In the carefully choreographed world of Walt Disney World, Deluxe Resorts promise more than a bed—they promise perfection.
For the cost of a weekend at Disney’s Grand Floridian (which is currently undergoing some disruptive lobby construction) or Animal Kingdom Villas, guests often expect top-tier service, seamless convenience, and a little pixie dust to smooth over any hiccups.
But one guest’s recent stay proved that even in the most luxurious corners of Disney’s empire, things can still go wrong.
Deluxe Resorts sit at the top of Disney World’s resort hierarchy, offering immersive theming, larger rooms, table-service dining, and perks like extended evening hours. These premium properties—including Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the Riviera Resort—frequently host guests who pay thousands for just a few nights of escapism.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, guests can overlook live giraffes and zebras from their balconies. But no view could distract one traveler from the growing headache of a missing suitcase.
A Missing Bag Hits Disney Vacation
According to the guest, who shared their story on Reddit, the trouble began on June 1. After arriving from Orlando Sanford International Airport with a larger group, they dropped their bags off with bell services and headed to the pool while waiting for their room to be ready.
An hour later, they returned to retrieve a swimsuit and handed the bag back to bell services. They came back once more around 2 p.m. to add additional bags to their tag. But when they finally arrived at their room, one crucial piece of luggage was gone.
“I waited for them to check the back and check with other bell service clerks,” the guest wrote on Reddit. “No one could find the bag.”
Hotel staff escalated the issue quickly. A manager reportedly advised the guest to file a security report and a police report. They also completed a standard lost and found report, but the bag was still missing as of their last update.
“So far, they have offered to get me what I need from the gift shop, but I will have to pay for it myself,” the guest added. “I was given free tickets to the parks for my whole family, but we have already paid for all of our days, so that doesn’t change much.”
Other Incidents at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
While Disney World Resort hotels generally have strong reputations for safety and guest recovery, this isn’t the first time reports have surfaced about missing items or security slip-ups—even at high-end resorts.
In early 2024, a guest at Pop Century Resort said that their belongings were removed from their room by mistake when the app checked them out early. While the luggage was returned, they claimed several items were never recovered.
Another recent guest reported that cash was stolen from their vehicle during a stay at an unnamed Disney resort. And back in January, a visitor staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge alleged that their $5,000 designer handbag was stolen from their room.
Disney has not publicly addressed this latest incident. For the guest, the souvenir may be less about what was lost and more about the memory of what went wrong.
