Has anyone else had trouble with Pickpockets at DLP?

anniejo

New Member
Original Poster
It breaks my heart to report this to you but after eight superb Disney holidays, both in Paris and the States in the last 10 years the ninth holiday was a nightmare!

My eldest daughter and I took a long weekend break (a birthday treat) to Disneyland Paris a month ago, staying at the resort as usual. On two of the four days we were in the parks we were targetted by pick pockets. Despite the security staff and ride attendants instantly and freely admitting to us that they were having problems with groups of travellers who had settled between the resort and Paris and the security team physically recognising and rounded up the gang that first targeted us (this was verified by police who detained the first offender as he was known to them too!) the Disney authorities will not acknowledge that they have any kind of problem. They would not let me speak to any manager after the 2nd incident nor a company representative despite my booking direct with Euro Disney (if you booked a holiday with Thomson or Virgin etc. you would automatically have a contact no. - not so with Euro Disney) and since putting my complaints in writing they are still in denial and haven't even bothered to apologise for the 2 wasted afternoons spent with security and police or the destroyed holiday break.

Please please be extra vigilant if you are visiting DLP and to be aware that unless you are travelling with Cresta, Paris Travel , Leger etc. there is no such thing as customer care!

Has anyone else suffered similar problems at DLP?

AJ

Disneyland Park, Ca - off-site October 1979
Camp Davy Crocket DLP - Oct 93
Caribbean Beach Resort - WDW May 95
WDW Oct 97 - off-site (not recommended to stay off-site)
Sequoia Lodge Nov 98 DLP
Disneyland Park, Ca - off-site May 2000
Hotel New York - DLP May 2001
Port Orleans Riverside, WDW Sept 2002
Sante Fe, DLP - Feb 2003 - Nightmare!!
 

markymark

Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear this :(

I have never had a problem like this is any Disney parks, and we have visited WDW 10 times and DLP 3 plus a few trips to Paris itself.

The last few trip I have booked via the web and direct with the hotels, and have great customer care from the idividuals involved ( I find a "package" is just too pricey!) admitedley, I haven't had your kind of trouble though.

I think the basic rule is to be vigilant, and of course careful with anything you carry, and where you keep it. I know there is only so much you can do, but I guess the harder you make it for them the better for you.

Once again sorry you have had a bad time.
 

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
:mad: These people are just vultures. Unfortunately, it would appear to be "the norm" across on the Continent. I recently returned from a weekend stag party in Brussels and there were signs in all the hotels and restaurants telling visitors to be aware of the location of their bags at all times.
 

anniejo

New Member
Original Poster
Disillusioned with DLP

Thanks Guys for the replies - it's nice to get some sympathy unfortunately there hasn't been any from Disney!

Please let anyone know who travelling to DLP to be on their guard.


Anniejo
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
it's due to pick pockets that the last time I was in Europe, I kept all my money in one of those passport holders you tuck under your shirt--they are a real pain, and it was annoying trying to get my money out, but I was never pick pocketed:) Oh, I also had combo locks on my backpack--also kinda a pain, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I think the sight of locks on my backpack discouraged the pick pockets, especially when I was next to women with purses dangling from their arms with bands that could easily be cut...it's sad that we have to worry about this at Disney parks, but, again...you gotta do what you gotta do.
 

Maria

New Member
Anniejo,
I´m sorry it happened to you, but I´m curious to know what the "system" was to pick pocket you. Were you in a line? What kind of bag did you have? How did you notice it? Right on the spot, or what?

Thanks for your reply and sorry about it!
 

cheshiredog

New Member
Im really sorry to hear that :(

Yeh i was targeted myself just yesterday at disneyland paris and my digital camera (it was pretty damn expensive too) got stolen. i was in the disney store and my camera was in my pocket, it had been in my bag all day though, id been so careful with it. even when it was in my pocket i had my hand on it just to make sure no one could take it. it was literally about 5 seconds that it was in my pocket and i didnt have my hand on it, when i was walking from the toy stand to the check out, that it must of been stolen. the shop was pretty much empty as well and its such a horrible feeling knowing that these pickpockets can take something so quickly (and it was quite a large camera too) without u even noticing. it was after id paid for the item (and no one was behind me in the que so it couldnt have been them) i noticed it wasnt in my pocket anymore. i searched all round the store, asked my friends for help to look for it but we never found it and it was obvious it had been stolen. the workers in the shop were no help either, i tried to explain to them what happened but i cant speak any french and they didnt understand me at all! it was my friend who had to help me out so we left my name and number. i know ill never get the camera back though. it just sickens me so much to think that someone could do that. :( its really shaken me aswell, even though im home now im still looking round my shoulder and thinking about it constantly. so yeah my advice for anyone going to disneyland is to keep your valuables on you at all times! and NOT in open pockets, even just for a few seconds because thats all these guys need to steal something.
 

