Any tips for keeping my stroller for getting stolen?

[Miss Mary Poppins]

I have been to DW 4 times and never had anything happen, but now 2 of my friends have had their strollers stolen in the past three weeks. One was parked at the lot by small world and the other was stolen while they ate at Crystal Palace. So now I am a little worried.

Can anyone share how or what they do to keep their personal strollers safe while parked in the parks. Thanks

[Technosavant]

There was a thread on this not that long ago. Possible solutions that were given ranged from putting a padlock on one of the wheels (so it can't be pushed easily- the "make somebody else's more attractive than yours" philosophy) to just using an el cheapo stroller (the "who cares?" philosophy).

You don't want to immobilize it completely (since CMs often need to move them around), but anything to make yours a bigger pain than the one next to it is a good idea.

[donaldndaisysds9]

I have been to DW 4 times and never had anything happen, but now 2 of my friends have had their strollers stolen in the past three weeks. One was parked at the lot by small world and the other was stolen while they ate at Crystal Palace. So now I am a little worried.

Can anyone share how or what they do to keep their personal strollers safe while parked in the parks. Thanks
try puting your first and last name some were visible on the stroller.

[Astro Orbiter]

Honestly, if someone wants it they'll take it.

I had an el-cheapo Walmart stroller, with my name written on it in sharpie right on the handle where you see if when you look at the handles. At the IASW stroller lot, someone 'upgraded' to ours from their rusty version while we were eating lunch.

Unfortunately/fortunately, that's not the end of the story. DH was obsessed. We scoped every stroller lot for the rest of the day. End of our day, DH spotted it outside the castle - because you could see the purple sharpie name from a distance. With a little girl inside it and her dad beside it. As DD and I were coming over, little girl's mom came out, saw the stroller, and knew it wasn't theirs. DH went over, a CM got involved, and the gist of it is that DH proved his last name matched the stroller, we walked away with ours, and unfortunately told them the story of the rustry stroller at the IASW lot. So we got our stroller back, some stranger got away with a guilt-free upgrade to their rusty $15 stroller, and some family was out theirs.

[brekin67]

2 years ago I left our stroller outside the restroom and told DH to watch it. It had our souveigners in it. When I came out of the restroom my DH, DS, and stroller were all gone. I waited and my DH came out of the restroom. I asked where the stroller was and he said he left it outside the door. I told him to go one way and I went the other. He immediately saw our name tag thrown on the grown by the trashcan. I ran ahead and saw a family with my stroller. I went up to them and told them they had taken my stroller and thrown my name off. They denied it, so I asked where there name tag was for the stroller and the man elbowed me and they started walking again. I got in front of them and said that those were my son's souveigners in the stroller. By then, my DH had made it to the stroller and told them they were not taking it. DH grabbed the stroller and I took my DS in my arms. The man with the family called me a B word. When we were heading to Fantasmic, the family was pushing a new stroller with no name tag on it, either. I looked at them, and shook my head. (I should not have done that.) He came running over to me and asked why I am looking at his family like that. He was completely in my face and my DH got between us and told him he was not talking to his wife like that and to back off. Quickly, security came over and we told them what had happened. The man became very violent and they excorted him and his family from the park. If I had not had souveigners in the stroller I would never had approached them in the first place, I would have got a replacement.

[Candikayne]

Honestly, if someone wants it they'll take it.

I had an el-cheapo Walmart stroller, with my name written on it in sharpie right on the handle where you see if when you look at the handles. At the IASW stroller lot, someone 'upgraded' to ours from their rusty version while we were eating lunch.

Unfortunately/fortunately, that's not the end of the story. DH was obsessed. We scoped every stroller lot for the rest of the day. End of our day, DH spotted it outside the castle - because you could see the purple sharpie name from a distance. With a little girl inside it and her dad beside it. As DD and I were coming over, little girl's mom came out, saw the stroller, and knew it wasn't theirs. DH went over, a CM got involved, and the gist of it is that DH proved his last name matched the stroller, we walked away with ours, and unfortunately told them the story of the rustry stroller at the IASW lot. So we got our stroller back, some stranger got away with a guilt-free upgrade to their rusty $15 stroller, and some family was out theirs.


All's well that ends well. Glad you got your stroller back! Good for you!

[disneymomofmyca]

Wow! I am so sorry that people do this at Walt Disney World! Especially that man that used intimidation and foul words to keep a stroller and souvinears that weren't even his. Terrible. I don't think there is much to do to prevent your stroller from being stolen. As another reply stated...if someone wants it they will take it. But, sometimes people think that they have had their stroller stolen when , in fact, it has been moved by a cast member. They are moving strollers constantly to maintain clear walk ways. Sometimes the strollers get moved a good distance so you have to search for them. So, when you get off a ride and your stroller is gone make sure you throughly check all the stroller parking areas near by. Also, tie a bright ribbon around the handle so it is easy to spot. That way if it is indeed moved you can spot it easily.

