Stolen Disney Magic

[CajunQT102]

We just returned from our Disney vacation yesterday and I am sad to have to leave my most favorite place in the world. However, while we were there I have to say that someone stole the magic of Disney from me. My DH was riding ToT (without me of course b/c I refuse to ride) and at some point during the ride his wallet fell out of his back pocket. He realized this after he had exited the elavator of doom and walked out of the building. He immediately went back in (the entire realization took no less than 5 minutes), and by the time he found a cast member to ask someone had thankfully returned his wallet minus our $300 of spending money. They were nice enough to leave his drivers license, military ID, and debit card (which allowed us to fly back home). I am just shocked that in the happiest place on earth that someone could take money from a fellow traveler. I just feel that the magic was stolen from my vacation. Disney always seems like an alternate reality to me, and I can leave all my worries and troubles behind. This year however the ugly outside world found its way into my magical place.

I am hoping that those of you who read this take this as a warning to be aware of what you bring into a ride and what you leave with. It took less than 5 minutes for us to loose our vacation money. I hope this does not happen to anyone else.

 

[DLBDS]

That's awful. It would have been ruined for me as well. Sorry it had to happen to you at WDW.

 

[KatMark]

I am so sorry this happened to you. It should not happen at Disney World or anywhere else. Unfortunately, there are a lot of classless people in our society these days.

 

[stitchlovestink]

so sorry to hear that someone stole your money as well as your 'disney magic.'

sending some pixie dust your way to hopefully help restore the 'magic' for you

 

[mjpeter]

I'm so sorry...what a terrible thing to have happen there.

 

[WDWSuperFan]

I am so sorry that happened to you. I let my guard down when in Disney. It seems like nothing will happen. It is really sad that people would do that ...even at Disney!
I hope you still had a great vacation!

 

[livndisney]

We just returned from our Disney vacation yesterday and I am sad to have to leave my most favorite place in the world. However, while we were there I have to say that someone stole the magic of Disney from me. My DH was riding ToT (without me of course b/c I refuse to ride) and at some point during the ride his wallet fell out of his back pocket. He realized this after he had exited the elavator of doom and walked out of the building. He immediately went back in (the entire realization took no less than 5 minutes), and by the time he found a cast member to ask someone had thankfully returned his wallet minus our $300 of spending money. They were nice enough to leave his drivers license, military ID, and debit card (which allowed us to fly back home). I am just shocked that in the happiest place on earth that someone could take money from a fellow traveler. I just feel that the magic was stolen from my vacation. Disney always seems like an alternate reality to me, and I can leave all my worries and troubles behind. This year however the ugly outside world found its way into my magical place.

I am hoping that those of you who read this take this as a warning to be aware of what you bring into a ride and what you leave with. It took less than 5 minutes for us to loose our vacation money. I hope this does not happen to anyone else.

You said the debit card was still in the wallet-you may want to change the number as the thief may have written it down for use later. This just happened to a relative. Her card was stolen, but the thief sold the number to someone else as well.

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

You said the debit card was still in the wallet-you may want to change the number as the thief may have written it down for use later. This just happened to a relative. Her card was stolen, but the thief sold the number to someone else as well.

Good advice - in the day and age of internet shopping, it would be easy to use it online, especially if they wrote down the name and address on the driver's license as well.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. What a terrible thing to have happen at any time, let alone on vacation at the happiest place on earth.

 

[Interpol]

One good reason to carry traveler's checks.

 

[coffeeandfags]

Oh what a horrible thing to happen

I have handed in my fair share of purses and wallets at WDW, but wouldnt even dream of looking in them first!!

 

[Miss Stitch]

The same thing happened to us at Epcot, expect it was my son wallet. He took it out of his backpack to pay in the Figment gift shop, and left it on the counter. We didn't notice` till later that day. There was only $80 in there, it was obviously a childs wallet, it was a pirates of the carribean one. We replaced the cash for him, it was only our second day of a fourteen day trip, and it was most of his personal spending money, but it left a sour taste in my mouth. We contacted lost and found that evening when we noticed and the wallet had been handed in but not the cash. I dont know how anyone could steal from a child.

