Moderators feel free to delete

[timandlesley]

Moderators please delete this thread

Edited this post, won't let me delete it. I understand the purse was my responsibility. Yes, it was on the back of my chair and taken as we were eating. I will never take a purse from my body again when out in public as a result of this. I do feel that Disney needs to have cameras in public areas. I don't feel they are taking guest safety seriously in this day and age when they don't have cameras in large areas like this. What if a child were abducted? I didn't expect Disney to replace my money that was lost, you are right, that was definitely a lesson learned but I do feel the manager on duty who was very rude, and un sympathetic should get a new lesson in Disney cast member training 101 on how to treat guests after a traumatic event.

 

[njpyro]

So sorry to hear about the start to your trip, but disney really isn't responsible for replacing your lost cash.
By any chance did you get trip insurance? On our honeymoon, our car window was smashed and a bag was stolen with phone, kindle, wallet with ids, cash and credit cards, and an extra memory card. Still an in convince, but not as bad as that stuff, the bag also had flip flops and sunscreen. We filled a claim with trip insurance (Travel Guard), and we were reimbursed for everything but the cash (since you can't prove how much).
I hope things work out and you are able to enjoy the remainder of your trip. I'll be there a week from today and will certain remember this story and be more careful with my things. It's hard to remember that disney isn't always a perfect, magical place.

 

[catra121]

I am so sorry that this happened to you! I've lost my purse or wallet before and I remember how sick I felt. I have been lucky and always gotten everything back...but it is just a terrible feeling and especially when you are on vacation. I really feel for you in that respect.

However...I know you are upset and devastated by what happened...but I completely disagree with you when it comes to Disney being responsible or owing you anything. Giving you a phone charger and a gift basket is honestly really generous in my opinion. I've had similar things happen where I work (retail)...a customer will purchase some items, walk through the store with them in the cart, and then someone steals the bag...or someone steals the bag in the parking lot...or a bunch of variations on this. While I completely understand why people are upset when this happens...it's not the store's responsibility to return the stolen items and refund the customer, it's not our responsibility to replace the items for the customer...it's just a crummy situation. We do our best to assist the police in any investigations and share video...but we can't release videos to customers just because they want to "see" who did it...and this often results in the customer making accusations that we don't care. That's not the case...but there's just nothing more we can do for them.

I hope you are able to enjoy the rest of the vacation, despite the loss...and I really am very sorry that this happened to you and your family.

 

[rwdavis2]

I feel for you. We had some prescription meds stolen from our room a while ago at the Contemporary. The bad was left on the bathroom sink. So either someone stole it while the room was being cleaned and the door was open or a person in Mousekeeping stole it. Disney could not really have cared less. We learned that we must lock down everything in the room.

But I do think the manager was correct. What was it you wanted them to do for you? Keeping track of your items is your responsibility.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

I am also sorry that you had your purse stolen. But in no way is it Disney's fault. Whether there are cameras or not, you have to protect your possesions. Especially when you say what was in the bag. I would have left that thing on my body and not slung it on the back of my chair.
As the PP said, what did you want Disney to do? realisticly. Give you cash, chargers, electronics? None of which they even knew you had in your purse. I am sure they have had to deal with persons that were less than honest, claiming that they had a robbery. Which does not mean I am saying that this is the case.
You can call your homeowners insurance company and make a claim. Sometimes things stolen like this are covered by them.
Again I am sorry that this happened to you.

 

[Dis703]

That really stinks, I'm so sorry. But I have to agree I'm not sure why you would expect Disney to do something. It really sucks, but it's a criminal matter and can happen pretty much anywhere. If by some chance someone is arrested for this at some point you may get restitution from the person who did it, but Disney isn't responsible in any way.

I hope you could still enjoy your trip after that.

 

[DebbieB]

