Back from SSR **Victims of a crime**

[ErinC]

Wisbucky: First let me say that I am sorry that your trip wasn't as good as you wished. The stolen money issue is terrible! I will refrain from treating you like a child and lecturing! On our last trip we had a change can here at the house that we had been saving as our "Disney" fund. When I cashed it all out, it was around $700. I too did not get any travelers checks. It made me a nervous wreck to have the cash with me. As soon as we checked in to BCV I had them place the cash on my account. So before they charged anything to my credit card, it used the cash first. That way it was out of my hands and I didn't have to worry about carrying it, or even putting it in the safe. Just something to keep in mind, that they will do this for you upfront.

It is so strange to hear about how these things are handled. The first part of June, there were several reports about money being stolen from some units at BCV while we were there the last week of May. It seems that according to those folks, Disney was on top of the situation, and resolved it pretty quickly. It seems like it was cash that was stolen then, by a housekeeper. DH and I even joked that it must of been our housekeeper, since they hadn't bothered to clean our room before we checked in!! Just kidding, no flames please! Any way, I hope it gets resolved quickly for you.

I can also relate to your trip to the ER. I had one of those on our May trip too. I had a cyst that burst, and we had to leave the MK at around 9:40 because I thought I was dying. After 7 hours at Celebration ER (and $3000+ later)I finally got to leave. It really put a damper on the day to say the least. I hope you are feeling better now. Hopefully, your next trip will be better!

 

[shelbyjosh]

So sorry to hear your trip ended on a sour note. Hope you are feeling better! But, I do have a question: why would you leave cash in a suitcase or in something else out of your possession? First of all, we only take (maybe) $300 cash and it is split up in DH and I's wallets. The rest is on debit/credit card. Secondly, when we have had to store our bags dues to our room not being ready we always take our carry-on bag. It has DD breathing machine (just in case!!), all meds, bathing suits, and 2 digital cameras. No way would I be checking that bag with a bellhop!! Yes, it is a pain to lug around. But what is in there is unreplaceable. I guess this was a lesson learned for you. I hope WDW gets to the bottom of this and your matter gets resolved. PLease post an update when you can!!

Don't most resorts have safes at the front desk to use???

 

[crisi]

Thanks for the update.

We also don't carry more cash than we'd be comfortable losing, but its good to know that if I think I want a police report filed at Disney, I'd better call the police.

I know that I have insurance on my cell phone for when it is lost - and I need to have the number from a police report in order to have the insurance kick in - even if I know I dropped in down the toilet and didn't have it stolen! It isn't unthinkable to want a police report if one of my earrings falls out or I lose my wedding ring while we travel - even if we are never victimized by anything other than my own forgetfullness!

If your acheive resolution, I'd be interested in hearing how the money got to where it was. Reading between the lines, I have a suspicion of what might have happened, and if I'm right, I would have trusted the situation as well.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by wisbucky
To clarify a few matters here. The cash was in the luggage room but not in the luggage. I dont want to go into detail as this is being investigated and the area the cash was at had a lot to do with the person who is the suspect.

I dont want to get into a debate here but be careful not to bash the victim of a crime. Someday you may be the victim of a crime. I hope that never happens but if it does and you have others putting blame on you to a certain degree, you will wonder who they really are supporting. The criminal or you.

Just a thought to keep in mind.

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.

 

[Terry S]

Hey crisi... it is funny that you mention just that. My husband "lost" his phone while we were at WDW last May. He made a call just before we went on the water mice as we were walking out to the dock and then noticed it missing when we were done and he was taking off his life jacket. We assume that while he was bending down getting into the boat that the life jacket knocked it off of its click and down into the water. We reported it "lost" to the BC just in case and then called the phone insurance company. They asked us for a police report but I told them that I had not seen a use for one since it was at the bottom of a lake. They did not require us to get one then. By the way, a very water logged phone showed up in the mail 2 weeks later. I am not sure if the thing floats or what?

 

[canwegosoon]

Sorry to hear about your loss, hope you're feeling better, and thanks for the heads up!

 

[DebbieB]

I either lost or had a cell phone stolen from OKW about 5 years ago. I didn't realize it was gone until about day 4 of our trip, I thought I left it in my carryon bag. The phone co advised that I file a police report in case unauthorized calls were made plus for insurance purposes. I called the front desk and they gave me the number for the Orange Co Sheriff. I gave them a report over the phone and got a report #. I was able to get some of the money back from homeowners insurance. That "free" phone when you sign up for service becomes very expensive when you have to replace it during your contract (unfortunately, I lost it right after I got it and still had almost 2 years left on my contract).

wisbucky - if the amount stolen was more than your homeowners deductible, you should consider filing a claim (if you haven't already).

 

[lisareniff]

I'm very disappoointed in how Disney handled this situation. I'm sure it made you feel so much worse. Sort of like being a victim twice.

 

[vernon]

I'm sorry to hear about your problems, I very much appreciate you taking the time to give the rest off us a heads up. Both the story and Disney/Orange County Police aspect are very useful information that I hope I'll never have to use.

I must admit it does sound a curious situation and I do hope you will be able to explain how things came to be. It sounds like you put your trust in someone (or they offered to accept that trust) and you were taken advantage of.

 

[floridafam]

This sounds like it was taken from the safe

That's what I was thinking, too BUT if you deposit money in a safe at WDW then you get a receipt. If you come to get your money and it's gone then that's theft.

It doesn't sound like that is what happened here. I'm confused.

