As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I am one of the guests who was scammed by a con artist at WDW. Thank you to everyone who offered me kind words and advice about my experience. I will now do my best to explain what happened. I also apologize in advance for the length of this post.
Between November 30 and December 10, 2007, I was a guest at the Polynesian Resort at WDW. On Wednesday, December 5, after a long day at the Magic Kingdom, I returned to my room in order to get ready for my dinner at the California Grill. The sun was shining, the sliding balcony door was open, and I could hear the distant echoes of the "Dream Along with Mickey" show. (Random side note which really doesn’t belong here: I absolutely adored hearing the Haunted Mansion wolf howl loop from my balcony every night.)
Then, the in-room phone rang. A man who claimed to be a Disney cast member informed me that I had been chosen to attend either the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review or the Polynesian Luau show at a deeply discounted rate as part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration. I don’t remember if he used my name; obviously, if he did not, I admit that warning lights should have been set ablaze in my room like fireworks in the sky. But because he contacted me in my room – the number of which I thought was confidential – I believed this man was in fact a real cast member, a belief which I still don’t consider to be misguided.
I accepted his offer, deciding on Hoop-Dee-Doo. He was friendly, professional, and most importantly, very detail-oriented and specific. He even “cancelled” a reservation at Narcoossee’s at my request. I paid for the tickets with my credit card and went to dinner. (Which was fabulous, by the way; I had the most incredible goat cheese hors d'oeuvres!)
The next day, I called Disney Dining to confirm my reservation for Hoop-Dee-Doo. The cast member searched and searched, but my reservation was nowhere to be found. In fact, my reservation at Narcoossee’s was still in tact. Instinctively, I knew I had been duped. Disney security was promptly dispatched to my room, and eventually, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. After filling out a police report, I then went to Guest Services and spoke with a very gracious and understanding manager. I conceded to him that while I might have been a bit too trusting, Disney also was accountable for the security breach. The conman had, after all, been able to contact me in my room. In an ironic twist, my Disney Visa was the credit card that been compromised; he purchased Universal Studios vacation packages valued at thousands of dollars, which he likely sold at discounted rates to other unsuspecting tourists.
Fast forward to March 2008. The Orange Country Sheriff’s Department called me just yesterday and reported to me that an arrest had been made. Apparently, the perpetrator stalked his victims; he most likely observed me entering my room or saw me outside on my third story balcony (I was located in Tokelau, just two doors down from the elevator). After matching my face with my room number, he was then able to make the offending call from a house phone on property. In light of this revelation, I find it very disturbing that a pathetic creep who has probably never had a girlfriend in his life watched me from afar.
Some conclusions:
- This experience revealed to me the ugly side of surprise giveaways such as the “Year of a Million Dreams.” Granted, crimes against tourists will always plague major vacation destinations. However, the door leading to victimization has been opened even wider now, and it has become easier for criminals to step through and take advantage of guests. It’s cruel and unfair. Disney’s good intentions are exploited, as are the guests’ perceptions of fantasy.
- For the sake of curiosity, does anyone know Disney’s official policy on connecting outside callers to guest rooms? The Polynesian Resort managers I spoke with provided me conflicting versions on that point.
- I would also like to comment that my vacation had actually been disastrous from the start: my departing flight out of California was delayed, forcing me to miss my connection in Washington DC; United lost my luggage in Orlando, leaving me without important belongings and medications for over 24 hours; and I came down with a potent flu after fainting outside of the Tower of Terror. So, please forgive me if I willingly fell for what I thought was legitimate Disney magic. My (very expensive) trip had turned into hell on earth, and I was desperate for good fortune.
- Disney did do their best to alleviate my bad fortune, however. A lovely gift basket was delivered to my room, as well as complimentary tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern. I was even escorted to City Hall on Main Street USA, where Chip, Dale, and Pluto were waiting for me in a private room backstage. I was so downtrodden and exhausted after all the bad events of my trip that I literally collapsed into poor Chip’s arms. I suppose it was because I finally had bona fide Disney standing before me. I was so grateful that I left flowers and a card at the Polynesian front desk on the morning I returned to California, thanking those cast members who had supported me. I also have one free night at the Polynesian Resort when I return to WDW.
You know, I’ve been thinking a great deal about why I allowed this to happen. Disney encourages us to abandon the world when we vacation with them. It is the very foundation of their promotional campaigns, and it is why we keep returning to the resorts year after year. After all, there must be some place where we can find something more powerful than “real life.” We are taught to make a wish and do as dreamers do; to believe, that there is magic in the stars; and to remember that dreams come true. So how can I be called stupid when “real life” forces its way into a place where fantasy reigns? When it forces its way into my room? No, I am not stupid. Naïve, maybe, but not stupid. Never stupid.
Thanks for reading this (overly dramatic) post. I look forward to discussing it with you should you have any questions or comments.