So............you know how you have those nightmares about your trip being ruined- unfortunately ours didn't start off very well this past week.
We checked into POR and went right to the food court to grab a bite to eat. I had my purse with me in line around me (it's a hipster) and then we sat down to eat and I put it on the back of my chair. I never left the purse alone at any time and my family was with me at the table all the time. The hand sanitizer I had taken out of my purse was on the table and my cell phone I had just taken out to text a friend was there. We got up to leave about 15 minutes later and my PURSE WAS GONE!!!!!
I started to panic of course and we had Cast members searching everywhere for us, family members running to front desk to see if it had been turned in, as people returned all shaking their heads, no one holding my purse I started to crumple.
I never carry cash but my husband had worked a ton of extra shifts without telling me and surprised me with $1000 cash before we left and we had planned on putting it in the safe to have fun at Food n' Wine, get some fun things for the house, etc. So in the purse was all our cash, credit cards, my photo i.d, phone chargers, other electronics, EVERYTHING.
Long story short, there are NO cameras in the food court at Riverside, I still find this absolutely unbelievable. Disney called in the police and we filed a police report but no purse was ever turned in or recovered. Disney was not helpful in this situation.
When we asked about compensation they said it's a criminal matter. They did (after I begged) give us a phone charger. The first manager on duty was just plain awful. I was completely nice to everyone and never raised my voice or yelled in any way, I was just devastated. I said to him "isn't there anything you can do for us" and he looked at me and very rudely said "What do you WANT?" REALLY!?! I just wanted some compassion, some help replacing what was lost so we could try and have a good trip. My kids were so upset, my daughter was hysterically crying, it was a very traumatic start to our trip.
The second manager on duty the next day, who was MUCH better than the first put a gift basket in the room, that was it...............
I know that this is a criminal matter and theft happens everywhere but I thought since this happened on Disney property and their lack of cameras was probably known by the criminal - due to that lack of a cameras we had no chance of finding out who did this or recovering my purse that they should take some sort of responsibility.
I have a conference call this afternoon with the head of resort operations, I'm praying for some sort of resolution comes of this.
Lesley

Sorry to hear this. If they are not legally required to have a survalience camera (which I'm sure they are not), I don't see where they are responsible. It's going to be hard to prove what you had.

 

[rsoxfan1]

So someone stole it while it was wrapped around the back of the chair you were sitting in? That's some David Copperfield stuff rite there....

 

[Dug720]

I am sorry it happened to you, but I agree with everyone else. YOU made the decision to put your purse on the back of your chair where you could not see it. There is no requirement to have security cameras in dining areas, so no responsibility on Disney there. They were more than generous in the basket and phone charger because YOU are responsible for YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS.

Sadly, there are people in this world who are not honest, and they know that while on vacation - ESPECIALLY vacations at Disney - people tend to let their guard down as you did. And the not-nice people will take advantage of it. I was taught early on to never put my bag on my chair behind me - it goes next to me if I'm in a booth or on my lap (and in the case of my side purse I keep it strapped on. Worst-case it goes on the table next to me or if I absolutely have to put it on the floor, I wrap the handle around the leg (like tilt the chair back so the handle is through it and the chair must be tilted to get it. BUT I place it on my feet. NEVER on the back of my chair.

 

[Dug720]

So someone stole it while it was wrapped around the back of the chair you were sitting in? That's some David Copperfield stuff rite there....

From the sound of it, she simply hung it on her chair.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

What a terrible start to your vacation. I put my purse on the back of chairs all the time since the floor is so dirty. I cannot believe it was stolen while you were sitting in said chair. Unfortunately Disney can't be responsible for theft by other guests in a public space. I also feel that the gift basket and charger were generous enough. It doesn't change the fact that you lost $1,000 plus the other items in your purse so I know it's hard to see past that. Hopefully you will be able to focus on the rest of your vacation and not the one event. Pixie dust to you!!!!

 

[tomeaine]

So someone stole it while it was wrapped around the back of the chair you were sitting in? That's some David Copperfield stuff rite there....

"and then we sat down to eat and I put it on the back of my chair."

 

[cvjw]

If I had $1000 cash in my purse, my purse would have been attached to my body at all times. Sorry your stuff was stolen, but you have to be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your possessions. Sorry the lesson was learned in such an unmagical way.

 

[Disneychix]

How did you pay for your meal? Did you pull out your wallet with a wad of cash by any chance?

I'm just thinking that someone must've really wanted YOUR bag. I've seen people leave whole suitcases (I'm probably guilty of stepping away while chasing a child) unattended. It's strange someone went for your purse on the back of your chair while you were all at the table.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

So someone stole it while it was wrapped around the back of the chair you were sitting in? That's some David Copperfield stuff rite there....

No magic is needed, that's an extremely common theft and usually accomplised with either a razor knife or similar to cut the strap. The strap stays on the chair while the purse walks away -- typically there is a two person team, one accidently bumps into the person to distract them while the other does the cutting.

Moral to the story, I'm sorry that you were robbed, whether on vacation or not, it really sucks and makes you really jaded and feeling violated.

Tom

 

[timandlesley]

So sorry to hear about the start to your trip, but disney really isn't responsible for replacing your lost cash.
By any chance did you get trip insurance? On our honeymoon, our car window was smashed and a bag was stolen with phone, kindle, wallet with ids, cash and credit cards, and an extra memory card. Still an in convince, but not as bad as that stuff, the bag also had flip flops and sunscreen. We filled a claim with trip insurance (Travel Guard), and we were reimbursed for everything but the cash (since you can't prove how much).
I hope things work out and you are able to enjoy the remainder of your trip. I'll be there a week from today and will certain remember this story and be more careful with my things. It's hard to remember that disney isn't always a perfect, magical place.

