Do you feel safe in the "Disney Bubble?"

[camdensmom]

I was just reading through the thread on the Sentinel article that referenced an alleged attempted rape at Pop last week. It got me thinking.

We just returned from a stay at the Polynesian. While the majority of our stay was wonderful (save for the barking dog in the room next to us and average mousekeeping services), but I can honestly say it was the first time I have stayed on Disney property and not felt 100% safe (of course in an ignorant way, but still always felt safe).

We stayed in Tahiti and I didn't care for the fact that the automatic doors open for anyone who wants to enter. Granted a criminal can get in anywhere they want, but I just felt like I was paying a lot of money to stay in this hotel and it should have some type of keyed security.

I also love to get up early and in the past walking over the the hotel's food court for coffee while my DH sleeps a little is always one of my favorite parts of a trip. (I esp. enjoyed this at CSR and POR). At the Poly, the walk was long and VERY dark. The lush landscaping that is so gorgeous during the day was creepy in those early hours when it was pitch black outside and the tiki torches were not lit.

I'm not sure if I am just getting older and wiser or if being a mom now has me more aware of the evils of the world or what. It could also be that I felt a little unsettled by the isolation there and it's proximity to the TTC knowing anyone could walk in (again I realize anyone could get anywhere anyhow, but it just seemed 'too easy' at the POLY), but this was the first trip where I felt like I needed to look over my shoulder and not be completely relaxed.

Just curious how others feel.

 

[epcotfan]

I've been alone at night at various Disney resorts and have encountered the odd drunk wandering around. I think at any relatively uninhabited place (such as a quiet pool, parking lot or resort walkway) you should be cautious. So no, I don't feel completely safe in the Disney bubble. I don't think you should feel completely safe. Bad things can happen anywhere and one should never take their safety for granted.

 

[verticalchaos]

It's just like anywhere else. You have to be aware of your surroundings. I live in New York City, so I am always aware of what's going on around me. Like epcotfan said, it's when you get too comfortable and let your guard down that things can happen. One of my co-teachers was walking to work the other day and two guys tried to pull her into their car. She said she knows she let down her guard because she's been working there for like 4 years and nothing's ever happened. No, we're not in the best neighborhood in Brooklyn but we're not in the worst.

Even when we go to the beach at the small "family community" we go to, I'm still cautious when I go for a walk by myself.

You don't have to live like a paranoid idiot, expecting anyone who looks at you to be wanting to do you harm, but you do need to be aware of your surroundings.

 

[Tara]

I was just reading through the thread on the Sentinel article that referenced an alleged attempted rape at Pop last week. It got me thinking.

We just returned from a stay at the Polynesian.

Actually, we were there a week ago and it was my first visit to the Poly at night. We walked from the TTC to the main building and I thought it was downright creepy. No offense to Poly lovers, but the paths were so dimly lit and so deserted that I was instantly reconsidering the conversation my DH and I had just had about trying the resort.

In general, I feel a bit safer at Disney than I do just walking down the street, but that's just a feeling and I'm aware there's a lot of illusion creating that sense of safety. But even at Disney, I would be reluctant to walk places by myself at night. I don't think there's any "Disney bubble" when it comes to safety...I mean, I wouldn't let my child walk around alone, either.

The attempted rape story is a shock for some, I'm sure, but crime can happen anywhere -- I feel safe in my home, too, but I'm much more likely to be assaulted in my home than at Disney.

So I guess the real answer is that I feel safe at Disney, but I do some things to control that safety and it's all relative.

 

[SusanDK]

While the majority of our stay was wonderful (save for the barking dog in the room next to us.

Sorry to go OT, but did you report the dog to management?

Susan

 

[disneyholic family]

i definitely feel safer on WDW property than elsewhere in Orlando.
But that's not to say that i let my guard down at WDW.
As the New Yorker said, I'm always aware of my surroundings - where i am and who's around me.

When i was at WDW in November, i had a pedicure at the GF spa. The CM told me that she always feels a lot safer when she's at work on WDW property, than when she's off property. She actually referred to WDW as a bubble in Orlando in terms of security. That while things happen in WDW, they're far fewer than in the Orlando area in general.

Another thing i noticed on this trip was the incredible amount of security in the DTD parking lot. Cameras, observations stations, security cars. Much more than in the past.

