OKW Trip Report... with robbers...

[AFMom]

Well - let me start by saying we had a great week in a 1 bedroom! The rooms were immaculate, looked new! The busses were fine - never really waited much at all! Love how much space we had, and we really did use the kitchen. We went to all 4 parks, a MNSSHP, DTD, and pool hopped to SSR, BWV, and the Poly (mai tai's at the pool!). I was shy to admit it before, but we bought into DVC without having ever gone to WDW!!! We have been innumerable times to DL, but were buying on faith - happy we did!!! We can't wait for our next trip and are pretty sure we'll stay at OKW again - we really enjoyed ourselves and the new theme pool will really add to the experience.

However!!!! On Sunday night we came back from Epcot (right after Illuminations). We went to the park at opening, so probably left our room about 8:30 in the morning, and were gone all day. Well - our keys wouldn't work. There happened to be a maintenance guy working on the lockoff studio door, their keys hadn't worked either! To make a LONG story short - robbers had set the deadbolts and left out the patios. They had broken into the studio, stole the significant contents of the occupants' safe and trashed their room (including a large hole in the wall). They then broke our lockoff door to get into our room, trahed it as well, and took off with 2 credit cards that we hadn't taken to the parks.

The maintenance man immediately called security, and they and the resort Manager came right away. they decided to call the Orange County Sheriffs, who took a little longer! All the while my poor kids (ages 6 and 7) were extremely shook up, on the verge of tears, which of course put me on the verge of tears as well. That was probably the worst part of it all - seeing my kids that upset at WDW.

The manager got us a new room, and my sons and I were in it by midnight, but my husband had to stay behind until the police were done dusting for prints. Of course, all of our stuff had to stay as well. At about 2:30 am my husband and Bell services moved our things to our new room.

We still made it to EE at AK the next morning ( yes - we're crazy!). The resort paid for a character meal for us to help show how sorry Mickey was that they were scared, and when we got back to the room, Pluto and Goofy and sent cards and baloons for the kids. that helped immensly, and the kids certainly seem fine with everything now.

I was very impressed with how wonderful everyone was. the head of security and the resort manager stayed with us the entire time, and everyone there tried so hard to make the kids feel better.

We were also refunded the points for that night. I do really feel that they went out of their way to make us happy again, and we're pretty sure we'll be staying at OKW on our next visit. It was a fluke that really could have happened anywhere, and in my opinion, the security there is really pretty good.

Here's to a trip of many firsts!!!!

 

[spiceycat]

oh that is down right scarey!!!

glad you and your children are okay.

that is not surpose to happen in magicland (WDW).

So sorry!!!

with the security guards checking ID's I hope they catch these people.

thanks - I will definitely kept my cash with me and my credit cards that I don't use will stay locked in the trunk....

thank you - with the holidays coming up this is a good reminder to many.

 

[jennymouse]

Wow! I'm sorry you all had to go through that. However, I'm thrilled to hear how security and the OKW manager handled it. There's been some posts lately that left a few of us a bit cold on how WDW handles crisis situations. It seems like OKW staff could teach the management and staff at BCV (and I'm an BCV owner) a few lessons. Thank you for sharing!

 

[AFMom]

ID checks? We were never id'ed to get into the resort. We were asked our name the day we checked in at the gate - but that was it! Anyone can ride a bus into any resort - or walk for that matter, so I can't imagine that they could have stopped it! Wish they could have! Thanks for your concern - and I'm sure you won't have any problems on your trip - it may have been a wake up call for the WDW security people!!!! have fun!

 

[Candace]

I appreciate your sharing this with us. I am one of those "too trusting" people, and this will keep me on my toes on my next trip. I applaud your fantastic attitude about the whole situation. So glad that the cast at OKW handled things well for you.

 

[MJTinNH]

Glad your situation was handled well by staff at OKW. It's unfortunate that happens to anyone while on vacation.


I am doubly glad it did not sour your really great sounding trip to WDW and 1st DVC experience. Thank you for posting your report!

 

[AFMom]

Ok - so it took me this long tofigure out that you meant ID checking for them to use our credit cards! Sometimes I'm a little slow..... The OC Sheriffs actually had a suspect in mind - they we're pretty sure they would get enough evidence with this to get him. Wonder if we'll ever hear!? Thanks again !

 

[LIFERBABE]

That is terrible!!!! And Scary!

I couldnt even imagine, but Im as crazy as you are, so I would have went to the park the next day too!

Did they gain entry thru the sliders? What floor were you on?

I did think of this very thing happening last week while we were staying at BWV because we had 4 sets of French Doors on our second floor SV 1 bed. Each night and before we left, I would make sure they were all locked before going to bed and part of me felt a little silly because we were on the second floor and at WDW.
I thought about some of the other incidences reported on the Dis, so I did it anyway. Thanks for keeping us mindful.

