How do you "mark" your stroller? (& would you take $$$ strollers?)

[05ChristmasSurprise]

We have two maclarens that we paid quite a bit for. WE LOVE THEM, they are lightweight, compact, fold small, have good storage, and the kids are very happy in them, but I am a little nervous about them being swiped while we're in a show and they're "parked".

No one messed with our cheap-o side-by-side, but heck, I think we paid $40 for it on clearance and it wasn't exactly a mac.

I know the majority of experiences are that people just don't steal other people's strollers...and I did see some other higher-end strollers around. But, I'm still nervous.

What can I do to prevent that?

Also, what do you use to mark your stroller? It was easy to spot our twin stroller last time because there aren't too many side-by-sides out there. But, I want to be sure we can pick ours out in a crowd rather quickly this time.

Thanks!

 

[W21981Brick]

I went to Target last spring and bought bright colored bandanas. When going to the parks I tied one to the handle of my stroller. Also I left my airline tags on, they were bright pink and hard not to miss.

 

[jckdisneybound]

As a treat we always buy a balloon when we enter the parks. Makes it more ours.

 

[mommykds]

This may sound strange, but the 1st year we went (coming from NYC I couldn't see how you could leave a stroller outside w/o it being stolen, but know I know better) I had 2 Peg perego strollers & "locked" them togther. I used a bike lock & just attached them with a combination lock. If anyone wanted to steal them they would have had to drag around 2 attached strollers! Quite honestly I am now very comfortable leaving a stroller outside. If you are still unsure then I would get 2 cheap umbrella strollers that you wouldn't mind losing, but I really don't think it would be a problem.

The bandana's sound like a good idea.

 

[fluteprincess]

Two things for thought:

1. We always bring our big, comfy Peg Perego from home which my son will absolutely fall asleep in. If your kids sleep well in their Maclaren strollers at home and will not sleep in other strollers (they are used to those) I would bring them! That can be priceless!

2. We have tied a BIG 'curly' bow on our stroller before ( bright yellow or orange). Those were the easiest times to find it quickly. Those giant neon-colored lugggage tags are also decent, but not as good as the bow.

 

[lindaso]

We also do bright colored bandannas. Michael's and AC Moore have them for about a dollar each.

 

[alloyd1170]

I got a bright yellow bandana and bright blue iron on letters to spell out our last name. I put the letters on the bandana and pinned it several times to the sunshade of the stroller (Mac Quest). When I parked it, I flipped the sunshade open so that when it came to find the stroller, it was pretty easy. Weve never lost a stroller yet, knock on wood! I have heard about people putting a cable lock around the back so it cant fold too.

alison

 

[sukhakuli]

We've always brought our Peg strollers and never had a problem with them. I didn't think they were hard to find, either, because there weren't that many Pegs around. We always pulled the canopy all the way down and covered it with a sun shield (kiddopotomous, blocks UV rays and is water resistant), so maybe that's why it was always so visible.

I really think it is worth it to take a high end stroller, if you have one. I can't tell you how convenient it is that the stroller would fold up easy and stand up. We'd fold it up and let it stand by itself while waiting for transportation or on the bus. And the P3 has a "golf caddy" feature so you can just pull it behind you when it's folded.

 

[CindyBella]

I have a Neon green/ Navy Peg Perego Pliko. $$$$ It has visited WDW several times. Never had a problem and because of its bright color, it has always been easy to find. The worst mistake I ever made was not bringing it to DisneyLand in October. DD3 was getting bigger and I thought maybe we would try walking. What was I thinking? I ended up going to Target and buying the cheapest umbrella stroller they had and I hated it! My daughter loves to nap in her stroller and it was so sad to see her sleeping in that cheap, uncomfortable thing. When other Pegs strolled by, I missed mine DD will be turning 4 at WDW in just a few weeks and I will not be leaving home without my Neon green/ Navy Peg Perego Pliko. $$$$

 

[SleepingUgly]

We have an Inglesina and it is the only stroller in which DD2 will fall asleep, so we have to bring that. I'm thinking of just attaching a red bandana to the handles and hope that no one snatches it from us.

I read in UG that a couple tied a bag stuffed with a "dirty" diaper onto their stroller handle. For good measure, the husband even dribbled some root beer onto the diaper. Needless to say, no one touched that stroller!

Linda

 

[SueM in MN]

I read in UG that a couple tied a bag stuffed with a "dirty" diaper onto their stroller handle. For good measure, the husband even dribbled some root beer onto the diaper. Needless to say, no one touched that stroller!

Linda

Even though many people are hearing that hint now for the first time, it has been around for at least 15 years that I know of (probably in every version of UG since then). I wouldn't bother with it (or waste the diaper - those things are like gold when you are traveling). Most thieves are very aware of it, so it won't stop them and there are better ways to "mark" your stroller so no one mistakes it for theirs.

