A Lesson learned at AKL

[Cass]

Not to get but, Cass...how was your trip? I really enjoyed the trip report you did a couple of years ago. Are you going to do another one?

Hi, yes I am working on it, getting my pics organized. thanks for asking

 

[jeni1072]

Sorry you had such a damper on your trip! Its always upsetting to lose something(by your own hand, or someone elses).

And on a side note, its so like this board, for the first responding post to be "why didn't you use the safe?". and how DARE you not want to mess with travelers checks! Just sad.

I hope you were able to enjoy your few days anyway.

 

[maxiesmom]

And on a side note, its so like this board, for the first responding post to be "why didn't you use the safe?". and how DARE you not want to mess with travelers checks! Just sad.

I just wanted to point out that no one said this.

It does stink that we live in a world where we have to worry about items that we have left in a locked room. But knowing that someone else will be entering that room, does that seem a smart thing to do?

The Op pointed out that she didn't want to mess with travelers checks. I think looking back she would probably rather have messed with them than been the victim of a robbery.

We have to do what we can to prevent ourselves from being victimized. Sometimes it means taking time do do things we would rather not, like buying travelers checks or using the safe. But we are accountable for ourselves.

 

[LindaBabe]

BTW, I'm so sorry you were robbed. Disney needs to start doing something about this. This isn't the 1st, nor the last time we heard from people who were robbed. What should they do? Not sure. But something needs to be done.

Disney DOES do something - They provide a safe in every room! We're supposed to be responsible adults, and use them.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Sorry you had this happen during . I have left my cash in my suitcase multiple times without incident - but I won't do it in the future. Thanks for sharing your hard earned lesson with the rest of us.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[Sammie]

You are assuming that somebody in her family took her money??

WOW - I think you way over analyze/overthink things sometimes.


Regardless of who took it, it stinks!!!

I think LewisC's point is Disney provides a safe so they won't have to prove anything. Rooms don't have security cameras. The OP might be sure someone other than family took the money, but she can't prove it. Disney can't accuse someone when there is no proof.

I agree it stinks but I agree with the others, that we can't be naive about these type of things either.

 

[Disneyhappy]

First off, thank you for the warning to all of us. That is what these boards are for. It really stinks that this happened to you and I hope the loss did not place too much of a damper on yur vacation. Hind sight is always 20/20, isn't it? I hope some of the responses to your post don't keep you from posting.

Years ago, I handled Innkeeper claims for hospitality accounts (hotels, etc). They are hard to prove, especially where cash is concerned. However, sometimes the claims were warranted if there was evidence someone on staff was in the room (by checking electronic room key access records maintained for each room) and there were other complaints of theft for the staff member who accessed the room. If suit is filed, those records are required to be disclosed. Few cases go that far and mostly involve expensive jewelry or electronic equipment that makes it cost effective to pursue. I would imagine and expect Disney to take a hard line on these type of claims but I would hope that they keep track of complaints and address repetitive claims for staff member names that keep turning up.

 

[Cass]

And on a side note, its so like this board, for the first responding post to be "why didn't you use the safe?".

It wasn't a snide remark, I wanted to understand why she would chose to keep a large amount of cash in a suitcase instead of a safe. I wondered if maybe she didn't realize there was a safe in the closet, or maybe it didn't work, there was no key or another issue.

I just checked out of that hotel yesterday, the safe was simple to use.

 

[disneynutz]

I am so sorry that you were ripped off. Chirurgeon made a mistake that any one of us might make. I applaud you for bringing it to our attention. We can all benefit from an occasional reminder. Being human seems to allow us to put too much trust in our fellow man. Why is it that honest people have a hard time understanding that not everyone is honest? Disney has record of who your Mousekeeper was and how long she was in your room. You may not recover your loss, but the responsible thing to do was to report it to management.

 

[mickey mouse lover]

We have been trusting the safe in the room with our wallets and have had no problems. I was just reading a post above this one that had a family staying at ASMU that had her wallet stolen from the safe.

