Another Stroller Question - Security

[tinkermomma]

So we're planning on taking our funky old single B.O.B.

I know some people suggest not taking an expensive stroller and buying an inexpensive umbrella stroller but I think maneuverability will be a preference for us (and those around us)

Not to say I'm not at least a little concerned about security, granted our stroller was a gift, but I'd still hate to lose it.

So the actual question... If I absolutely positively HAVE to leave it (don't know why would but you never know) can I fold it in half and use a bike lock to deter theft? Any other tips or tricks on preventing theft?

LoJack?

 

[nannyz]

I've never thought about the possibility of having a stroller stolen, but I guess it's possible. We will be going this summer with three brand new strollers.
I've never seen any places to lock a stroller. I don't think you would be allowed to just attach it to something with a lock because there are designated areas for stroller parking.
I personally wouldn't worry about it. Of course I would not leave anything of value in it (camera, etc.).

 

[tinkermomma]

I've never thought about the possibility of having a stroller stolen, but I guess it's possible. We will be going this summer with three brand new strollers.
I've never seen any places to lock a stroller. I don't think you would be allowed to just attach it to something with a lock because there are designated areas for stroller parking.
I personally wouldn't worry about it. Of course I would not leave anything of value in it (camera, etc.).

I would never lock it to something, just to itself. And yes, no valuables for sure.

I've read a handful of posts about stolen strollers, but I bet it is pretty rare in the scheme of things. Thanks for talking me off the ledge so to speak. I don't normally worry about these kinds of things... But it's been a long time since we've been, and that was pre-kid, so I am curious about all kinds of stroller etiquette

 

[MommyLove]

Don't plan on locking your stroller to anything, or even stringing a lock through the wheels. The CM's often times will move strollers (tighter within the stroller parking area, etc) and you want them to be able to do their jobs.

If you don't want to worry about expensive strollers, get something used from Craigslist. I don't recommend umbrella strollers (too uncomfortable for both the child AND the adult pushing) but a used Graco will be a great buy!

 

[CNDKangaroo]

We have taken our very expensive double jogger and never had an issue with someone walking off with it (and it was easy to spot in the sea of disney strollers!) I'm not sure that locking it would work as the CM's move the strollers around if needed and locked might pose a problem.

 

[tinkermomma]

Thanks guys, yeah it's a fantastic stroller but I can't imagine it being the first one a thief would go for anyway...

But any other stroller tips are welcome....

 

[bumbershoot]

The stroller has to be moveable. The CMs *have to* be able to move it, if it is suddenly in the way of a line or a parade or something. You *can* lock the back two wheels together, so that a person can still move it, but it's going to be awkward. The CMs can deal with it, but a thief will probably give up.

You will be *shocked* to see how much stuff people leave in their strollers. I look at the things people leave, and get really annoyed. Why? Because we've had a brand new hat taken from our stroller, when it was under a ratty old sweatshirt and hat, and totally invisible. That was all we had in the stroller, and it was taken. Meanwhile, people leave *diaper bags* that were too expensive for me to buy (I coveted Petunia Picklebottom, but by the time I could afford it, DS had potty trained!), hanging from their strollers, let alone what's in them...and they aren't bothered.

Sigh.

The likelihood of it being stolen is low. But it can happen.

Just be sure you look ALL around an area, before panicking, if you come out of a ride to find it's gone. CMs can and do move them.

 

[tinkermomma]

The stroller has to be moveable. The CMs *have to* be able to move it, if it is suddenly in the way of a line or a parade or something. You *can* lock the back two wheels together, so that a person can still move it, but it's going to be awkward. The CMs can deal with it, but a thief will probably give up.

You will be *shocked* to see how much stuff people leave in their strollers. I look at the things people leave, and get really annoyed. Why? Because we've had a brand new hat taken from our stroller, when it was under a ratty old sweatshirt and hat, and totally invisible. That was all we had in the stroller, and it was taken. Meanwhile, people leave *diaper bags* that were too expensive for me to buy (I coveted Petunia Picklebottom, but by the time I could afford it, DS had potty trained!), hanging from their strollers, let alone what's in them...and they aren't bothered.

