Tips against Pickpockets!

[Jazzman67]

Hello!

I just need some good advice about the best way to be safe
against pickpockets.

I have one pair of pants that have deep pockets on the front
of them. I also have a pair of shorts that have both a zipper
and buttons on them. I also have a money and passport bag
that can be hung around your neck. I'm think ing that the best
option would be to have the money in the money bag around
your neck and behind a t-shirt or shirt. I think I'll do that.

I'll have other money in a safe at the hotel.

Anyone have another suggestion. I leave tomorrow morning

Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Pickpockets are an organised crime in both the parks and DV. I had a purse taken out of my bag in 2005 whilst shopping in the Disney Shop in DV.

The bag was around my body and they still got to the purse. The local police said its was a problem and they are getting away with it because, naturally people drop their guard on holiday and think its a safe place. To be cautious is a great thing IMO.

My DH now uses a body purse which we bought from ASDA. He wears it under his shirt against his skin.

We always lock all opur valuables in the hotel safe, including cameras, gameboys, jewellery etc whilst we are out and have never had anything taken from a room.

Hope this helps.

 

[nbodyhome]

I didn't realize it was a problem at DLP too, I actually felt safer there (but I still wore my money belt).

For my important stuff - passport, credit cards, etc., I have the money belt on under my pants. I don't carry a purse, I use my beat-up Rick Steves day bag for everything else (smaller amounts of money, sunblock, water, etc.)

 

[Jazzman67]

I'll make use of my body bag, then. I'll put it under my shirt,
where it'll be safe. Using the safe at the hotel seems to be a
good option, as well. I don't have bags like ladies do, either.

Thanks for the tips. It's agood thing my friends in Holland told
me about this. It's good to be safe guarded, too. Hopefully,
things will be ok.

Andreas

 

[davewasbaloo]

Pick pocketting is pretty rife in Europe (the DL in California too). Best bet is where the money and cards under your clothes, use the safe, and if you are staying in a Disney resort, charge things to your room. I tend to take two credit cards - one for my wallet, and one in the safe. Also, I tend to only carry enough cash for the one day I'm out. It seems to work well. DLP does suffer from pick pocketing and room break ins. It is the most popular tourist enterprise in Europe and therefore rich pickings for thieves.

 

[Jazzman67]

Yep... That'smy plan.. Take enough for one day at a time
and leave the rest of the money in the safe at the hotel.
That seems to be the best option.

Andreas

 

[HydroGuy]

I will be on business and will have a laptop computer which I had planned to leave in my room at the DLP hotels. Everything else I would put in the safe or take with me. Would my laptop be safer in the room or at the front desk, or somewhere else?

 

[Cyrano]

I didn't realize it was a problem at DLP too, I actually felt safer there (but I still wore my money belt).

It is no more than any other city or busy holiday destination.

As Sarah says making sure you don't drop your guard is your main defence

 

[nbodyhome]

It is no more than any other city or busy holiday destination.

As Sarah says making sure you don't drop your guard is your main defence

I actually haven't ever really (that I can remember) felt unsafe at DL or WDW as far as my items - feeling like someone is too close, etc. I also didn't feel that way at DLP, unlike in Paris itself (people being closer than I'd like, etc.). But that said - the money belt stayed on at DLP. The only thing I did differently at DLP than the rest of my trip was to have my backpack on my back, not across my front or on one shoulder. That said, I was carrying my camera in my hand and had nothing of any real value in the bag.

I also realize that the Downtown Disney/RER area would be more susceptible - you have people there trying to sell things, trying to sell photos, etc. That there may be pickpocketers right there wouldn't surprise me. I was a little surprised to see the guys with machine guns at the RER station there (we aren't in Orlando anymore!)

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I had my purse stolen from my pocket on my first trip to DLP in 1996. It was stolen in the waiting area for what was then Captain Eo - when everyone was hustling to get in the theatre. It was my own mistake for putting it in my pocket after just having bought hotdogs from a vendor in Disncoveryland instead of back in my bag. Fortunately it was my last day and I didn't have a lot of money left anyway, but since then I have always been very aware.
Now DH carries the money / credit card in his waist belt. Everything else stays in the safe.
I tend to feel more aware of the need to put the cash somewhere safe when in the Village these days, as there seem to be a lot of street sellers lurking around, who must be dodgy as they pack up and run when the police / security come around.

