Keeping Your Things Safe In Hotel Rooms

[JenDisneylandlver]

I've always wondered how in-room safes work....do you set the combination and then it resets when you leave? Do they give you keys that only you have access to?

I certainly wouldn't mind not letting housekeeping in for the duration of our stay, I don't mind using the same towels, the bed doesn't need to be made, really, and we're bringing out own toiletries so that won't be needed. So what do you do? Just keep the Do Not Disturb sign on the door the whole time? What prevents them from coming in?

The safe at Hojo's was an electronic combination code that we entered, and when we left we had to leave the safe door open. So the next person would just change the code.

At the Disneyland hotel it's a little key that you just have. I actually liked having the combination number better. Didn't have to worry about losing the little key, and Hojo's safe was actually bigger then the DLH, which was nice.

There have been times when we would put the do not disturb sign up in places for this reason. But got pretty trusting and relaxed over the last few years. Stories like these sure make you want to do it though!

 

[ironpig70]

go old school and use a suitcase thats hard case thats lockable. take a bike cable with you and a lock. find something solid and bolted down or run the cable in and around the bed frame and thru the handle on the suitcase and stash under the bed. a thief would have a tough time getting your stuff and if you happen to walk in they have no excuse. we've been lucky in all our travels to never have anything go missing from a hotel room.

 

[Amy&Dan]

For the safes that have the keys, my husband puts that on a keychain loop on his wallet so that we can't lose it. He bought that wallet primarly since it had that little loop on it. You can buy lock things for laptops, or if you have a rental car you can put your laptop in the trunk. You can also rent a locker at the parks and store things you don't want left in the room like a camcorder but don't necessarly want to lug around all day. It may be the best $5 you spend!

And I have to add, its not always the housekeeprs who steal although they play a part (albeit an innocent one) in the process. Often housekeepers will prop a door open while they run to get supplies or whatever and dishonest guests or people who just hang around motels/hotels for this very opportunity, will dart in and steal.

I have a friend who bicycles locks her locked up suitcase onto a bed post or piece of furniture.

There are ways to secure your stuff to varying extents. And if you see propped open doors at your hotel, report that immediately to the staff so they can address that problem.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

Dare I ask what happened to the other thread? It's mysteriously dissapeared.

 

[godalejunior]

Dare I ask what happened to the other thread? It's mysteriously dissapeared.

I am curious about that too, I was just getting ready to read it to DH and it is gone now.....I wonder if someone works for Carousel...Ha. Ha.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

It was deleted, but not because of Carousel.

I'm glad it was posted though. As was said on the other thread, this forum exists so that we can help each other plan a successful vacation, and to give tips, advice, and that shoulder to lean on when needed.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I didn't post on the other hotel issues post because so many on this board love their Harbor Blvd. hotels, but after staying at what is now the Best Western Raffles and returning to our room door wide open and our neighbor's room cleaned out (cameras, camcorder, phones, etc.) while they were at the pool, we have decided to only stay on-site. We have felt an added level of security at the DLH and PP and are trying the GCH in Oct which I'm sure is the same. We like that we don't have to walk down any major streets at night to go to our room, and although crime can happen anywhere, we have never had an issue on-site, but are still extremely careful. If you stay on Harbor or surrounding streets, pick a hotel with indoor hallways. Some of the properties are the older motor inn style and not nearly as safe. Disneyland is the #1 tourist destination in the West and people know that and are there to take advantage.

Please don't flame me about not wanting to stay on Harbor. I am not saying all the hotels are bad. I read the reports and a lot of you have great stays at Hojo's and other places. This is just one of the reasons we choose to stay at a Disney hotel...

I see what you are saying, however, please be aware it happens onsite too. During one of our stays at the DLH a neighbor across the hall got some valuables stolen and at Paradise Pier we came back to a propped open door one afternoon. The maid was in changing out the shower curtain which was nice however, she didn't hear us come in and wouldn't have heard a thief come in either. Anybody day or night can get right into those onsite buildings no problem. And with a huge staff, its likely they have some bad eggs unfortunately. I love being onsite too, and generally go that route but not because I think its safer for my valueables as much as I just love being onsite!

Its also been an ongoing problem at the WDW onsite resorts of all levels, AKL and SSR come to mind. I am not saying that the motels on Harbor don't run some add'l risk since they are all located on that busy street and most have exterior corridors. But unfortunately it happens onsite too.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Amy is absolutely right as well. We can't have a false sense of security just because were onsite. These things can happen anywhere, and it's always good to use the same precautions as you would elsewhere.

 

[bumbershoot]

Its also been an ongoing problem at the WDW onsite resorts of all levels, AKL and SSR come to mind.

Yikes! Good to know, though.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yikes! Good to know, though.

Yeah, right before we stayed at SSR last October a car was broken into, and some of the villas had some things stolen. Luckily for us we have never had an issue at WDW or DL personally. To me the biggest issue is the propped open doors. I get so mad when I see this happening because its such a sure way to invite trouble.

