Third time is the charm---amazing lost and found story UPDATE post #1

[jekjones1558]

Over the past few years I have lost a new camera and a new iPhone at WDW. The iPhone was dropped on a ride and recovered after park closing by a CM and not turned in. (It ended up in downtown Orlando---I tracked it with Find my iPhone.) Without going into a long story, I have suspicions about the camera as well. At any rate I have always felt a little disappointed about these incidents.
Fast forward to yesterday, our checkout day at BWV. This morning I got a call from Disney asking if we had left anything behind. I told the CM that I wasn't aware of anything but we had not unpacked. Turns out DH had left 3 credit cards, 1 gift card and $560 cash in the safe. In his defense he was ill and ended up in the hospital when we got home. But I was totally shocked that a housekeeper would turn in these items. I know that housekeeper wages could make such a find tempting. With all that is going on in my life right now I am so glad to not be dealing with calling credit cards companies. I am going to try to call back to BWV Lost and Found tomorrow and find out if there is a way for me to send a reward to the housekeeper. Thank you to that angel, whoever you are!
P.S. FYI. Disney does not mail cash. Instead the money is deposited and a check sent to us in about 2 weeks. The CM also stated that Disney does not send credit cards but under the circumstances he would make an exception and mail those to me. Another great CM I need to acknowledge.

UPDATE 5/21/14: I took the good advice (offered in post below) to contact DVC Member Satisfaction to ask about mailing a reward check. I found that the correct spelling of the housekeeper's name is Shafeyoon Kahn. (If anyone at BWV now sees her in the hallway, thank her for me!) I was advised that she will be honored in a special way but I was discouraged from sending a check. I was also told that gratuities are appropriate so am hoping that DH is okay to travel in October when we are booked at BWV again. I do so want to appropriately thank Shafeyoon in person!

 

[Sandisw]

So nice to hear about this...and that your story had a very nice ending this time!

 

[ccigliano]

Wow that's great news. I hope that your husband is feeling better real soon.

 

[quirty30]

Jean, that is so good to hear after all your bad luck with lost items at WDW. I left a camera on a bench waiting for DME at BWI last October and didn't notice it was missing until several days later. I also had a positive outcome and give BWI Lost & Found the highest praise. I hope good vibes continue to come your way and that hubby is feeling better soon

P.S. I think karma may have played into this scenario as well - you have always taken good care of your housekeepers

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Glad you got that back!!

A couple of years ago I checked into a BWV studio. I found the welcome packet for someone else who had probably come into the room and turned around to request a different one - it was a pool view and the Clown was getting refurbed so not the best view from the ground floor. But that's the side note. I also found a ring of keys and couple other items in the safe and turned them in to the front desk. Just mentioning that it may have been the next guest although perhaps they told you who turned the items in. Either way - congrats on ending the streak of bad luck!

 

[supersnoop]

If housekeeping comes across a locked safe, they have to get maintenance to open it, and security protocol would require multiple people present. If you realized and complained, they'd have a record of who "cracked" the safe. It's not surprising that the contents were returned.

 

[bdrobet]

Jean, that is so good to hear after all your bad luck with lost items at WDW. I left a camera on a bench waiting for DME at BWI last October and didn't notice it was missing until several days later. I also had a positive outcome and give BWI Lost & Found the highest praise. I hope good vibes continue to come your way and that hubby is feeling better soon

P.S. I think karma may have played into this scenario as well - you have always taken good care of your housekeepers

That brings up a question. What kind of gratuities are standard for a dvc villa?

 

[DizBub]

If housekeeping comes across a locked safe, they have to get maintenance to open it, and security protocol would require multiple people present. If you realized and complained, they'd have a record of who "cracked" the safe. It's not surprising that the contents were returned.

My DH said the same thing when I read him the original post. It kind of bursts the pixie dust balloon a little but it's still so fortunate that the items were found and are being returned.

OP I hope your husband is on the mend and feeling better.

 

[Kidanifan08]

That is a great outcome regarding your personal property. Personally, I probably would still be inclined to have the credit cards re-issued with a new account number. Here's wishing your DH a speedy recovery so you can get on with planning your next WDW/DVC visit!

 

[jekjones1558]

OP here. I called BW Lost and Found this morning. The housekeeper, Shayron, called the manager when she found the stuff. Shayron isn't even our regular housekeeper (Nazareen was off on our checkout day). DH isn't sure whether he left his stuff in a bedside drawer or in the unlocked safe. I asked the BW Lost and Found CM about sending Shayron a reward and he gave me the BW Lost and Found as an address. I guess a check would be safer than cash? Any suggestions? Also, where do you think I should send a letter of commendation? Hoping DH will be well enough to go to BWV in October and I hope I can thank Shayron then in person!
P. S. DH is still in the hospital but doing a little better today. Isn't life grand!

