Is this overkill? Preventing stroller theft...

[munchkinsmom]

We had a Maclaren 2004 Twin Traveller (now called Twin Techno) that was stolen during a busy Labor Day Weekend back in 2005. It was parked in a designated stroller space in front of "It's a Small World." It was parked where the thieves had to wade through the mass of strollers to get to ours. We never saw it again.

We purchased a new Maclaren double to replace our stolen stroller and from then on, we brought a lock with us and used it. Yeah, it was overkill and took a little bit of time (1-2 minutes) but the extra effort was worth it for us. We didn't want to go through that experience again, so yes, I understand your concern and don't think you're being overly cautious at all.

We used a long, thin cable, along with a small combination lock:

http://www.rei.com/product/638602
http://www.rei.com/product/714382

It's not heavy or bulky like the chain locks or bike club. We stored the cable and lock in one of the stroller pockets and took it out when we needed it. We threaded the cable through the tires. Dukland described what we did in a previous post, but we threaded ALL the wheels together so that it couldn't be pushed or closed up at all.

Another lock that's easy to carry and use is the kind that used for locking up skis or snowboards, like this one:

http://www.skichalet.com/Dakine_Micro_Snowboard_Lock_p/3465054010700.htm

I've never used one myself. The cable wasn't long enough for our needs, but it's another type of lock to consider.

Anyway, hope that helps. Don't hesitate to lock your stroller if it will give you peace of mind.

 

[bumbershoot]

"threaded ALL the wheels together so that it couldn't be pushed or closed up at all. "

That's not really recommended, b/c the CMs do need to be able to move it. Many times when people think their stroller is gone it has just been moved by the CMs, for whatever reasons the CMs feel the need to move strollers.

But even if I can't understand it, they do need to move them sometimes, and I would just imagine that a double stroller that has to be picked up to be moved would just have security called with cutters, and bye-bye cable.

That's why people just recommend locking two wheels together. The CM can move it somewhat easily a short way away, but a thief or a distracted parent with the same stroller 10 yards away will look REALLY awkward moving it very much. (and the distracted parent would realize that they hadn't locked theirs, or their key/combo didn't unlock the lock)

 

[Shelebeen]

Our friends didn't have a problem in DL with their stroller, but it was stolen from outside of the Rainforest Cafe.... I would second the lock in a couple of the wheels... we have always taken two cheap walmart type umbrella strollers with us just in case...

 

[DesertBell]

I don't think it matters if it's overkill- how much are you going to enjoy your stay if, on every attraction, you are worrying about whether your stroller will still be there when you get out? Lock it, if it helps you enjoy DIsneyland more. It's worth it just for that.

 

[MaiynaMouse]

"threaded ALL the wheels together so that it couldn't be pushed or closed up at all. "

That's not really recommended, b/c the CMs do need to be able to move it. Many times when people think their stroller is gone it has just been moved by the CMs, for whatever reasons the CMs feel the need to move strollers.

I can see how it could be a problem. I've never tried it and we are at the end of our stroller needing days so I won't worry about it on this trip. If it gets stolen, it gets stolen but it's not a new stroller so I'm not out much (it was super expensive when I bought it but that was four years/almost five years ago....we've gotten our money's worth).

That being said, I would think that CMs would need to move strollers to stay within fire codes. Your stroller might be just far enough into the path that they need to move it in the event of an "audit." So, to me, that is another danger of locking ALL the wheels on the stroller. If :::::GASP::::: there were a fire at DL, I would think the CMs and other guests may need to be able to quickly move strollers to make sure all guests can be safely escorted out of the park.

Yeah, it would really stink to have your stroller stolen but I can see both sides of the issue. If we were really worried about it, we'd just rent one every day but since I'm not, we'll take our chances.

 

[6Smiles]

I've been worried about this too. Never really thought about buying a lock to lock the front wheels. That is a good idea! What I had come up with is buying bright colored fabric paint and making a unique design incorporating a hidden word to identify it as mine in case it got stolen. Taking a picture of my stroller and carrying it with us so hopefully if one of those datardly stroller trolls take it...it will be easy to identify. It's just that one has to think about these things when vacationing at The Happiest Place On Earth!

 

[greens_in_WA]

Or you could leave your expensive stroller at home. Buy two cheap umbrella strollers and use stroller connectors.

We have a set of the Prince Lionheart Stroller Connectors which work quite well. Plus you can separate them if you and your spouse want to split up and take one kid each.

The other advantage is the umbrella stollers will fold up easier, but you have to separate them first which is really easy to do.

You can find the connectors at babycenter.com for about $12.

 

[KBG]

We bring our very expensive stroller every time and we have never had a problem.

I think if you are going during the low season you shouldn’t have a problem. I have heard of things being stolen but not strollers.

Put your name on it, take a picture of it, and if it gets stolen, cant you file a claim at the park and they should reimburse you? What about your homeowners insurance reimbursing you?

