Very Upsetting Theft At BCV

[Dean]

Again, I agree, but think that it is very unlikely to be the case. You can always play conspiracy theory, etc, but usually it is the simple answer (someone left a door unlocked) or someone misplaced it. Just years in law enforcement I have learned the professionals that can do it with no trace won't be caught and won't go after a small take. The idiots from you tube, are just that, we catch criminals because they are by and large morons....haha.

I find it interesting we haven't heard from the OP again. I wonder if these items were "found" if we would hear an update?

I doubt most of these thieves are ever caught though unless they are very inept or one just gets lucky. I'm not playing conspiracy theorist, only pointing out there are other possibilities besides the obvious. The 16 y/o must be a suspect as is another guest getting entry as you point out. I am reminded of a time when we were staying in a hotel a couple of nights while traveling. My wife took off her earrings and laid them in a specific place. There was not question where they were and the maid came in and cleaned the day in question then the earrings were gone. We looked everywhere and could not find them. We did question the hotel because there was no other explanation. We later found them in a piece of luggage. Ultimately what likely happened is the maid moved things and slid them off and they fell into the luggage and being small,ended up in the bottom at the very edges and under the liner where it would have been impossible to find until you emptied every single item out and then checked the edges, which I ultimately did.

 

[Dean]

I'm not personally suggesting anything other than it is a possibility, one that is as likely as any other in the situations presented. I'm sure the OP knows the teen and if they are not concerned then I don't think the questions we raise are going to change that opinion one way or another.

 

[thelionqueen]

I'm not personally suggesting anything other than it is a possibility, one that is as likely as any other in the situations presented. I'm sure the OP knows the teen and if they are not concerned then I don't think the questions we raise are going to change that opinion one way or another.

Well written...ITA!

 

[gkrykewy]

This thread has devolved into hypotheticals. Let's say that it turns out the kid is addicted to something. On vacation and needing cash for a hit -- it's just not out of the question. Unfortunately, a good many of us probably have second or third-hand experience with this sort of thing. Sentimentality is just not a factor in that circumstance. The fact that the thief appeared to know exactly where to look is a bit of a red flag.

 

[CarolAnnC]

When someone posts on the internet, they are opening themselves up to hear various opinions. Some are agreed with, some are not. But, arguments will not be tolerated here on the DIS.

There has been some editing, and we ask that everyone keep in mind that we are all entitled to our opinions. Thanks in advance everyonel...

 

[DVCBELLE]

I doubt the 16 year old took it...

if he did - where did he hide it? I am sure at this point they have checked EVERY inch of their luggage including his. What exactly would he have done with it? I am inclined to think the jewelry was misplaced and will somehow show up later. It seems to me that the luggage would have been ransacked to find the jewelry hidden in there and it doesn't seem like the room was noticeably disturbed.

 

[Entropy]

I do promotional videos for hotels. Somewhere along the line I was told that the card scanner doesn't record all entrances. There are master cards that don't get recorded. I don't know if this is the system that WDW uses though.

I've done a lot of work with electronic security systems. If there is a system like that, It's incredibly lousy and nearly worthless. The good security systems record everything in such a manner that its nearly impossible to delete the records.

 

[Entropy]

I really hate this happened to you, but sadly it is a statement of the times we live in.

There was a time this would not have happened at Disney and if it did, it would have been handled differently.
..

When would that have been?

 

[yxe dad]

To the OP, i haven't read all the posts(yet) but let me start by saying I'm sorry this happened and put a damper on your family's vacation.

I recently had a stay at the AKL Jambo House and had quite a different experience.

I always put valuable's in the safe and tend not to take anything on vacation that I couldn't lose. However I do tend to travel with cash as the credit card exchange rates can really add up.

On our 3rd day of 10 we left the safe wide open with our cell phones, laptop, passports, and $1800 in cash just sitting there tempting someone to take it. We realized we didn't lock the safe when we were on the tram at the DHS. I was putting the keys in the backpack and the safe key was missing! We raced back to the AKL to find that our room had already been cleaned. As soon as I opened the door and saw that the room had already been made, I instantly thought I had just lost all of my stuff.
I was thrilled to find that the safe had been closed, not locked and the closet doors had been closed. There was a note on the vanity that we had forgot to close the safe, and to call if anything was missing.

Housekeeping was magical for us that day, but now I double check that I closed the safe every time we leave!

 

[robinb]

I think it is a sign of the times at Disney, yes it has happened for years in other locations.

But for years this would not have occurred at Disney. Statistically WDW had very few issues with theft for many years.

I experienced two thefts at WDW since 1997.

Once was at BCV when we put stuff in the safe, but forgot to lock it when we left. When we came "home" our cash was missing as was a couple of left over 1-day passes. Lesson learned: check safe door.

