Theft at Disney

[Captain's Wife]

ETA: After careful consideration, I have changed the title of this thread. I do agree that words are important, and I would hate for my use of the word "robbed" to distract from my original intent - to remind everyone to keep an eye on their stuff.

Well, we're back from our week-long trip, and while we had a wonderful week overall, this trip will now be known as the one where my young adult daughter was robbed.

The thief stole her camera bag, containing her brand new camera, her credit card, her Cast I.D, some cash and her provincial health card. It was sitting in the top of the basket of my dad's ECV, which was parked right outside the door to our room and left unattended for maybe ten minutes. We were literally steps away inside the room, we'd only stopped in to gather our things for our next phase at the parks, when it happened.

I won't give out too many details, because I don't want to jeopardize the police investigation. The theft was reported immediately, and the prime suspect is NOT a cast member or guest. The resort manager, Disney security and the Osceola county police were wonderful in how they handled everything, but I'm afraid my daughter is slightly traumatized by the whole thing.

I post it here to remind everyone to use caution with their belongings ALL the time. We certainly believe ourselves to be responsible, cautious people, but a bad decision on our part became someone else's opportunity to do wrong.

It was a huge hassle, of course, and my daughter had only had the camera for five days, which is crushing. The worst part, as it always is, is that we lost two days worth of photos of my four-year-old nephew experiencing Disney for the first time - including meeting Woody, who was the only character he'd even go near. We also lost a day in the parks due to the Cast ID being stolen.

It could have been so much worse, and we're ready to put it behind us.

 

[Sammie]

Sorry to hear that but people are everywhere at Disney and not all of them are nice.

Also you have people roaming around the resorts that do not stay there.

 

[famsen]

That's horrible.
I sure hope the police find the thief and are able to get your daughter's belongings back and this guy/girl gets punished so as not to be able to do this again.
Were you in a resort that had any surveillance video?

 

[famsen]

I also had just heard that authorities in Orlando are warning resort guests not to call any places advertising pizza delivery from flyers left under your room door. Apparently, the number goes to people that are stealing credit card numbers.
I remember getting a lot of those flyers when we stayed at Saratoga Springs and Boardwalk Villas. There's all kinds of jerks out there.

 

[canopynut66]

Well, we're back from our week-long trip, and while we had a wonderful week overall, this trip will now be known as the one where my young adult daughter was robbed.

The thief stole her camera bag, containing her brand new camera, her credit card, her Cast I.D, some cash and her provincial health card. It was sitting in the top of the basket of my dad's ECV, which was parked right outside the door to our room and left unattended for maybe ten minutes. We were literally steps away inside the room, we'd only stopped in to gather our things for our next phase at the parks, when it happened.

I won't give out too many details, because I don't want to jeopardize the police investigation. The theft was reported immediately, and the prime suspect is NOT a cast member or guest. The resort manager, Disney security and the Osceola county police were wonderful in how they handled everything, but I'm afraid my daughter is slightly traumatized by the whole thing.




I post it here to remind everyone to use caution with their belongings ALL the time. We certainly believe ourselves to be responsible, cautious people, but a bad decision on our part became someone else's opportunity to do wrong.

It was a huge hassle, of course, and my daughter had only had the camera for five days, which is crushing. The worst part, as it always is, is that we lost two days worth of photos of my four-year-old nephew experiencing Disney for the first time - including meeting Woody, who was the only character he'd even go near. We also lost a day in the parks due to the Cast ID being stolen.

It could have been so much worse, and we're ready to put it behind us.

Hate to hear this, we have had a LOT of trips to Disney and we have never had a problem but we are guilty- of going back to the room as well and leaving stuff in my ECV parked outside to run inf or a "minute" just as you were. But will take this as a precaution from now on as things like this happening every where anymore. But we have also left thing in the basket say to eat or while on rides and guess been very lucky.. hope all gets resolved for your daughter and she does not let one idiots crime spoil her faith. as i think most people are honest. I hope

 

[Polydweller]

Thanks for posting this. Sorry that this happened to you and hope this post helps others avoid this.

I tell people who stay at the hotel here that tourists attract thieves and it's very hard to keep them out. Even if we could keep all the local bad guys out thieves also take vacations. You really don't know how honest the person in the next room really is.