On the same trip we visited Universal and found a camera bag, containing a video camera, digital camera and some other bits and pieces on a bench near the Hulk Ride. We handed in over to the guy at Hulk straight away. I hate to think what may have happened to it if it had been someone else that would have found it.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

My DH and a friend were in the men's room of Trump Tower's yesterday and found a camera still with the tag's on. They handed it over to the security guy but are doubtful the original owner will know where he lost it.

 

[minnie61650]

I am so sorry that happened to you.
It is sad when things like that happen. Especially at WDW.

A similar thing happened to my son when we went with his HS marching band in 1999. He and I were in a gift shop and he left his wallet on the counter when he bought a gift. We noticed it was missing about a half later. We went back to the shop but the CM's said no one turned it in. He was missing almost $100, his student ID, his drivers licence, photos, etc.

About a month later his drivers licence was sent to him in the mail. There was no return address and the postmark was Orlando. Nothing else was in the envelope.
We were thankful the licence was returned but it was sad the whole wallet was not returned.

 

[joshsmom]

I'm so sorry that happened. I would have been beside myself because losing that much money hurts.

A little , but also a needed statement: people with strollers--I KNOW you are in WDW and its the Happiest Place on Earth. But the thieves know that too!!! They know you are preoccupied with the Magic, so DON'T LEAVE YOUR VALUABLES IN THEM!!!! When we were at WDW last year, we were taking a break on a bench and saw someone going from stoller to stroller, looking underneath. I pointed it out to a CM (I know we were in MK, but I can't remember where!!!) and he went over to the man. Next thing you know, here comes security. I don't know what they said, I don't know what happened. He may have been legitimately looking for something. BUT, I've seen way too many folks leave BAGS of stuff in the strollers--souveniers, cameras, and other "stuff" that they don't want to carry. Its a smorgasboard for thieves.

 

[Tissa]

That is horrible, I would be devastated if our spending cash was stolen. Unfortunately being at Disney doesn't mean people are above taking cash from someone.

Stories like this are a great reminder to pay attention to our things, don't carry lots of cash, and do not leave valuables out in the room or rental car. Thieves are everywhere.

 

[disneywith4boys]

I'm so sorry that happened to you. But, there are some good people out there. In 2001 my DH lost his wallet at the Poly. We were ready to leave for our flight, and it contained his lisence. We inquired at the front desk, and it was turned in, everything intact.

 

[WDSearcher]

What happened is unfortunate and ... well ... just plain lousy. But to allow one cruddy thief to take away all of the Disney magic you've had for years is giving him or her WAY too much power. The only one who can take the Disney magic away from you is you. Please don't let this one incident destroy all those feelings of Disney-ness that you have when you plan or take a Disney vacation. Chalk it up to a lesson learned ("leave valuables behind with a trusted family member when riding thrill rides") and take the little bit of "reality" that has crept into your "fantasy destination" for what it was. An unfortunate, expensive, momentary glitch.

The thief will eventually get his or her comeuppance. Don't let them take the joy of Disney away from you too.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's always wise to remember that even thieves and dishonest people can enter WDW. No amount of pixiedust and magic is going to make them honest, sad to say.
One thing to remember here...be sure your wallets/purses are secure on your person. Also, try not to take anymore cash then you can afford to lose. I've found this out the hard way as well. It makes more sense to either spread the cash out between the adults in the group or to just pay the fees associated with the ATMs...a bit hefty but worth the peace of mind.
Or just use your room key, but that's not always an option..if you're staying offsite or don't use credit cards.

 

[jmskinner]

Sorry to hear that happened to you.

On our first trip, DH left his wallet in the room safe and so did I. We carried a little cash but charged everything to our room. My DMIL did lose her key (ok, it was my fault), which was scary because she had charging privileges also, but we called and they cancelled the old one and had another one there at the hotel for her. Probably could have been taken care of at guest services at the park also but we were in a panic. Exactly why we don't carry all of our cash with us.

Just to show there are good people in the world. I lost my wallet a year ago at the rodeo. I didn't have cash, but a lot of credit cards. It was returned with all of my credit cards. Too bad I had already cancelled all of them, but there are good people in the world.

Here's some ! I know its hard, but hopefully you can get past this and remember the good times.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

That just sucks! I'm sorry that you lost the magic on your vaca but thank you for telling us your story. It never hurts to remind people that WDW is definitely the happiest place on earth but it certainly isn't fantasyland So we all need to remember to be aware whenever possible.

I hope that you will be able to go back sometime soon and regain that magic