Safety for Solos

[wdwjunkie2005]

I hate to sound so sexist -- but it seems (my apologies if I'm wrong) that all the posters here are female -- but is it this common for so many women to be worried about their personal safety in 'real life' ??

Honestly, (yes I'm an imposing male figure) I find it hard to believe that so many are worried about this issue. (I'm not belittleing it) especially at Disney. Sure 'things' can happen...and do -- but statisically, I expect personal safety at WDW is perhaps in the top .05% of all resort/vacation destinations world wide.

This is a sincere question; what's causing this concern??

Only a man would say these things. Women in our society are made to feel like victims, even if we haven't been. We also live in a society that blames the victim (whether male or female): "She deserves what happens to her if she looks like a tart." No one wants to be in that category of people to whom things do happen--after all, they (unfortunately) have to happen to someone. I'm not trying to speak for all women, but many of them feel the way I feel, and wanting to know how to stay safe is a legitimate concern for many of us whether in our "real life" or at the happiest destination on earth.

A side note to women who go to PI solo: If you're not married or just don't wear a wedding ring of you are, get a cheap band to wear on your ring finger. It may help with the being hit on (if you don't want to be hit on).

 

[DVCconvert]

Only a man would say these things.

I'm sorry, but I neither elected nor chose that gender upon the occassion of my birth -- did you yours?

Women in our society are made to feel like victims, even if we haven't been. We also live in a society that blames the victim (whether male or female): "She deserves what happens to her if she looks like a tart." No one wants to be in that category of people to whom things do happen--after all, they (unfortunately) have to happen to someone.

IMHO we are all meant to feel like victims of one sort or another. Your politically correct or you're not, you're acceptable or you're not, you fit in a definded group or you dont. No one likes to feel unaccepted.

I'm not trying to speak for all women,

With all due respect, it kind of sounds like you may be.

but many of them feel the way I feel, and wanting to know how to stay safe is a legitimate concern for many of us whether in our "real life" or at the happiest destination on earth.

Junkie - I'll admit to being naive -- I live in a rural state who's population is pretty homogeneous. Most of us do not lock our doors at night, nor do we take the keys from our cars when we leave them. I suspect you may find that hard to believe, but that is the 'reality' in our area. I asked this question out of honest, sincere concern -- as the level of concern expressed by many surprised me. My personal experiences in WDW have (correctly or not) lead me to feel that people -- all people -- were generally "safe" there.

 

[floridagirrl2]

Let me tell you a story about going to a continuing ed class for my professional license in Tampa. It was a 2-day class, and I went alone. There was a special rate to stay overnight in the hotel in which the class was held, so I (and many of the other people in the class) stayed overnight there. On the second morning, I ordered room service for breakfast. When I opened the door for room service, the man handed me the tray, and then said, "You have to sign for this."

I turned and went back into the room to put the tray down, then signed for it. The man had a little smirk on his face, and he creeped me out. I realized he could have walked into the room at any time when I opened the door for me, and that if he was on the -up-and-up he would have had me sign FIRST for the tray before he handed it to me.

I went on to the class (shoulder rehab) and right before we broke for lunch, I noticed a man in the class, who was participating in the shoulder exercises we were practicing, who looked very familiar. I realized it was the room service guy! I'm guessing he had followed me down to the class. He left during lunch and didn't come back for the last 4 hours of the class. Creepy, creepy, creepy!

There are lots of people out there looking for an opening to commit crimes of opportunity. They are looking for vulnerable people. I feel very lucky that nothing happened to me. I haven't travelled alone since, but I would be VERY careful if I did--I'm not sure I would ever open a door for room service again (they can leave the tray outside the room!), among other things. I also would not stay offsite at Disney along unless I was staying at a very plush place--even then, you have no way of knowing how well they screen their employees.

Yes, women have to be very conscious of our security when we travel alone. If we seem to have a siege mentality, it's because we are under siege.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I would say to use all Disney transportation, and stay on Disney property.
Do not go ALONE to DTD or Pleasure Island at night.
Otherwise ... Have a great time !

Why not go to DTD or PI alone? I've been there tons of times alone and I've been fine. |f you do get the 'scared' feeling, ask a security guard to walk you to the transport, don't be afraid to go out at night at Disney....