Sigh.

The likelihood of it being stolen is low. But it can happen.

Just be sure you look ALL around an area, before panicking, if you come out of a ride to find it's gone. CMs can and do move them.

Aha, This is a great idea, I would never want to get in the way of a CM doing their job but it would be a good deterrent from anyone wanting to move it very long distances, hmmmm. Thanks!

Holy Cow! That's ridiculous.

I would probably just have snacks and toiletries in there for her, and make sure the camera was always on our person if we had to leave the stroller.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

I put a "lisence Plate" on my it made me feel a little better about leaving it. It was a stick figure family with all of 7 of us. I don't know why I guess because it seems more "claimed" to me. I never put anything of real value on the stroller. But it is chuck full of stuff. Sweat shirts food diapers and blankies. I park as close to the entrance where the CM is as I can if there is one. It's about all I can think of our stroller is old now if they want they can take it!
I have to say I did see A LOT of those very expensive strollers with the petunia pickle bottom diaper bags hanging from the handle bars! (that was talked about above) I did think to myself are you asking for some to steal from you!!!!

 

[monkey30]

We always make sure we can take our bag/camera with us on the rides, and really if the little one can go on the ride the back will be fine as well.

We have not had any issues with the stroller (not saying it couldn't happen) in 3 trips to WDW and 1 to DL. We have taken expensive ones after discovering the cons with cheaper strollers!

 

[coaches24]

Last trip we had no issues at all. We didn't leave anything of value in it (except the couple of times DW forgot her iPhone in the cup holder. We have a Graco stroller (cost about 250 when we bought it 4 years ago) and it looked great then (now it looks old and dirty but still works perfectly). The first day we were always nervous about leaving it but nothing happened to it outside of CMs sometimes moving it to a different spot. By the end of our trip we didn't think twice about leaving it. We left things like the diaper bag, blanket, small cooler with water and things like that in our stroller. Kept the video camera with us and wallets and phones. DW leaves her purse at the hotel.

 

[lwilkison]

So we're planning on taking our funky old single B.O.B.

I know some people suggest not taking an expensive stroller and buying an inexpensive umbrella stroller but I think maneuverability will be a preference for us (and those around us)

Not to say I'm not at least a little concerned about security, granted our stroller was a gift, but I'd still hate to lose it.

So the actual question... If I absolutely positively HAVE to leave it (don't know why would but you never know) can I fold it in half and use a bike lock to deter theft? Any other tips or tricks on preventing theft?

LoJack?

For us we just bought an umbrella stroller. I would be crushed if our "Bob" stroller ever got stolen. As to comfort for the umbrella stroller for those pushing and sitting in it...it worked great. It was just a $15 stroller off of a web site that delivered to our hotel, we used it for the 2 weeks we were there and then "regifted" the stroller to a family that could use it.

We never left anything in the stroller except water bottles...unfortunately things get taken.

For my comfort and my DD we just used the umbrella stroller. It worked great. We used it on the public bus when we hopped on to go to Target and grab some groceries...we used in DTD...we used it everywhere. A great $15 investment in our trip.

 

[lalasmama]

No other stroller advice, but just another one chiming in to say, "Strollers are rarely stolen, often moved." ... And that I was SHOCKED at the strollers around DL! Orbit, Stokke, Baby Jogger, Quinny all next to the $15 Wal-mart Disney umbrella strollers and other "cheap" strollers! And, as a previous poster pointed out, everything from the plastic 7-11 grocery bags to Petunia Picklebottom diaper bags, and plenty that looked way too spendy for me to know who made them!

If/when we get a baby (adoption, waiting for placement), I've planned to just take my Graco. I figure it's "enough" of a stroller to be comfortable, but it's not so likely to be coveted by someone else there pushing a worse stroller, looking for a "trade"!