Theft in park

[otten]

I'm sorry that happened but of course there are thieves! Disney attracts 10s of thousands of people a day and not all of them are going to be honest.

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

A tip for ECV users who use the basket- we loop the handle over to controls of the ECV. If someone tries to grab it out of the basket when walking past , they aren't going to go to far. If you leave the ECV, take the purse with with you. Worth an extra 3-5 seconds. ( I also use the straps for the seat belt in grocery store carts to make it difficult for anyone to grab and go.)

 

[DisneyDeb83]

I am too paranoid to leave my purse on the back of a chair unattended. Most of my bags are crossbody and have a buckle. I undo it, wrap the strap around one of the slats several times and the re-buckle. That way, if someone tries to take it they are going to have to take the chair with it!

 

[lynzi2004]

I am a woman in my 30s and I seldom carry a purse anywhere. Even with my 2 kids! I keep my ID and credit card in my pocket and that's about it. If out shopping for the day, I also have a Bandi-belt that goes around my waist. It will hold a phone, cash, credit card, and car key. It's very streamline and you can't even see it under my shirt. If kids need snacks, etc we usually eat them in the car before going into a store etc. It is so easy to get distracted with kids and not pay attention and leave a purse laying somewhere! Many times with the exception of a phone, wallet, and occasional medications, women are typically carrying around a purse full of junk! Lol Also, if I know I'm going to be going out to eat with my husband or shopping with him where I know we will be in the same store, I see no reason to tote a big purse around if he's got money with him anyway.

 

[DisneyOma]

I do not see the need for all of the victim shaming.

So tired of the words "victim shaming" - heaven forbid someone says 'well, duh!' I'm not talking about violent attacks, but common sense issues like leaving things unattended, etc. I'm sure the girl is saying some of the same things to herself.

That is what I was taught to do by my own mother not even a month ago so where are you supposed to store your purse when you go out to eat

Most places I've eaten have installed coat hooks under the bar or inside the booth for people to hang purses. Even some high and low tops have hooks on the table base. I'm always looking for the hooks before I sit down If I'm going out for the evening, I cram most of the stuff I need into the smallest bag possible, so it can fit in my lap while I eat.

 

[mamamelody2]

I don't care where I am, I'm going to be vigilant and not leave my things unattended. There are thieves everywhere--it's the way of the world, unfortunately.

 

[goofy4tink]

The reason why I brought this to everyone's attention is because we frequent Disney a lot in the fall-spring (this was a rare occasion). We see many strollers with the diaper bags still attached parked while the family is on a ride. I have even on occasion seen camera bags on strollers left alone. Disney is not as safe as everyone makes it to be. Theft happens everywhere. We learned that the hard way a few years ago when someone stole our really nice stroller from Epcot. We assumed it was safe being parked with the other strollers. Guess not.

So very true. I am always surprised when someone says that they didn't think there was theft at WDW! I've seen some of the craziest things left in strollers. For crying out loud, we hear about strollers being stolen...forget just the contents!
WDW is prime for theft. People are having a good time, and tend to be too trusting. They are always surprised to hear there is any kind of crime there. But, there most certainly is crime. Not that I worry about being out late at night, by myself. That has never been an issue. But, theft is fairly common.

 

[Auntie_Maim]

Some people think CMs control the weather at Disney. It's no surprise that some think Disney's found a way to ensure no thievery.

 

[hsmamato2]

it happens. I once put my wallet down while paying, and forgot to pick it up- by the time I realized I had forgotten, it was long gone, someone had swiped it instantly while I wasn't looking. Our funniest theft moment was when some fool stole our entire stroller so they could rifle through our backpack..which of course held nothing except diapers and snacks...so we found it a few hours later in another part of the park..... for some reason they weren't interested in my sons allergy cheerios!

 

[marcyleecorgan]

That is what I was taught to do by my own mother not even a month ago so where are you supposed to store your purse when you go out to eat

Hang it off one of your knees and push your legs together so that the purse is always either between your legs or sitting on your feet (so it's not on the floor). Or wrap it into your coat sleeve and roll up your coat like a back pillow and sit against it. Yes I am one of those paranoid people who doesn't even use coat checks... I always want my wallet on my person somewhere.

OP, glad to hear you recovered the purse minus the money. Thankfully her passport wasn't in there! AUGH!

