Has anyone ever been pickpocketed in the parks?

[apirateslifeforme]

DH and I have a ways to go until our trip, but the other night, I told him that he wasn't allowed to clip his cell phone to his belt or put his wallet in his back pocket like he usually does, that he'd have to put them in his fanny pack. He said everything would be fine where they were. I reminded him of our trip in '97, when we were in line for the Haunted Mansion, and this woman behind us would step up right on our heels every time we moved. At one point, I felt some rustling on my back - she was trying to unclip my fanny pack. I immediately put my hands on it and gave it a turn, which pulled the clip out of her hands, and I didn't let go of it. Then DH realized that someone's hand was in his back pocket! Luckily, that time he'd put his wallet in his fanny pack. He turned and gave the woman a nasty look. Everything was quiet for a moment, then I felt hands in MY pockets (and I had front pockets on my pants - she'd reached around me!). I was so irritated at that point, I turned and asked her why her hands were in my pockets. She shook her head and said "no ingles, no ingles." So, I asked her again, in Spanish this time, why her hands were in my pockets. She turned and ran away so fast! We let one of the CM's know, but since the woman had left, there was really nothing anyone could do. We didn't see her again either. Luckily, nothing was taken.

Just wondering if anyone has had an experience with pickpockets, and what you do to try to foil them.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Wow!

I've never been pickpocketed, and never foiled an attempt at it either. Of course, I usually have nothing on me, anyway save a debit card, and my park admission.

Good information to know!

Most department stores sell wallets that can go around your neck and under a shirt. Also, a locker is a great thing. And if you're staying on property, use the charge to the room privelge so yuou only have to carry a little bit of cash for quick food that can't be charged, your admission (if it's not on your room key) and the room key. If the card is lost or stolen, they can easily deactivate it, and issue a new one.

 

[loriandmatt]

we have NEVER come across anything like this. DH always has his wallet in his back pocket and it has the usual items. I am the keeper of the APs. I have them zipped in the pocket of my over the sholder bag that carries the camera and ponchos.

I have to say that ,it were me they were trying to lift from, i probably would have either slugged or tackeled that person trying so BOLDLY to pickpocket. The CM would have no problem figuring out who the person attempting to grift me from me was, so that they could remove them from the park. They would be the person at the bottom of our family "dog pile".

- lori

 

[julieannbabe]

Thank God I have not.

When I went to Typhoon Lagoon in March I left a towel and suncream on a little wall just behind some sun loungers. When we returned two hours later it was still there.
Brilliant.

 

[mrsltg]

We've never had a problem, either, but I don't doubt that it happens. My DH is a rather scary looking man (with a heart of gold!), so it would take a very brave soul to do that to him! We also carry only the bare essentials; room keys (we charge everything back to the room), tickets (if not on room key), maybe $20 in cash, and the camera clipped onto DH's belt in it's case. This trip will be different as we're taking our DD (we'll have a stroller and a change of clothes for her), but the essentials will stay in the same places they always are.

The OP definitely has more restraint than me! I agree with the poster who said she would have tackled the pick-pocketer -- there is nothing I hate more than someone who steals!

Erin

 

[Trish5768]

My Aunt had her purse snatched several years ago at Epcot-my Uncle went after the person who grabbed it but to no avail. Luckily, nothing of value was in it just some meds that she needed but were easily replaced.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have read DLP has this problem. (Not confirmed) But I have not heard of this at WDW or DL.
And that was quite an experience. I think most of us would be dumbfounded and glad you were able to respond to her.

 

[MelanieL]

The nerve of some people astounds me. It sounds like this lady was going nuts just groping on you! I think I would have had to have turned around and said loudly, "Hey lady, get your hands off my @&$%@&!!"

I have read that it's always important to keep your bags in front of you in airport trains that take you to the terminals. Probably true on the monorail as well. I heard that those airport trains account for a large percent of pickpockets in major cities, because people get distracted talking to their loved ones and such.

-Melanie

 

[kilee]

I have never expierenced this (knock on wood ). I do however go to the parks prepared though. We have our park touring back pack. Inside it has a built in clip. My wallet has a zipper on it with an eyehole perfect for this clip. So, anything we take to the parks that day is clipped to the inside of the backpack. The wallett is then placed somewhere in the middle of the pack. Even when we want it we have to dig and sometimes empty a few things. Anyone wanting it would be felt. We do this on purpose though.

 

[sters]

I am happy to say that I have not had anything stolen in my trips to Disney. In fact, I have left cameras and such in the baby stroller and they have not been touched (silly of me, I know). Thanks for your cautionary post! I will certainly take better care next time.