[suzimar57]

when DH and I were heading into Soarin' recently, we noticed all the strollers lined up outside the Land (most of them filled with personal items: sweatjackets, water bottles, bags, etc) - and wondered what would stop someone from stealing a stroller - most people are honest though...

[H_Bruemmer]

This may seem extreme, but here goes....
I have had the experience of having my stroller stolen. It sucks. I knew we were going to be making another trip to WDW with all five kids and purchased a special ultra light stroller. It was basically an umbrella type stroller that reclined, had a basket underneath, a big sunshade, and only weighed eight pounds. It wasn't cheap. I decided to take the top off of it (the shade/canopy part which hung down low in the back) and took it to a local embroidery shop. There for $8.00 she embroidered our last name accross the back in the "Disney" font. We've been twice since then, never had it stolen, plus we can always find it!

[suzimar57]

too bad there isn't LoJack for strollers....

[realfam]

Wow.... I can't believe these stories. We were just in Disney a few weeks ago and are heading down again in a few weeks. We have fairly expensive Perego stroller, and just left it in stroller parking with bags and other stuff in it with out thinking twice. I told my DW no worries this is Disney..
Well after reading a few of your horror stories, we will definately be locking it up this time with our cable lock that we use for skiing. I'll just put it through the wheels so it will not move. If they want it they will have to carry it.

Thanks for sharing your stories, and I hope no one gets there stroller stolen.

[iluvgrumpy4]

I read somewhere that someone had taken a clean diaper- disguised it as a dirty diaper- and tied it onto the stroller in a clear plastic bag. After reading some of these stories it doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

[Miss Mary Poppins]

I will make it harder to walk off with and go buy a lock I guess. Thanks for the replys.

[princess jackie]

I think I will take my daughters bike lock along when we go. We have never had a problem before but now reading all of these stories makes you think twice.

[niciggy]

I read somewhere that someone had taken a clean diaper- disguised it as a dirty diaper- and tied it onto the stroller in a clear plastic bag. After reading some of these stories it doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

I heard this one before and thought it was a great idea! They put a diaper in a clear bag, added some coke or root beer to it, and tied it on the stroller handle. THAT would certainly deter me.
We never had a problem with our strollers. However, we never left anything valuable in there. My youngest was 2 and even she had her own fanny pack with stuff crammed in there.

[luckytobeme88]

Back "when" DS was small enough for a stroller, we have always put all of so-call valuable in a backpack. Every time, we parked the stroller, we would take the backpack with us. I guess the readiness of strollers with valuables in plain sight is simply too tempting for many "bad" people. Just be more cautious with your belongings or use one of the lockers in the parks.

[Miss Mary Poppins]

So I bought a cable lock and came home to give it a test drive and the wheels are solid!!!! :headache: OMG What will the CM's do if we chain it to the railings? They won't be able to move it. But if we keep it out of the way it might be ok??

[Technosavant]

I don't know that I'd chain it to the railing. If you can run the cable through the wheels (drill a hole if need be) and you'll likely be fine. I'd probably run it through the back wheels- the stroller can be tipped forward and rolled, but nobody is going to want to push that thing through the park all day like that. It's like car theft- make yours less attractive (and by comparison, the others more so), and they'll move on.

[disneycruiser2007]

We used a really cheap ultra light stroller - it was an older version so no one had anything like ours, it was pretty distinctive. Sometimes we put some stuff in it, but not valuables, personal stuff that was identifiable - perhaps a large emboldened sign tied tightly would be helpful - we had it on the ECVs some of the days. With the stroller, the pattern was pretty distinctive, but we also had plastic bottles with partially used water with our names on it, or a part of a snack bag, or some other bags - it helped to identify ours. At one time, we got ours almost confused wtih one that was similar to ours, but we noticed the differences in the handles. That in 4 parks, and not one identical, so we were pretty happy. With the ECVs, we always kept the key so it couldn't be driven off.

[MyCathryn]

For our trip in Nov 2007, I also took my stroller back flap to get embroidered and I put our last name on it. Which is also a popular boys name. It worked out great. Never had a hard time spotting it. Never got taken. It was worth the money.

