We were robbed at Epcot!

[musical2]

This is just a warning to others that personal strollers and their contents may not be safe at Epcot.

We were in Epcot on July 22. We parked our stroller with the souvenirs the kids bought at Epcot, and our backpack with odds and ends in it (nothing really valuable) at the Mexican pavilion. They don't want you to take your stroller in the pavilion. We went into Mexico to have dinner. When we returned, the stroller was missing. We found it up in the path that goes up between the trees where the handicap entrance is. The backpack and the kids souvenirs were missing, but they took the time to take the kids Kidcot masks out of the souvenir bag an placed them back in the stroller.

We were a bit upset and the kids were even more upset. We sought out the nearest CM (Lorena) and she contacted security for us. Lorena was great. She kept the kids entertained while we went over what was missing with security. A guest relations person (Jodee) came with security and went out of her way to make sure that the kids' souvenirs were replaced and even gave us new Mickey ponchos to replace the ones lost in the backpack.

They also gave us a reserved space in Italy for the evening Reflections of Earth show.

Disney went out of their way to make sure that we had a good evening and that the kids were happy. Security also told us that we should go by guest relations at park closing to put in a formal report at the end of the day. We did just that and also put in a good word for the CM from Mexico (Lorena) and security. Also, they found our backpack abandoned all the way around in Germany. It still had all its contents in it, but was evidently rifled through (things out of place). Like I said earlier, there really wasn't anything valuable in there (we always kept our camera bag and money on us at all times). But the kids souvenirs were never found, but that is OK, the kids were happy with the new ones that Disney provided.

The bottom line is that Disney went out of its way to work its magic for us even in the face of adversity. I hope that somewhere, there are kids playing with our kids original souvenirs happily, but the parents should be ashamed of themselves.

Bart

 

[Micca]

That is a shame that you were ripped off at WDW. Sounds like the CMs were great in getting you taken care of

 

[meandtheguys2]

Wow! You are lucky that they helped you! When our Pal Mickey was stolen, they actually had the nerve to say, that I was lucky I could replace it at the original price! they were going up in a couple of weeks! I am really glad your kids came out all right, though, and that you got your stroller back!

 

[LJP]

What a horrible thing to happen but delighted that WDW came through and made it a happy ending.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm glad you were able to salvage the experience, but I have to comment that this is an excellent illustration of why it is wise to take advantage of Disney's "hold at the gate" service when you shop, or if you are staying onsite, have your packages sent back to your resort.

When I first opened this thread, I thought I was going to read a pickpocket story; it isn't all that uncommon for pickpockets to strike during Illuminations and during the rush to the front gates afterward. WDW is just like any other crowded public place; unscrupulous people WILL take the opportunity to take advantage of tourists who are not being watchful.

 

[phillybeth]

I'm glad Disney helped to make things right for you.

But why would anyone think that anything would be safe in a stroller in a public area, even if it is Disney? Guess what, there are thieves in the parks, they don't check your police record at the gate. Probably murderers and child molesters too. Disney is no insulation from the nasty people of the world.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I don't know obout the OP, but with us, I was on a ride with DH and 2 sons, and my mom had DS4 with her. As we were unloading from PW, DS4 had to use RR. My mom didn't even think to take stroller which had PM in it. 2 minutes later, he was gone.

A simple mistake by a 72 year old woman. Not exactly stupidity or gullibility! Geesh!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Sometimes poeple make mistakes...usually the outcome isn't bad, but it sure can be. I was at WDW in February with my 4yo and my sister. My sister and I were going to babyswap the spinning ride at AK, whatever it's called. She went ahead and got in line and then I asked the CM about the baby swap. He told me to go up the exit and wait for her in the marked area. I guess I was expecting for him to give me a fastpass type ticket and when he told me where to go I went there. As I was waiting, right before she was done, I realized that I hadn't grabbed her sling bag that was hanging on the stroller. It had all her belongings, wallet, etc. When she got off I told her and it was still on the stroller, intact. You could say that I was careless, but it was an honest mistake and we were usually good at bringing our valuables with us. Those things happen!

T&B

 

[CuteKatCar]

Sadly, our stroller days are over. But we never, ever left purchases or our backpack in the stroller. It's a pain to drag on rides, but even though it was WDW, I knew they might not have been there when we returned. Take your personal belongings with you!

Cutekatcar

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

I'm glad the CMs made everything as good as they could considering the situation and that nothing worse was stolen! Hey! We all get through life doing the best that we can and sometimes our choices may not seem the greatest to other people. WDW is not totally immune to the worst of humanity, unfortunately.

