Is stroller theft a concern in the parks??

[DreadpiratK]

This has probably been discussed before. We're trying to decide if we should bring our stroller to Disney for our DD, she will be 13 months old then. We have a nice, and expensive joging stroller that I like, and I hated every other stroller we ever owned for the older kids, so I'd hate to lose this one.

Anyway, are there concerns about people making off with strollers parked outside of rides? Does this happen?

One more question- what is the price/quality of rental strollers in the parks? might just be easier.

 

[CLEO Z]

I have read of it happening, but mostly with the rental strollers that are easier and of course cheaper to replace! I have read of some trying to gross out would be thieves by putting a diaper in a bag with a little coke spilled in it and tying the bag to the handle -I guess thieves are grossed out easily!

With a child so young, I would not advise using the rental strollers. They work great for kids who are three and up. They don't recline and are too big for little ones. We brought a Combi Strollee Umbrella stroller that I got for $29 (I hear they are now more expensive) for DS-14 mos and we used it earlier this month.

I don't know if I would use a jogging stroller, just because they are soooo expensive and I would be upset to lose it. I will say that a jogging stroller is much easier to push though! You may want to find an umbrella stroller that is $50 or less that your DD likes. It is still cheaper than a rental stroller for a week. Use it a little b4 trip to get DD used to it. It also works better than a jogging stroller for air travel bc you can gate check it.

 

[DreadpiratK]

That's probably a good thought, I just have never had and umbrella stroller that I didn't want to throw in the lake pretty quick. They just never push right, the darn wheels always get stuck going the wrong way. Maybe I'm just stroller challenged. We'll look around for one.

I was thinking it would be easy to make a little black box with a blinking LED on it that said "theft deterent system" or something like that. Wouldn't do a thing, but would make would be thieves think twice, and steal someone elses!

 

[soccerchick]

If you have time before your trip, scan the classified ads for yard sales/consignment sales this fall. They tend to start up here bigtime in August. A few years ago, DD was almost 3 and never rode in a stroller at home anymore and we'd already gotten rid of our trashed umbrella stroller. I bought one (umbrella style) at a yard sale for $1. DH actually loved it since it was a bit taller and he didn't have to stoop to push it. We carted it to France and used it, then left it there. You may want to consider doing the same. I was tempted to take our jogging stroller since DD5 (almost 6 when we go) could get in it along w/DS if she got tired. I think instead we'll bring our umbrella stroller for DS and if she gets tired, just rent one for her in the afternoons/nights.

HTH!

 

[beattyfamily]

There's a long thread on this on the Theme Parks board stroller thread.

It doesn't happen often and usually when it does, it's because the other person had an identical stroller. Make sure yours stands out.

Also, it happens more on purpose at DTD. Not quite as safe there.

 

[DreadpiratK]

Funny, that exactly where we got our jog stroller, at a tag sale. a couple down the road had been given two when thier child was born, and they sold one at thier tag sale for $30! Brand new, never used. Anyway, I still don't want it stolen, plus it doen't fold all that small. We'll look around for a unbrella.

If it comes to that, they are cheap enough at Wall Mart to just by one when we get there, and then leave it. Cheaper than renting one for two weeks, and if it is taken, you don't lose much.

 

[SylviaL]

I thought I just read somewhere on these boards in the past week that jogging strollers aren't allowed in the parks. I brought our double Combi stroller with no problems.

 

[adisneymama]

Here is a link to a stroller we just bought and love! We bought it specifically for this trip. We are flying and didn't want to deal with our big stroller. This is our first time flying, we have always taken our big one before and never had any problems with it being taken. This one folds like an umbrella, has a canopy, a basket for storage and it does recline. It is also very tall so my 6'5 dh doesn't have to bend over to push it. I paid $58 for it and that was much cheaper than the rental rate at Disney for 8 nights. It also has a 5 point harness which we still use because my 3 yo is very small. Once they outgrow the harness though, you can use the lap belt only.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../102-0217266-1734533?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

HTH

 

[soccerchick]

Here is a link to a stroller we just bought and love! We bought it specifically for this trip. We are flying and didn't want to deal with our big stroller. This is our first time flying, we have always taken our big one before and never had any problems with it being taken. This one folds like an umbrella, has a canopy, a basket for storage and it does recline. It is also very tall so my 6'5 dh doesn't have to bend over to push it. I paid $58 for it and that was much cheaper than the rental rate at Disney for 8 nights. It also has a 5 point harness which we still use because my 3 yo is very small. Once they outgrow the harness though, you can use the lap belt only.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../102-0217266-1734533?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

HTH

adisneymama -- That is OUR stroller too! It was the only larger ticket item we bought from when we had DD to when we had DS and I love that stroller! It will be in Disney in Sept.! It was in stock at our local Babies R us.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Not really---and most disappearing acts are mistaken identity I would think and not flat out theft.

Giving your stroller something to I.D. it obviously as yours helps.

 

[adisneymama]

adisneymama -- That is OUR stroller too! It was the only larger ticket item we bought from when we had DD to when we had DS and I love that stroller! It will be in Disney in Sept.! It was in stock at our local Babies R us.

We love it too! We are also going to be there in September, when will you be there? We'll have to make sure not to "steal" each others strollers! LOL

 

[CLEO Z]

I thought I just read somewhere on these boards in the past week that jogging strollers aren't allowed in the parks. I brought our double Combi stroller with no problems.

While this may be true, I did see a few in the parks earlier this month. I wonder if it depends on the size? Some jogging strollers are pretty compact, while others are huge.