Be wary of pick pockets at DLRP

[Fiona35]

I'm not sure if anyone has posted about this recently but having just come back from DLRP, it was very active with pick pockets whilst we were there and on New Years Eve I had my purse stolen from my backpack whilst looking at a ride photo outside Big Thunder Mountain.

When we went to City Hall to report the theft there were 3 other people being ushered into the little side rooms along with the folders containing all phone numbers pertaining to cancelling your credit/debit cards. We were told we had to wait for a room to become available!! Once a room was available the young girl took all the details, gave me the folder to look at and offered me a phone to call all my banks with to cancel the cards.

The Next day we had to go to the Police Station to report the theft as my purse also contained my Dream AP and to get a replacement whilst at the park I had to obtain a police declaration - replacement Annual Passes are normally issued by Post!

Should anyone have the misfortune to go to the Police Station, unless you can speak Fluent French, it is advisable to take a translator with you, this service is offered by City Hall and the Disney Hotels and they will take you to the Police Station, translate for you and then bring you back. We didn't find this out until the next day as we had a trainee person at City Hall who just pointed to the police station near the Newport Bay Hotel on the map and said we needed to go there! We tried to find our way there at 1am but gave up and got a taxi there the next morning to find the Police didn't understand us, spoke very little english and wondered where our translator was!! After a phone call to our hotel the Sequoia Lodge wondered why we had gone there by ourselves!! The Sequoia then arranged for a translator to be available a little later on in the day as they were very busy with check outs at that moment!

The Seqouia Lodge was very helpful throughout and the translator was one of their Receptionists who spoke perfect English. Once we had the police Declaration we could go to the Annual Passport Office outside the Studios and were were able to have my Pass reissued. At least the Disney Magic could now continue.

 

[Rachie B]

OMG thats awful !

glad all was ok in the end

I always make sure to carry money,APs etc in an "across the body bag"

much harder to thieve from ,i kind of rest my hand on it whilst carrying

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Sorry to hear about this Fiona.

Will be very wary when I am there tomorrow.

 

[hildasmuriel]

What a horrible thing to happen. What lowlifes they must be - hanging around where people are happiest and relaxed and then stealing from them.
If I was shopping in London, or browsing a market somewhere I would be clutching my bag like mad, but at Disney it's easy to forget the outside world exists....along with stinking thieves.

I'm glad that your hotel were helpful to you - eventually.

 

[joolz1910]

That is awful. I know it's naive of me but you don't expect to be on your guard at DLP. I will certainly learn from this. Thanks for the warning.

 

[mommy2ash]

oh no that is awful

i used a bag that went across my body but i still didnt even feel safe with that. i kept checking my bag the whole time.

 

[jks]

Before all of you shot me down in flames I mentioned pickpockets at DLRP back on the 28th December when my purse, camera was takne from my bag.

I think the comments were along the lines of

"Pickpockets - as someone else has pointed out, it can happen anywhere, so it's up to you as the individual to keep your personal belongings safe."

At least Disney and City hall seem to be taking the problem more seriously than they did over Christmas. My handbag was over my shoulder across my chest with the fastening towards me,

These pick pockets are profesionals and will somehow manage to remove items without you feeling it.

I spent 2 hours at the Police station and had to cancel all my credit/debit cards, I was devesated as it was Christmas day.

So please those who are going please take care...

 

[Jeccaboos]

Thanks so much for the warnings - I have a large bag that goes across my body and rests on my back but the only thing I'll be keeping in there are drinks and sandwiches. My husband is the worst and will often comment that he would feel someone taking his wallet from his back pocket

 

[torsie24]

Thanks for the heads up - might try and convince Jack to wear the sexy bumbag again!!

 

[FiFi Rose]

What an awful experience hope it didn't ruin the magic too much

I have a seperate bag and holiday purse which I use only when we are in the parks. The bag goes across my body and has double fastenings. In the purse I only carry things i will need whilst away (less to cancel /worry about if the worst happens!) eg. 1 bank card/credit card. I always make use of the room safes so I'm not carrying too much money either.

 

[Rachie B]

At least Disney and City hall seem to be taking the problem more seriously than they did over Christmas. My handbag was over my shoulder across my chest with the fastening towards me,

and they still managed to get your belongings!?! i dont see how?!

i would know if someone was touching my chest

 

[hildasmuriel]

Before all of you shot me down in flames I mentioned pickpockets at DLRP back on the 28th December when my purse, camera was takne from my bag.

