bike lock for stroller?!

[Joni317]

We are leaving on May 15 for a trip with our one and two year olds. We have a double stroller we are quite used to and have been advised to take it instead of renting in the parks. Someone has advised getting a bike lock for the stroller while we're in the attraction, because of all the "stroller stealing" that goes on. However, I've also heard that the CMs often move strollers to a better location while guests are in the attraction. Question: Has anyone ever used a bike lock with their personal stroller?

Thanks in advance!
Joni

 

[tjmw2727]

I have taken a stroller to WDW several times a year for many years with no problem. In fact, I have never heard a "personal, first hand" report of stroller theft.

The CM's will move your stroller esp if it is parked in an area not designated for stroller parking. In addition they often move them up and neaten them so if you have left it toward the back of the stroller parking and find it toward the front after the attraction.

You can lock your stroller but make sure the wheels can still move and you can't lock it to anything.

TJ

 

[keith-atl]

Originally posted by Joni317
We are leaving on May 15 for a trip with our one and two year olds. We have a double stroller we are quite used to and have been advised to take it instead of renting in the parks. Someone has advised getting a bike lock for the stroller while we're in the attraction, because of all the "stroller stealing" that goes on. However, I've also heard that the CMs often move strollers to a better location while guests are in the attraction. Question: Has anyone ever used a bike lock with their personal stroller?

Thanks in advance!
Joni

I dont think you need to worry about locking up your stroller, we have never had a problem there.

 

[beachwarmer]

We took a bike lock for our stroller when we visited in January. If we thought that a cast member might need to move the stroller at an attraction or show we just asked and let them know we had locked it. Most of the time they told us exactly where the best place to park it would be. We just put the lock through one of the back wheels. It gave us the peace of mind to enjoy the attractions without worrying if the stoller would diappear after hearing some reports of stroller theft. The cast members never had a problem with it. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Ambassador]

For years, we have always taken a bike lock for our stroller. In preparing for our upcoming May visit, the Ambassador couldn't find the blessed thing. When asked about it, Mrs. Ambassador shrugged and said, "We never used it anyway."

It is possible that another guest may innocently mistake a similar stroller for their own, and other posters have suggested personalizing your carriage. One enterprising parent devised hanging a fake dirty diaper in a plastic bag on the handle, and reported no problems with theft or CM's moving her load. I shan't dare suggest this to Mrs. Ambassador or polite society in general.

 

[Joni317]

Thanks guys! You've given me great ideas. I think I'll stop being so paranoid about the stroller thing. I've heard about "individualizing" your stroller somehow and was thinking of a red hankie or something. (Think I'll skip the fake dirty diaper! Ha!) Anyway, maybe I'll put a lock in the trunk and get it out only if I think I need to. Leaving in 15 days and can't wait!!!

Joni

 

[SueM in MN]

One enterprising parent devised hanging a fake dirty diaper in a plastic bag on the handle, and reported no problems with theft or CM's moving her load.

Even though many people are hearing this "hint" for the first time, it is very old (like more than 15 years) and won't stop anyone who really wants to steal a stroller.
Some people have used locks that prevent the stroller from being used (if you put a lock thru 2 wheels, CMs can move it if they need to by lifting those wheels off the ground and rolling it on the other wheels). Many people find it's a hassle to lcok and unlock the stroller all the time, so what some people have done is placed a lock so that the stroller can't be folded. All strollers need to be folded to go on the parking lot trams, so that will stop some from being taken.
Also, personalize it with things that will be difficult to remove. One person suggested ribbon. You can make a big "puff" of ribbons on the handle. If someone takes it by mistake, they will notice the ribbons hitting their hands and if someone takes it on purpose, they would need a scissor to get the ribbon off. Also, mark the stroller in several visible spots and at least one hidden spot so that if it is stollen and your ID removed, you can have a secret ID place.

 

[HoosierFantasia]

I use bright tennis grip tape and wrap it around the handles. I even found lime green one year. The nice thing is it helps differentiate yours from other similar strollers so no one will take it by accident and also makes it easier for you to spot your stroller in the sea of strollers.
I believe most "stollen" stroller stories are from somone truly accidentally takeing one they thought was theirs. But crap does happen even at Disney.

Bill
I took a bike lock one year and never used it. It was wrapped around the handle and locked, possibly a would be theif thougth it was locked.

 

[NotUrsula]

Do note that there have been reports of high-end import strollers being somewhat prone to disappearing from outside the restaurants at DD. As DD does not charge admission, it is logical that thieves would be more active there than in the theme parks.

