How to keep stroller from theft?

[GentleOceanWind]

I have a wonderful but very expensive double stroller (Baby Jogger City Series with lots of accessories) that I realllly want to utilize at DW during our upcoming trip. But, I'm concerned about keeping it from getting stolen.

We had this happen with a rental stroller that was very obviously marked with our name and had some belongings (not valuable but important to us - photos and ds's character autograph book) at DW during our last visit. I went on a mission and wasted two hours searching for that stroller until I found it (recognized our red bag). I had hoped it was just someone who mistakenly took the wrong stroller, but whoever it was took the time to turn the name card around, and it was parked in a waiting area outside a ride. Also, there were no other double strollers around when ours went missing.

Anyhoodle, now here I am wanting to bring our personal stroller but leery of losing it. I am wishing I'd purchased the bright lavendar instead of more common red!

Any tips on helping to deter someone from taking or mistaking our stroller would be so appreciated!

 

[leebee]

What about getting a bicycle chain lock (with a combination lock built in) and weaving it thorugh the wheels of the stroller when you leave it, so it cannot be pushed? I'm not sure it'd really stop a dedicated "thief", but it'd be much more obvious that they were taking the stroller, as they'd have to carry it! ANd maybe stroller thieves are less likely to take a distinctive, personal stroller than the hundreds of Disney look-alikes.

 

[warpdarkmatter]

its easy just tie a small semi transparent plastic bag with a used diaper to the stroller you stroller will be there when you return

 

[leebee]

Actually, I've heard that some people make a "fake" dirty diaper- think Mountain Dew/Root Beer and tootsie rolls- put it in a clear ziplock, and hang it on the stroller handle. Hmmm...reminds me of that recipe for litter box cake!!

 

[all4fun]

I second the bike lock through the wheels idea. And I think you should read this thread: Yes, your stroller might be stolen

Oh, and we've taken a nice single jogging stroller to WDW twice now, and other less expensive strollers many times; never did anything special to secure them, and never had a problem. However if I had a $400+ stroller I think I may have rethought that!

hth

 

[Reagan&Co.]

I agree with the fake dirty diaper idea...also some wadded up kleenex in the bottom compartment....anything to make it look too USED for theives to want to keep. I always take my rattiest duffel bag so it looks like we have nothing good to steal inside.

 

[casper_jj11]

We took our double city series to Disney last summer (also with accessories like cup holder, tire pump and rain cover). I worried a bit but it was our 3rd trip and we've never had a problem. That said, all it takes is once right. I made a bright sign with our family name on it and laminated it. I then placed holes using grommets on the top and, using those holes, attached the sign with plastic zipper thingies to the back of the stroller. The only way to get it off would be to cut it off and trust me, that would take awhile. I also placed labels with our name and phone number on hidden places on the stroller so that if someone did manage to get the tag off, and we saw it, we'd have a way to claim it as ours. Finally, I had huge purple scarves from the dollar store and wrapped them around the handle of this stroller and our single Graco. There really aren't many of the double city series strollers there. I think I may have seen one the whole trip so if taken, a walk around the park may help find it. Honestly, it was WONDERFUL to have. Its an amazing stroller for Disney and well worth taking.

 

[all4fun]

The fake dirty diaper idea has been around for at least a decade. I remember reading about it my first copy of the unofficial guide to WDW years ago. I really don't think it would be a deterrent and who wants to look like they're pushing a stroller with a dirty diaper hanging off of it, anyway? Especially since there are trash cans every 40' or so. And how hard would it be for someone to just rip the thing off and toss it in the nearest trash can. Hey, JMHO though!

I made a bright sign with our family name on it and laminated it. I then placed holes using grommets on the top and, using those holes, attached the sign with plastic zipper thingies to the back of the stroller. The only way to get it off would be to cut it off and trust me, that would take awhile. I also placed labels with our name and phone number on hidden places on the stroller so that if someone did manage to get the tag off, and we saw it, we'd have a way to claim it as ours. Finally, I had huge purple scarves from the dollar store and wrapped them around the handle of this stroller and our single Graco.

love love love the laminated sign idea. I think making your stroller as unique looking as possible is probably the best deterrent.

 

[SueM in MN]

The fake dirty diaper idea has been around for at least a decade. I remember reading about it my first copy of the unofficial guide to WDW years ago. I really don't think it would be a deterrent and who wants to look like they're pushing a stroller with a dirty diaper hanging off of it, anyway? Especially since there are trash cans every 40' or so. And how hard would it be for someone to just rip the thing off and toss it in the nearest trash can. Hey, JMHO though!



love love love the laminated sign idea. I think making your stroller as unique looking as possible is probably the best deterrent.

