Stolen FE\Pixie Dust Gifts

[Moonspinner]

I don’t buy the argument that theft isn’t as bad if people leave something out “in the open”. We all have amazon packages sitting out on our porches and mailboxes—doesn’t make it not theft if someone steals them. We all set our belonging down on a lounger in castaway cay to go for a swim, but if someone walked up and down the beach swiping sunglasses and beach toys off chairs that’s theft too.

It also doesn’t work to say disney has no interest in policing guest on guest misbehavior. Of course they do—they do it all the time. If a guest is smoking in a nonsmoking area or a family brings their kids into Serenity Bay or the adult pool, that does not cost Disney anything directly, but it impacts the guest experience negatively and costs them repeat business in the long run.

And yes bratty parents will whine and fuss if their kids are called out, and yes that creates awkwardness for Disney, but I see that play out every single cruise when spoiled parents argue with the staff when their babies in diapers are turned away from the family pools, or the staff has to remove shrieking popcorn throwing kids from the theaters, or kick a kid out of the kids club for bullying.

I also don’t think it is fair to call FEs junk/trinkets. True some are, but a lot of guests put a lot of time and money into thoughtful gifts. We once got a set official disney parks minnie ears (retail for $30+ each), embroidered high quality towels and beach bags, custom yeti brand mugs, jewelry and other nice quality items. I have been spending less on FE lately and doing homemade items, but that doesn’t make my gifts less valuable to me—I spent over 40 hours painting and sealing individual hand painted coasters for each guest in my group, and my FE group loved them and it meant a lot to me they were so happy. I was nervous they’d be taken so put them put early morning on the theory that teeens taking stuff were likely night owls sleeping in. We’ve gotten similar things like hand sewn or crafted items and I know it is a lot of work. There is also pin board theft that happens in addition to FE theft and pins are quite pricey—I don’t do that, but I feel bad for folks who had their entire boards cleaned out.

So yes I do think Disney should review camera footage and confront thieves (if they are minors, then their parents). Kicking off the ship seems extreme, but at least talk to the parents (I do think some would listen and be mortified and revoke their kids' free roaming privileges). They can search the culprit’s room and store stolen pins/items to the owners. They could charge the guest’s account for value of stolen items like they do for people who steal the blankets from rooms. In short, they could treat this like any other crime on the ship.

Yes, and if Disney doesn’t take it seriously, it will result in more problems on their ships. Broken window theory.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I have never participated in FE because it's just not our thing, but do enjoy seeing everyone's decorations and sympathize with those who have had items stolen. We chose not to decorate our door much on the last cruise because I had read too many stories of stolen magnets. I hope Disney can find a way to walk the line between doing nothing and having to dedicate costly resources to stopping this. I'd also hate to see it taken away completely.

In a case like what OP described, I think it would be appropriate to review video footage after complaints, talk to the parents and give a warning, then consequences if it happens again.

 

[nmoody1]

I feel like if you are leaving something in a hallway, there is always a chance someone could take itm I'm not saying it's right - but i wouldn't leave my cellphone or bag unattended around the pool areas. Just because I'm at Disney, I don't stop living as I would day to day in the real world.

Sadly there will always be people who ruin things for others.

Personally I'm of the thinking that FE and "excessive" Magnets (ie anything not on your door) should probably be banned. It makes the place look untidy and reading posts here it seems to create way more drama than it's worth!

Then again, I'm also of the opinion that kids should be banned too

Of course DCL should be policing poor behaviour. But seeing as for as long as i have cruised they have told people not to save seats in the theatre or around the pool deck (looking at those large loungers in the quiet cove) and they actually have cast stood there watching it happen, I have absolutely no hope that DCL security are going to intervene when a kid steals a recipe card, magnet or half melted candy bar.

 

[Mags2002]

I don’t buy the argument that theft isn’t as bad if people leave something out “in the open”. We all have amazon packages sitting out on our porches and mailboxes—doesn’t make it not theft if someone steals them. We all set our belonging down on a lounger in castaway cay to go for a swim, but if someone walked up and down the beach swiping sunglasses and beach toys off chairs that’s theft too.

It also doesn’t work to say disney has no interest in policing guest on guest misbehavior. Of course they do—they do it all the time. If a guest is smoking in a nonsmoking area or a family brings their kids into Serenity Bay or the adult pool, that does not cost Disney anything directly, but it impacts the guest experience negatively and costs them repeat business in the long run.

