Unfortunate Incident at Disney's Boardwalk Villas

[motofox4]

Friends of mine are just returning from a vacation to Disney. They stayed at the Boardwalk Villas in a 3 bedroom villa. Just yesterday someone broke into their room and stole personal belongings including a camera and purse. They reported it to the police, however, of course, are still very upset about what they lost and the pictures that they lost of their son's first trip to Disney. They spoke to someone at the front desk and they didn't "do" anything for them other than to call the police for them to report the incident. I know that nothing should ever be expected, but maybe in some way I was thinking Disney might do something to take away the sadness of this awful thing happening to them while in the "most magical place on earth". Is there someone they could call or maybe write a letter to to let them know what happened and try to make them feel at least a little better about this sad experience? Any information would be MUCH appreciated.

I'm so sad for them - I travel to Disney just about every year and fortunately haven't ever had this happen to me and just to know that even in Disney, thieves are everywhere and can go so low as to ruin someone's vacation is heartbreaking..

 

[DznyCrzy11]

That's awful!!! That's why I ALWAYS keep everything valuable in the safe, you just never know. I think if you go to Disney's website there should be a "contact us" link and there should be an address there. I would also suggest writing the resort.

Sent from my GalaxyS II

 

[t_daniels]

That's awful.

 

[DebbieB]

Friends of mine are just returning from a vacation to Disney. They stayed at the Boardwalk Villas in a 3 bedroom villa. Just yesterday someone broke into their room and stole personal belongings including a camera and purse. They reported it to the police, however, of course, are still very upset about what they lost and the pictures that they lost of their son's first trip to Disney. They spoke to someone at the front desk and they didn't "do" anything for them other than to call the police for them to report the incident. I know that nothing should ever be expected, but maybe in some way I was thinking Disney might do something to take away the sadness of this awful thing happening to them while in the "most magical place on earth". Is there someone they could call or maybe write a letter to to let them know what happened and try to make them feel at least a little better about this sad experience? Any information would be MUCH appreciated.

I'm so sad for them - I travel to Disney just about every year and fortunately haven't ever had this happen to me and just to know that even in Disney, thieves are everywhere and can go so low as to ruin someone's vacation is heartbreaking..

Were they in the room at the time? I just cringe when people say "I just leave my laptop out, nothing will happen to it". 99% chance nothing will but you should still take precautions.

Unless the door was actually damaged ("break-in"), there should be a record of whose key cards were used to enter the room.

 

[princessallegra]

Were they in the room at the time? I just cringe when people say "I just leave my laptop out, nothing will happen to it". 99% chance nothing will but you should still take precautions.

Unless the door was actually damaged ("break-in"), there should be a record of whose key cards were used to enter the room.

Absolutely they should be able to tell who entered the room. If the door wasn't broken in that means someone used a keycard. As for the safes, we've never had one that could fit a camera (we use a DSLR so it's huge). Definitely a point and shoot little one would fit but not our big guy. I feel so bad for them :-(

 

[HITCH KING]

robert.a.iger@disney. com

I wrotr a letter to Bob a few month ago about that I requested info from Toyko and Hong Kong and never heard back from either twice.

I did not expect to hear back personally from Bob but sure enough he repied. I figured it would be a standard responce "Thank you for contacting bla bla bla.

Later in the day I heard back from Toyko and next morning HK. They should give the family a photo CD with stock photos. Did the family use the photo pass.

Was their any damage to the door. Sounds like somebody did not close the door. It is a shame. The camera can be replaced but the photos can not.

Many years ago in DL we forgot to take pins that were inside plastic bag inside for lunch. Somebody stole umbella and sweatshirt and several pins. You let your guard down and it ruins the vacation.

 

[motofox4]

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm not sure of the exact details of the break in, if there was damage to the door or if a key card was used. They're on a plane now on their way home so I'll find out more later. I know they're really sad and disappointed at the loss of their pictures and my friend's purse and personal information being taken. I feel so bad for them so am just doing what I can to help them out so they can get in contact with someone as soon as they're home and settled.

And thank you Hitch King for that email address. I'm going to be sure to give that to them!!!

 

[lbv7]

It is unfortunate what happened, but on the information sheet that is given to everyone who stays at either the BWI or BWV that following information is listed:

VALUABLES
Key-operated wall safes are located in every Guest room. Safekeeping boxes are also available at the Front Desk.

