Re: Stolen bag at waterpark - solutions

[fastergoofy]

I listened to the latest podcast during my run this morning, so I'm sorry if this reply comes a little late. When you guys mentioned the lady who had her bag of expensive electronics stolen at the waterpark, I immediately thought of these solutions:

1) Pacsafe bags and the Pacsafe mesh bag protector:
http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=151

2) The Beach Safe:
http://www.secure-it.com/shop/index.php/cPath/59_63

I prefer to use a locker and a beach wallet but I can understand the desire to keep your things closer to you.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

What a great idea. I like the mesh bag myself.

Will look into getting one for our next vacation.

Now hopefully no one will be walking around with bolt cutters.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At the water parks we recommend rental of a locker. You get a key on a strap with unlimited in and out.

Also we sell Disney Gift Cards that are about half normal size with a wrist strap. Minimum is $5.00. They can be used anywhere on WDW, Disney Store, or online, where a regular Disney Gift Card can be used. There is no fee and the value does not expire.

 

[fastergoofy]

What a great idea. I like the mesh bag myself.

Will look into getting one for our next vacation.

Now hopefully no one will be walking around with bolt cutters.

Haha! Well at the very least, they'll look more suspicious and/or show up on video cameras.

"Oh, your bag? Yeah, I saw a guy walk by with some bolt cutters earlier...."


Cheshire Figment: I agree. Lockers are best. And those gift cards are a brilliant idea!

 

[mikelan6]

I imagine seeing someone trying to walk out of the park carrying a chaise lounge with the locked bag attached.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

At the water parks we recommend rental of a locker. You get a key on a strap with unlimited in and out.

Also we sell Disney Gift Cards that are about half normal size with a wrist strap. Minimum is $5.00. They can be used anywhere on WDW, Disney Store, or online, where a regular Disney Gift Card can be used. There is no fee and the value does not expire.

Personally, I never liked lockers as an option.

What I like about the mesh bag is that I can bring a camera or iPod and have easy/close access to my stuff rather than having to shlep over to the lockers any time I want something.

 

[fastergoofy]

I imagine seeing someone trying to walk out of the park carrying a chaise lounge with the locked bag attached.

"I swear, officer! I just felt like sunning in the parking lot!"

 

[heatherwillmom]

I love those bags! great idea

 

[LMO429]

what a fantastic idea..thank you for sharing.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

I replaced the key lock in the mesh bag system with a combination lock when using it near a pool, or if multiple people need to have access.

That being said; I use the locker for everything. I'm on vacation with my whole family, so my smartphone does not need to be in my constant reach.

Living and working in NYC has shown me that the majority of crimes involving theft all involve convenience. Anything that makes it less convenient to rob you is a plus.

 

[clomahony]

Thanks for posting this - my family is off to Maine next week so I ordered the beach safe

 

[fastergoofy]

I replaced the key lock in the mesh bag system with a combination lock when using it near a pool, or if multiple people need to have access.

Oh, good idea.

That being said; I use the locker for everything. I'm on vacation with my whole family, so my smartphone does not need to be in my constant reach.

Exactly. There are only two things I use a smartphone for at the parks: staying in touch with the rest of my party and taking pictures. Oh, and the Lines app.

I'd probably use the mesh bag for flipflops and other beach items. At a non-Disney waterpark, I did have someone walk off with my flipflops (literally!) because they were nearly identical to theirs. I also like to swim without the water wallet if I can.

Living and working in NYC has shown me that the majority of crimes involving theft all involve convenience. Anything that makes it less convenient to rob you is a plus.

Yep. Thieves will always take the easy target over even moderately inconvenient ones.

 

[Mickeyflower]

Those are GREAT!! My nephew is a police officer and not all hotel rooms have an in room safe. He needs one for obvious reasons. I have had difficulty locating hotels that specify IN ROOM SAFE on their website and these will be the perfect solution! Thanks again!

PS: He may even be able to deduct purchasing it off of his taxes!

 

[fastergoofy]

Those are GREAT!! My nephew is a police officer and not all hotel rooms have an in room safe. He needs one for obvious reasons. I have had difficulty locating hotels that specify IN ROOM SAFE on their website and these will be the perfect solution! Thanks again!

PS: He may even be able to deduct purchasing it off of his taxes!

Yay, writeoffs!

I'm pretty sure all the deluxe hotels have in-room safes. I don't recall having one at POFQ but it's been a while. You could always call the hotels directly and ask?

Hotel safes aren't even all that secure. A manager or someone always has a key. People have had stuff stolen from them (not at Disney, that I know of!)

 

[Mickeyflower]

YIPES! I never thought of that! He needs a safe to store his fire arm. I never knew that Police officers are required to have it with them at all times.

I'm sure the deluxe hotels have them on Disney property, but I was referring to hotels in general (outside of our beloved Disney ). I have found it difficult to find hotels that have an in room safe. Now that you mention how insecure they are, I may purchase one for myself!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

All hotels which have electronic room keys have multiple levels of security related to room entry.

1. Each electronic key is identified by a serial number. At check-out the lock is deactivated for the keys that were issued to the guests in that room.

2. At check in, the new keys are specific for a particular room.

3. Any hotel employee who is authorized unaccompanied access to guest rooms is issued a key specific to that person. A housekeeper, for example, will only have access to the specific rooms which are that person's responsibility.

4. And most important. The central security system keeps a record of every time a room door is unlocked, and which specific key was used to unlock the room. So if a Guest reports a theft they can track every entry into that room to who entered and at what time.

(Side Note - At WDW if a guest loses their KTTW all they need to do is call the front desk of their resort from any phone and the KTTW will be completely deactivated (tickets, charging, meals, room entry) and a replacement, with a new serial number, issued when the Guest returns to the front desk with identification)

 

[darrengs]

I don't recall having one at POFQ but it's been a while. You could always call the hotels directly and ask?

POFQ, had the in wall safe with a key last time I stayed there.

 

[fastergoofy]

YIPES! I never thought of that! He needs a safe to store his fire arm. I never knew that Police officers are required to have it with them at all times.

They make them take their firearm with them on vacation? That's just wrong. That's not getting time off! That's just... partly on duty.

It just occurred to me that there are specific travel cases for firearms, by the way. If he's going to get something to carry a weapon, he may as well get whatever it is that the TSA requires, even if it's just to have for future use. I'm sure his dept has specific info.

 

[fastergoofy]

All hotels which have electronic room keys have multiple levels of security related to room entry.....

Really interesting post! I didn't know they used that level of tracking.

Personally, I'm comfortable using the in-room safe at Disney hotels. It was a hotel in NY that I'd heard about that had a theft from a safe. But a gun -- yipes! I'd take extra super duper precautions. My husband is a Southern boy and military, so he's comfortable around firearms but they make me nervous!