As long as their actions were satisfactory for your family, that is what matters and that you all were safe!

 

[AFMom]

Well, they got into the studio (only got to our room by the lockoff door), and they did leave through our 1st floor patio, but the cops were pretty sure that they managed to get the front door open somehow in that studio. You could tell they used a crowbar to open our lockoff door - the door was completely ruined. It is a bit disturbing - but really- what are the odds? I doubt you have to worry much - Anyway, I think they know who did it, and are going to pick them up!

 

[spiceycat]

I am sorry - I should have been plainer!

this is very upsetting - I have been going to OKW since 1993 - and have never been robbed!

but as I say - it is a wake up call!

no leaving extra money or credit cards in the room.

thanks again!!!

 

[Disneyaholic]

You said that the guests in the studio had a lot in the safe. Kinda makes you wonder if the robber didn't have advance knowledge of that??? And just decided to try your room to make it look more random??

I'm glad that "all" you lost were some credit cards; they can be cancelled and replaced fairly easily. Thanks for sharing the information. I'm sure it will help us all to be a little more careful on future trips!!

BTW, this reminds me -- there was a thread a while back about someone being robbed while their stuff was in storage. I remember that it got to be somewhat controversial because some people questioned the validity of it...Did we ever find out more about it????

 

[Chuck S]

How awful of a thing to happen. I'm glad OKW security and management responded in such a professional way.

Unfortunately, crime is on the increase everywhere, it seems.

 

[Shadeaux]

Sorry to hear about the break-in. While I don't leave credit cards in our unit, I have left cameras and some cash (probably less than $50) in our suitcases. We'll definitely be more careful next time!

Originally posted by AFMom

They had broken into the studio, stole the significant contents of the occupants' safe and trashed their room (including a large hole in the wall).

I didn't realize the studios at OKW had safes. We were in a 2BR lockoff and didn't see a safe in the 2nd bedroom. Where is it located?

 

[msdis]

What an ordeal! Glad the rest of your trip was good.

When did OKW studios get safes?

How on earth did they get thru a locked lock off door on the other side?

Wow, sounds they need to increase security. Too many of these incidents lately.

 

[AFMom]

The safe was in the closet - just like ours was - maybe it's a new thing? As far as them having knowledge of the safe contents... well, the thought crossed my mind as well - we also had a laptop in our room they didn't touch (the CCs were in the laptop case!), and they dumped out my purse, but didn't try to steal our brand new truck with the keys! Seems weird! And yes - we were happy to only loose CCs - they are a piece of cake to deal with!

 

[Debbie H]

How did they get into the safe? Did they find the key or did they get in it by breaking it open? So much for being a safe, huh?

Glad you were all ok and didn't walk in during the crime!

We also had a crime committed against us several years ago at the GF and the security and people at the GF were fabulous.

 

[Niagara2]

Wow = this is scary stuff. I would never imagine a crime by professional thief to boot. Such force, crowbars, holes in the walls, safes picked etc. This will make us so much more aware next time. I had always felt safest at OKW. Sorry this happened to you and your kids.
Could you tell us what room and area you were in? Thanks

 

[RuthnPaul]

Very scary! We'll be at OKW in mid-October so this is a good reminder to take extra precautions with all valuables. Glad to hear that your vacation went well, outside of this unfortunate incident...

 

[RoutemanDan]

They had broken into the studio, stole the significant contents of the occupants' safe and trashed their room (including a large hole in the wall). They then broke our lockoff door to get into our room, trahed it as well, and took off with 2 credit cards that we hadn't taken to the parks

OKW studios don't have safes. Was your safe in the 1 bedroom tampered with?

 

[AFMom]

Well, I don't want to contradict anyone - but our studio neighbors were really upset about the safe thing - and the cops were talking about the safe door being pried open, and I heard someone (security, manager?) saying the safe was ruined - so I'm rather sure there was a safe in that studio. It was a lockoff to a 1 bdrm - maybe that's why they had one? Or maybe they are adding it to the rooms? Who knows..... it was in the police report we were given a copy of.
Anyway - I believe the safes are more of a deterent to housekeeping than anything else - I mean - if you can get in the room door - the safe would be a piece of cake!
Room location - we were in 2214 - which is 1st floor, the doors are facing Bonnet Creek Pkwy (I requested Turtle Pond, but it was full) on Miller Rd. Doubt that made much of a difference, though - although being on the edge of the resort may have made it easier not to be seen? The thieves seemed pretty stupid about what they took from us - so I doubt there was a lot of logic in their choice of rooms!
Hope this helps!