Why would anyone leave a purse out when they are not in the room? No excuse for having things stolen, but sometimes common sense needs to prevail.
Also, as previously mentioned there would be a record of anyone who entered the room with the key card. Think about it, "busting down" any of the doors at the BW would almost be impossible, given the weight and structure of the door, never mind the noise it would create trying to break it open.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Hotels don't do "anything" anymore due to the scam factor. It's amazing how many times the Kodak disposable becomes the "$5,000 DSLR" Even with a key card log Disney is not going to drag the maintenance man in and accuse him of the theft of stuff they can't prove you lost... it's just a fact of life. And if Disney is like most hotels there are a BOATLOAD of "master keys" out there that are kind of "unowned"

I actually think I ran into your friends yesterday looking in the vending room for the camera. SOrry to hear about it. I didn't have any problems but everything but the laptop was in the safe. That's one of my complaints about BWV the laptop will not fit in the safe and this dingbat Apple product doesn't have a "locking" slot. (I did hide it but I admit that's not that safe!) My DSLR will fit if the lens is off however.

One of the things I have noticed walking up and down the hall at BWV (and they are long) is that a LOT of people seem to "prop" the door open using the security lock.. that's not what it's for folks! It's not a door stop. Someone could push open the door and "help themselves" to stuff you left by the door (like purses?) Not to mention that someone could enter your room and do much worse then take your stuff. If your friends and family are in the hotel let them knock on the door, don't just leave it open for them to come and go!

 

[maxiesmom]

Were they in the room at the time? I just cringe when people say "I just leave my laptop out, nothing will happen to it". 99% chance nothing will but you should still take precautions.

Oh my goodness, me too! There is such a thing as being too trusting, unfortunately that is true at WDW as well as anyplace else.

I'm very sorry for what happened to your friends. However, I don't think Disney should be expected to do anything to make up for it. Don't forget too that in this day an age something as simple as an I'm Sorry can be seen as and admission of guilt. No way WDW would want to look as if they had any kind of responsibility for what was a crime of opportunity.

 

[motofox4]

Ok, so I just talked to my friends who are now home - this happened while they were in the villa.. They were upstairs in a bedroom while housekeeping came in. They didn't want to accuse anyone of anything because they didn't see if anyone else came into the room or not, they only saw the one housekeeper but it's always possible that someone else might have come in while the door was open with her cleaning the room...

 

[dvcterry]

i'm sorry but that is absolutely terrible. what an awful feeling. hardly anything fits into that safe, cameras, laptops. we've zippered & locked as much as we could into the luggage of those larger bulky items and kept it locked when not in use in the closet, but how unfortunate.

 

[DebbieB]

Ok, so I just talked to my friends who are now home - this happened while they were in the villa.. They were upstairs in a bedroom while housekeeping came in. They didn't want to accuse anyone of anything because they didn't see if anyone else came into the room or not, they only saw the one housekeeper but it's always possible that someone else might have come in while the door was open with her cleaning the room...

That's the thing that makes me nervous about leaving things out. The housekeepers leave the door open when they clean. With a villa, the housekeeper could be a different room and anyone could slip in and grab something near the door.

 

[spiceycat]

.. They were upstairs in a bedroom while housekeeping came in.

I though all BWV 3-bedroom were on the same floor???

 

[DebbieB]

I though all BWV 3-bedroom were on the same floor???

5 are one floor, 2 are two floor. The 2 two floor are on the 5th floor (& 6th) under the "Boardwalk" sign.

 

[Dano1182]

We have never had any problem with theft .However a few times realised the door did not close and lock. You must pull the door and make sure it is secure.

 

[HITCH KING]

Housekeeping is very good a placing the cart in front of the open door making it diffcult but not impossible to enter the room unnoticed.

I have tried to enter my room at many hotels and they will ask you to enter your key into the lock and show them it is your room.

I am very surprised that disney did not do anything. I would guess a Photo CD with stock photos is the least they can do.

 

[princessallegra]

Not all housekeepers prop the door open. We stayed at AKL last weekend and the housekeepers there close the doors and put a little sign that says your room is being serviced. I know this because i went to give our sweet housekeeper my rose from V and A when we were leaving and she was locked inside the room she was servicing. I knocked and she said come on in! I knocked again and she came out.

 

[Sue M]

Since the poster is a second hand party, we really don't know what happened. Having things stollen out of a hotel room is always sad, but it's not Disney's fault that camera and valuables were left out, and not locked in the safe.
Really they've done what they were supposed to do, help them get in contact with the proper authorities. They don't need to make things up to them because they were careless, sorry. I am sorry this happened to your friends.

 

[HelenParr]

If the thief got in because housekeeping was not careful, I think Disney has some blame. Total bummer regardless of cause and fault.