Vandalized!! @ Epcot parking lot

[Chad&Janet]

We arrived at Epcot around 7 pm for Illuminations on a Thursday night (10/30). We drive a chevy avalanche with tinted windows throughout so it is hard to see inside vehicle. We parked the 3rd spot from the main road into epcot parking lot. (in other words, right beside tram road) underneath a light. Upon returning, my wife discovered her cellphone missing, which had been charging on the car charger. I got my flashlight out and discovered deep scratches in keyhole on passenger side. Apparently the lock had been picked and they stole my wife's phone.

It was a bit of a downer at the very begining of our trip. I will admit fault by allowing her to leave the phone in the truck, but if there wasn't a phone to steal, they probably would have taken the vehicle's cd player as alternative booty. I have admittedly been lax lately about safety because we live in a relatively tame area in East TN. But I would recommend to all who visit the parks anytime to always remove every last thing from your vehicle when in the theme park lots. Don't give thieves a reason to break your window or pick your lock. Alternatively, resort lots are apparently much safer. It's just that at AKL, bus was our only other option; and my wife HATED waiting on them only to get on a crowded smelly bus packed to the brim with obnoxious NJ ppl and their screaming kids. (sorry Jersey Dis'ers!) We found the bus service at Disney to be inefficient and stressful during our trip. We loved having our vehicle there!

But anyway, Disney is definitely a place where a lot of ppl let their guard down, including myself. Filthy scum of human existence recognize this and prey upon it. It is exceptionally easy for thieves to enter theme park lots and Disney security seemed non existent that night. Our vehicle does have Onstar which probably explains why we still have a vehicle and they didn't attempt to do more damage. So, I would recommend if you hate bus service (like us) avoid having your vehicle in a theme park lot after dark, and if you must, remove EVERYTHING from it. Also, Onstar and a separate alarm system would be nice, too!

And to also remind everyone that Disney does attempt to transport us out of reality, and in that, they do an excellent job. But alas, the parks and resorts are still potentially dangerous due to our violent and cowardly human counterparts. Don't let your guard down with your belongings or yourselves. Observe the same safety practices you would if you were in a big city. After this incident, I sobered up to these facts and was much more cautious for the remainder of our stay.

 

[andrabell]

Thank you for sharing your story. My DH and I are driving down to Orlando soon and are staying off property (7 miles from WDW).
We're going to be relying on our truck as a convenience, although our resort offers transpo. We will be sure to clear everything out.
I'm sorry you were a victim of another's selfishness, but thanks for the reminder!

---Andra
Stealing someone's Disney Magic is just plain hateful!

 

[FreshTressa]

Wow, how horrible. I am glad it wasn't worse.

I always feel so safe there, but I guess scumbags can be anywhere.

 

[RESINDUDE]

Another slam on the Jersey people. I am glad I am not the only one who noticed this. It seems in a lot of posts, The Jersey "element " was there.

 

[sue1013]

Since I am from NJ, please explain the problem with New Jersey. I must not be able to spot it or maybe I too am obnoxious.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'd have been less suprised at this if it had happened at the DownTown Disney area.
But Epcot???

 

[Schmeck]

Sorry you were robbed, and I agree, at Disney, we let down our guard because of the atmosphere it presents.

We've stayed at AKL, and had more empty buses just to ourselves. Don't think we ever had to stand on an AKL bus. How do you and your wife handle the crowds at the parks, if you can't stand the screaming children and obnoxious NJ people?

 

[pampam]

You had my sympathy till you dissed. the people from N.J. That was totally uncalled for. Mind your manners.

 

[princess angel]

that is terrible, breaking in at a WDW park, that is one of the lowest things I can think of!!!

NJ'ers, dont take offense, I am a NY'er.... practically related.. if a bus is crowded at WDW, there will be screaming kids on it, no matter what state they are from. people just say these things because they know it was "jersey week", so any little annoyance gets blamed on NJ'ers......
who cares, let em' think whatever they want, it doesnt get much better than the tri-state area..... we know that!!

