Had our stroller stolen

[JillyBean]

while we were in the Playhouse Disney show at MGM a couple of weeks ago. I just wanted to bring this up as a reminder not to leave anything important in your stroller. It was a rental stroller so all we lost were my DD's princess sandals and a spare set of clothing. It could have been much worse (but it still made DD cry and ruined our morning). She is so innocent and didn't understand why somebody would take her stuff. I didn't tell her that they really were just too cheap to pay the $10 for their own stroller and probably dumped her stuff in the nearest trash can.

The cast member who helped us said she sees it happen at least a couple of times a day. Anyway...just a reminder not to be too trusting.

 

[Vickie46]

that is so terrible.. I am so sorry that happen to you and your little girl..

What did the cast member do.. get you another stroller??

 

[Schmeck]

Someone could have also just grabbed it thinking it was theirs - rentals get mixed up all the time. If you have your receipt, you just go get a replacement. Did you check at Lost and Found for your daughter's belongings?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

thats so bad

 

[ribbot]

We had ours stolen last year also--in front of the San Angel Inn at Epcot. Luckily we had taken our belongings with us inside. True, someone might have taken it by accident, but you sure don't think that when you walk outside to find it gone and you have a little child that is pooped out by that time and can't walk. It's sad---you can't trust anybody---even at the happiest place on Earth. Yes, it's only $10, just wish they'd come up with a better way so that this doesn't happen to people.

 

[meloneyb21]

Maybe it would be too much, but I think they should have a way so that the strollers could be guarded by a cast member and when you take your stroller to be parked, they put a little tag on the stroller and give you the receipt from it or a number. So when you go back to get it, you hand them the receipt/number and they retrieve it for you. Have a couple cast members doing this so that it won't get backed up. Pretty much like how you have to check a bag when you go into a store. That might be too much hassle though.....Luckily we have never had our stroller stolen from any of the spots we have parked it, but it may have been accidental since it was a rental. They all look alike.

 

[Mickeyroks247]

 

[Mickeyroks247]

i think thay should always have someone watching peoples strollers

 

[Cass]

I think they should have a device that locks one wheel, and you can't move it unless you unlock it with the key assigned to you.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

That is really sad. Poor little kids getting their stuff taken! It's one thing to take a stroller (rented one I mean) but with someone else's stuff in it- how could that be a mistake? How could they think that was THEIR stroller? There's no way. They flat out stole.

And actually I'm of the mind that they should in some way protect atleast your stroller (although I realize they couldn't take the responsibility of making sure your items in/on the stroller weren't stolen/etc.) because they FORCE you to leave them outside unprotected/unsuperviced. I mean this isn't a case of you just CHOSE to take the risk of leaving your stroller- you're forced to do so or else not see the show, not eat dinner, etc. So basically you're forced to leave your stroller out where anyone can just walk off with it.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Cass- that's a good idea... and would not cost them the extra for a cast member in all stroller locations watching/etc. the strollers. They'd be less likely to take strollers if they knew it wouldn't move without the key and they'd have to take it off holding up one side of the darn thing or something like that. LOL

 

[satman1962]

Unbelieveable! How petty can you get? Hasn't happened to us but boy would I be steamed!

 

[teacher100]

I saw a tip in a guide book one time to tie a plastic bag with a diaper with Mountain Dew and a candy bar and no one ever stole their stroller again!

 

[ribbot]

What REALLY ticked us off is the gall people have to take the time to rip out the piece of paper from the rental place (that has your last name on it) in front of other people---and then steal your stroller. Or...do you possibly think that people think these strollers are free and for the taking?? I guess there are people out there that are just blind to the way things work in the parks.
Steamed?? That's putting it mildly.
Maybe next time we go I'll make a note beforehand and stick it on the stroller stating that if it's stolen, there's a hidden camera and I will FIND you! HA HA

 

[all4fun]

I saw a tip in a guide book one time to tie a plastic bag with a diaper with Mountain Dew and a candy bar and no one ever stole their stroller again!

Because this tip has been around for years (I've seen it in books and mentioned on boards like this one many times), I doubt it would really fool anyone intent on stealing.

The best tip I've heard for the stroller rental crowd is to never leave any valuables in it. I haven't rented a stroller at WDW (yet), as we always take our own, but we have been fortunate enough to not have to deal w/anything being stolen. I have left things in/on the stroller, but nothing valuable and nothing that isn't easily replaced. It just seems like the prudent thing to do.

To the OP, sorry your things were stolen. Not blaming the victim here! Stealing is wrong, and taking things left in an unattended stroller that you know aren't yours is definitely stealing. I hope it didn't put too much of a damper on your vacation.

 

[tkitty]

We had this happen 2 years ago at Universal. First, I the morning, we were comming out of some show or ride, and some lady walked up to our stroller, in front of me, and grabbed it. I walked up and put my hand on it and said "excuse me, this is ours", she looked at me funny and said something in Spanish and after a couple of seconds, she let go and walked off.
Well.... later that after noon, we came out of another ride to find the stroller gone! Now this was a $14 umbrella stroller, nothing special, but there are so many people that don't care about anyone but themselves, and think nothing of taking another's belongings. I spent the rest of that day, trying to catch sight of that stupid stroller. It's got nothing to do with money, just basic respect that seems to be lacking in so many people.
OK, I'm done now.

 

[Goin2Disney2006]

This is what I am afraid of when I bring my own stroller.

 

[o2bacelt]

We brought our brand new never been used Mac last March with us and had no trouble. Ours also sticks out like a sore thumb, it's lime green, and I haven't seen a single one like it yet anywhere we've been.

I think that part of the problem with the rental strollers and theft is probably a language barrier. A lot of foreigners don't know the rules, some of them probably don't care, but I'd lay money on it that is a contributing factor.

 

[ribbot]

I can understand bringing a stroller that is a different color, or decorated with items to prevent stealing---but what good does that do you when you're inside a restaurant that takes over an hour to eat or more, plus then you take a boat ride afterwards? Your stroller is long gone and never to be found again. By the time you come out, your stroller is at the stealer's hotel. Or let's say you are in the park the next day and you see your marked stroller---so you approach the people about it, and they are from a foreign country and don't understand a word you're saying? Then it's your word against their word when the authorities arrive. (picture the stroller police here)

I'm gonna have to really ponder this by our next trip----hmmmm, maybe I should just hire "stroller patrol" and have them follow us around all day? or maybe a company can come up with a fake-me out electric fence that goes around the stroller? Gee, there just has to be something. Once you get a stroller stolen, then you fret leaving the darn thing. So sad.

 

[imp&pixie]

I'm bringing a brand new Maclaren stroller on our trip and I thank everyone for giving me tips and cause to think about how to protect our stroller. I think I will bring one of those cable bike locks to thread through the wheels when we leave the stroller. I am also planning on spray painting the handles a flourescent color so that it sticks out. I will also paint out name and phone number somewhere discreet. Hopefully all those things will deter a thief.