Back from SSR **Victims of a crime**

[Tigger1]

We stayed at Hard Rock Hotel 3 years ago and our van was broken into along with about 10 other vans/suvs. I was told the robbers were likely looking for tvs, since they were selective in what they took. We did not have anything of much value in it so they took nothing. They did go threw the cooler, it was the collapsable type with pockets, bags from Disney store with shirts, glove box, ect. I had to replace a window and clean up all the glass inside the van.

Hardrock was not helpful the day it happened. Later on that month, they did offer to reimburse me for the window and gave
us a one free night stay for our next trip. When we returned 2 years later, they also gave us a nice fruit tray and a bottle of wine.

One does not realize how awful being robbed is until they experience it.

It sounds like the poster likely left $$ in what they thought was a secure place. It also sounds like a cm might be involved. You never know who you can trust.

I like the travelors check idea.

 

[MDonley]

WISBUCKY,
I'm sorry to hear that your trip, though memorable, wasn't magical. I hope that they catch the rat in the world of the mouse.

I'm sad to hear that you placed your trust in an SSR CM and they disappointed you. I certainly hope that isn't a trend.

In defense of the posters, from Missouri, that smelled a troll ... my DW grew up on a dairy farm and both she and you, being from Wisconsin, know what Dairy-air smells like and she says that this ain't it.

Maybe spreading some pixie dust will help make things better! Use it wisely!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by JLS
except for "petty cash" items like buying water. More peace of mind.

If you're buying the water in the parks, you might need a home mortgage instead of petty cash.

Another minor point I'm surprised and concerned about is the trouble cashing a check at the desk. My understanding is that they would cash checks for guests, has this changed? I realize there is probably a daily cash limit but total refusal takes away one of the travel "safety nets".

 

[Uncleromulus]

Like Manning and a # of others, I am curious as to exactly how you left the $$$ in the luggage room??
If not in a safe(?) and not in your luggage, did you "give" it to a CM for safekeeping?
For us to completely understand your post, it would be nice to know what really happened.

 

[cvemom]

Sorry to hear about your experience. These are the times that Disney "lets me down". I worked in the hospitality industry for 20 years (in management) and I was extremely disapointed in Disney's handling of a situation durind my stay at YC. They too, seemed to have a "cover-up" or "ignore it and it will go away" attitude. After my return home letters were sent to Walt Disney's corporate office concerning the handling of the situation and still nothing was done. In short, when we checked into YC we went to our room and the girls were tired. This was mid vacation switch and they wanted to rest. A 4 & 6 six years old pulled the covers down and got into bed. They said someting was in the bed. We had them get out and checked. When we pulled the covers all the way down we found a KNIFE! We immediately called for the manager. They finally called the room and said "What would you like us to do? No manager came to room. The housekeeper finally did but we had to ask them to change the bed and TAKE THE KNIFE. I expected more from Disney.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Holy cow!! what kind of knife? The sportsman kind or like a steak knife? I could see if someone was eating but a sports knife is terrifying! Don't get me wrong I see the danger in no matter what kind of knife but at least a steak knife could have a normal story behind it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by 3DisneyNUTS
Holy cow!! what kind of knife? The sportsman kind or like a steak knife? I could see if someone was eating but a sports knife is terrifying! Don't get me wrong I see the danger in no matter what kind of knife but at least a steak knife could have a normal story behind it.

While a steak knife in my sheets would be 'better' than a sportsman's knife, I have to wonder how any knife could end up in the sheets, since they are supposed to be changed with each guest. I would hate to think the DVC resorts aren't changing the linens after each room is emptied.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by jctwizzer
It's amazing how many people believe something just cause its posted here. Sounds like a classic troll to me; but what do I know!

Not a troll - read some of her other posts. She has nearly 400. If you ask me (and of course, you didn't, LOL) that's a lot of posting/trouble to go through if you're just interested in "trolling."

FWIW, I think some may have missed the fact that she doesn't want to post additional details on a public forum until after the situation is resolved.

Wisbucky - I appreciate the reminder that everything at Disney is not 100% magical, and am willing to wait for the "rest of the story". Hopefully, you'll still be willing to share it when the time is right.


Best wishes -

 

[cvemom]

No, not a steak knife. It was a untility knife with the blade fully extended.

 

[Laura24]

my first reaction was "Why would anyone leave cash anywhere other than on them or in a safe"? It's not traceable, looks like everyone else's cash so it can't be identified and not easy to prove it even existed? A sorry situation, with a lesson to be learned. Can't trust anyone, no matter where you are. Sad, but true. Hope you get some type of a positive end result.

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by jctwizzer
It's amazing how many people believe something just cause its posted here. Sounds like a classic troll to me; but what do I know!

Not from Wisbucky...I don't know how often you are on these boards, but she is a "trusted" source.



Beca

 

[barb45]

It's unfortunate that you can be a victim of crime anywhere even the "happiest place on earth". My wallet was stolen at CHURCH and then about 1 year later my guitar was stolen at church. No place is safe!!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by barb45
It's unfortunate that you can be a victim of crime anywhere even the "happiest place on earth". My wallet was stolen at CHURCH and then about 1 year later my guitar was stolen at church. No place is safe!!

