Dishonest mousekeepers??

[TDC Nala]

I always assume there is a master key or master code (if electronic) for any type of safe in a hotel room.

There likely is...but the housekeepers are not supposed to have it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Yes in that case the housekeeper was caught... Which is fantastic! ... But in most cases the crook is not caught and the victim certainly never gets their stuff back..

That is true in more cases of thievery than not. The victim shouldn't be expecting that they will get anything back. I wouldn't hesitate reporting because "they'll never catch the crook." They do, sometimes. But even if they do, it's likely you won't get your stuff back, and it's too bad that many think the reporting isn't worthwhile for that reason.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

That is true in more cases of thievery than not. The victim shouldn't be expecting that they will get anything back. I wouldn't hesitate reporting because "they'll never catch the crook." They do, sometimes. But even if they do, it's likely you won't get your stuff back, and it's too bad that many think the reporting isn't worthwhile for that reason.

Agreed - report it because the manager of that shift will know the truth. They will have a sense for their employees, and will know whether or not the person in doubt might be a thief. But, even if they are unsure, they will now watch that person like a hawk. Eventually the person will get caught, straighten out or move on down the road. But how is the management to know who to watch and why if we don't report the crime?

 

[scoobydooby]

I'm sorry this happened to your family that's horrible. But if stealing from WDW safes was common it would be all over the internet. So I absolutely believe you but feel it's very unlikely statistically this would happen to you again. I have spent 112 nights in WDW hotel rooms and always use the safe and have never had anything stolen. I used to leave a LOT of cash in them in the days before pre paid credit cards (UK visitor).

 

[POOHsie]

I had a certain relative (now deceased) who loved getting something for nothing. There are people who will try to claim they left money in the Disney safe (nothing to prove it) and now it was gone and they want reimbursement. My relative didn't go that far, but once, a picture over his and wife's bed at a Florida motel "fell" off the wall. My relative claimed the situation was so bad that he wanted his entire week's room cost to be reimbursed. I don't remember the outcome, but his little schemes succeeded many times. He was embarrassing to the family, to say the least.

 

[RyannB]

I'm going to get a small (think 4x6) locking safe with a tether on amazon and lock and tether it to something permanent. Overly cautious? Maybe, but better safe than sorry. I will say we've always used the hotel safe before with no issues, but I do always worry about it a little.

 

[mom2rtk]

We have always kept things... Including our envelope of extra cash, iPads, and jewelry in the safe at our Disney resort rooms and have never had an issue... But we do always tip Mousekeeping.

Is it your contention that mousekeeping is more likely to steal from someone who doesn't tip?

 

[daisy87]

When we stayed at pop I never even considered that anyone would try and get in our safe. We left cash,watches,passports,tickets to other theme parks....everything in it! We even left the key in the room hidden in the sock draw,I'm thinking we may have been a bit careless but luckily nothing was ever taken .

I will probably be more cautious in the future though!!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Is it your contention that mousekeeping is more likely to steal from someone who doesn't tip?

A real thief (like someone who can break into a safe) is not out for tips. They will steal whenever/wherever they think they can get away with it.

Honest people will generally remain honest, even when tempted with something left out in the open with an opportunity to steal and get away with it. This assumes no other emotions are in play.

Angry people act in ways that they would not normally act. If someone feels slighted, they might do something like steal in revenge for that perceived slight. This wouldn't apply to many, but it would certainly apply to some.

So, will tipping help a person avoid a theft? Probably not, but it might help keep an honest person honest. Since we should tip anyway (it is a tipped position), this concern is easy to avoid.

 

[gwynne]

Never had a problem with housekeepers anyplace we travel, including Disney. We do use to safe occasionally. It's not something I worry about at all.
We always tip housekeepers when we travel. We do it because we choose to.

 

[pktbMouse]

In 1998 we some OTC and prescription meds take from our room and the management at the Contemporary could not have cared less.

Last year in CBR I had left my prescription pain killers ( vicodin ) next to the sink by my make up bag. I was recovering from a badly injured knee and needed them. I sat them in the corner just behind the bag thinking they would be safe. When we came back they were gone. I reported this to CBR management but they more or less accused me of losing them myself...they didnt do a thing. This year I will be locking them in my suitcase...I was in agony last year without them. Since this happened Im wary of leaving anything in the room now.

 

[katew449]

1) Not so. 2) They are true safe-deposit boxes with two keys, just like a bank. . . . one for hotel . . . one for guest . . . and, there are no spare guest-keys 3) The OP "presumes" the housekeeper took the cash. 4) But, as mentioned, there is no proof and no attempt to contact police/sheriff. 5) Remember, NO HOTEL assumes liability for valuables left in rooms. 6) This is why they have the secure safes. NOTE: After working Concierge for years, I have seen lots of people claim loses due to maids. When asked if they wish to file a police report, only a few have agreed. I many cases, the items were missing due to fault-carelessness-etc of the guest. I AM NOT IGNORING THE WORDS OR VORACITY OF THE MOTHER. I am just making an observation.

The police were contacted as I mentioned earlier in the thread; however he had mentioned that if we wanted to file a report we would need to go back to Orlando to testify when they found whoever was responsible. We live in Philadelphia and it would have cost more to fly/drive down to testify than to chalk up the loss. It's a perfect crime.