Fort thefts.... They got ME !!

[mnsprk]

I heard that the G/C that got stolen was in an accident a few days before it
was "stolen"

If there is any "truth" to that rumour sure sounds awfully convienent IMHO.

We had someone mess with our "Cricket" in Feb when it was parked at the Marina lot, I think they figured a regular GC key would work. From now on it will be chained and I'm thinking about a pad-lock alarm it will definitely draw some attention.

 

[North7]

I heard that the G/C that got stolen was in an accident a few days before it
was "stolen"

If there is any "truth" to that rumour sure sounds awfully convienent IMHO.

The OP stated it was the golf cart charger that was stolen, not the golf cart. On our last trip, we rented a cart from Golf Cart Enterprises and since I was nervous about the charger, I put a cable lock through the handle and attached it to the cart frame. I wondered if I was being a little paranoid, but after reading this, I'm glad I did.

 

[Disney John]

This was our 15th trip with our golf cart and never thought to secure the charger until this trip. Funny thing is, 2 days prior to the charger getting stolen I said to my wife " I think I better lock the charger to the cart when we get home. I would have done it right there, if I had the supplies.

I just had a different feeling when we were there this time. Very odd to describe, but I felt unsafe this time.

We have been going to the fort for about 2 decades now and I have seen many good, but also many very bad changes. We usually spend more than a month of each year there. If you add up all of our days stayed there, we have "lived" at the fort for about 1 1/2 years.

To me Fort Wilderness used to be "Magical" and one of a kind, but now seems the same as many other campgrounds. I don't think that we will be going back for a while.

 

[mnsprk]

When I reported it stolen, I was told by several staff members that they have had an increase of thefts recently. (lights, bikes, my charger, and even an entire private golf cart)

When I asked to speak to the manager , he told me that many new things are being done to try to combat the thefts including the new secured parking area. He also mentioned that many other new ideas have been floated around to combat other problems, one of these items was eliminating private carts totally. He said they are still contemplating this.

I heard that the G/C that got stolen was in an accident a few days before it
was "stolen"

The OP stated it was the golf cart charger that was stolen, not the golf cart.

Original post referenced a Golf Cart theft as well.

 

[graciejane]

I am sorry that you had your charger stolen. That would be very frustrating. While I still don't see the connection between private GC's and theft's (is it the theft of private GC's or private GC's being used as getaway vehicles?) I do believe that Disney needs to be enforcing of GC rules for both the rentals and the privately owned ones. Love the idea of GC jail!!

 

[Disney John]

Well, to add insult to injury....... After being told by 3 managers that I could file a cliam for my golf cart charger being stolen , and being given the telephone number by them, I called the number today and was told that I could NOT file a claim.

Way to go Fort Managers. Thanks for lying to me. I hope that the $300 claim was worth the 5000 dollars that I spend each year there, Because I'm not coming back.

Stacktester, The next time you see Jeff Martin Please give him a message for me. Please tell him that his managers are all liars.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Bobby says that studies have shown people who own golf carts are more apt to be thieves. Can't argue with science.

 

[loveDmouse]

Sorry to hear about the theft. That stinks.

I think it is really silly that they want to ban private carts because of this. Maybe they should just do their job! Enforce the rules that they created.

 

[clkelley]

While the theft is unfortunate, I'm not sure how it is Disney's fault that a guest's property was stolen by another guest.

When you said file a claim, I thought you meant a theft complaint so it would be on file for your insurance purposes or something.

While the Fort managers did lie to you, I just don't see how Disney should reimburse you

I think Disney CLEARLY states that the only time they are liable for missing/stolen property is if you give something to the front desk staff to be locked in the safety deposit boxes.

I don't even think they are liable for luggage in their Bell Services rooms.

 

[clkelley]

On another note, I'm going back to the parking lot "security" Unless they add another gate, there are going to be more thefts of stuff as "anybody" that states they are going to eat at Trails End will be allowed past the guard shack and there will be NOTHING that stops them from driving through the loops, going to sites where occupants are away and grabbing whatever they want and driving off with NO ONE being the wiser.

Before, unless you had a Fort Parking Pass, it was difficult to get a car back to the Loops.

 

[rapriebe]

On another note, I'm going back to the parking lot "security" Unless they add another gate, there are going to be more thefts of stuff as "anybody" that states they are going to eat at Trails End will be allowed past the guard shack and there will be NOTHING that stops them from driving through the loops, going to sites where occupants are away and grabbing whatever they want and driving off with NO ONE being the wiser.

Before, unless you had a Fort Parking Pass, it was difficult to get a car back to the Loops.

Carol - that's a very good point. By Disney increasing security with the enclosure of the front parking lot, it has actually decreased security and made guests more vunerable to outsiders with vehicles. Not to mention the safety feature that has been discussed on previous threads.

 

[loveDmouse]

So they have changed something in the overflow area or gates?

Sorry, I haven't been around much for Fort info.

