Stealing in Parks?

[yoopertravelers]

We were at WDW 6 years ago and left our things on our rented stroller and never had a issue with things being stolen. We also noticed other people leaving there things in their strollers. Is that still okay to do? It would be things like sweatshirts and water bottles...

I see you can rent a locker but I wonder if it's necessary?

 

[Disneylover99]

As long as you don't leave electronics or other expensive items in your stroller you should be fine.

We always leave snacks, water bottles, clothing, ponchos, etc.... In our stroller and have never had a problem.

I figure if somebody is going to steal my food, water or clothing, they probably need it more then me anyways.

 

[queenofthehive]

Whatever you leave in the stroller just realize it might not be there when you get back. Never get too lax....

 

[Gracie09]

We leave our spare clothes, food, drinks. We never leave electronics (phone camera) or wallets. If it's expensive or irreplaceable I wouldn't leave it.

Also the squirrels are the worst food thieves of all!

 

[NicoleK1974]

A friend was just there last month and left a nice water bottle (with her first initial on it) in the cup holder of the stroller, and as they were coming off a ride, back to the stroller she saw a woman carrying what appeared to be a VERY similar water bottle and walking briskly away from the stroller area....

 

[Samandmom]

I figure if somebody is going to steal my food, water or clothing, they probably need it more then me anyways.

I say this ALL the time to my kids!!!

 

[AuroraRora]

Also the squirrels are the worst food thieves of all!

This! Watch out for the sneakiest ones of them all - the furry thieves!

 

[CT Yankee]

I understand the sentiment that some may be in desperate need of clothing, food, etc., but I encourage caution in the use of this justification for stealing. This concept really applies only to some very limited circumstances, and it just makes it too easy to excuse criminal behavior. No matter what the monetary value, taking something that is not yours without the owner's permission is stealing, which is a crime, and it is wrong. I would hope that anyone who is in dire straits would seek help from social service organizations such as the Salvation Army or a church food pantry or even public assistance before turning to crime. Anyone who can afford admission to WDW certainly does not fall into this category.

 

[mgrayar]

I understand the sentiment that some may be in desperate need of clothing, food, etc., but I encourage caution in the use of this justification for stealing. This concept really applies only to some very limited circumstances, and it just makes it too easy to excuse criminal behavior. No matter what the monetary value, taking something that is not yours without the owner's permission is stealing, which is a crime, and it is wrong. I would hope that anyone who is in dire straits would seek help from social service organizations such as the Salvation Army or a church food pantry or even public assistance before turning to crime. Anyone who can afford admission to WDW certainly does not fall into this category.

I think the mindset of "they needed it more than me" is more of a way to not let someone else's actions ruin ones wonderful vacation. Nobody that can afford to get into WDW would be justified in any action like this, but carrying the attitude of "oh well, my fault for leaving it" will help you get past the intrusion and get on with the magic.

 

[mom2rtk]

As others have said, only leave things you would be ok with losing. It's not rampant, but thefts do happen. A friend of mine had her entire stroller taken. Security told her it was the 10th one taken that day. While not the end of the world, it was a huge hassle.

 

[soar2014]

I'd like to chime in as well. For people who buy very expensive strollers, please know they are very often stolen no matter where you are. WDW is not on another planet, it's not immune to theft.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

As long as you don't leave electronics or other expensive items in your stroller you should be fine.

We always leave snacks, water bottles, clothing, ponchos, etc.... In our stroller and have never had a problem.

I figure if somebody is going to steal my food, water or clothing, they probably need it more then me anyways.

If they are in WDW, this rationalization just doesn't hold water.

Stealing is wrong!

AKK

 

[KatieCharlotte]

My DD's Minnie ears were taken from our stroller while we were on TSMM. Who would do that to a kid? A CM showered on us and replaced them for free. There's clearly no guarantee your possessions are safe from theft. I would not leave anything you'd be devastated to lose, but don't spend time worrying about it. Even after the theft, we still left our jackets piled on our cheap umbrella stroller.

