When visiting Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon in Disney World, you will have two options. Either rent a locker for the day (13$ for a small locker, 15$ for a large locker and you will receive 5$ back at the end of the day when you return your key) or leave all of your goods on a few beach loungers along with your towels. After just returning from Disney World two days ago, I have had my mind changed on this issue and will try to provide some insight.
When I travel to Disney, I visit the waterparks frequently - we spend the afternoon at the waterparks until they close and spend the rest of the day at the theme parks. It's a great way to have keep cool during the hottest part of the day. At 8$ for a locker, you will notice dozens of families using their chairs as a meeting place and thinking nothing of it. We too have always done this and never encountered a problem, until this week.
We were camped out at a popular spot in at Blizzard Beach, close to the wave pool and in the shade. Bringing only our drawstring backpacks, towels, clothes, sunscreen, flip flops and park passes, we had nothing of real value to a thief. After a day in the sun, we returned to a pair of empty loungers (and the large group who had been next to us was nowhere in sight). Notifying a park employee, we were more than surprised at the response we received. Expecting to hear 'That's what you get for leaving your stuff unattended and not renting a locker', Disney's excellent hospitality delivered. The custodian immediately put a call in on his radio to have the other custodians search all garbage cans and washrooms for any sign of our stuff. They took a security report, replaced our annual passes at no charge and canceled our chargeable hotel keys. Since we were left with nothing but the swimwear we were wearing, we were escorted to the gift shop to select new outfits to wear home.
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| If your clothes are stolen, you may have to wear a ridiculous outfit |
The gift shop selection was not quite what we would normally wear, but we weren't complaining.
While upset that our belongings were stolen, we realized how important it was that we left our cameras and cell phones back at the hotel room. On previous trips we brought our wallets, money, cameras and cell phones and left them where they could be stolen. This brings me to a few words of advice. Did I get a locker for the rest of the trip? You bet. Would I skip the locker in the future? Yes. If you are visiting the waterparks with a sizeable party that splits up and returns to your site frequently, you probably don't need a locker. In over 20 trips to the waterpark, we did not have our belongings stolen. Thieves are careful, they scope out guests and see who is not returning to their chairs. Two people are far more likely to be stolen from than a family of 6 in a populated area. Though we love bringing our Disney towels to the waterparks, they too are a target for theft. After the incident, we stopped bringing towels (you really don't need them, the Florida sun will have you dry by the time you leave the park!)
Another option that some guests use to prevent theft, while avoiding locker fees is a Vacation Vault. Several different brands make these and you will have the luxury of keeping your sunscreen, camera and room keys in an accessible spot, while knowing that theft is unlikely. Using a variation of a bike lock, you can secure your items in a sturdy case that will deter thieves.
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| A safe way to store your goods |
I will be back in Disney in three months and will be testing out a lockable trunk. When you visit Disney, weigh your options carefully. While 8$ a day for a locker may seem ridiculous, consider the value of your goods and which is worth more. Coming soon: I will compare and review Disney World's Port Orleans resorts, French Quarter and Riverside.
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