I'm sure it must be awful to experience something like this on vacation.

 

[JimC]

Sorry to hear about the theft and health problems on your last trip. I hope both eventually turn out okay.

I understand the frustration of how to deal with Disney as one would normally expect to report thefts to a local law enforcement official, once property security is notified. At WDW the issue is a bit more complex.

WDW located in a separate governmental entity called RCID (Reedy Creek Improvement District). It is authorized in Florida legislation that grants Disney extraordinary governmental powers. The only residents of RCID are carefully selected Disney employees (When the town of Celebration was established it was annexed out of RCID). RCID provides all of the typical governmental services (fire, police, water, sewer, road maintenance, zoning, etc). They do have relationships that have evolved over the years with local and state government. For more information on this unique situation read "Married to the Mouse".

 

[WDWLVR]

First off I'm really sorry about how this ruined part of your vacation. I've had a kindey stone and know that it is no fun whatsoever.

As for the money - I honestly don't think anyone was bashing you. They were going on what you had said which was the money disappeared from the luggage room. It is a natural assumption then that it was in your luggage.

We've checked luggage in the past and I always keep my travel folder in my carry-on with all our papers and money in it. I keep a lock for the carry-on and when we check it I make sure I take the travel folder out and lock the carry-on. Yes it is a bit bulky in my purse, but I would never leave it behind with checked baggage.

I like the idea of putting the money right on your room charge instead of carrying it . Since we often charge things back to the room it would make things very easy.

I hope all goes well for you in this case.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The private security force is there to protect WDW from bad publicity, reporting of crimes, and to protect WDW from liability when possible. Then the customers come next. They do not as a rule report to the police. A classic example of this happen when a person was killed riding a water sprite that was hit by the ferry that brings people to MK. At any rate WDW sent divers down to get the body and clean up any evidence. Then they contacted the police, the police were not happy with this situation. What is so marvelous about all this is the way WDW controls everything, even the bad. The same holds true with the tax structure they have. How do you think we get to have deeds when we are really only renting points, then we get to pay taxes, of course, we would pay the taxes indirectly anyway. There have been books written about how the whole WDW situation was formed. Walt knew what he was doing when he built his kingdom. At any rate theft happens all the time at WDW, protect your money. No need to lecture the OP here.

 

[goofy4tink]

Someone here mentioned they don't like to leave any luggage unattended in the luggage holding area. That got me thinking. Have any of you tried putting security ties on your luggage? That way you would know if it had been opened. Sure would make me feel safer. I had never given any thought to who has access to my bags before getting on a flight. I guess when I'm asked at the airport if my bags have been out of my sight at any time, I should be answering 'yes'!!!! Think I'll get some of those thingies for next month since my stuff will be being stored.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Good idea, goofy4tink! Where do you go to get that sort of thing?

 

[brivers222]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
Good idea, goofy4tink! Where do you go to get that sort of thing?

We buy luggage Locks (not the generic ones where a paper clip could open it) but locks that have one key to open it. We place these on all zippers on the luggage.

As another security measure bought those armband things from a party store near our house. We attached them on the zippers as well. You can tell imediately that they have been tampered with.

Even though someone can still get into the suitcase (rip the sides with a box cutter or knife) it is a very good deterant.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
That got me thinking. Have any of you tried putting security ties on your luggage? That way you would know if it had been opened. Sure would make me feel safer. I had never given any thought to who has access to my bags before getting on a flight. I guess when I'm asked at the airport if my bags have been out of my sight at any time, I should be answering 'yes'!!!! Think I'll get some of those thingies for next month since my stuff will be being stored.

Those security ties are literally a dime a dozen. I have heard that airport security even keeps them on hand to put back on the luggage after a luggage security check.

That being said. I think that those security ties are better than nothing. Basically, if someone wanted in, they could get in whatever you had on - lock or tie thingy. What we really want to know is has someone been in our stuff without our knowledge. My advice, for what it's worth, is to paint the ends (or wherever) of the security tie with your reject nail polish, so that you should know if the security was place on it by you - or replaced by someone else.

Another thing, if you fly, you won't be able to carry scissors in your carryon so make sure you have something to cut those security ties off with when you get to the hotel.

 

[wtpclc]

If you have a bag with a removable handle that must be stored inside the bag for plane travel, you'll want to be able to cut those ties off between the time your store your luggage and check it in at the plane.

 

[Patty3]

You really had a double whammy. I have passed kidney stones and I know first hand how incredibly painful they can be. I am so sorry that this happened to you while in DW. My Dad had this happen to him in Poland many years ago and it was quite scary!

I am also so sorry that you had money stolen. I thank you for being so concerned that this does not happen to someone else, by posting your misfortune. You have made us more aware that things like this can and do happen at to the happiest place on earth. I now know that if something like this happens to me, I will make a direct report to the Sheriff's Department. Please let us know how this all works out.

I really do appreciate the concern you have shown for others, thank you!

 

[barb45]

Thanks for the reminder to be cautious on vacation. I hope they fire the guy that stole your money. You would think that they would have security cameras in the luggage area!! They have security cameras all over the place that it would seem logical that an area like that would be covered too. Now for my tip of the day: I carry very little cash (split between DH and me) and I use a money belt. It's very thin and lies flat against your stomach under your shirt. I put my passport, cash, airline tickets and CC's in there and don't even carry a purse - and you can't be pick pocketed either. I got this tip from a travel show I watch because pick pockets are common in some European countries. And I love being hands free!