I didn't have trip insurance but have filed a claim with my home owners insurance.

 

[HopperFan]

I agree it stinks and would make my stomach sink if it happened to me. But Disney is not responsible, not even if it were in your room. All of your stuff is completely your responsibility to secure and keep safe. I can understand in your state of anxiety the CM may have come off rude, I have spoken to some who I felt were not exactly friendly ... but you said they called in the police, which is all that they really can do or have to do. The charger and gift basket were gestures because they felt bad for you, not any obligation.

My first reaction to your post was - did you fly? If you did the one thing you need to address asap is getting some kind of identification so that you can board the airplane going back. I hope you can enjoy the rest of your vacation.

To others I will share things I do:
- I also use a hipster always cross body bag. When I eat I keep it on my lap. For comfort and safety I drop the strap down behind me so that the purse is literally around my waist. If someone were to grab it they would have to yank my whole body out of the chair. Never put next to you, on the floor or on your chair back. IF you put on your chair back take that strap and tie it to the chair with several knots - and sit with your back to a wall.
- Never carry lots of cash or unneeded items to the parks, DTD, pools, anywhere; put all that in your room safe. Each day I pull out a few bills, a credit card, my ID and leave the rest. If you fly I suggest if you can bring two forms of ID leaving one in the safe. I saw a girl from Asia have her purse pick pocketed in MK and her passport was now gone. More than anything that was her biggest loss. Her loss happened because she had a large open top bag. Her stuff was taken while standing in a food line. Use bags that zipper shut, yeah a pro can open but the lady next to you with the open top is an easier target.
- If you like to carry more cash, split it up between you so no one has it all. When I travel alone I even split my money to my bag and our backpack in case one disappears or so no one sees me pull out all my money.
- When you leave your room lock up prescriptions, tablets and your laptop if you can. If you can't fit it in safe put in suitcase and take a small lock for it. Put all electronics, extra cameras and special toys in drawers if for nothing else keep them from leaving in the laundry or trash. I put tablets, DS etc in safe. My laptop in a drawer covered with dirty laundry.

Be pro-active, especially at Disney!

 

[elleherself]

Wow, I am so sorry that happened to you! Literally FIRST THING too. I can never understand how some people an just steal from someone else. What a nasty, dark act. I know it can't make up for what happened.

When I was in Key West last year, I was pick pocketed and my new phone (less than a month old) was stolen at a parade. Whoever grabbed it knew what they were doing too (they probably saw me with the phone out, taking pictures) because the sim card was removed within moments. I noticed within a minute of the theft, even remembered being bumped and jostled, but there were throngs of people on those old streets. It was a $400 phone, and it really soured my mood and ruined that night for me. As anyone with a smart phone knows, it quickly becomes your life line. I had a medical app where I was tracking my health data, many pictures, contacts, etc. All lost.

Later I replaced the phone, and suffered no lasting financial effects, but the emotional toll was severe and I was unable to enjoy my time.

My advice to you is after you contact your bank and take care of all the immediate issues, try to relax as much as possible. At least you and your family are all safe, which is not the case for violent robberies. The money that was stolen was not necessary for you to continue living your life, and neither were any of the things. As traumatic and horrible as this is, you are all going to be all right, and what is truly important can never be taken from you.

Also this post reminded me that I have way too much cash on hand right now. I get tips at work and I easily lose track of how much I have accumulating on me at a given time. I need to get to the bank soon, but until then I'll stash it safely at home.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I didn't have trip insurance but have filed a claim with my home owners insurance.

Ok Normally I don't medal in affairs like this but as an insurance agent, I can't go without commenting. How much stuff was in your purse? Did you know most policies have limits on coverage for money? Also, how much is your deductible? Theft claims usually cause you to loose claims free discounts and rate increases. I am not trying to make things worse, but if you just filed it today, there are companies that will let you retract a claim same day if you find out that it was something you shouldn't have filed for. As an example: If you had around $250 worth of belongings in your purse along with $1000 cash which is limited to $100 in coverage under your policy (remember just an example) and a purse value of another $50, your total claim would only be $400. If you have a deductible over that, you wouldn't get anything, other than a hefty rate increase at your next renewal. Again, not trying to make matters worse but you may have the option to retract the claim if you find it isn't worth it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Sorry the manager was rude. Cameras are not a cure-all. If the stolen funds were in cash, your chances of getting it back is pretty much nil. And yes it's a very common theft situation (please folks don't let your guard down just because it's Disney World, it may be Disney World but there are many different kinds of people at Disney World, just like there are everywhere else; Disney isn't doing background checks on the guests before they let them into the food court.)

There's also never been a child abduction at Disney World despite what folks think. Stranger abduction is very rare.