Stolen Disney Magic

[WhiteFangDisneyLover]

WE almost lost something to a theif, but thank god for the CM and lo and behold, security.
I hate those theives at disney. they stir up to much trouble

 

[LuvnWDW]

That is horrible! I feel the same way, though. I feel like WDW is a whole other reality and everyone is there for the fun and the magic, guess not.

 

[JPN4265]

Sorry, but lesson learned... Men and Women should always carry their billfold in the front pocket. It won't fall out, and its harder for a pick pocket to get to it.

 

[purvislets]

That really stinks. Some people are just unbelievable! Sorry it put a damper on your trip.

We always make sure that we leave valuables with someone who isn't riding, or we double check every time before we get off a ride to make sure everyone has their cameras, lanyards and pins, wallets, etc.

Sending some your way!

 

[HonnyDipp]

To the OP, I'm so sorry that happened to you on your vacation

 

[Poohbear123]

Fell out of my fanny pack, in Dec. of 2006 and I didn't know it, but someone was able to take out the $60.00 I had in there and leave the 4 credit cards and ID. I was told a CM turned it in, and I really believe the CM took the money, but I cannot put blame on anyone. I had to order 4 new credit cards, and while it was a hassle, I know better than to carry a fanny pack, and use a Laynard instead.

 

[Time Traveler]

We were at WDW 5/18-5/25 and one night at Epcot I ran over to Test Track right before the fireworks to get on without a wait. I was the only person in the single rider line so I didn't have too much time before getting on and happened to make a big mistake. I left my MP3 player in my non-sealing pocket and it happened to fall out during the ride (probably on the first hill).

Right after I started to walk down the ramp towards the exit I noticed it was missing so I ran back. The car I was in was still there so I asked a CM if he could ask everyone to search the cars for an MP3 player. No one spoke up, still doubting it fell all the way out of the car :/

Kept calling (and stopped once at) lost and found, both Epcot's and central and it never seemed to turn up but a lot of other people's did. I had just bought the MP3 player a week or two before our trip too -$140.00

 

[IWANNAGOBACK!]

I too am so sorry for you, it's a sad reminder that you can never let your guard down no matter where you are, now I understand that this was not your fault, but it is so sad to know not all people are as nice I we would be.
But thanks for sharing your story cause it does remind us to keep on our guard

 

[CarolA]

I have posted this numerous times on the DIS and the OP's story is why!!!

Never carry more cash on you then you can afford to lose without it impacting your vacation!

Disney is NOT protected by "pixie dust"

 

[BrettS]

When I was on a cruise a few years ago I was a bit concerned about bringing my wallet and all of my cash and credit cards and such with me into the ports... we were told that there were a lot of pick pockets around. I wound up getting a cheap little wallet on the ship and each time I went into port I would just take that wallet with some spending cash, my ID, a single credit card for emergencies or big purchases, and my room keycard. I left my 'real' wallet in the room safe with the rest of my cash and credit cards and also a photocopy of my ID.

Luckily nothing every happened and I've used that wallet several other times when I've been on vacation, but it definitely made me a bit more comfortable knowing that I didn't have everything that I normally carry around with me in one place. I've never used it at Disney, but now I'm wondering if I should start doing that too.

 

[momtimesone]

Karma is a thing I would worry about with the person who stole the money. I am sorry you had your money stolen. On another note we where leaving the security check area last yr getting ready to get on MCO's tram to take us home and I put my camera bag and all thru the machine and all was well .When we got on the tram after all the movement I noticed my then 8 yr old holding a camera bag that was not mine. I asked him where he got it from and he said he took it from the bin not knowing that it was not ours. He was just trying to help we turned around on the next tram and headed back to the security area to find a family standing there talking to security and very very upset. I overheard them saying someone stole there camera bag with all there Disney memories on it. I went up and asked them what the bag looked like and when they described it to the letter I waved my sister up and my son and my little guy handed there bag back. The family was very happy and we told them what happened and they where so happy to get the bag back they just started laughing which made my son feel alot better about the blunder. Don't let some crooks steal your magic there are still good and honest folks out there. Just remember there are villans of the real sense at every theme park and to be careful when carring large amounts of personal effects.

 

[Feralpeg]

My DD's purse was stolen at Sea World a few years ago. She was also shocked that someone would do such a thing in a family vacation spot. It was a hard lesson on the realities of the world.

Remember, those same guests who steal from Disney (and it happens a lot) are just as willing to steal from you. If anyone doesn't think stealing from Disney is a problem, they will see some changes happening soon. New procedures are being put in place. They've already put the plastic cases with the sensor in place on all CDs and DVDs. More theft prevention procedures will be coming.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

. 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.

Exactly. When I go to WDW, or anyplace exotic, I clean out my wallet as much as I can. You aren't going to be using your Sears charge or your Library card while at WDW - so leave them at home. Havea good idea of what was in your wallet when you lost it.

At the parks, I minimize what I carry. Often , I carry the cash I do bring in multiple locations. I keep a small amount that is easy to access, and a larger amount that I only use for big purchases or to replenish the small amount. IT actually saves time, too.

 

[bookbabe626]

It's sad, but theft happens far too often at WDW, and not just pickpockets and such. Cars get broken into in the parking lots. Valuables left out in hotel rooms disappear. You hear about incidents over and over.

