Housekeeping theft at Saratoga Springs

[DVCBdwalk98]

Forewarning to anyone staying at Saratoga Springs Resort: Beware of housekeeping staff as we were robbed of 2 laptops, 1 digital camera, and 1 cell phone charger the day after we had our 2 bedroom villa cleaned during our stay. We were only gone from our room for about 4-5 hours that evening and someone entered our room with a room key and stole our things. Prior to leaving for the evening, my husband and I separately received calls to our room phone during the day where nobody was as the other end??? We believe they were checking to see if we had left our room yet so they could come in. Security came and took a report, Orlando Police also came and took a report and although Disney Security assured us that they could tell who entered our room (cause each room key has a specific number assigned to it) we were never given any information regarding who was responsible. Therefore we could never press charges and possibly get our things back. We have been DVC members since 1998 and never had a problem like this, but we also never stayed at Saratoga Springs until this year. We were disappointed with the way Disney handled our theft as we were constantly calling Security and Management at the resort to get updated on what was discovered. They handled the case poorly and the only compensation given to us was $500.00 (that is REQUIRED BY FLORIDA LAW to cover any theft liability by housekeeping staff), and that was after many phone calls to Disney inquiring about our case and what they may or maynot have found out. Our Disney memories have been sadly ruined by this theft and we will never feel "safe at home" as we once did.

 

[bytheblood]

I am so sorry to hear that. I truly hope they continue their investigation and compensate you after they determine who is responsible.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I am sorry that is horrible..

 

[safetymom]

I am sorry to hear this but you can never be too careful in hotels. Did you do anything to prevent the theft of your laptops?

 

[my3disneygirls]

Wow, that's horrible. What a rotten thing to happen on your trip. The phone thing makes me think. Thank God that you were not in the room alone and in the shower, the culprits would have no answer on the phone. If the top latch is not secured someone can come have come right in.

 

[bytheblood]

What I do not understand is, if your room was locked, only Mousekeeping could come in. How would Disney not know if it was their employee?

How long ago did the actual theft take place?

 

[psoghs@aol.com]

That is a horrible experience. When did this happen? We are to stay there in a few weeks.

 

[simonkodousek]

Wow, that's awful! I sure hope they compensate you for the missing items!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I am so sorry for your experience! How horrible! Hopefully soon the people who are responsible for stealing your belongings will be found and dealt with HARSHLY.

 

[mprewitt]

It just goes to show that, no matter what hotel you stay in, there is always the possibility of some dishonest folks nearby. We're always prudent and careful about hiding and/or locking up valuables in the hotel safe.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Forewarning to anyone staying at Saratoga Springs Resort: Beware of housekeeping staff as we were robbed of 2 laptops, 1 digital camera, and 1 cell phone charger the day after we had our 2 bedroom villa cleaned during our stay. We were only gone from our room for about 4-5 hours that evening and someone entered our room with a room key and stole our things. Prior to leaving for the evening, my husband and I separately received calls to our room phone during the day where nobody was as the other end??? We believe they were checking to see if we had left our room yet so they could come in. Security came and took a report, Orlando Police also came and took a report and although Disney Security assured us that they could tell who entered our room (cause each room key has a specific number assigned to it) we were never given any information regarding who was responsible. Therefore we could never press charges and possibly get our things back. We have been DVC members since 1998 and never had a problem like this, but we also never stayed at Saratoga Springs until this year. We were disappointed with the way Disney handled our theft as we were constantly calling Security and Management at the resort to get updated on what was discovered. They handled the case poorly and the only compensation given to us was $500.00 (that is REQUIRED BY FLORIDA LAW to cover any theft liability by housekeeping staff), and that was after many phone calls to Disney inquiring about our case and what they may or maynot have found out. Our Disney memories have been sadly ruined by this theft and we will never feel "safe at home" as we once did.

HORRIBLE!
I cannot imagine that DISNEY would not be completing a full investigation of your claim of theft since each key has the special id attached to it. I thought that the door key "combo" is changed upon check out?
I would certainly write a strong letter to Disney management about the situation immediately and request help/compensation.
As far as valuables, we too ALWAYS use the safe provided us.
Recently, a family member of mine was in Vegas, left an IPOD in a beach bag covered with towels, book etc and was gone for bite to eat, came back and the room was cleaned and the IPOD missing! You'd think that would be easy to solve, right, two girls said wherer it was and when it was placed and left.
Front desk was called, then security came thru, said "hotel not responsible" after their evaluation, despite that, Police Report filed. Their "evaluation" was to ask the housekeeping staff if they took anything, CAN YOU IMAGINE, I mean if they were brazen enough to steal, did they really think they'd fess up???
Anyway, lost the Ipod, no compensation and TOTALLY annoyed with handling but did receive a letter from Las VegaS Police Dept, saying they could do nothing as hotel thefts are handled by the hotels, a joke but a lesson learned by my niece, LOCK UP YOUR STUFF AND TRUST NO ONE!!
Hope it works out better for you!