 

[MinnieGi]

So glad to hear of your good outcome!! Wishing your hubby a good recovery so you can all get back to the BWV in Oct!!

 

[Splashboat]

Unfortunately there are plenty of people who would have taken it.
I am glad you posted her name. I hope people who read this and see her will acknowledge her honesty and let her know she is appreciated.

 

[lah3hh]

We have experienced three incidents were Disney CMs or other Disney travelers came through for us.

1.). DH left our camera in the terminal at the DCL port at Port Canaveral. We did not realize it until we were in our room. Called Guest Services immediately and we were told we had to wait until all the Lost and Found items are brought onboard. I thought for sure it would be gone but...shortly after setting sail they called from GS and brought it to our room!!

2.). DH lost a new iPOD somewhere in our room aboard a different DCL sailing. He did not realize it until we boarded the plane and he wanted to listen to music. I called DCL Lost and Found as soon as we got home. They said they would wait for that sailing date to turn in all of their lost and found items. Sure enough a week or so later we got the call and they UPS it right back to us at no cost.

3.). When we packed up and left DVC HHI a few years back I left ALL of our swimming items in the bench storage in the master bedroom. I am talking about many swim suits, cover ups and much more. When I called to the resort several hours later they said they would send housekeeping to the room to check. Once again...it was all there and shipped back to us at no cost.

I know for a fact if these situations would have happened other cruise lines or resorts there is a high chance out items would have been lost forever. These among many more reasons are why I love DVC, Fellow Disney travelers and CMs...I like to think we all take care of each other.

 

[cheryl.UK]

On our WDW wedding day 2 years ago, I took off my solitaire diamond necklace to put on my mum's pearls. In my excitement ( I was getting married so please excuse the stupidity) I put the necklace in the pocket of the bath robe at the GF. Next day we checked out and I simply forgot about my necklace until that night when I realised it was missing. After tearing our luggage apart, I finally remembered where I'd put it. By then of course, the bath robe had been collected by housekeeping and sent to the laundry. To cut the story short, after a long night, a very tearful call to the GF and a two hour wait, they called to say that housekeeping had handed it in! Apparently they check all pockets before they send bath robes to the laundry. Grateful does not cover it! Needless to say, despite WDW policy, I bought a lovely gift for our housekeeping and sent them a whole tier of our wedding cake.

 

[keishashadow]

OP - What a wonderful ending to your story. Best wishes to you and your DH.

I managed to have a diamond tennis bracelet go missing after an afternoon dip in the pool.

Didn't realize it until back in the room. Immediately went to pool area to search but didn't see it anywhere, despite a thorough search. Contacted security to fill out a report, by this time an hour had passed. Guard smiled and asked me to describe it...somebody found it in a bush near pool gate and turned it in

no idea how it came off my wrist, it had a double locking clasp that is still functioning just fine. Now, I wear QVC 'paste' to the parks.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I lost $200 cash at dunkin donuts and someone left a note and returned the money.....thank goodness there are many honest people in the world.

Hope you hubby feels better, it stinks to get sick while you are away.

 

[dvc at last !]

OP - What a wonderful ending to your story. Best wishes to you and your DH.

I managed to have a diamond tennis bracelet go missing after an afternoon dip in the pool.

Didn't realize it until back in the room. Immediately went to pool area to search but didn't see it anywhere, despite a thorough search. Contacted security to fill out a report, by this time an hour had passed. Guard smiled and asked me to describe it...somebody found it in a bush near pool gate and turned it in

no idea how it came off my wrist, it had a double locking clasp that is still functioning just fine. Now, I wear QVC 'paste' to the parks.

Glad you did get it back - what is QVC 'paste' ?

 

[mkarizona]

Glad you did get it back - what is QVC 'paste' ?

Imitation, ie. costume jewelry.

 

[dvc at last !]

Imitation, ie. costume jewelry.

Thanks - paste is good !

 

[LSchrow]

hiya jean, i'm so glad to hear everything was returned - hopefully, that was the turning point, where only good things happen again
btw, it was great meeting up - you really are just as nice in person!

nazareen is also our "regular" HKer (we adore her ) - she was telling us of another room that always looks for her....betcha i know who that is now considering the restrictions on what a CM may receive, maybe email guest communications to check before sending anything.

most importantly, our best wishes and prayers for your DH - hope he is feeling better soon