 

[crazywig]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
Do note that there have been reports of high-end import strollers being somewhat prone to disappearing from outside the restaurants at DD. As DD does not charge admission, it is logical that thieves would be more active there than in the theme parks.

thanks for that tip, i hadn't thought of that! i am bringing my kiwi e3 when we go in june and would be devastated if it were taken!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

when my youngest was an infant & we took the $250 Aprica... I took the bike lock... when she was older & we took the $50 umbrella stroller...I didn't take the lock... The lock is a major pain to use.... I did it because of the price of the stroller... I didn't feel like taking a chance on that one getting stolen...the umbrella one... it wouldn't have been that much of a big deal...incovience yes... but big deal no...

 

[TJA]

We also have a double stroller that we bring to Disney. We bought a bike lock and used it last November. It was somewhat of a pain to lock and unlock it while holding two babies....but to us it was worth it as our trip would be shot if our stroller was taken. We put the lock between the wheels so that a CM could still move it if necessary. It never needed to be moved, btw.

 

[catherines_mama]

I would say.. leave it be. I always left my stroller (and the DIS stroller) and never had a problem. Its okay to leave them un-locked and it is helpful to the CMs to organize them. They organize them nicely (putting all the WDW Strollers in one row, and the reg strollers in another).

DD and I make parking the stroller an adventure. LOL We still laugh. "time to PARK the stroller" LOL

You'll be fine. Enjoy your trip! Side note: Also tie something destictive to your stroller. That way when you come out into Stroller Parking land it is easier to find. LIME Green ribbons work great! LOL

 

[zurgswife]

I've been taking strollers for almost 7 years now...about twice a year and I have never had anybody steea any of my strollers...we are so crazy that we always leave ALL of our stuff on our stroller..never bothered once...I think the hassle of locking and unlocking would drive me crazy after the first few times...

If your stroller is a $200 investment I think I would bring something else if you were paranoid about theft.

 

[Cora]

If you want to keep people away from your stroller, take a disposable diaper, poor a little Coke/Pepsi inside of it (so it looks gross), fold it up like a soiled diaper and put it in a clear baggie, hang the baggie off the handle and no one will touch your stroller...I've heard of this done but have never used it myself...but I know I would stay away from your stroller.
Cora

 

[NotUrsula]

That old "fake diaper" trick has been around for decades, and would not stop any kind of thief. Would *you* be suspicious if you saw someone in a theme park removing a dirty diaper from a stroller? Besides, what kind of weirdo would tie a real dirty diaper onto a stroller handle when the Disney parks have trash cans every 20 feet? Soiled diapers get smelly in seconds in Florida heat; no one in his right mind would hang onto one.

Much better for deterring theft AND mistaken identity is to attach something distinctive but hard to remove; a profusion of curling ribbon, perhaps, or a lot of reflective labels. If you were a security CM and you saw someone removing such things from a stroller, it would draw your attention. Real thieves make it a point not to draw attention to themselves.

In addition to flagging your stroller in a distinctive way, the most important thing is to mark it with your name and phone number in a permanent & unobtrusive way, preferably more than once. That way, if it does wander and is found, Disney will know who it belongs to so that it can be returned. DO NOT RELY ON AN AIRLINE GATE CHECK TAG FOR ID! Those can be removed in seconds, and besides, on any given day in the parks, 30% of the strollers have an airline tag hanging on them.

 

[ccalip]

Originally posted by Cora
If you want to keep people away from your stroller, take a disposable diaper, poor a little Coke/Pepsi inside of it (so it looks gross), fold it up like a soiled diaper and put it in a clear baggie, hang the baggie off the handle and no one will touch your stroller...I've heard of this done but have never used it myself...but I know I would stay away from your stroller.
Cora

Too funny! Never thought of doing something like that!

I've got three kids - for kid #1, we used to lock our $140 stroller at Disneyland with a bicycle (U) lock... always a hassle and people would kind of look at me funny. With the other two kids, either I got lazy or I just wasn't as worried about someone stealing our stroller... and never had a problem.

Would two smaller strollers be an option for you? They may be easier to navigate in the crowds, and are good if your party needs to occasionally split up. Also easier to fold up to get on trams..

 

[Katd52]

I plan on bringing my Kiwi E3 too! I am a little worried about it getting stolen Last time we went I brought 2 single strollers. A Maclaren Techno and a Maclaren Daytripper and I never locked them or had a problem with theft. I am a little worried this time though. I really coldn't afford to have it stolen. Maybe I'll bring 2 singles again. I don't know. Decisions, decisions
Katie