[ilandrazdsw]

We put 2 of the luggage tags on our stroller (1 visable, 1 under the seat in the storage basket) and used a zip-tie so they would have to be cut off. We also added personal touches like ribbons (with zip-ties). We had the lock but only used it 2 times when we knew it would be left for an extended time. When we didn't want to carry our backpack with us we locked that to the stroller and locked the zippers together.
I found that there were many CMs around the stroller parking areas...maybe it was just Christmas...not to say a stranger couldn't still walk off with it, but if they are struggling with taking the backpack out or wheeling it and don't have a key it is a little more than suspicious.

[mikehn]

Honestly, if someone wants it they'll take it.

I had an el-cheapo Walmart stroller, with my name written on it in sharpie right on the handle where you see if when you look at the handles. At the IASW stroller lot, someone 'upgraded' to ours from their rusty version while we were eating lunch.

Unfortunately/fortunately, that's not the end of the story. DH was obsessed. We scoped every stroller lot for the rest of the day. End of our day, DH spotted it outside the castle - because you could see the purple sharpie name from a distance. With a little girl inside it and her dad beside it. As DD and I were coming over, little girl's mom came out, saw the stroller, and knew it wasn't theirs. DH went over, a CM got involved, and the gist of it is that DH proved his last name matched the stroller, we walked away with ours, and unfortunately told them the story of the rustry stroller at the IASW lot. So we got our stroller back, some stranger got away with a guilt-free upgrade to their rusty $15 stroller, and some family was out theirs.

Busted!

[Twitterpated Dad]

I don't know that I'd chain it to the railing. If you can run the cable through the wheels (drill a hole if need be) and you'll likely be fine. I'd probably run it through the back wheels- the stroller can be tipped forward and rolled, but nobody is going to want to push that thing through the park all day like that. It's like car theft- make yours less attractive (and by comparison, the others more so), and they'll move on.

I've seen on another thread that the CMs would prefer that you disabled the front wheels.

[ilandrazdsw]

I've seen on another thread that the CMs would prefer that you disabled the front wheels.

Because it is easier to move them by tilting back...but this is the reason you want to do the back wheels because a stranger isn't going to want to roll a stroller on front wheels either.

[girlsmom]

I read somewhere that someone had taken a clean diaper- disguised it as a dirty diaper- and tied it onto the stroller in a clear plastic bag. After reading some of these stories it doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
this is EXACLTY what we did! had melted chocolate in the bag to resemble VERY messy diaper. it worked for BOTH our trip in 07 and 08...and will do it again sept 09!

[babylisa4]

take a diaper- soak it in coke and put in a clear plastic bag and leave on the visor part of the stroller:banana:

[atrain1024]

we've never even thought about it

[scraphappyjones]

OK now I think that I will go and buy a lock since we are buying a Maclaren for our trip and other travels that we are doing.

[set1208]

We have a phil and teds double stroler that has quick release rear wheels and my DH and i were talking about just popping one off and tossing it into our bag. I hate to think that we would even need to consider doing this but we have two little guys and I can't live without our stroller!

[mrsksomeday]

I have heard that if you lock the stroller to a railing or something fixed the cast members have the right to cut the lock off.

I would also think that if someone is of the mindset to steal your stroller, they would just through the bag with the "dirty diaper" away and keep walking with the newly acquired stroller.

[Tina G]

Disney is a huge place and you will find all types of people there. I'm actually surprised at how many people would leave an expensive stroller out of sight especially with personal belongings in it. Unfortunately there are too many people in our world today who don't have good moral values, including many moms and dads.

Somehow I doubt that a possible dirty diaper in a plastic bag would deter someone from stealing a stroller. I would think they would simply toss it in the trash. I think the lock is the best idea. As others have stated, get a longer bike-type lock and thread it through the front tires so the stroller is basically disabled. I would also put my name in several obvious and not so obvious places just in case.

[camtheriot]

I heard this one before and thought it was a great idea! They put a diaper in a clear bag, added some coke or root beer to it, and tied it on the stroller handle. THAT would certainly deter me.
We never had a problem with our strollers. However, we never left anything valuable in there. My youngest was 2 and even she had her own fanny pack with stuff crammed in there.

A nice melted chocolate bar would work great added to the diaper too!! Yuck :scared:

[syko]

We have a phil and teds double stroler that has quick release rear wheels and my DH and i were talking about just popping one off and tossing it into our bag. I hate to think that we would even need to consider doing this but we have two little guys and I can't live without our stroller!


We have a Bugaboo and we remove both back wheels. We have had CM's ask us why we do it, and as soon as we tell them what the stroller cost they understand. Just try to park in a place where it will not need to be moved bt the CM's.

[Narnia]

We bought a cheap stroller. The thing that got me is it was always moved! I could have got a special needs pass and took the stroller with me but since there was no wait at all for any rides/attractions I didn't bother.