 

[Kay1]

Once, a man followed me to our POR room. It was a long time ago during EL Nino and I'd just come from the food court. It wasn't that early but because it was so cloudy and drizzling it wasn't very light and no one was around. I'd driven and was coming from the parking lot and the man was heading toward the lot.

We passed one another and I forgot about him, walking on to our building. But as I was going up the staircase, something made me turn around. He was right behind me, silently climbing the stairs.

Maybe there was an innocent reason he turned around and followed me, but it felt wrong. I decided a long time ago that I'd rather appear foolish than be murdered in that sort of situation, so I ran. I ran all the way to the room and pounded on our door, which my son opened at once.

I still feel safe at Disney but we have to remember that bad people go on vacation, too.

 

[fla4fun]

Sorry to go OT, but did you report the dog to management?

Susan

It was probably a service animal (although if it were barking, I'd report it).

Poly is the one resort that I've had second thoughts about, mainly because the Lynx buses stop at TTC, and literally anyone can get on property using them, at very little cost. It would be more difficult, but not impossible, for people to get to most of the other resorts. It's important not to let your guard down anywhere you go these days.

I thought the sliding doors had a key card lock that had to be used at night? I know the doors at the other resorts I've stayed in have had key card locks, with the exception of the main entry door where there would be employees around. Some of them even have two, like at BC/BCV, because I've put my BCV card in the BC one by mistake and the door didn't open.

 

[cmonroe]

This is a good topic. I agree with the above posters so far.

Disney provides that feeling that allows you to "leave" your daily world at home.
However, we all know that this is an enormous park with thousands of employees and tens of thousands of guests. I look at it from a statistical point of view. Putting that many people in one place you would get many different kinds of people. The incredibly rich, the struggling poor, the super happy and we've all seen the super grumpy! I imagine that would include a slice of the devious and criminal population as well. Like any parent, I keep my eyes on others and my kids every second and am still able to get lost in the magic

 

[DizznyChick]

feeling safe is the biggest reason i started going-i am single and had my 6 y/o son with me. i wouldnt have went if i didnt know i would feel safe. now we go 2 or 3 times a year.

 

[SeaSpray]

While I LOVE the Polynesian resort, I'm not sure that I would choose to stay there if I were traveling alone without my DH or a friend. I'd choose a resort that is all in one building, such as the Wilderness Lodge, AKL, etc. where you get dropped off and you can walk immediately (with everyone else who just got dropped off at your resort, so you're in a group) right into the resort.

While I definitely feel like I'm in a "bubble" while at WDW in regards to leaving every day life at home, I'm also very aware that bad things can and do happen anywhere and everywhere (unfortunately!).

As far as I know, only the concierge buildings (Hawaii and Tonga) have locked keyed entries. I think they all should have it.

 

[simonkodousek]

I feel safe in general at Disney World, especially in the parks, however the Polynesian was weird at night. The paths were too dimly light, and anyone could have jumped out from behind a plant. I felt completely safe in my room though...

 

[alldiz]

I do feel "safe" at WDW.....but there is always the nagging thought
of not actually being "safe" anywhere.....

With all the people that are in WDW.....there will always be some
bad apples...
Being from NYC...I give everyone the look to stay away
Kerri

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I usually feel pretty safe, but keep aware of my surroundings, too. But the problem I keep having is that I am female traveling solo, and I tend to get rooms in the farthest reaches of resorts near absolutely nothing. Even if I ask for a different room, I been refused. I been in Trinidad South (physically isolated from the entire rest of CBR!); Country Fair at ASmu (farthest building); Ranchos (farthest building - I swear I was the only one in my building, too, never saw a soul!); back corner of parking lot view of Parterre Place at POR. Lots of walking alone in all those places.

The worst room I ever got was at WL of all places - I got the ground floor room directly next to the fence surrounding the loading dock, where there are constant trucks coming and deliveries being made. I felt so uncomfortable being ground floor right next to so much outside traffic (and I got criticized here once for feeling that way, even!), but I don't care - ground floor next to a loading dock is not an ideal place for a solo female. I asked to switch and they say nope - all booked. The room worked out OK, but I really didn't enjoy the room at all, felt ill-at-ease. Never again will I accept such a room - I will switch resorts first!!

