Safe to leave luggage in car at Disney Springs?

[Darth Insidious]

Hi. We will be arriving at 10:45am. Check is at 3 at Shades of Green. We are renting a minivan. I was thinking of going to Disney Springs for lunch at T-Rex, some shopping, and picking up some baked treats for the room. Goal is to be at SoG at or shortly after check in since we have to get up pretty early that day.

I know we could drop luggage off at SoG but that will eat a lot of time. I’d prefer to go straight there but that means suitcases stay in the minivan. Willing to pay for valet if that is considered safer.

Thank you for your time!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Safe? I would think yes but, I wouldn’t if your trip is between May and October. Your car will quickly turn into an oven (even in a parking garage) and that can do a number in makeup, food, medications, etc. For us it would be worth the stop. .

 

[nw6675]

There is security all over the garages, but agree the heat is the kicker. All of my makeup was melted one trip. Today the car felt reasonable at DS in the garage when we left at 2 pm, but that's not always the case.

 

[dioxide45]

I just wouldn't park on the top (uncovered) level.

 

[gottalovepluto]

From thieves or from the heat? It’s amazing what in your suitcase melts, from the designs on shirts to the toiletry case & contents. Don’t ask me how I know

 

[Darth Insidious]

Fair points about the heat. I hadn’t thought about that. This will be February, but I know that could be 40 degrees or 80 degrees.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Fair points about the heat. I hadn’t thought about that. This will be February, but I know that could be 40 degrees or 80 degrees.

If it’s cool that day I personally wouldn’t worry about it then.

Another advantage to dropping it with your hotel would be a chance to check with them in person about moving you up earlier on the rooms to get prepped first list. If you can’t drop it you’re stuck, and in that case I would find DS to be a more secure-ish location than the other non-Disney parking lots around town.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

Jeez I would sure hope break ins aren’t common at the happiest place on earth

 

[SteveH]

I'd run up to SOG and leave the bags with the bell stand, just not worth the risk.

 

[easyas123]

We've done this more than once before in January & February. Never any problems.

 

[Disnydad]

My wife is an insurance agent in NY and over the years she's had two clients that have had their luggage stolen from their rental vehicles at WDW. One was while checking in at Port Orleans and the other was at the Wilderness Lodge. Both were minivans as there is no place to hide the luggage out of sight.

 

[kdonnel]

I've never worried about heat in a car and my stuff. That same stuff was shipped across the world in an unairconditioned container by boat, then across the country in that same unairconditioned container by train or truck. Sat in an unairconditioned warehouse for some time. Then was delivered by unairconditioned truck to the store.

Me leaving it in a car is not a new experience for the stuff.

If it were me I would leave the stuff in the car but take any documents or easily carried valuables. In my case those are generally in a backpack whether driving or flying. I just throw on the backpack for the shopping at Disney Springs.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I've never worried about heat in a car and my stuff. That same stuff was shipped across the world in an unairconditioned container by boat, then across the country in that same unairconditioned container by train or truck. Sat in an unairconditioned warehouse for some time. Then was delivered by unairconditioned truck to the store.

Me leaving it in a car is not a new experience for the stuff.

If it were me I would leave the stuff in the car but take any documents or easily carried valuables. In my case those are generally in a backpack whether driving or flying. I just throw on the backpack for the shopping at Disney Springs.

My father learned his life lessons in heat suddenly melting crap late in life. Good part was he had a family by then so he taught us all! See when your choices directly result in melting your wife’s lipstick and metallic shirt design… well everyone within ear shot gets to learn your Life Lesson

 

[sponica]

My father learned his life lessons in heat suddenly melting crap late in life. Good part was he had a family by then so he taught us all! See when your choices directly result in melting your wife’s lipstick and metallic shirt design… well everyone within ear shot gets to learn your Life Lesson

I did melt a bag of gummy bears once...and didn't realize i left it in the car until I just had a re-solidified mass of gummy in a plastic bag

 

[RedHead0186]

Fair points about the heat. I hadn’t thought about that. This will be February, but I know that could be 40 degrees or 80 degrees.

You should be okay then. As long as you don't park in direct sunlight (which, at Disney Springs is easy to do as long as you don't park on the top level), that should be okay.

 

[RedHead0186]

I've done it. I'm always a little nervous about doing it but so far (*knock on wood*) I've been okay. I would only do it in a vehicle that has a closed trunk (so they can't easily see there's luggage), and I've also backed into parking spots so the trunk is less accessible. Little things, but they made me feel better. I've done it in warmer temps, though not super duper hot, and not had issues with anything melting.

 

[maxiesmom]

My theory is, if I wouldn't do it at a mall I won't do it at Disney World. I'm sure most of the time it is ok, but do you want to be the outlier?

 

[Darth Insidious]

My theory is, if I wouldn't do it at a mall I won't do it at Disney World. I'm sure most of the time it is ok, but do you want to be the outlier?

Good point!

 

[bluezy]

From thieves or from the heat? It’s amazing what in your suitcase melts, from the designs on shirts to the toiletry case & contents. Don’t ask me how I know

I learned that lesson, too. Well, actually I didn't learn it when 2 brand new t-shirts with iron-on type transfers melted together in the car. And I didn't learn it when my very expensive lipstick (that fell out of my purse and I didn't realize it) melted (thankfully it was on the floor mat). I *finally* learned my lesson when a ziploc bag of crayons melted on the front seat of my new car. It got so hot that the bag got a big hole in it and the crayons melted all over the place. It was a huge mess and stained the light grey seat. I have no idea how lipsticks and crayons are transported on trucks without melting, but clearly they don't always survive a hot car. All of these happened in PA on days that it was 80-85 degrees outside and the car was parked in the shade. And all of them happened in less than 4 hours.

 

[keishashadow]

Good points above, drop the luggage.

Ants, lots of ants in Florida. I’ve heard horror stories about food being left in cars there.