[Tigger22]

We don't need a stroller - but my first thought was also to decorate it in something that wouldn't easily/quickly be removed. Brightly colored electrical tape wrapped around the handles and/or the name with tie wraps (can you tell DH is an electrician!). I've seen people's luggage at the airport decorated in a lot of ways like that so they can spot it easier and someone else won't go off with it (by accident or purposely). I can't see someone wanting to go through peeling off a bunch of electrical tape or even doing it without being noticed.

It also would help you find your stroller quicker!

[Bricket]

Bicycle locks!

[SassyNShae]

On my '06 trip we didnt buy any souveniers during the day, in fear of them getting stolen. On our way out of the parks we took our time shopping in the stores knowing that our souvies would be safe.

As far as our stroller goes, it is 5 years old now but its in perfect condition and cost me alot of money. I would be sooo upset if I came out of a ride and it was gone.:sad1:

Even though DH is a ::cop: , it never ceases to amaze me how people behave and the things that they will do without regard to the people they are hurting. It makes me very sad for the children that they are raising!

[princess jackie]

We just got back and didn't have a problem with our stroller. I used LGMH and tied them on with zip ties. I also made a sign and also zip tied it on in 4 corners with Buzz Lightyear on it saying "The Wiegands Stroller BUZZ OFF" I figured it would be a lot harder to rip off the name and LGMH with zip ties. Also for those who thought about using bike locks, I would ask a CM where you leave your stroller first. I saw a CM cut a lock off (It was a big stroller and all 4 wheels were locked together) to move it. It could have been that the stroller was just too big to pick up and move but the lock still got cut off.

[grumblegrumble]

have you considered carrying a taser?

[sarahbug79]

Princess Jackie what does this mean??? sorry I don't understand

I used LGMH and tied them on with zip ties

[3girls4me05]

I also did a sign with our last name, laminated it and put it one with zip ties. No problems with it at all. And it made it easy to spot.

[peytonsmomie]

Princess Jackie what does this mean??? sorry I don't understand

I used LGMH and tied them on with zip ties

And LGMH is a "Lime Green Mickey Head," they are paint samples obtained for free at Home Depot. They come in many colors, in accordance with the disney paint colors, but around here, folks use the lime green b/c it's the color of the DIS, and how you identify yourself as a DISer while you're at the parks. :)

[fireflymedic]

I think Disney could help in this suituation if they wanted too,

I usually dont like "stings" when the cops do it but I think Disney needs to dedicate some security to this have someone undercover and a stroller that is begging to be stolen sitting somewere and any body takes it kick thim out of the parks for live.

[loveysbydesign]

We've been there twice and never had any problesm but next time we go we will be doing something to personalize it and lock it i guess!

[honeybee8200]

Zip ties, ribbons and colored electrial tape. Where does one find the colored electrical tape? GREAT idea. Also the embroidering too.

I already made a LGMH keychain with my screen name on it to attach to the stroller. I have a matching one for my bag as well. Luckily we have an unique last name so it would be pretty hard for someone to say it was their's if we got in embrodiered.

[Twitterpated Dad]

Where does one find the colored electrical tape?

Home Depot has it. You will usually find it in a package of 5 rolls, each a different color.

[MyKidsMom1820]

I am taking my el cheapo stroller or renting one....if someone wants to steal my little 15 dollar stroller they must need it WAYYYYYYY more than I do! although I do think the POOP BAG trick is kinda funny and my husband would love to do that for the sake of watching others reactions!

[candielips]

We have a Bugaboo and we remove both back wheels. We have had CM's ask us why we do it, and as soon as we tell them what the stroller cost they understand. Just try to park in a place where it will not need to be moved bt the CM's.

Which model do you have? We have the Bugaboo Bee and are so stressed about taking it to WDW. I'm wondering how to get the back wheels off so easily, I have never even tried it. If it doesn't work I think I'll try the lock through the front & back wheel. I understand that it will make it more difficult for the CM's to move it, but it is too expensive for someone to steal.
And I know people say to just get a cheap one, but we like our Bee, it fully reclines, has a basket, we have the UV shade, it's an awesome stroller and we don't want to take a different one.

Let's cross our fingers that no one tries to take it.

[honeybee8200]

I'll have to look at Home Depot, thanks. Lets see, while I'm there, do I need any Mickey Heads for any reason...:scratchin

One can never have too many. :rotfl:

[mckinley]

We have always rented strollers, never had the stroller itself taken. But i did forget to take the autograph book out while eating and it was gone when we got back. I wouldn't put it past some people though of taking strollers and items. We have ran across some rude people in our visits.