We will always stay onsite, in part so that we can take advantage of the room charge feature. We take virtually no cash with us to WDW, and use the room charge as much as possible. The only cash we ever need is for the odd snack at a popcorn cart, and even more and more of those are taking the room charge now. Eventually, we're hoping that we can do Disney as an entirely cash-free vacation. No cash on your person or in your room, and all the credit cards locked in the room safe, means nothing to steal, after all.

My other tip (learned the hard way) is to assign one member of the party to lock the room safe before leaving the room, and a second one to double-check that they've done it. If everyone assumes that someone else will do it, usually the result is that no one does. And, unfortunately, although the door lock supposedly tracks which keys have entered when, Disney Security can't (won't?) do anything about missing valuables from your room...just so's ya know...

I'm also a big fan of the fanny pack, although I'll wear it in front rather than behind. If all of my possessions are attached to me, and zipped up safely inside the bag, then they can't fall out on a ride or be forgotten at the restaurant. I put my room key and tickets in a separate zipped section of the bag that's easier to access, and not the same section that I have my ID in. The system works pretty well, and since I've started doing that the most I've lost is a pair of sunglasses.

While I go to Disney for the Magic, not everyone is there for the same reason unfortunately...

 

[wdwfanatic80]

So sorry this happened to you!! We were just a local fair and my cell phone fell out of my pocket. Just typing this upsets me because no one turned it in....on it pictures that are not replacable! One from the day my son was born, pictures of me and my dd....I NEVER lose things so I am still in shock thinking I must have putit somewhere, but I have searched everywhere!!

On an up note about good people....on one vacation in NY my mom dropped an envelope that she hadn't had a chnace to break down yet - it was our first day - with $2000 cash!!!!!!!! I know I know stupid! Anyway someone turned it all in to the local police. They had taken it out of the envelope, but I guess there conscience got the best of them. I convinced my mom to call the police to see and she almost didn't because she was so sure it was gone and I think 99% of the time it would be gone. Also in Disney I took my fanny pack off in Colombia House with EVERYTHING in it. Thought dh had picked it up because I had taken it off for him to take to the register. Well he hadn't. We left and I got to the magic carpet rides and went to get my camera out of my fanny pack....oh no it's not there. I run back to columbia house and it's not at the table, but lucikily it was turned in with everything there!!!

My phone saddens me though....so many little memories on there that are gone forever. The person who kept it knows it was a moomy phone, my backdrop is a pic of my kids that says I love my kids above it.......

 

[WelovMickey!]

I am sorry to hear that. But I sure you still had a magical trip, I hope

 

[L500768]

I am saddened that someone made a bad decision that affected your magical vacation. Although things like this happens I think a greater majority of people are honest and think of others. During our vacation last week I found a child's mini light saber that was left on the sofa at the Polynesian. I didn't think twice to pick it up and drop it off at the front desk. BTW there was no one around. I hope the child who lost it remembered where it was lost and they came back for it. I know my daughter would be heart broken to know she lost something special and just buying another one wouldn't be the same.

 

[sasha's goofy]

sorry to hear about your loss. this happened to my mother in jan. we were eating lunch at flametree, down by the water. when we finished lunch she reached for her purse, and found it at the table behind us. she did switch tables while I was in line and just thought she left it there- 3 feet away. well upon later inspection her cash was taken (thank goodness everything else was still there) The funny thing was she was afraid to leave all the cash in the hotel safe and thought it was better with her. Lesson learned.

 

[dmccarty]

One of the things we like about WDW is using the room key to charge everything. I just take my ID wallet, tickets, a bit of cash, and the room key. The wallet with credit cards and money stays in the room. The one thing I don't like about a yearly pass is the extra paper we have to carry. It was nice having the tickets on the room key...

Later trip my oldest daughter and I were walking from our room to the lobby at AKL. We passed a couple of kids and then there father trying to keep up. He had his hands full and was fumbling around with receipts. Not more than 30 seconds after we had passed each other we found a room key. It had to be his so I sent my daughter running back after him. Don't know what it is about resort hallways but kids like to run down them things like its a race track. Normally I don't let them do this and try to keep them quiet.

The man had disappeared. I told the daughter we would drop it off at the desk and they would contact the man to return his room key. As I said this, two CM's came buy with I think a rollaway bed. They heard us talking and asked if we wanted them to return the key. I gave it to them. Figured there is two of them so its harder to steal and the man was most likely LOOKING for the key when he was fumbling with the paper. He likely canceled the key real quick if they did not return it to the front desk ASAP.

The CMs at AKL seemed trustworthy as these guys did so I gave them the key. Normally I would not do so but I had no way to contact the person so eventually a CM would have to be trusted. Figured these guys have access to rooms so they have to be vetted.

People don't stop being thieves and jerks when they cross into Disney. Unfortunately.

Later,
Dan

 

[Karnak]

It is my habit to leave most of my cash in the room safe while visiting the parks for a day. I haven't lost a billfold yet, but if I ever do I will at least have cash on hand to continue my vacation. I also leave any cards that I normally have in my billfold in the room safe, carrying only my room key-card, a medical card with some Info. and my driver's license; I also carry the room key in my billfold. Guess I'd have to pay the lost key charge, but would still be OK for the trip.

Karnak