Recent occurrence at Ramada Main Gate

[DharmaLou]

This was just posted on a Tink Half Facebook group & I asked her permission to share on the DIS to get the word out.

"Hey guys, I don't like to put negative things out there, but I feel that it is important to share my story of my horrible hotel stay at the Ramada Main Gate in hopes that I can prevent you guys from staying there and having the same experience happen to you. Everything was fine when we checked in, even upgraded to a suite with no charge. Then the second day when we went to leave, my friend and I made sure to leave the 'do not disturb' sign on the door because we both don't like having other people go through our stuff and personal items. When we returned from Mickey's Halloween Party, we noticed the sign had been removed from the door and our stuff not where we left it. I immediately went to my luggage to search for my clutch that was in the BOTTOM of my luggage. When I found it, my lucky $100 bill (that I have had for 4 years as a keepsake from my late grandmother) had been STOLEN. Along with $2 from my back jeans pocket. I went downstairs at midnight and filed an incident report and had a super hard time sleeping knowing that something more valuable than money had been stolen and very violated from the whole ordeal. In the morning, when I went to take a shower i wiped my face and noticed big yellow stains on two towels that had obviously not been clean and feeling more yucky than before. When we went to check out the manager said they did a thorough investigation and came to the conclusion of no suspicious behavior and I could file a police report but that's it. No 'I'm sorry,' or compensation of any kind. I'm crying and hurt at the desk and the manager had this coy smile on her face almost mocking me. The whole thing ways just awful and really ended the trip on a sour note. I'm def filing a police report and want to let all of you know how poorly the Ramada Main Gate treats their guests. I highly advised choosing against staying there for any running or Disneyland trip."

 

[SMD]

Always, always, always file a police report immediately after you notify the hotel of something missing. Hotels and hotel security are not looking out for your items, they're looking out for the hotel's best interest. They want to keep their hotel name out of police report, so they're going to try to delay or dissuade you.

I do wonder about the wisdom of keeping a "lucky $100 bill" with you that you don't plan to spend. I always secure my valuables in a hotel, even with the do no disturb sign out. I've seen them fall off doors or be flipped over by kids too many times to assume that they will keep anyone out of my room.

 

[Congo Queen]

Very sorry this happened to you DharmaLou. It was awful to begin with to have $ stolen but then to have unprofessional front desk staff on top of it takes the cake. I personally have not stayed at the Ramada Inn Maingate for years (last time there about 15 years ago and I found the beds super uncomfortable - they have probably upgraded them all by now now.) In any case, they shant be getting my business any time in the future.

 

[5forMickey]

So sorry this happened to you, don't let this ruin your trip or they will steal twice from you. Karma will get the thief one day.

 

[SMD]

Very sorry this happened to you DharmaLou. It was awful to begin with to have $ stolen but then to have unprofessional front desk staff on top of it takes the cake. I personally have not stayed at the Ramada Inn Maingate for years (last time there about 15 years ago and I found the beds super uncomfortable - they have probably upgraded them all by now now.) In any case, they shant be getting my business any time in the future.

It didn't happen to the OP, she cut and pasted something that someone else posted on FB. So, I mean, take it with a grain of salt that the incident happened as described.

 

[wdwfan22]

That's so sad that it happened to this person. This is why I never leave valuables in my room unless there is a safe. And I don't book hotels anymore that don't have a safe. I don't take any jewelry on vacation, or cash, (unless its small bills for tipping). I take a credit card, my ID, and if I bring any small cash, I keep them on my person at all times.

That being said, I could still get robbed. Bad things happen all the time. Tourists are prime targets. Luckily, more often than not you're fine. But you never know. I hope the police can help.

It's the hotel's reaction that's too bad. I have stayed there, and am maybe going to again in January, if I can't find a better rate. They were very nice and helpful last time. It can happen in any hotel, but management should be (or at least act) more concerned.

 

[whoever]

Not that staying onsite will prevent this, but it will sure make the chances of it happening slim to none.