 

[Bessie_Blue]

We may be crazy! We put "The Club" (remember these things)on our private cart when its parked. The charger goes in a locked compartment at the RV. Not sure who would want to steal our 1984 cart, but it runs and gets us from A to B (barely). Sorry to hear your charger was taken. Karma will come back to get'em...it always does!

 

[Disney John]

So they have changed something in the overflow area or gates?

Sorry, I haven't been around much for Fort info.

They have been working on the overflow lot recently. There is a big sign now that says all traffic needs to go through the security gate. It looks like they are adding new security poles to prevent cars from entering from the second entrance.

 

[clkelley]

There used to be two entrances to Fort Wilderness.

One entrance was for Fort Wilderness guests only. It was a small parking lot that led to the check-in desk, had a limited number of parking spots, and ultimately you then drove into the loops area. This area was controlled by the guard shack.

The second entrance was a rather large parking lot. This lot had NO gate on it and anyone could park there. However, this lot went NOWHERE. Folks that wanted to enter Fort Wilderness camping, cabin, and recreation areas had to enter by bus, golf cart, bicycle or on foot.

Now, it appears they have done away with the 2nd open entrance. They have opened up the parking lot into one large parking lot and all people have to enter through the guard shack. While this 'may' seem more secure on the surface. The guard shack now how to lessen their restriction on who can enter the parking lot cause folks that are not Fort guests still go to Hoop De Doo, Trails End, the Movie, the Segway tour, etc., etc.

 

[Disney John]

I really appreciate all of the nice thoughts by you guys and gals. I truly believe in karma as well. I know it will come back to bite them in the ....

Don't get me wrong. I know that Disney is not the one that stole my charger however, their lack of security and inaction by their employees on security issues has created an atmosphere that tells these kind of people that they will never get in trouble no matter what they do. They know Disney will not enforce the rules.

There were several issues that happened to us on our trip that added to the total fiasco, I will make that a separate post. But this was the straw that broke the camels back.

 

[loveDmouse]

They have been working on the overflow lot recently. There is a big sign now that says all traffic needs to go through the security gate. It looks like they are adding new security poles to prevent cars from entering from the second entrance.

There used to be two entrances to Fort Wilderness.

One entrance was for Fort Wilderness guests only. It was a small parking lot that led to the check-in desk, had a limited number of parking spots, and ultimately you then drove into the loops area. This area was controlled by the guard shack.

The second entrance was a rather large parking lot. This lot had NO gate on it and anyone could park there. However, this lot went NOWHERE. Folks that wanted to enter Fort Wilderness camping, cabin, and recreation areas had to enter by bus, golf cart, bicycle or on foot.

Now, it appears they have done away with the 2nd open entrance. They have opened up the parking lot into one large parking lot and all people have to enter through the guard shack. While this 'may' seem more secure on the surface. The guard shack now how to lessen their restriction on who can enter the parking lot cause folks that are not Fort guests still go to Hoop De Doo, Trails End, the Movie, the Segway tour, etc., etc.

Thanks for the info guys!

What we would normally do when we check in is my husband would drop me off and I would go in to check in while he went over to the overflow parking to unload the golf cart. He would come get me in the cart then I would drop him back off to the motorhome and then he would go out of the parking (since there was no other way around because the gates to get in were for the buses) and come back through the gate with the motorhome then we would go to the site.

So now it sounds like you can go in the parking lot and come back out without having to go back out to the mainroad and around through the gate again since they don't have the second entrance anymore?? Do I have that right?

 

[clkelley]

So now it sounds like you can go in the parking lot and come back out without having to go back out to the mainroad and around through the gate again since they don't have the second entrance anymore?? Do I have that right?

That is correct. Just go through the guard shack and then do everything the same as you did before, except after you are checked in, your DH can just loop through the parking lot and back to your site. (The red poles and the electric gate that partitioned off the parking lot are gone.)

 

[des1954]

So now it sounds like you can go in the parking lot and come back out without having to go back out to the mainroad and around through the gate again since they don't have the second entrance anymore?? Do I have that right?

Think of the road & parking lot in front of the kennel, and the entrance to that area. When you turn off Vista Drive to enter the day lot you had two choices. One - go straight ahead to the Cast Member area or - Two, turn left as if you were going to the kennel. The lot is now blocked off at that junction. There is a gate with card readers at two levels - one normal auto level & one up higher for RV's. There is also a transponder for the WDW buses. The only way you can get into this lot now is by your KTTW card. In your scenario, you will have to check in and then unload your golf cart. You access the day lot via the guard now.

Because WDW is only going to have one kennel servicing all of WDW and the FtW kennel will be closing, there will be no reason for anyone to have to come in that way anymore.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I realize a lot of people like golf carts, and that's okay, but to be honest, I wouldn't be too disappointed if Disney banned the outside carts. Some of the vehicles people are passing off as carts are ridiculous, and the refusal to follow rules because the owners feel Disney has no authority over them has created a hazard. I'm getting a little tired of nearly being run over while I ride my bike by a lifted, overpowered cart driven by an 8 year old supervised by a severly intoxicated "adult". And that's all I'm gonna say about that.