How safe is DTD these days?

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

It's certainly safer than most cities I would potentially be out late in. There are visible security guards about etc. None of it excuses common sense: always be aware of your surroundings, don't flash cash (I don't even bring a purse) and stay where the people are, which lately, is no problem because its like as busy as going to a concert. That's probably what you can liken it to. Take the same precautions you would attending a music festival or touring a new city on a cruise or vacation. That isolated incident reeked of bad decisions on everyone's part. It was exceedingly late, far past closing if memory recalls, when that incident took place. Unless you intend to be there way past closing (not sure why you would), than its basically like any bustling late night district. I still wouldn't let kids wander by themselves but who would anywhere anyway??

 

[Accident]

The best way I can summarize DTD is I have no problems with my daughter heading there while it's opened, using disney transportation to do it and do it alone. Disney, like any other vacation, is not a leave your car unlocked, door opened, bag on a bench small town usa. It's as safe as you make it and its not unsafe to be anywhere in it. There are bad apples anywhere.

 

[TSR6]

I worked at Downtown Disney back when Pleasure Island was still open. I was there every night from 6pm until 2am - never had an issue personally. I always felt safe.

Now going there as a guest, I still don't have any major concerns.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Concerned that safety has been compromised by cost cuts. Will we be mugged at bus stop, ecv's stolen, purses snatched etc. The recent assault of a woman makes me concerned. I have always assumed Disney is watching what is going on and security is pro actively preventing crime. True or not?

I think the main thing is to be smart. It is always best to travel with somebody else, particularly in the evening. If you are going to drink enough that you cannot remember what happened or stay awake for it, stay home/in your hotel room. Have your wits about you and be aware of your surroundings. Honestly, I would be more concerned about the kids who run around unsupervised because the parents are not watching than being mugged or raped.

 

[DVC California]

Having just returned from Europe, where I was paranoid beyond belief in Paris, Barcelona, and Rome, I cannot even express how safe DTD is compared to other tourist areas.

As all have mentioned, if you follow basic common sense rules of self awareness, you will be fine.

My two cents, Steve

 

[Turk February]

1 drunk woman gets assaulted and now people are acting like it's Times Square in the 80s? Your ECVs and purses will be fine.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I don't care how much that young woman had to drink, it was NOT her fault that she was assaulted, and it's asinine and ignorant to imply, in any way, that she had any hand in her attack. That is all I have to say about that.

Im not even sure where this rant came from, as nobody said it was her fault. Not sure if youre just trying to start something. Again, nobody said it was her fault.

 

[anniemae]

I think it is as safe as any other large town. Yes, you could get mugged, purse stolen etc. But that could happen just about anywhere. Just because it's Disney, does not mean you can leave your common sense behind and you will be guarded and protected by Disney your whole trip and not have to worry about such things. Just be aware and do the things you do at home, be aware of your surroundings, keep your valuables locked in the room safe, don't leave your purse lying around out of your sight etc.

 

[GreatLakes]

I have never felt unsafe at DTD. It isn't a magical place where no crime could possibly happen but I don't feel as though I have to watch my back either. I would equate it to the shopping district of a medium size city as far as safety goes but without the homeless asking you for change.

Don't keep valuables visible in your car, don't get drunk beyond the point in which you have control of yourself, don't speak loudly about the amount of cash you have on you, etc. Of course this is true of anywhere you ever are, not just DTD.

 

[loves to dive]

I rarely go there since getting there is a pain but when I do, I almost always go alone since DS hates it. I've never felt unsafe but I've also never been there alone at night (we did go to Cirque but it was DS, DIL and myself). I always use a crossbody purse when travelling, doesn't matter if it's Disney, out of country or just to a local fair, it's not in the way and usually a little closer to the body. I never carry large amounts of money and when alone I generally make sure I'm not all alone, i.e. there are other people milling around. A little common sense goes a long way, no matter where you are and just relax and enjoy.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It is no more or less safe than any other entertainment district open to the public. Take the same precautions you might take anywhere else you go.

The assault story, apparently the woman was an off duty Disney castmember and was assaulted by an acquaintance who was also a Disney castmember but chose to take advantage of her intoxicated state. Prior to arriving at DTD (they were attending a concert at HOB) she drank so much alcohol it's suprising that she remembers anything. I'm not sure she does remember anything but they have photos of the assailant likely from surveillance cameras. The guy has been arrested and charged.

Nobody said it was her fault she was assaulted. The guy took advantage of her condition, and he should not have done that.

 

[cdnjason]

Interestingly, we don't hear people asking whether or not it's safe to swim at AoA since a child drowned in the pool this July.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Interestingly, we don't hear people asking whether or not it's safe to swim at AoA since a child drowned in the pool this July.

You must have missed the thread where it was determined it was the fault of negligent parents, because accidents don't happen.

 

[Jess_S]

Im not even sure where this rant came from, as nobody said it was her fault. Not sure if youre just trying to start something. Again, nobody said it was her fault.

I think the point is that saying, "As long as you aren't drunk, you won't get victimized," implies that a person who gets drunk has played a part in their becoming a crime victim. And even if that wasn't the intent of the person who first raised the drunkenness issue, I don't think it hurts to make the counter-argument for those who might draw that conclusion. Like it or not, we still have a substantial number of people in our population whose knee-jerk response to a woman being raped is, "But was she dressed slutty?" or something similar.