Also, its been about 18 years ago but I used to work in the sales office of a five star hotel and it happened constantly. It was always hard to figure out if it was the guests or the staff. One of our regular guests was Robert Redford and I was told his son's wallet was stolen one time. No idea if that really happened or not!

 

[amyamya]

My point about being on-site is the physical difference in the sizes and layout of the buildings. You cannot compare a huge resort with 900 rooms with key card locks and security personnel to a two-story motor inn with 50 outside rooms and a key to get in. I know crime happens at the DLR hotels and stated that in my original post. I don't have a false sense of security when I am onsite and stated that as well.

 

[Amy&Dan]

My point about being on-site is the physical difference in the sizes and layout of the buildings. You cannot compare a huge resort with 900 rooms with key card locks and security personnel to a two-story motor inn with 50 outside rooms and a key to get in. I know crime happens at the DLR hotels and stated that in my original post. I don't have a false sense of security when I am onsite and stated that as well.

I didn't say you had a false sense of security. I was just pointing out that it can and does happen at the onsite properties too. All the motels I have stayed at on Harbor and everywhere else in the U.S. I have travelled have card locks as well. I cannot remember the last time I stayed anyplace that used a key system. I just wanted to point out my own experience in my now over 20 onsite stays at WDW and DL. These threads are helpful and necessary but it always freaks people out and scares them. I don't want people with upcoming trips to have anything but their radar up to be aware and be safe. I still think that while its an ongoing problem, its still very much a small chance it will happen that you will be robbed in your hotel/motel room. And regardless of anyplace you stay there is always a lot you can do to prevent that. Of course this coming from me who left my wallet with cash, credit cards and my id on the bed at Old Key West last week! I changed backpacks and it didn't make it in. I should follow my own advice!

 

[perlster]

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[katy621]

The sales clerk at the luggage store at my mall told me to use security ties (about 40 colored ties for $5.99) to put on zippered bags, so that you could tell if someone tried to get into your belongings.

 

[brenda1966]

So, someone's room got ransacked? Why was the original thread pulled?
Did housekeeping give some of the items back?

I try not to leave anything of value in my room and I lock anything I can in the safe. Some of the safes are big enough to hold a laptop.

I always see housekeeping with the room door standing wide open while they are in cleaning the toilet. It would be so easy for someone to slip in and out of the room and grab something. I'm honestly more afraid someone will be waiting for me in my room. That's what truely frightens me.

 

[NWPrincess]

I'm also always afraid some of the my stuff will get stolen. Both my parents and DBF has had their cars broken into twice ans some important stuff stolen out of them. I have had various things stolen in various situations (though never at DL). I was thinking about bringing my laptop since HoJo has free Wi Fi, but decided against it since my laptop is my life (being in law school and all).

The pretty much bring all my electronics into the park (camera, cell phone, etc.) and I have a shoulder bag the keeps them pretty secure.

But YIKES! I worry about this stuff too!

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

So, someone's room got ransacked? Why was the original thread pulled?
Did housekeeping give some of the items back?

Basically the original poster in the original thread had her father put away her wallet one night, he accidently put it in her suitcase instead of something she would bring on her person, and they left the room and the wallet was gone, which included her passport, ID, money, etc. When she returned to find it missing, she went down to the lobby to complain, but they claimed they had no idea what had happened and were very nonchalont and rude about it. They left for dinner or something, and upon her return, the wallet and some other personal items were returned, magically sitting on their bed.

I have a feeling the thread was pulled because it was getting a bit heated because it called out a certain hotel that some people are quite fond of.

I really appreciate all the tips that people are leaving. I would never think to bring a bike lock and chain my suitcase to something bolted on the floor. I really like that idea.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

the orignal post got pulled? why?
yes well some one stied at carisol inn and had a bunch astuff stolen in lcuding wallet and stuff. Then after they complained big time they went back to there room and the stuff was there.
I fill bad for the op of that post and will never stay there ever.
Then the one who made this post was worried about things after reading that post. So was I and some others.
My fionce and me have decied to just say (No house keeping ) if we need towls or soap or anything we will go down and get it or have them brang it up
We arent even taking a chance

 

[brenda1966]

Thanks for the information. Yes, it is quite suspicious when the wallet returns.

I don't feel any hotel is 100% trustworthy. There's just no way they can guarantee that so I try to make sure there is no temptation left in my room.

I too had never thought of the bike lock! I do sometimes lock my suitcase with my DVR in it. I would worry if I had a bike lock they'd think I must have something really valuable and they'd come back the next day with wire cutters. LOL.

 

[brenda1966]

Well, I would stay at carousel again. And by just saying 'no housekeeping' I don't think you're guaranteeing anything. All the maintenance crew and housekeeping crew have master keys. The best solution is not to leave anything of value in your room.