytheblood]

We bring what we are willing to carry on our person and we leave everything else at home.

[matheke]

Originally Posted by frostedpink

DH thinks fanny packs are geeky. But honestly...after the upsetting event of having my credit card used fraudulently, I really don't care if I look like a geek. I would rather be safe.

Has your husband ever looked at the way half the people at WDW are dressed/look?

You've got the black socks sandal wearers, the 3xl person with the medium sized teeshirt on, the folks with the summer teeth (summer here and summer gone), you've got the 13 year old in the stroller, the men with their shorts hiked up to their armpits, the women with the strapless dresses and bra's that aren't, the father with his best "Who Farted" shirt and he is going to worry about you with a fanny pack???

Dan

[frostedpink]

^^^ HA!! That is hilarious. I'll make sure to relay this info to him.

[EmpressBubbles]

I've never thought about my medications being stolen. I've always just stashed them in a drawer and never had an issue. Maybe I don't take anything anyone would want!

Has anyone had an issue with their CC denying charges at the point of sale since you are out of town? I have this issue every trip whether I call them prior to leaving or not. It's very irritating and causes me to have to carry two cards.

[bytheblood]

Originally Posted by matheke

Has your husband ever looked at the way half the people at WDW are dressed/look?

You've got the black socks sandal wearers, the 3xl person with the medium sized teeshirt on, the folks with the summer teeth (summer here and summer gone), you've got the 13 year old in the stroller, the men with their shorts hiked up to their armpits, the women with the strapless dresses and bra's that aren't, the father with his best "Who Farted" shirt and he is going to worry about you with a fanny pack???

Dan

I think that is why Disney did this. I think they were making fun of WDW guests!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N87DEVdhgUU

[GreenCntryGirl]

Never even thought of locking up medication, but since one of mine is a controlled substance I will take that into account. If something did happen to it, getting it replaced would be extremely difficult.

How do any of you store a laptop?