 

[WonderWomanDC]

I hate to sound so sexist -- but it seems (my apologies if I'm wrong) that all the posters here are female -- but is it this common for so many women to be worried about their personal safety in 'real life' ??

Honestly, (yes I'm an imposing male figure) I find it hard to believe that so many are worried about this issue. (I'm not belittleing it) especially at Disney. Sure 'things' can happen...and do -- but statisically, I expect personal safety at WDW is perhaps in the top .05% of all resort/vacation destinations world wide.

This is a sincere question; what's causing this concern??

Unfortunately, women do have to be much more mindful of their safety at all times. Men tend to fear that a woman will laugh at them. Women tend to fear than a man will kill them. Sorry to be over dramatic...but it's true.
I think caution when traveling alone is a given, at WDW or anywhere else. I have never been to Disney alone, and I rarely travel alone at all although I've done so for business in the past. It's important to make sure the front desk does not loudly state your room number or any other information about you. Most hotels are very good about just writing it down now, I think WDW is included in that. Make sure you lock all the locks on your hotel door, get a room that's not ground level, and do not get into casual conversations with anyone that reveal that you're traveling alone, where you are staying, etc. At WDW I would probably valet my car at night so that I could simply walk into the resort rather than walking from self parking which we all know it rather far away.

 

[Taja]

I understand the differences between areas where one rarely--if ever--locks the door to the house and areas where everything thing is locked at all times!

The same Phoenix where a previous poster's friend had issues with unwanted telephone calls to her hotel room was a much gentler place when I moved here 28 years ago. Very few people locked their homes, people left their keys in their vehicles--and the vehicles unlocked!--and people said hello to one another on the street. I was a stranger in a strange land!

Unfortunately, the way of life that I left has become the norm here. I still love the Valley of the Sun, but the area has attracted many people who prey on those less able to care for themselves.

That is why WDW is such a wonderful break from reality for many people--including me! Since I travel frequently on business, I have a standard checklist for accommodations. I always request a top floor room, not too close to the elevator, but not at the end of a long corridor, either. Apart from safety, I don't want to traverse a mile-long corridor to get to my room after a day in the parks!

Safety when traveling solo tends to be more of an issue for women than men, but don't be too complacent, gentlemen! It can happen to you, as well, so keep your common sense with you, even on holiday!

 

[BriarRosie]

I think some of the other women are being a wee bit extreme in their
cautionary posts. Do I think we should be cautious?

YES! But it's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings, and
use good sense and gut instincts about what feels "wrong" or "right" about
personal safety.

I do travel all over WDW property alone. I go to Pleasure Island every
night, and when the Adventurers Club closes, I head to the bus stop.
Those areas are highly trafficked, and I've never felt uncomfortable there.

I think it's more important to click the lock on the door AND use that
swing latch that catches the bolt should anyone try to enter your room.
I've read horror stories over the years (may or may not be true) of people
being awakened by people trying to get into the room.

While it might be scary for us to be the one in the room, imagine being the
guest who was mistakenly given the room as their own, due to room
assignment glitches. It's rare, but it can happen.

I'll bet a lot of people will start swinging the top latch across the bolt
after they read this! LOL!
another party's room by mistake!

 

[auntie pooh]

Before you venture out Go out and walk arround the grounds of your resort...To get a good idea of the set up..Even if you've been there before its a habit I make...To familarize yourself with your surroundings..If it looks dark in the day time It will be even darker @ nite.. Get to know where the fire exits are. emergency phones...Don't be aloof be alert @ all times!!!

 

[DisneyGirl]

I hate to sound so sexist -- but it seems (my apologies if I'm wrong) that all the posters here are female -- but is it this common for so many women to be worried about their personal safety in 'real life' ??

Honestly, (yes I'm an imposing male figure) I find it hard to believe that so many are worried about this issue. (I'm not belittleing it) especially at Disney. Sure 'things' can happen...and do -- but statisically, I expect personal safety at WDW is perhaps in the top .05% of all resort/vacation destinations world wide.

This is a sincere question; what's causing this concern??

