Beggars

[k-herm]

Have any of you been approached by people asking for money while in Orlando?

I must look like a sucker, because it happened to us 3 times.

One, in the car park outside the HOP on the 192 a woman approached us selling linen doileys. Then outside the Wizard's hat gift shop, a couple were looking for mony to help them pay for a hotel for the night, allegedly after losing their credit cards. Another time in the Pizza Hut car park, a guy on a pedal bike came up to us asking for any spare change.

Also, in a separate incident, outside the Hilfinger shop, 2 guys followed us in, around the store and into the one next door AND the next one after that - maybe nothing in it, but, boy, did I feel uncomfortable.

We weren't expecting anything like this - is it common?

 

[Disneyrsh]

Wow, that sucks! We've been in all the places you mentioned and never had that problem!

It may be that my hubby is 6'4", 200 lb and has a long black ponytail (nevermind that he usually has on a mickey shirt).

Or maybe we just have successfully cultivated the 'low rent' look...

 

[basas]

I've never experienced in the places you've seen it in. I actually find the solicitors in Orlando Premium Outlets very annoying. You do see alot of panhandlers here though (Wpg), and in more downtown areas (and other areas of the inner-city)...it's best to just keep on walking. Signs in Savannah, Ga for example actually tell visitors NOT to give to panhandlers with some interesting statistics on the percent of the money given to them that goes to feed addictions, etc.

 

[gilld]

We were approached loads of times the very first time we visited. On that occasion we stayed on IDrive and they were often at the exit of I4 as we came off onto Sandlake Road. They would become quite abusive if we ignored them or refused. We found that stretch of IDrive from the convention Centre uo towards Belz rather seedy anyway and there were lots of undesirables around.

Since then we have always stayed onsite, originally to avoid the problem, and it has only happened occasionally, but often with the same abusive result. It can be very intimidating.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have seen people on street corners begging, but we have usually always been in our car.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Hmm, been many many times and never once seen or been approached -

oh other than a single woman who asked if she could fly with us on a heli tour only then to ask for the front seat as well

 

[Goofyish]

Have any of you been approached by people asking for money while in Orlando?

Only my Wife and Kids

 

[jen_uk]

No, I must look too poor!

 

[Clare D]

Only my Wife and Kids

Tim you do make me laugh. That is the sort of wise crack my DH would come out with it. Like it

 

[Laurafoster]

Yeah same here - been about 8 times and never been approached - still as i spend all my money on disney holidays anyway that must realise im to skint to give them anything!

 

[Miffy2003]

Only my Wife and Kids

I have never seen any in Orlando? Maybe I walk round with my eyes closed or have I just been lucky enough to have not gone to the areas mentioned? I have spent lots of time on the 192 over the years though but never much on I Drive.

 

[Verity Chambers]

We have never been approached either.

 

[floridalol]

In 10 visits, mostly staying on I-Drive, I have never even seen a beggar let alone been approached by one.

 

[Netty]

a few years ago when we were coming out of the ponderosa on the `192 (the old one with football scarves hanging up) there was a man sitting on the bench just outside dressed in a white suit, he was crying into his hanky and asking us for money, as his wife had left him and he was now homeless. and could we give him a lift to somewhere. straight away i said no and we all walked back to the car pretty quickly. i did feel at the time that there was more than just him hanging around, and if we had of gone towards the car with him we could of been mugged. before anyone quips in,no it wasnt john travolta!!

 

[Rosie]

As I sit here in my frayed faded jeans (which are older than both my DS and DD) I am realising why I don't get much attention from beggars!

We didn't see any in Orlando and as I am permanently dressed very badly and don't wear jewellry or make up at all on Holiday, I suppose I don't look worth pestering.

It is a serious issue though and one that I hope doesn't become as bad as in some other tourist areas. Hope that none of you have had any really bad experiences.

Rosie

 

[susan1]

hi
about 3yrs ago we were followed in our car. a car pulled along side us looked in then dropped back behind us and followed us back to our hotel. no coincidence as there are not many hotels at the far end of the west 192. fortunately we spotted him and when he followed us into the car park we just sat in the car. eventually he gave up and drove off. it was all a bit unnerving to say the least!

 

[basas]

I don't think its any different than any other large city here in North America...just be smart and don't tick anyone who looks like they may get aggressive off...remember many cars may have guns in the glove compartment.

 

[Stella_the_Staff]

Just got back yesterday and we were approached twice. Once in Ponderosa car park, a man asking for donation for Hurricane Katrina victims (partner gave him 5 dollars just to get rid of him). Then when we went to Clearwater beach the day of Hurricane Wilma to collect some sea shells my mum got asked by a so called irish man (american accent) for some spare change to catch a bus back to his hotel. She refused and he just went away.

 

[tink too]

Many years ago (1991, I think) we were going to I-Drive from 192. As the taxi driver took the exit, we noticed 2 scruffy guys with bicycles and cardboard signs with "will work for food" painted on them.

Then just before Christmas 1999, we were approached on I-Drive during the day by a respectable looking man with an official-looking ID badge collecting for charity. We donated some $ (season of goodwill and all) as it was to help shelters feed the homeless on Christmas Day. I didn't feel uncomfortable or pressured to hand over any cash at all. However, Christmas Eve late at night, a guy "jumped out" on us and tried his best to give us the same spiel - no clipboard, no ID and looking shifty - we just declined his offer (politely) to donate cash to the needy and said we'd already given to one of his collegues, then made a sharp exit into our hotel lobby!

 

[Lesleyluvdisney]

whilst there in 2000 there was drunk guy with a bottle in hand, asleep in the ticket and transportation center. dont venture out of the "world" much though. but have heard of it in downtown orlando