 

[tarheelalum]

I also put the do not disturb sign on the door but I still hide any valuables I leave in the room.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

Im sorry that this happened! But unfortunately this happens everywhere. No hotel is immune to these kinds of incidents. For what its worth, we always lock up our valuables in the safe and this may sound extreme (but DH works in the hotel industry) but we do not allow anyone into our room when we are not there. We don't use housekeeping. If we need trash changed or towels we ask for them while we are present. Sadly, you never know about people. Even hotels with stellar reputations can have bad employees!

 

[DharmaLou]

It didn't happen to the OP, she cut and pasted something that someone else posted on FB. So, I mean, take it with a grain of salt that the incident happened as described.

Well, it happened to someone who is a DLR frequenter, and someone who participates in runDisney events, so I have confidence it happened as described.

 

[SMD]

Well, it happened to someone who is a DLR frequenter, and someone who participates in runDisney events, so I have confidence it happened as described.

Great. But excuse me if I don't take someone's second hand word for it. I could put something in quotes and trash a business too. I wouldn't expect anything to come from that rumor.

 

[starjazz]

Not that staying onsite will prevent this, but it will sure make the chances of it happening slim to none.

You could steal everything I bring with me on a trip to Disneyland, and it still wouldn't be as expensive as staying on site!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Im sorry that this happened! But unfortunately this happens everywhere. No hotel is immune to these kinds of incidents. For what its worth, we always lock up our valuables in the safe and this may sound extreme (but DH works in the hotel industry) but we do not allow anyone into our room when we are not there. We don't use housekeeping. If we need trash changed or towels we ask for them while we are present. Sadly, you never know about people. Even hotels with stellar reputations can have bad employees!

I do the same thing. The 'Do Not Disturb' sign goes on my door, and I either take my valuables with me, lock them in the safe, or lock them in my suitcases. I always leave my suitcases locked when I leave the room.

Sorry that happened to your friend . My classic iPod was stolen from a nice hotel at Walt Disney World. Since then I just tell Housekeeping, no thanks.

 

[5forMickey]

I'll rephrase my original response -- sorry this happened to anyone at Disneyland - or anywhere!

 

[bumbershoot]

Not that staying onsite will prevent this, but it will sure make the chances of it happening slim to none.

How?

We stayed at the grand once. When they clean rooms they have more than one door open at once while working in one. DH had to run back to our room and went right in our open and empty room. If he hadn't taken so long trying to find what I needed, he would have been out before the housekeeper came back. They think that parking carts outside the room stops people but it's not an actual deterrent.

When you don't want housekeeping in, use the door hanger AND call housekeeping to let them know, and maybe double check with the front desk to let them know too.

 

[GatorChris]

I always use the safe for everything nice. EVERYTHING. I load that baby up.

Lucky rabbit's foot. Lucky silver dollar. Lucky gangster's pinky.... But a lucky $100 bill? I call that a rainy day fund.

 

[starjazz]

I always use the safe for everything nice. EVERYTHING. I load that baby up.

Lucky rabbit's foot. Lucky silver dollar. Lucky gangster's pinky.... But a lucky $100 bill? I call that a rainy day fund.

Right? The way I see it is every hundred dollar bill I have is lucky as all get out!

 

[crystal1313]

I'm sad to hear this. We have stayed at the Ramada 10-12 times in the past 2 years and we have NEVER had anything like this happen. The staff usually goes above and beyond. I would suggest that the OP tell her friend to contact the owner of the Ramada, especially since she didn't get very good customer service from the manager. From everything I have heard/read about the Ramada, they really seem to care about the customers, and try to make things right.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

How?

We stayed at the grand once. When they clean rooms they have more than one door open at once while working in one. DH had to run back to our room and went right in our open and empty room. If he hadn't taken so long trying to find what I needed, he would have been out before the housekeeper came back. They think that parking carts outside the room stops people but it's not .

Exactly. Your belongings are not any safer at a 5 star resort than they are at a Motel 6. The only difference in the type of hotel/motel is how they handle what happens after the fact. A good establishment will try to resolve the issue and make it right, and also try (usually unsuccessfully) to address the problems with staff.

 

[mom2rtk]

You could steal everything I bring with me on a trip to Disneyland, and it still wouldn't be as expensive as staying on site!

Now that right there is seriously funny!