reading threads on stroller theft/what are ways to personalize your stroller.....

[kymi]

I've been reading the threads about stroller theft. We are leaving our double jogging stroller home (don't want to chance having it get damaged thru travel--though I wish we could take it)---bought 2 combi savy umbrella type strollers. What is a good way to personalize it w/o doing it permanent? or is that not possible?

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I've heard of people tying on ribbon or colored bandannas.

We have never had a stroller taken---I would think that would be a rare event at disney???

I hope so, anyway

 

[LisaZoe]

We never had our stroller taken at DLR or WDW - although it was moved by CMs a couple of times at WDW. We just left DD's backpack (white with bright pink daisies) on the stroller to make it easier to pick out from the rest. I even left some of the small purchases in the mesh bag that is on the back of the stroller. I wouldn't leave anything that I'd have been devastated to lose but I just didn't want to carry a lot of little stuff into the rides and shows.

BTW - My umbrella stroller is a very inexpensive one but I saw nicer ones left behind by other guests and they all seemed to be OK.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We just got back on Sunday, and I was amazed at the things people left in their strollers outside of rides. Cameras, camcorders, purses, souvenirs, backpacks... Has anyone ever had things stolen from inside the stroller, but not the stroller itself? I know there is often a CM standing there, but not always.

 

[NotUrsula]

To prevent mistaken-identity type incidents, I got a bunch of hologram-sparkle curling ribbon and tied it low on one of the handles, where it would hit your hand if you went to push it. The feeling would be noticable if you grabbed the wrong stroller. Your would need a knife or scissors to remove it. Also, it sparkles brightly in the sun and makes the stroller easy to find in a big "stroller lot". Do NOT depend on an airline gate-check tag for ID; they are on half of the strollers in the park, and can be removed with a snap of the wrist.

For more permanent marking, I took a few little return-address labels and neatly added a phone number, stuck them to the underside of the frame in obscure spots, and used some waterproof polyurethane paint to coat them and make them nearly impossible to remove.

One other note: be sure that EVERY adult in your party knows how to identify your stroller or strollers, not just Mom. I've overheard several incidents where Dad or Grandpa went to get the stroller and could not figure out which one was the right one. This is especially difficult with Gracos; they are very popular, and any given stroller parking area will usually have 10-15 identical ones sitting there.

PS: Yes, things *are* commonly taken out of strollers. Don't leave ANYTHING in them that you don't want to loose. If you shop, have your purchases held for you at the park gates, so that you are not tempted to leave them in the stroller. (People steal new purchases in order to return them for cash. Piece of cake if the receipt is in the bag, as it often is.) What often happens is that a thief will wheel the stroller from one parking area to another, then take the items out and walk away, as if they were going onto a ride. A cm will not think there is anything odd in that.

 

[kymi]

I love the idea of the shimmery curling ribbon and will add that on. I just thought of a way and just did it to both strollers and it works: I got a bright orange piece of paper and thru Word on the computer - printed our last name in BIG LETTERS. I cut this out in a rectangular shape to place on the black handle of our stroller---and put clear shipping tape over that to keep it in place---it is nice and bright and looks great. I will also add the curly ribbon as I think that is a great way to spot it also.

Thanks all for your reply. I'm getting so excited for our upcoming trip.

 

[alloyd1170]

We have a blue Chicco Caddy. I got a bright yellow bandana and matching blue iron on letters that spell out our last name. I put the letters on the bandana and pinned it to the top of the shade. I used lots of safety pins so it wouldnt be easy to take off. I also put a luggage tag on it. When I parked the stroller, I made sure to put the top up. When I came out of rides, it had often been moved, but was very easy to spot, even it there were others just like it.

alison

 

[gigi1313]

WHITE OUT! my mom taught me to use it to mark *everything!* bottom of suitcases, write our initials w/white out... handle of stroller, last name w/white out... even the kids bikes have their initials in white out! it doesn't come off easily and it stands out on dark colors... it's inexpensive and easy to do!

i agree wholeheartedly about making sure all the adults know how to identify your stroller as we witnessed an uphappy mom chastising a mistaken dad for taking the wrong stroller! oops!

 

[HoosierFantasia]

I go to our local sporting goods store and buy lime green tennis grip tape. I wrap the handles with it and it stands out in the sea of stroller very well.
I also put 2 address label with our info on the stroller, one where you can see it and another sort of hidden.
We usually leave the diaper bag in the stroller but take the camera bag with us when we leave it.

Have fun!

Bill