 

[LisainCalifornia]

This is why we always rented strollers (from the place in Tomorrowland) when we would go to Disneyland. They are cheap to rent and work really well! Single strollers are always easier to get around in, too. The bigger strollers can be a pain.

 

[rockstargeisha]

I think that's overkill, yes.

Don't leave any valuables in your stroller and you don't have anything to worry about. I see a lot of families tie ribbons or balloons to their strollers to identify them. If you're really paranoid about the actual stroller being stolen rent one from Disney and make sure to tie a balloon or something on it.

 

[stopher1]

There are no metal detectors at DL, and the CM's will frown very, very heavily on not being able to relocate strollers. Don't try to lock it down to anything. If the stroller itself means that much to you, don't bring it - bring a cheaper one, or just rent one of theirs.

We've never had a problem with the strollers in our years of having them with us. Put your name on it in a such a way that it cannot be removed, photograph it, and document any kind of serial or model numbers. Then if you do encounter the very slight possibility of someone taking it, you can file a report about it.

 

[munchkinsmom]

"threaded ALL the wheels together so that it couldn't be pushed or closed up at all. "

That's not really recommended, b/c the CMs do need to be able to move it....That's why people just recommend locking two wheels together. The CM can move it somewhat easily a short way away, but a thief or a distracted parent with the same stroller 10 yards away will look REALLY awkward moving it very much.

I truly do understand the concern about needing to move it. The umbrella double stroller we used is light enough for a CM to be able to pick it up and move it if necessary, so if a double stroller is light enough, I still see no problem in locking all wheels, IMHO. It would be even more awkward for a motivated thief to take it and much better than locking it to a stationery object. After experiencing having a stroller stolen, we did whatever we could to make sure it didn't happen again.

I understand that some will think it's overkill to lock a stroller and that's fine for them to think that, but for those of us who have had first-hand experience, it's not overkill.

 

[mommy2kande]

Well, we took a cable bike lock, and had no problems whatsoever. It slowed us down very minimally, and it gave my husband and I had peace of mind. We threaded the back two wheels together, and actually threaded it through our diaper bag strap, too! There was nothing but diapers and wipes in there.

I saw a few other families doing the same thing. I love my stroller, and I really wanted to use it in Disneyland. One of the biggest reasons we brought it was to get to and from our hotel and the parks, so renting would not have helped us that much. My son is too big for an umbrella stroller, so that would have been a no go, as well.

Our system worked perfectly and we would do it again!

 

[lisadoll93]

We take our double jogging stroller all the time and have never had an issue. It wasnt cheap.

 

[fenfur]

We're local and go all the time and never had any problems UNTIL last Sunday night. Our expensive double jogger was stolen UGH (if we don't use our nice stroller there where would we use it? might as well NOT have it). Luckily DH found it outside the Penny Arcade looking for it, but the thing was stripped, it might as well been up on milk crates, lol. They took EVERYTHING off, my kids (free DL) maps in the sides pockets, a little glow ring from the handle, the 2 clean diapers in the pocket, the sweaters and blankets in the bottom EVERYTHING. From now on we will use a bike cable chain , it bites.

 

[RaeRae's Mommy]

We're local and go all the time and never had any problems UNTIL last Sunday night. Our expensive double jogger was stolen UGH (if we don't use our nice stroller there where would we use it? might as well NOT have it). Luckily DH found it outside the Penny Arcade looking for it, but the thing was stripped, it might as well been up on milk crates, lol. They took EVERYTHING off, my kids (free DL) maps in the sides pockets, a little glow ring from the handle, the 2 clean diapers in the pocket, the sweaters and blankets in the bottom EVERYTHING. From now on we will use a bike cable chain , it bites.

That just sucks!!!!
I sure who ever did that to you will have bad karma for life. Or we can hope they do!

 

[madfelice]

I'm using a loca&tor (see http://www.loc8tor.com )to have peaco of miund about the kids. More the 10 year old than the 2 year old, as she will be with me at all times, whereas he is inclined to wander at the best of times! I will be putting one of the tags on the stroller too, so if it goes missing I can track it down with the GPS unit! I will also chain the back wheels, I think.

 

[mommy2kande]

It sucks that we have to think of these things in Disneyland, but some people suck. I never worried once about the stroller while we were there, and that was worth it to me.

fenfur, that totally sucks about your stroller. I'm glad you got it back, but it is so, so lame that they took everything. Ugh.

 

[Brady's Mom]

I love the idea of locking the stroller. We take a double jogger when we go and I always worry a little about it. We never leave anything valuable in it. Usually just water bottles and snacks. But when we go again, I think I will lock two of the wheels - that would sure give me peace of mind.

We put a luggage tag on our stroller to make it easily identifiable - it is bright green and we put it on with those cable tie thingies that you can use for just about anything. It made it so much easier to spot and worked great for the airport, too.