And yes bratty parents will whine and fuss if their kids are called out, and yes that creates awkwardness for Disney, but I see that play out every single cruise when spoiled parents argue with the staff when their babies in diapers are turned away from the family pools, or the staff has to remove shrieking popcorn throwing kids from the theaters, or kick a kid out of the kids club for bullying.

I also don’t think it is fair to call FEs junk/trinkets. True some are, but a lot of guests put a lot of time and money into thoughtful gifts. We once got a set official disney parks minnie ears (retail for $30+ each), embroidered high quality towels and beach bags, custom yeti brand mugs, jewelry and other nice quality items. I have been spending less on FE lately and doing homemade items, but that doesn’t make my gifts less valuable to me—I spent over 40 hours painting and sealing individual hand painted coasters for each guest in my group, and my FE group loved them and it meant a lot to me they were so happy. I was nervous they’d be taken so put them put early morning on the theory that teeens taking stuff were likely night owls sleeping in. We’ve gotten similar things like hand sewn or crafted items and I know it is a lot of work. There is also pin board theft that happens in addition to FE theft and pins are quite pricey—I don’t do that, but I feel bad for folks who had their entire boards cleaned out.

So yes I do think Disney should review camera footage and confront thieves (if they are minors, then their parents). Kicking off the ship seems extreme, but at least talk to the parents (I do think some would listen and be mortified and revoke their kids' free roaming privileges). They can search the culprit’s room and store stolen pins/items to the owners. They could charge the guest’s account for value of stolen items like they do for people who steal the blankets from rooms. In short, they could treat this like any other crime on the ship.

They would never search rooms for things from FE, and certainly wouldn’t charge their account for them. How could they even put a value on what was taken? FE could be anything from candy to trinkets to home made gifts. This also gets into the realm of people exaggerating what was taken/it’s value to get a bigger compensation. It is not endorsed by the company and therefore people participate at their own risk. If it gets out of hand, they’re much more likely to put a stop to it than have crew monitoring it

 

[cvjw]

They would never search rooms for things from FE, and certainly wouldn’t charge their account for them. How could they even put a value on what was taken? FE could be anything from candy to trinkets to home made gifts. This also gets into the realm of people exaggerating what was taken/it’s value to get a bigger compensation. It is not endorsed by the company and therefore people participate at their own risk. If it gets out of hand, they’re much more likely to put a stop to it than have crew monitoring it

I will say that DCL lost my fan one cruise - it was removed at the terminal to be checked and then never made it to my stateroom. I told them it still had the sticker from the last cruise saying it had been ok’d by maintenance with my last stateroom number on the sticker. They had the room attendant for that old cabin number to quietly check the cabin to see if it had been delivered there by mistake. So they can do quiet checks of cabins. They never did find my fan.

 

[Mags2002]

I will say that DCL lost my fan one cruise - it was removed at the terminal to be checked and then never made it to my stateroom. I told them it still had the sticker from the last cruise saying it had been ok’d by maintenance with my last stateroom number on the sticker. They had the room attendant for that old cabin number to quietly check the cabin to see if it had been delivered there by mistake. So they can do quiet checks of cabins. They never did find my fan.

This is slightly different to searching for stolen FE stuff, as well as it being their fault and wanting to try to rectify the situation

 

[cvjw]

This is slightly different to searching for stolen FE stuff, as well as it being their fault and wanting to try to rectify the situation

Agreed. But they can do it if they want.

 

[lanejudy]

They had the room attendant for that old cabin number to quietly check the cabin to see if it had been delivered there by mistake.

Unless you were present, you don’t actually know how they checked the other room. My bet is they asked the other party, or all that was “checked” was anything out in the open. I personally would not be happy if they secretly opened closets, drawers, under beds, in suitcases, etc. without my knowledge even if the missing item was DCL’s mistake. (If a wrong item was delivered to my stateroom I would give it to the stateroom host and l’d like to think other guests would as well.)

 

[cvjw]

Unless you were present, you don’t actually know how they checked the other room. My bet is they asked the other party, or all that was “checked” was anything out in the open. I personally would not be happy if they secretly opened closets, drawers, under beds, in suitcases, etc. without my knowledge even if the missing item was DCL’s mistake. (If a wrong item was delivered to my stateroom I would give it to the stateroom host and l’d like to think other guests would as well.)

Just telling you what the officer over housekeeping told me. No, I wasn’t physically there for the search.

 

[Joanna71985]

I honestly think DCL is going to eventually end the whole thing

 

[karen4546]

For FE exchanges, just do a quick meet up somewhere and exchange gifts. Easy peasy.

