I need advice about POFQ!

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

A couple of weekends ago I noticed a posted message about POFQ and how a Canadian Newspaper had recently printed an article about a sexual molestation case that happened at POFQ over a period of several years. Well we have stayed at POR twice and loved it but thought that we should try something new, hence our reservation at POFQ. But now my DH is totally freaked out about staying at POFQ knowing that a little girl was molested there. From what I understand, the Canadian Newspaper/Magazine that printed it is the equivelant of the US's Enquirer or Star. I told him that perhaps it is not true but he said that the article said that there were pictures to prove it.

He wants to stay at a Deluxe resort now but I don't really want to spend that much money (unless a code comes available) for 11 nights since he doesn't want to stay at another moderate and value resorts are totally out of the question (for him, not me).

Does anyone think there is any truth to this story?

 

[MiJo]

I believe it actually happened at POR, not POFQ. We stayed at POR a few weeks ago and it doesn't appear to have had any impact on the resort. What can you do? Something like that could have happened at any Disney Resort or any hotel in any city. Don't take this the wrong way, but the same thing could have happened anywhere and it just hasn't made the news yet. That shouldn't keep you from enjoying your stay at WDW. Enjoy the PO Resorts; they're great!

 

[DVCLiz]

I don't think all the incidents happened on Disney property - the reports said the authorities had other tapes of this child being abused over time, but I didn't get the impression that it was happening each time at Disney. Yes, this is a terrible thing to happen, but I wouldn't let it sour your opinion of the resort.

 

[ganggreen4jc]

It is my understanding that the incident was a family matter, not an incident of any kind of child abduction. Therefore, the resort or WDW itself can not be blamed in the least bit.

From a risk standpoint, I would imagine that the chances of being struck by lightning or getting run over by a Disney bus are greater than being involved in a child abduction incident. Just my opinion.

 

[susy]

Child molestation happens everywhere. POFQ is wonderful and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. If it had happened at a Motel 6, we would have never heard about it.

 

[highland3]

The incident did happen at some time over the past few years at POFQ. This did not come from a tabliod news outlet and has been carried by mainstream news media in the Orlando area.

As someone has already said, this is almost certainly an isolated incident involving this poor girl and some dispicable family member. These things happen in hotels, motels and family homes all over the U.S., Canada and the world.

BUT you should not let this affect your decision over where to stay. Disney is certainly more safe than many other places, due to security.

Go and enjoy your stay!!!!

 

[tiggersmom2]

Child molestation happens everywhere. POFQ is wonderful and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. If it had happened at a Motel 6, we would have never heard about it.

Exactly....I think that it is ridiculous that people are making this out to be about the RESORT!!! For goodness sakes people......there are people killed, maimed, abused, raped, etc. in parks, lakes, hiking trails and stores all the time...does this mean I should avoid them? .........

 

[phillybeth]

A couple of weekends ago I noticed a posted message about POFQ and how a Canadian Newspaper had recently printed an article about a sexual molestation case that happened at POFQ over a period of several years. Well we have stayed at POR twice and loved it but thought that we should try something new, hence our reservation at POFQ. But now my DH is totally freaked out about staying at POFQ knowing that a little girl was molested there. From what I understand, the Canadian Newspaper/Magazine that printed it is the equivelant of the US's Enquirer or Star. I told him that perhaps it is not true but he said that the article said that there were pictures to prove it.

He wants to stay at a Deluxe resort now but I don't really want to spend that much money (unless a code comes available) for 11 nights since he doesn't want to stay at another moderate and value resorts are totally out of the question (for him, not me).

Does anyone think there is any truth to this story?

The girl was not abducted in Canada or at Disney. This is an ongoing investigation- the Canadian officials have said they have watched this girl grow up in these terrible images that show up online. She is being abused by someone she knows. The abuse did not happen at DISNEY over a period of years, but she has been abused for quite a while.
Terrible things happen everywhere. BTW, I thought they determined the pictures were from POR in a mansion room.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Child molestation happens everywhere. POFQ is wonderful and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. If it had happened at a Motel 6, we would have never heard about it.

Very well put.

 

[cabmom]

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/7006.pdf
This is the link to the information on the Toronto Police Services site.

It could have happened anywhere.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm sure a lot of seedy things have happened in Disney hotel rooms. They happen everywhere. There's really nothing that can be done about it. You'd have to stop traveling. Just don't think about it.

 

[KristiKelly]

I agree with everyone. This incident may have happened on WDW property but it did not involve WDW personnel. From what I read, it is believed that it involved a little girl & a relative or someone she knew. I also read it to say, that the molestation with this girl took place over several years NOT that molestation has taken place @ WDW over several years (does that make sense). It's very sad what this little girl has gone through and I agree, if this had taken place at Motel 6 somewhere off of I-95 we never would have heard anything about it. If you throw a WDW hotel in it people are going to read many things into it.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

It is true, sadly.

However a child could be molested anywhere. A child could be photographed by some pervert anywhere. Where you stay at WDW has nothing to do with it. POFQ is really nice. It's a beautiful resort.

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

It's not that he (or I for that matter) are scared to stay there. He just doesn't want to have that in the back of his mind when he's on vacation. Wondering if we're staying in the room that this had taken place in. I have seen the resort since we have stayed at POR a couple of times. It looks beautiful. I'm with you guys, things like this happen all the time, all over the place. We've only heard about this isolated incident because it happened at Disney (among other places). I will try not to let it bother me, after all Disney is such a great time! But yet, it's kindof creepy thinking that you could be sleeping in the bed that that pervert molested a child on.

 

[Drizzo67]

We just returned from the POFQ and found it to be a beautiful resort. We had heard about the incident just before we left and once we got there it was the furthest thing from our minds.

The reason the exact resort came up in the new reports was because the pictures (without the young girl) were posted on a website in order to get more information about who the girl is. The police were trying to get information about where the indidents took place so they can try to track common names registered to the different locations. Some one noticed the bedding of the Port Orleans resorts and told the authorities. Hopefully this info will help them find the girl and her molester before it happens again. I'm sure other people recognized the other rooms posted but I guess not having a big name like Disney they didn't get mentioned.

Enjoy your stay. It's peaceful and relaxing. We are booking a room again next year.

 

[dmslush]

We routinely handle sexual abuse cases at the shelter, and everyone is correct when they say that molestations and abuse can and does happen anywhere. No matter where you go on vacation, there could be a child being molested. The best thing to do is be aware of your surroundings, if you see something that looks wrong or inapropriate, report it to the authorities.