Any tips for keeping my stroller for getting stolen?

[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

 

[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

 

[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.

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