Roger Colton returns with a cautionary tale about how important it is to always keep your wits about you. Even when you're hanging with Mom at the "Happiest Place on Earth."

Note this column first appeared on Jim Hill Media on December 13th, 2002.

Ever heard this phrase? "Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom."

Sadly, it came to mind on a recent afternoon at Disneyland.

I had the pleasure of enjoying a rare visit to the Park with my mother. No other family members or friends. After a long drive down from the San Francisco Bay Area, we had enjoyed an overnight stay at the Grand Californian, and a wonderful lunch at Club 33. With no grandchildren or other entanglements, we were traveling light. My mother carried a small purse and a camera, and I was toting some of the day's purchases. All in all, things could not have been better...

A group portrait on the balcony at Club 33 one fine August afternoon.
Front -- left to right: Roger's wife, Michele; Mother, Laurie. Rear: Roger's nephew A.J. and Roger.

My mother has recently had surgery to one of her knees. So, there are times when she needs to sit down and relax for a few minutes. One such moment led us to a bench in front of then Plaza Pavilion (no longer a buffeteria style restaurant, but now used for Annual Pass processing). We enjoyed people watching for ten minutes or so, before we noticed Alice, the Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dum, Tweedle Dee and the Queen all headed for the Coca-Cola Corner for a game of Musical Chairs (with the assistance of the Ragtime Piano Player -- who was not Rod Miller). So we got up and walked over to a table in the shade to watch.

All of these characters were marvelous, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Tweedle Dee had quite the run-in with one of the trash cans in the area that led to a great deal of laughter from the guests in the area. The Queen had one young admirer who wanted nothing more than to hold her hand, which she allowed in royal fashion.

Alice and the Mad Hatter recruited a number of young guests to join them in their game. They passed through the crowded area, occasionally bumping into tables and chairs.

The game began, and Alice marched everyone in a circle around eight chairs set up next to the upright piano. We all watched the fun these children were having with the characters from Alice in Wonderland.

Michele sits surrounded by this musical group, aware of her surroundings.

Less than two minutes after the game began, my mother went to get something from her purse and could not find it. We searched the ground under the tables and the chairs and did not see it. We asked cast members in the immediate area if someone had turned in a lost purse. No one had, but we were directed to Lost and Found, just in case someone had.

We checked with the cast members in several locations in the area. The trio at the attraction status board all were very much concerned and called to see if someone had just found it. Again, no one had. We checked the Tiki Room, and asked several custodial and vending cast members, all with the same result.

Recently, Lost and Found has consolidated in a new location located next to the Guest Relations window in the East Esplanade. It stays open for guests until one hour after the last theme park closes. However, this would not have done us much good. Many of the cast members we spoke to advised us that all of the Lost and Found items are not turned in until midnight. Odds were if someone had found the purse, we would be waiting until then.

If you remember, Lost and Found in Disneyland was previously located with the lockers on Main Street. All you find there now is a sign (indicating the new location) and an empty counter.

So ... at this point, it looked like a truly magical day was ruined. Anyone who has ever lost a wallet or purse knows the anxiety of such an event. Being in the Happiest Place on Earth and having it happen made it seem all the worse.

We decided to check one last place -- City Hall -- on the slim chance that a guest had found it and turned it in there.

Luckily, that was exactly just what had happened. The cast member who brought the purse out to my mother said that a guest had found it at Carnation Ice Cream on Main Street. We were both greatly relieved.

This entire event seemed like it had lasted several hours. In fact, it had taken all of 30 minutes. While my mother collected herself, she checked the contents of her purse. All of the credit cards, driver's license and other items were there. However, there was a small amount of cash, seven one dollar bills and two twenty dollar bills that had been taken. The twenties had previously been carefully placed behind other cards and were not out in the open. It became obvious that someone had gone through the purse purposely. The loss was small. It was the shattered sense of security that was the biggest casualty.

We'll never be sure of what happened. From what we remember, the purse had been set on the table in front of us. We may have been distracted momentarily by the game and characters, perhaps just long enough for someone to snatch up the purse. It may have been knocked off the table by accident and then scooped up by someone looking for just such an opportunity.

So what's the moral of this story? Perhaps a few good points to remember...

First, don't panic! Look for a cast member to assist you. Every one we talked to was concerned and offered assistance. No matter what the situation, they know what to do or who to call. Remember they are there to assist you -- don't be afraid to ask anything.

Second, be aware of your surroundings. Whoever picked up the purse was obviously looking for just such an opportunity to take advantage of. While Disneyland Security is more visible than it may have appeared after the events of last year, there will always be that person who is on the look out. Try not to create situations in which you could be taken advantage of. For example, after making a purchase, be sure to put your change or credit card away as soon as possible.

Waiting in a crowd while distracted (such as waiting to board the Columbia or in line for Pirates), there may be times when keeping an eye open might be a good idea.

If you see someone doing anything you don't feel comfortable with or think is inappropriate, do not hesitate to let a cast member know. (I am not advocating spending your day watching for trouble, but you might help keep the Disneyland experience the as special as it is.)

Third, be prepared. It is a good idea to photocopy those documents and cards. If something does happen like losing a wallet or purse, you will have this information to refer to. From that you will be able to contact your bank or credit card companies and let them know.

Another good idea would be not to keep all of your resources together. Perhaps you might want to keep some of your ready cash or travelers checks some where safe? In your car or a locker? Many of the area hotels now offer in-room safes you can take advantage of or they have a safe deposit box you can use.

One of the things Walt Disney wanted most for his guests inside Disneyland was to feel safe and secure, away from the outside world. Hopefully, your day at the Park will be just that. A small dose of reality won't hurt, but it might help in rare situations.