Theft @ OKW

[DJR]

A co-worker of mine just got back from a trip to OKW where they stayed with a DVC owner. She loved the room and the resrt, unfortunately someone got into their room and stole $1200 cash out of the safe, but didn't touch a diamond necklace or earrings or the digital cameras. I think they were in building 54 or 56 (not sure). She was able to get a voucher for 4 dinners at Olivia's but I guess he CMs weren't too helpful otherwise.

We will be going to OKW in 3 weeks, and I am now concerned that theft my be an issue. Anyone else have any problems? I've seen one or two other posts about thefts at other DVC resorts. Seems like trhe teives knew exactly where and what to look for.

Hope this isn't going to be a trend. Since this is our home resort, we've been there many times and never had a problem before.

Dave

 

[KNWVIKING]

If someone entered the room, then the passcard should be trackable to know who entered & when.

Did they leave the safe key "hidden" in the room somewhere or take it with them.

It doesn't make any sense that the other items were left untouched.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
If someone entered the room, then the passcard should be trackable to know who entered & when.

Did they leave the safe key "hidden" in the room somewhere or take it with them.

It doesn't make any sense that the other items were left untouched.

That's assuming they used a card to enter the room. There are any number of scenarios including walking in during Mousekeeping service while the CM's busy getting something from somewhere else or distracted by an accomplice.

It's disconcerting that the safe was so easily foiled though. My understanding is there is not -supposed- to be a master key, but anyone with half a brain and the right equipment can make a copy of their own. How often do the locks rotate? I'm not sure how safe they really are, but I like when I check into a hotel and the safe is electronic and user programmable with a key code.

Cash is cash...fencing valuables may be just too danged much effort compared to picking up a spare $1200.

And I'll be the dork and say 'I told ya so', it's just another reason to use travellers checks and credit cards.

 

[Chuck S]

A good reminder NOT to bring a lot of cash on vacation. Almost everything accepts credit cards and room key charges.

I bring maybe $200 in small bills for miscellaneous tipping and small purchases like snacks and ice cream bars. Everything else is room charged, then put on a major CC.

 

[nydizfan]

again i have to second what chuck said. I never bring cash except for tip money. I always get travelers checks before leaving home ..It may take some time to sign all those checks but its worth the piece of mind .......dave

 

[mbhoxsie]

again i have to second what chuck said. I never bring cash except for tip money. I always get travelers checks before leaving home ..It may take some time to sign all those checks but its worth the piece of mind

Agreed... Nothing at WDW requires that you carry LARGE amounts of cash... Sure.. There are a few places that don't take the room charges.. Vending stands, barber shop, movie theatre, etc., but on the whole, a few hundred $$ in cash should do it... If I need more than that, there's always the ATM machines...

In case we go offsite and need money, that's where the traveler's checks come in handy...

 

[floridafam]

One way to protect yourself is to never bring that much cash.

We saw housekeeping using the lock "thingy" near the top of the door to prop the doors at both WL and VB on our last vacation. This could also allow a theif to enter the room.

They could also try and get a record of who entered the room.

I feel bad when things like this happen but we also have to take steps to protect ourselves.

 

[zurgswife]

I'm sorry to hear that this family lost so much cash...but ....I agree that you don't need cash in that amount hanging in the safe...

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I tend to agree with previous posters -- that's just way too much money to have on hand. When we travel, my DH and I each $100 cash in our wallets and charge, charge, charge the rest!!! So sorry your friend was the victim of a crime.

 

[PamOKW]

Anything of extreme value, like large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry, should be put in the hotel's box in the lobby -- not in the room. I also agree that carrying large amounts of cash is not the best idea.

WDW does a great job with security but WDW is also a prime tourist target for professional thieves. We have to help ourselves stay safe and not count on Disney to do it alone.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The safes at OKW are the old fashion key safes, keys can be taken out and extras made easily. There are all sorts of people entering the room during the day. I was there one day and had 3 different people enter the room. I usually take about $2000 on me to start with any vacation but never leave a dime of it in the safe. My wife usually has about $1000 to start and never leaves any in the safe. We never swim together in the pools because one is always watching the others wallet. As soon as I saw the type of safe they have I decided years ago never to use it. Theft goes on all the time in hotel rooms, bring your cash with you and anything that can be stolen, these problems go on everywhere not just WDW. Be alert, WDW is no different than any other place and in fact may be worse because of how far they have to reach to employ people.I am sure you all read the theft from a hotel safe a WL where the front desk help the robber get a key for the safe without asking for an ID. This is why I would like to see Trash and Towel stopped at OKW but then you still have other people entering the room, it is not just housekeeping.

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... why don't you use the safe at the front desk ?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Think I'm a little lost here ? I can see someone getting into the room via a propped door or something, but how did they get into the safe ? I can honestly say I've never used the safe during my stays as we usually just use a credit card or Travlers Checks-----normally not more than $200-$300 in cash. Isn't there a key or something that you take with you when you lock up the safe ? Sorry if this is a silly question.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I never knew the front desk had a safe for its customers, this is a first for me. I knew most hotels have them but never thought OKW did!! I would recommend like others to take only as much cash as you think you would need. Believe it or not I got my first debt card the other day, never used debt cards before, so I will not have as much cash on me as I used to have. Before we just had credit cards and used them when we ran out of cash. We need more cash them most on vacation in Florida for reasons I won't get into here, but the best advice is leave your jewels in a bank safe deposit box while you are gone and only take as much cash as you will need.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Guess i won't use the safe. I always like to carry all money and anything really valuable with me at all times. I even either wear or keep most expensive jewelry in my backpack.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"I knew most hotels have them but never thought OKW did!!"***

OKW does have them because I've used them. We only stay in studios. In the past, OKW studios - unless they were dedicated- did not have safes because they were in the master bedroom. Since studios have become so popular they started installing safes in all of them.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

I usually save 2000-3000 disney dollars up over a year. I keep them in the room safe.....might want to reconsider....

 

[rocketriter]

I would never take 4-figures in cash to WDW. Credit cards are universally accepted; they give you a $50 ceiling on charges if they're stolen; they give you recourse with a merchant who sold you a lemon; if you're from abroad, they give you a good exchange rate.

If you absolutely want to spend money rather than charge, bring traveler's checks. They cost a little bit, but give you total protection against theft.

Never travel with cash. Nowhere. Nohow. Nada.

 

[colleen costello]

We never have lots of cash, just tons of ones and fives for tips. I put everything on my Disney Visa and earn points! But what about valuable STUFF? We have a nice digital camera and DH always brings a laptop and PDA. These won't even FIT in the safe... What do you all think is reasonable precaution? We try to leave these "out of sight" on housekeeping days, but perhaps staff are entering on other days?

 

[Dancind]

If $1200 were stolen out of my hotel room, I don't think I would accept dinner vouchers. I would be calling the police. Didn't WDW security at least get involved? I did read another post recently about someone letting themselves into an OKW room for no apparent reason, the members were in their room at the time. Sounds like OKW needs to do some internal policing. Still, I wouldn't take that much cash either. Diana