I can't BELIEVE it!!

[roymccoy]

I have a sad report for you from Disneyland. We were at DL tonight (me, wife, two kids) and our stroller was STOLEN!! We came out of The Haunted Mansion and it wasn't where we left it. Now I know that DL CM's move strollers sometimes but it was no where to be found. We called security and we were told that it happens a lot. He said that stoller theft is a crime that is definitely on the rise at DL. He took our report and stayed with us. In the stroller were my car and house keys (I'm an idiot...) diaper bag, baby food, toys, etc. In the diaper bag were our kids "shot cards" and medicine. Security eventually found the stroller in the bushes by Indiana Jones sans diaper bag. They found that in a garbage can in a bathroom in Frontierland. The security guy told us that they take bags to the bathrooms because they can look through them in the safety of a stall and there is a lot of light in the bathrooms. Also, he said that it is the one place that security cameras aren't allowed in Disneyland. The bag had been ransacked but the shot cards were there.

Well, anyway, that's my tail of woe. That's the first time in 35 years of going to DL that I have ever had a crime committed against me (not counting DCA...ha ha) and it's got me a little scared. The security guard also said that pick-pockets are on the rise at the parks. They like to get you while you're standing there looking up at something. (Parade, fireworks, etc) What's this world coming to?

Roy

P.S. Oh, for you people without kids, shot cards are the record that your doctor gives you that lists the shots your child has received. They need it to get into school. You better believe that our cards won't be kept in the diaper bag anymore!

 

[TheLionKing]

That really bites.

I have no proof, but it would not surprise me to hear that crimes like these are on the rise due to the stumbling economy.

 

[Bob O]

Sorry to hear about your loss!!!!
And rather than the economy to blame IMHO scumbag criminals will steal no matter what the economy is, thats how they make a living and get high/drunk!!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

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I'm sorry to hear that, Roy. That really stinks that people do that, and that this time they got you.

I also have a tendency to be more trusting at the Disney parks and when we go camping. This is a real heads up that we need to be more vigilant, and not so trusting anymore.

 

[Rajah]

 

[Horizons16]

Thats a kick in the teeth...

I hope that it doesnt happen to you again...

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

I was just wondering about this kind of thing when I was there a couple weeks ago. I kept seeing really nice strollers along with the park strollers and wondered if they ever got stollen. How awful that it happened to you

 

[roymccoy]

Thanks for all of your kind words...we really appreciate it. We went out today and bought a cheap "umbrella stroller" for our trips to the parks. From what the guard was telling me, the criminals aren't so much stealing strollers but taking them to another part of the park and ransacking them for cameras, purses, cellphones, money, etc. He said that they usually find the strollers but he did say that nice strollers seemed to be targeted more. That's why we bought the little cheapie for the parks. Thinking back, I used to leave my $600 digital camera in the back of the stroller and my wife used to leave her purse. Luckily, we had taken both of them into the Haunted Mansion with us and they weren't in the stroller. A little bright spot!

Anyway, thanks again for your words of support!

Roy

 

[MarkRG]

I would say that rule #1 anywhere is to not leave any kind of valuables out of your control in a public or semi-public place at any time anywhere, including Disney. I was always astounded at people who'd leave thier expensive Greco or other fancy stroller with souvenir, diaper, and such bags and go into a ride.

I'm sorry it happened to you. But be thankful that the only real bad thing you got out of it was a scare and a wakeup call.

We personally don't have kids, but if we did, the only kind of stroller we'd ever bring to the parks would be an umbrella stroller. I'd never even consider anything physically bigger. Too much of a hassle to schlep around.

 

[roymccoy]

MarkRG...

We're going to use an umbrella stroller from now on because of the fact that our big Evenflo was stolen and I don't want it to happen again but, we would much rather "schlep" around the big expensive one because it's easier in the long run. You don't think all those people bring those "big Graco's" cause they want to do you? When you've got one or two small kids you have to bring along enough supplies for a small army! Diapers, jars of food, ointment, wipes, powdered food, water to mix it with, bottles, change of clothes, bibs, training seat (for the big toilets) jackets, hats, gloves, sunscreen, toys, Snugli (a personal carrier) etc. Also, since we have a 6 month old, we need a stroller big enough to hold a baby car seat. Oh yeah, since our hands are usually full it's nice to have someplace to put our drinks as we're pushing the stroller. On top of this it's nice to have someplace to put the cotton-candy and other assorted junk that they can't live without and it's a convenient place to tie a Mickey Mouse balloon! So, as I'm sure you'll find out when you're "blessed" with the little critters, the big Graco is the stroller of choice, the little umbrella stroller is not.

Roy