The only thing we had go missing is DH's wallet. We paid our final tab at the end of the night - so most everybody was gone, and left for the Portofino. We had barely left the gate when DH realized that the wallet must have slipped out. We ran back to the cabana - this was less than 5 minutes and the wallet was gone.
Yikes! I'm assuming your dh never got his wallet back. . . .that stinks. The only good thing I see from this is that at least it hadn't been stolen. . . sounds like an accident. We plan to carry some cash, but not very much. After reading some other threads, we have decided to use the room key as much as possible, travelers checks (I know, very old school. . but so safe) and our credit cards when all else fails. That way, we don't have to worry so much. I'm such a freak about things like this. I have to write down every time we take cash or tc's from our stash and then add all receipts to our budget every night. . .
We were leaving the next morning at 6am. What fun boarding a plane without ID. Luckily we called United and they told us that if we had a police report, and it was a return trip, we shouldn't have too much trouble. He just had a bit of extra screening.
Police said it was not uncommon at any of the resorts, Univeral and Disney. People troll around to see if people leave their wallets or purses unattended. The police officer told us that if they ever dredged the boat canal, they would find hundreds of wallets. They grab the cash and throw the rest in the water.
The time we had 2 cabanas (7 and 8), we had the adults in 8 and the kids in 7. The kids were always in the pool, so I did notice people trying to grab the floats and things that were still in 7. Pretty sure they weren't trying to steal anything, that it was just extra pool stuff (in an occupied cabana), but I did have to tell a family to put the stuff back. They were pretty sneaky though. They tried to come back several times, sending different kids over to grab the floats. I just don't get some people.
Do you take your own pool toys for the kids? I was wondering if HRH had toys available or what? My kids definitely need toys. I'll be certain to put our name on whatever we bring.
That said, we have left our books and clothes and such in the cabana, did a few rides and came back. Everything was still in place. But I wouldn't leave anything you are not willing to lose. You never know what kind of people are hotel guests.
I did return once, after walking my mother back to the PBH and DH and kids were in the parks, to find an entire family parked in the cabana watching cartoons on the TV. Our stuff was all over the table, so you could definitely tell it was occupied.
I do have some things I wouldn't want to lose. . . lots of very nice beach towels my parents have brought us back from various trips, etc. I guess we will just have to be certain someone is either there at all times, or take the stuff back to our room when we are not. The sad thing is that you know there are not just random kids running around. This is a pricey resort and someone's parents are paying a premium to stay there. I know this stuff happens everywhere. . .
I picked up my book off the table and laid down in our lounge chair that I had pulled into the cabana for shade and continued to read. They finally left after about half an hour. They weren't bothering me and the kids looked like they could use some shade, so I didn't say anything.
So is it not posted anywhere that the cabanas are reserved and/or occupied??
You are such a kind person, cuz if I were honest, I don't know that I would've been ok with another family hanging out, for free, when I had to pay $200 to do it!! I might've charged some rent
As for the book, the pool boy bringing me drinks, the kids in the pool or the parks, and lounging in the cabana - The BEST way to spend a day at Universal