Over the reason of safety and receiving poorly located rooms, I now feel I have to upgrade to deluxes more, preferrably resorts that are one building (like AKL or the Swan). Costs more, but I enjoyed myself better.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I keep my eyes on others and my kids every second and am still able to get lost in the magic

Boy does this remind me of our trip to disney in October. We were staying at the Poly and decided to go to the pool and be there during fireworks. Well - my DD5 befriended a little girl about her age and they swam together. This little girl went everywhere alone - to the bathrooms, in the pool and on the beach. When she went into the bathrooms I watched to make sure she came out in a reasonable amount of time. I felt terrible - this is how bad things happen to our children. There were lots of people around so I assumed someone must be her parent. Well eventually she did go over to a lady sitting in a lounge chair chatting away and having a drink.

Well the fireworks were starting and the girls ran to the beach to watch the fireworks - me right behind them. This little girl was everywhere - I had all I could do to keep up w/her. Meanwhile the other parent didn't seem to care. It was dark and the tiki lights were on but they're not bright. I really felt sorry for the little girl. I didn't want to leave her but when the fireworks were over we were ready to go back to our room so I took her over to her Mom. I said "they had fun but now we have to go" the Mom just looked at me and smiled. I had to hold my tongue but maybe the little girl had family somewhere else around the pool and they knew she was ok - I don't know. DD5 said good bye and I told the the little girl to have fun at the MK tomorrow and god bless you. She ran over to her MOm and snuggled w/her so that made me feel better but geezz I couldn't imagine my DD5 doing all that stuff by herself especially the bathroom.

So I'm always looking out for others as well. I'm not saying these are bad parents I'm just saying don't let your guard down anywhere and especially w/innocent children. Bad people are looking just for these opportunities.

 

[cara loves the poly]

I do keep my guard up in the parks, but not as much while at the resort. This thread has reminded me to keep it up at all times. Thanks!

 

[camdensmom]

Sorry to go OT, but did you report the dog to management?

I did.

We were there last week. Our room was a connecting room though we weren't traveling with the people on the other side of the door. It was yipping most of Saturday night. However, there was a wheelchair left outside the door propped up against the wall. I assumed it was a service animal...in hindsight I'm thinking that was what they were hoping people would assume and why it was left there.

On Sunday night not only was the dog yipping, but the TV was left on so loudly that I could hear it over my own TV. That's when I called the desk. They sent someone over who was listening with his ear to the door while waiting for his "back up." I had to chuckle because his back-up was anelderly security guard who seemed kind and harmless. They entered the room and confirmed that the dog was not supposed to be there and that the owners were not there. I asked what would happen next and they said they would be leaving a message on the phone for them when they got back and that THE DOG WOULD BE GONE BY MORNING! They turned the TV off so that was at least quiet, but the dog continued to yip.

I called the desk again and they said they couldn't do anything until morning. I suppose we could have requested a room change, but we had an amazing 3rd floor room with a fabulous view of the Magic Kingdom and fireworks. Plus, I didn't want to have to pack up and move a toddler that I had finally gotten to sleep.

We checked out early the next morning (which was scheduled and not related to the dog incident). Still for over $400.00 a night I was annoyed by the situation.

 

[Sammie]

I feel as safe as I do anywhere there are thousands of strangers in one place. Crime happens at Disney just as it does anywhere.

 

[bnk1120]

I do have a false sense of security when I am at Disney... I will definitely have a heightened awareness of my surroundings now because this thread has really gotten me thinking.

 

[minnie61650]

I usually feel pretty safe, but keep aware of my surroundings, too. But the problem I keep having is that I am female traveling solo, and I tend to get rooms in the farthest reaches of resorts near absolutely nothing. Even if I ask for a different room, I been refused. I been in Trinidad South (physically isolated from the entire rest of CBR!); Country Fair at ASmu (farthest building); Ranchos (farthest building - I swear I was the only one in my building, too, never saw a soul!); back corner of parking lot view of Parterre Place at POR. Lots of walking alone in all those places.

Just an idea
You could book a room with a preferred location at a value or CBR for about $12-$15 extra a night. The buildings with the preferred locations would be closer to the food court area and would usually have more foot traffic.

That is one reason I book a preferred location at All Star Music. The preferred buildings at All Star Music are the closest buildings to the main pool,food court and bus stop.
Since I am disabled I like knowing there will be people nearby to help me if I need help.

Just my 2 cents.