Break-ins at WDW Parking Lot???

[DisneyFanSince71]

We are leaving WDW at the end of the day and we were planning to keep our luggage in the car. I presume that WDW has the boilerplate "we are not responsible for breakins" language in their parking agreeement. But what is the risk of a auto breakin at WDW? My guess it would be fairly low as you have trams going thru the lot the entire day. Thoughts?

 

[Robo]

We are leaving WDW at the end of the day and we were planning to keep our luggage in the car. I presume that WDW has the boilerplate "we are not responsible for breakins" language in their parking agreeement. But what is the risk of a auto breakin at WDW? My guess it would be fairly low as you have trams going thru the lot the entire day. Thoughts?

There are large "luggage lockers" near the parking lots at the parks.

If in doubt, use them.

 

[jb01]

I haven't heard of any lately but I imagine it could happen. Put what you can in the trunk and cover any valuables that someone might be able to see just by walking by. I really don't think you would have any problem.

 

[RMulieri]

It has happened.I know of some people that had their GPS stolen out of their cars in the Mk parking lot. It happens , but it is rare. Don't leave anything in there that you may be devastated to find gone

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I never keep anything of any value at all visible in my car no matter where it is parked. Thieves think nothing of doing hundreds of dollars worth of damage to break in to steal the smallest thing nowadays.

I think the most risk, and I see this often, is people who park in the unloading zone and haul one load of stuff to their room leaving their car unlocked, or even wide open. Opportunity makes a thief easier than anything else. Most are too darned lazy so if confronted by a bit, even a small bit, of difficulty they will look elsewhere.

Lots of folks let down their guard at DW because it has such a wonderful reputation but there will always be those who will take advantage of such. I once saw a family leave their stroller, with purses, outside a public restroom. I stood guard and warned them when they came out. I hope they listened.

SG

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

It probably happens more than you think or is reported. I remember a few months ago it was reported someones entire car was stolen at the Wilderness Lodge. I'm not singling out the WL but it could happen anywhere.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My dad had his mini van broken into and his wallet stolen. However he had left the wallet in plain sight by mistake. He just walked off and forgot it. The security at Disney took a report, but that was all. Dad had to cancel his credit cards, and had no cash left. We had to lend him money for the rest of the week. Lesson learned... Don't leave valuables in plain sight!!!

 

[Coach81]

I have never heard of it.. thank goodness.

 

[wmharley]

We are leaving WDW at the end of the day and we were planning to keep our luggage in the car. I presume that WDW has the boilerplate "we are not responsible for breakins" language in their parking agreeement. But what is the risk of a auto breakin at WDW? My guess it would be fairly low as you have trams going thru the lot the entire day. Thoughts?

what is the chance of a breakin at your home while you are gone?

its either it happens or it doesn't.

 

[johnGorski]

I think your are safer at Disney then somewhere else. They do keep a good eye on the car during the day. As other post stated someone taking a wallet, GPS small it would be easy for a theif as it would take a few seconds. A car full of luggage would be diffrent they would not risk getting caught doing this. Everytime we go we have luggage and go straight from the airport to park. We just hide all of the valuables. never had a problem

 

[tony67]

As long as it is not visible you should be fine.
Anything irreplaceable should not be left in the car, just in case.
(Passports, tickets etc..)

I do it all the time, but I also make sure I do not have anything in the trunk I need in the parks.

The last thing you want to do is to be opening the trunk full of luggage to find something.
If someone is watching this is what they look for.

Also more importantly do not leave a GPS or Phone in the car and visible.
These are far more likely targets of opportunity.

 

[fall08CP]

Even though trams go by all day long, they don't have any clue whose car belongs to whom. Theives can be sneaky and make it look like they are getting into their own car, when really they are breaking into someone else's. Also, we've all seen how long the rows of cars are. If they went way down, there wouldn't be many people around at all. Same with strollers, even though there are cast members around, they don't know who owns each stroller, so don't leave valuable stuff unattended. Be smart.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

Why don't you just leave your luggage at bell services at the resort until the end of the day. On your way out of town, go pick it up from bell services. Then it is tucked away and safe and not sitting in a hot car either.

 

[disnut8]

As others have said, use common sense. Most cars these days have trunks where you cannot see into them. If you do have to have something visible, throw a jacket or something like that over the top of it. Make it look casual like you just left the jacket in the car. The key is to make a would-be thief have to work hard to get into your car. With the thousands of vehicles in a Disney World parking lot, if they can't get into your car within seconds, they will just move on.

I once left my car door (the back seat door on the driver's side) standing wide open in a resort parking lot for over four hours. Unintentionally, of course. I had taken something from the backseat and started talking to my husband. Then I just walked away without shutting the door. When we came back later, nothing had even been touched. But I wouldn't count on that at all! I was extremely lucky.

In other words, don't be as absent minded as I was and you should be fine.

 

[maxiesmom]

While I haven't read any reports of cars being broken into, recently there have been quite a few posts from people who have had things stolen while at Disney World. It is very scary! Disney will not be responsible if your car is broken into. If you plan on leaving stuff in your car, leave anything of value in the trunk, or better yet, leave valuables at home.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

We will be getting a car from MCO-- I plan on taking our luggage to POP and storing it, we get in early-- then maybe a little mini golf- or something, I need to get my KTTW card because we have a photo session @ the Poly then dinner @ Ohana....so I will need our dining credits. I will be taking a trip to Target or something on the way from the airport...but plan to leave DH in the car with at least one of the kids. Just like everyone else has said ...don't leave anything in the car that you wouldn't care about-- right now I would like to leave DH in the car with a sign--PLEASE TAKE ME!!

 

[Geoff_M]

We have heard reports of it happening while we were at WDW. People will punch trunk locks too. Thieves know that a lot of cars in WDW parking lots will contain all of a family's luggage so you can still get lots of loot by hitting random cars. The lots are huge and it only takes a few seconds to pop a trunk and then make it look like it's your car. Mini-vans often make the job easier.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Do you all think it is safer to leave the car at the resort lot?

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I had my brand new car scratched while in a handicap spot right up front, under a light, at my resort. I reported it so that they might stop someone from doing it to someone else. It is something that could have happened anywhere it is just so unexpected at DW.

Slightly Goofy

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Why don't you just leave your luggage at bell services at the resort until the end of the day. On your way out of town, go pick it up from bell services. Then it is tucked away and safe and not sitting in a hot car either.

This is a very smart suggestion. We plan to visit a park during our last day at WDW. I was going to leave our luggage in the car at our resort because we have to check-out at 11 am. We may do this instead. Thanks for the tip!

Jennifer