Is stroller stealing a problem?

[imfortune8]

We are bringing a double stroller - a rather expensive double stroller, and would rather not see it walked away with. I am thinking of buying a simple combo lock, when we leave it, but it sounds like so much hassle to lock it every time. So, what do you think?

 

[ralfrick]

The rentals sometimes go missing, but that's usually because they all look alike. Sometimes CMs will move/organize strollers, so it's possible it will be in a different place than where you left it. If yours is a common type, it's not a bad idea to put a bandana or something on it so no one grabs it by mistake. I can only speculate, being as I'm not a thief, but it wouldn't be too cost effective to pay $50 to get in so that a stroller could be taken.

Cheers

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Be sure to put some identifying marking on your stroller. The other day, I was straightening strollers at the entrance to Rainforest Cafe at DAK, and right in a row, there were 6 or 7 strollers, exact same model/color/size/everything.

 

[missminniemouse]

I always brought along a cheap scarf to tie to the handle of our rental stroller when the kids were younger. It makes it really easy to find your stroller if it's been moved by CM's and especially to find it in the crowded areas such as outside Festival of the Lion King. Never had a problem with a stroller being taken on us.

 

[lovethattink]

We have one of those strollers with a stereo system. Had no problem with the stroller or the CD player at the parks. Did not leave it unattended at DTD.

 

[vthokie]

I was just coming on the boards to post this same question. I plan on taking our new stroller since we'll need a double for 6 days in the parks, and that would get pretty expensive. I'd hate to lose it, but hopefully that won't be a problem. I suggested a bike lock to my husband, but he thought Disney might have a security problem with that (leaving something unattended that's locked up to something). Has anyone else tried a lock with theirs?

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by vthokie
I was just coming on the boards to post this same question. I plan on taking our new stroller since we'll need a double for 6 days in the parks, and that would get pretty expensive. I'd hate to lose it, but hopefully that won't be a problem. I suggested a bike lock to my husband, but he thought Disney might have a security problem with that (leaving something unattended that's locked up to something). Has anyone else tried a lock with theirs?

You are not allowed to lock it to anything on Disney property. CM's have to be able to move them if they are in the way.

 

[jaygatz]

I always mark our rental with a bag containing our camcorder and camera.

Only halfway kidding, I don't mark with these items, yet we do leave them on the stroller while we ride rides. Never had anything stolen yet--20 years of going. So, knock on wood, I don't really believe anyone will steal your stroller.

IMHO, it's all about trust...if you trust people they will be trustworthy.

 

[goofydad621]

I have not used a stroller yet but I think this was Deb's site, or maybe the unoffical guide about putting a diaper in a clear plastic bag and pouring a little rootbeer on the daiper giving it the well "used : look and tying that to the stroller handle. It was suggested that is good practice for rented strollers as well. Kind of repulses that first glance. Think Bill Murray and Caddyshack

Dave

 

[DutchsMommy]

A stroller with a stereo - OMG!!!! I have never heard of this - neat! What will they think of next!?!

 

[Ping]

We have taken our very expensive jogging stroller several times over the past two years and have not had a problem. I worried the first time we took it but now I don't even think twice to take it.

 

[vthokie]

Thanks, everyone! The diaper trick is too funny!

 

[MsLeFever]

I tied a bright lime green ribbon on our stroller in hopes that some friendly Disser would introduce herself. No such luck....although I did see two ladies, decked out in lime green with green bandannas on their strollers but they were dashing down Main St. and didn't hear me say "hi!"

In any event - that lime green box always made our stroller stand out in the crowd!

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

We had our personal stroller stolen from Disneyland last summer. Not a Dl stroller...our own from home. We lost cel phones, Palm PDA, diaper bag, clothes, toys... We were riding Autopia at the time. Security checked the whole park for us after closing and it was no where to be found. I checked Lost & Found the next several days and it never showed up.

Nowadays, we pack everything important into a bag and take it with us when we leave the stroller. I have considered locking it up...to itself...just to disable the wheels...never did it, though.

Kevin

 

[K9pal]

We were there 2 weeks ago. Even though we don't have any use for a stroller, we do a lot of "people watching" and are always amazed at the stuff people left in their strollers while they went on an attraction. There's lots of very trusting people out there! (we notcie this type of thing because DH is a retired cop)
But the funniest thing we saw was outside The Land - a squirrel was stealing food out of parked strollers. Hilarious!!

 

[shirleyb]

Last time we went we bought a cheapo umbrella stroller from WM. Less than $20, since DD was 3, and officially out of the stroller at home. It did disappear once, but someone had taken ours by mistake and left theirs, since they were identical. No big deal, we just took theirs and continued on our way. We would never leave valuable unattended in a stroller though.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We are past the stroller days now (but kind of miss it as it was more of a shopping cart for us, LOL) but never had any problems the many times we brought our double stroller in the parks.

 

[LisaRay]

We have never had any problems in all the years we have used strollers. We do however have a "plan" for how we handle our belongings. We use 2 smaller bags instead of one large diaper bag. This way all valueables are in one smaller bag. ( camera, etc.) and then just leave the bag with diapers, wipes, juices boxes, and "junk" in the other bag in the bottom of the stroller. When we go to ride a ride one adult takes the kid and the other parks the stoller and grabs the small valueable bag. This has worked well for 4 years and about 6 trips. Basically if you don't have the kid with you then you have the bag. or vice versa.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by goofydad621
I have not used a stroller yet but I think this was Deb's site, or maybe the unoffical guide about putting a diaper in a clear plastic bag and pouring a little rootbeer on the daiper giving it the well "used : look and tying that to the stroller handle. It was suggested that is good practice for rented strollers as well. Kind of repulses that first glance. Think Bill Murray and Caddyshack

Dave

Even though many people have just heard about this "hint", it's really old (like 15 or 20 years) and would not stop thieves. It's also not very believable - (why would anyone leave a real used diaper hanging on their stroller when there are garbage containers all over??)
The best hint is to mark your stroller in some way so that you can see easily which one is yours. A lot of people put something on the handle that would be noticed when someone starts to push it.

If you want to lock the stroller, you can either lock two wheels together so the it can't be used, but the CM can still move it, or some people lock it in a way that it can be used but not folded. The idea is that someone who took it is likley to abandon it at the park because they won't be able to fold it to put it on the tram, bus or monorail.

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by ralfrick
The rentals sometimes go missing, but that's usually because they all look alike. Sometimes CMs will move/organize strollers, so it's possible it will be in a different place than where you left it. If yours is a common type, it's not a bad idea to put a bandana or something on it so no one grabs it by mistake. I can only speculate, being as I'm not a thief, but it wouldn't be too cost effective to pay $50 to get in so that a stroller could be taken.

Cheers

Yes, but I can see some cheap parent who refused to pay for a rental getting tired of hearing their child whine about all the walking just go to stroller parking at Dumbo and take one - ANY one - and plop their kid right in it and go on their merry way.