It's been around for more than a decade.
I heard it before our first WDW trip in 1987!
Anyone who is really going to steal a stroller probably knows all about it and would just throw it away and take your stroller.

If you use a bike lock, you can't lock the stroller to anything. You can disable it (by locking wheels together or by putting the lock across the seat so no one could sit in it without unlocking it.
Another thing people have done is to use a lock so that the stroller can't be folded. That makes it difficult for someone to leave with a stolen stroller since strollers need to be folded to get on the bus or use the parking lot trams.
When this subject has come up before, CMs have posted that a lot of strollers get stolen for the day and are then abandoned before leaving the park. So having some hidden (and not so hidden) places with your name/cell phone number might help get your stroller back to you if it is taken.
If your stroller does get taken, it's a good idea to check with lost and found that day and for the next few days.

 

[distherapy]

I would think it's FAR more likely to happen with rental strollers - the perpetrators would claim ignorance....

My question with your fabulous stroller, though, is how do you plan to get from park to park? Does it collapse so you can go on the buses/smaller boats? Or are you only doing monorail (and hopefully during low season...)

 

[distherapy]

Never mind! I just looked it up and saw the "patented quick fold technology". Very cool! Like any stroller, though, it does still look pretty cumbersome when folded. We would rent a double stroller this year except I can't stomach the prices they charge! We'll bring our beaten up Peg Perego Aria twin again and hope it survives the week.

 

[Momto4ct]

Wow i can't believe that someone would actually steal a stroller. I figured people just got confused as the CM typically move strollers as they condense the stoller parking area. That is just down right rotten to take a stroller!!!

We are past the time of using stollers as my baby is now 6 but we always tied a bright ribbon, head band or something to the handle. Made it easy to find in a crowd. I also agree having your own laminated sign or stickers attached with your name is a great idea.

 

[casper_jj11]

The baby jogger double is wonderful but I'd NEVER take it on a bus. It folds nicely but weighs a TON (at least for me). We took the bus during our first trip but with three kiddos so young, I won't be doing it again for a very long time. We rent a minivan and drive everywhere. Its so much easier for us. Now, this time we'll be staying at the Poly so I'm looking forward to not having to drive at all!

 

[*Seanaci*]

I'd read about that womans stroller being stolen, and will be printing off some address/phone labels before we go to stick in non-obvious spots.

 

[3girls4me05]

I also did the laminated sign thing. I printed our name on bright pink cardstock. Then I laminated it and attached it to the stroller using those plastic ties. You can only get it off by cutting it. I also tied a bright bandana around the handle. We had no problems (course ours wasn't super pricy either) I also had my LGMH on it with my disname, laminated and attached the same way. I figure the more distinct I make it, the less likely someone would pick mine to take.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I took a Peg Perego P3 last year. No problems. And my stroller was being ogled by lots of people

 

[Technosavant]

I'd think a basic padlock through one of the wheels would be sufficient. If the wheels don't have spokes, then just drill a hole in one of them; you just need to make it so that the thing can't be rolled without a great deal of trouble. Depending on the design of the stroller, a padlock with a long hasp could lock through a wheel and around a structural member. What's more, a basic padlock can be quickly installed, removed, and travels far more easily than a full blown bike lock.


Remember the first rule of theft prevention: make somebody else an easier target. Even though that lock is far from foolproof, it makes your stroller a harder target than the one right next to you. Thieves are lazy, that's why they steal- they'll go for the unprotected one.

 

[acourtwdw]

The CM's often have to move strollers at the attractions. If you have a lock on the wheels, you are making their job a lot harder. Just my two cents...

 

[Technosavant]

The CM's often have to move strollers at the attractions. If you have a lock on the wheels, you are making their job a lot harder. Just my two cents...

One wheel won't kill it. Put it on a front wheel- it can be tilted and pushed, but a thief won't want to truck it out of the park doing a wheelie the entire time. Unless a CM is planning to move the thing halfway across a park, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[acourtwdw]

One wheel won't kill it. Put it on a front wheel- it can be tilted and pushed, but a thief won't want to truck it out of the park doing a wheelie the entire time. Unless a CM is planning to move the thing halfway across a park, it shouldn't be a problem.

For some reason, I was thinking that all the wheels would be locked! Silly me