leaving stuff in strollers

[hkkatie]

So usually I carry a backpack as a diaper bag for my twins, (diapers, wipes, snacks, spare set of clothes for each, water etc etc), but I would love to start carrying a smaller (less heavy!) bag. Our double stroller has baskets underneath that could carry a lot of their stuff for us, but is it unwise to leave it out when we park the stroller? I know it's dumb to leave expensive things or souvenirs etc in the stroller, but would someone really stop to steal some diapers or a water bottle? Is it better to just keep everything in a backpack?

 

[InStitchesinNE]

I left pretty much everything except for my wallet and camera on both trips and never had a problem. I also found filtered, refillable water bottles (Brita) much more convenient then carrying bottled water. We lug around enough with twins, it was too much weight with water bottles too! I just refilled them in the bathroom sinks and the water tasted fine due to the filter. Have fun, we had a blast!

 

[North of Mouse]

So usually I carry a backpack as a diaper bag for my twins, (diapers, wipes, snacks, spare set of clothes for each, water etc etc), but I would love to start carrying a smaller (less heavy!) bag. Our double stroller has baskets underneath that could carry a lot of their stuff for us, but is it unwise to leave it out when we park the stroller? I know it's dumb to leave expensive things or souvenirs etc in the stroller, but would someone really stop to steal some diapers or a water bottle? Is it better to just keep everything in a backpack?

Some people will steal 'anything'!! Never leave anything that you can't do without!

To save weight/space, just get free water from any of the CS places. It tastes fine and you don't have to lug bottles around!

 

[DSNY4ever]

I have never been able to rely on counter service water, DS would get thirsty anytime anywhere and I would have to have water on hand immediately. But we left stuff we didn't care about under the stroller, of course you take a chance leaving even an empty stroller!

 

[Crystal824]

We leave everything in the stroller except the camera, phones, and wallets and have never had a problem. We leave the diaper bag with extra clothes, sunscreen, diapers, wipes, etc. We also usually have a small cooler hanging on the stroller with drinks and snacks. While I understand it could be taken, it isn't worth it to me to haul the diaper bag and cooler into every attraction. All that stuff is replaceable in the park if necessary. We have more of everything back in the room. If those things are stolen, we won't be happy, but we will manage. That is a risk we know we are taking.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

We leave stuff in our stroller. Never have had a problem. Could someone take something? I suppose, but there are so many cameras and so many people around, it would be hard to get away with stealing much. Pilfering through strollers to make off with what could very well just be a cooler full of breast milk hardly seems worth the risk of jail time.

 

[Flight]

We use to leave everything in the strollers: diaper bags, backpacks, drinks, and jackets. But that is the world I live in. I should be able to leave anything unattended and it should be there later on upon my return. To steal would be despicable.

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

Just know you leave it at your own risk. As much as we all want to think Disney is a safe bubble it isn't.

 

[CookieRobot]

I accidentally left my phone in our strollers cup holder and went to see Mickey's Philharmonic. The show had already started when I realized what I had done. I was certain it would be gone, so I was pleasantly surprised to find it sitting next to my melted dole whip when I went back.
I was lucky and I would never leave anything of value in the stroller but I leave all my other crap in it!

 

[amber_cntrygrl]

I've always left diaper bags in the stroller, and have had no problems. I just wouldn't leave anything of value, as others have said. It's sad that you can't leave things in your own stroller without worrying about it being taken.

 

[KathyB 0911]

I have always diaper bags, backpacks, etc in my strollers but taken anything with value (cameras, wallets, etc) with me and never had a problem. As others have said, I would like be cautious.

 

[hkkatie]

Thanks for all the responses! Much appreciated!

 

[worm761]

I agree with the others. Pretty safe to leave stuff but don't leave anything you would be upset over losing. Theft does happen.

That being said, can you pare down what you carry? How many time have you needed those 2 extra sets of clothes? Do you drink all the water you bring in? What else are you taking in with you?

I take as little as possible. I have two kids (DS is 19 and no longer goes with us and DD is 5). I have never taken an extra set of clothing in the parks with me and have only needed it twice in all my trips (15 and counting). But hey, souvenir T shirts! I don't take bandaids/first aid kit. They have a first aide office in every park. I remember on my first trip, DS was 5. I listened to the people here on the DIS and took everything they suggested. Man was that bag heavy! I ended up paying for a locker at the front of the park and figured when I needed this stuff we would just get it. After paying for lockers for 2 days I realized that I wasn't going back for anything. I stopped carrying everything.