 

[vivianmarie]

First of all, let me say this is definitely the exception and not the rule so, please, no one take this as a go ahead to be careless at the parks.
That being said this was my experience three years ago. My parents and I went to Epcot and sat on a bench in front of Mexico for minute to decide where to go next. In the confusion of looking at the map, I took my purse off from around my neck and we got up and left it. When I finally realized what had happened (which was after the parade had ended that used to be at Epcot), we ran to the bench to no avail. When we asked around, we were told to check at guest relations at the front of Epcot to see if it was turned in. Believe it or not, it was there with everything in it!! Credit card and Camera!!!! I was so excited and happy that both my mother and I sat down and cried like babies. That being said, when we leave in a couple of weeks, I'll be taking one of those neck pouches that go under your clothes. No chances this time.

 

[Tigger's Mom]

A couple years ago DH and I were waiting in line to board the monorail at TTC. DH was propped against the dividers between lines. I noticed a middle aged Asian man moving along the sections pretending to read a National Geographic. He got in line behind DH and gradually began inching his way over to him holding the magazine below waste level. Being a bit suspicious, I moved over and slipped my hand in DH's back pocket over his wallet. The man immediately turned and left TTC.

Maybe it was a close call, maybe it wasn't. But how many singles do you see walking around looking at a National Geographic at WDW?

Since then I carry tickets and cash in one of these pouches that go around your neck and inside your shirt.

 

[dandee]

vivianmarie - I had a similar experience... Last year we went to DTD on OUR FIRST NIGHT, we were sitting on a bench waiting for the bus to CR and (let me say that I can't believe I did this - I'm usually VERY careful) I left the cosmetic bag from my backpack (containing cash, traveler's checks, park passes, my id, room key, and credit card) ON THE BENCH WHEN THE BUS CAME!!!!!! I must have been looking for something and forgotten that I set it down. A WONDERFUL MAN (bless him wherever he is right now) noticed what I had done and caught up with me before we got on the bus and returned it to me... his family was looking at me like I was nuts, but I hugged him - I couldn't help it! He saved the trip! It might not be the norm, it just reminds me to pay attention to what I'm doing on our upcoming trip...

 

[JulesMom]

Luckily it's never happened to us.

But, it's better to be safe and protect your things

 

[catsrule]

My mom felt a slight tug on her purse. When she looked down at her purse, which was slung over her shoulder, the zipper was partially opened. She checked and nothing was missing. Thank goodness she felt the tug.

 

[nativetxn]

I've never had an experience like this at WDW. Sorry to hear what happened to you

 

[PattnFmly]

Luckily I've never had anything stolen either. I usually use my belly bag which has 3 pockets. Passes/travelers checks/credit cards all go in the pocket which is against my belly. Since I don't like the "bunched" up t-shirt look, I usually leave it out over the bag - kinda gives me the look of being pregnant but I don't care as long as I have my stuff safe!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Never been bothered at Disney.. but I did have a pick pocket try to rob me in Acapulco.. just a kid maybe 12 years old, was walking beside me in a crowd and I felt his hand slip in my pocket I slapped his arm so hard.. what a crack it made.. he jumped away wincing and holding his arm, then was all innocent like I had smacked him for no reason cursing at me in spanish... well - I think he would think twice before trying another little Canadian woman

Just a few weeks ago in the gift shop in AKL... I stopped to order the new Lion King DVD and sat my purse on the floor near the counter... then finished up, continued shopping... 10, 15 minutes later realized my purse was gone... went back to the counter and it was still sitting on the floor unnoticed. Lucky thing as I had just arrived and had about 1000.00 cash, all my credit cards, passports, airline tickets.. the whole works

>>^..^<<

 

[Bill From PA]

To avoid such things, I always wear Cargo Shorts on vacation as shown below. I keep wallet, digital camera and more in the front pockets and less important stuff in the rear. The left pocket is unbuttoned in the picture because I know I'll soon be shoveling $20's out of it to keep my family supplied with grog.

Bill From PA

 

[merrywether]

DH and I were in the Downtown Disney parking lot putting some last minute souvenirs away before heading to the airport (sniff) when a Disney security van pulled up and started to question us. The security guard told us that lots of people who open their trunks in a Disney parking lot end up leaving themselves open to theft. Thieves see the luggage and either 1) wait until you leave the area and then pose as tourists rummaging through the luggage to "find that park ticket/purse/fanny pack I bought for the park" or 2) steal the car full of your stuff. Since you've gone into the park/restaurant/shopping area, it will be awhile before you discover it's gone.
He seemed to indicate that while this wasn't a widespread problem at Disney, it did happen from time to time. So I guess it does pay to be vigilant about where we keep our stuff!