Maclaren Major Stroller Question

[pilgrimr]

We are looking to get a Maclaren Major stroller for our autistic DS age 6. My only problem or fear is that when we go to WDW it may get stolen (as you know it is not cheap). Can you put a lock on it (I know you can't lock it to fix place to WDW) to discourage someone taking it? Any ideas or experience on it or should I not be too worry about it. When I do get it I am planning on putting our names all around for ID'ing so there is no question about who it belongs too. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[my3princes]

It is my understanding that you can use a bicycle type lock to lock a wheel to the the stroller itself. They CMs can still move it yet it would be no use to someone in the park.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Get a bicycle cable and a good lock. Run the cable through at least one wheel. Either lock two wheels together or one wheel to the frame. This will allow a CM who is straightening up a stroller parking area to move it, but will not allow someone to drive it off.

 

[SueM in MN]

The first time we went to WDW with DD's first wheelchair, we were really worried about it because it cost nearly $4000 and she would not be able to use a rental stroller if someone took it. We took a lock along, but never ended up using it. You can lock two wheels of a stroller or wheelchair together so it can't be moved easily. If you lock together either the front 2 or rear 2 tires, it can still be moved by 'popping' it up on the unlocked tires. But, no one will be able to use it. That is OK to do; you just can't lock it to anything and it does still need to be able be moved if necessary.

For wheelchairs and strollers that are being brought into lines (which you probably will be doing), your son will either be in it (like for shows) or in most rides, it will be parked where you left it when you got on.
Most people don't even see the wheelchairs and special needs strollers that are parked there. I can tell you that from personal experience from last October. DH, DD and I went on Haunted Mansion. I was in the ride car in front of DD and DH. DD's wheelchair was parked at the ride exit. When the ride ended, I got off, but DH and DD stayed on for another trip. By the time I realized they were not getting off, it was too late for me to get on again. The CM told me to just wait at the exit for them to come around again.
I was a little self conscious and thought everyone would look at me when they exited the ride. Even though I was standing there for one whole ride circuit, no one glanced at me or at the couple of wheelchairs that were also at the exit. Most people are just focused on getting off, getting their party all together and getting to their next attraction.
I stopped being nervous about leaving DD's wheelchair a long time ago, but after my experience at Haunted Mansion, I definately won't worry about it any nmore.

 

[ORMom2Four]

The only problem with the Major is that the wheels can't be locked together in that way. The double wheels are solid plastic.

 

[SueM in MN]

The only problem with the Major is that the wheels can't be locked together in that way. The double wheels are solid plastic.

I haven't looked at it recently.
What some people have done with similar strollers is put a lock around it so it won't fold. Someone trying to get it into their car would have a hard time.
Also, look at it to see where you might be able to put a lock that would make it harder to use - like even if you can't lock the wheels together, can you put a cable lock around them so that they don't swivel. Or some people have put the cable across the seat so it's uncomfortable to sit in if the lock is there.

 

[ecki]

When I do get it I am planning on putting our names all around for ID'ing so there is no question about who it belongs too. Thanks for your help in advance.

That's what I did with our Maclaren Major. I scribbled my cell phone number all over it and put stickers all over it. It looks pretty ugly now, LOL. Kayla and I went to Rye Playland by ourselves last week so I had to just park it and leave it when we went on the rides. No one bothered with it and Playland's not really the greatest place for leaving things laying around.

 

[pilgrimr]

Thank you everyone for the information. It gives me some great ideas. I know that I am just little over concern. Personally, I have never had a problem before, but I tend to think to much about this things.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Good question, I just got my son a Convaid Scout stroller/wheelchair (on ebay and it was never used!) The chair is worth over $3000. It is so nice and new, I hate to write all over it. I will have it forever, it is the largest size, so I am not worried about reselling it though. I want to stencil his name on the seat back, I guess. Neatly, lol.

It is bright red fabric, I think it will stand out, unfortunately, to bad guys. This chair is amazing, a real cadillac of a chair. After I got it, I realized it is the Transport model, which costs even more $$. It is more chair than I need, but the price was incredible. ($1000)

I used the Maclaren major for years at WDW with no problems, it looks more like a regular stroller than this Scout that I just got. I may have to tie something disgusting to the handle to keep people away.

 

[Narnia]

This is the next step stroller for my DD is 3 so we have a few years yet.