 

[CT Yankee]

Ugh! That's an even worse justification than "they needed it more than me." I used the "my fault" statement once when I was telling a friend of mine about how someone had stolen some change from my car in my driveway, which I had left unlocked overnight. Yes, it was stupid to leave my car unlocked, but when I started to say that it was my fault, my friend cut me off and told me that it was the fault of the person who made the decision to break the law and steal from your car. That really changed my thinking on matters like this. Certainly, we can all take common-sense steps to protect ourselves and avoid becoming crime victims, but ultimately the responsbility for committing that crime lies with the person who perpetrated it.

 

[yoopertravelers]

Because we are renting our stroller, should we use something to "mark" it and make it more visible to us? Any recommendations?

 

[Crickey]

Whilst it is Disney dont think that everything is safe.

I have traveled alot around the world and take the same measures i would if i was walking down Main Street U S A or walking around Barcelona ( Lots Of Pick Pockets ) never leave anything out that you feel could be stolen

 

[Escape Artist]

I had a small backpack I used for a diaper bag when my kids were still in diapers. It was stolen right out of my stroller basket at Disney. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was just the right size for my purposes. All it had in it was some sunblock, toddler snacks, and diaper change supplies.

When I talked to Disney about it, they told me that somebody probably stole it for my little backpack! It never dawned on me that somebody would bother stealing it because there was nothing very valuable inside. But I loved that little bag and was sad it was gone forever, and it shook my feelings about Disney because some evil jerk stole my kids' sunblock and snacks there.

We live and learn - it's not just the stuff *IN* the bags they're trying to steal, and some people are scum!

Sue in Texas

 

[Gracie09]

I'd like to chime in as well. For people who buy very expensive strollers, please know they are very often stolen no matter where you are. WDW is not on another planet, it's not immune to theft.

I would disagree with that. We have what most would consider a very expensive stroller and we never had an issue at wdw or anywhere else for that matter. I would think the ones that look like the rentals (citi minis and the like) are more likely to be stolen because they all look alike and if it's a true thief and not a mistaken person they assume the person wouldn't care as much if it's a rental.

I think you would be more likely to lose something left in a stroller like a phone or tablet than lose an entire stroller. It's much easier to resell a phone than a stroller

 

[mgrayar]

Ugh! That's an even worse justification than "they needed it more than me." I used the "my fault" statement once when I was telling a friend of mine about how someone had stolen some change from my car in my driveway, which I had left unlocked overnight. Yes, it was stupid to leave my car unlocked, but when I started to say that it was my fault, my friend cut me off and told me that it was the fault of the person who made the decision to break the law and steal from your car. That really changed my thinking on matters like this. Certainly, we can all take common-sense steps to protect ourselves and avoid becoming crime victims, but ultimately the responsbility for committing that crime lies with the person who perpetrated it.

That's a poor interpretation of the meaning of my post. I was just saying that shaking it off it it happens and not letting it ruin your trip is the best way to handle it for your family vacation.

What is better?

1). Saying "oh well, I left it there and they took it. Shame on them".

Or

2). Dwelling on your feelings of being a victim and letting them take the great vacation from you as well.

You control your attitude, not them. Allow yourself to feel like a victim and take your vacation and that $40 jacket just cost you $4000.

 

[Jennasis]

I would disagree with that. We have what most would consider a very expensive stroller and we never had an issue at wdw or anywhere else for that matter. I would think the ones that look like the rentals (citi minis and the like) are more likely to be stolen because they all look alike and if it's a true thief and not a mistaken person they assume the person wouldn't care as much if it's a rental.

I think you would be more likely to lose something left in a stroller like a phone or tablet than lose an entire stroller. It's much easier to resell a phone than a stroller

So because your expensive stroller hasn't been stolen that means expensive strollers aren't likely to be stolen? That's like saying because you've never been in a car accident you don't have to wear a seatbelt.

I can name at least two families who had their expensive strollers stolen at WDW. One recovered it. The other did not.

It happens. It may not be a rampant occurrence, but it does happen.

Anyone who brings anything of value into the park risks losing it. It's the general risk we take in life in general. Just be vigilant. Take steps to make it harder for thieves etc.