 

[Sarah Sarill]

, but since then I have always been very aware.

I agree, there is nothing better to make you more security conscious than being a victim.

I was nieve enough to think that things like this 'never happened' in the most magical place on earth but think the issue is so important to raise as it may prevent one of our fellow posters becoming victime too

 

[mulan1]

What would you recommend, a body bag thing or just a 'bum bag', i've even seen leg belts on ebay!
which in your experience is better?
TIA

 

[nbodyhome]

What would you recommend, a body bag thing or just a 'bum bag', i've even seen leg belts on ebay!
which in your experience is better?
TIA

What do you mean by a body bag? Every time I hear that term, I think CSI.

Don't wear a fanny pack/bum bag. I put mine in my backpack, with very little inside it (my comb and a few dollars and such). I bought a moneybelt at Target. There is a good article on the Rick Steves site: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneybelt.htm

I actually have worn my fanny pack in Paris previously, but over my money belt. The money belt went under my pants, and the fanny pack over. But Parisians don't wear fanny packs, it's very touristy - so I didn't do it this year.

 

[mulan1]

I wasn't sure what to call it lol, i thought of csi too when i wrote body bag lol, thanks for the link, it's full of useful info.
I think i'll opt out of the bum bag idea (fanny pack cracks us Brits up... as I'm sure the term bum bag must for you)
I saw lots of the money belts on ebay, but how do you access the money when you're at the till, do you have to undo your shirt or lift up your top???

 

[poohmadmum]

I usually take enough cash for a day and a credit card and leave the rest in the hotel safe. I use a bum bag on holiday as although they are unattractive they are practical. You can carry what you need and it is close to you to be able to keep an eye on it. If you don't have access to a safe then I agree a money belt that you wear under your clothes is a good idea and DH normally have this job when we all go away together.

Just be alert especially in busy places like queues, airports, busses, trains, DV etc.

 

[nbodyhome]

I wasn't sure what to call it lol, i thought of csi too when i wrote body bag lol, thanks for the link, it's full of useful info.
I think i'll opt out of the bum bag idea (fanny pack cracks us Brits up... as I'm sure the term bum bag must for you)
I saw lots of the money belts on ebay, but how do you access the money when you're at the till, do you have to undo your shirt or lift up your top???

Yes, I know that you (the British!) use the term "fanny" differently. It really hit home when watching the British version of "The Office" where Keith explains to Dawn the difference between the word in the two countries. Very interesting!

I use the money belt for a few things. Passport, credit cards, larger dollar amounts. I keep smaller dollar amounts in my bag - nothing I can't afford to lose. So when I DO need something, the money belt is like an interior fanny back/belt bag/bum bag - I just go into my pants! I do not wear one around my neck, I would find it irritating and I've heard that it's easier for thieves to get (seeing the tie around the neck). I don't know if it's true, but better that than nothing. I have never seen anyone open their top, lift up their shirts, or undo their pants either. It's not a striptease! I have seen people lift their neckbelts up through their shirt.

 

[mulan1]

**giggle**
i'd never thought about money security before this thread started, but i'm glad ive thought about it now. We will definitely use something to hold the valuables.

 

[HydroGuy]

I will be on business and will have a laptop computer which I had planned to leave in my room at the DLP hotels. Everything else I would put in the safe or take with me. Would my laptop be safer in the room or at the front desk, or somewhere else?

Anyone have and comments about laptop security?

 

[Sarah Sarill]

I have never taken a laptop but know it wont fit most of the room safes. I would not leave them in your room as I have seen the doors left open and unattended when the cleaners are cleaning and gone to replenish cleaning stocks.

As the hotel reception as they may possibly keep it in the hotel safe for you.

 

[nbodyhome]

It'd be nice if an internet cafe got set up at DLP - I can't bear to take a notebook computer overseas, I don't trust the airports to not bang it up. I don't like taking it anywhere via plane, with all the bumping it can get on those little rollers through security.

Of course, then there is the security issue once at the resorts.