Crime Related, Orlando

This is't any special warning but while in one of the major theme parks I had my bag stolen, which contained my camera, money, gifts etc. It was probably my fault since I put it down on the floor while sitting on a bench and i should have been more carefull. Just to warn anyone though be carefull when in crowded or busy areas.

Keep your guard up. People on vacation tend not to worry about everyday dangers that they normally do while at home. I know I'm that way...I've caught myself letting my guard down while on vacation. Luckily, nothing bad has ever happened.

A while back, there were several series of armed home invasions here in central Florida. What's a home invasion? Go here to find out. Why is this a danger to a tourist? Most of the homes being invaded were those rented by European tourists here on vacation. The invaders knew which houses were rental properties and specifically targeted them. This type of attack was also perpetrated at well-lit and highly visible areas of some popular hotels and motels. What should you do to protect yourself? The options are many.
Here's a good article that explores the possibilities
Keep your guard up and think about safety and you shall have a great time here. Let your guard down and you may end up wishing you never came here.

As you can see Orlando is a very sparse city when it comes to size, scrapers of all shapes and sizes spread around the 'city'. Crime is high in some of the area, though i didn't really witness anything.

Inside Disney World, I think it's probably as safe as can be! I would have no qualms about walking around at night, like around the hotel or wherever. Orlando, though, I would take precautions... just be careful there.

Stay on guard while touring the city. Do not be taken in by the Disneyesque cleanliness of the city. Lock your car and do not leave valuables lying on the car seat or floorboards--put them in the trunk. Use heightened security measures when West of Orange Avenue as this is a known drug area--this is CLOSE to downtown venues including Lake Eola Park--just be alert to your surroundings and to who is around you.

Do be aware of pick pockets and thieves, tourists are targeted. The hire car companies have now realised that it is not a good idea to display the hire car notice as this was causing problems for tourists being targeted by thieves. Also for us Brits driving on the otherside of the road can cause problems as we found out when we pulled out of a car park and found the cars coming towards us on the same side as us blowing their horns - pretty nerve wracking also snakes can be a danger as the Coral snake does hide in the garden and fire ants are also a problem if you do get bitten by a fire ants do seek medical treatment straightaway as their bite can kill if left untreated. Also many of the lakes do contain alligators so if a lake is fenced off, the fence is there for a good reason so stay out unless you really really want to get close to an alligator and I am sure the alligator will appreciate tourist surprise for lunch.

Just take all the usual precautions that you would take anywhere in the world, take ALL your holiday cash in American Express US Dollar travellers cheques, have a little hard cash for when you arrive just for road tolls and immediate expenses, you don't need your passport when you cash cheques and for extra ID take a new style UK Driving Licence with Photo with you, Floridians are really warm and welcoming people treat them with respect and you'll have a great time, if an area looks ' run down' then you are probably best gettin out of it as quickly as possible, if someone bumps you don't stop, indicate for them to follow you and go to the nearest open garage or Police station don't stop in isolated places, think secure and you will be secure, don't carry all your credit cards about in one wallet spread them about, and only carry as much cash or travellers cheques as you think you'll need for the day...lock the others up in the room safe you will all have in your hotel room. ....most of all respect other people as you would have them treat you and you'll have an excellent time...