[marbella_chris]

we always take a bike lock and put it through the back wheels, it has a bright yellow plastic coating so is easily seen. i dont care if the cast member struggles to move it, they shouldnt need to as i always pack it in an authorised zone, and they can wheel it on the front wheels to where they want, but i am not having someone steal the stroller, i mean how low can you go that you need to steal a stroller !!!!!!

[Princesspigletsmom]

In all the time we have been there we have always left our stroller with no worries. This year we have a nice double jogger we are taking ( better shade then rentals) I love the idea of the laminate sign and zip ties. Also love the idea of electrical tape. AND the embroidry. Now to decide which one Im doing LOL

Thanks for the tips everyone.

[syko]

Which model do you have? We have the Bugaboo Bee and are so stressed about taking it to WDW. I'm wondering how to get the back wheels off so easily, I have never even tried it. If it doesn't work I think I'll try the lock through the front & back wheel. I understand that it will make it more difficult for the CM's to move it, but it is too expensive for someone to steal.
And I know people say to just get a cheap one, but we like our Bee, it fully reclines, has a basket, we have the UV shade, it's an awesome stroller and we don't want to take a different one.

Let's cross our fingers that no one tries to take it.

We have the Chameleon, the wheels come off by squeezing two metal bratckets together, where the axle is, really quick and easy.

[candielips]

I don't think the Bee's wheels come off quite as easily. The Chameleon is meant to come apart like that for when you put it in the car whereas the Bee folds down without taking anything apart.
I still haven't had a chance to look at it yet. Everytime I'm using it, it is too cold to check.

[HGD24]

If it had not been for DIS, we would have probably thought our stroller was stolen a few times when we came out of rides and it had been moved to another area of stroller parking. We brought our expensive Peg stroller because we knew it would be the most comfortable option for our DD and her comfort was very important to us.

[candielips]

Syko, So I checked out my Bugaboo Bee this morning and the wheels do not pop off like the Chameleons. Oh well, bicycle lock it is.

[scrapbookmommy]

Hi! I'm new here and I have been reading everyday from the wealth of information here. I'm leaning toward buying a cheap stroller for DS since he will be 5 by our trip and I think he will want to walk a lot of the time. I love the ideas for identifing your stoller. I think I may do the embrodiary thing but another thing I plan to do is take several pictures of my stroller and keep them on the camera. That way if someone where to take my stroller and we found it again (like some of the above stories) we would have some proof to the CM's that it was our stroller. I figure it won't cost me anything to snap those few pics and it would be invaluable if a confrontation arose.

[princess jackie]

We just got back and my DS4 walked almost the entire time. The only day he needed the stroller was when we went to EPCOT. It was so much easier not having to deal with the stroller. Talk to your DS5 and see what he thinks. We were a little worried about not bringing the stroller at first but my son did great and had a better time without it.

[candielips]

So after finding out that I couldn't take the wheels off my Bugaboo I thought I'll just do the lock through the wheels thing until I noticed my wheels today. OMG I can't even do that as they are solid wheels & nowhere for the lock to go through.
I'm a little worried and also contemplating buying a cheap stroller but also don't want to compromise the comfort of my DD.
At least I have several months to figure something out.

[syko]

You can take the front wheels off the Bee :
If you need to remove the swivel wheels, press the black button above each wheel and pull it away from the Bugaboo Bee.

[Mike F]

Fortunately, when we go in May by daughters will be 9 and 10 and well out of strollers. However, last time we went in spring of 2004 we rented the double strollers each day. They work great - very easy to push and maneuver - and had no problem holding our 4 and 5 yr old at the same time if they both wanted to ride. I thought it was well worth the money, with the bonus that we didn't have to deal with carrying one on or off the bus from our resort.

To help prevent the opportunity crime of someone "borrrowing" ours, what I would do each time I parked it was turn it around backwards so that the handle was facing away from the pathway. This makes it a little more awkward for someone to steal because the have to turn it around before they can move it. It also made it easier to remember which one was ours amongst the sea of parked strollers.

A fairly simple solution that worked for us for all the days we were there.

Good Luck -

Mike F.

[candielips]

You can take the front wheels off the Bee :
If you need to remove the swivel wheels, press the black button above each wheel and pull it away from the Bugaboo Bee.

Thank you Syko! I will test it out this week whenever I use the stroller next or take the time to bring it inside from the car.
It's pretty sad that I know nothing about all the different baby gear. My DH did all the setting up. I don't even know how to set up a playpen but I can play Guitar Hero while breastfeeding. :lmao: We all have different talents.