 

[Disney_traveler]

I do not see the need for all of the victim shaming.

The only thing they are a "victim" of is being an idiot. And in this instance some chastising is definitely warranted. I wouldn't call it shaming. Now if the person had the bag ripped from their hands, ok, but this was an extremely stupid move.

 

[BigredNole]

What better place for a thief...the happiest place on Earth where everyone puts their guard down and assumes everything is rainbows, unicorns, and sprinkles. Always leave someone attending the bags while the others go to get stuff.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Tough lesson to learn but sometimes it takes a good dose of reality to wise us up.

I'm not going to sit here and say "duh, OMG how dumb could she be" because I'm sure I did some dumb crap when I was young without realizing.

You live and you learn.

 

[smallworldnh]

A travel agent once told me to make sure the table leg was through the handle of your purse, that way no one could grab it and run when you weren't paying attention.

That's a good idea, at least use the chair if the tables too heavy. When I grocery shop, I always use the little seat belt thing in the child seat part of the cart to clip though my purse handles.

 

[married2mm]

My mother always told me to keep money and wallet items in the front pockets of my shorts or jeans. Bags are so easy to grab and run with and you can accidentally leave them. Having all the important stuff on your body is the safest.

I advised my children the same way...

However; last week dd1 witnessed a mugging in broad daylight-where a guy came up behind her & then lifted a wallet and cell phone from the 2 pockets of the teenage boy in front of her

 

[AngelDisney]

I am sorry about what happened to your niece! I hope it didn't dampen your vacation!

I took DD and her close friend to buffet once and was surprised to see how they left their purses on the chairs to get food as I was about to leave the table as well. I stayed until they returned and told them not to do that. They should not leave their belongings unattended and they should not expect me to safeguard their belongings. They were 18 at the time. I know people frown upon fanny pack but I put all valuables in my fanny pack and other less important stuff like umbrella, rain jacket, sunscreen, thermo water bottle, etc in a drawstring backpack. I still have both hands to handle things and I can access my belongings easily. If I have to remove my backpack when sitting down at meal times, it will be between my back and the back of the chair. They go with me to the washroom and on rides. DD doesn't like the fanny pack but with the Orlando airport incident last year, I told her to wear that fanny pack at the airport so all important belongings are attached to us. If we need to run for our lives, we don't have to deal with passport loss later on and can get home sooner.

 

[StageTek]

"I did something kind of foolish."
"Yep. You do that and you'll get your stuff stolen."
"Stop victim shamming!"

I have some sympathy for this young woman from Italy. I know if she were in a public area in Rome she wouldn't even THINK of leaving her bag at a table and walk away. As many have said, people tend to think of Disney as a place that doesn't attract thieves, so that's why I have some sympathy.

Thank you for this cautionary story, osopecoso.

 

[bryanb]

Thank you for the cautionary tale! It's easy to forget that you're at a tourist attraction, which in any country can make you a prime target for thieves. Thankfully, I think that Disney is safer than places the streets of New York City, Rome, Paris, or Rio where outright purse snatchers and pickpockets operate with impunity, often with elaborate schemes to distract victims. But this is a good reminder to always watch personal belongings.

 

[scrapquitler]

my 16 year old niece flew in from Italy last Wednesday. We surprised her by taking her to Disney since she has never been there. We go to the park Saturday night. She has a small backpack that she carries personal items in. While my wife and I are ordering food at a counter service restaurant, my niece and my daughter walk around the restaurant. She leaves her personal belongings at table. We get to table and wave her over. She comes and asks if we put her bag away. She starts panicking that her bag is gone. An employee comes over who then calls security. They take a report and our contact info. About 30 minutes later I get a call that they found the bag in a restroom). Her money is gone obviously but they left her Id (thankfully her passport was in hotel) and a few other items. There was only about $100 so not out a lot. Just be aware that there are thieves in the park. There are cameras that they will look over.

There are theives in the park because people of all types are there, no vetting process to be let in the resorts or parks. Leaving your valuable belongings unattended ANYWHERE is not smart.

 

[HopperFan]

What better place for a thief...the happiest place on Earth where everyone puts their guard down and assumes everything is rainbows, unicorns, and sprinkles. Always leave someone attending the bags while the others go to get stuff.

And they have Annual Passes, know the parks, know how to run a smooth operation and have plenty of cash for Dole Whips.