You could have one person be the lead and usually there are less than 20 participants in the group. I know on the ones that I have done, there were 10 in each of my groups.

It takes quite a while going to each floor delivering gifts. I would usually pixie dust to others who had fish extenders out but not in my group.

 

[IMMkXLVI]

What is "FE"? I'd Google it but I'm afraid of what I'd get back. Probably it phonetically is close to some new term the mini-millennials are using like suss, because the word suspicious is just so hard to pronounce.

I ordered some merchandise to be in the room prior to arrival, like the DCL Adventure Bundle and Magic Meets the Sea.
These will be in the room or in the hall where they can be stolen?

 

[NAB]

What is "FE"? I'd Google it but I'm afraid of what I'd get back. Probably it phonetically is close to some new term the mini-millennials are using like suss, because the word suspicious is just so hard to pronounce.

I ordered some merchandise to be in the room prior to arrival, like the DCL Adventure Bundle and Magic Meets the Sea.
These will be in the room or in the hall where they can be stolen?

You stuff is safe it is delivered to your room and set up if needed.

FE is Fishender….it is a group you can join for your cruise. They hang a pocket thing on the fish that is on the out side of your door. The group of people make small gifts and leave them in the pockets. Just search Fish Ender here and you will see what it is.

 

[JPTexan82]

This whole FE and Pixie Crappy stuff needs to stop. It’s nothing but Junk. Please don’t leaver your stuff on my door. I don’t need stickers, glitter lip balm, balloons, pencils, or anything else you can get in a bank drive thru.

I will continue to complain on my DCL survey about this and door magnets {one is ok) until I die.

 

[lanejudy]

FE is Fishender

Fish Extender

 

[dreamer17555]

This whole FE and Pixie Crappy stuff needs to stop. It’s nothing but Junk. Please don’t leaver your stuff on my door. I don’t need stickers, glitter lip balm, balloons, pencils, or anything else you can get in a bank drive thru.

I will continue to complain on my DCL survey about this and door magnets {one is ok) until I die.

Since DCL now sells stateroom door magnet sets in its gift shops I think it is safe to assume door magnets are not going anywhere. On our Sept cruise they were actually selling two different sets. DCL will not get rid of anything they can make money from.

FE gifts however are almost all bought before sailing and rarely direct from Disney so they won't lose anything by stopping them beside the headache of dealing with thefts (I doubt anyone cruises only due to FE participation).

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I don’t know if leaving something purposefully in a public area for the entirety of your cruise and then getting upset someone took it is worth the pearl-clutching here. I get the “this is why we can’t have nice things” sentiment but it’s akin to being upset at the teens at Halloween who dump entire bowls of candy into their sacks. It’s not nice, but it’s not criminal activity.

 

[Alicatt]

I have 2 free roaming teens and if I ever got a call from security, they would have to apologize in person and return everything in addition to having their having their roaming privileges away. I would want to know. Thinking it's ok to steal anything not okay. I don't care if it's magnet, a FE gift, an Amazon package, sunglasses. It doesn't matter. Once you start to think it's fun to do, it can lead to more. Plus, it shows a total lack of empathy. You are stealing from small children, what else are you doing? It takes away from the feeling of joy on the ship. One of the reason I spend more for Disney is the pixie dust.

 

[Cfabar1]

Given the exorbitant and seemingly rapidly rising prices of DCL cruises (and travel/cruising in general), it is a shame that people think it is appropriate and acceptable to steal useless junk and commemorative magnets on doors and in the FE pocket.

I doubt they will find an easy way to enforce it - I think saying the program isn't official or saying anything posted outside your room is at your own risk/public is far more likely.

But seriously, how sad that families paying $9k for a 7 night cruise are having children steal $2 trinkets and junk....

 

[kevtlas]

I have 2 free roaming teens and if I ever got a call from security, they would have to apologize in person and return everything in addition to having their having their roaming privileges away. I would want to know. Thinking it's ok to steal anything not okay. I don't care if it's magnet, a FE gift, an Amazon package, sunglasses. It doesn't matter. Once you start to think it's fun to do, it can lead to more. Plus, it shows a total lack of empathy. You are stealing from small children, what else are you doing? It takes away from the feeling of joy on the ship. One of the reason I spend more for Disney is the pixie dust.

Exactly my thought. Regardless of what is taken, stealing is stealing and there would definitely be consequences for my kids if they were caught taking something that did not belong to them. Just because it is left unattended in a “public area” doesn’t mean it is free for the taking, especially since they know it is not theirs.