Laura

11 days til WDW!!!!!! YIIPPPPEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

[WhispyPixie]

I am sorry for your incident. This is the 2nd vandalism and theft that I have heard of this week that has been held in the Epcot parking lot and no security for the other situation as well. For those of us that do carry things in our cars, I wonder other than an alarm system what we can do......

 

[KathyFP]

I agree about being lax at Disney. A reminder for us all to me more mindful.

 

[Threehearts]

Several years ago on our last day, we parked our car at the MK lot. We had all of our belongings in it and foolishly some money my husband left in the glove compartment with a few credit cards etc.. The thieves broke the lock on our minivan and took everything of value just hours before our flight. The on-site police almost laughed at us, didn't recommend a police report and said much of their day is filled with WDW complaints of car break-ins. We were so disillusioned and upset, we've never rented a car since and rely on Tiff. TC and the WDW tranport.. Please be careful and don't leave anything of value in the car. The WDW police told us that the lots look monitored when you drive up but those attendants just get moved to another parking area once the area is full. Threehearts

 

[DVC-Don]

Alternatively, resort lots are apparently much safer.

Not so. Clients of ours had all their luggage stolen from their rental at POR. Disney security and the Orange County Deputy told them it happens all the time. It was the lot right in front of the check in.

 

[LvsTnk]

Happened to us at the MGM parking lot. You think you are at WDW the most magical place and then BAM a good dose of reality.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Guess the moral of this story for all of us is not to leave ANYTHING in the vehicles. This is easier when it's a rental car . . . when it's your own you tend to feel safer.

 

[Chad&Janet]

pampam, whether you like me or not; consider my advice on safety. That is really what the post is about. I wasn't looking for sympathy anyway.

Schmeck, we loved the themeparks. The difference is you're not in a poorly ventilated, enclosed space elbow to elbow. We just did not have a great bus experience and prefer not to use them if a vehicle is available. Just an opinion. But if we had had empty buses the 4 times we road, like you, my opinion would most likely be quite different.

My NJ remark was done somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Hence the apology right after I said it. What I was attempting to imply by that is that I do NOT believe, based on what I read on these forums, that NJ Dis'ers are representative of what we experienced at the parks. quote: "sorry Jersey Dis'ers!"

But yes, there were a lot of NJ ppl there. Our resort lot was abundant with NJ tags. (that must be a long drive) We found these ppl to be pushy, loud, and obnoxious. (I have several specific examples) However, I would never paint everyone with the same brush because of our limited sampling at the WDW resort. Dimwitted rude people live everywhere, not just in NJ! We have quite a few around here, actually.

So don't take me so literally. It really was in jest.

 

[Chad&Janet]

LvsTnk, Exactly! you put my emotions in a nutshell. I had been looking forward to the trip for months and had built Disney up to be safer than it was.

DVC-Don,

thanks for that clarification. I mistakenly assumed that all resort lots were safer because when we reported the incident to security, they asked where we were staying. When I told them AKL, they recommended we keep our truck in that lot for the remainder of our stay since they have lost very little from that lot.

I guess that may be because it is so far off the beaten path compared to POR, and not necessarily due to an exemplary security staff.

If I was a thief, I suppose I would target Disney as well. Sadly, it just makes sense.

 

[DJBounce]

Sorry to hear about the break-in in your vehicle. We've driven down before on two different occasions and never had any problems fortunately. I can't imagine how I would feel if I were to be on vacation at the HAPPIEST place on earth and have my car broken into. We are thinking about driving again for our proposed Dec 2004 Holidays in Orlando trip, and if we do I will take your advice into consideration.
Did you happen to call your wife's cell number to see if the thief would answer?

 

[seashoreCM]

A lot of cars make it even easier to steal things. They have a lever at the driver's seat that opens the trunk. So after thieves break into the passenger compartment it takes only a few more seconds to get into the trunk.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[DebbieB]

I agree that we tend to look at WDW as a perfect little place but we have to be careful. I shake my head when people say they leave their laptops laying out in the room, nothing ever happened and suggest others do the same, not to worry. Maybe 99% of the laptops are OK that way but you don't want to be one of the 1%. Never hurts to be safe.

My guess is that there are groups that live in the area that case the lots and resorts.