Is stroller theft a problem at the parks

[GoldieLocks5]

It's not common- but if you are like me and will have anxiety when you can't keep an eye on your expensive stroller- it will ruin your trip to have it with you...

this is why I brought a crappy stroller with us for the airport - and rented a city mini double with insurance - I loved that I didn't have to think about it at all.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

That's an old trick that everyone knows. What person in their right mind would leave a soiled diaper tied to the stroller instead of tossing it out?

Perhaps someone who cloth diapers?

 

[Gracie09]

Perhaps someone who cloth diapers?

Realatively few people cloth diaper. Even few cloth diaper on a Disney type vacation. Even those who do use wet bags not plastic bags tied to stroller. Honestly if I was a thief I would target the stroller with the bag just because the person assumes I'm that stupid to fall for this "trick". Whip the bag of and walk away. It took me two seconds longer to take your stroller

 

[angelmom27]

Perhaps someone who cloth diapers?

We cloth diaper but use disposable inserts so we don't have dirty diapers laying around. If her cover gets messed up and we have to change it then it goes in a wet bag snapped to the stroller. Just a fabric bag is all they see.

To the OP I think this is the big reason I like renting. Just to be safe. We have used out stroller before but it was in expensive. I am sure it happens. There is a company that sells buggy locks. Its a cord that can wrap around the two back wheels and it will make it harder to try and run off with it. Just don't use it to attach the stroller to a pole cause disney will cut it.

 

[reneaterry]

I wrapped the bars if our stroller in hot pink duct tape. It's easy to spot and I think would deter someone because it is very noticeable and isn't something someone could just pull off.

 

[corneredbycorn]

We're getting a balloon first thing when we get to the park to tie to it and we're going to be wrapping our bars in neon tape (I'm using the kind that only sticks to itself, that way it's still difficult to unwrap, but it won't get sticky residue on anything like duct tape might). I'm also going to take one of our old (metal) license plates, paint over it in neon paint, write our name on it with a sharpie, and attach it to the handle with a cable lock wound through the screw holes.

I'm mostly hoping this helps with recognizability, but it should also deter any would-be thieves as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

We're getting a balloon first thing when we get to the park to tie to it and we're going to be wrapping our bars in neon tape (I'm using the kind that only sticks to itself, that way it's still difficult to unwrap, but it won't get sticky residue on anything like duct tape might). I'm also going to take one of our old (metal) license plates, paint over it in neon paint, write our name on it with a sharpie, and attach it to the handle with a cable lock wound through the screw holes.

I'm mostly hoping this helps with recognizability, but it should also deter any would-be thieves as well.

Keep in mind that the balloon will be a no-go in the Animal Kingdom. They are not allowed in that park, as they are a danger to the animals.

 

[Haley]

I was worried about this on our last trip - we had bought a brand new Britax B-Agile (expensive for us! lol) and I was terrified of losing it- but we didn't and I stopped worrying about a day into the trip.

I think on this next trip I'll get some neon bows or ribbon and tie it on to make it easily identifiable.

 

[kristenrice]

Two stroller hints I have (even though my kids are now 10 and 7!)

1. When you park your stroller, back it in. Park it so that the seat, not the handles, is facing out. It's much more difficult for a thief to just walk away with it, especially since most other folks park it "handles out". Yes, it is a little more tedious since you need to empty the basket, etc, before you park it, but it is easier to load your kiddo into it when it is time to go.

2. Get a big batch of the glow bracelets (eBay, Dollar Store, etc) and loop a few of them around the handles or wheels of the stroller when it gets dark. Finding your stroller in the stroller parking lot will be a lot easier.

 

[corneredbycorn]

Two stroller hints I have (even though my kids are now 10 and 7!)
2. Get a big batch of the glow bracelets (eBay, Dollar Store, etc) and loop a few of them around the handles or wheels of the stroller when it gets dark. Finding your stroller in the stroller parking lot will be a lot easier.

Oooh, I like that idea!

 

[corneredbycorn]

Keep in mind that the balloon will be a no-go in the Animal Kingdom. They are not allowed in that park, as they are a danger to the animals.

I'm unsurprised. That'll work alright though since AK is currently going to be the morning of our last day. I'll just untie it and put it in the car in the morning when we pack up our suitcases.

 

[kthruz143]

We're getting a balloon first thing when we get to the park to tie to it and we're going to be wrapping our bars in neon tape (I'm using the kind that only sticks to itself, that way it's still difficult to unwrap, but it won't get sticky residue on anything like duct tape might). I'm also going to take one of our old (metal) license plates, paint over it in neon paint, write our name on it with a sharpie, and attach it to the handle with a cable lock wound through the screw holes.

I'm mostly hoping this helps with recognizability, but it should also deter any would-be thieves as well.

don't use what i could call vet wrap we used it on our last trip and it melts and gets all nasty

 

[corneredbycorn]

don't use what i could call vet wrap we used it on our last trip and it melts and gets all nasty

It's not. I think the proper term for it is bondage tape. You can find it in places like Spencer's and other adult entertainment stores. Even if does melt, since it's just latex, it can be wiped/scraped off pretty easily.

 

[Disney2013Girl]

It's not. I think the proper term for it is bondage tape. You can find it in places like Spencer's and other adult entertainment stores. Even if does melt, since it's just latex, it can be wiped/scraped off pretty easily.

I can hear the conversation in my house now....

"Honey? What is this box?"
"Bondage Tape"
"......why did you buy bondage tape?"
"For our trip to Disney World"
""
""

 

[5bound4wdw]

I can hear the conversation in my house now....

"Honey? What is this box?"
"Bondage Tape"
"......why did you buy bondage tape?"
"For our trip to Disney World"
""
""

That's great! I'm still laughing!!!

 

[5bound4wdw]

Last time we were in MK we had two umbrella strollers. We would just fold one up and lay it on top of the other when ever we "parked". It worked great. Once we did park them side by side though and one stroller was missing when we returned. Not too surprised though...it was a Walmart stroller and there were about 10 million of them there!! Figured it was an honest mistake so....we took someone else's!

 

[tjmj9801]

Here is a trick. Tie a plastic bag on the handle with something in it and preferably a rolled up diaper (clean but could be dirty for all they know) and NO ONE will take your stroller. We read about this many, many years ago and used it for all of our three kids and then grandkids and it ALWAYS worked!

Genius! Lol!

Reading follow up replies to this suggestion, it could be just a dry diaper rolled up to appear used.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Genius! Lol!

Reading follow up replies to this suggestion, it could be just a dry diaper rolled up to appear used.

But why would a person with any sense leave a dirty diaper hanging on their stroller? The stroller thieves know this trick and may just target the one with the rootbeer soaked diaper.

 

[megan10310]

Last time we were in MK we had two umbrella strollers. We would just fold one up and lay it on top of the other when ever we "parked". It worked great. Once we did park them side by side though and one stroller was missing when we returned. Not too surprised though...it was a Walmart stroller and there were about 10 million of them there!! Figured it was an honest mistake so....we took someone else's!

Someone accidentally took your stroller so you stole someone else's? What do you think the person you stole from did when they couldn't find their stroller??? This is the opposite of spreading pixie dust!

 

[megan10310]

Last time we were in MK we had two umbrella strollers. We would just fold one up and lay it on top of the other when ever we "parked". It worked great. Once we did park them side by side though and one stroller was missing when we returned. Not too surprised though...it was a Walmart stroller and there were about 10 million of them there!! Figured it was an honest mistake so....we took someone else's!

Someone accidentally took your stroller so you stole someone else's? You are kidding right?