 

[mwstar]

When we were there July 8th, Someone leaving Epcot as we were coming in had the same thing happen. It is sad but true, you are not safe anywhere.

 

[danny1649]

Bad experience and happy Disney tried hard to make it right for you.

 

[canwegosoon]

Sorry to hear this happened to your family...but glad at the following experience with WDW...sounds like they did a great job for the kids Mistakes happen...but if it was truly a mistake all someone has to do is say to any CM "I picked this up by mistake"...too many professional theives out there, and not just at WDW. I have a hard time leaving almost anything anywhere. You should see me at the pool trying to watch my towel/coverup that has my keys/ and couple of bucks for the snack shack for my kids.... But we all do our best...and keep doing the right thing

 

[MrsToad]

This brings back memories of a bad experience in MK this past May. Please don't think I'm stupid or awful. There was a man sitting on a bench alone. Just next to him were two teenage girls sitting on a stone wall. After a while we realized the man had left so we walked over to sit on the bench. As we got closer, we realized there was still a backpack on the bench so we kept standing and the girls gave us a strange look (I figured they thought we were going to take his spot). After another 10 minutes or so, tired feet got the better of us and we sat down. After another 10 minutes we started wondering if we should turn the backpack into a CM but then the girls got up and said it belonged to their father and they would take it to him. You guessed it - another 10 minutes goes by and the man comes by looking for the backpack he had forgotten; he was not traveling with these girls but remembered them sitting there. While he ran off in the direction we told him they went, we contacted a nearby CM to tell what happened. His response? "That doesn't happen here!" I felt awful for the man who lost his pack and felt like these girls made me an accomplice. Never again...I will turn in anything else found to a CM even if someone claims they know to whom it belongs...they'll have to prove it to the CM.

 

[Blueberry]

These stories are all sad, too bad it happens to anyone on vacation anywhere, but Disney is no exception. Often thieves prey on tourists and Orlando is a tourist mecca, the parks are not any safer than any other public place. Hang onto your kids and your valuables, do not let the magic of Disney sweep over you and let your guard down..better safe than sorry.

We had a pickpocket once try and rob my DH, a girl asked him the time and he looked at his watch. While he was speaking with her, her buddy opened his waist pack (which he had turned to his side} Here is the funny thing, he had a bad cold and all he had in there were tissues and throat lozenges..nothing was missing but his pack was wide open when we looked, they are good at what they do..so be wary...

 

[PattnFmly]

Sorry that had to happen to you! Sometimes I feel like a fanatic when I obsess over "where is everything", "keep it in the backpack and zippered" kind of stuff. I wear my belly bag in the front, and wear my tshirt over it (I never tuck any shirts in anyways). When I look at the pictures I'm always struck by the fact that I look pregnant with the pack under my shirt, but who cares? Nothing can get stolen that way!

 

[dawgsgirl]

We had a bag stolen last year at BB. Nothing in it but towels from our Ft Wilderness Cabin, sunscreen, and a really old pair of child's sunglasses. We reported it when we left the park and BB called that night and reported they had found it. We waited a couple of days to go back and get it. They had already mailed it home! The whole experience was a bummer, but it taught us a valuable lesson. NEVER leave ANYTHING out for the low lifes.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
...this is an excellent illustration of why it is wise to take advantage of Disney's "hold at the gate" service when you shop, or if you are staying onsite, have your packages sent back to your resort... When I first opened this thread, I thought I was going to read a pickpocket story; it isn't all that uncommon for pickpockets to strike during Illuminations and during the rush to the front gates afterward.

I'm not familar with the "hold at the gate" service. Can you have your purchases sent to the International Gateway gate at Epcot to pick them up?

I also was expecting something more like a pickpocket. Technically a robbery is when something is stolen when the victim is present. I must admit that I became a little nervous during Illuminations when they turned off all the lights.

 

[LoriMistress]

Never leave your personal belongings in your stroller unattended. There is a reason why there are signs that tell you that and people on this board tell you to not leave peronal belongings in your stroller.

 

[Selket]

We've always left stuff in the stroller like diapers, wipes, sunscreen and so forth and a small cooler with some water in it. Nothing was valuable and all was easily replaced. I wouldn't leave anything bought from one of the stores, etc.

Next time we go we are going to have more to cart around because my 2 yr old has diabetes. I'll either carry his insulin in my pack that stays with me or keep it in the 1st aid station. His diabetic supplies are more valuable than anything else I have with me so I can't risk it!