Thieves and intruders at TOWL

[dbs1228]

There are also honest people out there too. My youngest DD years ago was sitting on a bench in DTD outside restroom and when it was time to move on she walked away without her pocketbook. A women saw her and actually came running over to us with her purse.
Another encounter we had was my oldest DD lost a jewelry pouch with 15 pins in it on the monorail. She was crushed since those pins are expensive and we all were really into pin trading. Called lost and found no go. The next day called again and believe it or not the pouch had been turned in, it just took time for it to make it to lost and found. I do believe there are more good people then bad. Just my 2 cents

 

[ILuvMulan]

There are also honest people out there too. My youngest DD years ago was sitting on a bench in DTD outside restroom and when it was time to move on she walked away without her pocketbook. A women saw her and actually came running over to us with her purse.
Another encounter we had was my oldest DD lost a jewelry pouch with 15 pins in it on the monorail. She was crushed since those pins are expensive and we all were really into pin trading. Called lost and found no go. The next day called again and believe it or not the pouch had been turned in, it just took time for it to make it to lost and found. I do believe there are more good people then bad. Just my 2 cents

Agreed! Two weeks ago we were at conservation station and my daughter put her backpack (with all of her money) and lanyard (with her annual pass in it)on the hook in the bathroom stall. We left and were gone about 10 minutes when she realized what she had done. We went back and it was gone, we approached a CM and were told to check the retail shop because that is where everything goes before it goes to lost and found. We went and it was not there. We looked around a little more, even re-checking the bathroom, then decided to see if anyone had turned it in to one of the CMs at the ice cream cart and sure enough they had and the CMs had just sent it over to the retail shop. We basically "circled" it before finding it. The day before we left her brother lost his lanyard with annual pass at the pool, we never found it and had to get the pass re-issued but it never occurred to me to lose sleep over it. I just figured that somewhere we had missed it in transition. I know that bad things happen even at Disney but I think more often than not people there are honest.
I am sorry that the situation was so upsetting for you.

 

[rutgers1]

I have to admit that the title of this thread had me expecting something worse. Any time something is missing is bad, but the title was a bit misleading, particularly since, as we have seen with other posts here, there is a chance that someone either made a mistake or did indeed hand it in somewhere at the hotel.

My experience has been that people tend to exceed my expectations when it comes to handing in "found" items. Just a few weeks back, we were at a water park and noticed an expensive looking watch on an otherwise empty chair. I kept an eye on it for a few hours, thinking that perhaps the owner would come back. A few people noticed it, but no one took it. Once I determined that it was lost, I dropped it off to the office. All in all, I was very impressed that no one tried to take it.

With that said, the posts about rude people thinking they are entitled to do what they want really struck a chord with me. I really hate when people feel entitled to break rules. I was very, very, very tempted to take my kids to Stormalong Bay when we were staying at the Boardwalk and the Dolphin, but I didn't do it. I'm not perfect - and I will be the first to admit that I have broken a few rules here and there - but I always view those situations as an opportunity to show my kids the value of right/wrong.

 

[dianeschlicht]

A couple years ago I found someones drivers license and credit card in a plastic pouch just lying on the ground at the Studios. I turned it in to the "gas station" where the lost and found and stroller rentals are. I have often wondered how that person ever located it! I'm sure Disney probably sent it back to the address on the drivers license eventually, but what a horrible feeling it must have been for that person who must have been searching frantically for it! That would be WAY worse than misplacing a Disney rain ponco or someone going up to TOTWL.

 

[jpolak]

On the last night of a trip several years ago I left my digital camera on the table at 1900 park fare. I do not know who did, but someone turned it in. After what seemed like the longest monorail ride ever, it was waiting for me where you check in for you dining reservation.

 

[StevesBLT]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. During my last Disney visit (Spring Break 2010), I left my wallet (that's right--including cash, credit cards, driver's license, etc.) on a bench in EPCOT located right behind Club Cool. I had purchased some popcorn and a drink and just forgot to put my wallet back in my pants before I left. I walked over to Mouseworks to purchase something, and immediately realized what had happened. I ran back and started looking for my wallet around the bench and the trash can beside the bench, but it wasn't there. The next thing I knew, a CM from Club Cool came out and asked me what I was looking for. When I told her, she said to follow her and she had my wallet behind the counter. She said someone had turned it in just a few moments ago. She refused my offer of reward money, but I have to tell you--the incident restored my faith in humanity! That mistake could have really cost me, but thanks to someone's kindness and honesty, it didn't.