That's really the bottom-line. As hard as Disney may try to protect it's guests, in today's world it impossible to provide 100% protection.

Those of us who live or work in cities may have more street smarts. The church example is a good one. Around my home (which is a suburb of NYC) women still generally leave their purses on the floor or pew during mass and many don't take them with them up to Communion. This is a big no-no if attending mass at St. Patrick's in NYC. You better know where your purse is at all times. Keep a firm grip on it throughout the entire mass. St. Patrick's = tourists = thieves. Same when dining out -- know where that purse is and it better not be hanging off the back of the chair.

WDW is beautiful but we need to behave as if we were staying in a big city hotel because it is tourist attraction for people from around the world.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by wisbucky
Disney apparently has a large amount of crime taking place on their property. They would prefer to keep it all quiet.

They have 60,000 employees plus thousands of contract employees and hundreds of thousands of guests on property every day. I would imagine a large amount of crime takes place. I'm actually amazed that after all the trips I've taken to WDW I've never been a crime victim there -- leaving stuff in strollers and on chairs at pools.


Next time carry small amounts of cash and use an ATM as needed. Keep a spare credit card (separate account) in case you lose your wallet and have to cancel your primary one.

And never put all your eggs in one basket.

 

[CarolA]

A couple of thougts.

If you lock your luggage and the locks are not TSA approved take them off before you check the bags. Or the TSA is liable to destroy the zipper when they decide to inspect.

Bag handlers are often NOT employees of the airline you fly. At a lot of airports, the airlines either contract with a service and/or "rent" from the major carrier there. (I mean if you fly one flight a day into Orlando, you are not likely to have a full staff hanging around waiting)

Checked bags should not have cash, jewerly or electronics. The airlines will do NOTHING is those are lost. They will however replace you clothing!

Your 'super secret' hiding place for your cash has probably been used by 100s of people and the scam artists are on to it!

When I travel out of the country I use a waist bag. This fits UNDER my clothing and would be very hard to get too. This way my passport and spare credit card are on me at all time. If you feel the urge to carry lots of cash maybe this would work, but WEAR it inside your clothes. (I see people wearing the neck pouches on the outside a lot, that is just asking for a grab and go!)

If yo do give money to a CM for safekeeping, get a receipt!

while I am not saying the OP is out for anything Disney is a great target. I was reading the resturant board just the other day about some family who was going from fast food place to fast food place trying to pull a scam (claiming that the clean up staff took away their food before it gotten eaten to get free food!)

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Yikes! This sounds like it was taken from the safe! I think you DO have a case here! Hope it all turns out for the best.

If it was in the safe then I believe WDW WOULD be responsible. Wouldn't they?? I think the hotel would have been more concerned than they were.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Sorry to hear about what happened. I hope you recieve an appropriate solution. Please post more details when you are able to.

As far as "trolls" goes, there are more than one type. Some may be "pixie dust trolls". They post on the DIS in order to cast doubt on the legitamacy of any negative Disney thread.

 

[lightningcoach]

Okay maybe I am living in a fantasy world, but by Disney offering to store luggage for you, doesn't that seem to mean that you will get all of your valuables back. Does it say on a luggage check ticket that they are not liable?

What if I get my luggage back and some CM with a freaky fetish steals all my underwear? Is Disney liable or am I forced to buy Goofy fruit of looms for $50 a pair?

I understand to have your cash on you, but I still think Disney was being shady in their handling of things. Of course they don't want Orange County or any other outside entity involved because then there is a public records report of it. They want WDW to be a true fantasy land where nothing bad ever happens and people are happy they just dropped $3 for a water. That takes real work.

 

[KAMLEM]

We were at the Grand Californian last week and the luggage ticket said that there should be nothing valued at more than $250. Of course I noticed that after DH let them walk off with my laptop, 2 cameras and a brand new DVD camcorder. You don't even want to hear how the conversation went once I found that out.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Originally posted by RweTHEREyet
not entirely true. You can lock your checked bags as long as you stay in the area where it is going thru the scanner. They ask that you be available to open your luggage with your key if it does not pass inspection going thru the scanner. We stand and watch ours go thru security before we head to the gate. At least this is what we experienced last Fall and again this Spring.

Actually, that's not entirely true either. I have done this many times here (at RDU) and in Orlando, and in Las Vegas, but when I fly through Cleveland, they don't let me do it. Last time I tried was flying back after Christmas. I asked about it and they said no. I said, "I can't even wait while it's screened to see if you need me to unlock it?" They said no, that it was not allowed to be locked.

I have a couple problems with this, 1) why can't we have the same set of standards everywhere so we know what to expect? 2) If we're not allowed to lock our bags, how are we to protect ourselves from theft? I try and carry anything really really valuable in my carry-on, but you are limited in the size of your carry-on so I can only take so much with me. Then if something does get stolen they'll say that they're not liable. That ticks me off.

Hopefully Cleveland is the only airport like this.