 

[LilyWDW]

Things get stolen. Period. So yes, someone may take what you have left in your stroller. It is always a possibility and one you should be aware of. As such, do not leave anything in the stroller that you can't do without or that can't be replaced.

 

[Lilliputian]

To reduce the risk of my stuff being stolen, I don't leave stuff concealed in bags in my stroller. I don't like loose stuff either, though, because then the stroller is a pain to fold. What I do is get one of those giant Ziploc bags (bigger than the gallon bags) and put anything I don't want to take into every ride in it. Then it's clear and people know they're only getting a bottle of sunscreen and some granola bars if they take it, unlike a real diaper bag, which they'd probably take and then go through somewhere else.

For changing materials, I get one of those diaper pads that folds up with pockets for wipes, diapers, etc. and has a loop that you can use to hang it on the stroller handlebar. That's awesome when you go into the baby care center or bathroom to change the baby because you have everything you need right there to change the babies without digging. If your children are different sizes, see if the littler one can wear the bigger diapers without leaks. I've done it with a 5 month old and an almost-3-year-old successfully, so it should work for twins. You don't need quite as many if you carry one size because only one is likely to have a day where they need to be changed more often than normally. When I have two in diapers, I do usually also keep a few extra in the mesh pocket behind the seat of the stroller (I use a City Mini double). You can even fold it with them in there.

 

[chainkid]

If you have a crummy diaper bag and don't mind if someone removes it then by all means take the chance but if you have a designer diaper bag like kate spade I would not leave it out. Thefts happen at Disney all the time . I had a major theft when someone broke into our room at the BWV and to this day nothing was ever done about it. It had to be an inside job but nothing will be done so be as vigilant at Disney as you would be in any other place. I had my eyes opened and now do not take anything I wouldn't want stolen to Disney. Best bet keep everything on you of value. The safes are not safe either. I can still have a great time with less stuff. Sad that there are so many dishonest people but you adapt.

 

[staceyrhood]

I always take my bag with me because I have heard too many bad stories of things going missing. Last summer I left 2 bottles of water in the basket under our stroller...went to ride Spaceship Earth...came back...no more bottles of water.

 

[little miss minnie]

One thing you should consider though, if you are using Disney buses, is that your stroller has to get folded up prior to boarding, so if you've got all that stuff in the bottom, it could be a bit of a pain for you to have to hurry and pack it all up before the bus comes. That was one thing I remember from our trip last October with our daughter and her stroller.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Like someone else said, know you are leaving it at your own risk. Now Disney isn’t out in the middle of nowhere so most things we bring with us save cameras (sd cards), phones, wallets and the like can be replaced relatively easily; but you might not want to. I know ever since that one trip to Sea World I rarely leave much of anything in ours. It wasn't a theft. I left the hotel room without our sunscreen and had to pay $10 for a 3 oz tube I do leave the extra clothes I bring in the bottom in a ziplock bag. I figure the chances are slim someone comes along and wants clothes in their exact sizes and is willing to take them.

 

[JesusPlaysMetal]

Was there a few months ago and we use a really nice jogging stroller along with my Oakley kitchen sink backpack as a diaper bag. Well we went on pirates and typically I just lock the wheels of the stroller but it can still be moved but would deter anyone from stealing it. Usually we bring the bag with us but this time I left the bag behind. Just took the DSLR bag along with our phones and wallets. Well unfortunately the baby explodes in her diaper on the ride. We rush over to the stroller because it leaked through her diaper when we notice the bag has been removed from the stroller. We ask the guy there watching the strollers and he has no idea what's going on. Baby is crying because she is dirty, we now have no diapers and no change of clothes with us. Everything was in that bag, even the babies bottles. Someone from security comes after I made a scene and they make a report. We have to go all the way back to the main entrance where I explain what happened. They were upset and see how upset the baby was along with us. They give us some diapers along with formula and a change of clothes. One of the girls even helps out my wife while I am speaking with security outside. Security informed the people in the baby center to provide those items to us. Well everything gets straitened up and baby is asleep after eating something when I get a call from security that they found my bag. They meet me in lost and found where I describe the bag. The morons who stole it did not realize it was a $200 bag. They took the diapers along with the wipes, onesies and the powdered formula. The bastards even stole the pacifiers. I was relieved I got the bag back and they apologized again for what happened. So word of advice, just take the bag with you and don't go through what we went through.