I think the comments were along the lines of

"Pickpockets - as someone else has pointed out, it can happen anywhere, so it's up to you as the individual to keep your personal belongings safe."

At least Disney and City hall seem to be taking the problem more seriously than they did over Christmas. My handbag was over my shoulder across my chest with the fastening towards me,

These pick pockets are profesionals and will somehow manage to remove items without you feeling it.

I spent 2 hours at the Police station and had to cancel all my credit/debit cards, I was devesated as it was Christmas day.

So please those who are going please take care...

Never mind

 

[davewasbaloo]

It is terrible to hear, but yes, a very big reminder, there is a large ring that works DLP, the village and the RER train, and have done for years. Also, the rooms of the hotels are robbed on a very regular basis.

This also happens in Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

As a result, when not in use we use a safe. We where underclothes belts with a credit card and cash. We split our daily cash across my wife and I, and the wallet goes in my front trouser pocket only.

The busiest days are the most popular. Problem is, when people go on vacation, they forget themselves.

Hope it didn't ruin your trip.

 

[Cyrano]

Good advice about how thiefs realise that many drop their guard. So this is a timely reminder when the parks are busy.
Good to know about the translator service.

 

[ChristinaDK]

i get my back stollen under the wild west show. My money (300euro) and ticket was in there.

 

[tinks_1989]

i am so sorry to hear this i have just bought my park bag today to get my purse it will be under a lap 2 zips and i can also attach to a strap inside i think i will be and also cameras and phones will be put very carefully away

thanks for the advance warning though

JKS sorry to also hear about your trip i didnt read what you had read this is the first i have heard of it i had only ever heard of the people outside the RER can be abit dodgy and not just what they sell

 

[poppyolivia]

Thanks for the heads up - might try and convince Jack to wear the sexy bumbag again!!

I wear one of them, hate going into a shop and having to retrieve it! I hate them but Im more going to wear it now!! (that doesn't make sense but you know what I mean!)

On the serious side though its bloody awful people would do this like someone mentioned, when people are so happy having a good time!

Fiona, so sorry to hear about it but a big thank you coming on here to remind everyone!

xxx

 

[mommy2ash]

It is terrible to hear, but yes, a very big reminder, there is a large ring that works DLP, the village and the RER train, and have done for years. Also, the rooms of the hotels are robbed on a very regular basis.

This also happens in Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

As a result, when not in use we use a safe. We where underclothes belts with a credit card and cash. We split our daily cash across my wife and I, and the wallet goes in my front trouser pocket only.

The busiest days are the most popular. Problem is, when people go on vacation, they forget themselves.

Hope it didn't ruin your trip.

yes my aunt told me when she stayed at the santa fe on the ground floor my cousin got locked out and was able to enter the room through the window so i make sure to request a room upstairs

 

[ruthiebabie]

I think I said the last time - Disney is rich pickings for the pickpockets - for the price of a one day pass they can work their way through a crowd who on the whole are distracted by other things and tbh not expecting that their first thoughts should be their personal belongings rather than what ride to do next.

It's not on but I think its becoming more and more common and pretty reflective of how some people have total disregard for other people and their property.

 

[joolz1910]

I think I said the last time - Disney is rich pickings for the pickpockets - for the price of a one day pass they can work their way through a crowd who on the whole are distracted by other things and tbh not expecting that their first thoughts should be their personal belongings rather than what ride to do next.

It's not on but I think its becoming more and more common and pretty reflective of how some people have total disregard for other people and their property.

I think I remember you saying this when someone had their children's toys stolen from their stroller when they were on a ride. You are absolutely right - it is very rich pickings and we have all done silly things - I left my camera in the baby's changing bag while I did rides last time. Needless to say I won't be that dumb this time. I often wonder about tourists who have backpacks on with the little pocket on the back. This must be the worst place to keep valuables, even though it is convenient. I have stopped a man whose wallet was poking out of his back jeans pocket. He said thanks and just pushed it back in to the same pocket.

What does Disney do about this problem? Do they have 'pickpockets operate in this area' signs? Kinda ruins the magic, doesn't it?