 

[gkrykewy]

On TOTWL specifically, I really wonder whether DVC will have to meaningfully expand access in the fairly near future. I imagine that once BLT sells out, the lounge will have to be profitable from food/drink.

Carol, I'm not on the board as much these days as I used to be, but I'm seeing lots of people being less "patient" with posts. I suspect the title of the post may have had people opening it expecting something truly worthy of the "theives and intruders" title, and were a bit disappointed that it turned out to be a misplaced Disney poncho and people sneaking into TOWL. I guess that points out that lots of people seem to also post things meant to be inflamatory when they probably would have been best keeping it to themselves. Frankly, I've seen a whole lot worse at Disney, and it never occured to me to post about it on a message board. By the same token. When I see these kinds of posts, I try to temper them with a little common sense in my answer. That's the reason for suggesting that it could either have blown away or been picked up by someone else who also brought a Disney poncho in.

I agree with this post.

 

[cm8]

OP, I understand your disappointment. I left my new camera on the Safari ride and realized it moments after disembarking. I went back immediately but never did get it back, even after multiple checks with Guest Relations and Lost and Found. I fully expected that it would show up, but no dice. It really bursts your trust bubble. If you are like me, it is the broken trust more than the cost of the item that is hurtful. Sorry this happened to you. Sometimes I forget that real people inhabit the magical world of Disney.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm really amazed there's as much honesty in WDW as there is. Accidents happen to cause things to get lost, and yes, there are thieves, particularly in high tourism areas, but when my daughter lost our only camera years back - to actually find it in the lost and found was a magical experience in itself (not one I want to repeat).

OP, I'm sorry this happened to you, To me it sounds to me like the poncho either blew off, was mistakenly picked up or a custodian came through and tossed it out. I doubt anyone intentionally stole it. They're available everywhere in WDW and the cost is minimal compared to even a simple meal out so I just can't imagine someone saying - "nobody's watching over it so I'll take it."

As for people getting up to the lounge who don't belong there, unfortunately that will always be an issue. Whereas many of us will see the rules and treat them as law, some folk are constantly looking to rewrite rules in their own favor. We all know people like this.

 

[rutgers1]

After reading this thread, I am wondering if it would be wise to write a phone number on all major items we carry around the park (cameras, phones, etc.). That would enable someone who found it to simply call and say "I have it!"

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

sorry, was a lil' off subject, long day @ work.

just wanted to make sure of the message...this was not
your fault! you did not deserve to be taken advantage of.



ps., thank you for sharing so other owners may prevent it from
happening. [ i think disney needs to know how their
security measures are being ignored & the potential dangers.
and if it was stolen, i think an indicator that too many are
not following the rules. ]

we have been "hit" several times.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Carol, I'm not on the board as much these days as I used to be, but I'm seeing lots of people being less "patient" with posts. I suspect the title of the post may have had people opening it expecting something truly worthy of the "theives and intruders" title, and were a bit disappointed that it turned out to be a misplaced Disney poncho and people sneaking into TOWL. I guess that points out that lots of people seem to also post things meant to be inflamatory when they probably would have been best keeping it to themselves. Frankly, I've seen a whole lot worse at Disney, and it never occured to me to post about it on a message board. By the same token. When I see these kinds of posts, I try to temper them with a little common sense in my answer. That's the reason for suggesting that it could either have blown away or been picked up by someone else who also brought a Disney poncho in.

Exactly! This is why we uphold the DIS Posting Guidelines, as well as the DVC board specific guidelines as well. And, partly why the DIS Debate Board went the way of the dinosaurs here..

 

[saphyre]

I am wondering if a staff member just brought the poncho to a lost and found area or (if it was one of the really inexpensive ponchos from the Dollar Store) threw it away thinking you were leaving it.

I also think that your title is a bit misleading - I was thinking pickpockets and stolen purses, not a poncho that you left and then went back and was gone.

Sorry this happened but "thieves and intruders"? Seriously?

The title was a bit...overkill. Sorry you lost the poncho though.

 

[CarolAnnC]

This topic continues to be one that does not remain within DIS guidelines, therefore, the thread is now closed. Thank you.