Seriously, what kind of person steals a baby's blanket?!?!?!

[C.Ann]

We've been lucky - never had anything stolen in the parks.. As for our rooms - we always kept all items of importance in the wall safe and our purchased souveniers in our largest suitcase - which was kept locked at all times..

It's sad to think that people are so dishonest that they would stoop to stealing a baby blanket..

 

[bigmerle1966]

My guess is someone thought that was there stroller. I have been gulity of taking someoen stroller whose was indentical to mine

It was the only one parked in that specific area and there were no other ones like it at the restaurant.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Somewhere (might've been the Unofficial Guide), I read that a tactic that has been used successfully before is to take a clean diaper, put it in a transparent plastic bag, and then pour a little Mountain Dew on it to make it look "used." Hang it prominently off the back of the stroller (or set it on top, maybe), and it makes it a little less appealing to a thief.

Given that The Unofficial Guide has been recommending this tactic for at least seventeen years (yes, really - for some unknown reason, I have the edition published in 1992 right by my computer), nobody's going to fall for it. Plus, realistically, who would think any reasonable adult would be walking around a park on a hot summer day with a used diaper tied to the stroller handle?

 

[shortbun]

I'd love to say that everyone at WDW was trustable but clearly the OP has learned the lesson the hard way-twice. When we went into WDW with our own stroller, we bought a used one from a thrift store and decorated it with stickers so it was identifiable and undesireable. We never left a thing in the stroller and my husband took a wheel off it each time we left it so it would not roll. the wheels were lock on type so this took maybe 3 seconds. This was 8-10 years ago and we did come back to find our stroller had been moved a couple of times but, lol, no doubt the wheel missing caused people to walk away from the theft.

 

[minkydog]

I'd love to say that everyone at WDW was trustable but clearly the OP has learned the lesson the hard way-twice. When we went into WDW with our own stroller, we bought a used one from a thrift store and decorated it with stickers so it was identifiable and undesireable. We never left a thing in the stroller and my husband took a wheel off it each time we left it so it would not roll. the wheels were lock on type so this took maybe 3 seconds. This was 8-10 years ago and we did come back to find our stroller had been moved a couple of times but, lol, no doubt the wheel missing caused people to walk away from the theft.

This is a great idea! I wonder if I can get a wheel off Christian's wheelchair?

 

[OK!]

Given that The Unofficial Guide has been recommending this tactic for at least seventeen years (yes, really - for some unknown reason, I have the edition published in 1992 right by my computer), nobody's going to fall for it. Plus, realistically, who would think any reasonable adult would be walking around a park on a hot summer day with a used diaper tied to the stroller handle?

a) She didn't write that, I did, and
b) sorry for offering the suggestion.

 

[Goldenbear6]

Years ago, when traveler checks were popular, we were staying at the PORS. When we came back from the park, we noticed that our traveler checks were missing, we completely dismantled the room looking for them. When we could not locate them, we filed a report with the front desk. We went on to Epcot, had our checks replaced and enjoyed the rest of the day. When we returned to our room, to our surprise, the missing checks were in one of our drawers, laying out in the open on top of our clothes. Now I know that we did not overlook them in our search, so the next best guess is that the mousekeeper that took them had a change of heart, or word got around that we had reported them missing and they put them bacl. We learned a valuable lesson, you should lock up anything you don't want walking away by itself.

 

[loveysbydesign]

This is what I ironed onto the hood of our stroller for our last trip! I figured since my kids picture was on it I coukd definitley prove it was mine if it got stolen!

 

[kaytieeldr]

This was 8-10 years ago and we did come back to find our stroller had been moved a couple of times but, lol, no doubt the wheel missing caused people to walk away from the theft

Honestly, unless by "moved" you mean you located it at a different location or elsewhere in the park - in all likelihood, the CMs moved it to consolidate the strollers.

This is a great idea! I wonder if I can get a wheel off Christian's wheelchair?

You could get one of those bike locks that look like a cable wire - and lock two wheels to each other (not to anything in the park, because there's an excellent chance the Cast Members will cut the lock.

 

[kaytieeldr]

a) She didn't write that, I did, and
b) sorry for offering the suggestion.

1) Oops, that's what I get for posting half-awake; and
2) there's no need to apologize, it's just that after SO many years, plus the suggestion being repeated here ad infinitum, plus it being unreasonable to think any adult has attached a dirty diaper to an obvious point on a stroller instead of throwing it away especially since the adults in the party would be up-close-and-personal with it WAY more than any stroller-thief...

 

[asta]

On a trip when my daughters were young enough to need a stroller we had our rental stroller taken three times in one day at the Magic Kingdom. The second time we were coming back on the raft from Tom Sawyers island and actually watched a man put a child in a stroller and lift up the vinyl cover and throw the name card on the ground. Sure enough, by the time we got there the card laying on the ground was ours. At the time, we thought we had to walk back to the entrance to get a replacement. It was easy enough to get another one except for the walk back to the entrance.

It may have been old news but on every trip with a stroller afterwards we tied a diaper soaked with a little bit with coke. Those were never taken.

