The police are here at OKW

[MaryAnnDVC]

This is our first stay at OKW, and boy, it's been exciting! First, I jumped out of my skin when a golf ball hit the building (I'm assuming that's what it was...at first I thought there was an explosion in our room, or that someone got shot), then we had a little adventure with salamanders. Now, Disney security and a car from the Orange County Sheriff's office are here (another one from the canine unit left).

So DD, who is sick, and I ventured outside under the guise of needing to get our DVC gift basket (that we won last week at the Block Party ) out of the car, and found out what happened.

Apparently, up to 4 cars were broken into early this morning, by smashing windows with flower pots. We did hear a car alarm at 5:45 (DD heard a thud at 5:30)...actually, twice...but I just always assume it's nothing! We just spoke with one of the victims and he said that he got a call at 6:20 from Disney saying to go out to their car (which is actually his brother's car, which he borrowed) in the parking lot, with no explanation. And the police were there. It's almost 10, and they're still here. We just came back up...they were dusting for fingerprints. Someone saw the guy who did it...he's tall, but that's all I know. Kind of scary.

 

[dianeschlicht]

That's one of the reasons we always make sure nothing is left in view in the car no matter where we park it. Was anything of importance taken?

 

[jnrrt]

Yikes! Don't like that! I mean, I'm sure it would be a great place to be a theif since there are so many travelers in one place, but you kind of wish Disney was immune to that stuff.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yikes! Don't like that! I mean, I'm sure it would be a great place to be a theif since there are so many travelers in one place, but you kind of wish Disney was immune to that stuff.

In this day and age, NOWHERE is immune to that stuff.

 

[jiggerj]

Oh my gosh that is awful! So much for the laid back vacation for your first visit to OKW MaryAnnDVC! I hope that your trip gets happier and that your dd is feeling better real soon!

 

[magicmouse2]

There are some weirdos out there why pay to get into Disney to do this ?
There was once a pervert who kept making gestures at me at OKW and I told DH who normally would have punched his lights out but didnt want to ruin kids vacation. I think they need to tighten up security at OKW.

 

[Deb in IA]

How sad for someone to have their vacation ruined like this by some nutjob.


Was your car OK, Mare?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

As far as I know, nothing was taken from this one car. The window broken on this car was the small back side window. And the guy cut himself and left some blood behind.

So far, we still love OKW, but we have 5 more nights here...who knows! We'll always remember this trip, that's for sure. The poor guy who borrowed his brother's car! Having to deal with getting it fixed on vacation really stinks.

With DD sick, and DH out with the other kids, I've been going out for walks to the store, and around the resort. I almost went out one last time last night, but now I think I'd be a bit uncomfortable walking around here in the dark, AND leaving DD here alone (she'll be 17 on Monday, so I COULD leave her). Of course things happen everywhere, but it's so easy to feel immune from it at Disney. This is a wakeup call. I probably would have let the kids (17 yr old DD, almost 15 DD, and 12 DS) walk over to the pool/community hall/store together in the dark too, before this.

 

[JohnNJ]

Geez! Golf balls hitting buildings. Cars vandalized. Perverts.

I guess we just tipped the scales on the OKW vs. BWV debate.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Our car (a rental) is fine, Deb. These people didn't even park in front of their building because there were only handicapped spaces left, so they didn't hear their alarm go off. I think they said that in the next lot down from us, another car was broken into, and then a couple more somewhere else.

DD heard someone running at 5:50 this morning (she couldn't sleep because she's sick, and noticed the time). What time does it get light out???

 

[tjkraz]

I think they need to tighten up security at OKW.

I could smash your car window with a hammer and hardly lose stride while walking back to my hotel room.

Even the best security can only do so much.

I don't mean to sound like I'm making excuses for Disney, but without knowing the details of the monitoring already in place, it's impossible to come to this conclusion.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Geez! Golf balls hitting buildings. Cars vandalized. Perverts.

I guess we just tipped the scales on the OKW vs. BWV debate.

Ooooo...naughty, naughty.

We're BWV owners, and we LOVE it there. We're here at OKW because we got "stuck" with it, since the waitlist didn't come through. And I'm glad! The only way I'd drag DH away from BWV to try something new (besides BCV) is to not get our waitlist, and we really LOVE it here too. They're different, that's for sure, and that's what makes them so great. I'd stay here again. And now that we've gotten so adventurous as to stay somewhere else (DH is definitely a creature of habit), I'm thinking I might even like to try the VWL too!

 

[spiceycat]

This is the first thief since they caught the guy last year that I have hear of at oKW.

Does anyone know if this is the same guy???

Sometimes people are much careless on vacation. But if he was actually breaking windows - then that is more vandilatism that thief.

we had similar thiefs here - they didn't break anything - but if you left your car unlocked. Well any values were gone the next morning.

those car alarms don't work. if they go off some people will look, but most just ignore them they go off so often. No ones calls the police unless the person set the alarm wrong and it doesn't go off.

There should be a way that the car can tell you that something is wrong - not a general alarm that most people will ignore.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

The guy didn't just break the window...he reached into it, cut himself and bled in the car. I assume he was trying to get something.

So what's the story on this other OKW thief???

 

[spiceycat]

it was reported here.

the guy got in through the patio doors - actually cut around and removed the safes.... did alot of damage.

the poster say he was stupid. On the bed they left their computer and he didn't even touch it.

they got back to their rooms and the rooms won't let them in. they got help from the front desk, who got security.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope this doesn't ruin your vacation and that you stay safe and happy!

Bobbi

 

[CarolA]

There are some weirdos out there why pay to get into Disney to do this ?
There was once a pervert who kept making gestures at me at OKW and I told DH who normally would have punched his lights out but didnt want to ruin kids vacation. I think they need to tighten up security at OKW.

And how do you know the "pervert" wasn't a guest? There is only so much Disney can do, and there are guests who do stupid things (or have kids who do stupid things)

There seems to be this "assumption" that a lot of people make that "it's Disney" we will be fine. I have seen folks go into a ride and leave VERY nice cameras on the stroller. I have watched people in the parking lot tossing things back onto the seat of thier car. And over on the budget board I routinely read about folks who only do cash so they plan to take a few thousand with them.... YIKES!

People just let down their guard at Disney and not all the guests are nice and good. Personally I can see paying to stay at Disney if I was a thief... the pickings are good and easy!

 

[JohnNJ]

Personally I can see paying to stay at Disney if I was a thief... the pickings are good and easy!

How do we know the pervert/thief wasn't a DVC member who stays at OKW because the rooms are bigger, the points required are lower and it's very relaxing?

 

[dianeschlicht]

The point is, in this day and age you have to be careful EVERYWHERE, and people are often VERY sloppy about that. I can't tell you how many times I have seen women shopping and leaving their purse in the cart while they are picking out a few things. I also see foks leave kids in carts and strollers while they go "just around the corner" to pick something up in the previous aisle. IT IS NOT SAFE to do those things. If you don't want someone to take your camera, don't give them the chance. If you don't want $1000 of dollars stolen, use plastic and keep it on your person at all times. A little common sense no matter where you are is all that's needed in most instances. Now if this was a simple act of vandalism, well...there is nothing to account for the kind of idiots who so those kinds of things.

 

[DVC-Don]

I have a client who had all their luggage stolen from a mini van at in the main parking lot at POR. And this was in the middle of the day!