 

[Grand Canyon]

We took a custom Runabout triple jogging stroller. They are very expensive. We have only seen 2 other Runabouts in all the trips we have made. We find it fun all the attention the stroller gets. As for loseing a stroller I would think that you could loose a rental but I can not imagine someone taking a personal stroller. We leave all our stuff in the stroller also (pin lanyards, cameras, toys, ect..). Last year we took 1 jogger (the DSs got to big for the Runabout). Our friends used the Runabout last year.

 

[Aidensmom]

I have been to every major theme park in Central Florida within the last couple of years, and have never heard of a stroller being stolen, so I would not worry too much about that. (We even leave the backpack in the stroller, and have never had a problem.) Finding it is a different story......tying something on to the handle is a good strategy, especially if you have a rental stroller, which make up about 75% of the strollers at any stroller parking location. You see a lot of suggestions to do so, but very few people actually do it so your stroller does stand out. I also try parking my stroller next to something, like a tree or bench, to make it easier to spot. However, sometimes they get rearranged by CM's so this isn't always the best strategy.

 

[welovedis]

As for loseing a stroller I would think that you could loose a rental but I can not imagine someone taking a personal stroller.

I have been to every major theme park in Central Florida within the last couple of years, and have never heard of a stroller being stolen, so I would not worry too much about that.

Although it is certainly not the "norm", strollers do get taken. Our Maclaren was taken during our first trip to WDW (at the beggining of the trip) and was never recovered. We even had friends check back at lost & found a number of times on their trips shortly after ours and it was never found. I feel that someone took it for themselves...not sure, obviously.

I don't think it happens often, but there is always a possibility. We were fortunate enough that we had made friends with a CM at an attraction and when they saw us (after it was stolen) and heard what happened, they arranged for us to have free stroller rental for the remainder of our trip and gave DS a coupon for a new stuffed Simba (it was in the stroller when it went missing). Like I said, it is not common, but it happened to us!

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

Yeah - I think just because we have never "heard" of it happening, doesn't mean it doesn't happen, kwim?

A lot of crimes happen that go unreported or un-advertised...if they were smart, they wouldn't warn people that they could get their personal affects stolen if they aren't careful.

That's sad about your mac I know it was just them being nice about the stuffed Simba, and it isn't their fault, but it's sad that you were out over a hundred dollars (up to two depending on the model) and all you got was a replacement lion. Again, it's not their fault, but still. BIG bummer!

 

[SleepingUgly]

Even though many people are hearing that hint now for the first time, it has been around for at least 15 years that I know of (probably in every version of UG since then). I wouldn't bother with it (or waste the diaper - those things are like gold when you are traveling). Most thieves are very aware of it, so it won't stop them and there are better ways to "mark" your stroller so no one mistakes it for theirs.

Who said we have to use a new diaper, right? Maybe that's root beer ... and maybe it's not. Perhaps some anti-air freshner for good measure???

Linda

 

[welovedis]

That's sad about your mac I know it was just them being nice about the stuffed Simba, and it isn't their fault, but it's sad that you were out over a hundred dollars (up to two depending on the model) and all you got was a replacement lion. Again, it's not their fault, but still. BIG bummer!

Yeah, back then it was pretty expensive as our DS was tall for his age and needed the room. I honestly don't remember the model anymore now that he is 8 strollers are a thing of the distant past.

I will say that the CMs went out of their way to be nice, brought us a rental stroller where we were in MK and made sure we got enough free rental coupons or vouchers to cover the trip. I mentioned this thread to DH and he also reminded me that they even offered to contact ABBF to get one so we had it to and from the resort on the buses and we said no thanks, he was almost 4 at the time and we did ok with the rentals. He also said they they sent a little "cheer" basket to our room-with Mickey pretzels and some other goodies--I had completely forgotten about that.

Anyway-just wanted to say that they really did a good job of helping us and making sure we were ok. I was still really pisXXd off about the stroller but there was really nothing we could do. Ours was cleared "marked" with a small balloon and had the stuffed Simba in the bottom basket. It also had lime green ribbons on the sides and our name was on a metal plate fastened to the side (DH made it) and on the back so the person who took it clearly knew it was not theirs.

Interestingly I did see someone with a similar Mac the next year when we went, and when I chatted with the mom for a minute she whipped out a sign that she had made on her computer and had laminated. It said in neon letters-outline in black:
This is NOT YOUR STROLLER! LEAVE IT ALONE!
She would put it on the seat when he DS got up and they parked it. It was fastened thru the seat bottom and she just slid it in place when needed. I thought that was different!

 

[ladydancer]

We are going in April and bringing a stroller. We aren't concerned with someone taking it as much as finding it after we come back. Perhaps someone mistakingly taking it. I bought those big bright colored (lime green) tags @ Wal-Mart in the luggage dept. Put our last name, resort and cell number on it. Also dh wears bandanas in the summer so we have probably about 20. So I'm also putting 1 or 2 of his on the stroller. Hopefully were good to go!