Preventing Luggage theft?

[gctong]

I'm hoping that maybe someone who has an SUV can help me with this.

We're renting an SUV from National for our future trip to WDW. Flight arrives 5 hours before we can check into the hotel, so we though we'd go get lunch and walk around before checking in our first hotel. I'm concerned about the luggage. I believe the luggage will be visible through the windows. Is just putting a blanket/towl sufficient or can anyone suggest how to hide the luggage before we can check-in?

 

[The Black Pearl]

If your staying in a WDW Resort I've been told by many Disney Vetrans at my job that you can check in early at the resort and leave your bags at the desk. Later when they actually determine your room # they will deliver your luggage to your room. Other than that I have rented SUVs and Minivans many times for long distance trips and have always made a habit of concealing any valuables ( CD Players, DVD Players, XBox, Purses, Etc). Thieves are looking for a sure payout with low risk. A suitcase is a slow heavy maybe but your Video/35mm Camera or wifes purse left out on the seat is a sure thing.. Just pack the back with suitcases along the outer edges and the good stuff covered (but accessible from INSIDE the vehicle)in the middle.

RealWorld Officer and Disney Pirate,

The Captain of The Black Pearl

 

[kashkdz]

Though you cannot check-in to your room at the hotel, you can leave your bags at the baggage check at the resort. They will give you a claim slip with your name on it with the number of bags you checked. You simply return later in the day when you are ready to check-in, and you can either take your bags then (which is what we do), or have them delivered to your room.

We've done baggage check before when our flight arrived early in the morning, and we went to the parks for most of the day.

We usually do the same at the end of our trip, after we check-out from our room. We check our bags at the hotel, and go to parks one last time, before our evening flight.

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

Checking your bags at the hotel is definitely the safest option. If you don't, covering with a blanket it at least some deterrent. We have a SUV, and it came with a pull out cover that goes over the back to hide anything from view. I don't know if this is standard or an extra feature on SUVs.

 

[gctong]

Thanks for the advice. I should have clarified, that we're not staying at a WDW resort. Instead we're staying 1 night at the Hotel Royal Plaza and then at my in-law's timeshare. But I'll check with them to see if they will take our luggage early.

So it's safe to leave it with the hotel? I figured out of sight was just as bad there.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just about all hotels/motels will have a lockable bag room, even a hotel that does not have bellmen. (Timeshares that do not have staffed lobby areas often do not have them, though.) If there is a bag room, the hotel will take the bags and give you a claim check for them. Lock the bags before storing them if you don't trust the hotel staff not to be tempted to help themselves to the contents.

 

[gctong]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
Just about all hotels/motels will have a lockable bag room, even a hotel that does not have bellmen. (Timeshares that do not have staffed lobby areas often do not have them, though.) If there is a bag room, the hotel will take the bags and give you a claim check for them. Lock the bags before storing them if you don't trust the hotel staff not to be tempted to help themselves to the contents.

THANK YOU NotUrsula! As usual, you have great advice. I believe you helped me out on a previous question before too!!

Since everyone seems to have a good experience leaving luggage to the hotel baggage check before and after checkout, I feel better! Thanks again!