 

[worm761]

We bought a Peg Perego for DD. We will be taking her for the first time next year. That darn stroller cost more than her crib! I have fears of it being stolen while we are there. I am planning on decorating it, not sure how yet. And am planning on buying a bike lock for the back wheel. Hopefully that will stop thieves.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

On Christmas Day, Dh left his cell phone at the arcade at Pop and he went back and of course it was gone, he was furious. I told him to check with Concierge and sure enough, someone had been nice enough to turn it in. That was sure his lucky day, nothing like that ever happens to us.

I have to use an ECV at WDW and carry a bike lock, which we use to hook bags to the basket, now I don't leave anything of real value hooked to it, but we have never had a problem. Hope we never do.

Suzanne

 

[PeterPan09]

Now, on the flip side of this issue...

I'm at the parks a lot since I live close, and I can't believe the number of parked strollers I see with merchandise bags, camera bags, toys and clothing visible for anyone to take. It always shocks me that MORE items aren't taken.

Bottom line-if you value it-keep it with you or lock it up! I like the idea of the bike locks for the personal strollers. Sure, it's a pain to carry everything all over, but there are lockers to rent that can help you avoid that.

 

[disneymarie]

We just returned a few days ago from a trip to Disney World and Sea World. Our first day at Sea World was fantastic, but the second day, not so great.

Long story short, on our way out of the park, we checked with guest services. As we were describing the stroller, another couple (they were also in guest services because someone had taken their stroller) heard us and said they knew where our stroller was. Apparently, someone had taken their stroller and left ours in its place. The other stroller was a very expensive stroller, so I guess the person(s) ditched our cheaper model for a better one.

Anyway, we finally got our stroller back, minus our grandson's Disney fleece blanket and my LL Bean jacket. Now I know it isn't a good idea to leave anything unattended in a stroller, but I seriously didn't think someone would steal a baby's blanket OR a stroller. Unbelievable!

Anyone else ever have something go missing from the parks?

I must be a resident return item Fairy, no matter where I go I find things. Wallets, video recorders, toms of Cell phones. I can't let go until I know they are back in the proper owners hands.

Last week at Aldi a pretty pink cell phone holder and phone were laying on the broth cans. I knew the gal working and as I talked to her the phone rang and the owner ran back to retrieve it.

I never leave wallets at store cashers....I check for ID, look for a phone no. Ask if any one has looked for last purse, wallet, watch, necklace. Being in law enforcement I tell them the mumber to the police station I am taking it to if no one looks for it before I check out.

Disney, I found a Video recorder at Ariel's Gratto. As the families moved forward they left it on the ground. I sent my family ahead and I sat there waiting until the family got close enought to look and realize it was not with them. Distraught faces were happy to see me camera sitting for them.

Other times at Disney, there were bags of towels, tamborine, T-shrts. I can only hope by leaving as much information to where I found it helps. Like the sidewalk to the bus at AK going to the POP, etc.
I lost a Osh Kosh hat at Muppets one year,. they told me at the end of the day the park turns it into a central lost and found area. Never did get it back and bought another.

 

[luvflorida]

Now, on the flip side of this issue...

I'm at the parks a lot since I live close, and I can't believe the number of parked strollers I see with merchandise bags, camera bags, toys and clothing visible for anyone to take. It always shocks me that MORE items aren't taken.

So true! I noticed this all over the place in all the parks we visited. We parked our stroller in an area that had many strollers in it, with many of them containing multiple items. For a split second I even considered leaving our big tote bag (diapers, wipes, bibs, extra clothes, etc.) hanging from the handle while went in to the show. Luckily, I took it in with me.

I felt certain our stroller with just the blanket folded in the basket and covering my jacket would be safe. And, our stroller is not one of the expensive models. Wouldn't you know, it was ours someone took. They then ditched our Graco for someone's MacClaren. I'm not sure if the owners of the MacClaren ever got their stroller back.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

My DD1 pooh stuffed animal disappeared from our room at Kidani. We never took it with us to the parks and yes I tore the place apart looking for it. She is too young to have smuggled it out herself. Really? A $12 stuffed animal? I was just upset because we bought it for her on a trip we took while I was pregnant with her.

 

[dr_zero]

Check out some of the very cool pac safe products they have cases for just about any need and a universal setup also.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3

I'm looking into one for my camera gear so I can secure it and not be distracted especially when shooting alone.

http://www.pacsafe.com/ultimate/ultimate.html

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

We only took umbrella strollers to WDW, and we hung everything off those strollers. Now, when we left the stroller for a ride or meal, we swung everything to the front (into the seat area) and threw an ugly towel over the top, but we never had a problem. By everything, I mean camera bags, shopping bags, diaper bags - you name it.

Maybe we were just lucky (or maybe it was the cheap strollers), but we did about 6 or 7 trips like this - no issues...

 

[ols386]

It doesn't surprise me that things are stolen at WDW parks, resorts, or where ever. WDW is not any different than any other public areas. There are thieves everywhere. And some people just don't have a conscience.