As for the OP's question, I got curious and did some research. Orlando actually has a higher crime rate than 98% of US cities, but Lake Buena Vista is substantially safer. According to the crime map I looked at, there was no crime on the Disney property itself for the time period I checked -- but a good amount of crime Disney-adjacent. My own wild speculation is that the recent rape at DTD likely made things safer. I can't imagine Disney wants another crime of that sort to make headlines and I would think they are looking into whether there are any security issues that need to be addressed in light of what happened.

 

[Magpie]

I don't care how much that young woman had to drink, it was NOT her fault that she was assaulted, and it's asinine and ignorant to imply, in any way, that she had any hand in her attack. That is all I have to say about that.

The OP brought up this woman's assault with regards to the question of, "Am I safe in Downtown Disney?"

Therefore, the details of her assault, including the fact that she had drunk herself into a stupor, are completely relevent. Is this particular rape a sign that Downtown Disney has become unsafe for women in general to venture into without an escort? No. Should any human being, of any gender, anywhere, who plans to go out and get wasted, take reasonable precautions to ensure they don't end up passed out in the bushes without their underwear at the end of the night? Yes. This is why we advise people (not just women!) to go drinking in groups, have one person stay sober-ish, watch their drinks, don't wander off with strangers, etc, etc...

Pointing out that someone has made themselves exceptionally vulnerable is not the same as blaming the victim. The victim made her choices. Her rapist made his. Both are experiencing the consequences.

The REAL message is, this incident was an abberation. Downtown Disney is as safe as any other dining and shopping destination, and safer than most.

 

[Magpie]

I think the point is that saying, "As long as you aren't drunk, you won't get victimized," implies that a person who gets drunk has played a part in their becoming a crime victim. And even if that wasn't the intent of the person who first raised the drunkenness issue, I don't think it hurts to make the counter-argument for those who might draw that conclusion. Like it or not, we still have a substantial number of people in our population whose knee-jerk response to a woman being raped is, "But was she dressed slutty?" or something similar.

As for the OP's question, I got curious and did some research. Orlando actually has a higher crime rate than 98% of US cities, but Lake Buena Vista is substantially safer. According to the crime map I looked at, there was no crime on the Disney property itself for the time period I checked -- but a good amount of crime Disney-adjacent. My own wild speculation is that the recent rape at DTD likely made things safer. I can't imagine Disney wants another crime of that sort to make headlines and I would think they are looking into whether there are any security issues that need to be addressed in light of what happened.

I live in a very safe, low crime area. My neighbor forgot to close her front door one day, when heading out to work. The wind blew it wide open. Someone walked in and took her daughter's keyboard (it was visible from the street).

Did my neighbor play a part in becoming a crime victim? Yes, she did. But acknowledging that she was careless about locking her door doesn't make her any less of a victim, and it doesn't absolve the thief of any of his guilt.

And if you asked, "Does this mean our neighbourhood has become a hotbed of crime?" I would say no, as long as you lock your door when you go out and don't have valuables sitting in plain view, you should be fine.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I think the point is that saying, "As long as you aren't drunk, you won't get victimized," implies that a person who gets drunk has played a part in their becoming a crime victim. And even if that wasn't the intent of the person who first raised the drunkenness issue, I don't think it hurts to make the counter-argument for those who might draw that conclusion. Like it or not, we still have a substantial number of people in our population whose knee-jerk response to a woman being raped is, "But was she dressed slutty?" or something similar.

As for the OP's question, I got curious and did some research. Orlando actually has a higher crime rate than 98% of US cities, but Lake Buena Vista is substantially safer. According to the crime map I looked at, there was no crime on the Disney property itself for the time period I checked -- but a good amount of crime Disney-adjacent. My own wild speculation is that the recent rape at DTD likely made things safer. I can't imagine Disney wants another crime of that sort to make headlines and I would think they are looking into whether there are any security issues that need to be addressed in light of what happened.

I hear you. But the wording in that post was argumentative and frankly sounded like s/he just wanted to start something. Which is why I brought it up. It was the tone of the post.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I have never felt unsafe at DTD. But, I always remain aware of my surroundings.

 

[Alesia]

I think the point is that saying, "As long as you aren't drunk, you won't get victimized," implies that a person who gets drunk has played a part in their becoming a crime victim. And even if that wasn't the intent of the person who first raised the drunkenness issue, I don't think it hurts to make the counter-argument for those who might draw that conclusion. Like it or not, we still have a substantial number of people in our population whose knee-jerk response to a woman being raped is, "But was she dressed slutty?" or something similar.

That is not at all what I said. It's not what anyone said.

I only addressed it because the OP specifically mentioned that incident as the reason that she was afraid of being victimized in DTD.

The fact of the matter is that getting black-out drunk does put you at a higher risk for being victimized than someone who is not black-out drunk. Being very drunk does, in fact, cause you to take risks that you otherwise wouldn't take. Does that mean that they deserve to be raped? Of course not. But, unfortunately, being that drunk makes it much more difficult to protect yourself.

I'm not saying that sober people are never the victim of crimes, but being aware of your surroundings and using basic common sense can certainly help to prevent it. The fact of the matter is that DTD is generally very safe. What happened with that poor girl was an aberration, and in no way indicative of a widespread crime problem.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Nobody even said "if you're not drunk you won't get victimized." They want to know what are the odds that you will become a victim of crime at Disney Springs, pointing out that they were concerned a crime was committed there. There are all kinds of crimes. Is it guaranteed that you will never become a crime victim at Disney Springs no matter what you do, no it isn't. Are the odds higher that you might be a crime victim if you are not aware of your surroundings, possibly. Many criminals look for victims of opportunity.