 

[CarolA]

There a couple of lessons here that I am very sorry the OP has to remind us of. I hate that this had to happen, but hopefully we can reduce the risk.

1. A few months ago both SafetyMom and I posted on the importance of using cable locks on your laptops if they won't fit in the safe and not leaving them just out. I was AMAZED at how many posters basically told us we were stupid and overreacting. Posters posted "stories" about how they left their laptops out as "proof" they you don't have to do anything to protect them..... As the OPs story shows NO it's NOT a good idea to leave laptos, cameras etc. just laying around. (And hiding them in a dresser drawer is not any better then leaving them out!) Pixie Dust DOES NOT PROTECT YOU! A $20 cable lock and cameras in the safe probably would have prevented this. Thiefs go for easy marks.

2. The reason Disney (or any hotel) is VERY reluctant to deal with you is that they have no proof you have what you say you did. While I believe the OP, I am sure that Disney has had people report "thefts" of things that suddenly became very valuable. (That 10 year old film camera suddenly becomes a "digital SLR with five lenses" when it's missing LOL!) The other reason is that if they "admit" that one of thier "agents" (aka the employee) was at fault, they you have the "admission" of wrongdoing for your lawsuit. It's why "apologies" from Disney are hard to get. Folks sue Disney when it rains... they have become "overly cautious"

 

[kylara]

While your theft happened at SSR, it could happen at any of the resorts. Also, housekeeping can be switched to other resorts if one is short staffed so if there is a thief on the payroll...they can be at any resort.

You might want to check and see if this is covered under your homeowners. Maybe if your insurance company got involved, Disney would work harder at their investigation.

It is awful that you had to have so many possessions taken to serve as a warning to others.

 

[super_crunch]

yikes!

Do all of the disney hotels have in-room safes?
If so, we will definitely be using ours.

I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope they can find the theif and make it right.

 

[dis-happy]

So sorry to hear your sad story. That's a big loss.

Did they say someone definitely entered by the front door? How about the balcony? I remember a year or two ago someone had a theft at OKW via the balcony. Since then I'm extra careful to check that it's locked every time we leave the room as well.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

WOW this is why I insist that DW locks up anything of value even if it's just for a few minutes. The stuff that doenst fit in the safe gets Ziptied into the inside bag of our luggage and that gets Ziptied as well if they want it that bad not knowing what it is then they can have it.

You just never know maybe an employee getting ready to get one big payoff before leaving or someone getting fired and wants a payback.

Disney does know who and how many times someone was in your room. When we had some stuff taken in NewOrleans while playing Paintball from one of the young kids ,the sheriff showed us a detail that even went as far as how long the door was kept open.

It did come down to us proving what we had in the room

 

[dmurphy42]

We stayed at SSR, our home resort, in early June. I had just had knee surgery and was still using prescription pain killers on occasion. They were stolen from our room on the day we had towel and trash service. I reported it to the front desk and the manager of housekeeping, but to my knowledge nothing was done.

 

[CarolA]

The other thing is that in a LOT of hotels the controls over those pass keys aren't as Strong as you or I would like. So even if the "pass key" was orginally assigned to me, who knows who has it now or if they remembered to "deactivate" it when they fired me. (I am always amazed on my audits of companies how many terminated employees still have access to their systems for example!)

 

[becky1960]

What ever happened to Police Reports, the best way to resolve theft problems is to get the Police involved. I worked for many years as a Police Officer and I can tell you most departments like to clear cases. I would have called the local Law Enforcement and got them involved.

 

[kgc07]

I'm sorry you had this happen to you. I was in Vegas last May and had a Tiffany necklace and a watch (that I got the day before for mothers day) stolen from my room. The maid had been there and cleaned the room. Security came and I filed a report. When I got home I received a call saying the hotel is not responsible for the theft because they provide a safe. Again, I am sorry you had something stolen from you. I'm surprised you actualy got the $500.