Resorts and Your More Expensive Items - Possibility of Theft (NOT a debate thread)

[bytheblood]

Our safe (new digital type) died at the poly a couple of trips back. A CM came with a hand held keypad thing that plugs in underneath the keypad. This can be used to reset the lock and open it - it leaves a record though of when the lock was reset and which CM keypad was used in the lock memory I was told for security. When that failed he sent for a master key - there is a manual lock hidden behind the small oval nameplate on the front of the safe. They use a small allen key to release one side of the nameplate, it swings around giving access to a key socket to manually open the safe. I believe the master key is kept in a safe place and has to be signed out by a CM. They will only open a faulty safe if you are present in the room at the time AFAIK.

That is very interesting. Thank you for sharing that.

 

[KorieDWnut]

Please read the questions. I am not questioning if there is a safe, nor if it has a key or 4-digit code. I need to understand the security aspect the safe and the process for the hotel holding your items. TIA!!

For those of you who have either placed your items in the safe or who have asked the resort to hold your items until you check-out, I need your feedback, please.

1st Question
Is there any way for Mousekeeping to open your room safe? I was told on a phone call today that it is impossible as there is only one key to the safe and if the person staying in the room loses it, it costs $30 to have it opened because there is not another key and it literally has to be destroyed.

This seems odd to me simply because there are millions of people in Disney throught the year and I know some of these people lose things and some are just plain forgetful and might accidentally take a key home with them. I have also seen people post here that they have taken the key home as a souvenir, so theorhetically, Disney would have to have the safe rekeyed, which would take a little longer than check-out to check-in based upon the number of rooms and accidents that might occur. I know these safe doors cost more than $30, so it seems to me there has to be another key.

Question 2
Have you ever asked the check-in desk to hold an item for you? If so, how does the process work? Reservations told me that the guest gets a key and mgmt has a key and unless you both have a key, the item cannot be removed. Do they have you sign anything showing the monetary value and give you a receipt showing you stored an items with them?

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

We always use the safe to keep different things like cash and credit cards in if we don't need them that day. The safes we have used had a key. Last year when we were there the safe was already locked and the key was missing when we got to our room. When we called the front desk they had to send a locksmith in. He had to destroy the locking mechanism entirely, install a new one and then handed us the ONLY key.
The hotel (Riverside) went into their records and charged the people before us for this charge. The people left 1100 in travelers checks in the damn safe. HOW do you forget that??????

 

[CarolA]

The best suggestion...

If losing it would be an issue don't take it.

Now, that does not apply to your wallet etc, but I for example, have some very nice jewerly. It does not travel or if it does it gets worn EVERY day ALL day.... (which means it won't go to Disney since I wouldn't wear it to the pool)


Don't take more cash to Disney (or anyplace on vacation) then you can afford to lose. (That's what Debit cards are for) If you are the "MUST TAKE CASH" group, put it on your room and charge against it!

I travel extensively and use hotel in room safes. I have never had an issue with them and am not going to start worrying know. My laptop is secured right now to the desk. (Cable lock goes around the desk not the leg so they either have to tear up the laptop which takes a while, break the desk into pieces or carry out the desk) Yes, I figure someone could force the safe, but are they really going to risk spending that much time in my room, probably not!

Your big risk is not a "professional thief", but the casual thief taking what's easy to get, just don't make it easy!

I am always amazed at the folks on the DIS who bring lots of cash and/or leave things just sitting out in the room.......

 

[bytheblood]

We always use the safe to keep different things like cash and credit cards in if we don't need them that day. The safes we have used had a key. Last year when we were there the safe was already locked and the key was missing when we got to our room. When we called the front desk they had to send a locksmith in. He had to destroy the locking mechanism entirely, install a new one and then handed us the ONLY key.
The hotel (Riverside) went into their records and charged the people before us for this charge. The people left 1100 in travelers checks in the damn safe. HOW do you forget that??????

Those people must have been in a hurry to leave.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks - that is the type of information I was after. I knew there had to be a way for somebody else to get in besides blowing the door open with an uzi.

I don't know about Disney, but my favorite hotel in Las Vegas, in the documentation you get at check-in, informs you that there is only one key to your room safe. If you lose it, YOU pay to have the safe drilled open and the lock replaced.

If losing it would be an issue don't take it.

Now, that does not apply to your wallet etc, but I for example, have some very nice jewerly. It does not travel or if it does it gets worn EVERY day ALL day.... (which means it won't go to Disney since I wouldn't wear it to the pool)

In that thread linked above, somebody posted that she keeps her two carat diamond necklace in her room safe. JMO, but even if you're going to Victoria & Albert's, you don't need to bring such valuable jewelry on vacation with you.

 

[Armandocme]

I usually do not let housekeeping in when I'm not in the room (I hang the do not disturb sign on the door). When I want fresh towels, I call housekeeping.