 

[TDC Nala]

One should not have to worry about one's cash being stolen, but it definitely happens. Cash is untraceable and the hotel can't do anything about it because you can't prove your cash was stolen or who may have stolen it.

I would not pack cash or valuables where they are easily accessible by anyone entering a hotel room or handling my luggage outside my presence.

If you are against using the in-room safe for whatever reason, bring a luggage lock. You can't use it on luggage checked with an airline, but if you use it on a suitcase in a hotel room, a thief would have to either cut the suitcase open or steal the whole suitcase. The extra effort might be a deterrent.

Yes, the safe can be broken into, but the hotel may be liable for valuables stolen from a locked safe provided by the resort. They will not be liable for unsecured valuables. This is because entry to the room cannot be restricted to the guests only. The "innkeeper" and its staff will always have the right of access to a hotel room. I try to remember that even in DVC properties where there is no regular housekeeping.

 

[jensen]

Here's our "stupid" story. We left cash in our wallet in the safe... but forgot to lock the safe. The odd part was that only half of the cash was taken. I suppose they figured we would think we spent it. But, we knew how much we had. It wasn't that much money - a lot to me, but not enought that anyone would have done anything about it. So, I didn't even bother to tell anyone. It did tarnish our magical trip just a bit, but we won't make that mistake again.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I stayed at AKL last year. One of the days I decided to walk to the end of one of the Savannah-view wings to see animals. On the way, I saw a few rooms with doors held open with the deadbolts, and no housekeeper ANYWHERE in sight. I'm sure she was around somewhere, but I didn't see her or hear her. I could have waltz into any room if I wanted, no one was watching. I even walked slowly down the hall, and I never saw the housekeeper emerge to "guard" all these rooms left open.

I already knew not to ever leave anything valuable in my room, and seeing how housekeeping just leaves open doors, just confirms how easy it can be to steal from rooms. The housekeepers do what's convient for them to do their job, which is opening many rooms at once, I guess. I seen this practice at POR, too. I bet theft happens all the time - Disney isn't that removed from the real world, sadly.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

I am also sorry that you had cash stolen from you - that does stink. It can really give a bad vibe to what is supposed to be a great vacation.

I have left valuables in hotel rooms - usually not in plain sight but not always in the safe.

I also just read the post about someone staying at the All Star Suites who had a wallet stolen from the safe in her room. Her safe was actually broken into and the wallet stolen. They had a mess.

I have used the safe in the past and since we drive down to WDW I leave my car keys in the safe and that way I can't forget to empty it before I leave.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I am sorry this happend to you, I agree you should not have to worry about them stealing from you but unfortunately you learned you lesson for next time. Its a shame there are so many bad people in the world.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm sorry you lost your cash. I understand about being a little forgetful, even if it is just because one is tired and excited to be at Disney. You night try this next time...use the safe for valuables, but also put some "memory item" in it you use everyday (deoderant, toothpaste, ect.) so you have to open the safe every morning. This way , on your last morning you can remember to collect your valuables before you use the "memory item."

 

[ekball]

How can it be so difficult to be nice?

Oh bytheblood....BRAVO!!! You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[chirurgeon]

My main reason for my initial post was to warn others to not be as naive as myself as far as valuables go.

As I said I have notified the police and I am writing letters to both guest relations and an executive for Walt Disney World Resorts.

I want to thank you for your sympathy at my loss of property. I did not let it ruin my trip. How can your trip be ruined after 2 rides on Soarin' and the World Showcase Segway tour?

 

[crzy4mickey]

I'm so sorry your money was stolen. I'm glad it didn't ruin your trip. And for what it's worth I almost forgot to empty our safe before we left too! Next time I will leave a "memory" item in there just in case. I would only hope that if something was stolen and a guest complained Disney would keep record of that and if there were a lot of complaints linked to the same mousekeeper then maybe question that person. I know you can't accuse anyone of something like that but if there were a lot of complaints then you have something to be suspicious of. Also they should not be allowed to keep the doors open while not in the room. That's just not right.