So, I hope your story will caution everyone to stay alert and cautious on vacation. But most, I hope everything turns out well for your family and you can focus on the happy times of your trip.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Sorry your family had to suffer this experience

 

[Belle5]

Sorry...

 

[sndral]

Unless it was captured on surveillance cameras it's unlikely the person who stole it will be id'ed. More and more places have better and better surveillance systems, so perhaps there's hope they'll id the thief and move in fast enough to recover her property. The person who tries to use the credit card (and they most likely will be a different person than the thief) may get caught when they try to use it. And perhaps if someone tries to pawn the camera they might get caught.
Tourists are prime targets because even if you catch the thief the probability is that the victim will not be local (although sounds like your daughter is) and it's too expensive for the prosecution to fly in an out of state witness to prove a simple theft and thieves know this.
BTW, robbery has a specific meaning - a robbery is when someone uses force or fear to remove property from the person of another - since the ECV was in the hall and your daughter had no contact with the thief this wasn't a robbery, it was, however, a theft.

 

[caaraa]

Also you have people roaming around the resorts that do not stay there.

 

[ancestry]

So sorry that this happened to you. I hope your daughter can come to terms with it without being too traumatized.

 

[notaclue]

Where were you staying, which resort? Sorry this happened to you; it makes me so angry that there are rotten people out there who do this stuff.

 

[disneychic2]

The lesson for all of us is to be diligent even, (or maybe especially) while on vacation. I'm so sorry this happened to your DD and hope that she gets over it soon. Glad you are ready to move on and not let the thief steal the joy from your trip! Hope they find the guy or girl!

 

[kaligal]

If you'll be upset when it is stolen, don't leave it unattended.

That goes double when you travel. Thieves love tourists.

 

[POOHsie]

Very sorry this happened. However, things of value cannot be left out of sight for even a minute. She could have grabbed the bag when she made her way inside the room. This is not just at WDW. My mom had her wallet stolen out of her purse, that she kept in a shopping cart at the grocery store, while she was getting something off the shelf. This happened to mom TWO TIMES. And it was in the 1990s, and in the "safe" suburbs. So not a new trend here.

This is an unfortunate, but lifelong lesson for your daughter, that as an adult she carries valuables now, not mommy and daddy anymore, and these valuables have to become like a second skin to her. That's why lots of people like a fanny pack or a mini-camera bag with neck strap, or ID/valuables lanyard around the neck, or pockets of some cargo pants. If you have your valuables in a bag, that bag must accompany you even if "for a minute." If your purse is in a cart, have your hand on the purse when you look over goods on the shelf, or take the purse with you if you are walking away from your cart.

Again, my heartfelt regrets.

 

[Figaro972]

What a horrible thing for your daughter to go through. But a reminder for everyone to be more cautious.

 

[nhmommy]

I want to suggest if the camera was purchased with a credit card within the last 30 days the credit card company may have insurance on the camera. Most people do not realize this contact your CC company she may get a replacement.

 

[sydneysmom]

WOW. it's so heartbreaking when you hear something like this. You're on vacation, and let's face it, we all let our guard down a little when we're having fun. I'm just really sorry that your daughter (and you) had to go through this. I hope that this doesn't spoil you for wanting to go back to Disney in the future......don't let one bad experience take the magic away. Big hugs to all of you.

 

[Brian Noble]

I post it here to remind everyone to use caution with their belongings ALL the time. We certainly believe ourselves to be responsible, cautious people, but a bad decision on our part became someone else's opportunity to do wrong.

This is a good reminder. Always keep track of your valuables, and never leave anything unattended that you'd be sad to lose.

Where were you staying, which resort?

It's worth remembering that this can happen at any resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

What an awful thing to happen. We do tend to forget that there are not so nice people in WDW. Yes, it's our happy place, but it does make thieves happy as well....we do sometimes become easy targets. We're on vacation, we're having a ball, making wonderful memories, and we sometimes let our guard down. And, in a minute, something nasty happens. So sorry you have to go through this.

I do wish the resorts were not as accessible to non-resort guests. Sure, let anyone in the lobby area, but it sure would be nice to have a key card only door leading to the room areas. And yes, people will always try to be nice and hold the door for someone behind them. That needs to stop. I know that when entering BLT a year ago, I shut the door to the walkway in some man's face. Didn't care. If I had seen a room key in his hand, then maybe I would have held it open. But he had nothing. I had to use my key, so could he. It's not fun but I now think the worst until proven wrong.