RonAnnArbor

Well-Known Member
It's not just DLP that has this problem - it is ALL of Paris. It is the equivalent of plopping a Disney Resort 20 minutes outside of New York City - you would see the same types of problems. Disney can only do so much to protect people in a resort that is NOT isolated from the 2.5 million people that all live within a short public transportation ride of DLP. I go to DLP about twice a year on my visit to Paris from the states. I have never had a problem with pickpockets or stealing - but I also lived in NYC for 14 years and never had a problem. You need to always be aware of where you belongings are -- even at WDW -- and beware pickpockets. All the normal forms of protection should be used - men should carry wallets in their front pockets, not back pockets; women should carry their bags in front of them, not dangling from behind; and you should always leave your expensive belongings at home.

That being said, I am sorry to hear that these problems continue to ruin people's vacations in a setting that you would assume should otherwise be protected from those types of things.
 
Pickpockets are absolute scum. However people should be careful at all times everywhere not just DLP or any park!

I have travelled the world been to NYC numerous times, Florida many, LA, Egypt, Sri Lanka, the list is endless and the time my girlfriend was pickpocketed was on our own doorstep in London and at Xmas as well. She was devastated and it broke my heart to see her so sad so please keep stuff in side pockets close to you. Nothing valuble in overthe shoulder bags, back pockets or jacket pockets either.
 

stackridge

New Member
Sorry I have only just found this thread. The problem we had was not pickpockets but some thief sliced open my wife's bag while we were pin trading in the Disney Village. She lost her purse but luckily she did not have her passport, plane tickets, etc in there. We were about to return to our hotel to collect out luggage and fly home so could not stay too long with the security staff. However it was obvious they did not care a hoot.

This took place a couple of years ago but I have not seen an improvement in security since as the Disney Village is open to the public until very late and the RER station is not classed as Disney property - which is why the hawkers of cheap tat always stand on the boundary line all day long.
 

cmatt

Active Member
Shame that, the only bad experience ive had is of the old couple taking a polaroid randomly and demanding 20 euros for it.... i just carried on walking and they were hurling abuse....

When i was there security were searching EVERYONE on the way in and out of the village/parks but its a shame this has happend :(

Ive never had a problem myself - but then again i am 6ft 1 and built like a tank... my guess is just keep everyones things safe - get DECEANT travel insurance and also keep stuff like cameras round your neck or secured to your belt at all times!

Only problem i have had in the past is the bloody queue jumpers for rides like POTC and space mountain!
 

CoffeeJedi

Active Member
cmatt said:
the old couple taking a polaroid randomly and demanding 20 euros for it
LOL, that actually works? i mean, ok, even if you pose for it, who in their right mind is going to shell out 20 euros for a polaroid???
now... maybe if it was ONE euro, and it was a decent pic, i might be inclined to shrug my shoulders and buy it... but... 20? can they actually make money this way? i'm trying to picture the audacity of someone holding out their hand and demanding that much money for a snapshot, i'm sure most people just laugh in their face
 

minnie2000

Well-Known Member
Our mobile phone was stolen from our room in DLP in 2002. Staff were not interested, we went to the police, but nothing was done.
 

cmatt

Active Member
CoffeeJedi said:
LOL, that actually works? i mean, ok, even if you pose for it, who in their right mind is going to shell out 20 euros for a polaroid???
now... maybe if it was ONE euro, and it was a decent pic, i might be inclined to shrug my shoulders and buy it... but... 20? can they actually make money this way? i'm trying to picture the audacity of someone holding out their hand and demanding that much money for a snapshot, i'm sure most people just laugh in their face

no - they try it on - but i and mrs cmatt are fluent in french - so we normally tell them to p*ss off :dazzle:

it starts off at twenty then the go down to 5 euros at a stretch everytime ive gone they have just sorta jumped out on you :lookaroun i was there for 5 days last time and got nailed once a day :hammer: they are normally there in the morning to get the biggest catchment....
 

cmatt

Active Member
minnie2000 said:
Our mobile phone was stolen from our room in DLP in 2002. Staff were not interested, we went to the police, but nothing was done.

NOT suggesting that your stupid - but leaving stuff like that lying around in less then 4* accom in france is asking for trouble :lookaroun :cry:
 

Dr.Seeker

Member
The problem is that these occurances are all too common. Playing the Devil's advocate, firstly it would take ages to follow up each report, with very unlikely success. It's extremely hard to find such stolen items.

On the plus side for the Disney company, my sister lost a bag which she got for her birthday, which had her purse and a brand new polaroid camera. We were devastated and had to go home without it. Sort of ruined our trip, thinking how theives operated even in Disney.
Two weeks later an enormous parcel was mailed to us with plenty of stamps; it was the bag, purse and camera, with a note saying where it was found.
 

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