The other was at OKW when we were moving to BWV on a split stay. When we arrived at BWV and I unpacked I realized that my jewelry box was missing. I had forgotten it back at OKW. I called RIGHT AWAY over to OKW to tell them the room number and the description of the box. Housekeeping didn't find a thing. I don't usually travel with expensive jewelry but we were planning to go to V&A's and my diamond earrings were in the box. I called a few more times to get an update and was sent to central lost and found where I filed a report. I even called after I came home, but nothing. About 3 months later I received a package in the mail from WDW! I opened it up and there was all my jewelry *except* my diamonds. Lesson learned: make sure you don't leave anything behind because you might not get all of it back.

 

[kim_d]

I hope everything works out for the OP’s family. However, I can’t help but look at it from the hotel’s perspective as well. No one aside from the family keyed into the room (assuming they are telling the truth-I am sure you can ask for the records), the safe was not used…all they have is the word of the guests stating that jewelry was missing from the room. Unfortunately, I am sure they have heard every possible tale about missing items and have come to the point where they have to “protect” themselves from the possibility of accepting responsibility for every guest’s theft claim (real or not).

 

[Princess_Melanie]

I am on a lunch break and don't have time to read all the posts (will do when I get home!) but wanted to express to the OP how sorry I am your sister and family lost their valuables.

Theft is never nice, regardless of what, where and how. Someone has gone through your possessions and it's not a nice feeling at all.

It hardly compares but on our last visit to AKL we also experienced "theft" - to me, theft is taking something that does not belong to you. If it is taken by mistake, it can be returned with an apology, when it does not return, to me it has been stolen. We were supposed to be in a DVC studio and were moved on the 1st night to a regular lodge room because the room was unclean (towels and toiletries used, rancid food and bugs on the counter). We prefered a DVC studio but had no choice - and with the lodge room came daily mousekeeping.

I always take my huge bath towel with me because I love it and it's big! It's blue and white with embroidered fish on it and so not a Disney hotel towel. Still didn't stop housekeeping taking it (either deliberately or by mistake). It happened on the last day of a bad week at AKL - nightmare stay, and was the final straw. Front desk were rude and unhelpful. Housekeeping didn't want to know.

In the end I ended up going down to the front desk and asking for the manager. I was unwell and supposed to be resting but whatever! He was disgusted with everything that had happened and worked hard to fix a lot of things. We're still in contact with him now - he was so nice.

Our rules for our valuables now are this - we use the safe for everything such as laptop, cards, keys for home, my jewellery and our money. Anything bigger like my perfumes, our pins or new expensive purchases (trainers etc) we lock in our suitcases. Our suitcases are hard and both combination and key or magnetic lock. We have a long bike lock and we lock all the handles together. Hope it works as a deterant - would be difficult to try and get all 4 suitcases out quietly locked together lol!!

 

[toniosmom]

I am not going to give an opinion about who I think may have done it. No one really knows at this point. I hope that the OP's sister finds her missing valuables in an obscure place one day.

I am just going to use this incident as affirmation of a practice I have continued whenever I travel. Leave all valuables HOME in the safe deposit box at your bank. I do not bring anything with me that would kill me if it was lost or stolen. All wallets, cash and identification are stored in the room locked safe. I take only a little cash and my room key with me to the parks. My camera is also always with me.

All the best to the OP's family...

 

[tjkraz]

On our 3rd day of 10 we left the safe wide open with our cell phones, laptop, passports, and $1800 in cash just sitting there tempting someone to take it. We realized we didn't lock the safe when we were on the tram at the DHS. I was putting the keys in the backpack and the safe key was missing! We raced back to the AKL to find that our room had already been cleaned. As soon as I opened the door and saw that the room had already been made, I instantly thought I had just lost all of my stuff.
I was thrilled to find that the safe had been closed, not locked and the closet doors had been closed. There was a note on the vanity that we had forgot to close the safe, and to call if anything was missing.

And I bet there are dozens (if not hundreds) of stories every day just like yours. I'm sure there are times when we are all careless with high-priced items like jewelry, computers and even wallets, cash and credit cards.

I can't compare Disney security to 20 or 30 years ago but they do seem to have a more visible presence than any other hotel chain that I have stayed in. I'm sure that WDW is as big a target as ever for thieves. The property has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple of decades and thieves certainly know the sorts of things vacationers travel with these days (computers, cell phones, GPS, portable video games....oh, and lots of cash!) Even those partially-used park tickets have resale value (eBay.)

And then there are the scam artists Disney has to deal with. Disney can't afford to make reparations with every guest who comes forward claiming that staff stole a computer or a couple thousand in cash from their room.