I'm not sure this is so much concern-- more of common sense-- I don't think any of the things people are suggesting are really all that "crazy"-- I think the "bad" people are definitely in the minority out there, but they definitely are out there. It's too bad, and I'm sure some nice people are offended because of the precautions (i.e., I've turned down several guys who wanted me to come with them on vacation-- I may agree to meet someone in someplace private, but I don't know who you are, and I am NOT getting in your car!), but how do I know if the perfectly charming gentleman is not a perfectly charming rapist/murderer? The facts are, you don't know... It's horrible to see things like what happened with that girl in Aruba (although, we don't really know what happened with her)-- if those guys did do something (which I think they did, or at least know what happened), they were probably very nice, but she went with them alone-- if she didn't, or at least brought a friend, she might be back with her family!

 

[auntie pooh]

I don't think I mentioned crrazy MEN?..I think most of the rules or comon sense can be applied if your male or female. What's so wrong wih being familar with your surroundings? Being aloe or with a group also. But if you are a female traveling solo I think you're more vunerable than a Male traveling alone!!!
BTW Ted Bundy was a most charming man & look what he did!!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

This might be a little off topic, but there are many people concerned about me going solo. Mainly my grandmother, parents, and DBF. How do I convince them I'll be okay?

 

[spiceycat]

I don't think you can convience them.

It is a matter of trust.

are you a responsible person?

are you employed?

if you answer yes to both of these. THen WDW solo should be fine.

for some reason parents and grandparents have a BIG problem trusting females - for males it is just the opposite. and it really shouldn't be males definitely get into more trouble than us

 

[MazdaUK]

Promise to ring one when you arrive and one half-way through the holiday. Also, if they have internet access you could e-mail them a pic from Epcot. Send postcards as well. Best thing is to get back safely then next time they won't worry so much.

BTW they'd still worry anyway even if you went with a group - its being a parent! We were flying out the same day as my DSis, and my mum was most releived we were going on separate planes so she had less chance of losing both daughters and all 6 grandchildren in one go - talk about looking on the dark side! She wasn't really happy until we were all back in the UK

 

[disneymagic]

Okay, I know that this will really sound paranoid, but the FIRST thing I do when I arrive, or get back to my room (when I am traveling alone), is; check the room! Especially if I have a suite that has large or walk-in closets, and I also check the bathroom. (I do not check under the bed - I'm not that paranoid), most beds are too low for anyone to get under them.

This also helps to make sure you have everything you need; once there were no towels, and once the bathroom did not look 'clean' to me. (I AM speaking in general here - I am not referring to any hotels at Disney).

It all comes down to:
1 Using common sense
2 Staying alert
3 Being confident and know where you are going. If you look like you have a mission and are in a hurry to 'get there' most people will (hopefully) not bother you.

 

[luvalldisney]

Part of the problem is not trust, but the not knowing if everything is okay and the helplessness one feels when you can't do anything for another person. Both my daughter and I live alone in two different cities, and we mutually decided that by calling each other at night (every night) just to say we are home safely we would both feel better. I like the idea of someone being concerned about me so its not like 'checking in' or having a curfew. Sometimes the conversations may include problems, complaints etc, but most of the time it is simply I'm home and talk to you later. The conversations become especially interesting when one of us is traveling, as the call is usually made upon entering the hotel room and includes pauses as the rooms are being opened and lights go on. Sometimes the calls are made when one or the other is walking out to a dark parking lot after work or when traveling. We also have unlimited nationwide cellular calling which helps. Before cellular we used codes in our beepers to say we were home. Would I have done this with my mom 35 years ago when I moved into my own apt? NO..., but today's times are different than they were years ago. Would I ask the same thing of my son if he were living alone? YES!! Perhaps if you make arrangements to call at a particular time or day it may make your relatives feel better about your being on a trip, or if you have nationwide cellular a simple call will do the trick. Don't think of it as someone checking up on you, think of it as having a loved one who cares about you and your safety.

 

[Taja]

This might be a little off topic, but there are many people concerned about me going solo. Mainly my grandmother, parents, and DBF. How do I convince them I'll be okay?

Those who love you always will worry about you! My mother worried about my safety when traveling until she passed on a few years ago--even though I was a mature, responsible adullt!

Here's what we agreed to minimize her concerns:

1. Contact her upon arrival at destination or if more than 2 hour delay.
2. Contact her every other night before midnight her time (she was a night owl) just to let her know I was still breathing.
3. Contact her if arrival home was delayed more than 2 hours.

You just have to follow through with checking in on what ever schedule you develop. And have only one point of contact--that person can notify everyone else. Although a surprise call to grandparents while on holiday can't go wrong!