To the OP, I'm sorry to hear what happened. Again, I don't think Disney could have handled it much differently in this day and age. In lieu of any hard evidence, they aren't going to assume that a member of their staff was responsible, nor that they were otherwise negligent. Use of the in-room safes is our best defense against these sort of crimes.

I don't want to point any fingers but it does seem like SOMETHING is missing here. It just seems odd that a thief would be able to find a hidden container of valuables while not disturbing anything else in the room.

Hope things work out for the best.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

. . . All wallets, cash and identification are stored in the room locked safe. I take only a little cash and my room key with me to the parks....

Maybe I have been on too many backstage tours where ID was required, but I always take my ID with me to the parks. Of course, I also take a credit card for emergencies as well. I am usually a good rule following person and willing to show ID if requested and assume that, if asked for it, producing it will get me on my way faster than having to explain that it is in safe back at my hotel.

Of course, if I was a truly prepared person and travelled with 2 forms of ID -- passport and driver's license -- as many recommend, I would definitely leave the second one in the hotel safe. -- Suzanne

 

[toniosmom]

Maybe I have been on too many backstage tours where ID was required, but I always take my ID with me to the parks. Of course, I also take a credit card for emergencies as well.

Good point. I neglected to mention that I do carry our medical insurance cards with us. God forbid one of us had to be rushed to medical facility straight from a park, I wouldn't have to worry about not having that vital information.

 

[rkwier]

I am not so sure that I trust those card readers that track who enters the room. I was at the Yacht Club last year for training. I was traveling alone, so no one else should have been in there. One day during our first morning break, I decide to go to my room for a little while. When I get in there, the toilet seat was up and someone had peed in it without flushing. Housekeeping had obviously not been in the room yet. I went to the front desk and they did that same little check that showed no one entered the room when clearly somebody did. The manager on duty apologized profusely, but no one could ever tell me exactly how this had happened, but they did suggest that I had not closed the door properly. I thankfully did not have any theft, but I switched rooms because I didn't feel like I was safe. Actually I did not feel like I was safe until my DH arrived the following day.

I am so sorry for your sister and her family. It would have just made me sick to have such special things taken and then feel like no one even cared. We will be sending good thoughts her way.

 

[pickles]

Their own son stole the items in question, and was trying to "pin" it on Disney? Why, was the kid going to fence it to a CM? Let's say he did it - OK. He'd have to transport it home then, correct? Why not just steal it at home and then fence it quietly, a little bit at a time? Why didn't he steal it at the END of their trip, and then let them discover the missing items upon their return home? That way they could point fingers at the airlines or Disney. So many holes in that theory, though it is possible. Then again, it's also possible that mice made off with their valuables.

In my line of work you also consider all the possibilities, but you begin working with the most logical.

no one else entered the room, the kid was the only one there. the stuff ddint sound like it was overly messed up, so thief had an idea that something of value was hidden in the bag(randome thief walked in and knew that and got t easily without disturbing much?)

for all i know the kid is a junkie and plans to trade the jewels for a hit whether at disney or at home. or if the kid is anything like my daughter he took it spur of the moment without thinking it thru and is now too scared to say anything. My daughter is handicaped and just wouldnt understand all that was happening.
Maybe the son hates the parents, was mad about something and simply took them for revenge

there are a whole host of possibilities there

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

no one else entered the room, the kid was the only one there. the stuff ddint sound like it was overly messed up, so thief had an idea that something of value was hidden in the bag(randome thief walked in and knew that and got t easily without disturbing much?)

for all i know the kid is a junkie and plans to trade the jewels for a hit whether at disney or at home. or if the kid is anything like my daughter he took it spur of the moment without thinking it thru and is now too scared to say anything. My daughter is handicaped and just wouldnt understand all that was happening.
Maybe the son hates the parents, was mad about something and simply took them for revenge

there are a whole host of possibilities there

My first reaction was to step-up and defend someone who seemed to be singled-out as a suspect. However, I cannot do that any longer, and to be honest it's not my "job" to do so. Perhaps the OP will reply and comment on the speculation, since it's her family in question.

 

[d-r]

One trip a few years ago I thought that we had lost the little dvd case that had about 20 of our kids favorite dvds in it. It was just not in the room, we remembered having it in the car, but it wasn't in the car. I thought maybe it had fallen off the cart from the bellman or something, and we called lost and found and described it and everything. AFFTER WE GOT HOME I found it - somehow our two year old at the time had managed to get that case wedged in under the covering on the stroller. So for days while we were looking for it, we were carrying it around in the stroller, under the cover of it on the frame. When we found it I called lost and found and told them to stop looking, I was kind of embarrassed, because I was so sure it just wasn't in the the room or the car anywhere. I mean we had moved the furniture around (you don't want to look behind the sofas in bcv, and whoever it was that cut their fingernails and dumped them back there you are gross).